After chatting with them, Jian Yue returned.
By now, Shen Yushu had already taken the old madam back. Her energy was low, and she could only stay fully conscious for short stretches each day.
Jian Yue went to the study to find Shen Yushu, he had no choice. When he had been treating the old madam, his safety value had dropped to 10.
Standing at the doorway, Jian Yue said, “Young master, I’m back.”
Shen Yushu, busy handling documents, finally looked up when he heard this, “Did you manage everything?” he asked.
Jian Yue nodded, “Yes. Don’t worry, no one died. As for today’s incident…”
He hesitated, unsure how to continue. What if Shen Yushu thought he had overstepped?
Shen Yushu, however, said unexpectedly, “You handled things well today. I’ll give you a raise.”
Jian Yue froze. Honestly, he hadn’t expected the CEO to ever praise him, “Young master… you don’t think I acted impulsively, do you?”
He had assumed that once his boss saw his capabilities, he would simply continue to acknowledge them.
Shen Yushu glanced at him, cool and indifferent, “Haven’t you acted impulsively before?”
Jian Yue was speechless…
Still, curiosity got the better of him, “Young master, if I had really mishandled things today and caused trouble, wouldn’t you worry?”
“Of course not!” Shen Yushu’s smile turned sly, almost menacing.
“Housekeeper Wang, remember, your life belongs to me. No one else has the right to take it away!”
Jian Yue fell silent. Although he still found his boss somewhat unreliable and eccentric, he couldn’t deny a hint of warmth.
After all, how often did one encounter a boss willing to truly cover their back? And he had just promised him a raise, this was crucial!
Feeling touched, Jian Yue took a step forward, “Young master…”
But he still had dirt from the ground and traces of old madam Li’s blood on his clothes.
As he leaned closer, Shen Yushu’s perfectionist streak flared instantly, “Housekeeper Wang! Who gave you the courage to come report to me without washing first? Take another step and I’ll deduct your salary!”
“…Yes, young master.”
Even so, being acknowledged by Shen Yushu in this way raised Jian Yue’s dangerously low safety value back to 15%. He now knew for certain: building favor with important NPCs could stabilize his own standing.
After all the commotion, the afternoon passed.
By evening, the system panel popped up again.
Timed Task Triggered:
[The Village Head’s Red Lantern]
Task Details: [Night falls, darkness covers all. The red lantern can be used to provide light.]
Time Limit: 30 minutes
Jian Yue raised an eyebrow. Another task. He knew by now that the system never issued useless tasks, every item had a purpose. The trick was in how one used them.
Just then, the archaeologists returned from outside. Clearly, they had received the same task.
Jian Yue wasn’t sure if the two newbies had reported the events from earlier to Scarface, but this time, Scarface addressed him directly.
“Housekeeper Wang, we want to go to the village head’s to borrow a lantern. It’s too troublesome if the lights go out at night. Want to come with us?”
Their intention was obvious, they were testing him.
Jian Yue could have refused, but he wanted to confirm something, so he smiled. “Sure.”
The group set off toward the village head’s house. As twilight descended, the sun dyed the sky a deep crimson. At some point, a layer of fog had crept into the valley, and the villagers had disappeared.
A chill hung in the air. Only the large red lantern still hung in front of the village head’s door.
Standing at the gate, Scarface knocked lightly.
This time, the door didn’t open immediately. After a long pause, a voice from inside called out, “Who is it?”
*Creak…*
The old door swung open, revealing the village head’s thin, sharp face. He looked gloomier than yesterday, and when his gaze fell on Jian Yue behind the group, a murderous glint flickered in his eyes.
Jian Yue raised an eyebrow. It seemed Widow Li had been here, the money beneath the water jar had already been taken.
The village head scowled. “What do you want?”
Scarface responded politely, “We want to buy a lantern.”
Mentioning buying a lantern finally seemed to lighten the village head’s expression. His eyes brightened as he looked them over, his bony fingers tapping around with a sinister smile.
He turned and said, “Come in.”
The group stepped into the house one by one. The village head stated, “Buying a lantern costs money, 500 per person.”
Everyone had assumed they were prepared, but they hadn’t expected one shabby lantern to cost 500! The archaeologists’ faces changed.
After yesterday night’s events, they didn’t dare refuse.
