Ye Yuzhi paused for a moment. He slowly lowered his hand, suddenly unsure what he ought to say.
It was not that he was in a bad mood. He had simply grown used to wearing that same expression, a face that revealed nothing extra, only a slight furrowing of the brows, as if he were preoccupied with some private thought. That kind of look helped him avoid a great many pointless conversations.
After hesitating inwardly for a heartbeat, Ye Yuzhi finally murmured, “I do not need to take any pictures…”
“Do not say that.” Xia Jienan still had that radiant smile on his face. “Just think of it as helping me. I truly want to keep a record of the blessing bestowed by the heavens.”
There is no need to praise me like that, Ye Yuzhi thought silently. But even if he continued refusing, Semuel would probably keep trying to convince him. He thought it over for a moment before nodding. “What do you need me to do?”
Xia Jienan made a soft sound of acknowledgement. He deliberately did not look at Du Yun behind Ye Yuzhi, who was excitedly gesturing and nearly jumping.
Instead he lowered his voice and said, “You only need to be happy. Everything else, leave it to me.”
Not long ago, Xia Jienan had used the excuse of going to the restroom to return to the library. There, he had taken out all the books and newspapers Ye Yuzhi had browsed through, flipping through them carefully.
Naturally, he had also noticed the missing person notice printed in the paper. And that piece of information aligned perfectly with an obituary printed in another copy of the newspaper they had found earlier, both announcements belonging to two people with the same last name.
There was no doubt the two were Shaun’s parents.
Shaun had left Guerrero Town after that and never returned. Perhaps it was because this place no longer held anything worth staying for and there were his injuries as well.
Maybe it was because this particular npc really was remarkable in appearance, or maybe because despite shouldering a burden much too heavy for a single person, he never once asked them for help. Gradually, Xia Jienan found himself genuinely concerned for him.
At least during their time in this game, he wanted to help Shaun not merely so they could leave safely and in one piece, but also because he wished Shaun could breathe easier, even if only a little.
And after they left this world, he hoped the Shaun who remained would be able to walk out of the shadow of the past and reclaim his own life.
With thoughts drifting in all directions, Xia Jienan lifted his camera and used a perfect posture to take a photograph of the person before him.
He had to admit, Shaun’s smile was truly beautiful. No wonder Du Yun was so attentive to these npc characters.
After a simple lunch, Ye Yuzhi still intended to separate from the group. He directly stated that he needed to take care of some private matters that afternoon and before Xia Jienan could even respond, he hugged his bag to his chest and ran off.
Xia Jienan stood in place, half amused and half exasperated. He turned to Jiang Xing. “Are we really that frightening? Or is my ability to talk to people just terrible in real life?”
“No, no, Xia ge, your communication skills are excellent,” Jiang Xing replied at once. “If not for you, we probably would not have any clues about Shaun at all.”
Du Yun heard the hidden dissatisfaction in Jiang Xing’s tone and hastily said, “I was just trying to follow the thread of the clues.” She reached out to take Xia Jienan’s camera. “Let me take a look at the picture of the beauty.”
Xia Jienan tapped her hand away. “Do you think this is reality? You need to develop the film before you can see the photo.”
Du Yun sighed with disappointment, shrugged, and said, “This afternoon I want to visit the church. I want to see if this town has any unusual beliefs.”
“I…” Jiang Xing was just about to explain his own plans, when he suddenly noticed a middle aged man in a tailored suit and single lens glasses walking toward them.
He swallowed the rest of his sentence and gave a quick warning glance. “Someone is coming.”
Du Yun instantly leaned against Jiang Xing, adopting a pose that made them appear like a couple. She batted her eyes at Xia Jienan and said in a sweet tone, “We were planning to stroll around the church this afternoon. The snow is so beautiful today. I am sure you want to go and admire it as well, right, Semuel?”
The approaching man overheard that last line. He curved his lips into a polite smile and placed a hand over his chest like the dignified butlers of old. “Pardon me for the interruption.”
“The church cannot be entered at the moment. Madam Alide is preparing for the evening mass, so the building is temporarily closed.”
