After Transmigrating As The Mother Of The Pitiful Female Supporting Character in a Campus Novel - Chapter 28

“Taking the skeleton’s place like this…” Isn’t it a bit inappropriate?

Before she could finish her sentence, the game’s flow didn’t grant them enough time to pry open the lid of another skeleton brother’s coffin. Static crackled from the pagers.

Crackle, crackle—

“The third wave of escape begins. Players, please be ready. Countdown: ten seconds.”

The surrounding fog began to thicken again. Red and green lights dropped from somewhere to enhance the atmosphere, creating an eerie apocalyptic sensation.

Qin Zhijin, who had been hesitant, remembered the ugly pustules on the NPCs’ necks. She decisively took a large stride into the coffin and shut the door.

The coffin was reasonably large, but to accommodate two adult women, they had to face each other sideways; otherwise, they’d have to nestle one inside the other’s arms.

No matter the posture, it was incredibly intimate and awkward for them. The close proximity caused their breathing rhythms to slowly synchronize.

When the “monsters” appeared, their numbers had increased by five compared to the second wave. Through the cracks in the coffin, they could see the NPCs beginning to prowl outside.

Despite knowing it was all fake, both of them instinctively held their breath.

Lying inside, they dared not make any large movements for fear of accidentally attracting an NPC. They imagined a crowd of monsters gathering at the coffin door, so that the moment they opened it, they’d be greeted with: “Oh, you’re awake.”

Qin Zhijin would truly be scared into a faint.

Qin Zhijin really didn’t dare to look. After a couple of peeks through the crack, she began to lean back, huddling against Xia Shibai, wishing she could be as far from the coffin door as possible.

Xia Shibai placed her hand behind Qin Zhijin’s back to cushion her, trying her best to manage the distance between them—after all, there was only so much space in the coffin.

The NPCs were clearly used to players hiding in the camp. Before long, they began to scatter and search everywhere. The sound of coffin doors creaking open, combined with the apocalyptic environment, dialed the horror atmosphere to the max.

Qin Zhijin’s heart leaped into her throat; her muscles were unconsciously tensed as she tried to maintain control.

Xia Shibai peered through the crack. Slowly, the light before her eyes dimmed. Her hand cushioning Qin Zhijin’s back shifted from wrist to palm. At first, she thought an NPC’s shadow was blocking the faint light, until the person outside stepped back, and a single eye locked onto Xia Shibai’s.

The fear of being prey suddenly surged; a shiver ran down her spine, and even her pupils constricted uncontrollably.

Xia Shibai gripped the last remaining powder ball, resolved to break through the encirclement. But then she remembered the person behind her was most afraid of disgusting and ugly things. She frowned, weighing which choice was better for the current situation.

The coffin door was yanked open. Xia Shibai was quick, throwing the powder ball at the monster. A glance outside revealed a swarm of NPCs. She decisively chose the second method she had mentally prepared: she pulled Qin Zhijin into her arms, using her entire body to block the monsters pouncing from outside.

“Close your eyes,” Xia Shibai said hurriedly.

Before Qin Zhijin’s eyes could adjust to the faint light after the darkness, her vision was completely blocked. Hearing Xia Shibai’s words, she obediently shut her eyes.

Qin Zhijin only felt her clothes being tugged; her unprotected arms felt a pulling sensation, but otherwise, there was only the slight coolness of a palm resting over her eyes.

“Players failed the first challenge. Stay in place with the NPCs and wait for fifteen minutes.”

Xia Shibai thought the NPC meant all the NPCs, but as soon as the pager spoke, the surrounding monsters mostly dispersed, leaving only the ones who had just “eliminated” them.

They even leaned in close to their faces and bodies, staying perfectly in character as monsters.

Xia Shibai covered Qin Zhijin’s eyes. The person held loosely in her arms couldn’t help but shrink inward when touched by a monster, trying to put distance between herself and the creatures.

Xia Shibai reached out to push a monster away from Qin Zhijin and laughed softly. “Your makeup is quite realistic. Was the character reference that episode of Ultimax Tiga where they dig up potatoes?”

