PTYS Chapter 75

Shen Qingqiu was taken aback by Xiao Muyu’s words and couldn’t help but ask, “But aren’t you very interested in the things inside that house?”

Xiao Muyu really couldn’t understand what was going on in Shen Qingqiu’s pretty head. “Yes, I am very interested. But Shen Qingqiu, what woman in the world would be interested in ghosts when getting married? Giving ghosts as betrothal gifts, only you could come up with that.”

Shen Qingqiu burst out laughing. “But in this Tianwang world, nothing is more sincere than catching ghosts. If you’re willing, I’ll stay by your side and catch ghosts for you all my life.”

Xiao Muyu gave her a sidelong glance without any reservation. “Can’t you wish something good for me?”

Shen Qingqiu wasn’t really that dense; it was just that both she and Xiao Muyu were curious about the things in that house, so she was teasing Xiao Muyu.

Since the other party had clearly refused, Shen Qingqiu persisted, “If you don’t like me giving you ghosts, what do you want me to give you? I’ll try my best.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Muyu suddenly stopped and turned around. Shen Qingqiu was following her from behind, focused on their conversation, and didn’t expect Xiao Muyu to stop so abruptly. She ended up taking a step closer.

When Shen Qingqiu’s stunning face quickly approached and enlarged in her view, Xiao Muyu almost closed her eyes. For some reason, her body didn’t respond as she intended, and after blinking, she found herself staring blankly at the person so close to her.

In Xiao Muyu’s memory, she had never been this close to anyone before, close enough to feel the warmth of the other’s breath on her face, close enough to hear the other’s heartbeat. She could feel the touch of their noses grazing together, and the clean, fresh scent from the other person filled her nostrils.

Shen Qingqiu’s originally teasing expression froze on her face. Her red lips were slightly parted, and her gray eyes were full of astonishment.

With her skills, she should have been able to instantly pull away from such an accidental closeness, but her body failed her, leaving her standing there rigidly.

It was Xiao Muyu who finally came to her senses, quickly stepping back two steps to create a distance between them.

As Xiao Muyu retreated, it seemed to allow the air to rush back in, and Shen Qingqiu could finally breathe freely again.

For some reason, Shen Qingqiu, who had always considered herself thick-skinned, felt her cheeks heat up for the first time.

She couldn’t help but let her gaze fall on Xiao Muyu’s pink lips. Xiao Muyu’s lips were thin but beautifully shaped, with shallow lip lines.

Just a moment ago, those seemingly cold lips were less than two centimeters away from Shen Qingqiu. A slight movement and she could have kissed them, but now they were so far away.

Xiao Muyu glanced at the still dazed Shen Qingqiu, her thin lips curving slightly as she spoke, but her words were no longer tinged with the recent ambiguity. “I don’t need you to give me anything. If you must, then give me some peace and quiet.”

Not only were her words cold, but her expression was even colder. Without sparing Shen Qingqiu another glance, she quickened her pace and walked ahead.

Shen Qingqiu inexplicably felt a bit bitter in her heart, a little uncomfortable. Her previously accelerated heartbeat because of the woman now cooled down again because of her.

Xiao Muyu didn’t look back at Shen Qingqiu. Her mind was in turmoil. Just now… she felt like she was possessed. If not for her rational mind pulling her back when she almost leaned forward, she would have kissed her.

A fox spirit, indeed a fox spirit. She knew it was a trap, but she couldn’t avoid falling into it.

She thought her words had been harsh enough just now, and sure enough, Shen Qingqiu didn’t speak again. But Xiao Muyu didn’t feel much happier about it.

Just as she was sulking, Shen Qingqiu’s melodious voice came from behind, “You still want peace and quiet? How close would you like it?”

The suffocating feeling in Xiao Muyu’s heart dissipated, replaced by a sense of exasperation. Pun-making again!

“Did you pass your Mandarin exam?”

“Yes, I did, with flying colors.”

The atmosphere that Xiao Muyu thought she had brought to freezing point was once again shattered by Shen Qingqiu’s playful banter.

The contract signing went smoothly. The landlord couldn’t wait to get rid of this hot potato and agreed to all their terms, setting the house price at 6400 gold coins.