When the three of them turned their attention fully to him, the butler continued, “Allow me to introduce myself. I am the butler of the Anthony Estate. May I ask if the three of you are the invited guests who have come to Guerrero?”
Xia Jienan slipped his camera back into his backpack and nodded. “Yes, that would be us. Is something the matter?”
The butler smiled. “A few guests still have not arrived. The master asked me to look for everyone, in case something unexpected happened and caused any unpleasant experience for you.”
Without waiting for them to answer, he added with a tone that was gentle but difficult to refuse, “Since the church cannot receive visitors this afternoon, why not come to the estate for a short visit? Mr Anthony has been waiting for you for quite some time.”
The three exchanged glances. Xia Jienan then returned a polite smile. “Of course. It has been a long time since I last saw Mr Anthony. Please lead the way.”
The butler bowed slightly, then guided them toward the carriage waiting in the distance.
As they rode, Xia Jienan asked with an air of simple curiosity, “Have the other guests arrived?”
“Most of them have,” the butler replied. “They all met the master yesterday.”
“So we truly behaved rather poorly… ” Xia Jienan said with a sigh. “The landscape of Guerrero is too enchanting. I simply wanted to capture more of it… I must apologize sincerely when we see Mr Anthony.”
The butler softened noticeably. “Artists have the hearts of artists. I am sure the master will understand.”
Xia Jienan hesitated as if troubled. “Are the three of us the only ones who have not arrived? Will that affect the final reward?”
The butler’s smile took on a faintly unsettling quality. “No, there is another gentleman who also became lost. Do not worry. The master will not mind such small matters.”
Sensing something off, Xia Jienan lowered his eyes and exhaled softly. “That is good. But may I ask who the other gentleman is…”
“He also has someone going to fetch him. You need not worry,” the butler replied calmly.
Noticing that his questions were beginning to irritate the butler, Xia Jienan nodded quietly and shifted his attention to the snowy scenery outside the window.
Du Yun quickly stepped in and changed the subject. “By the way, Mister Butler, I have always been curious about the wine from the Anthony Estate. But… my budget has always been a little tight, so I never bought it. When we get to the estate…”
She trailed off shyly, as though embarrassed to finish her request.
“Of course,” the butler said. “While you are in the estate, you may drink whenever you please. If you need anything else, simply inform us.”
By the time the carriage rolled into the Anthony Estate, snow had begun to fall again.
Du Yun brushed the snow from her shoulders once they entered and muttered, “The snow really is heavy this year.”
“Snow means a good harvest next year,” Xia Jienan said casually. He turned to the butler. “When can we meet Mr Anthony? I really should apologize.”
“The master is occupied with some private matters. He should be able to receive you around four in the afternoon,” the butler responded. “For now, you may visit your rooms. Later, there will be afternoon tea and a reading session in the reception hall.”
“This is my first time in a place like this,” Du Yun said as she looked around with wide eyes. When the butler finished speaking, she immediately put on the expression of someone unaccustomed to such grandeur. “Is there anything we need to be careful about? I am afraid I might accidentally offend someone.”
“There is no need to restrain yourselves inside the estate,” the butler replied. “Only the top floor belongs to the master, and he dislikes unexpected visitors. Unless he invites you, please do not go upstairs.”
The three nodded dutifully, though in their hearts they all thought the same thing. They would have to go up there sooner or later.
Next, the butler showed them the study, the reception hall, the dining room, the game room, the banquet hall, and the restrooms. He then led them to two adjacent rooms on the second floor. “These are your rooms. You may rest here for a while.”
After finishing his duties, he gave another slight bow. “If there is nothing else, I shall take my leave.”
Du Yun hastily raised her hand. “Actually, Mister Butler, I walked quite a long way and feel a little tired. I would like to rest in my room. Could you help me by bringing one bottle of your estate’s wine to warm me up and help me sleep?”
“Of course,” he replied. “Please wait a moment.”
Not long after he left, a maid arrived with a bottle of wine, three glasses, and a tray of sweets.
Du Yun had just finished crawling out of the wardrobe after inspecting every corner of the room. When she saw the wine and the desserts, she picked up the bottle and exclaimed, “Having money is truly wonderful.”
