Shen Mingsu and Song Qian were locked in a stalemate, neither letting go first. The white cat that Yan Chi was holding fell to the ground with a thud when the two pulled, tucked its tail between its legs, and ran to the side.
Shen Mingsu's eyes were dangerous as he coldly stared at Song Qian, scrutinizing him from head to toe.
His face wasn't as good-looking as Song Qian's, and his height was at most 1.75 meters—a short, stocky build. Yan Chi definitely wouldn't like him. And looking at his age… well… a brat who hadn't even grown up yet.
In short, this guy posed no threat whatsoever, but he was certainly annoying. Did this brat even dare to hold his husband's hand?!
Beside Song Qian, invisible blades were already forming.
Yan Chi sensed something was wrong. He felt that Shen Mingsu in front of him was somewhat dangerous and subconsciously called out, "Shen Mingsu."
Shen Mingsu's expression changed incredibly quickly. He looked at Yan Chi with a gentle expression, "Hey! Teacher Chi, I'm here."
Yan Chi looked at him suspiciously, "Were you trying to do something to Song Qian just now?"
His eyes were so fierce.
"No, I don't even know him..." Shen Mingsu immediately adopted a pitiful expression, looking at Yan Chi. "I just want to know who he is. Why did you let him hold your hand?"
Song Qian was completely unaware that he had just been one step away from death. To avoid being abandoned by Yan Chi, he changed from holding hands to hugging his arm, like a koala clinging to a branch.
Shen Mingsu gritted his teeth, wishing he could slice this reckless brat into pieces with his eyes.
[Wait, Qian, where did you get here? Is this still the Infinite Game livestream?]
[So exciting!]
[Ahhhhh! Qian, are you sure you want to compete with this handsome guy for a beauty? Based on past experience, the higher the NPC's appearance, the higher their level. Are you sure? Are you really sure!?] [Let go, Qian'er~ Love means learning to let go~]
[…]
Song Qian also felt that Shen Mingsu's gaze was terrifying, so he lowered his head and avoided looking at him.
Yan Chi sensed the undercurrent between the two, but he had more important things to do now. "Then tell me first, is there something you're hiding from me?"
Seeing Yan Chi's expression, Shen Mingsu knew things were about to get bad. He didn't know exactly how much Yan Chi knew, so he cautiously asked, "Which thing are you referring to?"
Yan Chi laughed angrily, "That means you've been hiding more than one thing from me."
Shen Mingsu had never seen Yan Chi so angry before. He panicked and reached out to hug Yan Chi, "No, baby, let me explain..."
Yan Chi slapped his hand away and took a step back.
Xingluo's father, who had chased them downstairs, saw this scene as soon as he arrived. Old Man Shen stood dejectedly in front of their teacher, Teacher Yan Chi, who was glaring fiercely at him, holding another boy's hand.
Xing Zhinan exclaimed, "How exciting!"
He then walked over to Feng Wang, his face beaming with excitement, and hooked his arm around his neck. "Little Red Hair, tell me quickly, how far have they progressed?"
Feng Wang remembered that he was the one who had revealed everything the principal had been hiding from Teacher Xiao Chi. Fearing their anger would spill over onto him, he adhered to the principle of "the less said, the better," and said, "I don't know."
Xing Zhinan: "It's okay, I'll come see for myself."
Feng Wang: "..."
In just a few seconds, Shen Mingsu had recalled everything he had been kept in the dark. "Actually... Xie Tao didn't actually go on vacation; he became a player and entered a dungeon too."
Yan Chi remained silent, watching him quietly.
Shen Mingsu's mind raced. "Those two kids you met last time…that was Ding Yang and her friends. I couldn't find their parents because they were players too. They went back after the dungeon ended."
Yan Chi: "."
"The candles in the school cafeteria aren't for candlelight dinners, they're for ghosts to eat. Um…everyone in that cafeteria is a ghost."
