Chapter 18: The Widow in the Mansion 18

The stepson’s knees were stiff and somewhat uncomfortable, yet his movements were gentle and slow.

Yu Deng was actually quite sensitive—he hated pain and was equally ticklish.

His delicate skin would bruise at the slightest touch, and the deliberate, soft rubbing he was experiencing now sent a strange tickling and tingling sensation all through his leg.

Unable to hold back, Yu Deng let out a barely audible whimper. The sensory stimulation made his earlobes flush quickly, and a faint glimmer of tears welled in his eyes.

He shot Cheng Xiao a fierce glare.

Who else’s stepson, discussing serious matters, would also be teasing the little widower beneath the table? Such improper behavior!

Yu Deng’s sharp look only made Cheng Xiao’s mischief grow; he continued his subtle teasing under the table without a hint of hesitation.

Irritated, Yu Deng shifted a little further away.

Only then did he realize what Cheng Xiao had just written on his palm.

Trying to kiss him again? Not a chance!

His hand was still held by the stepson’s fingers, which were being stroked repeatedly.

Yu Deng shook his hand a few times and then slapped Cheng Xiao’s hand away with a soft snap.

The two players across the table, worn thin by the dungeon, immediately became alert and observant.

“Wait, what was that noise just now?”

Cheng Xiao cleared his throat lightly. “Nothing. Just upset the little cat.”

Ke Qi looked puzzled: “Huh? Where’s the cat?”

Zhang Ziyun glanced at Cheng Xiao, then at the delicate little widower NPC, and a sudden inspiration struck her.

Indeed, the little widower was so delicate and beautiful, much like a coquettish kitten—one who could be playful but would scratch when displeased.

Yu Deng himself was as clueless as Ke Qi. He raised his eyes, his moist, lovely gaze silently reproaching and urging Cheng Xiao to continue.

Cheng Xiao dared not further provoke the little madam and resumed speaking: “Also, among those guarding the spirit these past few nights, there’s one who’s been there almost every evening.”

The new players caught on immediately: “Oh, you mean the killer might be returning to the crime scene to savor their grim work? Isn’t that what novels usually say?”

They all nodded in sudden understanding, further confirming their suspect while muttering vague remarks.

Yu Deng listened for a long time, feeling like he was on a completely different wavelength. Frustrated, his eyes began to redden.

He lowered his head, feigning disinterest.

Hoping the next dungeon wouldn’t require so much brainpower—it was hardly fair to him...

The two new players, grateful for the new clue, quietly left without disturbing Cheng Xiao and Yu Deng further.

“Little madam.” Cheng Xiao moved closer, wrapping the slender little widower in his arms.

Yu Deng was annoyed: “I don’t want riddles.”

Though clumsy, the little widower had a fiery temper.

“No riddles,” Cheng Xiao said softly, taking Yu Deng’s still-flushed earlobe between his lips, soothing him with practiced ease. “I only said it because you wanted to hear.”

After that, he whispered a name into Yu Deng’s ear.

Yu Deng blinked in a daze.

Ah, so that was the culprit.

He had never suspected that person at all—he really wasn’t cut out for this kind of dungeon!

...

At that moment, the butler approached them. He told Cheng Xiao that Cheng Chaoxia was looking for him, and after Cheng Xiao left, he reminded Yu Deng:

“Madam, tomorrow is the anniversary of the eldest young master’s passing.”

Yu Deng responded but drifted off briefly.

Come to think of it, hadn’t Cheng Xiao mentioned before that the Cheng family had done something to him, and it was best to sever ties?

“Madam? What is your opinion?”

Still distracted, Yu Deng blurted out the thought in his mind: “I’m thinking about breaking off the relationship...”

The butler paused subtly, his gaze deepening: “Forgive my boldness, madam, but do you have a new sweetheart?”

Yu Deng cursed himself for speaking too quickly, shaking his head: “No, not really.”

The butler nodded in understanding and silently withdrew.

After the butler left, Yu Deng heard a prompt from System 01.

“By the way, host, your special mission has been updated. Please remember to check and complete it.”