Jiang Xing, who had not spoken since the butler appeared, murmured, “You could have had money.”
“But I do not,” she replied without hesitation. She ran to the door and knocked. “Mister Semuel, we received the wine from the butler. Would you like to join us?”
A moment later, the door opened. Xia Jienan smiled warmly. “Of course, my lady.”
When all three returned to the room, Jiang Xing finally could not hold back. “So we really have to talk like this from now on?”
Xia Jienan confirmed it with a serious look. “At least when we are outside, we must be careful.”
Du Yun opened the bottle, poured some wine into a glass, and held it out to Jiang Xing. “Here, test it.”
Jiang Xing stared at the wine briefly, then got up and rummaged through his belongings to find his tools.
Meanwhile, away from the group and heading toward the Anthony Estate, Ye Yuzhi ran into someone who had come specifically to “pick him up.”
The man looked quite young, dressed in a perfectly tailored formal suit, holding a hat in his hand. When Ye Yuzhi passed through a narrow alley between two houses, the man stepped in front of him and smiled politely. “Good day, Mister Shaun.”
“It is wonderful to see you again.”
Ye Yuzhi instinctively tightened his grip on his bag and stepped back. “I do not know what you are talking about.”
And at the same moment, he quickly realized something. In this town, very few people would know the identity of the character he was playing. If someone did recognize him, that person could only be…
Anthony.
“I am glad you were willing to return…” the man said with a smile as he placed the hat on his head. “It means you have accepted what must be accepted, does it not?”
“I do not know you.” Ye Yuzhi said firmly. He nudged his toes slightly to the side, positioning his body so he could bolt at any moment.
The man noticed the movement of his feet. His smile deepened. He took a few steps forward. “How could you not know me?”
As soon as the man advanced, an inexplicable wave of fear surged through Ye Yuzhi’s chest. Clutching his bag tightly, he spun around and sprinted away.
The moment he turned, he crashed into something solid. Pain shot across his forehead. He clutched his head and looked up.
His entire body froze.
Footsteps stopped behind him. A pair of hands rested lightly on his shoulders.
“Do not worry,” the man behind him said softly. “I will help you remember everything.”
✦ ✧ ✦
Nycreth
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
A coffee offering has been placed before the translator altar. ✧
☕ BUY THEM A COFFEE →
✧ (づ｡•ㅅ•｡)づ ☕ ✧
✦ thank you for reading ✦
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ChaptersChapter 1 · Guerrero’s Lair (1)Chapter 2 · Guerrero’s Lair (2)Chapter 3 · Guerrero’s Lair (3)Chapter 4 · Guerrero’s Lair (4)Chapter 5 · Guerrero’s Lair (5)Chapter 6 · Guerrero’s Lair (6)Chapter 7 · Guerrero’s Lair (7)Chapter 8 · Guerrero’s Lair (8)Chapter 9 · Guerrero’s Lair (9)Chapter 10 · Guerrero’s Lair (10)Chapter 11 · Guerrero’s Lair (11)Chapter 12 · Guerrero’s Lair (12)Chapter 13 · Guerrero’s Lair (13)Chapter 14 · Guerrero’s Lair (14)Chapter 15 · Guerrero’s Lair (15)Chapter 16 · Guerrero’s Lair (16)Chapter 17 · Guerrero’s Lair (17)Chapter 18 · Guerrero’s Lair (18)Chapter 19 · Guerrero’s Lair (19)Chapter 20 · Guerrero’s Lair (20)Chapter 21 · Guerrero’s Lair (21)Chapter 22 · Guerrero’s Lair (22)Chapter 