Doll Survival Game

Bang!!

A loud noise erupted, and Luo Yiran’s vision went completely dark-Lin Luo’s hand had enveloped him entirely.

With his sight obscured, the sounds became clearer.

The clatter of debris hitting the ground, the screams of people, and the noises of collisions as they scrambled to avoid the chaos.

But soon, everything calmed down.

Lin Luo released him, urgently asking, “Ranran, are you okay?”

Luo Yiran looked up, noticing Lin Luo’s cheek and arm were cut, blood seeping out, yet Lin Luo seemed indifferent, focused and worried about Luo Yiran’s well-being. “Are you hurt?”

The doll was silent for a moment, then offered a reassuring smile, saying, “No.”

…What an actor.

The only ones injured were Lin Luo and Tang Bai; the others had found cover or weren’t hit.

Li Qi Feng frowned, brushing off his clothes. “How are you guys? I’ll call a doctor.”

Tang Bai promptly declined, “No need, thanks, Uncle. It’s just a scratch, I’m fine.”

Lin Luo frowned, “I don’t need it either! This isn’t as bad as my last fall.”

Li Qi Feng felt a bit disappointed-he had wanted to test if this instance could summon outsiders…

“This lamp had old cracks.” Zhang Mimi tugged at his yellow hair, suspecting one of them had caused the lamp to fall, but it was handled too well. He couldn’t accuse anyone without risking breaking character, so he only mentioned the obvious, “Looks like it fell accidentally.”

The word “looks” was ambiguous enough, and Zhang Mimi didn’t receive an OOC warning.

Most players knew the lamp’s fall was likely intentional, but… no one dared to speak up.

Luo Yiran glanced at Auntie, then addressed Li Qi Feng, “Uncle, has this lamp been used for many years?”

Li Qi Feng had carefully reviewed all the content on his phone before midnight and remembered most of it. He looked at Auntie, “I asked you to find someone to replace it with a similar lamp recently…”

Auntie apologized, “I haven’t found the same style yet.”

The doll narrowed his eyes, examining the shattered lamp on the ground, confirming it did appear old.

But that didn’t prove Auntie’s innocence; an old lamp is easier to tamper with and blame on wear and tear, isn’t it?

The lamp’s fall was likely Auntie’s doing. If it wasn’t, her smile when it fell would definitely be OOC.

But there’s no way to pursue it further.

Luo Yiran’s character wasn’t part of the Lin family.

The lamp incident wasn’t minor; the birthday atmosphere was clearly ruined, forcing an early end. Lin Na crouched down to pick up the fragments under the remaining light, apologizing softly, “I’m sorry…”

Her voice was small. Only Lin Luo, Luo Yiran, and Tang Bai, who were closer, heard her.

Lin Luo scoffed, “Does apologizing help? If someone got hurt…”

He stopped mid-sentence but glanced at Luo Yiran.

Luo Yiran: “…” Such dedication to the role, but it’s unnecessary.

Lin Ye watched Lin Na, his brow furrowed-he wasn’t familiar with his sister in reality, only occasionally speaking after meeting in the game. He remembered his mother saying she was fiery, rarely seen crying.

Could this be Lin Na’s character?

Also-

He had just gone OOC.

It happened when he tried to pull Lin Na away while shouting a warning.

Was it because his character wouldn’t protect Lin Na or wouldn’t warn others of danger? Lin Ye pondered deeply.

Compared to character settings, Luo Yiran suspected Lin Na was being controlled.

If it was acting, Lin Na wouldn’t show reactions in her eyes that differed completely from her body and facial expressions, unless her body and features weren’t under her control, with only her eyes expressing her true self.

Having controlled puppets before, he naturally thought along these lines.

The birthday couldn’t continue; no one had the mood for cake. Via instructed Auntie to clean up the room and told everyone to rest.

Lin Na seemed very guilty, her head down, eyes red. After a while, she stood up, “I’m going to my room.”

No one stopped her, and Lin Na quickly ran upstairs after speaking.

Her sister, who had been standing far away, watched Lin Na leave and also left directly.

Via was quite helpless. Though he usually talked a lot, it was based on saying what he wanted. He could talk all night if it was his own thoughts, but now every word was for the character “mother’s big picture.”

He carefully apologized to Lin Na’s five friends for the poor hospitality and reminded Lin Luo to apply medicine to his wounds later.

Until he saw everyone off to their rooms, Via was amazed he hadn’t gone OOC.

Luo Yiran glanced at Xia Lang, who had been quiet since going OOC-his character was the class monitor, but for some reason, his phone contained not only his class roster but also the rosters of all other classes in the grade.

The roster showed Xia Lang, Lin Luo, Lin Na, and himself were in the same grade, but apart from him and Lin Luo, the others were in different classes. So Luo Yiran’s impression of Xia Lang should be as someone he occasionally saw, “a friend’s sister.”

Therefore, Luo Yiran couldn’t remind Xia Lang not to be influenced by memories. Moreover, from the current instance, Lin Na’s situation might slightly overlap with something Xia Lang encountered in the past, possibly triggering memories.

Xia Lang hung his head, not looking at anyone, his expression somewhat cold, lost in thought.

Luo Yiran’s intention to subtly remind Xia Lang was interrupted by Via’s words.

Via, with a cold expression, told Li Qi Feng, “I’ll sleep with Lang tonight; he was scared earlier, and I’m worried about him.”

Though Via liked to take risks, he was capable and not easily influenced, so Xia Lang staying with him should be better than being alone.

