chapter 42

The ID “Must Sleep Early Tonight” was very well-known on the Forum.

Among those who frequented the Forum, almost everyone had read the guides and experience posts written by this ID. As a result, Player had a high level of trust in this ID.

“Are you really ‘Must Sleep Early Tonight’?” Jack couldn’t hide his excitement. “If that’s the case, I believe you.”

Bob looked at Fu Zhixing with some suspicion. “If you really are ‘Early Sleep’, of course we’d be willing to cooperate. But do you have any proof?”

“Come on, that’s enough,” Jenny said nonchalantly, crossing her legs. “What would he gain from lying to you? This Instance is a cooperative one, not a competitive one. Someone’s willing to help you clear it and you’re still not happy?”

Bob was embarrassed by the young girl and looked angry, about to retort, but was stopped by Qin, the girl beside him.

“We have no objections.” Qin was clearly the leader among the three. As soon as she spoke, Bob immediately fell silent.

“I’m not forcing anyone to cooperate,” Fu Zhixing said calmly, “but at the very least, don’t trip up the others. If I discover such behavior,” his gaze turned cold, “I will personally eliminate any uncertainties in this Instance.”

Qin’s expression didn’t change; she shrugged. “I never target my teammates.”

“Everyone, it’s getting late,” George, whose footsteps made no sound, appeared behind them at some point. “Madam has asked me to lead you to your rooms.”

The group exchanged glances and got up one after another.

“The guest rooms are on the left side of the Third Floor,” George led the way in front. “You may assign the rooms as you wish.”

There were plenty of rooms on the Third Floor, more than enough for everyone to have their own.

Jack and Rose naturally shared a room. Qin took one for herself. Bob and Alan shared another, leaving Fu Zhixing, Tu Nan, and the overly lively girl.

Jenny glanced between Fu Zhixing and Tu Nan, speaking bluntly, “Are you two a couple?”

“No.”

Both replied in unison.

“Then I’ll share a room with this young lady.” Jenny immediately stepped forward and took Tu Nan’s arm, her big, watery eyes blinking innocently at Fu Zhixing. “You’re the expert, so you shouldn’t mind having a room to yourself, right?”

Fu Zhixing glanced at Tu Nan.

Judging from Jenny’s earlier behavior, she seemed to have no ill intentions, and was even subtly helping them.

Tu Nan thought for a moment and nodded.

She didn’t particularly care who she shared a room with.

And so, the room assignments were settled.

“A reminder to everyone: after Midnight, no matter what sounds you hear, do not leave your rooms,” George said with a smile.

“Why?” Jenny asked with feigned curiosity. “What if we need to go out for something?”

“This is my advice to you. Whether you choose to go out is up to you,” George replied impassively, his voice hoarse. “If anything happens… the Manor will not be responsible.”

Jenny shrugged, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

Everyone entered their rooms. Fu Zhixing’s room was right next to Tu Nan’s.

The rooms provided by the Manor were spacious and luxuriously decorated. In the center stood a large bed, and on the wall above the headboard hung a giant Mural depicting a Young Daughter holding an adorable Cat in her arms.

Tu Nan frowned. The Cat’s eyes were painted with striking realism-they were heterochromatic, staring straight ahead, giving her the unsettling feeling of being watched.

“This Young Daughter…” Jenny also stepped forward, pondering aloud, “Hanging here-could she be the Manor Owner’s Young Daughter?”

“We’ll probably find out tomorrow.”

Tu Nan scanned the bedroom, walked to the window, and pulled back the heavy curtains, slightly surprised.

Before entering the Mansion, they’d already seen the dense Boston Ivy covering the walls. Now, with the curtains drawn, she realized that even the windows were completely covered by Boston Ivy, sealing them off from any light or air.
“Whoa, they’re really treating us like fish in a barrel.” Jenny walked over and said with a hint of sarcasm.

Tu Nan wasn’t good at dealing with people and said nothing.

Jenny didn’t care either. She somehow produced a Potted Plant, placed it on the table, and then took out a watering can, leisurely watering it.

Tu Nan looked at the Potted Plant, feeling inexplicably familiar. Serenity had watered a similar Potted Plant in the last Instance, and she had guessed that it might be the other’s Skill.

But could things really be that coincidental?

She looked at Jenny, hesitated for a moment, and tentatively asked, “Serenity?”

Jenny’s hand paused, and she squinted at her.

The two stared at each other for a moment. Jenny’s voice carried a hint of uncertainty, “Layla?”

It really was that much of a coincidence.

“It’s me,” Tu Nan confirmed.

Jenny paused, a trace of surprise flashing across her face. Then, as if remembering something, anger flickered in her eyes. “I can’t believe I ran into you again. Why did you and Bella suddenly disappear?”

“Once you complete the task, you naturally leave the Instance,” Tu Nan explained. “Did something happen afterward?”

“What else could happen?” Jenny said irritably. “As soon as Father saw you two had vanished, he went mad when he got home. I almost got caught up in it.”

“Sorry,” Tu Nan said helplessly. “It’s not something I can control.”

Jenny glanced at her and snorted, “Forget it, it’s not your fault. Who would’ve thought you two would disappear at the same time.”

“So, is gardening really your Skill?” Tu Nan watched her watering and asked in confusion.

“This isn’t just any ordinary plant.” Jenny looked at her, lifting her chin slightly. “Do you know Plants vs. Zombies?”

Tu Nan glanced at the Potted Plant and nodded silently.

“I can grow extraordinary plants,” Jenny said proudly. “I’m planning to grow a Peashooter in this Instance, which fits the theme perfectly.”

Tu Nan found it hard to imagine, but if used well, this Skill was indeed very useful.

“But growing takes time, right?”

“Yeah.” Jenny loosened the soil. “The stronger the plant, the longer it takes to grow. When I’m soloing an Instance, I usually don’t dare to choose plants that take too long to grow.”

Tu Nan pondered.

“We’re sharing a bed. You don’t mind, do you?” Jenny set the Potted Plant aside, glanced at the large bed in the center of the room, and frowned slightly. “It’s just…”

“This Painting is really unsettling.”

Their every move was exposed under that Painting.

“Let’s cover it up.” Tu Nan found a Blanket and managed to drape it over the Painting. She wasn’t sure if it would help, but at least it felt better psychologically.

They had no better solution and could only settle for this for now.

“Wash up and get some rest early,” Jenny glanced at her watch. “I’m afraid tonight won’t be so easy.”

Tu Nan said nothing. She went to the Bathroom to freshen up. When she turned on the Faucet, she found milky white liquid flowing out.

Startled, she instinctively stepped back, bumping into the wooden shelf behind her.

“What happened?” Jenny called loudly through the Bathroom door.

Tu Nan blinked, and the liquid from the Faucet turned clear again.

With a serious face, she grabbed a Towel, held it under the Faucet, then lifted the wet Towel to her eyes.

Smell, color-everything was normal.

Jenny was still outside, asking what had happened, her voice sounding a bit tense.

Tu Nan looked at the clear water flowing from the Faucet and suppressed her doubts for now.

She finished washing up and told Jenny what had happened, reminding her to be careful.