Chapter 62
Respect personal style…
He Erwang thought of a quote he often saw online: Stop pointing fingers at other people’s business.
Fine, then.
Covering it with a bundle of leaves was also quite good-looking.
It was just that Qin Ye’s conservative image had now taken deep root in his heart.
At this point, every person in the team had a unique, one-of-a-kind outfit that belonged only to them.
Shen Jinfeng had fulfilled the promise he had casually thrown out earlier.
As for his other promises, there were still some.
But those were all matters for after they left this deserted island.
Another day passed.
After leading everyone through their early-morning exercise and finishing breakfast, Shen Jinfeng lazily lay on his lounge chair. Just as the bullet comments in the livestream room were sighing over how peaceful and quiet the days were, he suddenly spoke.
“Do you want to get out?”
!
One sentence shook the world.
The viewers watching the livestream only vaguely had some guesses.
But the program staff in the control room were all startled.
Especially Sun Xinping. He sprang up from his chair at once.
“He really is still suspicious!”
Yesterday, after he hurried to work and finished reviewing the midnight video, he had been in a state of constant fear and worry.
Such an obvious flaw—any ordinary person could have noticed it, let alone Shen Jinfeng!
Especially that “strange” tune Shen Jinfeng had played in the forest at midnight!
Who would dare believe it was just something he casually played?
Oh, probably only those silly big guys from Goat’s technical team would think Shen Jinfeng was tone-deaf and believe it.
Unfortunately, yesterday he had finally managed, through his connections, to contact a psychologist skilled in micro-expression analysis and a well-known master in the music industry.
But before he had time to invite them over to take a look—
Before getting off work in the evening, he received a confidential call ordering him not to release the nighttime video.
The technical team members on night duty, as well as those who later watched it together with Sun Xinping, were all required to sign nondisclosure agreements.
They could no longer spread that strange tune.
If there were nothing wrong with that tune, how could he possibly have received a phone call like that?
However, after Shen Jinfeng returned to the seaside wooden hut, everything about him seemed normal. He did not mention it to anyone else at all.
If everyone did not share the same memory of that night—
They might have thought they were sleepwalking or that their memories were wrong.
Therefore, now, Shen Jinfeng’s words instantly raised their hearts to their throats.
Xiao Li looked terrified. “Did Big Boss Shen guess that he’s in a virtual world?”
“Not necessarily, right? If he had determined that he was in a virtual world and thought the surrounding environment was fake, his consciousness should have already awakened by now, shouldn’t it?”
“That’s just how the program is set up. But no one has ever actually done it before, so it’s hard to say. Now that he’s asking the others, is it because he wants to come out together with them?”
Goat hesitated before expressing his opinion. “Could it be that Big Boss Shen simply wants to leave the deserted island?”
“Impossible.” Sun Xinping rejected this idea. Day after day, the technical team people were the most simple-minded. “This is all trouble you people caused!”
He glared and lost his temper.
Someone lowered their head and hid among the crowd, muttering quietly, “If the wolves hadn’t been dealt with in the first place, nothing would have happened.”
A quiet little implication.
Sun Xinping choked. “Bullshit! Are the wolves the only flaw? You people built the forest in random patches here and there without caring about seasons, climate, soil, or growth environments. Shen Jinfeng had already seen the flaws long ago.”
But after he finished speaking, even he felt guilty.
In the end, the greatest responsibility still lay with him.
“Actually, there’s no need to worry that much. I reckon Big Boss Shen only feels the surrounding environment is off, but he can’t guess the truth. As long as he can’t come out, it doesn’t matter what he thinks or does on the island.”
The group nervously stared at Shen Jinfeng on the screen, waiting to see what else he would say.
Unexpectedly, after hearing Shen Jinfeng’s question, the others did not respond enthusiastically.
Mo Fan’s attitude had always been, “Sigh, this place feels like a paradise beyond the world. Hiding here feels like temporarily escaping life and all its troubles. If possible, I’d like to stay a few more days.”