"Those two fat chickens in your yard aren't chickens, they're sparrows. They can grow up to five meters tall, but their meat gets old after they grow up…"
"I've known who your father is for a long time. His name is Yan Qingyuan, he was my dad's friend, and he should be dead by now."
"…"
Shen Mingsu counted as he spoke, making sure he'd told him everything, before looking up at Yan Chi. "That's…that's all."
From the moment Shen Mingsu began confessing his crimes, Song Qian's livestream started showing static.
[If this were my old TV back home, I'd be hitting it.]
[How could it malfunction at such a crucial moment? Garbage system, you're finished!]
[Actually, there's no need to watch anymore. Song Qian is guaranteed to survive to the end, so this dungeon isn't difficult at all. How could so many people die if it's so easy?]
[Heh, you said it was easy before, but you're good at talking after the fact. If you're so capable, why don't you apply to participate in this dungeon yourself?]
[Heh, then I'll go next time.]
[…]
Song Qian was already a top player on the leaderboard, and his livestream was highly anticipated. After he successfully dodged the giant with Yan Chi, his livestream exploded.
Countless players flooded in, and after watching his gameplay, they all unanimously thought: I can do it too!
At this moment, after listening to Shen Mingsu's "confession," Yan Chi sincerely asked, "...Is your name real?"
Shen Mingsu: "..."
"Hahaha!" Xing Zhinan couldn't help but burst into laughter. Seeing that both of them were looking at him, he covered his mouth, "Don't, don't mind me, you two continue arguing."
Shen Mingsu glanced at him faintly, his voice weak: "Really, Teacher Xiao Chi, I really told you everything, I absolutely didn't hide anything from you."
Yan Chi's feelings were complicated. He was very angry at first. He had told Shen Mingsu almost everything, but Shen Mingsu had kept everything from him. This imbalance made him very unhappy.
But after Shen Mingsu revealed everything, Yan Chi's anger gradually subsided. He could distinguish between goodwill and malice. Imagine if Shen Mingsu had told him everything on the first day.
Yan Chi pondered for a moment. He would definitely think this person was crazy.
Yan Chi looked up: "Then you'll..."
Shen Mingsu immediately promised: "I'll even tell you what color underwear I wear."
Yan Chi choked for a moment, "...That's really unnecessary."
Seeing the two of them about to be all lovey-dovey again, the onlookers were stunned. Xing Zhinan held a slice of watermelon in his hand, "They're done arguing already? I haven't finished my watermelon yet."
Shen Mingsu had been putting up with him for a long time. He snatched the watermelon from him and, amidst Yan Chi's shouts, threw it out the window. Having done this, he returned to Yan Chi's side, feeling refreshed.
Xing Zhinan sighed, vaguely remembering he had a son, and looked around, "Where's my Xingluo?"
Xingluo rubbed his head and came downstairs with Li Huai, complaining angrily, "Someone definitely stepped on me again after the principal stepped on me! I felt it, that person was so heavy!"
His head was red and bruised. "That person actually stepped on my face! It hurt so much! The principal only stepped on my stomach! Did you see who it was?"
Li Huai certainly saw it, but he didn't know if telling Xingluo would cause him further harm.
Seeing him stammer, Xingluo said, "Tell me quickly, I won't blame you."
Li Huai: "...It was your father."
He originally wanted to drag Xingluo out from under the door, but Xing Zhinan was eager to see what was going on, and without even looking at what was under his feet, he stomped on it, making Xingluo scream.
Xingluo gritted his teeth: "I knew it was him!"
Xing Zhinan saw his son come downstairs and ran over enthusiastically. Seeing his head was red, he exclaimed in pain and blew on it, "How did you get hurt? It hurts me to see you in pain."
He clutched his chest as he spoke.
Xingluo sneered, "Are you sure you don't know?"
Xing Zhinan: "Hehe."
Xingluo: "No, hehe."
"Never mind that for now," Xing Zhinan quickly changed the subject, "Come see the scene of your teacher, Mr. Chi, and the principal arguing! But you're too late, they've already finished. But I was there, son, whatever you want to know, Dad will tell you!"
