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Chapter 36

Chapter 36: The Fading City (1)


The car drove through the busy city center and finally stopped at North Park Villa, located by the lake.


Shen Yan had planned to go out to dinner with Ye Nianchu, but he decided she needed rest after her long flight and recent recovery. They could catch up later.


As soon as Ye Nianchu entered the villa, her phone began ringing non-stop. She ignored the calls at first, but they kept coming, and the constant vibration was annoying.


Finally, she answered. A voice on the other end said, “Nian Nian, I heard you're back. How’s your health?”


"I’m fully recovered," Ye Nianchu replied, lightly tapping her water cup. "You don’t need to worry about me anymore."


"Your aunt and I just want to see you. How about we schedule a family dinner?"


Ye Nianchu thought to herself, "It’s all just for show."


"Mr. Xu, my last name is Ye, and yours is Xu," she replied coldly. "If you have time, find someone else. I’m not dying anytime soon."


Ye Nianchu hung up the phone, feeling frustrated.


Half a year ago, if she hadn’t prepared an escape plan, she’d probably be dead by now.


This plan came with a cost. Besides losing all her points and levels and being restricted from fully entering the game, her injuries from the game affected her real life.


While she lay in a hospital bed, close to death, her so-called father was planning to use her organs for his son after she died.


So, Ye Nianchu decided to leave the country overnight with her serious injuries and recover at the manor her grandfather left her.


This move was to prevent them from taking advantage of her weakened state.


Many people didn’t want her to survive.


Ye Nianchu picked up her phone and saw the reminder: [Time remaining until the next game entry: 54:21:10]


Players start a new round of Survival every 10 days.


She had two days and a few hours left.



---


The sun blazed overhead, and the hot sunlight filtered through the gaps in the tree leaves. The air felt stifling.


The city was bustling with traffic and people.


[Dear player, you have entered the game world. This game lasts for 25 days. Complete the mission to earn 20 bonus points.]


[Game: The Fading City]


[Difficulty Level: A]


[Mission: Survive until the end of the game.]


Ye Nianchu stood at the intersection of the city center. As the system interface disappeared, the surroundings became clearer.


Across the street, a big screen in the mall displayed "Searle City."


Ye Nianchu walked around, hailed a cab, and arrived at a luxury hotel in downtown Searle City.


She rented the Royal Suite with a pool on the top floor for 25 days using her credit card.


The game covered the entire city of Searle.


"The Fading City" seemed to hint at the city’s fate.



---


Ye Nianchu sat on the sofa with her watermelon juice, turned on her phone and TV, and checked the latest news from Searle City. There were no disaster warnings, and the hot weather was normal.


Everything seemed peaceful.


She didn’t have much storage space, so gathering a lot of supplies could attract other players’ attention. She needed to prepare gradually and start early.


Weapons were also crucial.


This game wasn’t special; guns and ammo were essential.



---


Footnotes


1. The Fading City: The title refers to the game's setting, suggesting a city in decline or facing some form of disappearance. It implies a deteriorating environment or a significant change in the city’s condition.



2. Searle City: Searle City is the specific name used in the game for the urban environment where the game takes place. It is a fictional city designed for the context of the story.




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