Shen Jinfeng glanced at him. He felt that this was indeed exactly as expected.
On the deserted island, aside from the first two hours after waking up, He Erwang had been somewhat afraid. But especially starting from the second day, he completely let himself go and immersed himself in island life.
He found it extremely interesting.
There was a long-lost sense of freedom and freshness.
His original goal had been to come out and explore a deserted island and go on an adventure. Now, not only had he achieved that goal, he had also learned many skills.
Thus, he echoed, “I’m okay with it. I feel like this place is pretty fun! Especially being together with Boss and all of you. I feel happier than when I used to spend time with my other friends!”
After hearing his speech of loyalty, Shen Jinfeng smiled helplessly and nodded.
In just a few words, it was also possible to hear how lonely He Erwang’s past had been.
Qi Xiu shrugged indifferently. “Doesn’t matter to me. As long as I get out before school starts. Anyway, I figure I definitely got accepted.”
Let the old man stay alone and lonely for two months.
If the old man found out, he would definitely tell him that hugging a big thigh was more important, hehe.
“Besides, didn’t Boss say someone should come rescue us in at most a week?”
Shen Jinfeng’s eyes flickered.
He fell silent for a few seconds, then suddenly raised his head and looked up at the sky.
He said something that sounded inexplicable to the others. “That’s right.”
“At most one week. If no one comes to rescue us, then there will be no order or logic.”
Qi Xiu was stunned. “What logic?”
Qin Ye was the only person present who had discussed the strangeness of this island with Shen Jinfeng and also felt that something was off.
He instantly understood what Shen Jinfeng meant.
His gaze darkened, but he did not voice his guess.
He only said, equally abstractly, “The logic by which the world operates.”
Mo Fan looked baffled. “Are you talking about the rule that the military should patrol every week?”
Shen Jinfeng and Qin Ye looked at each other, then nodded.
The others no longer had any doubts.
But the livestream viewers were frightened badly.
[Big Boss Shen and Ye God said in the forest two days ago that they felt this island wasn’t right. Don’t tell me they’re thinking about it again now? The more they think about it, the more wrong it seems?]
[What’s going on? Why do I read a hint of threat from Big Boss’s eyes and tone? It feels like if they don’t let him leave soon, he’s going to unleash a big move? That shouldn’t be it, right? Normal people wouldn’t think the deserted island is virtual, right?]
[Same with Qin Ye. Rumor says he was tricked into joining the program. I can’t imagine how angry he’ll be when he finds out after getting out.]
[So if a week passes and Big Boss Shen realizes no one is coming to rescue them, what will he do? Will he build a boat himself and drift out to sea?]
[Possibly. But if they really drift out to sea… I bet the program team hasn’t even modeled that. There’s no way they can really let them reach shore. If they drift for ten days or half a month and are still circling in place, honestly, that won’t be interesting.]
[Damn it, @Sun Old Dog, come out! What is your program team thinking? Have you figured out how to round out the logic?]
[Nooo, I can’t go even one day without seeing Big Boss Shen! Even if it’s another week, that’s only half a month! I want to watch Big Boss Shen for the whole summer, wuwu.]
To be honest, the program team was even more panicked than the viewers.
After all, there was still that late-night video that had not been released. The viewers did not know about it.
Only they knew that Shen Jinfeng’s suspicions were probably far, far, far greater than what he had said out loud.
Cold sweat dripped bead by bead from Sun Xinping’s forehead.
He asked Xiao Li beside him, “What does he mean? Is he hinting that we have at most one week to let him out?”
Xiao Li carefully put on a flattering smile. “Director, you’re actually pretty smart.”
Goat, at the side, scratched his head. Once someone said it, he thought it sounded reasonable and was immediately led along. “It does feel like that’s what he means.”
Sun Xinping’s face turned green.
“Then how long have we even been broadcasting? Wasn’t our plan to broadcast for two months?”
