Ning Yi would never sleep with a snake!
Absolutely not!
She detested cold-blooded reptiles. She could casually snap a zombie's skull, but she dared not touch a snake's scales.
So she had to let her husband carry it. Anyway, Gu Cheng's body was too weak to participate in this activity, so it was a good way to make him feel involved ^_^
So Gu Cheng stared at the snake, contemplating life for a few seconds.
He shouldn't have asked.
About whether she was scared sleeping alone.
After speeding away from the scene, Ning Yi felt great. Body swapping was so convenient!
Sitting in the wheelchair, she finished Gu Cheng's half-drunk herbal tea and said softly, "Honey, you're so brave and capable. You can totally handle this! I believe in you—you're my hero!"
Gu Cheng didn't respond.
After all, one moment he'd been sitting there sipping tea, and the next he was face-to-face with a snake—no warning at all. Staying completely calm was already proof of his nerves of steel.
Right now, he was about two or three meters away from the snake. At such a close distance, the best approach was to stay perfectly still. That way, the snake was unlikely to attack first.
Gu Cheng's face was expressionless.
The snake's face was expressionless too.
Only the viewers were utterly baffled.
Ning Yi's side had a camera streaming the entire scene live. Because this young lady's daytime antics had been so wildly over-the-top, drawing nearly the entire internet to watch her, the organizers had urgently set up a dedicated feed for her.
The viewers had been watching Ning Yi efficiently pitch her tent and prepare to sleep, only for her to suddenly freeze at the tent entrance.
[What's wrong? What's wrong?]
[What happened?]
Ning Yi, mustering what remained of her conscience, asked with feigned concern: "Honey, what are you planning to do about this, honey?"
Gu Cheng stood silently facing off against the snake. After a long moment, the snake coiled itself, looking completely unfazed and ready to sleep.
Gu Cheng: "..."
How dare it sleep.
By now, the entire internet's curiosity was fully aroused, itching to know what exactly had happened to "Ning Yi."
Until they saw the coldly elegant young lady emerge from the tent area, locate the event staff handling emergencies, and calmly state: "There's a snake in my tent."
The audience was laughing their heads off.
[The beauty isn't afraid of zombies but fears snakes!]
[Aww, even cuter!]
The organizers didn't dare delay. After all, zombie NPCs looked terrifying but were controllable—snakes were unpredictable. These players were all wealthy heirs and heiresses; the organizers couldn't afford any mishaps involving them, especially since—Miss Ning Yi was the wife of Young Master Gu!
While scrambling for a solution, the organizers wiped sweat from their brows, relieved: Thank goodness Young Master Gu himself wasn't here! Otherwise, they'd be finished for sure?!
Gu Cheng remained expressionless.
Handle this poorly, and you really are finished.
Finally, the organizers found Gu Cheng a green onion.
Gu Cheng: "?"
"Please try it first. The locals say small snakes occasionally appear here, mostly non-venomous. Scallions can repel them—snakes dislike pungent odors."
Gu Cheng: ...Fine.
When Ning Yi saw Gu Cheng on TV, expressionless as he waved a scallion at the snake, her heart filled with both pity and amusement for her husband.
Ning Yi: "Hahahahaha."
Gu Cheng, holding the scallion: "Shut up."
All the absurdity in this lifetime came courtesy of his wife.
The live chat was already going wild with laughter:
[This contrast is so adorable hahahahaha]
Fortunately, the green onion worked. After sniffing the scent, the snake coiled and slithered away from the tent.
Gu Cheng tossed the onion aside and wiped his hands repeatedly with disinfectant wipes, expressionless.
"Yi, the snake's gone," he said.
Ning Yi: "Mm-hmm, honey. I knew you'd be the best."
There was no way she was sleeping in the tent again!
What if another snake showed up in the middle of the night!?
"Honey, I had so much fun camping today. It breaks my heart thinking you couldn't join us!" Ning Yi said while putting on an eye mask in bed. "So I'm saving this chance for you. Have a great time, and I'll cook something delicious for you tomorrow~"
Gu Cheng: Hmph.