Zhuo Minghang glanced at the two of them. “I asked the landlord repeatedly. The house problems started a year ago, and it has had seven or eight tenants since. The most crucial time to be careful is around midnight. Be very careful.”

“Okay, thank you.” Xiao Muyu thanked him and then casually asked, “Which instance are you on now?”

Zhuo Minghang was taken aback, then smiled. “I’m about to enter an A-level instance. During my downtime, I work part-time because players tell me that points from A-level instances can be lifesavers. You guys should save up too.”

In Tianwang, money can be earned, and points can be exchanged for gold coins, but gold coins can’t be exchanged for points. Everyone knows the math.

“Zhuo Minghang seems like a decent guy,” Shen Qingqiu said, watching the small electric vehicle disappear from view.

“He seems decent,” Xiao Muyu said, not elaborating further. This comment made Shen Qingqiu glance at her.

“What are you thinking?” Shen Qingqiu sensed there was more behind her words.

“Thinking about how to make money and move.”

Xiao Muyu didn’t have many belongings; one backpack was enough. But Shen Qingqiu…

Refusing Chen Kaijie’s offer to help, Xiao Muyu stared at the two large woven bags and the fully packed suitcase in the hotel room, speechless.

She inappropriately thought of those real-world stereotypes about women and realized they accurately described people like Shen Qingqiu.

“Did you really come to Tianwang to settle down? How long have you been here, and you’ve already bought so much stuff?” Xiao Muyu was at a loss for words.

Shen Qingqiu casually waved her hand. “I was planning to throw these away, but I thought you’d consider me wasteful, so I kept them. Shouldn’t you praise me?”

She looked at Xiao Muyu with an innocent expression, waiting for her praise.

Xiao Muyu took a deep breath. “Where did you get the money to waste?”

Shen Qingqiu blinked. “I found someone to sponsor me.”

Xiao Muyu frowned and stared at her intently, feeling like Shen Qingqiu was dancing on her nerves.

She knew Shen Qingqiu was spouting nonsense but didn’t like what she was saying.

Though Shen Qingqiu had the ability to drive people crazy, she was also perceptive. Noticing Xiao Muyu’s anger, she decided to stop. She cleared her throat. “Of course, I want you to sponsor me. But speaking of gold coins, if you can think of getting a job, why wouldn’t I think of it?”

“You got a job?” Xiao Muyu was surprised, then immediately shook her head. “The break between instances is so short. What kind of job could you find?”

Shen Qingqiu smiled and whispered something in her ear, making Xiao Muyu’s eyes widen. Then she frowned. “Illegal fighting? There are places like that here?”

Shen Qingqiu smiled faintly. “In a world of unknown construction, with a bunch of residents from who knows where and players dancing on the edge, the emergence of such places is inevitable.

Violence, bloodshed, and lust. They seem anti-human and anti-social, but they are deeply rooted in the desires and numbness of people’s empty hearts.”

She didn’t speak plainly, but Xiao Muyu understood clearly. A woman like Shen Qingqiu, upon appearing, would ignite people’s deepest desires.

This woman, despite her stunning looks and delicate figure, had a wildness and strength in her moves that even Xiao Muyu found hard to resist. Imagine the frenzy among those who frequent such places seeking thrills.

Xiao Muyu almost blurted out that Shen Qingqiu shouldn’t go anymore, but swallowed her words. What right did she have to say that?

This explained how Shen Qingqiu could afford her extravagant lifestyle. In underground fight clubs, there are bonuses for matches and opportunities to place bets. With her allure and skills, making money would be easy.

In the end, they called a car to move their things. The room was cleaned up nicely. Without needing to be asked, Shen Qingqiu moved into the north-facing secondary bedroom, not giving Xiao Muyu a chance to say anything.

Still, Xiao Muyu couldn’t help but complain. Shen Qingqiu wasn’t a messy person. She dressed well, and the hotel room was neat, but seeing her stuff clothes into the closet without folding or sorting made Xiao Muyu’s head hurt. It was like shoving them into a sack.

“You mop the floor. I’ll sort this out.” Without an extra word, Xiao Muyu squatted down and categorized everything: tops, pants, coats, hanging the wrinkle-prone ones, and neatly arranging the rest.