Xingluo naturally wanted to hear the whole thing, so Xing Zhinan recounted it to him from beginning to end like a storyteller.
Yan Chi, one of the main characters: "..."
Could you please stop blatantly mocking me? Is this something to be proud of?!
Yan Chi was exhausted.
Miss Qiu, waiting nearby, noticed the fatigue on Yan Chi's face and considerately asked, "Teacher Yan Chi, we have prepared a guest room for you. Would you like to rest now?"
Yan Chi, who was wondering how to leave, suddenly brightened up: "Yes!"
As soon as he moved, Shen Mingsu and Song Qian followed suit. Miss Qiu hesitated for a moment, "Please wait a moment, we will prepare a large three-person bed for you."
Yan Chi: "..."
Shen Mingsu, unable to bear it any longer, pulled Song Qian's hand away, pushed him aside, and turned to Miss Qiu, saying, "A bed for two... A large bed, thank you. Also, arrange a guest room for this person, the farther away from our rooms the better."
Miss Qiu stopped Song Qian, who was about to step forward, and smiled at him. "My guest, please rest assured, now that you're here, we naturally won't do anything to you."
"A guest room with warm bedding is always better than a cabin at the foot of the mountain, don't you think?"
Miss Qiu's voice was still gentle, but Song Qian felt a chill run down his spine. To put it bluntly, Miss Qiu's words meant: either stay in the guest room or go back to the cabin.
They already knew about the player's whereabouts! Song Qian's heart sank. "Okay, I'll go with you to the guest room."
Song Qian rolled the dice. This time, it wasn't a six, but a five. It seemed he needed to be careful with his words now.
He was prepared, and knew that with Yan Chi around, these high-risk bosses wouldn't harm him, so he followed Miss Qiu without worry.
Only after Song Qian's figure disappeared into the depths of the corridor did Yan Chi withdraw his gaze. He could see that Song Qian's dependence on him contained an element of exploitation, but for the sake of survival, it was all understandable.
He did hope that Xie Tao would also encounter someone who could protect him in the dungeon.
"Teacher Xiao Chi..." Xingluo had somehow gotten close to Yan Chi. "Teacher, are you going back to school today?"
Yan Chi slowly nodded. "What about you? How come you're at Feng Wang's house?"
"My dad and I come every year. My dad and Li Huai's dad are good friends." Xingluo had practically grown up here, so the servants knew him well.
Just then, Yan Chi felt someone touch his foot. He glared at Shen Mingsu, who looked at him blankly.
Not him?
Yan Chi looked down and saw a large, snow-white ball of fluff carrying a small ball of fluff in its mouth, rubbing against his foot incessantly.
He bent down and picked them up. The large white cat placed the small white kitten in Yan Chi's hands, meowing anxiously twice, then nuzzling the kitten's body with its head. The kitten lay listlessly, not even lifting its head.
Li Huai happily stroked the large white cat's soft fur. "It's a snow beast."
Feng Wang finally got his chance to boast. "Yes, I caught it for you. Do you like it?"
"I like it, but this little guy seems to be injured." Li Huai looked at the wound on the small white kitten in Yan Chi's arms, his pure white eyelashes trembling. He turned to look at Feng Wang. "You hurt it."
Feng Wang didn't seem to care. "If it dies, just throw it away. There's still a bigger one, isn't there?"
Yan Chi frowned, about to retort, but then he thought, Feng Wang isn't even human; he's a powerful and ferocious dragon. Can he judge him by human moral standards?
Yan Chi fell silent.
"Brother!" Li Huai, usually so mild-mannered, was uncharacteristically angry. But he had no right to blame Feng Wang; Feng Wang had captured the two snow beasts for his sake, so ultimately, he was the culprit.
The little white kitten struggled to lift its head, whimpering twice at Li Huai. Li Huai's eyes reddened with guilt. "Teacher, can I hold the little snow beast?"
Yan Chi gently handed the little snow beast to Li Huai. Li Huai held the little snow beast in his arms, placing his finger in its mouth. The little snow beast instinctively tasted the sweetness, its small sharp teeth biting his finger and sucking his blood.
