Infinite Nightmares

"Once you’ve actually taken care of the rule’s punishment, what are you going to do next?"

"Make a ton of money, of course," Zhang Wenda replied, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "Buy a mansion, a fancy car, and build a harem."

’I don’t know why he’s asking me this, but it doesn’t really matter that he knows I’m not just a kid.’

"No, that’s not it. That isn’t what you want. Compared to that rule’s punishment, which can’t even kill you, *this* is what I’m truly worried about. You’ve forgotten what you really want to do. I don’t actually care that you came here. I’m more worried about this issue."

Zhang Wenda was completely baffled by the other’s words. "You’ve been in your Ivory Tower too long, haven’t you? Do you have any idea how important money is in modern society? What’s wrong with wanting to make a buck?"

"Is that really what you think in your heart of hearts? Or is it an idea someone else drilled into you?"

"What difference does it make? ’Teacher,’ you can’t even afford to eat, and you want to lecture me about free will?"

As he spoke, Zhang Wenda pulled all his money from his pocket and waved it in the rabbit’s face. "This is what’s most important, more precious than your own parents! With this, you can do whatever you damn well please! Without it, you’re nothing but a loser to everyone else!"

With that, Zhang Wenda slapped the wad of cash into the rabbit’s hand. "Don’t be so sentimental next time! Someone tells you a couple of pretty lies and you get all worked up and give them everything you have! You’re going to get scammed so easily acting like that!"

Zhang Wenda said no more and left with the others. The rabbit, holding the money Zhang Wenda had shoved into his hand, stood motionless in the middle of the crowded street. He didn’t chase after them, just silently watched Zhang Wenda’s retreating figure.

Just as Zhang Wenda was about to disappear from sight, the rabbit murmured, too quiet for him to hear, "You’ve even forgotten what you once wanted most. Are you really you anymore? Or are you just some tamed, pre-packaged product? That’s what I’m really worried about."

「A few minutes later, on the street.」

Song Jianguo snapped, her face a mask of irritation, "Hey, how could you just give him money?"

"Because I felt like it! Is it any of your business?" Zhang Wenda couldn’t be bothered with her. ’Now that the rabbit is dealt with, it’s time to figure out how to get three drops of Oil Bab.’

’With that stuff, I can finally get rid of this rule’s punishment for good.’

"Felt like it, my ass! You’ve had your fill, but we’re still starving! You gave him all the money, so what are me, Auntie, and the cats supposed to do? Go drink the wind? Go on, get the money back."

"Get lost. Skipping one meal won’t kill you. We can eat when we get home."

"If you won’t go, I will! The nerve of that rabbit, actually taking it! That was my money!"

"You get back here!"

Meanwhile, the Lamp God, who hadn’t been just standing by, trotted over. "Uh, my task is complete. Shouldn’t you give my thing back? Maybe you can continue arguing after I’m gone?"

Just as Zhang Wenda was getting tangled up with the hungry Song Jianguo and the pestering Lamp God, he suddenly froze. His hand, which had been grabbing Song Jianguo’s cat ear, stopped, and he stared into the distance. "Is that..."

Everyone’s eyes followed his gaze. In the distance, a teenager in a long-sleeved shirt was walking toward them, looking flustered.

"Hey, kid, look at that. Kinda funny, that guy looks a bit like you," Auntie said with a chuckle.

The moment the laugh left her lips, her expression froze.

"I seem to recall you saying that things from the past and future can exist in this Internet World, right?" Zhang Wenda asked. He’d already guessed as much from the Lamp God’s cheesy setup, but he wanted to confirm.

"Oh no, that’s his future self! Don’t let them meet, whatever you do!" the Lamp God blurted out.

Zhang Wenda quickly ducked behind Auntie’s tall frame. Peeking through the gap under her arm, he saw his younger self.

He looked exhausted, with deep, dark circles under his eyes. The cuffs and collar of his shirt were frayed and torn.

When a jar on a nearby stall rattled, he flinched, his body twitching from a conditioned reflex.

Just then, the Lamp God’s hand shot out and covered the gap, his face a mask of anxiety.

After a moment, once the figure had completely vanished around the street corner, they all breathed a sigh of relief and moved aside, letting Zhang Wenda out.

"What in the world happened to your future self?" Auntie asked, her curiosity piqued.

"How should I know? It’s the future," Zhang Wenda replied dismissively. "Why are you all so worked up?"

"Worked up? Don’t you know the most important rule of the Internet World?" the Lamp God exclaimed in astonishment. "In the Internet World, your future self is absolutely forbidden from making contact with your past self! If you cause a paradox, something terrible will happen!"

"Not only will you be in for a world of hurt, but everyone around you will be, too!"

"I know, I know. Look at you, all worked up. It’s one of the big taboos of the internet, I get it. Those two repeated it to me several times before we came in. I never said I was going to make contact with him."

Zhang Wenda rummaged in his pocket, pulled out a White Rabbit milk candy, and handed it to Song Jianguo. "Here, tide yourself over with this. Let’s go. So what is this Oil Bab, anyway? Sounds like it’s going to be a pain to get."

As he spoke, Zhang Wenda started walking. He’d barely taken two steps when several menacing men in camouflage uniforms pushed through the crowd, chasing in the direction his younger self had gone.

Trailing them was a man in a white lab coat. He wore glasses and had a perpetual smile plastered on his face.

Zhang Wenda calmly glanced at the "Fourth Institute" insignia on their shoulders. Then he squatted down and, with a smile, asked a nearby stall owner where he could find some Oil Bab.

Zhang Wenda acted completely normal. Only Song Jianguo, who was standing beside him, noticed that his right hand was digging into his own thigh so hard his nailbeds were white.

She took another look at Zhang Wenda, who was now chatting warmly with the stall owner. Popping the candy into her mouth, Song Jianguo chewed for a moment, then let out a soft snort.

After looking around the area, Zhang Wenda didn’t find out where Oil Bab came from, but he did learn the price. One drop of Oil Bab cost 200, and three drops cost 600.

Staring at the tiny vial of black liquid—the drops of Oil Bab were hardly bigger than boogers—Zhang Wenda was rendered speechless. ’Six hundred. That’s probably more than what that rabbit makes in several years.’

Zhang Wenda took out the enamel mug, tossed it lightly in his hand, and asked the Lamp God, "How much is this thing worth?"

"Didn’t you say you were giving it to me? You’re going back on your word!"

Zhang Wenda tossed the mug to him. "I was just asking what it’s worth. I never said I wasn’t giving it to you. Let’s just say we got off on the wrong foot. How about we be friends?"

The Lamp God looked at Zhang Wenda in surprise. He’d thought he was just bluffing, but he actually gave it back. "Uh... sure, little brat. We’re friends from now on."

"You really don’t want it?" Song Jianguo asked, shocked.

"In a place this dangerous, a friend is far more valuable than some container," Zhang Wenda said. He then turned to the Lamp God. "Friend, can you help me find where Oil Bab comes from? I really need it."

The Lamp God thought the kid wasn’t half bad and was debating whether to share the exclusive information he had. Just then, in a blur of motion, Song Jianguo’s hand shot out and snatched the enamel mug right out of his grasp.

"Since you don’t want it, it’s mine now! HAHAHA!!" Laughing maniacally, she took off running with a clowder of cats in tow.