Jian Yue had fallen asleep right by the doorway.
It wasn’t what anyone would call a restful night. From dusk till dawn, the faint sound of rustling never truly ceased outside his window.
Every so often, he would wake up, instinctively reach for his flashlight, check the battery, and after confirming it still had power, close his eyes again and drift back to sleep.
When morning finally arrived, it wasn’t the light that woke him, but the crisp electronic tone of the system’s voice.
A clear “ding-dong” sounded in his mind:
Quest 【Village Chief’s Red Lantern】 completed. Reward: 30 points. Intern player has also received 230 points from live-stream donations. Total rewards will be credited to your account at the end of the instance.”
Jian Yue blinked groggily, still half-asleep, “Live-stream?” he repeated blankly. “What live-stream?”
The system, as always, offered no answer.
After a few seconds of silence, Jian Yue decided not to press the issue. He was just an ordinary rookie thrown into his very first instance, nothing special, low combat power, not particularly brave either.
Even if there was some so-called live-stream, who would bother to watch a nobody like him?
But while Jian Yue remained blissfully unaware, elsewhere in the central plaza where new-player streams were ranked, the viewer count for his channel had exploded past two thousand concurrent watchers.
“You’re telling me this guy actually slept the whole night without lighting the lantern?!”
“And I pissed myself in the same dungeon for what reason then?!”
“You pissed yourself because your bladder’s overachieving, bro.”
“…”
Normally, once someone cleared a dungeon for the first time, a walkthrough would circulate almost immediately, and the stream of that first run would stop getting attention since most later players already knew what to expect.
But Jian Yue was different.
Even when faced with the exact same scenario as everyone else, he somehow managed to play it in a completely unexpected way.
The audience couldn’t look away. They wanted to see just how far this man’s absurd luck could carry him.
The Courtyard
After waking up, Jian Yue stepped out into the front yard.
The system interface hovering in his vision showed his Health: 40%
Not high, not low but in this kind of village, danger could emerge at any moment. And at such times, forty percent might as well be zero.
He pushed open the courtyard gate. Across the yard, the archaeological team members were already awake, their voices drifting faintly through the cool morning air.
Thanks to his keen hearing, Jian Yue could make out their conversation even from a distance.
“Good thing we had those red lanterns.”
“Yeah, last night was terrifying.”
“We’d better pay the village chief and get another one today.”
“Definitely, definitely…”
He listened long enough to catch the gist, then turned away. He still had no intention of getting too close to that group. But luck was on his side, one of them had already spotted him and was waving enthusiastically while walking his way.
“Butler Wang!” called Wen Yu, smiling brightly, “Did you sleep well last night?”
Jian Yue replied honestly, “It was fine.”
The live-stream chat went dead silent.
Fine? The man had slept straight through an entire night of horror without so much as flinching!
Wen Yu’s gaze flicked, almost casually, toward the doorway behind him as though checking something. She asked, tone light but probing, “You didn’t hear anything strange, did you?”
“I heard a few noises,” Jian Yue said evenly. “But this old house creaks. It’s drafty and hasn’t been maintained in years. Sounds like that are normal. Why, Miss Wen, did you sleep poorly?”
Wen Yu laughed softly, feigning shyness. “Not at all. I slept very well.”
They stood chatting at the entrance for a while. From her position, Wen Yu could clearly see the red lantern resting beside the door, unlit, untouched. And yet the man before her was perfectly safe and unharmed.
Could he be an NPC?
The doubt in her eyes faded slightly. Seeing a chance to get closer to the aloof “president,” she quickly seized the moment.
“We were just talking about exploring the outskirts of the village today,” she said with a bright smile. “Why don’t we go together?”
Jian Yue shrugged lightly. “Sure.”
“I’ll go tell the others!” Wen Yu said, turning briskly to leave.
Jian Yue nodded, watching her back as she walked away. Only then did his brows crease ever so slightly.
Something was off.
After an entire night, Wen Yu still carried the faint scent of lantern oil on her clothes, not strong, but persistent. None of them seemed to have noticed.
He considered warning them, then decided against it. For one thing, they probably wouldn’t believe him.
For another, he didn’t yet understand the full nature of the lantern’s effect. Acting rashly would bring no benefit.
Soon, everyone had washed up and gathered in the front yard.
The president was already awake. He looked perfectly composed, almost refreshed. From that alone, Jian Yue deduced that the monsters must not target NPCs otherwise, the man wouldn’t appear so untouched.
Stepping forward dutifully, Jian Yue resumed his role as the loyal butler. “Young Master, shall I prepare breakfast for you?”
Shen Yushu’s expression was cool, his voice light. “No need. Zhang Ma has already done it.”