Only the undergarments were too personal. She left a section in the wardrobe for Shen Qingqiu to sort herself.

Xiao Muyu glanced at the particularly provocative lacy silk underwear, feeling her face heat up.

The semi-transparent material, the provocative black, the seductive red—so overtly sexy. Truly, Shen Qingqiu didn’t betray her nature.

She wanted to remind Shen Qingqiu to sort those herself but felt embarrassed, so she didn’t bring it up, hoping Shen Qingqiu would figure it out.

But she underestimated Shen Qingqiu’s shamelessness.

So, as Xiao Muyu was washing the new duvet covers, she watched blankly as Shen Qingqiu came over, holding her embarrassing underwear, and asked, “Why didn’t you sort my underwear? How should I place these?”

She asked with a serious and innocent look, but the mischief in her eyes and smile was undeniable.

Xiao Muyu put down what she was holding and looked at her, her expression icy and her tone cold. “I’m not your maid, nor your mother. Did you not wear underwear before I came?”

Shen Qingqiu leaned against the balcony door, laughing uncontrollably. “You know I wear them. I just wanted your advice since you’re so good at organizing.”

Xiao Muyu turned back, expressionless, to continue washing the sheets, scrubbing as if she were scrubbing Shen Qingqiu.

The laughter finally stopped, but the mirth lingered in the air. Shen Qingqiu spoke again from behind, “Xiao Muyu, you should know, I don’t want you to be my maid. I want you to be…”

She didn’t finish, the teasing and mischief in her voice vanishing. The last part of her sentence remained unspoken.

When Xiao Muyu turned around, Shen Qingqiu had already left. Her face displayed a complex and indescribable expression. She lowered her head slightly and continued washing clothes without responding.

That night, Xiao Muyu lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. The neighborhood was very quiet at night, with only the glow of the streetlights outside, resembling fireflies hanging silently in the air.

She watched the lights for a long time, noticing how they systematically turned off one by one, leaving only the distant streetlights along the road still shining. It was getting late, almost eleven o’clock.

Xiao Muyu got up and closed the curtains. She opened her bedroom door, finding the living room in complete darkness. A faint light emanated from the guest bedroom; Shen Qingqiu was still awake.

Not wanting to let this person occupy her thoughts, Xiao Muyu closed her door and lay back down, trying to sleep.

Her sleep quality had been poor lately, taking her a long time to fall asleep, and she often remained in a state of semi-consciousness.

“Knock, knock.” The light sound of knocking seemed to come from both near and far, making Xiao Muyu frown uneasily.

“Click, click.” The subtle noises disturbed her already light sleep.

In her struggle, her consciousness began to return from her dreams. She remembered she was sleeping in the newly rented house, but she felt extremely tired.

She couldn’t open her eyes or fully wake up. Although her brain recognized the sounds as coming from reality, her body and eyelids refused to obey, feeling heavy and unresponsive.

In this state of anxiety and discomfort, Xiao Muyu felt the blanket growing heavier and colder, as if something icy was pressing down on it. The chill seeped through the blanket, reaching her body.

A damp, cold scent, faintly reminiscent of disinfectant, reached her nose, similar to freshly treated tap water.

Drip. A drop of water fell on her face, ice-cold. This jolt finally forced Xiao Muyu to open her eyes. She wasn’t sure if she had succeeded, as she still saw nothing.

Muttering softly, she struggled again and eventually, through the faint darkness, saw a face starkly contrasting with the night.

The face was swollen and wrinkled, with drooping eyelids obscuring the eyes, a sunken nose, and a ghastly pale complexion emitting a cold glow.

The features were indistinguishable, like a bloated, soggy white bun.

Xiao Muyu felt her heart clench, almost stopping. She understood why she felt so heavy; a woman in a red dress was pressing down on her, with long, wet hair draped over her like seaweed, dripping water onto her.

In Tianwang, not only were there games, but there were also real ghosts in reality!

The author has something to say: Author: Xiao Shen, being this provocative will get you slept with.

Xiao Shen: Ha, do you know what cosplay is?

Author: Huh?

Xiao Shen: See through it but don’t say it.