23 · Interlude (1)Chapter 24 · The interlude (2)Chapter 25 · The interlude (3)Chapter 26 Part 1 · Calling in the Wind (1)Chapter 26 Part 2 · Calling in the Wind (1)Chapter 27 · Calling in the Wind (2)Chapter 28 · Calling in the Wind (3)Chapter 29 · Calling in the Wind (4)Chapter 30 · Calling in the Wind (5)Chapter 31 · Calling in the Wind (6)Chapter 32 · Calling in the Wind (7)Chapter 33 · Calling in the Wind (8)Chapter 34 · Calling in the Wind (9)Chapter 35 · Calling in the Wind (10)Chapter 36 · Interlude (4)Chapter 37 · Interlude (5)Chapter 38 · Interlude (6)Chapter 39 · Interlude (7)Chapter 40 · Interlude (8)Chapter 41 · Interlude (9)Chapter 42 · Welcome to Doville (1)Chapter 43 · Welcome to Doville (2)Chapter 44 · Welcome to Doville (3)Chapter 45 · Welcome to Doville (4)Chapter 46 · Welcome to Doville (5)Chapter 47 · Welcome to Doville (6)Chapter 48 · Welcome to Doville (7)Chapter 49 · Welcome to Doville (8)Chapter 50 · Welcome to Doville (9)Chapter 51 · Welcome to Doville (10)Chapter 52 · Welcome to Doville (11)Chapter 53 · Welcome to Doville (12)Chapter 54 · Interlude (10)Chapter 55 · Interlude (11)Chapter 56 · Interlude (12)Chapter 57 · Interlude (13)Chapter 58 · Interlude (14)Chapter 59 · The Tunnel in the Dark Night (1)Chapter 60 · The Tunnel in the Dark Night (2)Chapter 61 · The Tunnel in the Dark Night (3)Chapter 62 · The Tunnel in the Dark Night (4)Chapter 63 · The Tunnel in the Dark Night (5)Chapter 64 · The Tunnel in the Dark Night (6)Chapter 65 · The Tunnel in the Dark Night (7)Chapter 66 · The Tunnel in the Dark Night (8)Chapter 67 · The Tunnel in the Dark Night (9)Chapter 68 · The Tunnel in the Dark Night (10)Chapter 69 · The Tunnel in the Dark Night (11)Chapter 70 · The Tunnel in the Dark Night (12)Chapter 71 · The Tunnel in the Dark Night (13)Chapter 72 · The Tunnel in the Dark Night (14)Chapter 73 · The Tunnel in the Dark Night (15)Chapter 74 · The Tunnel in the Dark Night (16)Chapter 75 · The Tunnel in the Dark Night (17)Chapter 76 · The Tunnel in the Dark Night (18)Chapter 77 · The Tunnel in the Dark Night (19)Chapter 78 · The Tunnel in the Dark Night (20)Chapter 79 · The Tunnel in the Dark Night (21)Chapter 80 · The Tunnel in the Dark Night (22)Chapter 81 · The Tunnel in the Dark Night (23)Chapter 82 · The Tunnel in the Dark Night (24)Chapter 83 · The Tunnel in the Dark Night (25)Chapter 84 · The Tunnel in the Dark Night (26)Chapter 85 · The Tunnel in the Dark Night (27)Chapter 86 · The Tunnel in the Dark Night (28)Chapter 87 · The Tunnel in the Dark Night (29)Chapter 88 · Tunnel in the Dark Night (30)Chapter 89 · Interlude (15)Chapter 90 · Interlude (16)Chapter 91 · Interlude (17)Chapter 92 · The Promise of Hamelin (1)Chapter 93 · The Promise of Hamelin (2)Chapter 94 · The Promise of Hamelin (3)Chapter 95 · The Promise of Hamelin (4)Chapter 96 · The Promise of Hamelin (5)Chapter 97 · The Promise of Hamelin (6)Chapter 98 · The Promise of Hamelin (7)Chapter 99 · The Promise of Hamelin (8)Chapter 100 · The Promise of Hamelin (9)Chapter 101 · The Promise of Hamelin (10)Chapter 102 · The Promise of Hamelin (11)Chapter 103 · The Promise of Hamelin (12)Chapter 104 · The Promise of Hamelin (13)Chapter 105 · The Promise of Hamelin (14)Chapter 106 · The Promise of Hamelin (15)Chapter 107 · The Promise of Hamelin (16)Chapter 109 · The Promise of Hamelin (18)Chapter 110 · The Promise of Hamelin (19)