Chapter 69: Orphan Resentment (Part 29)

Warning: Disturbing content.

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It wasn’t only Big Xiao Mei. Everyone around them froze in shock, especially Shen Qingqiu. She immediately turned her head to stare at Xiao Muyu.

Xiao Muyu lowered her gaze. After a brief pause, she raised her head and spoke with a calm expression.

“My dad wasn’t a good person, father or husband. He lost all interest in work after getting addicted to gambling and squandered my mom’s earnings. When he lost, he’d drink heavily, come home drunk, and beat my mom and me.

My mom detested him and, by extension, me. Finally, when I was ten, he hit rock bottom with his racked up gambling debts. He robbed a home and killed the entire family. He was sentenced to death. It freed my mom from him, but she still didn’t like me. Even so, she didn’t abandon me.

Later, she found someone she loved. But the man’s family refused to accept her because of me. She had no choice but to part ways with him in the end. Eventually, she married another man—my stepfather.”

“My stepfather’s kindness toward my mom didn’t last long. He either beat her or yelled at her. He was a drunk, too. My mom blamed it all on me but couldn’t bring herself to leave him. My stepfather didn’t like me either. To please him, and perhaps to vent her hatred for my dad, my mom started drinking like he did. And once she drank… she’d become like them.”

Xiao Muyu’s tone remained steady, showing no emotional changes. She spoke like she were recounting someone else’s story. Yet, the more Shen Qingqiu listened, the darker her expression grew. Her eyes flickered with varying emotions.

“It’s nothing, really. She still raised me and sent me to school. But as I got older, someone couldn’t hold back anymore.”

Everyone in the group was an adult. Even if they hadn’t experienced such things, they’d heard enough stories to understand the implications. Shen Qingqiu had felt unease upon the mention of a stepfather. By the time she reached this part, Shen Qingqiu felt blood rushing to her head. Her body simmered with icy fury that felt utterly foreign to her. Her lips formed a thin line. Her left hand clenched in a white-knuckled grip.

But that fury morphed into an interminable ache upon seeing Xiao Muyu’s indifferently calm face. Its weight nearly smothered her.

“It sounds like a cliché story. That man thought I owed him something since I ate his food and lived under his roof. He didn’t even bother to hide his intentions from my mom. And my mom? She said I was the one seducing him.”

“Is she insane? How could a mother say something like that?” Huang Junfeng had been listening with a mix of shock and pity. He couldn’t help but curse aloud, finding the whole situation utterly wrong.

Xiao Muyu merely glanced at him before continuing, “Their arguments grew more intense. Sometimes, my mom would even try to fight him, though she’d always end up beaten one-sided.

One day, my stepfather drank a lot again and got into a brawl with someone. He came home bruised and battered. I happened to be on high school break and had come back to grab something. I walked right into him.”

Xiao Muyu mostly kept her gaze on Big Xiao Mei, the one she was speaking to. Big Xiao Mei stared at her in astonishment, confusion and a trace of pity. Xiao Muyu almost wanted to laugh.

Even Xiao Muyu seemed dazed as she reached this part of the story. Shen Qingqiu, however, finally heard a subtle shift in her tone.

Shen Qingqiu tensed up. She could almost picture the scene playing out.

“He tried to do something to me, but my mom was home. They got into a violent fight. He grabbed a fruit knife and killed her.” Xiao Muyu’s voice was calm, yet her eyes distant. For the first time, it felt like she was talking about herself.

In that moment, she had an illusion that her mom had tried to protect her. But the look she had given her during the struggle and those vile curses shattered that illusion entirely. Xiao Muyu’s heart had died right then.

Xiao Muyu pulled her thoughts away from those emotions. She locked her eyes on Big Xiao Mei, smiled, and quietly spoke, “But he died too. He died with my mother that day. I spent over ten days in the hospital before I was discharged, finally free from them.”

Huang Junfeng and the others shifted from expressions of anger to shock as they stared at Xiao Muyu. Meanwhile, Shen Qingqiu’s eyes brimmed with unshakable pain and rage.

“You killed him?” Big Xiao Mei looked gleeful, bordering on madness.

“Yes. I bought that fruit knife. I’d put it in the fruit bowl on the living room table. It sat there for over six months and finally served its purpose.”

