Being an Extra Actor in an Escape Game

When Dai Wu, Su Enya and Ding Yi spread their rumours, they made sure it wouldnt be kept a secret.

So the excited Tower residents and Missiontakers quickly spread the news out.

Well, in private. Publically, everyone is just watching each other quietly, as if no one know whats really going on.

Yet thesix degrees of separationtells us, that you need six other intermediaries at most to link two complete strangers.

So these Missiontakers and Tower residents innocently hanging out, may have both learned the explosive news from the same person.

What is it?

Hey man, Im telling this to no one else but you! Some time soon, the Ultimate Nightmare is going to open up! Well have a chance to leave the Tower!

The Ultimate Nightmare?

Both Missiontakers and Tower residents who heard it are astonished and question its veracity immediately.

Regardless, they can all feel a flicker of hope suddenly light up in front of them, brightening up the whole world for them.

So, like the others, they begin to run.

At some point, the Tower, like a real, functioning building, contains lively people conducting lively business. It finally feels at least as alive as any inhabited community on Earth.

It will all depend on if we succeed in the Nightmare or not, Fei mutters with a dreamlike tone, if we failed

Wu Jian doesnt know what to say, so he simply says, we will succeed.

They are gathered outside X Beijins Nightmare right now. Its dusk, and now, they are waiting for X Beijin to fall sleep and enter his Nightmare.

The MissiontakersIncluding Ding Yi and Jiang Shuangmei, who are here to see them offare having a chat.

Some remain quiet, though, like Mu Jiashi, Shen Ynj, and the rather anxious looking A-One, A-Two.

There are also more extroverted Missiontakers like He Shujn who is having a great chat with Jiang Shuangmei, Mystic, etc.

The only person still absent but scheduled to enter X Beijins Nightmare would be Lin Qin. Hes inside.

The rest of the Missiontakers are gathered outside, standing there rather than enter, is both because of their wary respect towards X Beijin, and also

Theyre not going to be the third wheel here.

Right now, X Beijin and Lin Qins relationship is basically public knowledge, but unfortunately, it is still not acknowledged by X Beijin.

Not that its at all inconvenient for Lin Qin, who believes X Beijin is merely still embarrassed and doesnt actually feel that way inside.

Tilting his head, he tells X Beijin, its time you slept.

X Beijin

The little apple is staring straight at him! How is he supposed to sleep!

Speechless, he says, I cant sleep when someone is looking at me.

Alright Lin Qin averts his gaze, and then continues to stand there, and says, now you can sleep

X Beijin

Theyre currently inside the second floor of the bookstore, inside X Beijins bedroom, with X Beijin being covered up by his blankets.

There is a glass of apple juice on the bedside cabinetDid Lin Qin put it there?

Of course, this bedroom hasnt ever been formally used for its purpose, as X Beijin would, at most, lie down and shuts his eyes for a moment. He has never let himself truly fall asleep.

Which is why he finds himself a little uncomfortable just lying there.

Well, and theres Lin Qin, sitting on the single sofa by the bed his presence is too strong.

X Beijin sighs, and says, I really cant fall asleep like this.

Lin Qin seems to fall into thought, and then says, do you want to hear a bedtime story?

X Beijin, amused, rolls over to face him, and says, are you really going into my Nightmare?

I thought the topic was already over.

X Beijin does not answer to that.

Maybe you can call him selfish. Anyone else entering his Nightmare and succumbing wouldnt elicit much of a response from him, with maybe a sigh at most. But he finds himself unwilling to put Lin Qin through something like that.

Not that he can say it out loud. Youre not asking him to admit that hes worried that Lin Qin would succumb, which is why he doesnt want him to enter, right?

Lin Qin is in his Nightmare as a last resort or ultimate break key. Besides, they both agree fundamentally that Lin Qin should be in the NightmareNot to mention Lin Qin wants to know what X Beijins Nightmare is as well.

Its unfair to have others experience X Beijins Nightmare but then have Lin Qin barred from his beloveds Nightmare, right?

He really wants to know what it was that could have troubled X Beijin for so many years.

Dont worry

Lin Qin has already moved to X Beijins side before he could notice. Crouching by the bed, he is looking at X Beijin with his babyface and bright eyes, like a good little apple.

He tentatively pokes at X Beijins cheeks, then says, dont worry about me. Ill be fine.

X Beijin is quiet for a moment. Then, he says, you have no idea whats in my Nightmare.

What else could be there? Lin Qin then dramatically says, whatever it is, it cant win in a fight with me, can it now?

X Beijin breaks into a smile.

So dont overthink it. Or your hair will go grey.

Nobody has aged a day in the Tower.

But what about when we leave the Tower?

X Beijin thinks about it, and suddenly asks, say Lin Qin, how old are you?

Lin Qin thinks about it, before asking in turn, with or without the amount of time spent in the Tower?

X Beijin chuckles and says, of course not. Our numbers would be ridiculous if we did, he gently adds, wed all be wizened old geezers.

Then I dont know how old I would be either, answers Lin Qin, I dont remember anything.

X Beijin then gives Lin Qins babyface a thorough examination. The appearance really is deceiving. Maybe hes actually pretty old Right, right, hell stop teasing Lin Qin.

Holding his laughter in, he tells Lin Qin, when I entered the Tower, I was 25. Ive barely inherited my family bookstore after graduating university

But suddenly, Lin Qin says, stop

X Beijin is abruptly interrupted.

Lin Qin explains, you can tell me everything after we leave the Tower. If you say it now, it almost sounds like youre trying to leave behind an epitaph Dont. Beijin, we will leave. Successfully.

X Beijin does not answer him.

Then, he asks, what if I cant leave the Tower?

Why is your voice suddenly hoarse? Lin Qin asks, then looks at him intently, and, why wont you be able to leave the Tower?

X Beijin does not answer either of the questions. He asks, what if?

Then Ill be with you, Lin Qin says casually, I like you, you know? I dont remember a thing outside. So youre my life.

X Beijin looks at him closely.

Lin Qin says, you are the meaning in my life.

X Beijin remains silent for a while, before finally chuckling, you really like me so much now, huh?

Love. It is love Lin Qin says frankly, I dont know or care how other people like and love others. But this is how I like you, love you. If you cant leave the Tower, well just stay here together, what do you think?

He tilts his head, and doubtfully asks, it could be something like, an eternal honeymoon in this Tower?

X Beijin breaks into a full laughter, and says, who would want a honeymoon somewhere like the Tower? Oh my little apple, how simple you are.

Lin Qin is staring at him quietly.

He doesnt really mind being called little apple. Hes actually a little happy about it, too. But childish?

Hes not. He wants X Beijin to be happy, and books say that this is a way to cheer up the person you like.

X Beijin would probably be amazed to know what ridiculous books and novels Lin Qin has read.

After the laughter dies down, X Beijin and Lin Qin stare at each other for a moment. Then, he finally says, alright, its time to get the Nightmare going.

Lin Qin furrows his brows, though, and says, wait. You

X Beijin asks, what is it?

Youre not going to let me out of the Tower and then spend the rest of your entire life in the Tower, are you?

Im not

Really?

X Beijin, speechless, reassures him, really

Lin Qin is still eyeing him with suspicion, and again emphasises his point, I dont want to separate from you, do you get it? You cant leave me behind.

A moment later, X Beijin smiles and answers, I get it. I wont leave you behind.

Lin Qin blinks, with some thoughts clearly still occupying his mind.