Internally, Jian Yue sighed. Workplace competition truly exists everywhere, even in horror dungeons.
He glanced toward the table. Sure enough, it was already laid out with an array of dishes: homemade pickles, steaming bowls of congee, even freshly steamed soup dumplings.
This place might look like a decaying estate, but the sight of the immaculately dressed Shen Yushu sitting down to eat made it feel like a scene straight out of a Michelin restaurant, elegant, refined, every movement deliberate.
After a moment’s hesitation, Jian Yue asked, “Young Master, and what about breakfast arrangements for the archaeological team?”
Shen Yushu lifted his gaze, tone laced with impatience. “Are you the butler, or am I? Must I handle everything myself? Butler Wang, don’t forget your position.”
> System Notification: Health – 5 %
Jian Yue: “…”
Money’s hard to earn, and dignity’s harder to swallow.
He quickly tried to smooth things over. “Of course, I only asked because they’re your honored guests, Young Master. I didn’t want to act on my own without permission. Perhaps I should discuss with Zhang Ma about hiring an additional cook?”
Shen Yushu’s expression softened slightly. “Do as you see fit.”
Jian Yue was just starting to calculate how much it might cost to hire a villager when Shen Yushu abruptly reached into his pocket, pulled out a long, gleaming gold card, and handed it to him between two slender fingers.
“Here,” the president said coolly. “One million. Spend it however you need. Don’t bother bringing back the change.”
Jian Yue: “???”
The archaeological team behind him: “???”
The golden card shimmered under the morning light, dazzling the onlookers.
For a long moment, no one spoke.
Forget exploring the dungeon, the archaeologists thought numbly. Maybe we should switch professions and become cooks instead.
Jian Yue himself was stunned. For the first time, he found himself questioning everything he’d ever believed about capitalism.
Damn it! Why did Shen Yushu, of all people, make unrestrained wealth look so tempting?
It wasn’t capitalism, it was affection! pure, undiluted affection!
This was no cold-blooded CEO. This was clearly a man cherishing his precious treasure!!!
Even the livestream audience was stunned:
“Damn, President Shen still got that power move!”
“Wait, has he ever given players money before?”
“No way! Never!”
“Well, I sure didn’t get any last time!”
Every single time the viewers thought they had this dungeon figured out, it somehow managed to shatter their expectations all over again.
President Shen frowned slightly when Jian Yue didn’t take the card.
“Steward Wang, is there a problem?”
Jian Yue instantly straightened, expression solemn, “No, young master. Please rest assured, I’ll handle everything. I’ll have the manor back in proper order as soon as possible!”
Only then did Shen Yushu nod in approval.
After their brief conversation, the others began to disperse. Since the new cook hadn’t arrived yet, they made do with a quick breakfast in the kitchen.
This time, the system’s task prompt appeared:
[Mission: The Secret of Longevity in Wanfu Village]
Jian Yue knew that if he wanted to uncover the truth, he’d have to explore the village himself.
Apparently, the archaeology team had reached the same conclusion.
Though they were hired by Shen Yushu to search for rare herbs on the mountain, they could use “surveying the terrain” as an excuse to move freely around the area.
By day, the village was nothing like the ominous place it became at night.
Stepping out of the courtyard, the morning sun was dazzling. He could hear roosters crowing, dogs barking, and see wisps of smoke rising from chimneys.
Villagers passed along narrow paths, chatting casually, everything looked calm, normal, alive.
Following Aunt Zhang’s directions, Jian Yue made his way to the east end of the village, where a widow named Li was said to be an excellent cook.
When he arrived, Widow Li was sitting in her small courtyard feeding chickens. Her hair was tied up in a loose bun, her pale skin almost ghostly white under the sunlight.
Strands of gray hair framed her face; her clothes hung loosely, yet it was obvious she had a plump figure beneath.
At the sound of his footsteps, she looked up. Her eyes were dark and gleaming as they fixed on him.
A chill crept up Jian Yue’s spine, but he forced himself to speak calmly,
“Aunt Zhang sent me. We just moved into the manor yesterday and are short a cook. I came to ask if you’d be interested.”
Widow Li gave a low, derisive laugh. She crushed an ant under her slipper and sneered, “My cooking? You people dare to eat it?”
Jian Yue hesitated, as if seriously considering it, then nodded earnestly, “Well… we can’t exactly starve, can we?”
Widow Li: “……”
For a moment, she just stared at him. Apparently, it had been a long time since she’d met someone even stranger than herself.
“So,” Jian Yue asked again, perfectly calm, “are you coming or not?”
Widow Li scowled. “Go on, get out of here! I don’t cook for just anyone. You outsiders are all picky eaters, and I’ve no patience to serve you all!”
Jian Yue said mildly, “My employer gave me a budget of one million. He said your monthly salary is negotiable.”
