Chapter 75: The rabbit that turns into whack-a-mole

Jing Qizhen shifted back to the main topic. “Sean’s body showed fractures in the foot bones. Combined with the severed big toe and heel, it suggests a connection to ‘The Little Mermaid’, where walking felt like stepping on knives and the stepsisters’ injuries in ‘Cinderella’.”

Manman suddenly stiffened. “Does that mean some people are playing more than one role in these fairy tales?”

Jing Qizhen nodded. “I suspect the roles are tied to each person’s characteristics or the special items they found. The maid, for instance, naturally became the Maid in the stories. Sophia’s interaction with the magic mirror pulled her into Snow White’s plotline.”

Angelina frowned. “But what about me? I saw the March Hare but I don’t have any items.”

Jing Qizhen glanced at her. “I suspect if you had followed the March Hare into the rabbit hole, you’d have taken on the role of Alice. The subsequent adventure would have been both an opportunity and a potential death trap.”

If Angelina had followed the March Hare, she might have encountered key characters like the Red Queen but could just as easily have disappeared without a trace.

Angelina shivered at the thought. “I’d rather hide and stay safe…” Her survival instincts were strong.

Jing Qizhen smirked. Her decision to stage her disappearance showed she was resourceful, decisive, and highly self-preserving. In the erosion area, such traits were valuable. It wasn’t a bad thing to survive longer.

By now, Professor Jones, Caroline, and the others had grasped Jing Qizhen’s logical framework.

Professor Jones stated, “Based on Williams’s death scene, he must have taken on the Little Mermaid’s storyline, eventually dissolving into foam in the bathtub.”

Caroline crossed her arms. “But that still doesn’t explain why they died. Was it because they didn’t follow the script?”

After all, everyone known to have played a role in the fairy tales had ended up dead, except for the maid. However, the Maid’s storyline in the fairy tales was minimal, so her role likely carried less inherent danger.

Manman gave Caroline a sidelong glance and tilted her head. “Isn’t the real issue that both Sean and Williams had connections to ‘The Little Mermaid’?”

Jing Qizhen added, “But they died at different times, not simultaneously. This suggests the roles in the fairy tales can be inherited.”

Lu Lingxi started jotting furiously on the paper again, pausing for a moment to contemplate the word ‘inherited.’

Gu Leshan got straight to the point, “But the inheritance only happens after someone dies.”

Si Jiayang suddenly interjected, “Wait! I just thought of something!”

Everyone turned to Si Jiayang.

Si Jiayang said, “When we entered that villa, we all fell asleep. But that doesn’t necessarily mean we’re Sleeping Beauty. In the story of ‘Sleeping Beauty’, everyone in the entire palace, from top to bottom, falls into a deep sleep. In other words, we have no way of determining what roles we play in the ‘Sleeping Beauty’ story.”

From the fairy tale itself, ‘Sleeping Beauty’ was much gentler, as there was no bloodshed or death.

However, referencing Sophia from the ‘Snow White’ story, the real Snow White ate a poisoned apple, fell into a coma, and was revived by the prince. But Sophia, in her case, was genuinely poisoned and died.

By that logic, if Jing Qizhen and the others truly fell asleep in the villa following the ‘Sleeping Beauty’ plot, it was highly likely they would never wake up. Permanently asleep, so to speak.

The thought left everyone exchanging uneasy glances, feeling a chill of fear.

Being so close to death made everyone’s skin crawl. It also became painfully clear how sudden and unpredictable death could be in the erosion area.

Even Jing Qizhen couldn’t help but feel unsettled.

He first glanced at Yun Shuanghua, who seemed oblivious, then turned his gaze to Si Jiayang. With a wry sense of humor, he remarked, “Well, maybe it’s not so bad. After all, the vines have burned away and the villa is just a hollow shell now. Without the castle in ‘Sleeping Beauty’, we shouldn’t fall asleep, right?”

Manman said, “We’ll know once we try.”

From outside, where he’d been monitoring the fire, Yan Hong chimed in, “The villa’s external structure has mostly been burned clean. Because of the rabbit hole, one of the villa’s walls has collapsed. I can now see the entrance to the underground wine cellar from outside.”

Jing Qizhen asked, “An underground wine cellar? They store wine here?”

Wouldn’t that make the fire even worse…?

Caroline’s expression shifted. “David stored a lot of high-proof alcohol.”

Jing Qizhen winced. “That must be excellent fuel…”

Caroline muttered, “David is going to lose it.”

Lu Lingxi helpfully reminded them, “The villa in the erosion area is different from the one outside.”