The NPC let out a low, eerie sound but didn’t answer. Instead, they brought their made-up face closer, trying to intimidate Xia Shibai.

Xia Shibai blinked. “It was a bit scary with the fog, but looking this closely, it’s actually alright. Not particularly horrifying.”

“Seriously, did you guys put these coffins here on purpose? Players will definitely want to hide in them, making it a death loop once the game starts. It’s hard to escape, but very easy to die.”

Xia Shibai hadn’t understood at first why there were so many coffins on such a large path, but once she was cornered, the strategy became clear.

Either the players hide inside and get killed by NPCs, or NPCs hide inside for a “jump scare” kill. Either way, it was a necessary part of the game designed to reduce the number of NPCs needed for the next round.

“But in a game with just the two of us, you assigned nearly thirty staff members to play with us. Can you guys actually turn a profit?” Xia Shibai’s mind raced through numbers. Even though the NPC didn’t speak, she could roughly calculate the daily operating costs based on market rates. Combined with the ticket prices, she had essentially turned the NPC into a consultant for a board meeting.

She was specifically researching whether this camp project was viable.

The annoyed NPC: “…”

Are these fifteen minutes ever going to end?

With her eyes covered, Qin Zhijin could see nothing, including the speechless frustration beneath the NPC’s makeup. She listened to Xia Shibai mentally calculating the camp’s various incomes and expenses, finally reaching a conclusion.

“If your boss isn’t a rich kid playing around, then I can only say your main business isn’t this project we’re playing right now.”

NPC: “Hiss!”

Qin Zhijin: “…”

Xia Shibai said innocently, “If you don’t know, you don’t know. Why are you getting all worked up?”

“Fifteen minutes are up. NPCs, please escort the players back to the starting point. Confiscate their props. Reset the round count.”

Qin Zhijin’s eyes were lightly covered by a hand. When she opened them, she could see the lines on the palm clearly. As long as she didn’t look sideways, she couldn’t see the monsters.

Xia Shibai remained very close to her.

Xia Shibai had thought of everything, showing a level of thoroughness that left Qin Zhijin speechless. Every action was piecing together a complete picture of Xia Shibai for her—a vivid side she had never seen before.

Returning to the start, the hard-won map fragments were taken back.

Fortunately, memorizing things was Qin Zhijin’s strength. During the ten minutes of the first chase, they had already reached the terminal fork: three paths, two people. With luck, one would find the finish; with bad luck, they’d both be caught.

Xia Shibai opposed them exploring separately. “Though this mountain isn’t high or deep, it’s a chase game after all. You’re scared; if you accidentally roll into a ditch or something, wouldn’t that be the end of it?”

“It’s just three paths. We can verify them during the rest periods. No need to separate.”

“The efficiency is too low that way.”

“Regardless, we can’t separate. The risk is too high. You’re a doctor—if you accidentally injure your hand, how can I compensate Pediatrics for a missing doctor?” Xia Shibai refused decisively. “The training cycle for a doctor is long; this isn’t something that can be solved just with money.”

Qin Zhijin leaned her hands on her knees, leveling her breathing. Jogging all the way here was a massive test of stamina.

Since Xia Shibai didn’t agree, even if Qin Zhijin went off on her own, this person would just follow.

Qin Zhijin hadn’t known her long, but she could guess—Xia Shibai was not one to obediently follow orders.

Qin Zhijin bit her lip, looked at the three paths, and suggested: “Let’s take the last one directly. With a bit of luck, we’ll pass in one go. If not, we’ll just head up that way; we’ll find it eventually.”

“You’re really not afraid there’s a giant chasm between the paths.”

“No. If there were, this place wouldn’t have passed the safety audit. Safety is more important; we have to trust the official’s fear of taking responsibility for accidents.”

Xia Shibai thought about it and agreed. For a large outdoor venue like this, you don’t just pay money; you go through wave after wave of audits. Dealing with officials is much harder than simply doing a project.