Wen Yusheng, delicate and beautiful, tried to bargain first. “Village head, could it be a little cheaper? We’re all from out of town… it’s not easy to make a living…”
The village head snapped impatiently, “What’s easy? Do you think it’s easy for me to get up early and work hard making lanterns? Buy it or leave!”
Wen Yusheng’s expression faltered, slightly embarrassed. She hadn’t expected the village head to be so stingy. Yet she was adaptable and nodded, “Fine. We’ll buy it.”
Everyone else paid, leaving only Jian Yue without a lantern.
As he approached, the village head’s gaze fixed on him, full of unhidden malice. He sneered, “You’ll pay triple!”
The group froze in shock.
Even the live stream viewers reacted:
“This old man has a lion’s mouth!”
“Is he getting revenge for yesterday?”
“He’s really tight-fisted!!”
The village head dared charge such a price because he knew the players understood the lantern’s importance! they wouldn’t dare refuse.
Plus, his secret stash beneath the water jar was gone. He blamed Jian Yue for this mess and wanted to make him pay.
Under the village head’s vicious stare, Jian Yue smiled faintly, “Sure, but since you’re asking such a high price, I think it’s only fair to inspect the lantern first. I’ve spent this much money; I can’t take a faulty lantern home, can I?”
In the past, the village head would never have agreed. But now, his desire for revenge was too strong.
He relented, “Fine. Take a look. Quickly, and then get out!”
Jian Yue slowly walked over to the rack where the lanterns were placed. He picked up each lantern one by one, examining them carefully.
A familiar scent hit him, confirming his suspicion: yesterday’s lantern wasn’t a fluke, it was a human oil lamp.
He had encountered this before in a case. The perpetrator, for profit, had killed his own wife and rendered her into oil for storage.
At the time, when he opened the kitchen, he had smelled exactly this. He never thought that, years later, he would smell it again in this lantern.
He put the lantern back down.
Jian Yue picked up several other lanterns, inspecting them one by one, and confirmed, they were all human oil lamps.
The village head, growing impatient at Jian Yue’s slow movements, urged, “Finished looking? All of these are purely handmade red lanterns! You won’t find these outside!”
Jian Yue / viewers in the live stream: “……” Purely handmade, huh.
Under the village head’s impatient gaze, Jian Yue finally spoke. “I’m done looking.”
The village head’s face lit up. He rubbed his hands together in excitement, a calculating gleam in his shrewd eyes.
He had been waiting all day, and it felt like he was finally avenging yesterday. Now he was ready to extort big time!
“Done looking?” he snorted, “Which one will you buy?”
“Oh…” Jian Yue slowly put down the lantern in his hands, smiling at the village head. “I won’t be buying any.”
“……”
For a moment, the world seemed silent.
The village head froze as if struck by lightning.
From the live stream audience’s perspective, he was completely motionless, no slow-motion required to see his shock. “You… you’re not buying?”
Jian Yue smiled. “Yes, I think it’s too expensive.”
The village head had never encountered such a thing. Normally, after scaring outsiders the first night, no matter how high he priced the lanterns the next day, these outsiders would buy without hesitation!
Other players were also surprised. Scarface had suspected Jian Yue was a player too, but now Jian Yue refused the lantern.
Could he really not be a player? But if he wasn’t, whose was the gold card in this dungeon? Was there another player he hadn’t discovered?
Everyone froze, minds racing.
“You… are you sure?” the village head tried to threaten, “Without my lantern, you’ll have no light at night.”
Jian Yue replied casually, “Oh, that’s fine. I sleep well and don’t get up at night.”
The village head: “……”
If looks could kill, Jian Yue would have died ten thousand times by now.
Under the village head’s grim stare, Jian Yue suddenly said, “Oh, I just remembered something.”
“What?” The village head’s heart leapt with hope. Even Scarface, nearby, and the other archaeologists looked on with curiosity.
Observing Jian Yue standing nonchalantly among the eerie courtyard, surrounded by a row of blood-red lanterns, acting as if he were just visiting for sightseeing.
Jian Yue smiled. “I remembered there’s something I need to do at the house. I’ll head back first.”
The village head: “……”
The live stream audience nearly exploded with laughter
“Hahaha, I’m done for!”
“This old man must hate the streamer to death.”
“He’s always exploiting players.”
