523: 8.123 Not Worth*

8.123 Not Worth*

From the start, Lu Yizhou had already suspected that the bug would mingle with those in the photoshoot crews due to Ellen's identity in this world.  0

After that, he started to throw out bait. It was surprisingly easy to hook the culprit because the bug showed a lot of incongruity. For starters, she was overly interested in Ellen and Lu Yizhou's relationship and after that, she destroyed Lu Yizhou's plans and sharply increased his presence in the eyes of others by making him a substitute model. It could be expected that more than 50% of guests on the ship already knew who Lu Yizhou's face. It was simply impossible to hide.

Lu Yizhou had no doubt that there was a reason for everything she did.

—Just like how she was already waiting for Lu Yizhou to kill her tonight. 

"Why aren't you trying to hide?" Lu Yizhou asked. 

He did not understand. Lu Yizhou had met three character bugs in the simulator: Regius and Cruz from the seventh world and Baines. The more powerful they were, the deeper they would hide and the more damage they would cause to the world's plot. They would take the identity of inconspicuous characters or those who had no impact whatsoever toward the original plot and silently interfered with Lu Yizhou's mission through a series of seemingly coincidence acts. 

That was the bug's main trait: hiding.

Chu Lingshe's behaviour did not conform with the bug Lu Yizhou knew. Not only had she provoked Lu Yizhou on the very first day, she also tended to appear in front of Lu Yizhou as though wanting to stamp her existence in his eyes. And that's why, even if Lu Yizhou had already suspected her from the start, he could not be fully certain — until he confirmed it with Cyrus.

"Because it's futile. I know I will die either way, so why not make it more interesting?" Chu Lingshe shrugged lightly. Still with a faint smile on her face, she strode to the pantry, opened the mini fridge and took out a can of cold beer. She lifted it toward Lu Yizhou, asking, "Would you like one?"

Lu Yizhou stared at her coldly, the muzzle of his gun following her every movement.

Chu Lingshe sighed in disappointment and shifted her eyes to Luan who was leaning against the wall. "How about the gentleman over there? I have not seen you before. Are you Lu Yizhou's teammate?"

Of course, she did not get an answer, nor did she mind. She pulled the ring and opened the beer with a click, then leisurely sipped on it. No one could have guessed that this was the demeanor of a woman waiting for her death judging from how carefree she was.

"Don't you have anything to ask me?" Chu Lingshe said in a playful tone. "For example, how can I expect your arrival today or… the identity of the second bug?"

Click. Lu Yizhou pulled off the safety lever.

Luan straightened up and called out hoarsely, "Lu Yizhou."

Lu Yizhou's jaws tensed and he did not take his eyes off Chu Lingshe. He knew what Luan wanted to say. The fact that Chu Lingshe had been waiting for them meant that she had predicted their movement. She knew that Lu Yizhou would stay close to Ellen, knew that Lu Yizhou would be searching for her and knew that… Lu Yizhou would kill her tonight.

From the beginning, they had been dancing in her palm of her hand like a bunch of marionettes. 

Every step they took had been seen through. Bit by bit, they had been walking straight to the trap she set. If Lu Yizhou were to kill her now… then she would win. 

Coldness permeated Lu Yizhou's eyes and the gaze he used to look at Chu Lingshe was akin to looking at a corpse. 

So what if it was a trap? Just like how Chu Lingshe had predicted their arrival, Lu Yizhou had also seen this moment coming. He knew what would happen after he killed her and he also knew… how she would drive the villain of this world to his demise, completing her task as the bug — even if the price she had to pay was death.

Was it worth it?

Lu Yizhou looked into Chu Lingshe's twinkling eyes and had the sudden notion that this bug was a thousand times worse than Baines. She was bold, fearless, and a psychopath through and through. How could she use her own life to make the plot even more interesting? Lu Yizhou gave up trying to understand her mind. Only a madwoman could attempt something like that.

The corner of Lu Yizhou's lips curled into a sneer. He told Luan without taking his eyes off the madwoman. "It's no use. We have already entered this room and the door is automatically locked. We won't be able to go out until the time's up unless we kill her." 

Kill Chu Lingshe, then Lu Yizhou would officially enter her trap. Give up, then Lu Yizhou would waste the night here and lose the chance to complete the daily hunt. Because he and 666 shared one body, then the consequence he had to suffer tomorrow was twice fold. He still had no idea what kind of consequences it would be. One thing for certain, it would be worse than merely vomiting a mouthful of blood. 

Truly… a very brilliant plan. Lu Yizhou could not help but let out a cold laugh. "It's what you have been planning, isn't it?"

Chu Lingshe had the audacity to pretend to think. She tapped on her chin and hummed. "Is it… or is it not? What do you think?"

Lu Yizhou did not deign to answer her question. Instead, he did something that surprised the other two. 

He lowered his gun and tore his gaze off the stunned Chu Lingshe. The murderous intent in his eyes receded and returned to its usual placidity. He turned to Luan and spoke with disinterest, "Don't you want to kill her? Go ahead and take your time. I will be waiting."

For the very first time, the composed look in Chu Lingshe's face cracked to show disbelief and confusion. "W–Why…"

"Do you think that I am the only one who wants to get rid of you?" Lu Yizhou scoffed. "Don't be so full of yourself. You're not even worth my bullet." 

Against the scheming Chu Lingshe, Lu Yizhou admitted defeat for this round. Unfortunately, he hated to do what people expected him to. If Chu Lingshe wished for him to kill her with his own hands, then Lu Yizhou would do the exact opposite. He was not willing to give Chu Lingshe this little bit of satisfaction. What to do? He was just this kind of petty man. 

Moreover… losing in this round did not mean that it would be the same in the next round. It was still not certain who would emerge as the winner. Sadly, Chu Lingshe would not be able to play with him anymore. 

Lu Yizhou decisively turned away and walked to the exit. 

"Lu Yizhou!" Chu Lingshe's holler trembled from rage. "Damn you!! You will die! I swear on my life, you will die and he will be all alone again—"

Crack! 

Chu Lingshe's words were cut off along with the sound of her neck breaking. There was the thump of her body falling to the ground along with the sharp clang of the beer can against the marble floor.

"So fast?" Lu Yizhou asked when he heard Luan's footsteps approaching. "I thought you wanted to torture her a bit."

"Not worth it." Luan shook his hand with mild disgust in his eyes as though there were countless bacteria clinging to his skin. "Her voice made my ears hurt."

Lu Yizhou blinked in surprise, then let out a genuine laugh. That was the longest sentence he had ever heard Luan say and he had never expected it would be in this kind of context. He shook his head with a faint smile on his face. Reaching out, he tried to turn the handle and found the door already unlocked. 

"Come on," he said while stepping out. "Just a little bit more… and we will bring the game to its end."

Chu Lingshe was wrong. Lu Yizhou would not let his lover be alone. Never.

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