Once decided, they took the last path. Within ten minutes, they hit a nearly two-meter-high iron gate. The gate was intentionally aged, rusted, and even covered in painted bloodstains.

Having reached this point, Qin Zhijin truly couldn’t walk anymore. She felt her physical strength had reached its limit.

Outdoor sports were indeed not as comfortable as staying home in the AC.

“Is it not this path?”

“Probably not.” Xia Shibai approached the gate, touched it, and got a hand full of dirt.

The gate wasn’t smooth; the surface was uneven. The dried mud on it was likely left by other players.

“But we can change our thinking.” After confirming, Xia Shibai wiped her hands and decisively waved Qin Zhijin over. “Come here, see if you can climb up.”

“Climb this?” Qin Zhijin was shocked. “You want to climb over directly? Without finding the right path?”

“Yeah.”

“Let’s just get out first. If we keep walking, we won’t have the strength to keep playing,” Xia Shibai spoke the truth.

One of them sat in an office all year, and the other was busy in a hospital. This high-intensity outdoor exercise was exhausting. If their legs didn’t shake tomorrow, it would be a miracle.

“I don’t know how to climb; this is too high.” Qin Zhijin knew her own state well. This gate didn’t look very high at first glance, but climbing it wasn’t just about stamina; you needed a strong core.

“There’s not much time left. Let’s treat a dead horse as if it’s alive. I’ll hold you to save you some strength; just flip yourself over.”

Before Qin Zhijin could react, a force hit her waist. The next second, she was slightly airborne. She hurriedly straightened her arms to grab the top of the gate. Her foot tried to gain purchase on the iron, but it slipped, nearly bringing Xia Shibai down with her.

After several attempts, Qin Zhijin grit her teeth and pulled herself up. Pushed by Xia Shibai, she made it over the gate. Before she could catch her breath, the pager started ringing.

Monsters appeared from nowhere and began running toward them.

Qin Zhijin lay on the gate and reached out to Xia Shibai, wanting to pull her up, but the person standing below waved her off. “Move to the side, don’t let me hit you.”

Qin Zhijin obediently hugged the gate and shifted to the side.

The NPCs behind, seeing them trying to flip over the gate, hurried to charge. After a short run-up, Xia Shibai nimbly grabbed the top, used a bit of strength, flipped over the iron gate, jumped to the other side, and stood still, dusting off her hands.

Looking at the dazed Dr. Qin sitting on top of the gate, she couldn’t help but smirk. “Jumping down? Or sliding down?”

“Is there a third option?” Qin Zhijin’s back was to the monsters. The gate she was sitting on was being pressed by NPCs pouncing one after another. The shaking terrified her, and she gripped the gate tightly with both hands.

“There is.” Xia Shibai thought for a moment and opened her arms. “If you’re not afraid of falling, you can jump down from the top.”

“Then the two of us can go to Orthopedics to get bone pins and be hospitalized. How does that option sound?”

“…” Qin Zhijin’s lips moved slightly. She closed her eyes and extended her foot to test the height of the gate, then slid down. The moment her feet hit the ground, her legs turned to jelly, and she sat down in the mud.

She didn’t want to say a single word.

Too tired.

She began to wonder: The variety show later won’t be even more exhausting than this, will it?

“Can you still get up?” Xia Shibai leaned in to ask.

“Yes, it’s not a big deal. Just tired. Let me rest a bit.”

“Okay.” Xia Shibai sat down on the ground right next to her.

As soon as she sat, Xia Shibai felt her hiked-up pant leg being tugged. She looked down to see Qin Zhijin pressing lightly on her calf and ankle. After the initial numbness, a piercing pain emerged.

Xia Shibai had no time to react; the pain made her cry out, “Gentle! Gentle! Gentle!”

Qin Zhijin gave her a cold look. “If I weren’t pressing here, were you planning to wait until it swelled into a pig’s trotter to notice?”

“It’s not that big a—AH! IT HURTS!”