Cooking snakes, huh.
Midnight.
The zombies still roamed.
This was the only night in the entire game—it certainly wouldn't pass easily.
Across the campsite, every player was on edge.
"Did you guys notice the zombies' movements getting faster just now?"
"Shh! Keep your voice down, don't let them hear..."
People huddled together, shivering.
The terror of midnight amplified the daytime dread severalfold.
Ding Ziyue's small group had chosen to pitch their tents in a mountain hollow, yet no one dared sleep through the night.
While others were anxious, Ding Ziyue was exhilarated.
Starting tonight, her relationship with Jiang Linyi would heat up!
Amidst the panic, Jiang Linyi stood resolutely by Ding Ziyue's side, acting as her knight in shining armor. In the chaos, he pulled her into a tight embrace!
Ding Ziyue's face flushed crimson.
The others tried to lighten the mood with jokes.
"It's fine! Don't worry, NPCs always go for stragglers first!"
"Hahaha, I won't name names, but poor thing..."
"Still, Ning Yi's been hiding out all day. She's bound to get taken out tonight."
Ding Ziyue shook her head firmly. "I hope my little sister can hold on too. I really want to see her tomorrow!"
Ding Ziyue caught the look of admiration on Jiang Linyi's face beside her, a wave of satisfaction washing over her.
She was being protected so well. Though she hadn't found any good supplies, she'd preserved her beauty! Not even a speck of makeup had smudged! Meanwhile, Ning Yi was probably filthy, disheveled, and scared, hiding alone in some dark corner, starving and terrified.
When Young Master Gu presented their awards tomorrow, the contrast would be stark indeed~
At that moment.
Gu Cheng lay in the open-top vehicle, its air carrying a faint hint of green onion.
The supplies Ning Yi had found were indeed excellent. His sleeping bag was warm, with two layers of sleeping pads beneath, and even a bottle of insect repellent spray. Gu Cheng sprayed generously, finally overpowering that faint onion scent.
Out in the wilderness, with zombies lurking, Gu Cheng remained vigilant, unable to drift off.
Ning Yi's side, however, was utterly silent—he seemed to have fallen asleep.
So Gu Cheng decided to rudely disturb Ning Yi.
"Yi, are you asleep?"
"Sleeping?"
"Wake up."
Ning Yi couldn't help but open her eyes wide in anger from her two-and-a-half-meter bed: This is so noisy!
What's with all the noise!
She had just automatically recovered at midnight and switched bodies. But she didn't dare stay in the tent where snakes might be for even a second longer, quickly switching back.
She'd finally drifted back to sleep in her bed, only for her damn husband to disturb her peaceful slumber!
"Awake?" Gu Cheng's voice carried a hint of amusement.
"Husband," Ning Yi suppressed her irritation and forced a sweet tone, "Just sleep properly. I promise you'll be safe over there!"
Her voice was still groggy from sleep, tinged with suppressed irritation that sounded vivid in the quiet night.
Gu Cheng's lips curved slightly as he hugged his arms inside the sleeping bag. "Really? How would you know, Yi?"
Ning Yi hugged her pillow and yawned. "Really! Don't believe me? Try stepping outside the tent!" "
"Stop nagging!"
Gu Cheng did indeed catch faint rustling footsteps outside.
He rose cautiously from the tent, even sleeping fully clothed in case of an emergency—to leave with dignity if needed.
The night was indeed swarming with figures.
And their pace was quickening.
On the other side of the valley, Ding Ziyue and the others had drawn even more zombies—zombies that had become even more zombie-like after Ning Yi's "optimization"! Their sounds and movements were even more terrifying!
The entire large tent instantly descended into chaos.
"Ahhhhh, they're coming! Ahhhhh!"
"Holy shit, run! Run!"
