Chapter 83.1
(Suspension Bridge Effect / I knew you liked me very early on)
Before Gu Liang could hear Yang Ye’s reply, he heard a broadcast first.
“There has been an error in the distribution of the player Su Lan this time around. Through an amicable agreement, the aforementioned player will be going through a reformatting of their memories, and begin the game again. It is hereby informed.
“Players in the same resting area, if you see a player disappear, please do not panic, and please do not harbour any doubts in your heart. The system is a friendly system who treats its players sincerely, it will not arbitrarily kill people.”
Please do not harbour any doubts in your heart?
It was basically saying that there was no sliver buried here.
Gu Liang furrowed his eyebrows, confused as to why Su Lan had to “begin” this game again.
However, Yang Ye could roughly surmise the reason.
— In reality, this could also be a warning that the system was directing towards him.
Prior to this, Su Lan had guessed that everyone was already dead but she did not say it out loud, so the system probably opened one eye and kept the other closed. After all, reformatting players and re-a.s.signing script roles were considered a waste of system resources as well.
Which also meant to say that, in the system’s eyes, Yang Ye was allowed to believe Su Lan’s words, or he could choose to disbelieve it and have other guesses about the system, but as long as he did not vocalise his thoughts out loud and affect the combative spirits of other players, nothing would be done to him.
Truth to be told, even if he did not hear the following broadcast, Yang Ye did not have any intention to tell Gu Liang everything. At the very least, he was not planning to tell him now.
Once the broadcast concluded, Gu Liang was still standing at the door of the bathroom.
Noting that Yang Ye had not been forthcoming with a reply for a long time, Gu Liang pulled the door handle in an attempt to open the door.
But he did not expect that the person pulling the door back inwards to keep the door shut, would be Yang Ye this time around.
Gu Liang stilled for a moment. “Yang Ye?”
“Gu Liang, I… I’m just too happy right now. Could you please go and eat first while I take a shower?”
For some unknown reason, Yang Ye’s voice sounded exceedingly low, deep, and hoa.r.s.e.
His reaction was completely different from Gu Liang’s initial expectations.
However, Gu Liang did not comment on it, merely choosing to nod his head. “Sure. I’ll go ahead first. Have you eaten anything? You shouldn’t shower on an empty stomach.”
Yang Ye said: “I’ve already eaten a little. You should go and eat first. When I get out of the shower, I’ll eat some with you.”
Then, Yang Ye heard the sound of footsteps fading away slowly. Gu Liang had left to partake in his meal.
Back leaning against the door, Yang Ye’s body slid down slowly until he was sitting on the ground.
He took off his gla.s.ses and supported his forehead as he sat there for a long time, before he finally stood up to take a shower.
When he was taking a shower, Yang Ye made the water temperature very low, trying to level his own emotions.
The joy of receiving the acceptance from the man he loved; the sorrow from being unable to see his parents and relatives alive again; then he was confronted with his beloved person’s reignited desire to live again, but he was not aware of the fact that he was already dead….
All these complicated emotions engulfed Yang Ye, making him feel the extremes of exhaustion in an instant.
But he did not want Gu Liang to be aware, not even in the slightest.
Gu Liang Liang should be quite happy right now. He did not want to ruin Gu Liang’s good mood at all.
Therefore, he chose to keep this door closed for the time being.
He had to put all his emotions in order before he went to face Gu Liang again. He needed to give him a proper reply, so he would not betray his candour and heartfelt intentions.
* * *
Yang Ye had bought pork ribs and yam congee and several small dishes for Gu Liang.
After all, his current bodily condition was similar to Actor Ming who had not eaten for three days, and under the circ.u.mstances where he had not eaten for a long time, he could not start with greasy or cloying foods.
After drinking half a bowl of his congee, Gu Liang’s stomach felt a lot warmer.
Huddled in the sofa in front of the sofa, he basked in the sun with half-lidded eyes as he rested his head on the sofa, and he looked extremely content.
However, he still felt that Yang Ye was taking a particularly long time in the shower today.
Perhaps owing to his army life becoming a habit, Yang Ye has always been very quick when it came to showers. Unexpectedly, his shower lasted 40 minutes today.
Gu Liang glanced at the clock hanging on the white wall of the hotel as he listened for the movements inside the bathroom. After he confirmed that Yang Ye had not fainted or pa.s.sed out, he decided not to urge him. Instead, he yawned and continued basking in the sun.
When Yang Ye finally stepped out in a bathroom after much turmoil, this was the indolent and scattered Gu Liang that greeted him.
His eyelashes was painted into a gold hue by the sunlight, his tea-colour irises were shallow and light. He looked absolutely divine.
Yang Ye stood there, staring at Gu Liang for a long time. Thus, when Gu Liang slanted his head and raised his face, he saw damp hair and red eyes, though he did not know if the latter had occurred because water had entered his eyes as he was was.h.i.+ng his hair.