Caroline sighed in relief. “Oh, that’s good then.”

Watching Caroline’s reaction, Old Xiao struggled to understand. Even if the wine cellar were destroyed, wasn’t the fact that three foreigners in their group had already died a far more serious issue?

After everyone exchanged and reviewed all the information they’d gathered, Lu Lingxi moved aside the blank sheet of paper for others to examine.

Si Jiayang checked the clock and stood up. “It’s almost evening. If the timeline follows the rabbit sequence, the seventh day should still be a peaceful Christmas Eve in the fairy tale world. The real trouble will likely come on the eighth day. Let’s eat dinner first.”

Manman nodded.

Si Jiayang glanced at Jing Qizhen and asked, “How are you feeling, man?”

The weak and pitiful Jing Qizhen straightened up slightly from the sofa, took a moment to assess his condition, and nodded. “After resting most of the day, I’ve regained a bit of strength. I think I can hold chopsticks.”

Si Jiayang couldn’t help but whistle. “Impressive! Though I think we only have spoons and forks here. Eat more and you’ll probably regain more strength after dinner.”

Jing Qizhen nodded.

Si Jiayang said, “I’ll head to the kitchen to stir-fry something! It’s time we had a meal.”

Jin Guijuan immediately followed. “I’ll help too.”

Trailing behind them was the housemaid, who had just gotten up from the ground. Nervously dusting off her apron, she spoke timidly, “This is my job. Please let me handle it!”

The group had speculated about the housemaid’s situation with remarkable accuracy. While she was initially shocked and incredulous, the explanation provided clarity and lifted a great weight off her shoulders.

She still couldn’t reveal any information to others. However, as someone privy to receiving new orders from the Red Queen, if Jing Qizhen and the others could pay attention to her actions and hints, they might be able to avoid death to some extent.

Hearing the housemaid’s flustered voice, Si Jiayang recalled her Maid role in the script and didn’t want to make things difficult for her. He simply nodded, “Alright, I’ll help you out.” Then, he turned and headed toward the kitchen.

The villa’s kitchen was well-stocked with ingredients. Both Si Jiayang and the housemaid were skilled cooks, and surprisingly, amidst the perilous erosion area, Jing Qizhen and the group enjoyed an exceptionally sumptuous dinner.

Yun Shuanghua, still sitting beside Jing Qizhen with his usual cold expression, suddenly had a glint in his eyes when he saw the variety of dishes.

Jing Qizhen noticed his subtle reaction and found it intriguing. He couldn’t help but wonder to himself.

It was not unusual for people to feel joy at the sight of good food but considering Yun Shuanghua’s earlier insistence on clutching that hard baguette, something sturdy enough to be used as a weapon, it was clear he places an extraordinary value on food.

Yet, looking at him, Yun Shuanghua didn’t seem like someone who had endured hunger or hardship. The mystery surrounding him only deepened and the more Jing Qizhen observed, the more perplexed he became. What kind of life had this man led?

Gu Leshan ate with seemingly casual movements but judging by the speed at which the food and bread on his plate disappeared, his eating could only be described as ravenous.

After finishing in just a few bites, Gu Leshan stood up and informed everyone. “I’m done. I’ll go switch with Yan Hong now!”

Lu Lingxi didn’t need to guess. Gu Leshan’s habit of eating quickly, likely honed during his time in the military, was clearly for this very purpose.

Lu Lingxi softly reminded him, “Be careful. Keep your earpiece on at all times.”

Gu Leshan gave him an ‘OK’ gesture and went to change shifts with Yan Hong.

Yan Hong soon came in, sat at the table, and, while eating, briefed everyone on the status of the fire outside.

Jing Qizhen nodded. “Let’s check again later. If all the villa’s attachments have burned away, we can use some tools to cool down the house and go back in to investigate.”

Caroline asked, “How do we cool it down? Use hoses to spray water?”

Jing Qizhen didn’t hide anything and replied succinctly, “We’ll use special tools from the erosion area.”

The foreigners exchanged curious glances but didn’t press further.

After dinner, Jing Qizhen used the free time to recover his strength and lie down on the sofa for a short nap.

Not long after, Gu Leshan’s loud voice came through the earpiece, “The fire is about to die out! Should we splash some water to create a safer environment for work?”

Jing Qizhen woke from his nap, stretched his body, and felt that he had finally recovered from his earlier exhaustion. Feeling refreshed and mobile again, he let out a sigh of relief.

The group gathered and headed out of the villa together, including Yun Shuanghua, who followed silently with his usual cold expression but a hint of curiosity.