No one dared sleep now, scrambling frantically out of the valley. But zombies swarmed in a tight circle, and in the darkness, several people were bitten instantly.
"Ahhh, I'm outta here!"
"Don't push me!!"
After the chaos, once they reached the safe zone free of zombies, the broadcast announcement came over the loudspeaker.
[Li Yanle, out]
[Gu Zeyu, out]
[...]
After hearing the long list of names, Wen Xiaoman asked curiously, "Why haven't we heard Ning Yi's 'out' announcement yet?"
They're all still alive?
She's way too resilient!
Gu Cheng had indeed heard the commotion outside his tent.
The zombies dragged themselves closer and closer.
As they drew nearer, Gu Cheng could tell there was more than one approaching. Probably two or three.
He thought for a moment, then unzipped the tent flap, intending to grab two more ropes for Ning Yi.
The moment the tent opened, he was met with a face covered in festering, filthy blood.
The visual impact was jarring, causing Gu Cheng to pause.
It must be said, the makeup effects for their Gu-sponsored event were remarkably realistic.
Gu Cheng prepared to confront the zombies head-on.
However, the three zombies across from him recognized his face, and the guttural "hiss-hiss" in their throats abruptly ceased.
The zombies clutched the ropes binding their wrists and bowed slightly:
"Sis, go back to sleep."
Gu Cheng: "?"
With that, the three zombies sprinted away, clutching their wrists as if afraid he'd snatch them.
As they ran, they seemed to be shouting warnings to each other.
"She's over there! Don't go near her!"
"Let's go! Let's go bite someone else!"
Gu Cheng stood frozen for a long moment before quietly asking Ning Yi.
"Yi, what did you do to them?"
Ning Yi had anticipated this nuclear-level reaction! She lazily rolled over: "Husband, this is my affection for you."
Take Grandpa's love.
Then shut up.
Ning Yi: "zzZZ"
Gu Cheng narrowed his eyes slightly in the moonlight.
Seems his Yi has many... sides he hadn't noticed.
Gu Cheng gazed at the moon, then looked at his own hands—or rather, Ning Yi's hands.
Her skin was fair, her fingers slender, yet upon closer inspection, thin calluses marked her palms.
Had they come from childhood farm work in the countryside, or some other time?
Gu Cheng had always thought Ning Yi was an easy person to understand, transparent at a glance. But gradually, he discovered she held far more layers than he'd imagined.
For Gu Cheng, the long-term passive body-swapping with such a person carried a dangerously low safety margin.
He needed to uncover more mechanisms for switching bodies.
Like... that handshake swap last time?
Gu Cheng's dark eyes grew deep.
Of course, devoid of any emotional tint.
Gu Cheng thought.
...
The chaotic night passed.
Since the zombies dared not approach Ning Yi, they all went after Ding Ziyue's small group instead. In the end, they could only rest while hiding, not even getting two solid hours of sleep!
Only two people slept well.
One was Ning Yi in the tent.
The other was Ning Yi on the two-meter-wide bed.
The world where only Ning Yi remained unharmed was achieved √
Ning Yi hadn't slept in the tent. She'd rested exceptionally well that night, sleeping off what little conscience she had left.
Last night she'd promised Gu Cheng a delicious meal—promise kept!
So she thoughtfully swapped bodies with Gu Cheng: "Honey, wait a moment. I'm preparing a surprise for you ^3^~"
Gu Cheng held zero anticipation for her surprise.
Returning to the villa, Gu Cheng encountered Gu Le—the one eliminated within the first hour of yesterday's game—as soon as he descended the stairs.
Having been eliminated too early, the young master Gu had returned to sleep yesterday.
Spotting Gu Cheng now, he yawned widely: "Morning, bro. Sleep well?"
Gu Cheng stared expressionlessly at his younger brother.
He had even slept in Ning Yi's tent all night, while this useless Gu Le hadn't lifted a finger to help.
Young Master Gu looked at him with utter disdain. "Wait till we get back. I'll shave that green hair off your head."
