My ‘Healing’ Game
Chapter 513: She Will Come to See Me Tonight (4000 Votes for Monthly Ticket)

Chapter 513: Chapter 513: She Will Come to See Me Tonight (4000 Votes for Monthly Ticket)

"Han Fei, you’re on a live broadcast, try to be a little more cautious," Director Zhang gently nudged Han Fei. He had just sneakily glanced at Han Fei’s phone screen and nearly jumped out of his skin at the several crime scene photos displayed.

"Alright."

"I know you’re preparing for our next script, but you don’t have to push yourself too hard. You should relax occasionally." Director Zhang’s gaze was full of admiration for Han Fei, unlike Bai Cha, whose dedication couldn’t really be considered professional. Han Fei, who immersed himself completely in his roles, was a true actor.

Han Fei knew Director Zhang had misunderstood him, but he didn’t clarify, just smiled.

The film festival continued, and award after award was announced. "Mystery Novelist" unexpectedly won the Best Screenplay Award, and Director Zhang’s wish was fulfilled as he bagged the Best Director Award, proving himself once again after three years—the old are indeed experienced.

Gradually, the festival reached its climax. This year’s Best Actor competition was extremely fierce, with all six nominees possessing both talent and popularity.

Until the very last second before the results were announced, no one knew who would win, it had garnered immense anticipation and attention from everyone online!

Bai Xian gripped the armrest of his chair tightly; he had been stuck in the second tier for far too long, having been the runner-up for five years.

He claimed it didn’t matter to him, but deep down, he truly craved that recognition.

At the moment the Best Actor and Actress were revealed, the film festival’s live broadcast room also reached its peak, setting a record of viewership not seen in previous years.

As the last judge cast their vote, the final results appeared on the big screen.

This year, the Movie Emperor was neither Xu Zhen nor Bai Xian, but a veteran leading man.

Of the eighteen judges, eight had chosen him; Xu Zhen received four votes, and Bai Xian only one.

"Last year, I still had three votes..."

At the moment the results were announced, Bai Xian leaned back in his chair, releasing the breath he had been holding, his applause somewhat stiff as he joined everyone else.

Director Zhang whispered words of comfort to Bai Xian, who just shook his head, a bitter smile hanging on his lips.

"Today, it seems I’m the only one hurt in our crew." Trying to keep his spirits up, Bai Xian attempted to joke around with everyone else, cheering along with the other actors, though his expression was tinged with melancholy.

He had realized during the shooting of "Mystery Novelist" and acting opposite Han Fei that, as a top second-tier actor, sometimes he felt overshadowed by Han Fei’s presence, something that absolutely should not happen to a leading actor.

After the awards for Best Actor and Actress had been given, the film festival had moved into its latter half, which continued with smaller awards and performances like singing and dancing.

It had turned dark outside when Han Fei received another call from Li Xue. Using the excuse that the police wanted to speak with him, he snuck out of the venue holding his award.

"The air is better outside."

Finding a quiet spot, Han Fei answered Li Xue’s call: "Can I meet with the victim’s family?"

"Both the leader and I want to help you, but unfortunately, the families of both victims are no longer alive."

"They’re dead? When did this happen?"

"In the years after the incident, they lived poorly, immersed in grief. The first female victim’s parents died in the hospital due to excessive mental stress compounded with their already poor health. The second male victim’s wife went mad from the shock and was later found dead by neighbors," Li Xue did not hide anything from Han Fei, "Why have you suddenly become interested in cases related to plastic surgery?"

"I now have a terrifying guess, but without evidence, I dare not speak recklessly." The Plastic Surgery Hospital might be involved with Eternal Life Pharmaceutical. Anything related to such a massive entity had to be approached with extreme caution.

"You’re starting to sound more and more like those private detectives, Han Fei. After we catch Butterfly, I still hope you can settle down and act. Hunting criminals is too dangerous, and you should focus your talents on acting," Li Xue advised earnestly. She worried that Han Fei would get in too deep, not knowing that Han Fei had already descended into hell.

"I’ll be careful." Han Fei received the information sent by Li Xue and carefully read through each victim’s situation.