Xia Shibai was pressed until tears came. She hurriedly grabbed Dr. Qin’s probing hand. “I was wrong, really wrong! Don’t press anymore, my leg is going to be ruined.”

“If you know it hurts, learn your lesson. Don’t try to be a hero in everything. With injuries to tendons and bones, are you really not afraid of ending up with a limp?”

Qin Zhijin’s expression was rarely so grim. After resting a while longer, she used the iron gate behind her to stand up. Outside was a small path, and not far off was the camp exit; she could hear children playing.

“Rest a bit more, then I’ll carry you out?”

“No need. I’m heavy; just support me.” Xia Shibai waved her hands frantically.

“Fine.”

By the time the two walked out of the iron gate supporting each other, the program crew that had been with them inside had long since emerged and were even drinking cold drinks.

Xia Shibai took a water bottle, unscrewed it, and handed it to Qin Zhijin. Scanning the area, she didn’t see the children and asked curiously, “Where are the two of them? That can’t be right—with Xiao Yi there, couldn’t she carry the team?”

“Not exactly. They’re grinding through the levels.” The directors with them had ways to communicate, so they knew exactly what was happening on Xia Yaozhou’s side.

Seeing the “unspeakable” expression on the PD’s face, Xia Shibai’s brow quirked. “Let’s go take a look and see what’s going on.”

The group walked together to the children’s deciphering area. They saw Xia Yaozhou and Gu Mingyi covered in various park toys—on their heads, hands, and waists. The two children had even somehow acquired a small wagon, which was also filled with items.

Xia Yaozhou was a living miser; there was absolutely no way she would use her own allowance to buy these toys.

Something fishy was going on; the kids were definitely up to no good.

Qin Zhijin and Xia Shibai observed from a distance for a while. With the PD’s explanation, the two adults quickly understood what they were doing.

Xia Yaozhou and Gu Mingyi were very fast. The deciphering here was difficult for many children, but staff would provide hints; with a bit of thought, it could be solved.

But Gu Mingyi didn’t need hints. She had personally done many of the scientific experiments involved. The staff never even got a chance to provide hints. She cleared all the levels with Xia Yaozhou in just half an hour.

When redeeming gifts, Xia Yaozhou took a fancy to a large wagon. The two kids huddled up and decided to redeem it.

After leaving the deciphering passage, Xia Yaozhou pulled the wagon and started asking other children who came to clear the levels if they needed help. For one hundred yuan, or if they went to the shop to buy a toy for her, she would guarantee they’d pass and get the treasure.

Xia Shibai didn’t even need the PD to continue; she had already guessed the result based on the scene. “Xia Yaozhou definitely only went in twice, three times at most.”

“You’re that sure?” Qin Zhijin pointed at the mountain of toys and the two kids’ clearly bulging pockets. “With this kind of behavior, how can you be sure they didn’t go in more than three times?”

“An old mother’s understanding of her child’s ‘cleverness’.”

Before Xia Yaozhou could even open her mouth, Xia Shibai already knew exactly what her first word would be.

Xia Shibai deduced the “Modus Operandi.”

“She must have persuaded a bunch of people outside first, taken deposits, and then brought a whole swarm of kids inside. Gu Mingyi explains everything at each checkpoint using the simplest methods, ensuring every kid knows what to do. After clearing the levels, she definitely wouldn’t keep the ‘wish’ for herself; she’d give it to the first person who paid the deposit.”

“That way, the kids would trust her completely. Once they get out, they’d keep their promise to buy her things.”

But if it were just that, it wouldn’t be little Xia Yaozhou.

In the few business battle scenes in the original novel, the high EQ Xia Yaozhou displayed made Xia Shibai feel the two versions of the character were split. In the original, Xia Yaozhou’s personal life was spent in the dust of low self-esteem, but in the business world, she was steady and confident.

Reflecting on it now, it seemed strange to Xia Shibai.

“Xia Yaozhou definitely returned the deposits generously and then had them buy her gifts or give her cash after they successfully solved the puzzles.”