“Oh, right.” Yu Deng suddenly remembered that last night when he was caught in a ghostly maze, he vaguely heard the main system speaking.

But feeling dizzy and unwell at the time, he ignored it.

How strange—what happened last night? How did the hidden malevolent spirit suddenly become such a huge threat when it had been quiet before?

Yu Deng was perplexed, frowning as he glanced at his tasks.

He hadn’t yet completed the stepson’s mission, and the hidden malevolent spirit task was still waiting for him. So many assignments.

“Wait, hold on.” After a moment’s worry, he realized a crucial question: “Tongtong, do I really have the power to seal the hidden evil spirit?”

His special ability came from the dungeon, a kind of ghostly power.

But with his amateurish skills, trying to seal a demon king would be like a kindergartner performing in front of a top scholar.

Yu Deng’s vision darkened.

Could he really win?

“Don’t worry, host. You can do it.” The system’s electronic voice carried an air of certainty. After comforting him, it gently advised:

“However, the system recommends that the host complete the sealing of the hidden spirit as soon as possible. The longer you delay, the greater the uncertainty.”

Yu Deng gasped and glanced outside.

It was nearly noon, but the outside remained pitch black. White lantern flames flickered in the shadows like malicious ghosts.

“Alright then...” Yu Deng hugged his arms, trying to warm himself. “I’ll set off soon.”

...

“Yes, the system will guide you.”

Yu Deng reached the door, delayed by several beats before reacting.

Tongtong had said that after encountering the hidden spirit, he’d be able to track or signal its location.

Now the system could even reveal which direction the hidden spirit was in... did that mean Tongtong had already faced the boss spirit?

Yu Deng was shocked. When? How come he didn’t know?

...

As Yu Deng prepared to seal the hidden spirit boss, Cheng Xiao, having completed a minor side quest, was leafing through the Cheng family’s business records in the mansion’s library.

Soft footsteps came from the entrance. Lin Zhiyue entered, sliding a book or ledger onto the shelf.

Her sleeve slipped slightly under gravity, revealing a band of mottled marks circling her wrist.

Noticing Cheng Xiao’s gaze, Lin Zhiyue smiled faintly, though her eyes held no warmth.

“Brother Cheng Xiao.”

Cheng Xiao glanced at her, raising an eyebrow lightly.

“If I called you sister-in-law, you’d probably hate it, right? Should I just call you Miss Lin?”

Lin Zhiyue’s smile faded, her eyes fixed sharply.

Cheng Xiao understood immediately from her look: “I get it.”

She stepped forward, her gentle and beautiful face expressionless.

“How much of the truth do you really know?” She shook her head. “Are you planning to expose me to those people? Testing me like this—aren’t you worried about what I might do?”

Lin Zhiyue thought Cheng Xiao was strange, seemingly fearless and casually conversing with her.

The library’s air suddenly chilled, signaling impending danger.

“Since the truth isn’t confirmed, I’m not concerned.” Cheng Xiao stood a few feet away, calmly meeting her gaze. “Honestly, I’m not all that interested in uncovering Miss Lin’s past or turning you in. I have no real feelings for the Cheng family.”

Lin Zhiyue’s eyes flickered slightly.

Cheng Xiao continued, “I’m just thinking about how to win little madam’s favor.”

Lin Zhiyue blinked in surprise.

Her lips quivered as if to say something, but she fell silent.

Though she remained silent, Cheng Xiao suddenly felt an urge to confide.

“In a few days, I might be leaving the Cheng family.”

A few days ago, he had deliberately avoided thinking about what would happen after the dungeon ended, but now he had to face it.

This dungeon lasted only seven days; after that, he would either fail and be erased or complete the mission and leave the mansion, no longer the so-called young master of the Cheng family.

Leaving the dungeon meant... he might never see the beautiful little madam again in this lifetime.

Yu Deng, Yu Deng...

Cheng Xiao suddenly looked up earnestly at Lin Zhiyue.

“Miss Lin, do you have any way to persuade little madam to come with me?”

Lin Zhiyue was speechless. At a time like this, how could this person’s mind still be on such things?