Jing Qizhen gently opened the ‘Christmas Reindeer Music Box’.

As the tune of ‘Jingle Bells’ played softly, snowflakes began to fall around them.

The surrounding temperature dropped sharply.

Back in that sealed mountain village, the music box had been powerful enough to counteract the seemingly eternal burning hellfire of the oil pan hell. Here, its job was merely to cool down the burned-out villa and its effect was even more remarkable.

In just two minutes and before the lullaby had even finished playing, the snow had covered the villa completely, extinguishing all hidden flames.

Sparks flickered as the fire’s intense heat gave way to a bone-chilling cold.

Professor Jones and the others stared in shock, their eyes wide. Though they said nothing, it was clear that, unlike the seemingly useless magic mirror, they were now truly beginning to grasp the astounding power of the special items from the erosion area.

Manman glanced at the villa, now reduced to just parts of its structural framework and casually remarked, “In the U.S., about 80% of houses are built with wood, composite boards, and light steel structures, so they burn easily. But this villa looks like it’s made of a brick-and-concrete structure, pretty sturdy.”

Professor Jones coughed lightly and added, “Fire usually only affects the surface of concrete, causing some changes from the high temperatures but the internal structure remains mostly intact. However, with the sudden heat and then rapid cooling… considering the expansion and contraction properties of concrete, it’s not so certain anymore.”

Lu Lingxi hesitated briefly before asking, “Are you saying that the remaining walls and frame of the villa might collapse at any moment?”

Jing Qizhen: “…”

Investigating the villa really did seem like risking one’s life.

The Earth chimed in his head with a sympathetic comment, “Humans’ buildings are so fragile!”

It clearly wasn’t like the Earth itself, which endured volcanic eruptions, tectonic shifts, and whatever else the planet decided to throw at it. In the Earth’s opinion, such events were like getting fresh new skin on its surface. Maybe not as grand as global ice ages or lush rainforest expansions but it was still delightful surprises and subtle adornments.

Jing Qizhen: “…” He was at a loss for words.

Professor Jones clarified, “Well… it’s not that bad. After all, the weight of a human body is fairly limited.”

Jing Qizhen said, “Let’s test whether we’ll fall asleep first.” He then glanced at Yun Shuanghua.

Wilcox, who was busy patting his younger cousin, paused when he noticed this.

Joyce: “QAQ!” What did I do to deserve this?

Yun Shuanghua gave a slight nod, signaling his readiness to join Jing Qizhen in entering the villa.

With steady, deliberate steps, Jing Qizhen walked into the now-cooled villa. Though his movements were cautious, he felt stable.

In his mind, the Earth excitedly shouted, “Little Jing, are you feeling sleepy? Sleepy? Sleepy?”

Jing Qizhen, overwhelmed by the noise and felt like he was on the verge of tinnitus again: “…”

How could I possibly feel sleepy with you around, Babyball?!

Jing Qizhen sighed, “Please, be quiet for a bit.”

The Earth: “Oh, okay! O.O”

After carefully gauging his state, Jing Qizhen confirmed that the overwhelming fatigue he had felt earlier was completely gone. Relieved, he turned back to nod at his companions, confidently stating, “There’s no trace of the previous drowsiness anymore.”

Standing beside him, Yun Shuanghua maintained his usual aloof demeanor, as if he were a mere observer.

The group waiting outside the villa also breathed a collective sigh of relief.

Si Jiayang murmured to Manman, “It seems that destroying the defining features of a fairytale breaks its storyline.”

The key to ‘Sleeping Beauty’ appeared to be the vines entwined around the villa.

Manman didn’t reply but nodded slightly, lost in thought. Perhaps the critical element in ‘Cinderella’ would be the glass slipper.

Inside the villa’s ruins, Jing Qizhen’s gaze instinctively swept over the underground wine cellar, where a conspicuous rabbit hole stood out. The collapsed wall had accidentally created a somewhat stable triangular corner there.

Jing Qizhen withdrew his gaze and cautiously made his way to the now-barren staircase. Just as he was about to head upstairs to check Sean and Williams’ rooms, a gigantic rabbit suddenly poked its head out of the rabbit hole.

Jing Qizhen, standing on the staircase, locked eyes with the enormous rabbit for a brief moment.

The next second, the rabbit, in its haste to leap out of the hole, disrupted the previously stable triangular corner. The structure collapsed instantly and with a loud crash, the rabbit was smashed back into the rabbit hole as if it were a whack-a-mole game.

Jing Qizhen: “=口=!!!”

What fairytale has whack-a-mole in it? Asking online, it’s urgent!

Bonus chapter!😋