“What’s wrong?” Shen Wangqing was also puzzled by Wen Di’s apparent fear of Fu Zhen.
Wen Di lowered his gaze, finding it difficult to explain.
Fu Zhen walked up to Wen Di, staring intently at him with eyes as fierce and sinister as an eagle’s: “What? Did saving you turn me into your enemy?”
“Lu Jieyang, me—you look down on us both. Now you want to use Shen Wangqing as your shield?”
Wen Di couldn’t understand what Fu Zhen was saying at all. Every word that came out of his mouth was beyond Wen Di’s comprehension.
Sometimes he even wondered if Fu Zhen was delusional.
“I’m not trying to…” Wen Di attempted to explain.
“You’re not?” Fu Zhen’s gaze was disdainful, terrifying to the extreme, as if he wanted to destroy him. “Doing things but refusing to admit it—now I understand. This is your usual style. Use people up and then discard them. You really have a talent for making fools out of everyone.”
That wasn’t how it was at all, but being accused like this made him feel as if he truly were the villain Fu Zhen described. His face burned with shame, and his eyes welled up with tears of humiliation and frustration.
Fu Zhen shifted his gaze from Wen Di’s face to Shen Wangqing, curling his lips in a meaningless smirk. “Jealous? Saw me take him away last night? Really want to know what happened between us? It’s meaningless. Just like how he’s clinging to you now—he’s only trying to seduce you into opening the door for him. Once the door is open, you’ll be useless.”
“You’re not expecting any favors from him, are you? Don’t bother. This little ghost is incredibly selfish.”
“Seduce.”
“Selfish.”
Hearing such insulting words spoken to his face, Wen Di’s eyes reddened. He clenched the hem of his clothes, fighting back tears as he tried to defend himself.
Before he could speak, Shen Wangqing spoke up for him: “Really? But I think Boss Wen is quite nice. He just said he could give me a clue.”
Fu Zhen’s expression stiffened, as if he doubted what he had just heard. His fierce gaze shifted back to Wen Di’s face. “What did you say?”
Sensing Wen Di’s fear, Shen Wangqing moved slightly, shielding Wen Di completely. “You heard it clearly. Why do I need to repeat it?”
He narrowed his fox-like eyes, as if realizing something, and curled his lips into a smile. “Could it be that someone demanded a clue from Boss Wen in exchange for opening the door, but Boss Wen refused?”
Seeing Fu Zhen’s darkened expression, Shen Wangqing’s smile deepened, confirming his suspicion.
Listening to their exchange, Wen Di curled his fingers slightly, feeling a pang of guilt.
Just ten minutes earlier, he had been left alone in the room when he heard footsteps outside again. Thinking it was Fu Zhen returning, he anxiously said, “I can give you a clue! Please help me open the door!”
Unexpectedly, Shen Wangqing’s voice came from outside: “Boss Wen? Why are you locked in there?”
Wen Di was taken aback, explaining sadly and helplessly, “It was Lu Jieyang. I don’t know what he wants to do… I’m afraid he might kill me. Can you help me get out? Please.”
Shen Wangqing didn’t hesitate. “Alright.”
Wen Di was surprised that Shen Wangqing agreed so quickly, without making things difficult for him at all.
“Wait a moment. I’ll find a tool.” Shen Wangqing returned with a small axe and stood before the door again, reassuring Wen Di, “Step back a little. I’m afraid the door might hurt you when it breaks open.”
“Alright.”
Wen Di felt both delighted and excited.
Shen Wangqing only needed two strikes to sever the iron chains. The door swung open, and Wen Di rushed forward like a freed bird, giving him a hug.
It was just gratitude.
Among all the Players, Shen Wangqing was the one he felt was the most normal human. Unlike Lu Jieyang, whose enthusiasm frightened him, or Fu Zhen, with his sharp tongue and harsh words.
So, was Shen Wangqing helping him just to get clues too?
That was normal, after all—all Players wanted clues.
But actually… the clue he had originally intended to give Fu Zhen was fake. He had planned to deceive Fu Zhen with false information.
To survive, NPCs could lie, but it wasn’t encouraged, as being caught carried significant risks.
“Fine, fine, fine.” Fu Zhen’s face twisted with rage. “Do you think I care?”
If Shen Wangqing hadn’t been blocking him, Wen Di suspected he would have been crushed alive.
But Fu Zhen’s icy voice still pierced his ears, sharp and bone-chilling: “You’d better hide well. If I catch you, you’ll learn what happens to those who mess with me.”
Fu Zhen left.
Wen Di stood frozen in place, drenched in cold sweat.
Shen Wangqing turned around and saw his forehead glistening with sweat, his eyes red and teary, his long lashes trembling lightly, as if he had just woken from a nightmare, utterly terrified.
A flicker of pity rose in Shen Wangqing’s eyes. He reached out and gently wiped away a bead of sweat from Wen Di’s pale, delicate chin. “Try to avoid him as much as possible from now on. If you don’t mind, you can stay with me. I’ll protect you.”
Wen Di looked up at him in surprise, unable to understand why he would offer this.
Sensing his confusion, Shen Wangqing smiled softly. “Don’t worry. I just see you all alone and can’t bear to watch you get bullied. You might not realize it, but I’m quite soft-hearted.”
His smile was too kind and bright, his gaze exceptionally gentle.
Wen Di stared at him, warmth flooding his heart. “Thank you…”
He was about to nod in agreement when 193 abruptly appeared: 【Fool, how many times have I told you not to trust anyone?】
【You can only trust me.】
Even when in a good mood, 193’s voice was cold, but now, clearly angry, it carried even more weight, like a hammer striking Wen Di’s head.
Wen Di froze for a moment before hearing 193 continue: 【This is your first time participating in an Instance, so I have an obligation to remind you. But starting from the next Instance, I won’t give you specific warnings. You’ll need to make your own judgments.】
【You can use him, but you cannot trust him.】
Wen Di lowered his head, his toes nervously digging into the ground. After a moment of thought, he took a step back. “Thank you, but that won’t be necessary. I can manage on my own. After all, I’ve run an inn and met all kinds of guests. What’s someone like Fu Zhen? I can protect myself.”
Even as he said, “What’s someone like Fu Zhen?” his eyes were filled with panic and helplessness.
It only stirred an even stronger desire to protect him.
A strange, almost possessive urge to tuck him away, whether he wanted it or not.
Shen Wangqing’s gaze deepened, as if swirling with a storm. “Alright. If you need my help, just call for me anytime.”
His eyes lingered on the ghost wearing only a thin sweater. A cold breeze blew, reddening his small face, prompting Shen Wangqing to ask, “Are you cold? Do you want to put on a coat?”
Realizing this, Wen Di turned and ran back into the room.
Shen Wangqing stared at his slender back, his gaze dropping to catch the transparent beads of sweat on his fingertips. He raised his hand to his mouth, his tongue sweeping the sweat into his mouth.
Even his sweat was fragrant.
A sweet taste.