PTYS Chapter 167

If before Zuo Tiantian was still a bit confused, the task reminder engraved in her bones instantly cleared her meridians, and in a blink of an eye, her original memories flooded into her mind.

For a moment, still not separating reality from illusion, Su Jin could only stay in place.

Shen Qingqiu leisurely took a sip of tea and poured another cup for Xiao Muyu. After filling three cups, she said casually, “Sit down and sort it out. The instance has just started for you, but last night we already encountered our task target, and the situation is not optimistic.”

Su Jin was still immersed in Shen Qingqiu’s explosive news, staring blankly at Shen Qingqiu and Xiao Muyu.

Shen Qingqiu glanced at her, “Snap out of it and look at your tasks.”

With that, Chen Kaijie, Zuo Tiantian, and Su Jin quickly checked their task panels.

Although they had lost their memories before, they now possessed the memories of the characters in this instance. They clearly understood why the girls went missing, and Shen Qingqiu’s words exploded in their minds.

“Captain Xiao, Vice Captain, do you mean you’ve already met Bai He Langjun?” Su Jin’s face changed slightly, showing some nervousness.

On the other side, Chen Kaijie’s face turned pale as he thought of something, “Captain Xiao, did Bai He Langjun really go to find the Vice Captain last night?”

Xiao Muyu’s expression turned serious at these words, and he nodded, recounting the events of last night in detail to the three of them.

Even though they hadn’t personally experienced it, the three were horrified just by listening.

Chen Kaijie apologized, “We didn’t help at all this time.”

“Now is not the time to discuss this. The system set it so that the four of us can’t remember our identities. If I hadn’t been chosen, I’d be just as confused,” Shen Qingqiu said, glancing at Xiao Muyu with some guilt in her eyes.

“The priority now is to find out Bai He Langjun’s connection and where the missing girls are.Are they alive or dead?”

Xiao Muyu stuck to her speculation, supported by the fact that the paper figures were newly made.She believed that, as per the usual pattern, these instance plots were traceable.

Apart from the plotless Instance 002, which was purely a puzzle, the other instances, no matter how terrifying the ghosts, had outcomes that made them wonder if it was the ghosts or human nature that was scarier.

Xiao Muyu believed the main direction of this instance wouldn’t change.

The three thought carefully about the scenario Xiao Muyu described and began sharing their views.

“If Captain Xiao’s guess is correct, we can think along these lines. The groom drowned, which might not have been an accident but murder, so he became a vengeful ghost,” Zuo Tiantian asserted. “Tiantian is right. In that case, the person making the paper figures for him likely knows how he died and is seeking revenge,” Chen Kaijie added.

Su Jin glanced around, “You’ve almost pieced the story together. I can’t guess wildly without evidence.

However, the instance name is ‘Joy,’ commonly associated with marriage, matching the current situation. So, most likely, this ghost marriage is the core of the instance.

But I’ve always wondered, with so many ways to go, why marriage?

And it’s strange that after the marriage, the sign changed from marriage to a funeral, with a paper figure in mourning attire.”

Although Su Jin’s thinking wasn’t as sharp as Xiao Muyu’s, it was still excellent. She continued, “If a ghost marriage means death for the girls, writing it as a funeral makes sense, but would someone mourn the person they killed?”

Xiao Muyu and Shen Qingqiu exchanged a look, both with slight smiles. Xiao Muyu nodded, “Not bad. You’ve hit on two key points.

Turning into a ghost requires resentment. He keeps marrying, probably because it benefits him or it’s his obsession.

I recall rumors saying Bai He Langjun was dressed as a groom. He likely died during his wedding.”

“Not completing the wedding and dying, so he desperately marries—how twisted,” Zuo Tiantian shuddered.

“In the instances, the ghosts have reasons, but they become killers regardless of good or evil.”

Xiao Muyu added lightly. Then she frowned, “The worst thing in an instance is having no solid evidence yet many conclusions. Right now, everything is just speculation, but it’s certain that the rumors about Bai He Langjun are true, and he drowned.”

“Yes, but finding a drowned person is very difficult. Also, they said only bones were recovered, meaning he’s been dead for many years, possibly an old case,” Shen Qingqiu added, her expression relaxing. “But since he’s chosen me, he’ll come back. We’ll seize the opportunity then.”

Shen Qingqiu appeared relaxed, but Xiao Muyu and the others looked serious, especially Xiao Muyu after last night’s experience.

