PTYS Chapter 160

Shen Qingqiu’s eyes widened slightly, looking incredulously at Xiao Muyu. After a moment, she bit her lip and reluctantly said, “I’m only doing this because you saved me.” After saying that, she walked over and supported Xiao Muyu.

Xiao Muyu leaned a bit of her weight towards Shen Qingqiu, who quickly steadied herself. Although Shen Qingqiu’s face showed reluctance, she was indeed very earnest in supporting her.

Shen Qingqiu carefully avoided the wound on Xiao Muyu’s hand, her peripheral vision unconsciously scanning Xiao Muyu’s body. Her brows furrowed tightly, and to Xiao Muyu, it was unclear if this frown was out of concern or dislike for her.

Xiao Muyu didn’t show her emotions. The system didn’t punish her, perhaps because Shen Qingqiu wasn’t an NPC, or maybe because this was indeed something her character would do.

However, Xiao Muyu basically understood the current situation. Although the person in front of her had become very strange, she was still certain it was Shen Qingqiu.

She had to admit that this dungeon was very peculiar. She retained her original memories but had no memory of the character she was supposed to play, while it seemed Shen Qingqiu only had her character’s memories and didn’t know she was part of a game. What she displayed was likely the personality set by the system.

Because the Shen family residence was nearby, Shen Qingqiu quickly supported Xiao Muyu inside.

Xiao Muyu maintained her character’s demeanor, not showing much emotion. She only glanced at Shen Qingqiu when she wasn’t looking, feeling a bit worried and troubled.

If it were just amnesia, it would be fine. She could gain Shen Qingqiu’s trust and tell her the truth. But according to the system’s settings, it wouldn’t be that simple. The task hadn’t even begun, and restoring Shen Qingqiu’s memory was already a challenge.

What worried Xiao Muyu the most was that she couldn’t contact anyone. From Shen Qingqiu’s situation, if they weren’t too far away, there was another worst-case scenario: only she had her memories.

What she feared came true. As Shen Qingqiu supported Xiao Muyu into the inner courtyard, Xiao Muyu saw Chen Kaijie.

Chen Kaijie, in front of her, wore a dark blue brocade robe and a white jade crown on his head. He looked to be in his early twenties, appearing quite elegant and composed.

But when he looked up, his expression made Xiao Muyu’s heart sink. His eyes showed surprise and a bit of worry. He indeed knew her, but only as Miss Xiao, not as Xiao Muyu.

“Qingqiu, Miss Xiao, what’s going on?” He seemed very surprised that Shen Qingqiu was so intimately supporting Xiao Muyu. Then he noticed Xiao Muyu’s slightly disheveled appearance and the bloodstains on her body, his expression changing.

“What happened? Is Miss Xiao injured? Qingqiu, quickly help her inside, I’ll call for a doctor.”

Shen Qingqiu seemed to come to her senses upon seeing Chen Kaijie, quickly letting go of Xiao Muyu and saying, “Cousin, don’t make a fuss, I’ve already sent Pingji to call for a doctor.”

Cousin? Xiao Muyu glanced at Chen Kaijie, then at Shen Qingqiu. The slightly immature Shen Qingqiu called him cousin very naturally, which made Xiao Muyu feel slightly amused. This was indeed rare. She estimated that when Shen Qingqiu regained her memories, she would throw a fit.

Chen Kaijie nodded quickly, then looked at Xiao Muyu with concern, “Miss Xiao, what happened to you? How did you get so injured?”

Xiao Muyu was Xiao Qian’s daughter. Although a young lady, she loved martial arts, and at seventeen, she was stronger than many of the escort masters at the Xiao family escort agency. Chen Kaijie couldn’t imagine how she could get so injured in Yingzhou City.

Xiao Muyu glanced at Shen Qingqiu, who had already turned her head uncomfortably. At that moment, Xiao Muyu noticed a middle-aged man in a black robe coming over from the corridor. His features bore some resemblance to Shen Qingqiu.

So Xiao Muyu said, “I was startled by a horse and fell. Fortunately, Qingqiu was nearby, so I came here. It’s just superficial wounds, nothing serious.”

