I Play the Horror World as a Simulation Game

"How are you going to explain the one downstairs?" the Blood-Eyed Ghost asked, looking at the broken puppet doll.

This was indeed a problem. Initially, he intended to check on the child, but ended up destroying him.

"I just came up to see where Dafu went. How would I know?" Qin Nuo replied calmly. In the Horror World, many ghosts exist based on their own perceptions. The ones they love most might have turned into skeletons or vanished into thin air, yet they still feel as if they're by their side, unchanged.

"What I'm concerned about is whether this puppet Dafu is a pawn deliberately placed here to monitor me after I played the third role."

As Qin Nuo spoke, he tidied up the mess in the room, opened the door, and quietly exited.

Downstairs, the Boss, having finished his work, lay back on a wicker chair, gently waving a fan in his hand, as if resting with his eyes closed.

Qin Nuo softened his footsteps as he descended the stairs. As soon as his foot touched the floor, the Boss's voice came: "What was that kid doing in the room?"

"I could hear the commotion from downstairs."

Qin Nuo glanced upstairs and said, "Dafu was... reviewing some materials. I was just messing around with him a bit, didn't expect to disturb you, Boss."

Qin Nuo chuckled awkwardly, scratching his head, his expression revealing the embarrassment of having his little lie exposed.

"Now that the shop is quiet, you should go have fun. The work here won't take much of your time. Just lend a hand during peak hours."

"And take out the trash at the door while you're at it," the Boss said casually.

"Got it, Boss."

Qin Nuo nodded, picked up a large bag of trash by the door, and left the shop.

Outside, the light had brightened considerably, dispelling much of the lingering mist.

Amidst the stench and flies, Qin Nuo tossed the bag into the trash can.

With his hands in his pockets, he turned to look at the vast town. It was broad daylight, and kids Qin Feng's age were all in school, while he wandered the town like someone lost.

"After all this investigation, I still don't know what kind of child Yanan is or where he went. He seems to be hiding many secrets."

"If I find him, maybe I can uncover what happened in the Performing Arts Department guild back then," Qin Nuo muttered to himself.

"Tang Rou and those little ghosts are still under the curse's control. Asking them would be unwise."

"I can only get clues from Mo Ting, who broke free from the curse. Hopefully, tonight's action will help her recover some memories."

With his hands in his pockets, Qin Nuo wandered aimlessly through the streets and alleys, unconsciously arriving again at the corner with the large camphor tree. A few old men were gathered there as usual, some cooling off, some playing chess, some chatting.

Qin Nuo glanced over and then looked away, thinking that since he had another midnight action tonight, he might as well go back and rest now to be more alert later.

Just as he was about to turn back, he heard the old men laughing heartily, catching his attention and making him pause.

"Old Li, your chess game is terrible today. Did your grandson Agai upset you again? Chess is about the heart, and with that gloomy face all day, don't expect to win!" an old man with a goatee chuckled as he played.

The old man opposite him, Old Li, had a dark expression throughout. Seeing another piece taken, he was about to crush the two peach pits he was holding.

"Just play chess, why so much chatter?"

"My grandson may be unruly, but his grades are much higher than your grandson's. Don't use this to... to bring shame upon yourself!"

Though Old Li said this, he was clearly agitated, his face growing darker.

The surrounding old men watching the game burst into laughter.

"Agai's grandpa?"

Qin Nuo raised an eyebrow, pondered for a moment, and walked over.

None of the old men noticed him, or perhaps their minds were all on the chess game. Qin Nuo approached, crossed his arms, glanced at the board, then at Agai's grandpa, but said nothing.

Time ticked by, and the game increasingly tilted to one side.

Agai's grandpa's pieces were nearly all taken, leaving no suspense.

Agai's grandpa appeared anxious, picking up a piece and putting it down, each move a long wait.

The surrounding old men grew impatient, saying, "Old Li, stop being stubborn, will you? You can't win, let someone else play. We've been standing so long our legs are going numb!"

Reluctantly, Old Li made a move against himself, dark-faced, and gave up his seat.

"Old Li, you've lost enough today, go home. Your grandson will be out of school soon, and he'll need you to make him something to eat."

"To be fair, Agai's a bit obsessed. I've often seen him sneaking out at night to the school. The kid's gone mad wanting to be an actor!"

"Your family discipline is lacking. If it were my grandson, daring to neglect his studies, I'd give him a good smack!"

The old men chimed in, their teasing tone undiminished.

Old Li was infuriated but helpless, having indeed worried himself sick over his grandson.

He reached into his pocket, finding it empty. All the money he brought was lost.

His wrinkled face bore a look of worry.

The old man who won the game, puffing on an old smoking pipe, saw his expression and laughed, "Old Li, bring more money tomorrow. I need to save up to buy my grandson some supplements. He's been so focused on studying, it's wearing him out, and it pains me to see it."

The underlying meaning made Agai's grandpa's face turn blue, then white. He turned to leave, but Qin Nuo, hands in pockets, blocked his way, smiling, "Hello, Agai's grandpa."

Agai's grandpa's expression was odd, "Whose kid are you? Why aren't you in school, wandering around here?"

Qin Nuo simply said, "I'm Agai's classmate, a good buddy of his."

The old man scrutinized Qin Nuo and said, "I think I remember you. You're from that Performing Arts Department, aren't you? It's you brats leading my Agai astray."

"Get lost! I'm in a bad mood and don't want to discipline you for your parents!"

Agai's grandpa pushed Qin Nuo aside, impatiently trying to leave.

Qin Nuo followed, saying, "I'm no longer in the Performing Arts Department. I wanted to ask you about Agai."

"Ask what? Tell that brat if he keeps heading to the Performing Arts Department, I'll break his legs!"

Agai's grandpa left those words and continued walking. Qin Nuo pondered for a moment before following and saying, "I've realized performing seriously affects studies, so I quit the guild. I'm trying to persuade Agai too."

Agai's grandpa still showed no sign of stopping.

Qin Nuo tried, "How about this, I'll win back all that money for you, and you sit down and chat with me?"

Agai's grandpa halted, turned to Qin Nuo, his wrinkled face full of suspicion, "You, a little kid, know how to play chess?"

"A little bit," Qin Nuo said modestly.

"If I can't win it back, I'll supervise Agai for you, make sure he behaves, how about that?"

Hearing this, Agai's grandpa's face showed a hint of emotion, "I hope you're not fooling this old man. When I'm in a bad mood, my hands and feet aren't gentle!"