Transforming Succubus: Almost Doomsday

She always came up with certain things in her mind upon seeing the stairs.

More precisely, it was the feeling that something evoked.

It was an emotion she couldn't describe.

What was that emotion, exactly?

She couldn't remember.

But she had always been searching for this emotion.

So at this moment, in the palm of Zhou Baiyu's hand, Jiang Lu drew an "S."

After all, the perception of danger is the foremost for life.

Seeking benefits, avoiding harm, it's the most basic ability even the simplest life forms possess.

Seeking benefits made Jiang Lu involuntarily want to get closer to Zhou Baiyu.

Avoiding harm, on the other hand, made Jiang Lu the moment she drew that 'S' in Zhou Baiyu's palm... immediately retract her hand.

She burst into a series of laughter.

"Hahaha... hahaha..."

Zhou Baiyu had heard this laughter many times, and it had gradually lost its initial sweetness, becoming more creepy instead.

But Zhou Baiyu also played along very well, gently stroking Jiang Lu's face and smiling in return.

But from beginning to end...

Zhou Baiyu's smile was nothing but a performance. He didn't actually feel the desire to laugh from the bottom of his heart.

As for that 'S.'

Whether it was the pronunciation of 'shi' or an SOS for help, he couldn't be sure at the moment.

But either way, he figured, The Land of Joy was hiding a shocking secret.

...

...

The night ended.

When Jiang Lu got up, she found that Jiang Xianwu was already awake.

Jiang Xianwu had even been to the castle once and brought back breakfast.

And he had tidied up the room.

Of course, what was referred to as tidying up was in reality investigating.

From his observations over the past day, Zhou Baiyu had gradually realized that Jiang Lu must know something.

But for some reason, Jiang Lu couldn't tell. Either she was afraid of her memories being known, afraid of betrayal.

Or perhaps... she had truly forgotten but still retained some feelings.

In any case, Zhou Baiyu discovered that he couldn't rush this matter. He had to deal with it slowly.

"Morning, Jiang Lu."

Jiang Lu blushed slightly; she always had a bit of an 'oh' accent when she spoke, which Jiang Xianwu had imitated.

But what concerned her more was:

"You didn't... do anything last night, did you?"

"We didn't drink, so you should be sober, right? Don't falsely accuse me now," Zhou Baiyu joked with a laugh.

There were no such things here like the real-world incidents where a famous writer gets falsely accused of sexual assault by feminist activists and spends years proving his innocence.

Jiang Lu looked down:

"Actually... you could have done something. All the men and women here have to accept the jobs arranged by Lord Boluke."

"The essence of the work is to bring happiness to people."

"Jiang Xianwu, do you think I'm ugly? Hahahaha, it's okay, I won't be upset if you call me ugly, hahahaha..."

Zhou Baiyu shook his head:

"How could that be, you are cute, your little tiger teeth, your wheatish skin, you're full of energy and vitality. I think you would attract a lot of people just with your charisma, even before an apocalypse."

"Oh—I get it, you like fair skin! It's okay, there are many glass houses in the central area, hahaha..." Jiang Lu said with a smile.

Zhou Baiyu furrowed his brows:

"Glass houses?"

Jiang Lu's smile remained sweet:

"Yes, attractive men and women get jobs from Lord Boluke and stay inside glass houses."

"Since they are glass houses, everyone can see the men and women inside from all angles outside."

"If you see someone you like, you just knock four times on the glass, and then you can take them away."

"They can fulfill any requests you have, and everyone will be very happy, becoming happy by making you happy."

What kind of Joyland is this?

Women treated like commodities, displayed in transparent glass cages, liking what you see, knocking on the glass, and then taking them home to do whatever you want?

Do the women locked in cages really feel happy?

Zhou Baiyu's face showed a look of surprise, but soon, he sensed something off.

Would anyone willingly be such a "commodity"? Come to think of it, Jiang Lu's outfit yesterday was practically like wearing nothing at all.

Isn't this just... slavery?

He always felt that such attire was reminiscent of demonic thinking.

And another thing, if the men and women in the glass houses were truly happy to accept such a thing, one situation would always arise—

For instance, if he and the club president both fancied Jiang Lu, and he were to take Jiang Lu away, leaving the president to choose someone less appealing.

In such a case... would the president be happy?

Zhou Baiyu voiced his doubts.

Jiang Lu still had her standard smiling face:

"Of course, hahaha, why wouldn't they be happy? There's no unhappiness here. Being able to take away the beautiful men and women from the glass rooms for free, who would complain? Hahaha, hahaha..."

She was still laughing, as if all of this was so natural.

Zhou Baiyu suddenly said:

"You've been assigned to the glass house before, haven't you?"

"I have, hahaha... everyone really likes me."

Jiang Lu wanted to keep laughing, but for some reason, her smile seemed to freeze.

The phrase "everyone really likes me" suddenly stabbed Zhou Baiyu's heart like a thorn.

He could imagine how vile and terrible that day must have been.

Zhou Baiyu continued asking the heart-wrenching questions:

"So when you're taken by someone, do you feel very happy?"

"Being needed by the people here, my existence bringing joy to them... of course I'll be very happy, hahaha..."