Chapter 26

In the last half hour, Sheng Xia lay on the fence at the top of the base wall, leisurely watching as the Zombie Emperor besieged the humans below.

The setup of the Zombie Emperor was clearly a bug; once you encountered him, you were bound to be eliminated. Humans could only run when they encountered him, with no possibility of counterattack.

Feng Jingxu had completely gone crazy before, actually forgetting the rule broadcasted by the horn before the game started, that the final BOSS appearing at the end couldn’t be killed.

So as long as players could survive until the end, they would be considered victorious.

However, just because he hadn’t noticed didn’t mean that the audience watching the entire process hadn’t noticed, and they immediately started mocking him.

[“Let you swell with pride, let you be arrogant, now you’re crying, right? Hahaha, I’m really laughing to death, this is the result of not seriously listening to the rules! Successfully giving the players a negative example, come on, quickly say thank you to Feng Bking.”]

[“Sheng Xia is a truly outstanding player, every move is meaningful. Even if we didn’t understand what she was trying to do at first, we gradually understood later on. She can be described as operating at a textbook level.”]

[“How did Feng Jingxu put it? When the first zombie comes, he’ll push his stepmother out? Hahaha, let your mouthiness, now you’ve been marked by the players. Clearly could have been carried to the end, but was eliminated when only one step away, tsk tsk, if it were me, I’d really spit blood (pointing at the wax).”]

[“Damn, I’m feeling immersed now (terrified) (frustrated) (Feng Jingxu-style distortion).”]

[“I knew this scene would happen long ago! Do you remember what Sheng Xia said when she parted with the Dragon and Phoenix twins? She said she would come to pick them up after eliminating her brother, hahaha, now it’s happening, her petty nature is really cute!”]

The brilliant sunlight shone down, and the photographer deliberately zoomed in, highlighting Sheng Xia’s porcelain-white… exquisitely beautiful face. Her black eyes sparkled like gems, the slightly red corners of her eyes lifted slightly, exuding an indescribable lazy charm.

Compared to her slightly cold demeanor in the game, she was particularly relaxed at this moment, outlining a cunning smile.

The surrounding zombie NPCs hesitated and didn’t dare to approach at all.

Especially when their gaze fell on the paint gun held by her slender fingers, they turned pale with shock, turned around, and ran away, not knowing who was the one they needed to escape from.

[“Ah, this scene is simply a critical hit! It pierced my heart, sister, marry me!!”]

[“Compared to Jingxu’s completely undisguised smirk, Sheng Xia’s type of being secretly evil and bad is really enticing, it’s hitting me right in the feels, help.”]

[“So cool, really too cool, ‘only one stands at the top, that’s me,’ the background music is getting intense!!”]

[“It’s cute to act like a scoundrel, but when she’s serious, she’s particularly enticing. It’s no wonder she could marry into the Feng family. Apart from the old man, everyone in the Feng family dotes on her.”]

[“I disagree. Both are stepmothers who married into wealthy families, but Lan Lan is happier. At least her stepson is obedient, sensible, and knows to cherish his mother. Her husband also especially dotes on her, it’s like a fairy tale love. But Sheng Xia married an old man and has a 17-year-old stepson, which is a bad start.”]

[“? The person above must be a fan of Sheng Lanqiu. Why not mention that Sheng Lanqiu, in order to appear virtuous, gets up early in the morning to make breakfast for the whole family, but her in-laws still complain that the chef’s food is tastier? Meanwhile, Sheng Xia sleeps comfortably until nine o’clock, and the Feng family would rather make the TV crew wait than disturb her?”]

[“To be honest, everyone online is praising Sheng Lanqiu’s happiness, but I’d rather live Sheng Xia’s life. Anyway, the old man doesn’t come home, there are no in-laws to worry about, living alone in a mansion with money and leisure. The housekeeper and servants are respectful, the little brother-in-law takes special care of her, not only can she bully Jingxu with her seniority, but she also has cute kids to play with. What a life to enjoy, tut tut.”]

As the live broadcast suddenly erupted into argument, this large-scale survival game finally came to an end.

