Chapter 786: Do You Like Games?
Compared to the other boy, Liu Yi's information was much more detailed, especially after she became famous—records of where she had been, where she sketched, who she met, and even candid shots of her checking in at various food spots.
If she were an ordinary painter, absolutely no one would pay her this much attention after the player process began. But her paintings could bring inner peace to players, and plenty of people wanted to buy information about her. She faced a kidnapping incident almost every month. Some had even proposed marriage, asking only that she serve as the family's mascot and paint one picture a year.
The marriage proposal didn't succeed because, half a month after the terms were put forward, the person involved was assassinated—some players who were mentally dependent on Jiangjiang had a peculiar possessiveness toward her.
This wasn't an isolated case. Subsequent players who made similar conditions were also assassinated, forced to flee into instances. Many players openly surrounded Jiangjiang, but there seemed to be even more in the shadows. They weren't under anyone's control; they acted entirely on their own to clear obstacles around her—because given Jiangjiang's identity and abilities, it was hard for her to refuse threats from others, so these suitors were seen as obstacles that needed to be eliminated.
Overall, this behavior was like a large-scale brainwashing cult, but more sophisticated. It didn't require Jiangjiang, as the "god," to say or hint at anything. The followers would be as devout as pilgrims, and there were even urban legends about people taking pride in secretly protecting Jiangjiang.
"...I don't want to go out today. Let's have braised beef for lunch—haven't had it in a long time." The protagonist capable of stirring up a small player storm was currently discussing the lunch menu with someone, casually complaining about the side dishes in the same meal last time.
Song Xu, the bodyguard and nanny, noted everything down. "I'll personally pick out the ingredients later."
Bian Yongyi, who had long lost any room to speak, instinctively glanced at Xu Huo. Even a rich second-generation kid wouldn't eat this extravagantly.
Xu Huo showed no reaction, even expressing a desire for vegetable soup.
Song Xu glared at him for a few seconds, then added vegetable soup to the menu.
Bian Yongyi quietly gave Xu Huo a thumbs-up.
After breakfast, Song Xu went out to buy groceries. Before leaving, he specifically told several bodyguards to stay close to Jiangjiang at all times, to prevent anyone with ill intentions from harming her.
Bian Yongyi felt unprecedented pressure, as even going to the bathroom alone came with an escort.
Xu Huo was invited to Jiangjiang's studio.
Most of the paintings in the studio were covered with cloth. Jiangjiang said, "These are all unfinished."
"That's quite a lot. Why not finish them? No inspiration?" Xu Huo glanced roughly—there were nearly thirty paintings.
"Once a painting is finished, it gets taken out to be sold." Jiangjiang said, "I don't like that."
"In Zone 009, no one should be able to pressure you."
"But the people who come to sell the paintings all have their own difficulties." Jiangjiang smiled. "They suffer in the game too, and many have contributed to Zone 009. I can't just ignore them completely."
"I can only manage this small thing... but painting every day is indeed exhausting, and some paintings aren't suitable for others to see."
She then lifted the cloth covering the canvas at the center of the studio. This one was clearly still in progress—only a layer of black had been applied, barely outlining a human figure, with nothing else.
"This is my self-portrait." Jiangjiang reached out to stroke the figure on the canvas. "I put all the good parts into the paintings I sell, so I can only keep the bad parts for myself."
"Everyone has a dark side."
She turned around, smiling at Xu Huo. "You don't think I'm overrated, do you?"
"No, I'm not your fan." Xu Huo said flatly. "Besides, I've said I have no appreciation for art."
Jiangjiang let out a soft laugh. "This is the first time I've met someone who doesn't react to my paintings. Besides players, even many ordinary people say they can see something in them, though I don't know what they see."
Xu Huo's gaze shifted to the other covered paintings. "Can I look at these?"
Jiangjiang shook her head. "Unfinished paintings can't be viewed."
"How about I paint a picture of you?" she suddenly suggested.
Xu Huo narrowed his eyes, walked over to her, and stopped her from picking up the brush. Smiling, he said, "I noticed a strange flower in your yard."
"Oh, you mean that purplish-red one? That's a Wormhole Flower." Jiangjiang put down the brush, walked to the window, and pulled open the curtain. "They were all gifts. Apparently, it's a plant that can show the degree of evolution in a game zone. The more red parts there are, the deeper the evolution in Zone 009. Haven't you seen one before?"
"No." Xu Huo's expression didn't change. "I was just curious why it's called a Wormhole Flower."
Jiangjiang laughed. "What else could it be called if not a Wormhole Flower? It's just a name. Besides, every game zone under a large wormhole point draws energy from that wormhole point to evolve. The Wormhole Flower is highly indicative and convenient—one look tells you what stage of evolution a game zone is in."
"Once, a player told me a joke. He said that after one game zone learned about the Wormhole Flower, to prevent other zones from knowing their strength, they mass-poisoned all blooming plants. In the end, it contaminated the soil and groundwater, causing many ordinary people in the zone to fall ill."
"An entire game zone's people were that stupid. If they wanted to know if they could win, others could just try them out, or simply bring a potted flower over."
"It could also be a large-scale poisoning incident." Xu Huo picked up the thread. "If a large number of ordinary people die, the foundation for nurturing players is destroyed. The fewer players, the weaker the zone. Those who have already become players might leave due to their homeland's poverty and war, and newly evolved individuals might not survive to maturity without the protection and guidance of their predecessors."
"In that case, destroying or swallowing a game zone is just a matter of time."
Jiangjiang stared at him for a long moment before saying, "Is the truth that cruel? I'd rather it were just a joke."
"Precisely because the truth is cruel, so many people seek peace of mind in your paintings." Xu Huo smiled at her. "From that perspective, no matter which zone you go to, you'd be treated as an honored guest. Interested in becoming a player?"
Jiangjiang gave a wry smile. "Zone 009 already tested me long ago. My constitution isn't suited for being a player. Besides, this world is too cruel to players. I'd rather be an ordinary person and just paint every day. That's fine."
Xu Huo's smile faded slightly. "That way of thinking isn't wrong either."
"You're quite impressive," Jiangjiang turned the conversation back to him. "Do you like games?"