The head of the publicity team glanced at him and suddenly said, “But didn’t you mentally prepare yourself a few days ago that we might have to wrap up early?”
Sun Xinping: “…”
Being mentally prepared and the thing actually happening were two different matters, okay!
He pounded his head. “Tell me, after they come out, how about we send them in again and change the map?”
The publicity team leader’s eyes lit up. “Then the selling point later will be watching when Big Boss Shen discovers something is wrong, breaking the fastest clearance record again and again?”
Sun Xinping took a deep breath.
He smiled. “You really are a great genius.”
The publicity team leader was an old friend of his for many years and was bold as hell. Hearing this, he directly said, “Don’t be sarcastic at me.”
“Come up with a better plan yourself.”
The corner of Sun Xinping’s eye twitched.
He was numb. Let it all be destroyed.
On the screen, Gu Shengsheng had not noticed anything wrong at all.
He thought seriously about Shen Jinfeng’s question.
After a while, he said in slight confusion, “It’s all Qi Xiu’s fault for reading my fortune. Now I’m worried and scared that my family will go bankrupt after I leave.”
Qi Xiu turned to look at him. “No, how is that my fault?”
Shen Jinfeng also looked at Gu Shengsheng.
Perhaps because Gu Shengsheng had a well-behaved, pretty face that was pleasing to the eye, and his pulse was also not very good, Shen Jinfeng was always more patient when speaking to him.
Only, he had not thought anything was wrong before. Now, however, he vaguely felt something was off.
“Gu Shengsheng, are your parents usually good to you?”
Gu Shengsheng was stunned. His mind recalled fragments of himself interacting with his parents, but he could not really remember the details of their usual interactions.
He said somewhat blankly, “My parents are quite busy, but every time we meet, they give me pocket money.”
“They’re good to me.”
[Damn it, isn’t it completely the opposite! According to insider revelations, Gu Shengsheng’s pay for all these years has basically all been transferred into his parents’ cards. Many crew members who worked with Gu Shengsheng have come out and said this.]
[They’re good to him, wuwu. Baby, it’s you who has been too good to them! You said it backward. You’re the one who gives them money every time!]
[I’m not even his fan, but I’m starting to pity him… These past few days, the more that gets dug up, the more shocking it becomes. There really are parents who don’t love their children. Not only do they not love them, they suck their blood, trap them, and even use them. I’m calling on every production crew that works with Gu Shengsheng in the future to give the money directly to Gu Shengsheng himself, okay?]
[Hard to judge. Actually, the main thing is that Gu Shengsheng himself has to stand up.]
[I really can’t. All these people, whether they’re doing well outside or not, want to stay on this deserted island and not go out. If it were me, I would too!]
On the screen, after hearing Gu Shengsheng’s answer, Shen Jinfeng’s brows furrowed slightly.
Qi Xiu cut in, “That’s true. Otherwise, how would you have money to bribe me into coming with you?”
“Sigh.” He suddenly sighed heavily. “No wonder my master said not to read people’s fortunes casually.”
“Gu Shengsheng, this mentality of yours isn’t good. Just because I calculated that your family might go bankrupt, you got scared? I read your fortune to remind you to seek fortune and avoid disaster. If you know something bad might happen ahead of time, you have to actively make changes. Maybe once you get out and pay more attention, you’ll be able to avoid it.”
The ancient saying that fate became thinner the more it was calculated was precisely because of this.
People with bad mentalities would be affected regardless of whether they received a good or bad divination.
However, Gu Shengsheng was quite a good person. Qi Xiu might as well comfort him.
He kindly said, “Don’t worry.”
“I later did another reading for you. The hexagram showed that after extreme misfortune comes prosperity. After you get out, your situation probably won’t get worse.”
“What does this mean? It means we are your noble people. Don’t blame me anymore.”
Gu Shengsheng: “…”
“Qi Xiu, don’t use Boss’s prestige to bully others. Last time, you told me Boss was my noble person.”
