Chapter 48
“Oh, you caught me.”
Ning Xi admitted with a smile.
Jiang Sheshe stopped in her tracks immediately.
“I’m not doing the mission anymore!”
She looked at Xie Lanchen and Shen Yibai, seeking some support.
But ever since they entered the castle, Xie Lanchen had been following Ning Xi, clearly deferring to her in everything.
As for Shen Yibai, though he hadn’t said much, he never contradicted Ning Xi either.
The only time he had spoken up was when Ning Xi wanted to find an NPC for a prop alone; Shen Yibai had volunteered to go instead.
Jiang Sheshe suddenly felt isolated and helpless.
“I’m mad! I’m really mad!” Jiang Sheshe cried, clenching her fists.
Ning Xi gave a perfunctory “Mhm,” adding, “Even if you throw a tantrum, it won’t work.”
Jiang Sheshe felt wronged. “You…”
“Alright, if there’s any dangerous plot later, I promise I won’t let the NPCs touch you.”
Ning Xi softened her tone.
Jiang Sheshe’s anger vanished instantly. She said somewhat awkwardly, “Then swear it.”
“Fine, fine, I swear.”
Ning Xi felt like being in a group with Jiang Sheshe was like being in a relationship.
Not only did she have to coax her into doing missions, but she also had to give promises and oaths like a couple.
This was quite a novel experience.
“If only I had been the one to find that ring just now,” Xie Lanchen suddenly spoke up in a lazy tone.
Ning Xi looked at Xie Lanchen, not understanding what he meant.
“Then Teacher Ning wouldn’t have to be in such a difficult position, because I’m much easier to coax than some people.”
Xie Lanchen shrugged and gave a light chuckle.
Ning Xi: “…”
[Teacher Ning!!!! Why does this address taste a bit sweet to me???]
[Much~ easier~ to~ coax~]
[Asking because I don’t know, is he acting spoiled right now?]
Jiang Sheshe felt like Xie Lanchen was calling her out and gave him a dark look.
Then, she unconsciously moved a bit closer to Ning Xi.
She had realized that out of these three, Ning Xi was the only one who was easy to talk to.
Thus, an iconic scene was born: Ning Xi had Jiang Sheshe clinging to her left arm and Xie Lanchen standing on her right.
[Good heavens, is this still the same Jiang Sheshe?]
[Who would have expected such a harmonious scene between Ning Xi and Jiang Sheshe?]
[I’m floored. I thought it would be two girls fighting over one guy, or two guys fighting over one girl. Instead, it’s Xie Lanchen and Jiang Sheshe, a man and a woman, fighting over Ning Xi?]
[This plot direction is so wild.]
The group of four reached the third floor of the castle.
The layout of the third floor was much more complex, and the lighting was even dimmer.
Occasionally, a chilly wind would blow past, adding to the eerie atmosphere.
Jiang Sheshe was so scared that, after a moment of hesitation, she awkwardly grabbed Ning Xi’s arm.
Ning Xi didn’t have time to care about such small details and let her be.
Seeing that Ning Xi didn’t say anything, Jiang Sheshe’s expression became much more natural.
The four of them walked until they reached a room with an exquisitely patterned door.
Ning Xi had a premonition: this was the place.
“Wait, wait, wait…” Jiang Sheshe wasn’t mentally prepared yet.
Ning Xi’s actions were faster than her thoughts; she pushed the door open with a shove.
The next second, a long-necked female ghost in a red dress with disheveled hair suddenly appeared before them.
Jiang Sheshe let out a soprano scream: “Ah-!”
Ning Xi reacted quickly:
“Run!”
Since they had triggered an NPC, there had to be a way out.
However, after running just a few steps, they were blocked by a group of Guest NPCs coming from the opposite direction.
They tried to push through, but the Guest NPCs were like a solid wall, blocking their path.