“You’re here, Muyu. How did you get injured like this? Why are you all still standing there? Quickly help Muyu inside to rest. Have you called for a doctor?”

The man was tall, with a beard, looking somewhat stern. Seeing Xiao Muyu’s injuries, his brows furrowed deeply, making him appear even more serious.

Shen Qingqiu, glared at by her father, felt annoyed seeing her usually strict father being so kind to Xiao Muyu. Just as she was about to speak, Xiao Muyu intervened, “Uncle Shen, Qingqiu has already sent for a doctor.”

Shen Wanlin glanced at his daughter, slightly surprised, then frowned and scolded, “As a young lady, why are you running around outside all day? You refuse to read or practice calligraphy, and you won’t do embroidery. Do you still plan to get married?”

Shen Qingqiu’s face turned sour, and she remained silent. Xiao Muyu glanced at her, frowning slightly.

“Every time I scold you, you act like this. Indulgent mothers spoil their children; it’s all your mother’s fault. Running around recklessly, don’t you know what’s happening in the city?

In the past few days, seven girls have gone missing. You’re not allowed to go out anymore, just stay at home. Now, help your sister Muyu.”

Xiao Muyu picked up on Shen Wanlin’s words, her brows furrowing unconsciously. After greeting Shen Wanlin, she was supported by Shen Qingqiu to her courtyard.

The system still didn’t warn her. It seemed she guessed right. Xiao Muyu was also a young lady from a prominent family. Although she was difficult to get along with and somewhat arrogant, she had the proper manners. Facing Shen Wanlin, her behavior was acceptable.

On the other hand, she probably understood why Shen Qingqiu disliked this character.

In private, she was rude and refused to be pleasant, but in front of elders, she was likable. It seemed she had just offended Shen Qingqiu again.

The doctor arrived quickly. He cut open the torn clothes, pinched Xiao Muyu’s hand and knee, and said softly, “It’s nothing serious, no bones are injured. Just some superficial wounds that look severe. Apply some medicine, and it’ll be fine. Just avoid getting it wet and eat lightly.” Shen Qingqiu, who had been silently cursing Xiao Muyu, forgot everything upon seeing her injuries.

Although the doctor spoke lightly, Xiao Muyu’s elbow and knee were scraped raw, with clear abrasion marks at the edges of the wounds.

She had been mischievous since childhood, frequently getting scratched, and knew the burning pain well. Xiao Muyu’s injuries must be excruciating, yet she seemed unaffected.

She never liked Xiao Muyu, whose young age was accompanied by a bad temper and a cold, wooden demeanor.

She had a beautiful face but no warmth. However, seeing the doctor treat Xiao Muyu’s wounds, Shen Qingqiu felt a strange frustration, silently watching Xiao Muyu with furrowed brows.

Little Tao, watching her mistress’s expression, was equally surprised. It felt like her mistress was in more pain than if she had fallen herself. Even when Xiao Muyu turned to look at her, she didn’t react.

Xiao Muyu withdrew her gaze from Shen Qingqiu’s face. Despite the excruciating pain, the corners of her lips curled into a small smile.

Some memories could be forgotten or changed, but instincts engraved in the heart were indelible.

After treating the wound, Little Tao escorted the doctor out. Shen Qingqiu sat there in silence, creating an awkward atmosphere.

Xiao Muyu could hold her composure, but Shen Qingqiu, being true to her character, couldn’t.

She glanced at Xiao Muyu several times before pretending to be indifferent, “The wound is treated now. Does it still hurt?”

Xiao Muyu, intending to test the system’s limits, glanced at Shen Qingqiu and said, “What do you think?”

Shen Qingqiu bit her lip, looking conflicted, “Thank you for saving me. But, Xiao Muyu, why did you suddenly change? Usually, you look at me with disdain, as if you can’t stand me. Why would you risk saving me? And get injured because of me?”

“You think I hate you?” Looking at Shen Qingqiu, Xiao Muyu felt a surge of unfamiliar emotions, as if the current Shen Qingqiu overlapped with her past self.

