SVRP Chapter 4

Feeling the gale brush past her ear, Qin Dongwan clenched her fists and, in this critical moment, chose to trust Luo Shu. The dagger had just precisely sliced off a strand of her hair, but the nail fragment on the ground quickly and eerily drilled into the sewer entrance, disappearing without a trace.

“That thing sure escapes quickly.”

Retrieving her small knife, Luo Shu snorted disdainfully. Although this was a new and more challenging level, the ghosts also faced many limitations. For instance, the ghost earlier had intended to cut open Qin Dongwan’s head using the nail fragment that had landed on her hair, but being discovered, it had to flee.

“Thank you, Luo Shu.”

With the discomfort vanishing from her body, Qin Dongwan’s previously tense heart finally relaxed.

“Is that how you simply thank your lifesaver?”

Luo Shu’s voice was slightly sweet, with a teasing lilt, like a little tiger retracting its claws and gently tickling someone. Yet, a tiger remains a tiger, and even if it temporarily sheaths its sharp claws, it can still instill fear.

Qin Dongwan forced a smile, tugging at her slightly slipping collar, revealing a sincere, flattering grin. “So, what does Master Luo Shu want? I am at your service.”

The door wide open, the steamy atmosphere gradually dissipated. Luo Shu looked down at the seated Qin Dongwan from above. The collar of her silk pajamas was half-concealed, revealing delicate collarbones and smooth curves. Although Luo Shu wasn’t one to be tempted by beauty, she averted her gaze quickly.

“You used your points to find out my origins, so you should know I’m no novice. Dealing with someone like me—”

The drawn-out tone revealed its meaning clearly on Luo Shu’s playful expression. Qin Dongwan swallowed, feeling her smile stiffen, desperately needing to devise a solution.

As the small devil pendant on Luo Shu’s white earlobe dangled closer, the suffocating sense of death, along with past memories, flooded her mind.

Recalling the near-death experience when they first met, Qin Dongwan instinctively placed a hand on Luo Shu’s shoulder, preventing her from coming closer.

Her heartbeat seemed to miss a beat, filled entirely with fear. Unlike others who might fearlessly charge forward, as Luo Shu’s ardent fan, she was acutely aware of Luo Shu’s combat prowess and partial preferences.

“How about this? I’ll take care of your daily needs for the next few days, like cooking, and in return, you protect me until the end. How does that sound?”

Before proposing this, Qin Dongwan had thought it through. From her recollection, no one in the castle provided meals, but there were supplies and utensils.

People need food, and even villains can’t escape this rule. Looking at Luo Shu’s delicate hands, Qin Dongwan doubted they had any use beyond fighting.

Luo Shu pondered briefly, the dim yellow light softened her usually aggressive gaze.

After a moment of eye contact, Luo Shu straightened up slowly and lightly hooked Qin Dongwan’s finger with hers, a rare friendly gesture.

“I’m in a good mood today. Let’s see how you perform.”

With that, she signaled Qin Dongwan to leave the bathroom, making room for herself to bathe.

Light corresponds to stability, while darkness signifies danger. With the terrifying scene in the bathroom lingering in her mind, Qin Dongwan found it hard to sleep. The chaotic thoughts from the day swirled into a mess, filling her mind completely.

Frustrated, she questioned her bound system: “When can I get out? Is my task to save her? Can you give me some cheats?”

“Dear, the task is to save the villainess you like. You’ll leave this game once it’s completed. What cheat do you need?”

The mention of cheats ignited a glimmer of hope in Qin Dongwan’s eyes. “Can I get a luck buff like Ji Yun?”

She remembered Ji Yun always being rescued by male leads or side characters during dangerous times, even escaping encounters with Luo Shu in the same scenario. If she had such luck, surviving the game wouldn’t be an issue.

“Dear, the warehouse shows no luck buff available.” The system replied cautiously, “But we do have plenty of books like ‘101 Ways to Court a Villainess’ and ‘How to Pursue a Goddess.’”