“He used to charge exorbitantly, finally someone put him in his place!”
Watching Jian Yue walk away, the village head’s eyes darkened with simmering hatred. Yet, a cold smile slowly formed on his lips. He could smell blood on Jian Yue.
Tonight, that old madam would make sure Jian Yue had no burial, becoming the material for his human oil lamp…
…
Night fell.
After handling his matters, Jian Yue returned to his room. Perhaps because of yesterday’s psychological preparation, he didn’t rush to sleep.
He installed a mirror outside the corridor, leaving the window slightly open.
This way, he could see through the reflection what had been outside last night.
Know yourself, know your enemy, and you’ll win every battle.
He didn’t want to remain on the defensive.
The viewers in the live stream approved of his precaution.
“This streamer is clever.”
“Almost died yesterday; tonight won’t be peaceful.”
“The danger from nighttime ghosts escalates every night.”
“The cyber-lantern might not even help tonight.”
The system might allow some bugs to be exploited, but it fixed them quickly. In the past, streamers tried to survive to the end using clever tricks but it never worked.
The audience had gone from watching for fun to genuinely hoping Jian Yue would survive a few more days.
Inside, Jian Yue didn’t yet realize his life was in grave danger.
He lay down but didn’t turn off the lights. Instead, he wrapped the lamp switch cord around his wrist. That way, if the power went out, he would wake immediately and handle things before resting assuredly.
The room was silent. Outside, only the wind whispered.
At the stroke of midnight, the lights suddenly went out. In the deserted mansion, even the sound of insects vanished.
Only the rustling wind remained. Something slithered across the floor, sticky with blood, dragging itself along the corridor with limbs, slowly approaching the room.
Outside, several courtyards were now lit by red lanterns.
The live stream viewers erupted:
“Here it comes!”
“Holy crap, it really is her!”
“I said saving people wouldn’t work.”
“She’s going on a slaughter spree!”
Jian Yue couldn’t hear the live stream, but he could hear movement outside. The lights flickered. He slowly opened his eyes, sat up, and peered through the window crack.
In the dimly lit corridor, a figure crawling on all fours appeared in the mirror. Her clothes were soaked in blood, long hair hanging low over a pale, bloodless face.
Noticing a gaze, she suddenly lifted her head, revealing a chilling smile.
Then…
The door opened. Jian Yue stepped into the corridor, locking eyes with her. For a moment, the air was still. She likely hadn’t expected him to confront her so directly, leaving no time to react.
“Grandma Li, it’s you, right?” Jian Yue spoke first.
“I told you during the day, you’re sick. Your wounds could reopen, or you might have a concussion. I exchanged for the medicine and bandaged you properly, telling you to rest. And yet here you are, not in bed, running around at night playing ghost games?!”
The figure on the floor didn’t expect a scolding instead of screams.
Jian Yue stepped closer. “What’s with the blood on you? Did your wound reopen? Didn’t I tell you to take care of your body?”
“…… I can save you once, but I can’t follow you around every time. You’re not young! Why so rebellious? What does it mean that you’re silent? Did I hit the mark with my words? You…”
As Jian Yue approached further, Grandma Li on the floor crawled backward.
And then, under the gaze of all the live viewers, the once insane old lady who had slaughtered several people overnight suddenly, like a gust of wind, could not withstand Jian Yue’s nagging, she rolled and scrambled… and ran… ran away!
Jian Yue: ?
Live viewers: ?!!!