The initial Shen Qingqiu, who deliberately approached her, always acted frivolous and carefree. No matter how cold she was, Shen Qingqiu seemed unaffected, continuing her teasing.

Would the real her have thought the same? Xiao Muyu felt like she had seen this Shen Qingqiu many times.

It was a confusing feeling. This was a dungeon, and she shouldn’t let these emotions affect her. Xiao Muyu reminded herself, forcing her thoughts back.

“It’s not a matter of thinking. It’s a fact. If I looked at you that way, how would you feel?”

After saying this, she saw Shen Qingqiu’s face darken, her brows furrowing as she looked at her with annoyance.

Although Shen Qingqiu’s face was still immature, she was already quite attractive, with delicate features and expressive eyes, beautiful yet not gaudy.

However, her current exaggerated expression amused Xiao Muyu, who couldn’t help but laugh softly.

Shen Qingqiu stared at Xiao Muyu in disbelief, “You can actually laugh?”

Xiao Muyu quickly restrained her smile, while Shen Qingqiu hadn’t yet recovered. Xiao Muyu lightly coughed and nodded, “If that’s your expression, then maybe it’s not that I dislike you, but that I’m the one who’s annoying.”

Shen Qingqiu finally snapped out of her shock, patting her chest and muttering, “As long as you know.”

Just then, Chen Kaijie returned, glancing at Xiao Muyu, “Miss Xiao, are you feeling better?”

Xiao Muyu nodded, “It’s just a superficial wound, much better.”

Chen Kaijie gave her an apologetic look, “I just heard from Pingji that Miss Xiao got injured saving Qingqiu. Qingqiu was being mischievous, and I thank Miss Xiao for helping her. Otherwise, Qingqiu would have suffered greatly.”

Xiao Muyu exchanged polite words with Chen Kaijie, glancing at the indignant Shen Qingqiu. She thought to herself that when Qingqiu regained her memory, he would probably suffer.

After the pleasantries, Xiao Muyu reminded herself of her purpose and casually asked, “Just now, Uncle Shen mentioned that many young girls have gone missing in the city recently. Do you know anything about this, Mr. Chen?”

Chen Kaijie’s face darkened slightly, “You don’t know? Since the beginning of the new year, there have been reports of girls mysteriously disappearing in Yingzhou City.

Some even vanished from their homes at night, despite being guarded.

The authorities and families have searched to no avail, and now seven girls are missing. Uncle has been very worried about Qingqiu and has kept us guarding her closely.”

Xiao Muyu felt a sinking feeling, her intuition telling her this was related to their current dungeon.

Just as she thought this, the system spoke again, “Congratulations, player Xiao Muyu, for triggering the main storyline of this dungeon: Uncover the mystery of the missing girls. Main Quest 1: Find the whereabouts of the missing girls and complete the main storyline. Quest progress 0/4, storyline progress 1%.

Congratulations, player Xiao Muyu, for activating the prerequisite quest: Rescue lost companions. Quest progress 0/4. Please note this quest requires full team participation. Any companion left behind will be considered eliminated.”

Two consecutive congratulations made Xiao Muyu feel overwhelmed. Looking at the two people in front of her and the 0/4 progress for lost companions, Xiao Muyu felt a headache coming on.

Author’s Note: I really want to spoil it. Cough, cough. Also, I want to reiterate that my writing skills are limited, and some parts may not be handled well. If this hits any sore spots, please don’t continue reading. It’ll make both of us uncomfortable.

I’m someone who likes reading comments, and it really upsets me. Readers who see this note, just acknowledge it and don’t say anything else. I don’t want to disrupt the harmony of the comment section.

I am just reminding the cuties who feel that it’s a shame to waste something tasteless: there are so many excellent works on Jinjiang. It’s more satisfying to find a delicious one and really enjoy it. As a reader, I am like this myself.

Although I feel uncomfortable giving suggestions, I hold back. Everyone can speak freely; we must go through some pain to make progress.

This book is probably Xiao Shen’s dark history, those cries for help will be immortalized, haha. Fortunately, only the wife heard it.