The cause of death varied among all the victims, but there was a commonality at each death scene: there were fragments.

Some were from shattered transparent glass cups, others from smashed windows, and some from shattered mirrors.

"There’s something around each victim that could reflect her own image; could it indeed be the handiwork of the faceless woman?"

Butterfly never kills with its own hands but plays people to death with step-by-step psychological manipulation. The hatred in the Plastic Surgery Hospital seems different, and their methods of killing vary, which needs special attention.

"Han Fei, smoke?"

Han Fei was deep in thought when suddenly Bai Xian’s voice came from behind him; he saw Bai Xian holding a pack of cigarettes, walking up to him.

"I don’t smoke."

"Then what are you doing in the smoking area?" Bai Xian pointed to the nearby sign, lit a cigarette for himself, "I see you don’t smoke, don’t drink, don’t date, so how do you entertain yourself usually?"

"I play games." Han Fei put away his phone, "My acting skills were honed through gaming."

At this, Bai Xian’s ears perked up: "Can playing games really hone acting skills?"

"At least in that setting, I can completely let out my emotions." Han Fei wasn’t lying. Locking a living person in a room with a Fierce Ghost and telling them that only by acting the part of the Fierce Ghost’s friend can they survive would make most people exhaust their lifelong acting abilities to interact with the Fierce Ghost.

"You make me want to try it," Bai Xian was quite moved. After speaking, he sighed, "This film festival hit me pretty hard. The year before last I got two votes, last year I got three, and although I didn’t win, there was progress every year. But this year, my performance only received approval from one teacher."

"Brother Bai, it’s not that the teachers don’t recognize you; it’s just too hard to choose. The nominated actors this year all have very strong abilities."

"It’s still that my acting skills are lacking. Below master-level, effort is enough, but to become a master, one must have sufficient talent," Bai Xian said dejectedly.

"Brother Bai, you are both hardworking and talented!" Han Fei spoke earnestly, "I feel you just lack an opportunity. Do you play ’Perfect Life’?"

"Yeah, acting is too exhausting; I usually sleep in the Game Box at night and relax in ’Perfect Life.’"

"That game really can improve your acting skills; my acting was honed through playing it step by step."

"There’s such a method? Then we can play together! You lead the way; what’s your game ID? I’ll add you as a friend," Bai Xian pinched the cigarette, which he hadn’t lit in a long time.

"No need to add me as a friend; I’ll call you when it’s time," Han Fei smiled and gestured for Brother Bai to be patient.

"Then you better not forget!"

"No, it won’t happen." Han Fei hadn’t expected Bai Xian to agree so readily.

"You’re a good friend; come on, I’ll drive you home." Bai Xian put away his cigarette; he didn’t usually smoke much, primarily because his mood was quite bad today.

After greeting Director Zhang, Bai Xian led Han Fei out of the venue through the back door.

While Bai Xian was retrieving his car, Han Fei’s phone vibrated again, and he slightly narrowed his pupils when he saw the caller ID.

The caller was named Chou Ba, who had previously been invited by President Li to Baixiang Pavilion to share horror stories related to the Plastic Surgery Hospital with them.

Han Fei had a vivid memory of Chou Ba, but he had been too busy lately to contact him proactively.

Before Han Fei could speak, a chilly voice came from the other end of the phone.

"Didn’t I say we’d discuss those matters the next day?"

"But you didn’t call me either," Han Fei found a quiet place with fewer people, "Though I do understand your difficulty. I’ve been investigating cases related to plastic surgeries these past few days. Some cases from a few years ago indeed have many suspicious points; not only the victims, but their families too are dead now."

Upon hearing Han Fei’s words, Chou Ba let out a harsh laugh, "It seems I’ve found the right person, let’s meet soon. I feel like I don’t have much time left, those things seem to have found me."

"Found you? Where are you now? I’ll come right away."

"Xinhu North Suburb; I’ll tell you the exact location when you’re almost here."

Chou Ba hung up, and just then, Bai Xian returned, "Get in the car; I’ll take you there."

"Brother Bai, you go home first; I need to handle something in the North Suburb." Han Fei glanced at his phone, it was now 7:50 PM; if everything went smoothly, he should be able to return home before midnight.

