Chapter 1: The All-Knowing Eye
Gu Sheng rubbed his eyes, the grogginess clinging to his mind like thick fog. As his vision cleared, the sight of a strange ceiling and stark white blankets greeted him. Directly opposite the bed, a large, red "Double Happiness" character—the traditional symbol for weddings—was surrounded by clusters of balloons.
He froze.
Turning his head, he saw a woman beside him. She had a high bridge to her nose and thick, sensual red lips. Most of her body was concealed beneath the duvet, but enough was visible to radiate a lazy, feline seduction.
Where am I? Who is this woman? Why is she in my bed?
Gu Sheng gripped the edge of the blanket, his knuckles whitening. The entire room was decorated for a wedding, yet the atmosphere felt suffocating.
"You are—"
Before he could finish, a frigid voice echoed through the room. The sound alone felt like cold snakes slithering over his skin.
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SYSTEM: WORLD OF RULES & URBAN LEGENDS
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"Welcome. Here, survival is granted only to those who obey the Rules. A piece of advice: A calm mind lasts longer here. You may now draw your survival skill."
A black wheel manifested in front of Gu Sheng, densely packed with skill names. As the pointer spun, the arrangement looked less like a game and more like a mocking, distorted face.
Gu Sheng was no stranger to this. Years ago, the "Rules of Horror" had descended upon the world, snatching people into lethal scenarios broadcasted globally. To date, the survival rate remained a terrifying zero. Everyone died—slaughtered by the very rules they failed to understand.
A countdown appeared above the mocking wheel. Ten seconds.
He didn't want to find out what happened when the clock hit zero. He spun the needle.
A flash of gold erupted, centering on his vision. A white-hot spike of fire lanced through his sockets, forcing a ragged scream from his throat. When the agony finally receded, a translucent window hovered before him.
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SKILL: ALL-KNOWING EYE (SSS-RANK)
Effect: Stare for 3s to reveal hidden info.
Note: Consumes stamina. Use with caution
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Gu Sheng's breath hitched. This wasn't just a skill; it was a lifeline. He quickly processed the fragmented memories provided by the System.
The scenario: A wedding. But this was a matrilocal marriage—the bride was fetching the groom. Gu Sheng was the Best Man. The groom was his best friend, Liu Hang. The woman in his bed? Zhou Yingying, the bride.
The backstory was a mess of unrequited love and a drunken confession. Now, he was waking up in the bride's bed on her wedding day.
Gu Sheng crept out of bed and dressed hurriedly. Behind the wedding decorations on the wall, he spotted a white slip of paper.
◈◈◈ **RULE SET ONE** ◈◈◈
1. Do not refuse Zhou Yingying's requests.
2. Do not let Liu Hang discover the nature of your relationship.
3. Hide the shoes well; do not let Zhou Yingying find them.
4. At midnight, take the wedding dress into the hallway.
5. Protect the Bridesmaid's corsage.
6. Do not leave the hotel.
7. The person wearing a hat at the door is the Security Guard.
8. Do not let Chen Tao see pork.
9. The cleaner must not see anyone throwing away trash.
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As he finished reading, a chill ran down his spine. A flickering, ghostly line of text appeared before his eyes—a manifestation of his new power.
> [TRUTH: Never eat the food using the breakfast vouchers provided by the front desk.]
Knock. Knock. Knock.
"Gu Sheng, open up! Is Yingying with you? I can't find her."
It was Liu Hang. The voice was familiar, but in this context, it sounded like a death knell.
"She's not here!" Gu Sheng called out, his voice tight. "Give me a second, I'm in the bathroom!"
He turned to the bed, frantically trying to wake the woman. "Yingying, get up! You need to hide!"
Zhou Yingying groaned, stretching lazily. "Hide? Why? We didn't actually do anything. What are you afraid of?" She made a move to toss the covers aside.
Gu Sheng's heart nearly stopped. They were in bed together, half-dressed, in a room filled with wedding decor. Who would believe "nothing happened"?
Instead of moving, Zhou Yingying leaned forward, wrapping her arms around his neck. Her breath was warm against his ear, her voice a poisonous honey.
"Wouldn't it be better if he just died of anger? Then we wouldn't have to be so... secretive. Right, hubby?"