As Lin Xiao was wondering about theories, the game started to glitch, and right as it was fixed the first light of dawn began to break over the horizon.
The village slowly came into sharper focus, revealing its dilapidated state in the early morning light. The temple, the well, the empty houses—all stood silent, holding their secrets close.
Lin Xiao was speechless at this sudden change but quickly moved on remembering this is still a game.
Lin Xiao decided to head toward the temple to check on the villagers. As he walked through the village, he noticed how different everything looked in the daylight.
The eerie shadows and oppressive darkness were replaced by a pale, golden morning light that made the village appear almost peaceful.
However, the sigils he had seen on the doors the night before had mysteriously vanished, as if someone had erased them. This only added to the mystery, making him wonder what other secrets the village held.
The once menacing, barren village now seemed less intimidating. The houses, though still abandoned, no longer appeared as ominous as they had in the moonlight.
The overgrown paths and tangled vegetation seemed more like a sign of neglect than a sinister presence.
Even the well, which had exuded an eerie light the night before, now looked like an ordinary, albeit old, well.
Lin Xiao finally reached the temple. He saw the teenagers waking up, stirring from their makeshift camp around the bonfire.
He knew he needed to act quickly and try to gain their trust so he could maybe talk to the driver who seemed to know more about this strange village.
Just as he was about to approach them, time stopped once again, and options appeared before him:
[1. Offer to help the teenagers find the bus driver]
[2. Warn the teenagers about the village's dangers and insist they stay in the temple]
[3. Ask the teenagers directly about the ritual and their knowledge]
[4. Attempt to join the teenagers' group and blend in]
Lin Xiao thought for a moment, considering the best approach to gain their trust.
The first option seemed the most viable, but he needed a convincing reason for knowing about the bus driver.
The second option fit the superstitious villager persona he had adopted, but it would likely put him on the bad side of the teenagers.
The third option would ruin the rapport he had built by posing as a villager, and the fourth option was just impractical—how could an adult blend in with teenagers?
After thinking it over, Lin Xiao decided to choose the first option. He needed to come up with a believable excuse for knowing the bus driver was coming back.
He recalled a plausible scenario: the bus driver had contacted him before leaving to get the bus repaired. It made sense and fit within his fabricated villager persona.
Time resumed, and Lin Xiao's character approached the group with a friendly demeanor. "Good morning, everyone. I hope you slept well. I was thinking that we might have a better chance of finding your bus driver if we work together. He contacted me before he left to get the bus repaired and mentioned he'd be back soon. What do you say? Shall we go look for him?"
Wang Mei, who was organizing the group, looked up at him with a mix of curiosity and suspicion. "Why are you so eager to help us, old man? And how do you know the bus driver is coming back?"
Lin Xiao smiled, trying to seem as genuine as possible. "I've lived in this village for many years, and it's not often we get visitors. The bus driver reached out to me when he left, asking if I could keep an eye out for any strangers. Plus, I feel responsible for your safety. If there's anything I can do to help you get back on your way, I'm willing to do it."
Wang Mei's eyes narrowed slightly, clearly suspicious, but she didn't comment further. Lin Xiao noticed her wariness but chose not to address it directly, hoping his actions would earn their trust over time.
The teenagers exchanged glances, weighing his words.
They seemed willing to accept Lin Xiao's help, but Wang Mei was adamant. She stood before the group, arms crossed, her expression hard. "We don't need his help. We can figure this out on our own," she insisted, her tone firm.
Lin Xiao watched as Wang Mei manipulated the group, subtly reinforcing her authority. She moved among them, whispering to each teenager, reminding them of their shared experiences, and casting doubts on Lin Xiao's intentions. "Remember, we can't trust strangers. Who knows what he's really after? What if he leads us into more danger?" she murmured.
Lin Xiao was puzzled. His story was solid, so why was she so determined to keep him away? Something about her behavior felt off, but he couldn't pinpoint what. The teenagers, however, were growing tired of Wang Mei's constant chirping in their ears.
One of the boys finally spoke up, his frustration evident. "You're not our class monitor right now, Wang Mei. Why are you acting like the leader? I think we should let him help us. He's a native, he can contact the driver and find out how long it's going to take."
Other teenagers murmured in agreement, their voices rising in support of Lin Xiao. Wang Mei looked flustered, her control over the group slipping. "I'm just trying to keep us safe!" she defended herself, but her reasoning was becoming increasingly flimsy. "We can't trust him, we don't know what he's up to."
The teenagers were undeterred. "What if he really can help us? We can't just ignore that. And what about the bus driver? How long are we supposed to wait here?" another teenager argued.
Wang Mei's eyes flashed with frustration. She looked around at the faces of her classmates, seeing their defiance. She could feel her grip on them loosening, and finally, she snapped. "The bus driver isn't coming back!" she shouted, her voice echoing in the temple.
Everyone fell silent, staring at her in shock.
Lin Xiao's eyes widened. "What do you mean?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady.
Wang Mei took a deep breath, her shoulders slumping and she spoke.