"Another task?" Bai Xian shivered but still suggested to Han Fei, "Due to the film festival, they don’t allow cars from outside this area. Let me take you there; it’s quicker with me, and we could play games together tonight."

"Okay, but you stay in the car this time."

Han Fei got into Bai Xian’s car, and they headed to the North Suburb together.

The virtual projections on both sides of the road were broadcasting the film festival, and Han Fei, as this year’s most unexpected rising star, also became one of the hot topics; he secured his position firmly among the third-tier actors.

Reporters and social media workers were eagerly discussing Han Fei, waiting for his interview, but he was already on his way to the North Suburb to investigate.

Bai Xian clearly saw everything; from the noisy Smart New City to the desolate and lonely North Suburb, he felt a sense of unreality.

It took forty minutes for Bai Xian and Han Fei to arrive.

By then, Han Fei had called Chou Ba again, and under his guidance, he entered a residential area.

Since most young people had moved to the Main City District and the North Suburb was lacking in job opportunities, few people lived here. After dark, most of the residential buildings were unlit, the once crazily constructed high-rises now cold empty shells, like oversized urns.

Bai Xian’s luxury car stood out against the surrounding buildings. Due to the poor road conditions, he didn’t dare to drive too fast.

"Here we are; this is it."

Han Fei got out of the car, holding his phone, and entered the residential building in front of him.

The entire building lacked any lights; it seemed to have been abandoned long ago.

Pushing open the door leading to the basement level, Han Fei descended the stairs.

At the end of the pitch-black corridor, there was a light, so Han Fei took out his phone and dialed Chou Ba’s number again.

This time, the ringtone was echoing from within the basement.

Highly alert, Han Fei cautiously moved towards the direction from which the ringtone was coming, avoiding the trash on the ground, and reached the end of the basement.

"You’re here."

A cold voice arose from behind Han Fei, with Chou Ba, entirely enshrouded in a black robe, carefully watching Han Fei: "Put all the reflective objects you have here—phones, belts, leather shoes, even buttons won’t work."

Han Fei complied, and after Chou Ba made sure there were no reflective objects on Han Fei, he led him to a room at the end of the basement.

The walls, floor, and ceiling of the room were all painted black, and every surface was extremely rough to ensure there would be no reflection.

"Sit by the fire, it’s warmer here."

Chou Ba’s place had no lights, only a furnace. The phone he used was specially designed for blind people and didn’t even have a screen.

Adding some firewood to the furnace, Chou Ba sat in front of Han Fei: "Do you mind if I take off my hat? I look somewhat frightening."

"No problem, I’ve seen all sorts of mutilated corpses; I’m used to it."

"This is the first time I’ve heard such a comforting response." Chou Ba took off his black robe, closed the room door tightly, making sure no reflective objects were brought inside, and he then breathed a sigh of relief.

"You must have set up your home this way to avoid the faceless woman who appears only in mirrors," Han Fei said, and upon hearing the words "faceless woman," Chou Ba visibly tensed up.

He looked nervously around and then nodded gently: "You really deserve your reputation as a bounty hunter who has helped the police solve so many cases; you even figured out the faceless woman."

"What do you want to tell me? Or what do you want me to help you with?"

"I’ve been hiding underground all these years, trying not to go out, but somehow she still found me," Chou Ba said, playing with a metal stick in the furnace, where several white shoes were not completely burnt: "I have a lot of money, and I’ll give it all to you if you help me."

Han Fei stared at Chou Ba, waiting for him to continue.

"It’s simple; if the faceless woman appears later, just stay in the same room with me. If I die, you could use your influence with the police to investigate what the faceless woman really is and help me avenge my wife and myself," Chou Ba spoke slowly, having apparently thought about this for a long time.

"You’re lying," Han Fei said bluntly: "You probably want me to act as your scapegoat. When the faceless woman kills me, you’ll take the chance to escape and keep hiding somewhere else."

Chou Ba’s face twitched, but he quickly regained his composure: "At least I didn’t lie about one thing—the faceless woman will indeed come for me tonight."