I Have Yet to Become a Doll Today

At the edge of the frigid, silent lake, firewood crackled and campfires raged.

Lu Yuwen opened his eyes and saw the stars filling the sky, momentarily finding himself in a daze.

… Had he not died?

Or had he died, entering another world?

Lu Yuwen closed his eyes. The clear sensation of pain traveled throughout his body, his throat burning, his head heavy and foggy.

Then, he heard soft sobbing.

He opened his eyes, turning to see Su Man sitting not far off, her head deeply buried in her knees as if she were crying.

“Su Man…”

Lu Yuwen tried to call her name, but his voice was hoarse when he opened his mouth.

With great effort, he picked up a stone at his side and threw it towards her, causing a disturbance.

Su Man lifted her head, and seeing that Lu Yuwen was awake, she quickly wiped her tears and walked towards him.

“You’re awake? Are you feeling better? Are you uncomfortable anywhere?”

Lu Yuwen opened his mouth, “Water…”

“Water?” Su Man said in confusion, “You’ve been soaked in water for so long, you still want to drink water?”

Lu Yuwen couldn’t help but feel both amused and frustrated, and could only look at her helplessly.

Realizing her ridiculous reaction, Su Man awkwardly stood up and went to get Lu Yuwen some water.

The cool, clear water slid down his throat, and Lu Yuwen’s raspy voice gradually recovered.

He looked at Su Man in front of him, then at the hastily treated wounds on his body, full of mixed feelings, “How did I not die….”

In that situation, no matter how he thought about it, he should have been dead…

Su Man was a little upset, “What are you talking about dying? Of course it’s because I saved you.”

Lu Yuwen looked at her with a gentle, pleasing smile, “But in that situation, you could have died too if you tried to save me…”

Su Man pursed her lips, her eyes focused on the burning bonfire, she murmured in response, “Someone once told me, to keep going… no matter what, you must persevere.”

Perhaps, even the most desperate situations can turn around with just a little bit more perseverance.

Lu Yuwen fell silent upon hearing this. After a while, he whispered, “Yes…we should persevere.”

…

The next day, they began piecing together the land blocks again.

Without Zhang Ke’s help, their efficiency decreased significantly, but with no threats from Zhang Ke, both of them felt relaxed mentally and advanced smoothly.

When the last land block was inserted into the correct position, the arrows on the maze began to vibrate, like countless bees flying into the sky, densely packed, yet orderly!

The arrows, they were all pointing in one direction!

Su Man and Lu Yuwen looked at each other.

Both of them knew that this time, the place the arrows pointed to, must be the real exit!

After enduring so many long days and nights in the maze, now, they were finally about to leave!

The anticipation turned into reality right before their eyes, Su Man’s heart was pounding, her excitement was beyond words.

Carrying Lu Yuwen on her back, despite her physical and mental exhaustion, seeing the exit close at hand made her steps incredibly light, even quickening as she went—

Su Man stepped into the gate pointed to by the arrows!

“Congratulations to the player for clearing Maze No. 6.”

The long-lost voice rang in her ears, and Su Man was so excited that she almost shouted out loud!

The familiar mechanical voice continued:

“The player is the first to clear Maze No. 6 and can receive 3 pieces of the doll jigsaw.”

“Player’s ranking for clearing this round of the game is, first. Now upgrading player data… Ding, the upgrade is finished.”

“Rewards have been calculated, players are invited to continue the game, strive to clear more levels—”

As the voice ended, the white mist dissipated.

Su Man was the first to unwrap the bandage on her left hand!

The hand was smooth and white, the fingers slender and supple. Her hand was completely healed!

Unable to contain herself any longer, Su Man wept for joy! She held her own hand crying like a child.

Lu Yuwen just stood there, stunned, a short distance away.

Overjoyed, Su Man ran over to him, “Lu Yuwen, my hand is healed! See, completely healed!”

Lu Yuwen lowered his head to look at his own foot, “My foot…it’s healed too…”