She had spoken those words boldly. It felt like a shadow shrouded her, making her appear dark and menacing. It sharply contrasted the apathy and elegance she had shown before.

“Some people don’t deserve to be called human. Like my parents, my stepfather, and those eight scumbags you encountered. Sometimes, we have nowhere to turn for help and can only rely on ourselves. I understand how you feel. I understand your hatred. So, you’re not bad kids. Qu Muxi isn’t a bad person, either.

But are you truly okay with this? Staying in this hellish place, endlessly pretending to be alive, dealing with resentment and malicious ghosts? I know you’re deeply fond of your Sister Qu. She must’ve been the kindest, most gentle person you’ve ever known. But look at her now. She’s standing beside you like a puppet, doing things she would never have wanted to do in life. Can you bear that?”

The glee vanished from Big Xiao Mei’s face. She turned to look at Qu Muxi, who had a blank expression. Big Xiao Mei almost broke down in tears.

“I didn’t mean to,” her expression twisted in pain as she spoke, “I just wanted to protect them. But those people wouldn’t let us go even in death. I know their spirits refuse to leave. I had no choice—I had to keep getting stronger to fight them.”

“But those dolls already dealt with those maniacs. If we go and burn the remaining body parts, you won’t have to worry anymore,” Zhang Yangfeng quickly suggested.

Big Xiao Mei shook her head. “It won’t be enough. The resentment is too heavy. I hated those eight people. The resentment should’ve dissipated once they were dealt with. But it hasn’t. Even Sister Qu can’t regain her senses and leave.”

“Xiao Yue and the others still harbor resentment. I can’t figure out why.”

The five players’ hearts fell again at the revelation.

Big Xiao Mei turned to Xiao Muyu. “I won’t kill you all for now. But if you can’t resolve the resentment, none of you will escape next time.”

With that, the nine ghostly figures before them disappeared like a gust of wind, leaving no trace.

The group stared blankly at the spot where Big Xiao Mei had disappeared. After a long moment, they finally took a deep breath.

Shortly after, Huang Junfeng, Yang Rui, and Zhang Yangfeng snapped back to reality. They glanced at Xiao Muyu cautiously. Their expressions were a mix of conflict, astonishment, unease, and sympathy.

Xiao Muyu knew what they were thinking but didn’t look at them or Shen Qingqiu. She lowered her head and walked. Time was running out.

Just as she lifted her foot, Shen Qingqiu reached out with her left hand to support her. The two walked ahead together, leaving the others behind. Yang Rui and the the guys exchanged looks and decided to leave as well.

“So, the illusion you saw in the second instance… was it them?” Shen Qingqiu’s sudden question caught Xiao Muyu off guard. She didn’t feel as unaffected as she made it seem.

Realizing what Shen Qingqiu was referring to, she chuckled. “Why would you think it was them? What influence could they possibly have on me?”

Shen Qingqiu didn’t press. She spoke gently, “I just remembered how you looked back then. It’s hard for me to imagine what kind of illusion could trap you like that. And your conversation with the old woman in the first instance feels similar to today.”

Xiao Muyu remained silent. Shen Qingqiu’s hand slid down her arm, stopping at her wrist. She continued her monologue, “What you said today wasn’t the whole truth, was it? But I’m not curious. No matter what, I believe the fault lies not with you. And I’m sorry for the things you’ve been through.”

Xiao Muyu halted abruptly and turned to Shen Qingqiu. “Sorry? You pity me and believe it wasn’t my fault? Do you even realize—I knew every pattern of their arguments, every nuance of his temper. I had rehearsed that day’s scenario in my mind countless times.”

Her gaze pierced Shen Qingqiu. Her tone was cold and biting as her words came out rapid-fire. “And you know what happened afterward? Two people died, and all they did was call me in for a few statements—no charges, nothing. Everyone tiptoed around me, afraid to say the wrong thing. That man didn’t just die. He also took on the labels of premeditated murder and attempted r*pe.”

Shen Qingqiu didn’t say anything. She looked unwaveringly at Xiao Muyu. Her eyes were tinged with warm when Xiao Muyu stopped.