He could not shake off the feeling that Yang Ye was being off-kilter.
Gu Liang asked him: “What’s the matter with you?”
Yang Ye took a few steps forward before he bent his knees, staring into Gu Liang’s eyes fixedly as he caressed Gu Liang’s head with his palm. “It’s nothing. I’m just happy. Particularly happy.”
Gu Liang did not really believe him. “I don’t sense much happiness from you.”
Holding Gu Liang’s hands, Yang Ye pulled him to his feet before he brought him into his embrace. With a hoa.r.s.e voice, he murmured, “I’m really, particularly happy. It’s just… after the happiness pa.s.sed, there were some worries about personal gains and loss. When people say that ‘there are apprehensions because of love’, they were probably referring to this.”
Gu Liang felt that he understood.
— Yang Ye was probably worrying about this game.
This game was filled with too much uncertainty; he did not know which step both of them could reach, and he did not dare to make promises easily.
In fact, this was a misgiving that Gu Liang also had.
Despite that, Gu Liang pondered briefly before he said this to Yang Ye in the end: “This isn’t like you. Aren’t you the kind of person who enjoys the present?”
“I am. Which is why I was wrong just now.”
Yang Ye finally smiled, hugging Gu Liang tightly as he spoke beside his ear in a solemn voice: “I will be answering your question right now. You asked me if I understand. I understand, I have comprehended it early on.”
“How early is ‘early on’? It couldn’t be that early, don’t imagine—”
“I wasn’t imagining that my love was reciprocated. Liang Liang, you started liking me a long time ago, I know.”
“……”
“In any case, Gu Liang, who cares what this game is, who cares about life and death… no matter what it is, I will always accompany you.”
* * *
Number XS008 Control Centre.
After the man in black was done inspecting the situation in XX562 Resting Area, he stretched his body lazily and turned his head around. Upon seeing Ming Yue, who had just submitted a new script, the man in black asked him: “You’re done writing?”
Ming Yue did not respond, only sitting down to drink his tea as he listened to the man in black complain about how he had his hands full with work.
“Hey, give me your honest opinion, will there be an issue if we do this? More importantly, the premise, characters and players for the next scenario have already been decided. If Su Lan leaves, we still have room for adjustment, but if Yang Ye leaves, we’ll be in a slight predicament.
“Moreover, this issue is quite difficult to handle. Isn’t there that theory that… any person on earth, through seven other people, can make contact with a stranger. In any case, the system’s relations.h.i.+p inspection expends a lot of power, and the remaining players who are capable of coming in, are also linked to them in countless ways—”
“You don’t need to worry too much? You just issued a broadcasted warning, no? Furthermore—”
Ming Yue picked up the tablet which was replaying the middle portion of the ancient castle scenario. He tapped on the screen with his finger and the image happened to pause on Yang Ye’s face.
A moment later, Ming Yue remarked, “Based on my judgement, he won’t tell Gu Liang.”
Man in black: “Oh, what led you to that conclusion?”
Ming Yue: “Just listen to me. Furthermore, they’ll be entering the advanced scripts soon, and slowly but surely… a lot of people will be able to surmise the actual workings of this game. When that time comes around, the new rules and regulations will be announced. Therefore, it doesn’t matter and you don’t need to worry too much.”
“Fine.”
The man in black shrugged his shoulders, turning around to take a few glances at the supply inventory. He could not resist clicking his tongue twice, “Whenever the game reaches this stage, the rate of consumption for condoms will exponentially increase. Tsk… our era was quite – what’s the word – since when were we this liberal?”
A glint of satire slid past Ming Yue’s eyes as he said: “The gambling pools that you men in black tend to have, doesn’t it typically start at this stage every time? About which couple can walk the furthest or whatnot.”
“But I lose each and every time. I’ve lost all my gold.”
The man in black mulled over it, “Maybe I should wager on Yang Ye and Gu Liang this time around? They’re the first gay couple I met ever since I started managing players, they’re quite novel.”
Having said that, the man in black observed Ming Yue’s expression. If he was not distinguis.h.i.+ng it incorrectly, his expression seemed rather disdainful.
“You don’t think they will walk far?”
Ming Yue looked towards him and returned a question: “Do you know what the suspension bridge effect is?”
Man in black: “I don’t know, what is that?”
Ming Yue rose to his feet, “Follow me.”
Ming Yue proceeded to bring the man in black to the side of a precipice.
It was a world without a sun and it was pitch-black.
There was only a lonesome lamp illuminating the precipice. And borrowing the dim light, a suspended bridge could be seen on the edge of the precipice, but beneath the bridge was a bottomless and dark abyss, and it was unknown where it would lead to.
Man in black: “What did you bring me here for? This is a punishment ground! The evil fire of karma is underneath!”
Ming Yue: “I’m not asking you to go down, I just want you to stand on the suspension bridge.”