✦ ✧ ✦
Cresvynia
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
A little coffee for the person who made these words happen? (｡•́‿•̀｡)
☕ BUY THEM A COFFEE →
✧ (づ｡•ㅅ•｡)づ ☕ ✧
✦ thank you for reading ✦
← PreviousNext →
ChaptersChapter 1 · Master, Calm DownChapter 2 · This Damn ValleyChapter 3 · The Old slave Is here!Chapter 4 · Shocked my Friend?Chapter 5 · Life Doesn’t have that many viewers but Live doesChapter 6 · Science is Primary productive ForceChapter 7 · A one million in a card!Chapter 8 · You’re First Person to reject Young MasterChapter 9 · He saved meChapter 10 · Your Life is mineChapter 11 · This village is such a Mess!Chapter 12 · Little GoblinChapter 13 · Who should be afraid of whom?Chapter 14 · I, an honest person, don’t understand these thingsChapter 15 · The world is finally upside downChapter 16 · Made a decision that went against our ancestorsChapter 17 · Young Master hasn’t laughed so happily in a long timeChapter 18 · Brother, you smell so good!Chapter 19 · Licking everything to the endChapter 20 · This mental state is too advancedChapter 21 · Enough, let’s stop this farce!Chapter 22 · Young master, please let me explain!Chapter 23 Part 2 · You’re playing with fire!Chapter 23 Part 2 · You’re playing with fire!Chapter 24 Part 1 · The light of righteousness shines upon the earthChapter 24 Part 2 · The light of righteousness shines upon the earthChapter 25 Part 1 · You two-faced man!Chapter 25 Part 2 · You two-faced man!Chapter 26 Part 1 · Butler Wang, I see you still retain your charmChapter 26 Part 2 · Butler Wang, I see you still retain your charmChapter 27 Part 1 · I’m straight, bro!Chapter 27 Part 2 · I’m straight, bro!Chapter 28 Part 1 · This is a blatant violation of citizens’ portrait rights!Chapter 28 Part 2 · This is a blatant violation of citizens’ portrait rights!Chapter 29 Part 1 · The domineering CEO falls in love with me!Chapter 29 Part 2 · The domineering CEO falls in love with me!Chapter 30 Part 1 · Take this Five million and leave my son!Chapter 30 Part 2 · Take this Five million and leave my SonChapter 31 Part 1 · Biting me means you’re arrogantChapter 31 Part 2 · Biting me means you’re arrogantChapter 32 Part 1 · Has butler realise his mistake?Chapter 32 Part 2 · Has butler realise his mistake?Chapter 33 Part 1 · The simple master-servant relationship has soured!Chapter 33 Part 2 · The simple master-servant relationship has soured!Chapter 34 Part 1 · A one-night stand by the domineering CEO leads him to fall in love with meChapter 34 Part 2 · A one-night stand by the domineering CEO leads him to fall in love with meChapter 35 Part 1 · This tastes damn sweet!Chapter 35 Part 2 · This tastes damn sweet!Chapter 36 Part 1 · I will take responsibility for youChapter 36 Part 2 · I will take responsibility for youChapter 37 Part 1 · He will never drink again!Chapter 37 Part 2 · He will never drink again!Chapter 38 Part 1 · He said he didn’t want itChapter 38 Part 2 · He said he didn’t want itChapter 39 · Now is not the time to ask for a title!Chapter 40 Part 1 · Brother Dao, how can I live without you!Chapter 40 Part 2 · Brother Dao, how can I live without you!Chapter 41 · What a human-like beastChapter 42 Part 1 · This damned ancestral hall has successfully caught my attention!Chapter 42 Part 2 · This damned ancestral hall has successfully caught my attention!Chapter 43 · After the overall situation is fully opened upChapter 44 · Village chief, are you really that vigorous for your age?Chapter 45 · Butler Wang, I love you!Chapter 46 · What exactly do you see in me?Chapter 47 · I swear to GodChapter 48 · All I want to do is die with himChapter 49 · I’m going to kill themChapter 50 · Who would like Shen YushuChapter 51 · Young master, I want to cling to you tightly!Chapter 52 · They’ve run away together! They’ve run away together!Chapter 53 · Sworn BrothersChapter 54 · My boss is the best in the world to meChapter 55 · I want you all to be buried with him.Chapter 56 · It’s a beautiful day outside Wanfu VillageChapter 57 · You don’t have anyone you want to seeChapter 58 · I’m married! Married!Chapter 59 · The Cold Prince’s SweetheartChapter 60 · Young master, this old servant has arrived! ~Chapter 61 · Who else could do something so outrageous?Chapter 62 · Boy, I got my eyes on youChapter 63 · Does Butler Wang really want to see him that much?Chapter 64 · Come on, call me Dad!Chapter 65 · Other men might