Now understanding the situation is the same. Isn’t there already a ready-made opportunity right in front of us?
Finally regaining his composure after stopping the nosebleed, Shan Qi managed to find some semblance of calm as a seasoned contestant under Yan Chuan’s questioning gaze.
“The task is to have an affair with someone’s wife in the bathroom,” he found his voice again, trying to make it sound steady: “The escape variety show assigns tasks based on certain criteria, which can be checked in the script—that thing we saw when we first came in. If you meet the standards, it’s considered completed.”
Yan Chuan nodded thoughtfully.
Shan Qi was somewhat surprised.
Is this Yan Chuan’s first script? How could he not even know that?
Should he tell him? Maybe he could…
Shan Qi’s thoughts quickly slipped into some inappropriate directions.
He initially entered this place for a task, then barely managed to communicate. Now facing the third interaction, the composed cool guy had already been completely mesmerized and was utterly lost.
It didn’t sound too difficult after all—at least there was a standard.
“So what’s the standard for this task of yours?” Yan Chuan tilted his head to look at Shan Qi.
What kind of evaluation criteria could the escape variety show possibly have?
When Shan Qi met his glistening eyes, he suddenly couldn’t find the words.
Yan Chuan urged him, “Just say it.”
His character was already rather aloof, and coupled with the unpleasant opening, he didn’t hold Shan Qi in particularly high regard.
However, they could still manage to communicate, as he needed to get some clues from him regarding the escape variety show.
Yan Chuan observed Shan Qi; the latter no longer exhibited the ease he had when he first arrived. There was still a bloodstain on his cheek that hadn’t been thoroughly cleaned, and he was breathing heavily and looking dazed.
He was fitting the role of the small-time gangster assigned to him in the script.
“Kissing,” Shan Qi hesitated, “hugs… body contact.”
Oh.
Yan Chuan considered this and found it not absurd at all. It seemed the escape variety show was aware that it primarily focused on escape, rather than being some cheap pamphlet.
He looked back at Shan Qi; the way he hesitated and felt lost indicated that the task was still incomplete.
Yan Chuan stared at him for a moment and asked, “Do you want to complete the task?”
Shan Qi snapped back to attention and nodded vigorously, “Yes.”
“Then let’s make a deal,” Yan Chuan analyzed as he spoke, “You must have received an identity card as a lover, right? The tasks you received are probably related to mine.”
His tone was quite calm: “What you said last time was correct; we will meet again.”
Shan Qi instinctively felt this sentiment was very familiar and immediately remembered it was what he had said the first time he encountered Yan Chuan.
He dazedly nodded.
“Trade is possible,” Shan Qi regained his composure, contemplating the possibilities of the exchange, and threw out a question: “What can you gain from this trade?”
So far, it was his task that involved Yan Chuan, rather than the other way around; Yan Chuan had no need to help him with his task.
Looking at the fair face before him, Shan Qi fell into contemplation.
Yan Chuan glanced at him: “You must be a seasoned contestant, right?”
Shan Qi nodded.
He could indeed be considered a seasoned contestant, having entered the escape variety show two years ago and participated in dozens of scripts, accumulating plenty of clearance experience.
However, he didn’t enter the escape variety show seeking anything he particularly wanted or to fulfill a wish. He was from a wealthy family and lacked for nothing in the real world; he stumbled upon the escape variety show seeking some excitement.
What was the wish he had back then?
Shan Qi pondered; it seemed to be “to have fun.”
The escape variety show was indeed thrilling and rife with danger. Still, in this script, there was a strange feeling he couldn’t articulate.
First, he received the identity of “lover,” and then he was assigned such a task.
He swallowed hard.
“Yes,” Shan Qi replied, “I entered the escape variety show two years ago and participated in over thirty performances.”
Has the escape variety show been around for this long?
Yan Chuan was initially taken aback before quickly realizing that the escape variety show represented supernatural forces. It wasn’t surprising that they could deliver pamphlets to a sanatorium and teleport contestants to the theater after signing.
However, it seemed Shan Qi could indeed tell him quite a lot.
Yan Chuan gave a slight nod: “Then I want you to tell me everything you know about the escape variety show.”
“As a condition for exchange, I can help you complete the upcoming tasks.” Yan Chuan thought for a moment and added, “Just meet the evaluation standards of the escape variety show.”
“Okay.”
After hearing this, Shan Qi didn’t think much; he didn’t haggle and readily agreed.
He assumed an earnest posture: “There are many contestants in the escape variety show; there’s an internal forum for contestants to communicate about the scripts. It’s invitation-based, and I will tell you what I know first; once the script is over, you can contact me.”
Shan Qi provided a series of numbers: “This is my contact information.”
Yan Chuan nodded to signal he had taken note: “Alright.”
An internal forum… This indicated that the escape variety show had indeed existed for a long time.
His task required a hundred thousand points, neither more nor less; this one task was only three thousand points—he would definitely join to take a look once he got out.
Yan Chuan mused for a moment: “Then let’s complete the task now.”
There was no time to waste, and besides, the time spent on this shower was indeed too long. There were others in the apartment; perhaps someone might have the same idea as him.
“So soon?”
Confirming the deal went so smoothly, Shan Qi felt his throat dry and awkwardly cleared it.
His tone felt a bit floaty: “Right now? Are you willing?”
“Why not?” Yan Chuan looked at him and decided to clarify: “My husband in the script will be back tonight; do you want to say it then?”
Shan Qi caught the key point: husband?
Yan Chuan’s eyes were calm and clear: “I mentioned it during the introduction.”
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