“I’m a little scared of heights.” Despite saying that, the man in black was still interested in what Ming Yue was trying to do, so he stepped on the bridge.
Granted, he did have a fear of heights, so he did not dare to look down at all. As he was gripping onto the ropes tightly, he shut his eyes tightly.
However, the bridge was swaying too much, and he did not dare to walk further after taking a few steps. He stopped moving and he yelled towards Ming Yue: “f.u.c.k, I can’t do this anymore, I’m not taking another step forward. So, what is the suspension bridge effect?”
Just as the man in black uttered those words, the rocking of the bridge became even more intense instantaneously. Ming Yue had walked over.
“Let go of one hand.” Ming Yue said when he reached his side.
“What for?” Although the disapproval and unwillingness was apparent from his tone of voice, the main in black still released one of his hands from the rope. Following closely, he could feel that his free hand was being held by someone else.
The man in black’s eyes snapped open abruptly, looking at Ming Yue who was well within reach.
The lights irradiated his face.
That face was basically… basically capable of damaging the country and inflicting suffering on the people.
To say nothing of the fact that there was an ever-present smile of Ming Yue’s face.
That smile… was, in all honesty, way too attractive.
His heart palpitations were particularly intense because of his fear, and as he looked at Ming Yue’s face and realised that he was holding his hand, the man in black did not know if there was something wrong with him but his face and ears became completely red in a moment’s work.
It was like the implications behind his heart beating had changed in that instant.
“f.u.c.k, what are you doing!” The man in black tossed away Ming Yue’s hand immediately before he returned to dry land as if he was fleeing.
Walking off the bridge slowly, Ming Yue said: “That is the suspension bridge effect.
“When you’re crossing the suspended bridge, you will occasionally meet someone who will walk across the suspended bridge with you. Originally, you were experiencing a physiological reaction where your heart started beating faster because crossing the suspended bridge had given rise to psychological fears, but you end up attributing the fear-induced rise of pulse to the person who was accompanying you. Hence, you will falsely believe that you have fallen in love with him.”
The man in black took a long moment before he reacted. He said: “I get it now. What you’re trying to say is, this game of ours is a kind of ‘suspended bridge’. The romancing and affection between the players is nothing else but the suspension bridge effect.”
“Precisely.” Ming Yue said, “In fact, everything we call affection in this world is the same.
“Some lovers can work hard together to make a living when they are impoverished, but when their days improve, they break up instead.
“There are also lovers who are not approved by secular society and everyone opposes them being together. But when the couple is confronted with a world that is against the concept of ‘them’, and they only have each other, the feelings between them will become better instead. However, once all the opposing voices disappear, the thing that tied their feelings together will also disappear. Life returns to the ordinary and insipid, and they will also separate.
“A lot of people can only share trials and tribulations but they can’t enjoy happiness together, and it’s nothing more than the same principle.”
The man in black mulled over it before he said: “I wish I met you earlier.”
Ming Yue: “?”
Man in black: “If I met you while I was chasing a girl, and learnt of this theory, I would have known what to do then. I’ll take her across the suspended bridge, watch horror movies with her, and do some extreme sports… Wouldn’t I be able to win her over?”
What is your main take away from this exactly?
Ming Yue stared at the man in black before he eventually ridiculed him, “Aren’t you afraid of heights? If you did that, you would be crying first and your image would be utterly ruined. The theory will probably have a reverse effect when it comes to you.”
Man in black: “…………”
Ming Yue turned around, returning to the control centre. “Enough of this, give me the detailed evaluation a.s.sessment. I want to look at it.”
“Sure. Just don’t look at me any more.” The man in black muttered.
Ming Yue: “?”
With some lingering fears in his heart, the man in black gazed at Ming Yue’s back figure. “Your suspension bridge effect… when will it pa.s.s?”
“Is your heart beating quickly still?”
“Don’t speak nonsense! Or else people will start thinking that the Black and White Impermanence have gone gay. I have a girl I like, okay?! I do! Speaking of which… People like you, wouldn’t you have an easy time chasing the person you like? Do you win over anyone you’re interested in?”
Ming Yue’s demeanour was apathetic. “I don’t have interest in such things.”
The man in black shook his head. “Tsk, that’s true. When you’re too cognizant of something, there’s no meaning to it anymore.”
Translator’s Note:
Just thought the psychology of things would be an interesting add-on to the conversation between the man in black and Ming Yue.
The first theory that the man in black was talking about is called Six Degrees of Separation, which states that any inhabitant of the Earth could meet anyone in the world with a maximum of six or fewer mutual connections between them and another person. It was originally coined by Hungarian writer Frigyes Karinthy, which has been proven true, especially in the era of modern technology and social media.
Whereas for Ming Yue’s Suspension Bridge Effect, the official psychological term is Misattribution of Arousal, whereby physiological responses related to fear are being mislabelled as romantic arousal, because of the common physiological symptoms such as heightened blood pressure and the shortness of breath.