Gu Le instantly sobered up. "Why, bro? QAQ!"
Why are you suddenly picking on me?!
Young Master Gu offered no reply.
Servants began setting breakfast on the table. Compared to the camp supplies, their meal was quite lavish.
Before Gu Cheng could sit down, Ning Yi's voice, soft as water, reached him: "Husband~ I made your breakfast. Come eat quickly!"
The words sounded incredibly warm, as if Ning Yi truly were a devoted wife.
——Except for the fact that she'd called her husband to eat instant noodles in the mountains while she herself returned to the villa for a lavish breakfast.
By the time Gu Cheng returned to the tent, he felt no surprise.
Hmph.
Ning Yi happily pushed her wheelchair to the dining table, speared a custard-filled pastry with her fork, and had a bowl of fragrant pork dumplings beside her.
"Husband, I know you dislike greasy, spicy, and salty foods. So I specially prepared clear broth instant noodles for you, paired with 22-year-old Coke."
"..." Gu Cheng stared at the iron pot before him, its hot broth still bubbling away.
In Young Master Gu's world, this was the first time he'd ever faced such a simple breakfast.
Ning Yi continued cooing sweetly: "Honey, you have to finish it all~ Every strand of noodle is my love for you~"
Gu Cheng didn't know what to say.
He could only pick up his chopsticks and eat it all.
By then, the audience had woken up and rushed to CMore to watch the final day's drama unfold.
[Wow, Ning-jie looks so gorgeous in the morning!]
[Sitting in front of an iron pot eating instant noodles is just too adorable!]
Gu Cheng ended up finishing every last bite of Ning Yi's noodles. No zombies disturbed him throughout the entire meal.
After eating, he checked Ning Yi's supplies—plenty of food and water remained. She really was someone you could rely on.
Gu Cheng slung Ning Yi's backpack over his shoulder and walked a short distance in another direction. Just then, he came across two boys eating breakfast under a tree.
Both were young masters from wealthy families, yet they looked strangely pitiful at that moment. They only had two compressed biscuits and cold water to drink.
Even so, when they saw "Ning Yi" approaching, they guarded their biscuits warily, afraid he might come over without food and demand theirs.
Gu Cheng: "."
An inexplicable sense of satisfaction and superiority welled up inside him.
Hard to believe this feeling of superiority came from a pot of instant noodles.
Walking further, he spotted a group of people in the distance.
It was Ding Ziyue's little squad—about ten of them surrounding two zombie NPCs.
Jiang Lin Yi, as Ding Ziyue's guardian knight, had managed to snatch two ropes from the zombies. Then, under everyone's envious gaze, he reached out and handed them to Ding Ziyue.
Ding Ziyue covered her mouth. "Lin Yi, are you really giving these to me? You're too kind to me!"
"So jealous! Does Yueyue have all the rootless ropes now?"
"I don't have a single one, waaah."
"Looks like Yueyue's getting a special award from Young Master Gu himself! I'm so jealous!"
Gu Cheng patted Ning Yi's pocket.
A whole bunch.
She couldn't even count how many strings she'd snatched.
At that moment, Gu Cheng tilted his face up at a 45-degree angle.
An inexplicable pride washed over him.
It felt...
pretty damn satisfying.
Once Ning Yi finished eating, she switched back with Gu Cheng.
After all, Young Master Gu was swamped with work. If she stayed any longer, she'd end up handling his tasks.
That wouldn't do—she needed to charge extra^_^
So Ning Yi switched back, continuing to earn from Young Master Gu on this side.
Earlier, Gu Cheng hadn't deliberately avoided Ding Ziyue and the others, so the two groups inevitably crossed paths.
At this moment, the CM platform's heat had reached its peak, and viewers were eagerly anticipating—
[Sis Ning finally met up with the main group, hahaha]
[Can't wait to see Sis Ning face the zombies alongside them, woof woof woof!]
[So curious about their reactions after seeing Sis Ning's combat prowess!!]