Widow Li paused mid-rant, casually brushing back her hair, “Well, since you put it that way… you really do have a good eye. How’d you know I like cooking when I’m free, huh? Wait here, I’ll change my clothes and go take a look with you!”
Jian Yue smiled faintly. “Of course.”
Widow Li’s house was a small two-story brick building. She told him to wait downstairs while she went up to get ready.
It was Jian Yue’s first time inside a villager’s home in Wanfu Village, last night at the village chief’s house, he hadn’t even stepped past the door.
Now that he was here, he noticed details he hadn’t expected.
Near the side door stood a small cradle covered with a thin white veil. A few tiny bowls sat on the nearby table, the kind used to feed children.
So… she had a child?
It wasn’t strange on its own. Jian Yue wasn’t the type to pry into people’s private lives.
But as he stood there, he caught a faint scent in the air, something disturbingly familiar. He’d smelled it last night.
Only this time, there was no red lantern in the house. Just that cradle.
His eyes shifted to the covered crib. He glanced up the staircase. This might be his only chance to investigate.
Once he left, he might never get another opportunity.
No risk, no survival.
The village might look peaceful in daylight, but he knew better. The horrors that prowled at night didn’t simply disappear with the dawn.
His flashlight couldn’t protect him forever. If he wanted to live, he’d have to take risks.
He stepped closer, slowly, quietly.
With each step, the strange scent grew stronger. Just as his fingers brushed the edge of the veil—
A chilling voice cut through the air behind him, “What do you think you’re doing?”
Jian Yue froze.
He turned his head, and there stood Widow Li at the doorway, now wearing a tattered red dress. Her long hair floated unnaturally, her eyes glinting blood-red as she stared at him like a ghost.
“Why are you in my house?” she hissed. The malice in her tone was enough to make one’s neck prickle as if she could rip his head off at any second.
The livestream erupted in panic:
> “Oh my god, he’s dead—he’s so dead!”
“Anyone who goes into that woman’s house dies!”
“She’s a total maniac!”
“Haha, the streamer’s luck finally ran out!”
But Jian Yue simply turned around, no panic, no guilt. He pointed to the cradle and said evenly, “I thought I heard a baby crying, so I came to check.”
Widow Li froze, caught completely off guard.
“Wait—what?”
The audience fell silent.
Jian Yue smiled gently. “Funny, now that you’re back, the crying stopped. Must be that mother-child bond, huh?”
Widow Li looked genuinely confused. Her murderous energy faltered.
For a moment, she just stared at him blankly. Then she sneered again, revealing a sharp, fang-like tooth, “Don’t play dumb. You made my baby cry. You’ll stay here and keep him company forever.”
The viewers groaned.
> “Yup, called it. No way out now.”
“He’s done for!”
Even Jian Yue frowned slightly. His eyes flicked around the room, already mapping potential escape routes.
Just as Widow Li began to advance, a sudden shimmer of golden light appeared before him.
A golden card floated into view, glowing faintly as a mechanical voice spoke:
[Gossip Ability Recharged: New Information Unlocked!]
[Hot Scoop: Widow Li has a secret lover, Wang Tiejun, the current village chief of Wanfu Village.]
[Cooldown: 12 hours.]
Both Jian Yue and Widow Li froze.
Jian Yue thought in disbelief, Wait! The frail little old village chief had a ferocious woman as a wife, and still went out to find a mistress?!
Widow Li, on the other hand, stiffened in rage. How does he know about me and the chief? He must die!
Before she could act, Jian Yue suddenly brightened up, his face full of surprise, “Oh! Sister-in-law, actually I came here on the village chief’s orders to check in on you and the child.”
Widow Li blinked. “He sent you? For what? He never bothers to come himself!”
Jian Yue shrugged innocently, “How should I know what goes on in the chief’s mind? He just told me to tell you there’s something hidden under the water tank. Said you’d understand what he meant.”
The air went silent for a second.
Widow Li’s expression changed instantly from sinister ghost to radiant sunshine.
She swept her hair up, grinning broadly as she grabbed Jian Yue’s hand.
“Oh, why didn’t you say so earlier! You’re one of us then! Come on, come on! Sit in the living room, I’ll pour you some tea!”
The livestream audience collectively lost their minds.
“……”
“WHAT—how did that work?!”
“This man is the god of nonsense! He just bluffed a ghost into hospitality!!”
Hell! These gossip are far more interesting than in dialy life!! But seriously! Anyone knows such survival game, recommend me.. I wanna practice for survival skills 🤣🤣
✦ ✧ ✦
Cresvynia
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
The translator humbly requests tribute in coffee form. (づ｡◕‿‿◕｡)づ ☕
☕ 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