Ning Xi watched the female ghost NPC getting closer and closer. She simply gave a shove with both hands, pushing Jiang Sheshe toward a male NPC who looked like he had a decent build.
“You brat, don’t say I never did anything for you.”
Since things were already this chaotic, they might as well blend in with the NPCs and see how the Red-dressed Female Ghost would catch them then!
Jiang Sheshe instinctively lunged into the arms of a male NPC. Feeling his chest, she instantly forgot her fear.
Her face flushed a deeper shade of red.
[Ning Xi really steps up when things go down.]
[That brat, she managed to pick the one with the best body even in the dark.]
Ning Xi’s next step was to get Xie Lanchen and Shen Yibai to blend in with the NPCs as well.
However, just as she was about to pull Xie Lanchen toward another NPC, he tightly gripped her hand.
Then, he stepped in front of her, shielding her.
“It’s okay. If she’s going to catch someone, let it be me.”
Smelling the woody scent emanating from Xie Lanchen, Ning Xi murmured, “Wouldn’t that be doing that ghost a favor?”
A player like Xie Lanchen, who wasn’t very brave and seemed so delicate… if she were the ghost…
She would definitely scare him so badly he’d be traumatized for life.
The Red-dressed Female Ghost let out a roar. Combined with the flickering lights in the corridor and the eerie music, it was even more bone-chilling.
Ning Xi remained perfectly calm.
But she noticed that Xie Lanchen’s body seemed to tremble slightly.
She paused for a moment, then took the initiative to tighten her grip on Xie Lanchen’s cool hand.
As the warmth from her palm transferred to him, Xie Lanchen looked at Ning Xi. His gaze seemed to hold a hint of distant, nostalgic longing.
But it lasted only a second, so Ning Xi didn’t see it clearly and assumed she had just imagined it.
The ghost finally left.
At that moment, the group of NPCs seemed to finally snap out of it and looked at Ning Xi and the others standing among them.
“Where did you all go? The performance is about to start and you haven’t changed yet. If you’re late, the Duchess will be furious.”
Ning Xi: ? What?
The four of them were led to a dressing room by the NPCs, feeling completely bewildered.
Ning Xi immediately spotted various costumes hanging on racks against the wall.
“Why are you grabbing me? I’m telling you, I’m not afraid! Come on, kill me with a scare if you can!!”
Just then, Ning Xi heard Fu Zhi’s voice, clearly putting on a brave front.
A second later, Fu Zhi, Ning Mingyue, and Wei Xuan were also brought into the room.
“Ning Xi!”
Fu Zhi, who had been stubbornly cursing just a moment ago, saw Ning Xi and his eyes instantly lit up.
Seeing Fu Zhi with his clothes and hair in disarray and his wrists handcuffed by an NPC, Ning Xi couldn’t help but shake her head.
“This is just too much!”
Fu Zhi looked at Ning Xi suspiciously.
Did this brat find her conscience today?
The next second, she pulled out a length of rope and looked at the NPC holding Fu Zhi.
“How can I let you work so hard, brother? Let me help you out.”
Fu Zhi: ??????????
The NPC was stumped.
However, since his task of escorting the players to the backstage area was complete, he actually handed Fu Zhi over to Ning Xi.
“This is the key to the handcuffs. If he behaves, you can unlock them.”
Ning Xi looked thoughtfully at the rope and the key in her hands.
Who knows what was going through Fu Zhi’s mind, but his face suddenly turned bright red.
“Ning Xi, what are you doing?! Don’t you dare!”
[For the first time, I think Fu Zhi is actually kind of adorable, haha.]
[Handcuffs… rope… I love the spice level.]
[You know what, you’re right. A sharp-tongued guy like Fu Zhi who says the opposite of what he means only behaves when he’s treated like this.]
Ning Xi approached him, rope in hand.
Fu Zhi’s face grew redder and redder, and his voice became smaller and smaller: “You… you… don’t you go too far…”