The doll relaxed, but Via was exhausted-he wanted to be with Li Qi Feng, given their years of mutual understanding, but!

His character was in a cold war with Li Qi Feng.

Because of Lin Na.

Moreover, he deeply loved his youngest daughter, so when analyzing with Li Qi Feng, Li Qi Feng listed many scenarios for Via, including staying close if his daughter was hurt. Now that she was frightened, he had to accompany and comfort her for a while.

Ignoring her would likely result in an OOC.

Lin Luo snorted, indifferent to the “beautiful family bond” here, and turned to Luo Yiran, “Ranran, let’s go to our room? I want you to apply medicine.”

Via immediately turned around, pleading, “Lin Luo might find it inconvenient to do it himself, so please help him with the medicine.”

Luo Yiran: “…”

He suspected Via was enjoying this; his response was quick and precise.

Lin Luo and Luo Yiran shared a room.

Once inside, Lin Luo grabbed a medical kit, looking at the doll expectantly, “You hurt your leg but still help me with the medicine… Ranran, you’re so kind.”

“…” The doll smiled, “It’s not like my hand is injured.”

Honestly, Luo Yiran wasn’t used to Lin Luo like this… No, perhaps it was because he knew Lin Luo was actually the magician wrapped in bandages, so he wasn’t used to it.

If it were a stranger player, he could seamlessly cooperate and act along.

The bandage, alcohol, and other items were oversized for the doll, but fortunately, Lin Luo was very cooperative, trusting as he leaned close to Luo Yiran, his face magnified before the doll.

In the end, the bandage was ugly and loose, but Lin Luo was happy, examining the bandage on his hand and face in the mirror, seemingly satisfied. Yet Luo Yiran could sense Lin Luo watching him through the mirror, his gaze youthful and intense.

Luo Yiran: “…” The magician was deeply into character, but he couldn’t immerse himself at all.

After hesitating for a moment, Luo Yiran’s gaze shifted to his backpack on Lin Luo’s desk, intending to ask Lin Luo to bring it over.

Lin Luo suddenly leaned in, “Ranran, why did you prank Lin Na?”

Luo Yiran didn’t know the reason, but even if he lied, it wouldn’t break character, so he casually used Lin Luo as an excuse, “Don’t you dislike her?”

Lin Luo froze, then blinked, his eyes clear, ears turning red. He lost the rebellious demeanor he had downstairs, instead appearing cautious and impulsive, asking, “Why are you so nice to me? Is it…”

Youthful, naive.

Just like a young man in front of his crush.

Luo Yiran was momentarily dazed, a memory surfacing-summer afternoon, seemingly mealtime, only him and Lin Luo in the classroom, dappled sunlight on the desks, floor, and a gentle breeze lifting the pages of his textbook.

Lin Luo lay asleep on the desk beside him, the sun reddening Lin Luo’s ears, prompting him to draw the curtains.

The classroom dimmed in one corner, and he turned to watch Lin Luo for a while, surveying the surroundings before leaning down to kiss Lin Luo’s ear.

…

“…”

“?!”

Damn, the setting is mutual crush.

This memory, like his recollection of bringing his backpack, felt incredibly real and natural, as if he truly kissed Lin Luo’s warm, sunlit ear in the afternoon classroom.

The doll could even feel the illusion of his lips having just kissed sunlight, watching Lin Luo open his mouth to continue the “is it” question, his eyes turning cold-

This development isn’t right!

He couldn’t let him continue.

Luo Yiran quickly interrupted Lin Luo, “Of course, because you’re my best friend!” If they were mutually crushing, Lin Luo confessing his feelings would leave Luo Yiran with no reason to refuse.

Interrupting now… could be because Luo Yiran feared Lin Luo discovering his feelings and asking.

He interrupted out of concern for being rejected by Lin Luo.

Lin Luo froze.

The doll relaxed-good, skipping over this…

Lin Luo suddenly lowered his head, eyes turning red.

Luo Yiran: “…?” He had a bad feeling.

Lin Luo remained silent, turning away, filled with disappointment.

Luo Yiran understood, then internally chuckled in frustration.

Lin Luo, the magician, was performing-he believed Luo Yiran’s interruption was a subtle rejection.

“Do you really… have no feelings for me?” Lin Luo held back tears, losing his rebelliousness, leaving only softness and sadness.

No trace of acting.

Luo Yiran wanted to shut the magician’s mouth, but he couldn’t reach, so he could only let the magician pitifully continue, “Then, can we still be friends?”

…

Friends, my foot!

Insisting on developing the script this way, huh? Luo Yiran internally sneered, but outwardly widened his eyes, as if a shocking realization dawned, “You, you just said, what do you mean?”

“You like, like…” he stammered.

Ah… adorable.

The magician wished he could wrap his arms around the doll, examining the doll’s expression of wanting to cut him but having to endure, while also showing shy, expectant, and moved expressions-exactly like this, more invested, he had chosen this role specifically for fun?

Of course, it was for Luo Yiran.

For-

“You like me…?” The doll’s voice was filled with uncertain panic.

“Of course, I do.” Lin Luo said eagerly, his gaze playful.

“…I like you too.” The doll smiled, gritting his teeth.

For this “confession.”

The magician looked satisfied.

With those words, the matter was settled. The doll finally saw a fleeting expression belonging to the magician in Lin Luo’s demeanor, but before he could discern it, another memory emerged.

-In that classroom, in the scorching afternoon, after kissing Lin Luo’s ear, he looked up and saw the back of someone hurriedly leaving the classroom door.

Someone had seen it.