Chapter 28
Xing Nuo, covered in dirt, his mouth turned down, tears streaming down his face, returned to his small bedroom. He took a couple of steps inside, then glanced up and saw his reflection in the mirror.
“Eek!”
He stopped crying, his eyes widening in surprise, his red-rimmed gaze fixed on the dirty child in the mirror.
Who’s that dirty kid?!
Xing Nuo wiped his face, stepped closer, and realized the little one in the mirror was him. He quickly turned away.
That’s not Zaizai!
He walked away, wiping his tears, his face still red.
The doorknob of the bedroom closet was too high for him to reach. Wanting to change out of his dirty clothes, he went downstairs to find the butler.
The butler must have been given other tasks by Shen Wen. Xing Nuo stood at the top of the stairs and called for him several times, but no one answered.
Going down the stairs alone was difficult. Xing Nuo gripped the railing, slowly making his way down, one small step at a time.
Halfway down, he paused, panting, and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
Having spent the afternoon picking flowers and running around the garden, Xing Nuo was exhausted. He sat down on a step to catch his breath.
Just then, the players, sneaking around, emerged from their room.
They wanted to explore the castle while there were fewer monsters around. Seeing the little cub on the stairs, they were startled.
A player patted his chest, trying to stay calm, and greeted the little master with a forced smile:
“Xing Nuo, what are you doing here all alone?”
Xing Nuo, seeing the unfamiliar guests, sighed softly and pointed at the stairs.
“Zaizai go down.”
The players, eager to stay on the good side of the little master who had helped them, offered their assistance.
“These stairs are a bit steep. How about I carry you down?”
The buzz-cut player’s face immediately changed, and she nudged her companion.
She turned her head and whispered: “Are you stupid? Remember the rule about not going upstairs?”
The male player’s eyes widened.
“I forgot! But…these stairs aren’t really the second floor, are they?”
This was a rare opportunity to gain favor with the little master!
If they could improve their relationship with Xing Nuo, their chances of survival might increase!
The buzz-cut player was also hesitant. After a brief discussion, they decided to take the risk!
Xing Nuo, sitting on the steps, tilted his head, looking at the whispering strangers, his face puzzled.
He was about to say he could go down himself when the buzz-cut sister started walking up the stairs.
Xing Nuo noticed her stiff posture, her tense expression, and how she kept looking around.
He scratched his dirty chin and also looked around.
“Big sister look what?”
Zaizai no see anything.
The buzz-cut player shook her head. “Nothing. Come, Xing Nuo, I’ll carry you down.”
Xing Nuo nodded, his watery eyes curving into a smile.
“Thank you, big sister.”
The buzz-cut player adored cute, little children.
Forgetting they were in a horror dungeon, she smiled and pinched Xing Nuo’s dirty cheek.
“How did you get so dirty? Shall I wash you up?”
Xing Nuo, knowing he was a dirty child that Daddy didn’t like, lifted his chin, afraid of getting her clothes dirty.
“I wash myself.”
Xing Nuo had been to kindergarten and was a big boy now!
He could wash his face and hands and feet by himself, without Daddy or Big Brother’s help.
The buzz-cut sister carried him down the stairs, chuckling.
“So well-behaved? Xing Nuo is so amazing!”
Xing Nuo shook his head, about to say he wasn’t amazing, when he saw the open bedroom door, his eyes lighting up.
“Daddy!”
The buzz-cut player, startled, missed a step and almost fell.
She grabbed the railing to steady herself, quickly put Xing Nuo down, and looked up.
Shen Wen, having changed his clothes, stood at the top of the stairs, his expression cold.
His gaze was emotionless as he looked at the players, but it flickered slightly when it landed on the small child.
“Daddy, I wash very clean! Not dirty anymore~”
Even though Daddy disliked him, Xing Nuo didn’t dislike Daddy.
Strange Daddy was still Daddy. Even if he had a bad memory and forgot to be nice to Zaizai, Zaizai would forgive him!
Xing Nuo, ever optimistic, smiled, revealing his little teeth, and waved at his dad.