Due to Sheng Xia’s leadership, along with Feng Jingxu, they single-handedly eliminated most of the zombie NPCs and emerged as the champions. Not only were they given VIP annual passes, but it was also promised that with her badge number, she could go to the observation deck at night, the best viewing spot in the park, to watch the post-apocalyptic fireworks and daily highlight reels on the big screen.

As they were being sent out, the supervisor was exceptionally attentive, showing obvious reluctance to see them go, clearly aware of the tremendous excitement they had brought to the theme park.

Feng Jingxu, on the other hand, followed behind with a scowl, glaring fiercely at Sheng Xia’s back, trying to make her realize her mistake. However, Sheng Xia just propped her chin lazily and yawned, smiling calmly, “Did little Xu have fun?”

Feng Jingxu sneered, gritting his teeth, “I had a blast!”

Pretending not to see the murderous intent in his eyes, Sheng Xia sighed with envy, “You know, you’re the only player who faced the zombie boss face to face and even got to enjoy the Zombie Emperor’s embrace. Aren’t you happy? Do you feel lucky?”

She hadn’t mentioned it before, but as soon as she brought it up, she remembered the fluid that Feng Jingxu was forced to get all over him. Her face turned green, and she forced a smile, “Well, I really have to thank you.”

— Although he wasn’t a clean freak, that was definitely unbearable, especially being broadcast live!!

Luckily, there were merchandise clothes in the nearby shop that he could buy. He randomly picked a T-shirt with zombies on it and changed into it. With that completely cool and unhappy expression, he looked somewhat better.

Sitting in the elimination area, still waiting for Sheng Xia, he naturally recalled her leisurely lying on top, especially when he thought about how close he was to victory, only to be forced to fail halfway. He felt even more frustrated.

Damn it.

Ah, this woman, she really knows how to play him. She’s not worthy of trust at all! He’ll remember this grudge, and he’ll come back for revenge sooner or later!!

Although he was raging in his heart, when Sheng Xia naturally told him to push the wheelchair, Feng Jingxu’s body instinctively moved. By the time he realized it, they were already near the children’s area.

He twisted his face, gritted his teeth, and stared at his own hand, not understanding how he could play along with this game and develop such an instinct to obey.

Seeing that Feng Jingxu might really be upset if she teased him further, Sheng Xia stopped and went to buy three zombie balloons. After picking for a long time, she finally chose a cute version of a zombie that matched Feng Jingxu’s T-shirt and handed it to Jingxu with a smile, “Don’t be angry, here’s a balloon to cheer you up, okay?”

Feng Jingxu: “…”

He looked expressionlessly at a group of kids running past with the same zombie balloons tied to their wrists, his forehead veins twitching, “I’m already 17, who would like this kind of thing!”

“Oh, really?”

Sheng Xia raised her eyebrows, her black eyes glancing at him.

Feng Jingxu suddenly had a foreboding feeling.

…

At the same time, at the Shi family’s home.

Taking advantage of the time to go to the bathroom, Sheng Lanqiu avoided the camera and opened her phone to see what the audience thought of her.

The online reactions were just as she had dreamed, all praising her as a good mother, saying her relationship with Shi Yue was as close as a real mother and son, she was really so happy.

She was in a very good mood, her lips just curling up, but suddenly she noticed that several hot topics on Weibo were related to Sheng Xia and the Feng family, furrowing her brows involuntarily.

Is Sheng Xia unwilling to accept it and secretly bought trending topics?

She shook her head with amusement. This stepsister of hers really knows how to court controversy. It’s only the first day of the show, and there are already so many weird hot topics. Even a fool can see that they’re fake. Isn’t she just asking for criticism and backlash?

Oh well, it’s still more beneficial for her.

Thinking back to when she saw netizens complaining that Sheng Xia actually woke up after nine o’clock, Sheng Lanqiu relaxed her brows. This really is a good control group.

And just then, she suddenly saw the trending topic #Sheng Xia’s Persona Collapses#, which seemed very real, and couldn’t help but smile again.