Ding Ziyue gasped when she saw Ning Yi.
It wasn't just her—Ning Yi's expected pitiful state was nowhere to be seen?!
Not only was Ning Yi spotless, she showed no signs of hunger or sleep deprivation. Compared to their exhausted group, she looked radiant and perfectly composed.
—How could this be?!
Though Ding Ziyue had spent the night snuggled tightly in Jiang Linyi's embrace, her heart aflutter, she'd only managed an hour or two of sleep. She'd sneaked off early that morning to touch up her makeup, covering the dark circles that had deepened overnight. Yet Ning Yi looked perfectly fresh-faced without any makeup?!
Could someone else have been protecting Ning Yi?
Who?!
Wen Xiaoman scrutinized Ning Yi from head to toe, her voice tinged with envy. "Where've you been hiding? Looks like you found a pretty good spot."
Ning Yi smiled faintly. "Seems you weren't hiding so well?"
Wen Xiaoman's face stiffened instantly as she covered her sleeve, stained with dirt from her escape.
At that moment, the organizers issued a friendly reminder to all players: Today is the final day of the game. Only ten ropes remain in the field, and the zombies' movement speed will reach its peak!
What the organizers didn't mention was that with players being eliminated, fewer than thirty remained in the arena. Meanwhile, their zombie NPCs numbered nearly a hundred!
In other words—excluding one player who was completely immune to attacks—every other player would experience a 3v1 scenario. Three zombies chasing one person, and they were tracking you!
This is a hunt. If any man tries to protect a woman, he'll have to fight at least six zombies simultaneously.
The organizers watched the livestream with satisfaction, thinking: This intensity will guarantee high viewership and impact. Young Master Gu will be pleased!
[The show begins!]
[Can't wait!!!]
Ding Ziyue's group was starving and exhausted. These pampered rich kids from privileged families—skip one meal or lose a few hours of sleep, and their exhaustion was visibly taking its toll.
But the zombies had gone frenzied. Driven by the goal to eliminate as many players as possible on their final day, every NPC chased victims at full sprint.
"Ahhh! They're coming from that way!"
"Don't catch me! I can't run anymore, ah!"
In what felt like an instant, a hundred zombies surged forward. The hunting ground filled with terrifying growls, the scene suddenly as bloody as if the real apocalypse had descended!
In the chaos, Ding Ziyue nearly had both arms grabbed by two zombies simultaneously. The shock nearly shattered her composure, threatening to ruin her meticulously applied makeup.
"Ziyue!" Just then, Jiang Linyi grabbed Ding Ziyue and pulled her to his side.
Meanwhile, Wen Xiaoman beside Ding Ziyue was instantly sacrificed.
That fleeting moment of romance instantly brought tears to Ding Ziyue's eyes—was this what selfless love felt like?
Wen Xiaoman: "What the hell?!"
So I'm just cannon fodder for your love story?
Ning Yi nearly choked on his laughter beside them—he really is... I'm crying!
After all, this was a brainless romance novel where the heroine reigned supreme. Teaming up with the leads meant certain doom. Ning Yi knew he was disposable, so he kept his distance from their tragic romance.
But when Wen Xiaoman turned around, she saw the zombies closing in on Ning Yi—and they weren't biting her? Instead, they were grabbing someone else?
Why?! How dare they?!
Was it because she was beautiful?!
Now Wen Xiaoman wasn't just grieving her elimination—her defenses had shattered completely.
Amidst the chaos, Ning Yi stood utterly still.
Gu Zeyu, pursued by four zombies simultaneously, shouted while running, "Don't hurt Yueyue! Come bite me instead!"
Ning Yi clapped her hands. "Yeah, yeah! Bite him! Bite him!"
Then Gu Zeyu was pinned down by the four zombies and met his end, torn to pieces as he wished.
Ding Ziyue kept one eye on Ning Yi, shocked to see her watching the zombie slaughter with genuine interest??
