Chapter 125: The Truth Within the Heart

Yang Mingzhong smiled as usual and walked over to the opposite side, pulling out a chair for Wen Nan. “I finished the map-sweeping task early and thought since I had some free time, I might as well come over for a cup of coffee to pass the time.”

Wen Nan nodded and waited briefly. In his mind, he heard a middle-aged man’s voice that sounded almost indistinguishable from reality—

“I’m not young anymore, and I can’t really get along with the younger players in the guild. After finishing the tasks, rather than rushing back to the respawn point or just chatting aimlessly in the group, it’s more relaxing to stroll around the map alone.”

Wen Nan glanced at the small table by the window in front of him, a hint of surprise flickering in his eyes.

So it was... just for that reason?

“Chairman?” Yang Mingzhong raised his hand, waving it in front of Wen Nan. “Is something wrong?”

Wen Nan came back to himself. “No, nothing. What did you just ask?”

Yang Mingzhong smiled again. “I was asking what you’d like to drink. It’s on me.”

This café was considered part of the player exploration map. Purchases inside used in-game currency from the map, not the player’s account gold.

Wen Nan didn’t refuse. He sat down opposite and casually ordered the café’s newly introduced Duck Shit Fragrance hand-smashed lemon tea.

While waiting for the drink, Wen Nan said casually, “Mr. Yang, your map-sweeping efficiency is impressive. In such a short time, the number of items you’ve found surpasses the total of all the other players combined.”

“Just call me Mingzhong,” Yang Mingzhong replied, blushing and rubbing his shiny bald head. “If Gu Jinxing and Hu Jiayao hadn’t run into trouble, they’d definitely have found more than me.”

“I just have a bit more experience, that’s all.”

Wen Nan waited a moment but heard no more inner voice beyond that last sentence.

He had no choice but to continue, “You seem quite familiar with this map. Last time, you even found the rose prop tucked away in that tricky spot under the table.”

“Oh, that was just luck—I happened to stumble on it,” Yang Mingzhong chuckled softly.

Wen Nan fell silent again. After a while, he still caught no inner voice.

This Yang Mingzhong... his mental activity was even more reserved than his outward demeanor suggested.

Wen Nan smiled and said, “I thought you’d been here before.”

“Heh, Chairman, you flatter me,” Yang Mingzhong said, lifting his coffee cup for a sip.

‘Why hasn’t this lemon tea arrived yet?’

‘Can it come faster to ease this awkward moment?’

‘Ah, finally here, thank goodness.’

The NPC waiter approached with a tray, placing a chilled lemon tea and a straw with napkins in front of Wen Nan. “Sir, your Duck Shit Fragrance hand-smashed lemon tea. Please enjoy.”

Wen Nan glanced at the system—

9527: [Your Mind Reading skill remaining duration: 14:32––]

The remaining time of the Mind Reading skill had already dropped to less than half in the blink of an eye.

After the waiter left, Wen Nan quickly returned to the subject. “Thanks for the rose last time. It was quite useful.”

“You’re welcome. It’s what I should do.”

‘Though I didn’t really help much, from what I could see, the completion rate barely improved after sending that rose.’

“Before entering this beginner dungeon, which other maps have you been to?”

“I only cleared one trial map—a playground-themed one. It was much simpler than this map, with fewer characters, and I finished it quickly.”

Wen Nan silently observed him, but in his mind, no thoughts came through.

“Just one map?” Wen Nan pressed.

“Yes, after all, this is still just a beginner dungeon,” Yang Mingzhong said, looking at Wen Nan, then asked, “Chairman, have you cleared many dungeons already?”

‘Makes sense. Players who can afford guild slots must have substantial funds and have cleared quite a few maps.’

9527: [Your Mind Reading skill remaining duration: 6:47––] In this pointless back-and-forth, the skill’s time was nearly spent.

Wen Nan didn’t answer but shifted to a more serious tone. “Mingzhong, you’re now a member of the Steady Win guild. As chairman, I think it’s necessary to understand more about the new members.”

Yang Mingzhong nodded earnestly. “Understood. What do you want to know?”

“Are you an old player who deleted their account and started over?”

Wen Nan cut straight to the chase, watching Yang Mingzhong’s face closely.

Yang Mingzhong was momentarily stunned, then shook his head with a wry smile. “Chairman, don’t joke. Isn’t that something only advanced players can do? A newbie like me—there’s no way I’d have the chance to start over.”

He then looked back at Wen Nan steadily, showing no trace of surprise, hesitation, or fear.

The slightly rough middle-aged voice echoed in Wen Nan’s mind—

“When I was in the game lobby earlier, I heard rumors that One Night Nine Times is a legendary player’s newly linked alt, here to fish in the pond. Not sure if it’s true or not.”

9527: [Your Mind Reading skill has ended and is now on cooldown.]

Thirty minutes of conversation, and nothing was revealed.

But this time, Wen Nan didn’t complain about the short duration of Mind Reading. On the contrary, he even regretted using his skill and the Tear of Zhi on this man.

Because Wen Nan was now certain that no matter how many questions he asked, he would never get the answers he wanted from Yang Mingzhong’s inner voice—

Yang Mingzhong was deliberately controlling his thoughts.

The inner voice Wen Nan heard was false.

This would be nearly impossible for an ordinary person, but Wen Nan guessed that for someone with strong mental fortitude and special training, it might not be difficult.

Obviously, Yang Mingzhong must have guessed Wen Nan would use Mind Reading when he came over and knew Wen Nan was suspicious of him.

So he played along for half an hour?

Wen Nan chuckled softly.

This man was far more complicated than his straightforward CEO.

Just then, Yang Mingzhong took the initiative to ask, “Chairman, anything else you want to know?”

Wen Nan smiled, unhurriedly lifted the lemon tea, and took a sip, frowning. “This tea is really sour, bitter and astringent...”

Yang Mingzhong laughed. “The hand-smashed lemon tea without sugar does taste like that. It’s normal if you’re not used to it the first time.”

Wen Nan raised a finger and tapped the rim of Yang Mingzhong’s cup. “What did you order?”

“Their signature premium coffee. It tastes good. Chairman, want to try some? I can order you a cup.”

Wen Nan shook his head. “No, it’s late. I’m afraid I won’t sleep if I have coffee now.”

Yang Mingzhong pushed the menu toward Wen Nan. “How about ordering a decaffeinated drink?”

“Alright.” Wen Nan looked down and studied the menu seriously.

Yang Mingzhong looked bored and took a sip from his coffee cup.

9527: [Detected use of item on another player, Yang Mingzhong — Truth Serum.]

9527: [Item in effect, please wait...]

9527: [Item successfully used!]

Leaning his elbow on the table, Wen Nan leaned closer and asked, “Yang Mingzhong, why did you delete your account and start over?”

Yang Mingzhong’s fingers clenched tightly around the cup, his expression turning dark. In a low, hoarse voice, he said:

“In the southeast corner of this map, at the far edge, there’s a place that’s been sealed off for years…”

Sorry for the several-hour delay in the update today. The previous chapter was blocked again and only released at noon.

orz

(End of chapter)