Shen Jinfeng, who had suddenly become a noble person: “…”
Forget it.
He was thinking. Among the possibilities he had considered earlier—
If this was a real instance dungeon—
Then why had this group of people formed a team together?
Instance dungeons usually chose people who shared something in common, or in other words, had a reason.
The most common reason was that many people had wishes that had to be fulfilled.
He threw out a new question. “Do you have any wish you especially want to fulfill?”
“Eh, Boss, why are you suddenly having a heart-to-heart with us today?”
He Erwang sat up from the lounge chair and crossed his legs properly. “The thing I want to do most is prove my own ability. I also want to become my family’s pride.”
He said it with great momentum.
After saying it, he felt somewhat embarrassed, scratched his purple hair, and lowered his head.
[Hahaha, is this a common problem among second-generation rich kids? They just want to prove they’re better than their parents?]
[Little purple-hair, you’re already doing very well! But compared to your parents… there’s really no need. Tiny voice.]
[It’s over, wuwu. I used to be little purple-hair’s anti-fan, but after watching the livestream, I realized he really is so cute hahaha.]
Outside the screen, He Erwang’s parents, who heard their son’s “simple” wish, also could not help laughing and feeling touched.
To be honest, deep down, they had not agreed with He Erwang entering the entertainment industry.
The fact that He Erwang had gotten to where he was today and had become a top idol household name among the younger generation was entirely due to his own efforts.
Mrs. He wiped the corner of her eye with the back of her hand and picked up her phone to message Father He, who was working at the company.
[Next time our son comes home, tell him in person that he is our pride!]
After Father He received the message, he imagined himself saying something so sentimental and felt a little embarrassed.
But he did not refuse. He only replied: [Does it have to be in person? Can I send him a message instead?]
Mrs. He: [Sure]
[It was just something to say out loud anyway. If you want him to show off the chat record every time in the future, then send it.]
Father He: “…”
In the office, his hand, which had been signing documents while watching the livestream, paused.
He laughed helplessly.
[Let him show it off then. Give the brat a little sense of security.]
Mrs. He’s eyes also showed some laughter.
[And in the future, don’t always blame me for spoiling our son. As his father, you’re just as bad.]
On the screen, after He Erwang finished speaking—
Qi Xiu spoke. “I don’t have any wish. My master told me that the fewer wishes you have, the happier you are.”
“If I really have to say one, then I hope that after I make money, my master doesn’t curse me to death. That way, I can take him to live in a big house and eat delicious food every meal.”
As soon as he said this, Sun Xinping, who was watching the livestream, stiffened.
After watching the livestream for so many days, Qi Xiu’s feelings for his master were truly deep.
But had his master not already passed away?
It made his conscience ache a little. If he had known, he would not have changed this memory.
Otherwise, once Qi Xiu came out of the program, how great would the emotional gap be?
The bullet comments were still joking and laughing.
[Little Qi’s wish really is very simple. Just that five million from little purple-hair is enough to fulfill it. If there’s not enough left over, ask little purple-hair for more. Read his fortune a few more times and raise the price!]
[Pfft hahaha, sister above, judging from your profile picture, you’re a little purple-hair fan, right? Are you really scamming your own fave like this?]
[Hey, I like Wang-ge, but I also hate the rich! A lifetime of wealth and honor! I’m so jealous my eyes are red!!! It’s more important that he pays a bit more divination fee and makes good friends! After all, his own judgment… forget it.]
Shen Jinfeng also did not know that Qi Xiu’s master had already passed away, so he only gave him a few simple words of encouragement.
When it was Mo Fan’s turn, Mo Fan’s eyes were somewhat confused, yet slowly became firm.
“I just want to find my next job, use my skills, and shine in the field I love.”
Qin Ye patted his shoulder.
“Your resume is absolutely fine.”
[I’m done. Mo Fan truly is a chosen worker.]
[Ye God is probably thinking: Your wishes are barely anything. I can help you settle them in minutes.]