He tugged on the buzz-cut sister’s clothes.
“Big sister, we go down now.”
The buzz-cut player felt like she couldn’t breathe.
She nodded stiffly and awkwardly carried Xing Nuo down the remaining steps.
The monster’s cold, oppressive gaze followed her, and she felt like she was about to be sentenced to death.
Fortunately, nothing happened.
Reaching the living room, Xing Nuo ran to find the butler.
The butler, followed by a line of servants, entered, gasping dramatically at the sight of the dirty little master.
“What happened? Who bullied our little master?!”
The butler’s icy gaze fell on the cowering players, his expression sinister.
The players held their breath and shook their heads frantically.
Xing Nuo, embarrassed, touched his nose and said softly:
“I got myself dirty.”
The butler snorted, dismissing the players he already disliked, and picked up the little master.
Xing Nuo scratched his cheek and asked:
“Butler Uncle, can you help me change clothes?”
The butler’s wrinkled face softened into a smile as he wiped the dirt from the little master’s face with a handkerchief.
“Of course, it would be my honor.”
He then instructed the servants to prepare a bath for the little master.
“I’ve researched it. Warm baths help humans sleep. After a bath, Little Master will have sweet dreams.”
The sky outside had darkened without them noticing.
Night had fallen, and the castle was brightly lit by crystal lamps.
Xing Nuo soaked in the warm water, his face flushed, his curls plastered to his cheeks and neck.
He didn’t ask for the butler’s help, scrubbing his arms and splashing water on his face.
He wiped his face with his hand, satisfied that he was clean, and nodded.
Just as he was about to ask the butler for his clothes, he saw his dad standing there.
“Daddy?” Xing Nuo blinked, puzzled.
Shen Wen’s eyes, reflecting the bright lamplight, were soft and warm. He walked over and lifted Xing Nuo out of the water.
Wrapping him in a soft towel, Shen Wen kissed his forehead.
“Did Zaizai miss Daddy?”
Xing Nuo’s eyes curved into a smile, bright as the Milky Way, and he gave his dad a wet kiss.
“Miss~”
This is the familiar Daddy who loves Zaizai!
Xing Nuo rested his head against his dad’s shoulder, swinging his little feet, nuzzling his neck happily.
“Like a little puppy.”
Shen Wen, a faint smile playing on his lips, carried Zaizai back to the bedroom.
Xing Nuo, wrapped in the towel, clinging to his dad’s neck, mumbled:
“Daytime Daddy…no talk to Zaizai…no want flowers.”
Shen Wen chuckled, as if remembering something.
“Yes, I didn’t like children at first.”
Especially fragile, troublesome human cubs.
They got sick, they cried, they clung to you…nothing but trouble.
For Shen Wen, a life of luxury and extravagance was enough. Why bother with a little troublemaker?
He dried Xing Nuo’s hair with a soft towel and pinched the little one’s cheek as he sat on his lap, refusing to let go.
“Time for bed after your hair is dry.”
Xing Nuo clung to his dad, his hair sticking up in all directions, looking rather disheveled.
“No, Daddy sleep with Zaizai.”
He braced his little feet against his dad’s leg, determined not to leave his side.
Shen Wen chuckled, his long hair falling over his chest.
“Not tonight. Daddy still has things to do.”
Since leaving the kindergarten abruptly and returning to the dungeon world, Shen Wen hadn’t had time to go back.
He hadn’t expected the little one to come to him first.
But the players in the castle this time were particularly troublesome. Shen Wen had fought them several times but hadn’t been able to eliminate them.
Unable to spare the time, Shen Wen picked up a storybook and pinched the little one’s cheek.
“I’ll tell Zaizai a story about a little knight and stay with you until you fall asleep, okay?”
Xing Nuo huffed, changed into his pajamas, and lay in bed, pouting slightly, but nodded.
“Okay.”
Shen Wen opened the book, his voice gentle as a warm breeze, patiently telling Zaizai’s favorite story.
Downstairs.
The players, seeing the sudden appearance of the top-ranked player, their eyes reddened with excitement.