She glanced at Shen Qingqiu, “We can’t let our guard down. We shouldn’t separate. Chen Kaijie, Su Jin, stay at the Shen residence. Tiantian and I will find an excuse to stay there too.”

Zuo Tiantian hesitated, “Captain Xiao and the Vice Captain are close, and our families are friends, so it’s normal for you to stay. But it would be strange for me to go.”

Xiao Muyu looked at Shen Qingqiu, who thought for a moment and snapped her fingers, “I have a way.”

That day, Xiao Muyu mentioned it to Xiao Qian, who was suspicious, “You never liked that girl from the Shen family. Why the sudden change and wanting to stay over?”

Mei Qianqian, nearby, was also surprised but smiled, “Xiao Muyu and the Shen girl grew up together. It’s normal for them to have differences. You always wanted them to get along, didn’t you? It’s good news.”

After soothing Xiao Qian, she turned to Xiao Muyu, “But you love quiet. The Shen girl is lively. Your Uncle Shen treats you well, but it’s still someone else’s home. I’m afraid you won’t be comfortable there.”

Mei Qianqian’s words were impeccable, surprising Xiao Muyu. She nodded, “Thank you, Second Mother. I understand. I promised Qingqiu I’d keep her company after she got scared yesterday. I’ll return once she’s better. Besides, Shen’s house isn’t far; it’s easy to come back.”

Mei Qianqian was momentarily stunned, then smiled wryly at Xiao Qian, who muttered, “Since you’ve decided, go. But be careful. Another girl went missing in the south city last night. It’s still unresolved.

I’ll talk to your Uncle Shen about adding more guards. You two can look after each other. Just remember to come home for the Lantern Festival.”

Xiao Muyu nodded.

Meanwhile, Shen Qingqiu returned home, saying she wanted to buy a maid. She was always indulged at home, and with Chen Kaijie backing her, it didn’t need Shen Wanlin’s approval and was quickly arranged.

Soon, Zuo Tiantian entered the Shen household as a maid, assigned to Shen Qingqiu’s courtyard, much to Little Tao’s displeasure.

“Miss, am I not serving you well? Why get another maid?” Little Tao complained while making the bed.

Shen Qingqiu maintained her usual demeanor, shaking her head, “No, you’re doing great. But Su Jin and Xiao Muyu are coming, especially Xiao Muyu, you know her temper—aloof and cold.

She’s lowering herself to keep me company. I need someone to serve her, and there’s also Su Jin. I can’t let you overwork.”

Little Tao quickly cheered up, “I knew you liked me best. It’s not that I’m not serving well. But if Su and Xiao are staying, why only prepare the warm pavilion? How will they sleep?”

Shen Qingqiu’s expression faltered, then she patted her head, “Silly me. Prepare a room in the west wing too.”

After Little Tao left, she glanced at the warm pavilion and her room, “Why can’t they sleep with me?”

Thus, the five of them stayed at the Shen residence. That night, naturally, Xiao Muyu didn’t go to the west wing to sleep, and Shen Qingqiu wouldn’t let her leave. Worried about Shen Qingqiu, Xiao Muyu stayed with her.

Just before falling asleep, Su Jin glanced at the two of them and whispered, “I sleep pretty soundly, you don’t have to worry about me.”

Xiao Muyu looked helpless, watching Su Jin run out with a smirk. She glanced at Shen Qingqiu beside her, “Alright, it’s your fault for talking nonsense.”

“I wasn’t talking nonsense. I was just stating facts. The rest is her own imagination.”

Xiao Muyu felt both amused and helpless. That night, neither Shen Qingqiu nor Xiao Muyu, nor Chen Kaijie, dared to sleep. However, until dawn, they did not see Bai He Langjun appear.

The next day, everyone was in low spirits. Because there were young people around, Shen Wanlin was considerate enough not to let the younger generation eat with them. So, the five of them were in the backyard.

“There was no movement last night. I just checked around the Shen family residence as well. No water stains, no water plants, and no mud,” Xiao Muyu began.

“Actually, it has always been like that. These eight girls didn’t disappear consecutively. Some went missing after a few days,” Chen Kaijie said with a frown.

“The girl who went missing the day before yesterday disappeared three days after the previous one. It’s possible that he took a break after getting married.”

Xiao Muyu nodded, “It seems we still have to wait.”

“Isn’t this too passive?” Zuo Tiantian said helplessly.

