As the village chief and his wife’s words fell, Jian Yue was somewhat dumbfounded.
Why did these two suddenly change their stance?
Originally, he had planned to subtly use his gossip skill to see if he could escape unscathed. Unexpectedly, he didn’t even need to open his mouth to survive!
Jian Yue felt a slight sense of relief. He looked at the couple and thought that if they were always this reasonable, he might even be able to keep their secrets for life!
Unconsciously, the village chief and his wife both let out a breath of relief at the same time.
Jian Yue smiled, “See, it was just a misunderstanding. I knew that Wanfucun is a village with honest and kind hearted people. The villagers are easy to get along with and easy to communicate with!”
Phew, that was close! I dodged a bullet!
Hearing him say this, the village chief and his wife forced a smile and said along, “Yes, yes, our village is indeed friendly to people!”
Phew, that was close for us too!
In this strangely mutual understanding, all three of them inexplicably relaxed a little.
As Jian Yue prepared to leave, he glanced back at the ancestral hall. Whether it was his imagination or not, through the shadows cast by the hall’s closed doors and windows, he seemed to see a vague figure pressed against the thin window layer.
Even though he couldn’t see the person’s face clearly, he could feel that the person was staring at him!
At the same time,
The system interface popped up:
Side Quest Triggered: [Hide and Seek]
Quest Details: [Ensure you are not found by her within the next 24 hours]
Quest Reward: Key to the ancestral hall’s main door
A chill ran down Jian Yue’s back. He realized that timed quests are never easy, and this hide-and-seek involved… Who? The person inside the ancestral hall?
The viewers in the livestream started discussing excitedly:
“Whoa, how did this quest get triggered?”
“Nothing here, aren’t we just waiting to die?”
“But the reward…”
“Don’t envy him, you have to survive to get it!”
Normally, in a newbie’s livestream, if there’s nothing tense or exciting happening, viewers would quickly leave. But Jian Yue’s stream was different.
Ever since the dungeon began, his viewer count hadn’t dropped; instead, it kept climbing. Many of the viewers who joined at the start were still watching.
By now, the online count had steadily risen past 2,000!
System: “Current live viewers exceed 2,000, 800 players have voted for your stream, you enter the top 30 for newbie premieres and enjoy a homepage recommendation spot!”
This was rare, newbies rarely get homepage recommendations. Usually, a newbie’s stream would rarely gain much popularity, and if it did, it would only be in the newbie channel, rarely reaching outside viewers. This attracted even more curious players:
“Why is this stream so popular?”
“Isn’t this a newbie dungeon?”
“Does this streamer have some special skill?”
“He must be amazing, right?”
More and more players flooded in, and what they saw was…
Jian Yue, back at the house, collapsed onto the floor. His coat was off, and his back was soaked with cold sweat.
Even when he tried to pick up a cup of water, his hands shook uncontrollably. After several failed attempts, he finally managed to drink.
Wiping the sweat off his head, he sighed, leaning on the table: “That was terrifying…”
The viewers were stunned:
“Wait, that’s it? So little courage?”
“How did this guy even get a newbie homepage recommendation?!”
Jian Yue was completely unaware of the storm in the livestream. He sat in his room for a while before hearing movement outside, someone from the archaeology team had returned.
If he guessed correctly, the person outside the ancestral hall earlier, who had made a sound and been discovered, was from the archaeology team.
Originally, he felt indifferent toward them. But after the events of the afternoon, he was thoroughly annoyed.
The two archaeology team members didn’t leave as usual. Instead, they stopped outside Jian Yue’s door. He hadn’t fully closed it, so they could see him.
Wen Yu spoke first, “Steward Wang, you don’t look well. Are you feeling unwell?”
Jian Yue replied coldly: “I’m fine.”
His tone was icy.
Wen Yu’s smile froze. She said, “That’s good. You weren’t home when we came this afternoon, so we were worried something might have happened to you.”
Jian Yue was usually calm and non-aggressive. But upon hearing her words, he sneered. He glanced sideways, “What could happen to me?”
Wen Yu choked on her words, unsure how to respond.
Scarface standing behind looked displeased, “Steward Wang, we’re only concerned about you. You don’t need this attitude. In this haunted village, shouldn’t we cooperate and help each other?”
Jian Yue smiled, “It seems you know I’m a steward. My job is to take care of the young master and the elderly lady. You’re here to find herbs to treat the elderly lady. I don’t understand why I need to cooperate with you?”
His words were merciless.
Scarface and Wen Yu’s expressions darkened. They had tried to probe him multiple times, and were certain he was a player, yet Jian Yue remained completely unyielding, a very troublesome situation!
If they weren’t certain he was a newbie, they might have suspected he was sent by a rival organization to cause trouble.
Scarface wanted to say more, but Wen Yu stopped him in time.
She smiled at Jian Yue, “Steward Wang, you’re being too harsh. Since we all serve Mr. Shen, everything we do is for him. Naturally, cooperation and help apply. You can come to us if you encounter any difficulties.”
Her words were reasonable; most people would feel guilty for not understanding their hint.
But Jian Yue was different. Having gone through all this, his heart was as cold as a decade-old fish in a big market. He said, “As long as you don’t cause me trouble, I won’t have any difficulties.”
Wen Yu: “……”
Jian Yue stood up without giving them any face, “Do you have any other business? If not, I’m going to report to the young master.”
The archaeology team immediately stepped aside.