How could she not be scared?!
She's faking it! Definitely!
Knowing the cameras are rolling, she's forcing herself to manage her expressions! What a scheming weirdo!
Ding Ziyue wouldn't let Ning Yi off scot-free! ?
Ning Yi must be working so hard just to get Young Master Gu to personally award her! If Ning Yi can deliberately show off her brave character, so can she!
So Ding Ziyue forced back her fear and disgust, reaching out for the rope tied to the zombie's arm.
"Yueyue!"
But Jiang Linyi saw a zombie charging toward Ding Ziyue from behind. His eyes widened in horror—"Watch out!"
Without a moment's hesitation, Jiang Linyi lunged toward her, wrapping his arms tightly around Ding Ziyue from behind. Then, just like in a romantic drama, his own shoulder was bitten by the zombie!
In that moment, he didn't think about his fans or his career. His eyes held only Ding Ziyue!
The scene was heartrendingly beautiful, steeped in the dreamlike quality of pain-filled literature.
Ding Ziyue cried!
He sacrificed himself for me!
Jiang Linyi shook his head, his face pale. "I'm fine. You... you must win first place..."
Ding Ziyue nodded tearfully.
This time, first place was hers! She would definitely receive the award from Young Master Gu himself!
Right now, the whole world must be shipping them as so sweet!
Blasts:
[Hahahaha Is this a comparison between brainless romance novels and female-centric feel-good stories?]
[Miss Ning Yi seems like she's in a different universe from them]
Ning Yi untied a rope from a zombie's wrist on the ground and tucked it into her pocket, then glanced at the two people clinging to each other in anguish.
[This was so ship-worthy, but now I just want to laugh]
[Sis Ning's expression perfectly sums up a few words—]
Ning Yi: ? Are you guys retarded?
Yet, drawn into the final circle by the protagonists' tragic romance,
fewer than ten players remained standing.
—Which meant, no matter how they split up, several zombie NPCs would have to chase Ning Yi. Otherwise, it'd be too obvious they were chickening out!
[Let us welcome our boss to the stage]
[Sis Ning! Sis Ning! Sis Ning!]
Ding Ziyue stood radiant amidst the crowd, determined to become the standout figure with the resolve Jiang Linyi had instilled in her!
"Everyone gather around me! Don't be afraid! We'll be fine!"
The others shivered as they scrambled toward Ding Ziyue.
Out of the corner of her eye, Ding Ziyue watched Ning Yi rummage through her bag, pull out a bottle of AD Calcium Milk, tear open the straw, and start drinking.
Ding Ziyue: ??? Does she not have a brain stem?
Finally, the zombies couldn't hold back any longer. With righteous determination, they lunged toward Ning Yi.
Ning Yi held the AD Calcium Milk bottle in her mouth. Her ears twitched slightly, and she turned her head to dodge the zombie charging from behind. She swept her leg out to trip the zombie approaching from the right, then shoved the empty bottle into the arms of the zombie charging from the front left. Finally, she reached out her hand toward the zombie charging straight at her.
—Precisely and expertly, she seized his jaw.
Not a single wasted movement in the entire sequence. It flowed like water, leaving everyone inside and outside the arena dumbstruck.
Then, the screen flooded with comments: "Ahhh, sis is so badass!"
The zombie guy, held by her grip, could only flail helplessly in the air, raging in frustration.
But Ning Yi wasn't showing off.
She said disappointedly, "How did I teach you yesterday? Hmm?"
Everyone: "???"
Ning Yi looked stern: "Is your pronunciation and walking posture correct?!"
The entire crowd around her froze in shock.
Zombie: QAQ
"Sis, give me some face," he whispered.
The live stream comments were already laughing hysterically.
Off-screen, Young Master Gu had just finished a meeting.
His expression remained cool as he glanced up at the TV, then his eyes suddenly widened.
——"Ning Yi, where the hell are your hands?!"
The CEO nearly jumped out of his seat.