“Pity? Do you really think someone like me would pity anyone? Tragedies like yours are all too common. What’s the point of pity? It… it hit me deep, that’s all. I think I’ve told you before—I’m not a good person. But you, Xiao Muyu, are not a bad person. No matter how much you deny or disguise it, that fact won’t change. I believe in you because I trust my judgment of who Xiao Muyu is. The past is the past. The old woman let go. Big Xiao Mei let go. It’s your turn to do the same.”

She took Xiao Muyu’s hand. A smile graced her lips. “Come on, we still have things to do. Your injuries can’t wait any longer.”

Xiao Muyu let herself be led forward slowly, her expression still dazed. After a moment, though, frustration crossed her face. What was she thinking? Why did she suddenly say all that to Shen Qingqiu?

But even as frustration crept in, she couldn’t stop glancing at Shen Qingqiu. This felt… much better than she had expected.

The group returned to Charity Orphanage. They found Qu Muxi and the eight children sitting in the cafeteria again, moving and behaving like living beings. There was no apparent sign they had long since turned into withered bones.

Xiao Muyu and the others realized these entities seemed to have two forms. Inside the Charity Orphanage, during normal circumstances, they played the roles of humans to deceive the players. Under certain conditions, however, they would reveal their true forms.

“So only Big Xiao Mei is aware now? Does that mean the other eight are just illusions? Do their actions and words still matter?” Zhang Yangfeng asked with some concern.

“It doesn’t change anything. They’re not just puppets. Each of them is simply ignoring the fact that they’re dead. I remember Qu Muxi mentioning that once the children leave, she would leave too. Thinking about it now, I feel like Qu Muxi had a trace of awareness back then.”

Xiao Muyu had an amazing memory. She could recall Qu Muxi’s casual remark even now.

“Miss Xiao, are you saying she didn’t mean the children transferring from Charity Orphanage to another welfare home,” Yang Rui picked up Xiao Muyu’s implication, “But letting go of their resentment and finding peace?”

“Big Xiao Mei said their resentment isn’t solely directed at those scum. They’re likely also within the orphanage. Qu Muxi is unlikely. That leaves Old Sang, or perhaps the children harbor resentment toward one of their own.”

Xiao Muyu’s mind was always clear, as though nothing could ever confuse her.

“Could it be Xiao Qiu?” Yang Rui and Zhang Yangfeng exchanged glances. They recalled the conversation between Xiao Qiu and Xiao Muyu. Only Xiao Qiu had clear indications of guilt.

“I’m not certain yet. But considering this is one of the most critical parts of the story, it wouldn’t just appear out of thin air. Xiao Qiu must be the key. Otherwise, that Pinocchio book would serve no purpose.”

Zhang Yangfeng and the other two finally understood. Huang Junfeng looked at Xiao Muyu with unrestrained admiration. “You truly have a brilliant mind, Miss Xiao. You’re still so sharp, even after getting injured. It feels like we’re all just stuck while only you see the whole picture. It’s as if you already know the script. Everything you say turns out to be spot on. This time won’t be an exception either.”

Huang Junfeng had no other intentions. He was merely expressing genuine admiration for Xiao Muyu’s intelligence. However, Xiao Muyu froze upon hearing it, then replied indifferently, “You’re exaggerating. I just think more than most.”

As the group of five entered, Big Xiao Mei was the first to lift her head and look at them, followed by Qu Muxi.

Qu Muxi remained the same as ever. Her lips carried a faint smile. Luminous like the moon, this woman’s softness didn’t end with her refined appearance. She also had a heart seemingly gentler than anyone else’s.

The group had complicated feelings about Qu Muxi. Someone like her should have had a beautiful life ahead of her. Yet, everything had been ruined in this orphanage.

“You’re all up. I was just asking Old Sang where you had gone. Come, join us for a meal,” Qu Muxi greeted and motioned for them to sit down.

At this point, none of them reached for the chopsticks anymore. They simply watched quietly. Qu Muxi and the eight children continued their predictable daily routines. After the meal, they headed to the same classroom as before.

The glass pane Shen Qingqiu had shattered was now perfectly restored. The photographs had also returned to their original state. It felt like being in an escape room game. After the round ended, the props would be repaired and reset, ready for the next group of players.