The little white kitten's wounds healed at a visible speed, and its spirits improved, even reaching out a paw to hug Li Huai's hand.
Yan Chi watched this mysterious scene, once again deeply regretting his lack of experience.
"Li Huai!"
A stern, angry voice came from the stairwell. Yan Chi jumped, turning to see Feng Yun, who hadn't yet shown himself, standing there. His brows were furrowed, suppressing his temper, his gaze fixed on Li Huai.
Feng Yun looked menacing, and Yan Chi held his breath when he saw him.
Li Huai, however, didn't seem afraid. Perhaps he knew Feng Yun wouldn't hurt him. After placing the little white cat back in Yan Chi's arms, he went to Feng Yun's side, obediently lowering his head and calling out, "Daddy."
Feng Yun looked down at him. "...Go back to your room."
Li Huai glanced at Yan Chi and the others, pursed his lips, a hint of reluctance in his eyes, but still lowered his head and went upstairs, Feng Wang following closely behind.
After they left, Feng Yun approached Yan Chi, his gaze icy as he looked at the little white cat in his arms. The little white cat seemed to sense danger, desperately trying to huddle closer to Yan Chi, trembling with fear. Yan Chi was equally uneasy. As Feng Yun reached for the white kitten, he swiftly covered it with his hand. At the same time, Shen Mingsu grabbed Feng Yun's wrist.
The group remained locked in a tense standoff, the atmosphere suddenly becoming heavy.
"Feng Yun, I seem to remember Li Xian hating your indiscriminate killing?" Xing Zhinan muttered. "Maybe I'm mistaken. Well, Li Xian has been dead for so long, I've even forgotten his likes and dislikes."
Feng Yun glanced at him, silently withdrew his hand, turned, and went upstairs. In him, Yan Chi seemed to see a soul that had long since died, yet couldn't escape its body.
After hesitating for a long time, Yan Chi asked, "Father Xingluo, can you tell me how Father Li Huai died?"
Xing Zhinan lowered his eyes slightly, a slight smile playing on his lips. "Guess where Li Huai inherited his ability to heal the dead and save the bones?"
Yan Chi's voice trembled, "So, Li Huai's father was killed because of his abilities..."
"Yes, he was killed by players. When we found him, his hands and legs were covered in bite marks." Xing Zhinan casually recounted that bloody memory. "Now guess how we found him?"
Yan Chi couldn't guess.
"A female player led us there. Li Xian had saved her life before, but she couldn't defeat those crazed people. She used her last breath to find Feng Yun, but then she died from her injuries."
"In the end, Feng Yun couldn't even find anyone to hate. Isn't that ridiculous?"
Yan Chi: "..."
A warm, large hand covered his trembling hand. Yan Chi turned to look at Shen Mingsu, his eyes filled with obvious helplessness and confusion.
Shen Mingsu gently pulled him into his arms, patting his back like he was comforting a child, silently soothing him.
Yan Chi looked up. "I...can I go talk to Feng Wang's father?"
Shen Mingsu didn't ask why. "Yes, I'll take you."
In the study, Feng Yun sat by the window, watching the snowflakes fall gently. The daily snowfalls had grown tiresome for him.
When Li Xian was still alive, these days weren't so unbearable.
A knock came at the door. Feng Yun said, "Come in."
Yan Chi walked up to him alone. "Feng Wang's father, I still want to talk to you about Li Huai."
Feng Yun replied listlessly, "Yes, I'm listening."
Yan Chi took a deep breath, looked directly at him, and said, "Because of Li Huai's father's death, are you going to imprison Li Huai for the rest of his life under the guise of protection?"
Feng Yun's eyes instantly narrowed into vertical pupils, coldly staring at Yan Chi.
Yan Chi met his gaze without fear. After a moment, he smiled. "Actually, I was often bullied by older kids when I was little. The reason is simple: I was the easiest to bully. I didn't fight, I didn't curse, and I didn't tattle or cry."