“I’m not pursuing her, what good are those books!” Qin Dongwan fumed, nearly despairing over her unhelpful system. Meanwhile, the light sleeper Luo Shu was awakened by her sudden outburst, instantly alert. The previously agitated Qin Dongwan fell silent upon seeing Luo Shu sit up, her innocent eyes portraying utmost timidity.

“Who are you pursuing?”

The weather outside was unpredictable, with the moonlight cascading like flowing silver, casting a mesmerizing glow on Luo Shu’s loose hair. Facing away, Luo Shu’s expression was unreadable, but Qin Dongwan detected a hint of anger in her flat tone.

Uh-oh.

Qin Dongwan took a deep breath, the guilt causing her chest to heave. “No one, just dreaming about chasing my dog.”

Luo Shu nodded in response, seemingly letting it pass, before turning to smile. Her crescent-shaped smile gleamed like diamonds in red wine, making Qin Dongwan think of the phrase: ‘beautiful enough to eat.’

She was also wearing silk pajamas, but it looked entirely different on her. The moonlight only accentuated her seductive beauty, especially from Qin Dongwan’s angle, even her jawline exuded pride, like an untamed wildcat.

Before she could continue admiring, her stomach growled loudly.

“Are you hungry too?”

Hearing Luo Shu’s question, Qin Dongwan promptly answered, “Yes.” Since her muddled arrival, she hadn’t eaten in nearly ten hours. Hunger and thirst plagued her.

Seeing Luo Shu get out of bed, Qin Dongwan quickly followed. Outside was dark and eerie, with occasional unsettling noises from swaying trees; she dared not stay alone.

Luo Shu swiftly changed back into her black dress, the most striking night attire Qin Dongwan had ever seen. She too changed into her cumbersome clothes, making them look like they were attending a midnight ball, just without the makeup.

Despite her nerves, watching Luo Shu stride confidently made her chuckle. Luo Shu had ditched her heels for slippers, making her appear much shorter, but her aura remained undiminished.

Their room was at the end of the hall, and they made little noise while walking. The quiet night evoked thoughts of ghosts and strange tales, but having Luo Shu ahead provided comfort.

Qin Dongwan, naturally timid, was especially cautious after her sudden arrival, nervously following Luo Shu through the rose-patterned corridor until they reached the kitchen.

The kitchen, in a dimly lit corner of the first floor, needed a candle to be seen clearly. Just as Qin Dongwan sought a candle, the smell of disinfectant and faint cologne reached her nose.

“Who’s there?”

A strong male voice called out, low but clear enough for both girls to hear. The sound of shoes scraping the floor drew closer, each step like a drumbeat in their hearts. Anyone arriving now was either possessed or confident, not to be underestimated.

Though the candle wasn’t lit, the hallway light provided some visibility. Qin Dongwan quickly grabbed a knife from the table, ready to defend against the intruder.

People say desperate times call for desperate measures. While she’d negotiated with Luo Shu earlier, it was merely a stalling tactic.

Cowardice has its limits. While it’s acceptable to be wary in front of Luo Shu, confronting this man meant—

Knife raised, Qin Dongwan’s actions halted. She subtly shielded Luo Shu’s smaller frame behind her.

In the dim light, the man’s sharp features were highlighted. His piercing gaze surveyed the two girls, exuding an air of dominance. He towered over Qin Dongwan, forcing her to look up at him.

In a pristine suit with a white shirt, his black-and-white ensemble enhanced his commanding presence. One hand in his pocket, the other twirling a pen, he faced the seemingly helpless girls with ease. His contemptuous glance swept over them as he spoke, his words cutting:

“Two young ladies sneaking out at this hour, either have guilty minds or are here to steal.”

Author’s Note:

Character Profile

Name: Qin Dongwan

Age: 21

Gender: Female

Height: 172.5 cm

Weight: 112 lbs

Combat Skill: Moderate

Intelligence: Excellent

Description: A wise college student, she remains unusually calm in certain situations due to reading numerous survival novels. While she appears lively, she harbors some secrets.