Sure enough, the audience’s eyes are sharp. With Sheng Xia’s personality, even if she could pretend at first, how could she really endure it for so long?

Sheng Lanqiu was in a very good mood, about to click on it, when she heard her mother-in-law calling her name. She paused, showing a slight hint of impatience, furrowed her brows, put away her phone, and after opening the door, she revealed a gentle smile as if nothing had happened, “Mom, what’s up?”

Post-apocalyptic theme park.

There were many activities for children in the children’s area. The kids who came in would have little zombie makeup applied to them, presenting all sorts of bizarre ways to die. But compared to the makeup on adults, it was cuter and more adorable, not scary at all.

Especially when the little zombies were walking around, hopping and jumping, it was heart-melting.

“It’s been so long, Xia Xia hasn’t come to pick us up yet.”

Feng Xuchen, with scissors stuck in his hair, was tired from playing. He lay on a children’s chair, sipping juice, sighed deeply, and looked troubled as he rested his head on his hand, “Is Xia Xia having so much fun with brother that she prefers to play with him and doesn’t want to come find us?”

Next to him, Feng Xuran, wearing a dirty little nurse’s hat, sat upright in his chair, “The survival game must last for at least three hours. Mom and brother haven’t come yet, it must be because they haven’t been eliminated yet.”

Feng Xuran tried to comfort her younger brother, “Mom said she’ll come to pick us up, she’ll definitely come, don’t worry, Chenchen.”

Feng Xuchen looked at his watch and counted on his fingers, his eyes suddenly brightening, “Isn’t it almost time? Will mom and brother show up now?”

Feng Xuran suddenly paused and turned to look at his younger uncle.

Feng Shaoyu had been watching the live broadcast the whole time, with a smile of amusement on his face. He rubbed their heads, somewhat teasingly, and said, “They’ll be here soon. Right now, they’re outside preparing a surprise for you.”

The twins were momentarily stunned, then their faces lit up with anticipation and joy. Following their young uncle’s reminder, they all lifted their heads in unison and saw Sheng Xia not far away, particularly conspicuous.

She was turning her head to talk to someone covered in balloons, their face obscured, obviously in a very good mood. They were surrounded by a group of enthusiastic little zombies, all looking up excitedly at the balloons.

Sheng Xia had a strange monster horn on her head, occasionally teasing a few little zombies, and casually took a balloon from the person next to her and gave it to a child. The little zombie immediately jumped away happily.

The twins couldn’t believe their eyes, “Mom is giving balloons to others!”

Not only was she smiling happily at them, but she also touched their heads!

Feeling jealous, the two little ones glanced at each other, then climbed down from the children’s chairs and ran into the crowd of cute little zombies. However, there were too many people, and they couldn’t squeeze in at all.

Seeing tears welling up in his younger brother’s bright grape-like eyes, Feng Xuran frowned, trying to comfort him. However, the next moment, the collars of the two little zombies were suddenly lifted, and in the blink of an eye, they were nestled in familiar arms.

Sheng Xia’s voice, full of smiles, rang out slowly, “Oh, didn’t you find me right away?”

They looked somewhat puzzled, raising their little heads.

The twins’ eyes met Sheng Xia’s beautiful smiling black eyes. The surrounding little zombies let out a “wow,” seeming very envious.

Feng Xuchen was both shy and excited, puffing up his chest happily and hugging Sheng Xia’s neck, “Xia Xia really recognized us, so amazing!!”

He danced with excitement, his eyes sparkling, “How did Xia Xia recognize us? There are so many children here!”

Feeling the eyes of the other children around them, even Feng Xuran couldn’t help but blush slightly, feeling uncomfortable as she pursed her lips.

Although she didn’t ask, her curious black eyes were also attracted by the monster horn on Sheng Xia’s head. However, when Sheng Xia looked at her with a smile, she turned her head, pretending that the bright-eyed person just now wasn’t her.

“Your own little zombies, no matter what they look like, of course you can recognize them at a glance.”

Sheng Xia responded with a smile, shaking the horn on her head and deliberately asking Feng Xuran, “How about it, cute, right?”