[Too bad Mo Fan isn’t actually a programmer hahaha. Don’t worry. Recently, Blade Sheath Operation has been airing really well. Judging from topic views on various social media platforms, Mo Fan’s role seems to be faintly breaking out. He’ll definitely become popular. After he comes out, he won’t have to worry about having no dramas to film.]
Shen Jinfeng watched Qin Ye comfort Mo Fan and casually asked, “What about you?”
Qin Ye slowly withdrew his hand and thought for a moment.
If they were talking about goals, he had many. But if they were talking about wishes…
He lowered his eyes and did not meet anyone’s gaze.
He said, “My most recent wish is to fall in love.”
Shen Jinfeng: “?”
This secret admirer was truly full of schemes. He had found another opportunity to confess indirectly!
Was this a hint to him?
Shen Jinfeng suddenly felt heat rising from his neck to his face.
This secret admirer really knew how to seize the moment.
Now he even knew how to throw straight balls!
Qi Xiu, on the side, heard Qin Ye’s answer and gave a casual “hai.”
“Brother Ye, then you have to believe me. Your love is coming very soon.”
“This wish will be realized soon.”
As soon as he finished speaking, he suddenly felt two direct gazes looking at him.
One was Qin Ye’s.
The corner of Qin Ye’s lips curved slightly, and he thanked him. “Then I’ll borrow your auspicious words.”
“When it comes true, I’ll give you a thank-you fee.”
Qi Xiu smiled until his eyes curved. “Then I won’t stand on ceremony.”
Eh, there was another gaze?
It was Boss’s?
“Boss… what’s wrong? Do you also want to fall in love?” He did not think; his mouth ran ahead of his brain.
Shen Jinfeng’s pupils widened slightly by two points, and he “calmly” withdrew his gaze.
He felt the scorching gaze landing on him.
He did not need to think to know whose it was.
After a long while, a trace of amusement crossed his eyes. He said, “Let nature take its course.”
“Wow! Let nature take its course means you have the thought, right? Boss, you want to fall in love?” He Erwang jumped down from the lounge chair and ran over to listen to gossip.
Qi Xiu’s eyes also lit up at once. “Do you want me to read your fortune?”
Pfft.
Shen Jinfeng hurriedly waved his hand. “No, no.”
If Qi Xiu also calculated for him that “your love is coming very soon,” it would simply be “public execution.”
Publicly announcing it before they were even together would be too embarrassing.
Although he had never dated before—
His view of love was still that both parties should clearly confirm each other’s feelings before naturally getting together.
Right now, they were not yet at that step.
He quietly changed the topic and asked Gu Shengsheng, “Shengsheng, do you have any wish you especially want to fulfill?”
He felt it was a little strange.
This team was made up of people who were all quite normal. Other than Mo Fan and Qi Xiu having slight financial difficulties, every person’s real life had no must-be-made-up-for regrets.
Yes, a wish one wanted to fulfill could, to some extent, represent a person’s obsession.
Such an obsession had to be an extremely strong desire or regret.
But none of them had that.
Or rather, the motives they stated were all very simple.
Then why had this group of people been chosen to participate in an “instance dungeon”?
Or could this possibility be completely ruled out?
As for Gu Shengsheng, the last one to be asked—
He propped his chin in his hands and racked his brains for a while.
“I don’t think I do. Even though we were unlucky enough to end up on this deserted island, aside from being a little scared at first, Boss, Brother Ye, Qi Xiu, Wang-ge, Mo-ge, every single one of you is very good. I feel quite happy every day.”
It was even a kind of happiness and relaxation he had never felt before.
He did not know why such a feeling naturally arose in his heart. But he was almost the same as Mo Fan, feeling that staying on the deserted island was very comfortable.
He did not understand why, even though his life had clearly been happy and his family was wealthy and harmonious, the thought of going home made him feel somewhat resistant.
Gu Shengsheng felt there was something wrong with his own thoughts, so he did not say them.