People who can afford to play here wouldn’t be poor. A child hears: “You trust me so much, so I trust you too.”

With a steady stream of “business” coming to her door, Xia Yaozhou simply had those who already knew the answers—but hadn’t entered yet—lead those who came later.

She made a fortune, taking Gu Mingyi along for the ride.

After hearing Xia Shibai’s theory, Qin Zhijin turned to look at the director standing nearby.

“Close enough…” The director’s lip twitched. “But Xiao Zhou is probably even smarter than President Xia thinks.”

“She used her sports camera to record Xiao Yi solving the puzzles. She asked my staff for the video, exported it, and transferred it to her kids’ watch. She charged two hundred yuan for one deciphering video, or they could buy an equivalent plushie to swap.” The director rubbed his forehead helplessly. “Sharing videos via the kids’ watch community… she’s already made several thousand this afternoon.”

That wasn’t even counting the toys. Just in cash, the director’s crew had seen quite a bit flowing in. Most “menacingly,” Xia Yaozhou knew how to win people over.

She shared the money she made with the director’s crew. Realizing that sharing answers would definitely cause the camp staff to come and shoo her away, she trotted her short legs over to the person in charge of the secret rooms. She said she could take people to the shop to pick toys, and the money would go to him, but she didn’t want the toys—the toys could go back to the shop.

“She said, ‘You make money, I make money, and the kids have fun. Why wouldn’t you agree? Only a ditz would think they have too much money. Zhouzhou is not a ditz’.”

Xia Shibai: “…”

Qin Zhijin silently gave a thumbs up and lamented, “A dragon gives birth to a dragon, a phoenix to a phoenix. A businessman’s daughter has nothing but business logic in her head.”

“My fault.” Xia Shibai silently tapped her own face. Why did she have to find those stories of female merchants in history books so early and turn them into fairy tales?

Now her daughter is “well-cultivated,” but the success point… has clearly drifted all the way to the Pacific Ocean.

She’s not even four yet. If she gets any older, Xia Shibai worried she’d start lending micro-loans at school and making big money without saying a word.

When Xia Shibai and the others arrived, Xia Yaozhou was already closing up shop. After finishing the last of the handovers, she pulled the little wagon to find the “Auntie” she had negotiated with earlier.

“Here, we don’t want any of the things in the wagon, and we only sold the set amount.” Xia Yaozhou looked up at the woman. “And we cleared out all the ugliest dolls in the shop!”

The woman nodded with a smile. If the boss hadn’t been here today, she really wouldn’t have agreed to such an absurd thing.

Items sold were recycled. A quick mental check revealed they had made a profit; the wishes granted to the children were just some toys. They cleared inventory and made a profit.

It was a win-win for them and Xia Yaozhou.

“Alright, then Auntie will keep her promise. I saw nothing. Memory cleared!” The person in charge had the wagon full of plushies moved elsewhere and quickly said, according to the boss’s wishes: “These toys will be treated as bought by the kids for the orphanage. On our charity day, we’ll donate them in your names.”

Xia Yaozhou nodded and smiled sweetly. “That’s fine. Auntie can do whatever she wants with them.”

Anyway, she had money in her pocket. Happy!

But her happiness didn’t last long. Xia Yaozhou felt two light taps on her back. she tried to wave it away, ignoring it, but the finger on her back persisted.

Frustrated and angry, Xia Yaozhou turned around with her hands on her hips to see who it was.

Pffft—

Like a deflating balloon, she spun around a few times.

Xia Yaozhou shamelessly hugged Xia Shibai’s neck, rubbing against her to curry favor. “Mommy, I missed you so much! So, so, so much!”

“Do you miss me, or do you miss me being away a bit longer so you could make a fortune?” Xia Shibai pinched the bulging little pocket that could barely hold any more; it was full of cash—truly a handful.

Xia Yaozhou retracted one hand and silently pressed it over the bulging pocket, whispering: “Both.”

Missed Mommy, wanted Mommy to be away, and even more, wanted to take advantage of Mommy’s absence to make good money.