have it too!!Chapter 66 · Being obsessed with love is indeed a major problemChapter 67 · He’s playing the devoted second male lead!Chapter 68 · The number one person to wash underwear with a cold face!Chapter 69 · Young master, will you be back for dinner tonight?Chapter 70 · Others ask for money to save peopleChapter 71 · Wang, please don’t die!Chapter 72 · My current identity is that of a father!Chapter 73 · Here’s your chance to confess!Chapter 74 · That’s definitely someone with connections!Chapter 75 · This is my personChapter 76 · How come you’re already married?Chapter 77 · I’m going to pester you, young master!Chapter 78 · How do you turn a straight man gay?!Chapter 79 · Am I Butler Wang’s mistress?!Chapter 80 · He really does have a fiancé!Chapter 81 · Don’t stay with himChapter 82 · Man, you asked for this!Chapter 83 · Was he just acting like this?Chapter 84 · The second male lead is about to turn the tables and become the master!!Chapter 85 · This trick is cheapChapter 86 · How dare you cheat on me!Chapter 87 · Are you an undercover agent sent by Butler Wang?Chapter 88 · I think of my master day and nightChapter 89 · These wealthy families really know how to have funChapter 90 · You possess such advanced talent that you can enter Hope IslandChapter 91 · Be my Consort!Chapter 92 · Young Master, are you really angry?!Chapter 93 · I swear I will only love you!Chapter 94 · Who bullied you?Chapter 95 · Just a quick favor!Chapter 96 · This is no challenge for him at all!!Chapter 97 · He’s no match for them!Chapter 98 · Xiaoyu, I only love youChapter 99 · This is Butler Wang’s territory!Chapter 100 · Is this how you treat your savior?Chapter 101 · You two are definitely a family!Chapter 102 · Who is your mother-in-law?Chapter 103 · Are we really going to send him to his death?Chapter 104 · He married him againChapter 105 · How can someone be so carefree?Chapter 106 · Butler Wang has done immeasurable good deeds!Chapter 107 · Only those who survive can be considered heroes!Chapter 108 · Since we’re going toChapter 109 · I love youChapter 110 · I will never leave you again.Chapter 111 · The Overbearing King’s Gentle PamperingChapter 112 · Mainly, I kind of want to be your auntChapter 113 · Don’t easily test my limitsChapter 114 · He’s seducing me!Chapter 115 · Uncle opened the doorChapter 116 · The world of the wealthy is such a mess!Chapter 117 · Your old servant is here!Chapter 118 · Xiaoyu, you’ve gone astray!!!Chapter 119 · Uncle, you have to keep this a secret!Chapter 120 · Who’s child is this?Chapter 121 · Butler Wang really has a crush on me!Chapter 122 · One person has surrounded everyone!Chapter 123 · Are you guys playing this fancy?!Chapter 124 · Even gamers are working for him!Chapter 125 · If you fall into the river, I’ll save you first!Chapter 126 · What a troublesome little devilChapter 127 · Does the Puppet Master app have anti-fraud features?Chapter 128 · You’re a scorpion demon incarnate!Chapter 129 · How about we give it a try?Chapter 130 · The dog shit will arrive faster than your knife!Chapter 131 · Is he hungry too?Chapter 132 · We even stayed a few days less than them!Chapter 133 · How about I marry you so you can take my place?Chapter 134 · This is truly a team full of villains!Chapter 135 · It’s clearly an auspicious omen!Chapter 136 · Is it normal to think my brother smells good?Chapter 137 · You’re the biggest capitalist here!Chapter 138 · What happened to true love?Chapter 139 · Romantic types are strictly prohibited from participating in horror dungeons!!!Chapter 140 · What should I do with Butler Wang!?Chapter 141 · Butler Wang! The most courageous man ever!Chapter 142 · What are you doing?!Chapter 143 · Man, you’re playing with fire!Chapter 144 · I heard a heartbeatChapter 145 · Can puppets also have superb kissing skills?Chapter 146 · What else is real then?!Chapter 147 · Seduction? That won’t work on me!Chapter 148 · What is my uncle doing?!Chapter 149 · Uncle, you don’t treat others like this!Chapter 150 · I’ll give you five million!!Chapter 151 · We’re true love!Chapter 152 · Sister-in-law, I genuinely want to help you!Chapter 153 · They can even find an excuse to sleep together!Chapter 154 · Butler Wang iis popular among young people.Chapter 155 · Who says Butler Wang’s strategy guide is bad?Chapter 156 · I’ll remarry the moment you’re in your coffin!Chapter 157 · Now it’s your turn to beg me or not