In truth, they dared to argue with Jian Yue but would never dare to provoke Shen Yushu. Watching him leave, Wen Yu frowned, “Scarface, is he really playing dumb, or does he not understand us? Is he really a newbie?”
Scarface glanced at Jian Yue’s departing figure. A hint of darkness passed his eyes as he whispered, “Forget it. I secretly checked with a skill card, he has the Ghost Boss mark on him. He’s already in trouble. At the latest, that kid will die tonight. Even if he doesn’t…”
He exchanged a look with Wen Yu.
Scarface smiled, “Then he’ll have to come to us for cooperation.”
…
Dusk gradually descended.
Jian Yue was in Shen Yushu’s study, helping him organize documents.
These tasks were second nature to him, especially when escorting Shen Yushu back to his room to rest. Along the way, he noticed Shen Yushu seemingly rubbing his wrists deliberately and unconsciously.
Jian Yue instinctively suggested: “Young Master, shall I give you a massage?”
Shen Yushu looked at him, slightly surprised: “You know how to do this?”
Jian Yue smiled, “I learned a bit before.”
As a forensic specialist, he knew the human skeleton better than anyone.
Shen Yushu usually disliked being touched. He glanced at Jian Yue, about to refuse, but then met Jian Yue’s confident gaze, so self-assured, as if everything was perfectly under control.
The words “No” stuck in his throat and were inexplicably replaced by: “Alright, you can try.”
Jian Yue walked over. He washed his hands first and then approached Shen Yushu.
Shen Yushu had initially thought Jian Yue was just speaking casually.
But when Jian Yue’s hands landed, the pressure was neither too light nor too heavy. With his precise knowledge of human bones and acupoints, he massaged Shen Yushu’s shoulders accurately.
A slight pain came first, followed by a sudden release of stiffness. The fatigue of the entire day seemed to vanish instantly.
When he finished, Jian Yue withdrew his hands and said, “Done, Young Master.”
Shen Yushu looked up at him. Jian Yue’s hands were long and fair. Because he had just applied some force, the palms were tinged with a hint of red, spreading from the center to the wrists.
On his slender wrist bones, it looked particularly attractive.
Jian Yue kept talking, “Young Master, your shoulders are stiff because you don’t move enough during work. From now on, you need to get up and move every half hour. If you keep going like this, as you get older, the bones in your shoulders will easily…”
He stopped mid-sentence, noticing that the CEO hadn’t spoken for a long time.
Jian Yue looked at him, puzzled, “Young Master?”
Shen Yushu snapped back to reality. His gaze shifted from Jian Yue’s hands. Even the usually domineering CEO looked slightly embarrassed and averted his eyes, giving a vague, evasive reply.
“…Mm… mm.”
He thought: Steward Wang cares so much about him, and spoke so much at once… could he really like him?
Jian Yue, seeing that the CEO finally listened, felt gratified, “Young Master, as long as you understand my intentions.”
Haha, he really was clever!
He thought, if he pampers the boss like this, surely his salary will increase substantially.
Shen Yushu: “……”
Oh no, Steward Wang is hinting at his feelings!
He thought, as the boss, he should keep professional boundaries. Otherwise, his subordinates might imitate him.
Damn, this mischievous steward!
Forget it. He might as well keep him around and find a chance to talk properly.
Shen Yushu decided and said: “Steward Wang, since you care so much, I still have a few meetings and tasks to handle tonight. You can stay here and keep me company.”
Jian Yue: “……”
Huh? Overtime?
Boss, I trust you, but you throw me into overtime?!
Overtime is absolutely unacceptable. It’s unfair to the boss, but I can’t suffer either!
Jian Yue cleared his throat, “Young Master, your servant also wishes to stay, but today I checked with the carpenter and need to go back to organize the house’s repair needs. If repairs aren’t done promptly, it may affect the elderly lady’s recuperation.”
Indeed.
Mentioning this, Shen Yushu frowned: “Then go handle it.”
Could it be he misjudged? Perhaps Steward Wang has no feelings for him.
Jian Yue, seeing that the boss didn’t force him to stay overtime, happily left.
But as soon as he stepped out of the study and hadn’t even reached the corridor, he felt the familiar, damp, sticky gaze on him again.
The system’s task suddenly appeared in his mind. He forced himself to remain calm and continued walking, but the surrounding temperature dropped, and the wind blew, as if the moonlight was swallowed by clouds and fog.
Jian Yue froze.
Looking up, under the moonlight, he saw a woman in red standing quietly in the corridor. A pool of blood had already formed at her feet, and the wind carried a strong metallic scent.
Under Jian Yue’s gaze, she slowly raised her head. Her pale face and long hair framed a chilling, sorrowful smile.
Jian Yue: “……”
Amid the surrounding silence, even the livestream viewers expected him to scream or attempt some clever trick as before but after taking a deep breath, he bolted!
Female ghost / viewers: ……?
Jian Yue sprinted back to Shen Yushu’s study at breakneck speed, slammed the door with a *bang* and faced Shen Yushu’s shocked gaze.
He straightened his chest and shouted:
“Young Master! Your servant has realized something. No matter how important the tasks at hand are, your health is the top priority. Being able to serve by your side has always been my greatest dream. Tonight, no matter how long you work overtime, I will stay by your side. Even if I die, I won’t leave!”
Shen Yushu: “……”
✦ ✧ ✦
Cresvynia
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
The button is right there. You know what to do. ☕
☕ BUY THEM A COFFEE →
✧ (づ｡•ㅅ•｡)づ ☕ ✧
✦ thank you for reading ✦
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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