Day Five of the game, 2:00 PM.
Chu Yian finally woke up.
Though her body was still weak and limp, the fever had broken.
Survival had to go on.
She walked into the living room and took out the seasonings and rice she'd brought back yesterday. Even after just one day, mold had already begun to form on the surface.
Chu Yian boiled some water again to rinse the rice and seasonings clean, then stored everything in her fridge and freezer.
Once empty, the appliances were now stuffed to the brim.
To be honest, she now had enough food to last through the rest of the game.
So she decided to stop hoarding food and focus on gathering other supplies:
maps, survival gear, and weapons.
Rubbing her tired eyes, Chu Yian knew full well—if she was going to survive alone, she'd need a way to protect herself.
When order collapsed, people didn't care about reason. They only cared about strength.
She made herself two packs of instant noodles—lavishly adding shrimp and luncheon meat. But even so, it tasted like cardboard.
After eating, she washed her face and forced herself to perk up.
She stuffed a kitchen knife into her backpack and practiced a few left-right jabs in front of the mirror before storming out the door.
Before leaving, she searched up what should go in a wilderness survival kit.
The first item? Knives.
Following the guide, she went out and bought a straight-blade survival knife and a multifunctional Swiss Army knife. She also bought a belt that allowed her to holster the blade discreetly on her waist, where she could draw it quickly if needed.
Next on the list: a metal lunchbox.
No need to buy one—her compressed biscuits had come in a metal container.
Then: a first aid kit.
The book recommended Yunnan Baiyao, triangular bandages, and adhesive plasters.
Chu Yian, having enough space in her storage box, went all out—antibiotics, fever reducers, painkillers, anti-bruising meds, disinfectants like alcohol and iodine. All of it.
Compass. Sewing kit. Three lighters. Flashlight (plus four backup batteries). Two candles. Two rolls of emergency foil blankets.
Check.
She already had food.
The guide also recommended a water filter.
But how the hell was she supposed to use one of those? Bottled water was much simpler.
With food shortages, most shop owners had closed. Chu Yian had to travel far and wide just to gather everything—and the prices were outrageous. She spent a total of 5,000 yuan.
The further the game progressed, the more worthless money became.
From her original 50,000 yuan, she had 18,000 left. Now, she was down to 13,000.
Still richer than most new players.
Now that she had weapons and survival gear, only a paper map remained.
Easy.
She pulled out her phone and downloaded a city map, a national map, and a world map, then found a print shop.
After convincing the reluctant shop owner with 300 yuan, the printer roared to life, and she walked out hugging three large A3-sized maps.
As she left, a young man suddenly darted out and blocked her path.
Startled, Chu Yian stepped back instinctively, her hand gripping the handle of her survival knife.
After the trauma of the last two days, she might've seemed calm, but her nerves were strung taut. The man's sudden appearance rattled her deeply.
"Wait! No need to panic, I'm not here to start trouble."
The man raised his hands quickly when he saw her pale face.
"I just wanted to ask—do you want to buy a car? I've got a brand-new Hummer in perfect condition. I'll trade it for food—compressed biscuits, instant noodles, whatever you've got."
"No. I don't have any food."
Chu Yian rejected him immediately.
Not because she didn't want the car—she didn't have a driver's license.
When the law was in place, she couldn't drive.
When the law fell apart… why would she buy a car?
The man looked at the maps in her arms, as if he wanted to say more.
But then his eyes caught someone behind her, and he bolted.
"Stop right there!"
"You bastard, get back here!"
"Lying scumbag, stop running!"
Four large men chased after him—three continued the pursuit, but one stopped and blocked Chu Yian.
He eyed her from head to toe.
"What's your connection with that guy?"
"He tried to sell me a car."
"F**k!"
The man cursed. He'd thought they were partners in crime, but now realized she was a victim too.
"Don't believe a word he says. That guy's a professional scammer!"
And with that, he ran off to rejoin the chase.
Just a minor episode. Chu Yian didn't think much of it.
She carried her supplies and started heading home.
Too many dangers lingered outside.
Her neighborhood, being in a wealthy district, responded to the food crisis the same way as everyone else—panic-buying and hoarding.
The only difference?
They drove luxury cars, had no budget concerns, and could stock up far more.
As sleek cars passed her by, Chu Yian pedaled her little tricycle. She looked especially out of place.
Ahead was the villa area—home to the city's most powerful and privileged. Chu Yian passed by this route often.
She glanced around—just another day of rich people hauling crates into their mansions.
Then her eyes caught a familiar figure.
Outside a single detached villa, two all-black vehicles were parked. Four men in suits and sunglasses stood guard as a tall man prepared to get into the car.
Even just a silhouette—Chu Yian knew exactly who it was.
"Lu Qingyuan, teacher!"
At her cry, the man—about to get in the car—froze and turned toward the voice.
Across the street stood a stranger—a girl next to a rickety tricycle.
Red-nosed, tear-eyed, looking directly at him.
Do I… know her?
Lu Qingyuan wasn't sure. He didn't recall ever meeting her.
He was about to turn away—
But she suddenly ran across the road.
The bodyguards moved to intercept her, ready to neutralize a potential threat.
But, for some reason he couldn't explain, Lu Qingyuan stepped forward himself, leaving their protective ring.
The girl crashed into him, hugging him tightly.
The bodyguards closed in, tense and ready—but Lu Qingyuan raised his hand, signaling them to stand down. Even he was surprised by his own behavior.
"Lu Qingyuan… I finally found you again!"
Chu Yian clung to him tightly.
All her buried terror and helplessness exploded at once.
"I was so scared. I'm still so scared… sob—"
She sobbed uncontrollably, head pounding, emotions flooding out.
The fear from killing someone.
The terror she had bottled up since the game had started.