“By the way, can we confirm that our team is the only one in this instance?” Su Jin suddenly thought of something and asked.

Xiao Muyu nodded.

Shen Qingqiu raised her eyes and looked at Zuo Tiantian, “We definitely can’t sit and wait for death. That night, although we didn’t follow them, we know the direction they left.”

“Since Bai He Langjun is getting married, there must be a place for it. The game asks us to find the whereabouts of the missing girls. I believe it’s not just in Bai He River. Otherwise, the task wouldn’t have much meaning.”

“So, I asked people to check along the route where they got married, to see if there are any suspicious houses or courtyards.”

“Right, I didn’t think of that.” Chen Kaijie was pleased. Although he was an illegitimate young master, he was also helping to manage the Shen family’s affairs and had more connections than Shen Qingqiu.

“Then, Chen Kaijie, you follow up on that. The rest of us can only wait.”

Until the Lantern Festival, everything was calm.

In the eyes of the people of Yingzhou City, the Lantern Festival was a grand event. Even though the city was shrouded in the gloom of young girls’ disappearances, it did not dampen their enthusiasm.

Early in the morning, Yingzhou City was decorated with lanterns and streamers. Several long streets were filled with stalls. The streets were bustling, and the city was full of festive red decorations.

Especially on the main street of Yingzhou City, a three-zhang high wooden frame stretched ropes in all directions, with various lanterns hanging from them.

The candles inside were lit at midnight the night before. The interplay of light and shadow made the vivid lanterns even more beautiful.

According to the agreement, Xiao Muyu returned to the Xiao family to have a meal with Xiao Qian.

After the meal, Xiao Qian looked outside. The cheerful sounds of the crowd could still be heard. He frowned, “Muyu, tonight is the Lantern Festival. It’s crowded and unsafe outside. You should stay home.”

Xiao Qian had always been concerned about his daughter’s safety and made the decision.

Xiao Muyu said nothing, but it was obvious she was not happy.

Mei Qianqian served the dishes to Xiao Qian and said softly, “This year’s Lantern Festival is jointly hosted by the Shen family and several major business owners. It’s a rare event held once every three years, with the most diverse types of lanterns. It’s a pity to miss it.”

“Moreover, the more people there are, the safer it is. Muyu is skilled. As long as those foul creatures don’t act, no one can harm her.”

“Tonight is a big day but not suitable for marriage. Besides, those girls disappeared quietly at night. There are so many eyes and lights at the lantern festival. How dare they appear?”

She glanced at Xiao Muyu and smiled gently, “Muyu, you really want to go, right?”

Xiao Qian could see through his daughter’s thoughts, not to mention the perceptive Mei Qianqian.

Xiao Muyu nodded.

“Master, why not let Anan and Anbei accompany her. Let her go out and have a look, but she should come back early and not stay out too late.”

With Mei Qianqian’s help, Xiao Muyu managed to go out smoothly. Mei Qianqian saw her off and repeatedly reminded her, “I’m giving in to you this time, but your father’s right. Just have a look and come back soon. Don’t wander off and get separated from Anan and Anbei.”

This second mother seemed very kind to Xiao Muyu, her words full of affection.

Xiao Muyu could feel that the original Xiao Muyu had no resentment towards this second mother, but rather blamed her father.

Once out, Xiao Muyu took advantage of Anan and Anbei taking things to activate the “Happy Family” ability and soon contacted Shen Qingqiu and the others.

“Qingqiu, you’re out?”

Shen Qingqiu glanced at Chen Kaijie and Su Jin Zuo Tiantian, and smiled, “Yes, we’re all outside. Where are you? Let’s meet up first.”

“I have people following me, it was hard to get out. How did Shen Wanlin allow you to come out?”

Xiao Muyu was a bit surprised, given that Shen Qingqiu was closely watched.

“Thanks to my uncle. He probably guessed we wanted to go out, so he helped. I also have people following me, so it’s not convenient to talk. Let’s meet first. I’m at Li Ji Teahouse.”

Hearing Shen Qingqiu’s words, Xiao Muyu couldn’t help but think of the man named Miao Anli and felt something was wrong.

They all went out, persuading or sneaking out during the Lantern Festival.

“Qingqiu, do you remember Shen Shiyi’s warning?”

Shen Qingqiu frowned and looked at the three people beside him, “I remember, but we still have to go out.”

The author has something to say: It’s too late tonight, so sleepy.