They couldn’t help but notice this change, and their hearts nearly stopped. This haunted place was far too bizarre.

Xiao Muyu and Shen Qingqiu led the group to Xiao Qiu. The boy sat alone, still engrossed in his book.

Xiao Muyu stopped in front of him. He raised his head to meet her gaze.

Enduring the pain in her back, Xiao Muyu crouched to his eye level. She pointed toward Qu Muxi, wiping Xiao Jiao’s face nearby. “Do you like Sister Qu, Xiao Qiu?”

Xiao Qiu slowly turned to stare at Qu Muxi for a long time. He looked back at Xiao Muyu and nodded.

“What about Xiao Jiao, Big Xiao Mei, and the rest? Do you like them too?” Xiao Muyu maintained a patient and warm tone as she continued her questioning.

“Mm.” The light in Xiao Qiu’s eyes rippled like a gleaming lake surface.

“Then you definitely wouldn’t lie to them, right, Xiao Qiu?” Xiao Muyu tested him.

A defensive reaction instantly overtook the boy’s face.

His eyes, swirling with black energy, threatened to bore holes into Xiao Muyu. Shen Qingqiu looked alert. With a darkening gaze, she drew her dagger and casually stabbed it into the floor.

“Lying is not a terrible thing. What’s terrible is lying nonstop to cover up the lie,” Shen Qingqiu’s tone turned cold with killing intent, “People like that can’t get away with just elongated noses.” Xiao Qiu cowered a little.

“Xiao Qiu, do you remember what I told you? Lying comes with a price. I believe you’ve already paid for it, so stop making the same mistake. This lie has weighed on your heart for too long. If you don’t confess, it will never go away. And the price you’ve paid hasn’t erased your pain, has it?”

Anguished tears shimmered in Xiao Qiu’s eyes. His whole being seemed shrouded in dark clouds. He kneeled and curled in on himself. The ghostly energy around him began to fluctuate. It was clear he could no longer hold his human form.

The five exchanged bewildered looks while the other children stared at Xiao Qiu, worry written in their eyes.

Xiao Qiu raised his head. Whimpering, he looked pleadingly at Xiao Muyu. After a moment, he nodded.

“A lie that doesn’t harm others is a white lie. But if it causes harm, even if unintentional, you must apologize. If you hide your lie forever and don’t say sorry, your guilt will never fade. Speaking the truth is better for both you and the people affected. Like Pinocchio, his honesty didn’t bring him misfortune, did it?”

Xiao Qiu sobbed and, finally, looking at Qu Muxi, broke down. “Sister Qu was about to leave that day, but I didn’t want her to.

“When she was here, everyone was happy. The director wouldn’t hit me or lock me in the dark room. That day, the director asked me to bring her a glass of water. He said Sister Qu would stay if I obeyed. So I did.”

“I only brought her water! I didn’t know what would happen after. Ah… ah! He lied to me! He lied to me, and I lied to Sister Qu. She wouldn’t have drunk it if I had told the truth. Ah!” Xiao Qiu couldn’t accept it. His young, innocent voice ripped through the air with heart-wrenching despair.

His breakdown triggered more chaos. Big Xiao Mei, Xiao Yue, and the other children transformed into vengeful spirits. They shrieked hysterically at Xiao Qiu.

It looked like another battle was about to erupt.

Shen Qingqiu hurriedly helped Xiao Muyu to her feet and shielded her. The five pulled close together. Just then, Qu Muxi suddenly spoke.

“Big Xiao Mei, Xiao Yue, Xiao Qin, calm down.”

Xiao Muyu and Shen Qingqiu quickly turned to look at Qu Muxi. Her expression was gentle, her eyes filled with compassion.

“Calm down. Don’t do anything foolish. Xiao Qiu is your friend. It wasn’t his fault.”

Tears streamed down Xiao Yue’s indignant face. “The water had something bad in it, Sister Qu. You drank it, and it hurt you. Xiao Qin, Little Xiao Mei, and I remembered all this time. But we didn’t know who did it. Now we finally know! So why are you still defending him? Xiao Qiu was so stupid and naive. The director is so cruel. How could he trust the water the director gave him?”