So, what strong wish did he want to fulfill?
He blinked blankly and looked up at the clear blue sky.
Suddenly, inspiration struck, and he thought of a wish. “I want to see a meteor shower!”
“I’ve never seen a meteor shower before. It would be great if I could see one.”
“After we get out, I’ll properly follow the weather forecast and climb to a mountaintop where I can see a meteor shower in advance.”
He Erwang poked his arm. “But don’t people usually watch meteor showers because they want to make wishes?”
“Boss is literally asking you about your wish right now.”
Gu Shengsheng could not explain it clearly.
“Who says people have to have such a purpose when looking at scenery? I just think meteor showers are beautiful, so I want to see one!”
“But you’ve never seen one. How do you know whether they’re beautiful or not?”
The two began bickering like primary school students.
Shen Jinfeng also raised his head and looked toward the sky.
“Stop arguing.” He lazily interrupted their quarrel.
“Oh.” The two stopped very obediently.
Shen Jinfeng raised his hand and pointed at the sky. “Gu Shengsheng, there’s no need to wait until we get out.”
“There will be a meteor shower in two days.”
“Eh?” Gu Shengsheng cried out in surprise. “Really? Here?”
The corner of Shen Jinfeng’s lips curved slightly. He answered, “Yes.”
“What time? When the time comes, should we lie on the beach and watch the meteor shower?”
Shen Jinfeng thought for a moment. “Mm, I’m guessing it will be about three nights from now, sometime between eight and ten.”
“! That’s amazing!” Gu Shengsheng also jumped up from the lounge chair in excitement. “I didn’t expect my wish to be the first one realized!”
Only Qi Xiu looked suspiciously at the sky.
Was that so?
Sure enough, he was not very good with celestial phenomena. He had not seen anything.
The bullet comments were also full of amazement.
[Wow! Big Boss Shen is too awesome! He can even tell that there’s going to be a meteor shower soon!]
[I’ve never seen a meteor shower in real life either! Three nights from now, eight to ten. I’ll set an alarm. I won’t go anywhere. I’ll stay in front of the screen for those two hours and watch the meteor shower together with Big Boss and our Shengsheng!]
[Sisters, hurry and spread the word! I’ve always believed the legend that making wishes on meteor showers works! Super effective!]
[For some reason, I feel like watching a meteor shower with Big Boss Shen will make it even more effective!]
All the viewers were boiling with excitement.
Not a single person doubted the truth of Shen Jinfeng’s words.
Because ever since the program began broadcasting—
Shen Jinfeng had been omnipotent. Everything he wanted to do, he could accomplish. Everything he said, he had never gone back on.
Only in the program control room—
Goat stared blankly at the deserted island weather forecast. “It doesn’t show there’ll be a meteor shower?”
“Could this deserted island’s weather derivation system really be so powerful that it can decide things on its own without any signs?”
He became dejected. “Could it be that Big Boss Shen can see the signs, but our machines can’t?”
He turned his head, wanting to seek agreement.
But he discovered that Sun Xinping’s face had suddenly turned pale.
Xiao Li’s face also looked somewhat terrified.
“What’s wrong with you all?”
Xiao Li’s voice trembled a little. “What… what if there’s no meteor shower the night after tomorrow?”
Goat: “? Then Big Boss Shen estimated wrong?”
Xiao Li: “Look at the bullet comments. If there’s no meteor shower the night after tomorrow, do you think the netizens will believe Big Boss Shen estimated wrong, or will they believe our program team deliberately messed things up?”
Goat reacted and widened his eyes.
“Holy shit! The audience will definitely think we deliberately caused trouble and curse us to death.”
“So even if there really is no meteor shower, we still have to cooperate and use technology to create one?”
He was still thinking too shallowly.
Sun Xinping’s face was dark as water.
His voice trembled slightly. “Do you think Shen Jinfeng is deliberately testing us, just to see whether we will create a meteor shower for him?”
