Chapter 9: Chapter 9: Violating the Confidentiality Rules 41:02:15
"How are you feeling, Fang Qian?"
It was afternoon. Guan Tong looked at Fang Qian, who was sitting on a stool with a dazed look in her eyes, and asked.
"Huh... huh?"
Having gone without sleep for over thirty hours, Fang Qian was not in good shape. Her reactions had clearly become sluggish.
Guan Tong was just as exhausted, but he could still hold on.
Fang Qian rubbed her heavy eyelids. "Was I just spacing out...? Guan Tong, how much longer?"
"Forty-one hours left."
"That long..." Fang Qian’s nose tingled, and she felt the urge to cry.
She was so, so sleepy right now and desperately wanted to lie down and sleep.
But her will to survive was so strong that she didn’t dare even close her eyes to rest, let alone lie down.
She was terrified that if she closed her eyes, she might accidentally doze off and never wake up again.
"Don’t give up," Guan Tong encouraged. "Think about your parents. They’re still holding on, too."
"...Yeah."
Fang Qian’s parents were indeed still alive. They had called three or four hours ago to check if their daughter was safe.
"Go get some fresh air by the window," Guan Tong suggested.
Fang Qian nodded and walked over to the window.
It was much quieter outside than it had been yesterday, with far less loud noise.
Presumably, after a full day and night of listening, people’s ears and minds had taken a serious beating.
Even if it was to stay awake, listening to loud music for too long would inevitably make one irritable and short-tempered, which was probably even worse for survival.
That’s why it had become so much quieter today.
Fang Qian gazed at the empty streets outside, fighting with all her might against the exhaustion and drowsiness.
RING RING RING!
Just then, the phone in her pocket began to vibrate. She pulled it out and saw it was a call from her father.
She answered in surprise. "Dad?"
"Qianqian, listen, I have something very important to tell you!" Her father’s voice on the phone sounded extremely agitated.
"What is it?" Fang Qian asked nervously. "It’s not Mom, is it...?"
"Your mother’s fine. This is about your safety! Listen, is your classmate with you right now? Can he hear me?"
"Him?" Fang Qian turned to look. Guan Tong was sitting on a stool in the living room, reading a book. He definitely couldn’t hear from that distance.
"He can’t hear... Should I go over to him?"
"No!" Fang Qian’s father said in a low, serious voice. "Qianqian, listen carefully. The research institute has top-secret information! It’s a hidden detail about the Apocalypse Rules!"
"Wha—"
"Don’t talk, just listen. Anyone who finds another person and knocks them unconscious will receive an item called a ’Sober Mint Candy.’ Using that item grants three hours of absolute wakefulness!"
Fang Qian froze at his words.
"Did you hear me? Qianqian, it doesn’t matter who it is. Just grab something and knock him unconscious—"
A strange man’s voice suddenly cut in on the other end, questioning Fang Qian’s father.
"Dr. Fang, who are you talking to?"
"You’ve already violated the confidentiality agreement. Stop immediately!"
"Qianqian! Remember what I said! If you can’t hold on any longer, use this method, understand?! You have to survi—"
"Stop immediately!"
"That’s my phone! Give it back, you savage—"
BEEP BEEP BEEP...
The call was forcibly disconnected. Fang Qian stood stunned for a few seconds before trying to call back, but the receiver only played the message: "The number you have dialed has been switched off."
’Is what Dad said... real?’
’Knock someone out... Sober Mint Candy... Three hours of absolute wakefulness...’
"Fang Qian."
"Ah!"
Guan Tong’s voice, suddenly coming from behind her, made her jump.
She turned around stiffly and saw Guan Tong looking at her with a strange expression.
"Are you okay?"