Xiao Qiu wailed inconsolably, kneeling motionless on the floor.

Qu Muxi walked over and stood before Xiao Qiu, her eyes red-rimmed. “Xiao Qiu was too young. How could he have understood how wicked adults can be or how good they are at lying?” Tears rolled down her cheeks. “Have you all forgotten… how Xiao Qiu… how he died?”

Little Xiao Mei and the other two fell silent.

Xiao Qiu had been the first of the eight children to die. It happened when he discovered the director attempting to harm Qu Muxi. Hearing the commotion, he had charged in like a frenzied cub. He defied the man who, in his eyes, ruled over everything. No matter how hard the director hit or kicked him, Xiao Qiu refused to back down.

He was beaten to death.

Qu Muxi could never forget the sight of the boy protecting her until his last breath. She felt only endless gratitude and regret, never hatred.

Xiao Muyu and the others listened to Qu Muxi’s recount silently. Yang Rui’s eyes reddened with suppressed tears.

“It’s us who failed Sister Qu.” The malevolence around Big Xiao Mei dispersed. For the first time, the little girl who ruled this instance revealed such a vulnerable expression.

“Xiao Qiu is not the only one to blame. I am, too. I shouldn’t have told you about those things, Sister Qu. If I hadn’t said anything, you would have gone home safely. You wouldn’t have risked yourself for us and lost your life.”

As Big Xiao Mei cried, the other children began crying as well. They had all been victims. With their awareness restored, they surrounded Qu Muxi, tearfully apologizing to her.

Only Xiao Jiao stood there cluelessly watching her friends crying around Sister Qu. Her lips pursed, and she started crying with them.

“They’re all back to normal now?” Huang Junfeng muttered, wiping at his tears.

“Yes. The truth about Xiao Qiu settled their lingering resentment,” Zhang Yangfeng replied, his eyes also a little red.

The entire storyline reached full circle. Qu Muxi, who had regained her clarity, revealed everything to them.

Back then, Charity Orphanage had indeed been slated for a merge. However, the director had secretly used the more attractive children to solicit donations long before that. Big Xiao Mei was one of them.

The director became increasingly unscrupulous after the orphanage was reduced to only eight children. Big Xiao Mei hadn’t dared to speak out until Qu Muxi came to visit them.

Qu Muxi was a compassionate person. Seeing there were only eight children, she frequently visited and brought them gifts. She gave each child a doll—the eight dolls that had become vessels for their resentment.

The five already knew what happened in the end. Qu Muxi had discovered something was wrong and tried to save the children, but the director caught on. He tricked Qu Muxi into drinking drugged water and eventually killed both her and Xiao Qiu. Big Xiao Mei and the others had witnessed the gruesome scene. Hence, the director and his accomplices murdered them all.

The director threatened the other seven to help cover up the crime. Old Sang similarly gave in to his coercion. However, the overwhelming resentment turned Qu Muxi and the others into vengeful spirits. In their madness, she and Big Xiao Mei had devised a plan to lure their murderers one by one. The two killed and then dismembered them.

“Thank you all. They’re just children. They shouldn’t be trapped here as wandering ghosts. Thank you for helping us. I hope you all find peace and happiness in the future.”

Qu Muxi hugged the children close. She smiled at Xiao Muyu before all nine of them faded away.

*Ding!*

“Congratulations, players! You have completed the main storyline. Rewarded 20 points.

Congratulations, players Xiao Muyu and Shen Qingqiu, for completing the hidden quest: Avoiding a Total Ghost Outcome and Saving Old Sang! Rewarded 20 bonus points!”

“Now starting the final tally. Rankings will be announced shortly!”

Huang Junfeng and Zhang Yangfeng quickly checked their scores. Completing the storyline had earned them 20 points. Discovering Qu Muxi and the children’s grave site had awarded 5 points. Correctly identifying Xiao Qiu as part of the resentment chain added another 5 points.

Zhang Yangfeng’s final score totaled 84 points, while Huang Junfeng, failing to guess Xiao Qiu’s role, ended up with 75 points.

On the leaderboard, Xiao Muyu still ranked first with 171 points. Shen Qingqiu was the runner-up at 146.5 points. Yang Rui came third with 102 points.