Chapter 76
“The filming location this time is the 75-hectare Hai City Amusement Park.”
“The 30 guests must evade the hunters’ pursuit within four hours. Surviving until the end means success.”
“If caught by a hunter, you are eliminated. Eliminated guests must undergo a severe punishment.”
The director pointed toward the most thrilling, terrifying ride in the park—the 360-degree spinning pendulum.
“The punishment is—ride the pendulum ten times in a row.”
As soon as the words fell, everyone gasped.
Forget how deadly the height looked—just that spinning speed alone, riding it ten times back-to-back, your brain juice would be shaken into a smoothie!
[Good lord, that’s a washing machine on spin cycle]
[I rode it once before, no lie, had nightmares for three days afterward]
[Looks fun, but if I had to do it ten times in a row—forget it]
[Ahhh my baby’s scared of heights, no way!!]
The guests all wailed, but the director remained merciless and opened the gates of the amusement park. The game was about to begin.
“What are we supposed to do now?”
For many first-time participants, confusion reigned. They strolled inside, looking around aimlessly.
“Is that… a hunter?” a young female singer asked.
Ahead stood five massive iron cages. Inside were faint black figures. Above hung an electronic countdown screen.
10, 9, 8…
“That can’t be… oh my god something just shot out!” the singer shrieked.
[Wait a sec, Old Xie—]
[What are you, a giant rat? Bolting that fast hahahaha]
A lithe figure darted off like lightning, so fast only an afterimage remained on camera.
Of course—it was Xie Mi.
Seeing her sprint away, the others immediately snapped to, scattering in panic. But some were too slow.
The countdown ended, and with a loud bang, the five cages swung open. Five imposing hunters in black stormed out, instantly catching several guests who hadn’t escaped in time.
“Huo Ziqi, out!”
“Yu Xiang, out!”
“Lin Yanyan, out!”
Three people eliminated at the start! The remaining guests felt the crushing pressure.
[What the hell?! My Brother Qi survived one second?!]
[You’ve got to be kidding, I tuned in just to watch Sister Xiang!]
[Noooo!! Yan-baby!! Please tell me there’s a revival round later?!]
“Ahhh! Don’t chase me! Please, hunter-bro, I’ll kneel for you!!”
Xie Mi poked her head out from a trash can, watching a male model outside being chased mercilessly by a hunter. She clicked her tongue.
If she remembered right, this guy had been striking cool poses since the start, hands in pockets acting all aloof.
Now he looked like a street thug running for his life, arms flailing so hard they might fly off.
Turns out, before a hunter, everyone’s a street thug.
[LMAO this girl is hiding in a trash can??]
[I thought the guy hiding on the roller coaster was peak, but nope, this is worse]
[Girl, you really don’t mind the stink huh]
[Old Xie’s basically become our little sister now ♥]
[Hahaha same! Came here from watching her on the dating show—seeing her here, I almost forgot she’s still just a young girl lol]
“Xie-teacher! Xie-teacher!”
A familiar accent called out.
Xie Mi turned her head—huh? When did another trash can appear beside her?
It was the foreign friend, Sangzan. He poked his head out, eyes clear and a little dumb. “Xie-teacher, can I team up with you?”
“How did you even know I was hiding here?” Xie Mi asked curiously.
Sangzan puffed up proudly. “I’m your fan! Even if you hide in a toilet, I’d find you!”
“…Thanks, Sangzan, but please don’t say that again.”
Out of diplomatic courtesy, Xie Mi accepted this foreign teammate. Besides, this wasn’t a game you could solo—later there would be mission stages, and a team meant better odds.
Just as they prepared to keep hiding, a rustling sound came from the side. Another trash can lid flipped open.
“Hi, Teacher Xie.”
A pair of pretty almond eyes peeked out. “Last name Peng, Peng like shredded potato. Just call me Peng Lingdang.”
Peng Lingdang, a short-drama actress, had greeted her earlier at the start—a cute little girl.
“Ohh,” Xie Mi suddenly realized. “Nice to meet you, last name Xie—as in, really grateful Xie.”
Beside her, Sangzan peeked out, utterly confused.
So Xie Mi warmly introduced him too. “His surname’s Sang, like a mulberry tree that raps.”
Peng Lingdang lit up. “Hello, Teacher Sang!”
[Why must y’all do introductions inside trash cans??]
[A rapping mulberry tree—HAHA I lost it]
[Recyclables, kitchen waste, hazardous waste—yup, that checks out]
Thus, Xie Mi gained two little sidekicks. The trio formed a small team.
For now, without mission instructions, the first priority was simply not to get caught. So they hunkered down in the stinky trash cans, feeling oddly safe.
Then the phones given to each guest buzzed. The first mission had arrived.
[Hai City Amusement Park has six zones in total. Currently, only the Carnival Zone is open. To unlock more areas, you must go to the entrances of the remaining five zones and pull down the gates.]
[You have 30 minutes. If all areas aren’t unlocked by then, three additional hunters will be released in the current zone.]
A map of the park came attached.
Xie Mi opened it.
They were now in the central Carnival Zone. The other five zones ringed around it.
So far, six guests had been eliminated, leaving 24 survivors. To dodge hunters and reach the gates within the time limit—definitely not an easy task.
Ding ding—
Someone created a group chat with all the guests.
[Li Yingwu]: Everyone report your locations. Tell me which entrance you’re near, I’ll assign tasks.
[Xiao Jingxi]: I’m close to Jungle Adventure, but there’s a hunter nearby. I’ll go once he leaves.
[Fan Jin]: Movie-Emperor Xiao, let’s go together! I’m nearby too, heading there now!
[Tian Wen]: I’m at the Magic Theater entrance. Bai Yaan is with me.
…
One by one, people reported their spots. Li Yingwu started distributing the five entrances, assigning clear tasks.
[Li Yingwu]: This is a team game. Only hiding and not doing missions is selfish. I hope some people understand this.
[Li Yingwu]: Many have reported their positions, but someone hasn’t. They know who they are.
[Li Yingwu]: Later when others finish the task and you just enjoy the benefit, I hope you don’t feel too comfortable.
Meanwhile, Xie Mi had already reached the Rhythm Zone gate. Without paying much mind to Li Yingwu’s ranting, she pulled down the lever.
[Li Yingwu]: @Xie Mi Do I really have to call you out?
Clank! The gate fell.
Everyone’s phones buzzed with a notification.
[Guest Xie Mi has pulled down the Rhythm Zone gate. The Rhythm Zone is now open.]
Finally idle, Xie Mi replied in the group.
[Li Yingwu retracted a message]