"Back then, my only friend would stand up for me. He'd take a stick, stand in front of me, and chase away all the older kids who wanted to bully me, then give me the stick."
Yan Chi looked up at Feng Yun and gently told him, "Everyone can be bullied. I think what you need to teach Li Huai is how to fight back, how to protect himself, not to confine him to a safe zone you deem safe because of potential accidents."
"Li Huai is just a child. He feels lonely, and he longs to play with other children."
Feng Yun's eyes flickered, his hands clenched, even trembling slightly. He wasn't unaware of the loneliness in Li Huai's eyes, but he was deceiving himself.
He told Feng Wang to take care of Li Huai at all times to avoid repeating the same mistakes, but he was completely ignoring Li Huai's feelings. Li Huai was just as mischievous as Feng Wang back then.
Feng Yun remained silent for a long time, his breathing becoming slightly heavier, his voice a little hoarse, "I was wrong."
Shen Mingsu and Xing Zhinan were both standing outside the door. Hearing this, Shen Mingsu walked in, stretched out his long arm, and pulled Yan Chi into his arms. "It's good that you know you were wrong. It wasn't in vain that my Teacher Xiao Chi went to so much trouble to persuade you."
"By the way, didn't you want to train Li Huai's self-defense skills? I happen to have an idea, what do you think?"
Feng Yun looked at him, waiting for him to continue.
Yan Chi also stared at him curiously, then Shen Mingsu gently pinched his cheek.
"How about adding an extra exam for the kids?"
Yan Chi was taken aback: "What exam?"
"A practical exam. There are three kids here, and three more at school. Hmm… call Chang Le and Ahui over. Lian Deng's group of domesticated monsters are too destructive; you probably can't handle them here, so let's not call him yet."
"Let the five of them take the practical exam first," Shen Mingsu pondered. "There aren't enough players right now; let's bring in some more. More people make it more fun."
So, Shen Chang Le and Ahui, far away at school, simultaneously received a message from Shen Mingsu, telling them to hurry to Feng Wang's house. When they rushed over, they found three other bewildered classmates.
Shen Chang Le looked at Shen Mingsu, "Why did you call us here?"
Shen Mingsu: "Go sit down first, I'll announce it later."
Once the five of them were seated in a row, Shen Mingsu cleared his throat and solemnly announced, "Next, we will have our practical exam for this semester! There's no time limit, and your opponents are the upcoming players."
"First, you can't engage in large-scale attacks, or your Uncle Feng Yun will spank your little bottoms. Second, please pay attention to distinguishing between the good and bad players, and their specific behaviors. Summarize your observations, and submit them after the exam."
"Finally, we will be monitoring you closely and grading your performance. Do your best on the exam, good luck~"
Yan Chi felt sorry for them; they were notified of a last-minute exam at the very beginning of their vacation. Seeing their stunned expressions, he inexplicably wanted to laugh.
Soon, in the player lobby, the system screen froze for a few seconds before broadcasting:
[Snow Flame Dungeon is recruiting more players, currently screening...]
[Screening complete, number of players: 20]
[Players have entered the dungeon. Have fun!]
The players in the lobby were stunned for a moment. A dungeon could expand its enrollment?
"What's going on? Is this a university? They're expanding enrollment?!"
"The Snow Flame dungeon? I've never heard of it! Damn! This is a super S-rank dungeon! Those twenty people are doomed."
"Not necessarily. I heard some players have already figured out a strategy for clearing this dungeon."
"What strategy?"
"Help yourself on a stronger player."
"…………?"
At the foot of the snow mountain, a player who had just logged into the dungeon was brimming with confidence. He had just watched Song Qian's livestream and knew that the first thing to do was find a guide NPC named Yan Chi and then follow him into the castle.
The player smugly declared that this was a piece of cake.
He looked around, but the smile on his face gradually froze. He searched everywhere, only to find in despair that everyone around him was a player; there was no NPC named Yan Chi at all!
Damn it! Song Qian lied to him!
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