Chapter 40
Shen Wen ruffled little dirty cub Xing Nuo’s head and chuckled.
“Xing Nuo’s tired. Sleep here for a while.”
Xing Nuo had indeed exhausted himself digging holes in the garden.
But his eyes were filled with reluctance, his small hand gripping his dad’s robe. He shook his head slightly.
“Zaizai…not tired…Dad…stay with Zaizai…”
Shen Wen was usually emotionally detached, unlike humans with their fluctuating moods.
But seeing Xing Nuo threatened with a knife had crossed a line.
He needed to deal with those noisy, troublesome humans.
He tucked the little dirty cub into bed and coaxed him:
“Sleep first. Dad will bring you some biscuits.”
Xing Nuo wanted to eat biscuits with his dad, but he also didn’t want him to leave. He scratched his cheek, conflicted.
“O-Okay…”
He slowly released his grip on his dad’s robe.
“Dad…hurry…bring biscuits…eat…with Zaizai…”
Shen Wen nodded and went downstairs.
Downstairs.
The buzz-cut player and her teammate, seriously injured, returned to the bedroom in the corner. Facing the other players’ shock and concern, she gave a wry smile.
“This time…we’re probably really done for.”
Her teammate recounted what had happened in the living room, and the other players felt their hopes crumble.
“Is Baldy insane?!”
“We’re doomed! What was he thinking, provoking the little master?!”
“Didn’t we agree on the first day to stay on the little master’s good side?”
“He must have lost his mind to do something so stupid!”
The players’ faces were filled with despair. Remembering the gruesome deaths of the blue-shirted player and Baldy, their own emotions began to unravel.
“We might as well just kill ourselves now! Before the castle master comes and crushes us like ants!”
The buzz-cut player, seeing their volatile emotions and self-destructive tendencies, felt a wave of weariness.
Sighing heavily, she took out a roll of healing bandages and wrapped her injured abdomen.
As the pain subsided, she was about to discuss their next move when she heard the butler’s voice from outside.
“Guests, our master requests your presence.”
The players exchanged glances, trembling with fear, not daring to refuse.
The buzz-cut player, as the current leader of the group, gritted her teeth, struggled to her feet, and led the way out.
Outside, the butler’s eyes glowed with a dark, sinister light as he stared at the players.
“Come, our master is waiting in the dining hall.”
His stiff, expressionless face showed his utter disdain and disgust for these guests who had harmed the little master.
He should have just killed them the moment they arrived and used their flesh and blood to nourish Master’s roses!
It would have saved them all this trouble!
The players, like frightened quails, didn’t dare speak, only nodding vigorously.
They arrived at the dining hall and saw Shen Wen sitting at the head of the table, strands of golden hair falling across his chest. He glanced at them.
“Sit.”
The players nodded and obediently sat down, not daring to plead or try to curry favor with the powerful monster.
They knew that with a monster of this level, begging would only hasten their demise.
They lowered their heads, feeling the weight of Shen Wen’s cold gaze, their lives hanging by a thread.
Surviving in an instance of this level was truly a harrowing experience.
The buzz-cut player closed her eyes, resigned to her fate.
Shen Wen’s voice was calm and measured, elegant yet chillingly indifferent, laced with killing intent.
“Since you’ve stayed in my castle for a few days, I’ll allow you to choose how you die.”
The players’ faces were masks of despair. One of them choked out:
“Can’t…we…not die?”
Shen Wen’s lips curved into a faint smile.
“No.”
The butler, standing behind his master, his gaze venomous, snorted coldly.
“Master is being generous, allowing you to choose your own death. Don’t push your luck and be ungrateful!”
Facing such a high-level monster, the players could barely even plead for mercy.
Cold sweat drenched their bodies, every cell screaming danger, yet they were paralyzed, like fish on a chopping block, awaiting their fate.
The buzz-cut player, her higher level and props allowing her to maintain a semblance of composure, her mind raced.
In this final, desperate moment, she thought of the little master.
The little master, their protective charm, had kept them safe since they entered the instance!
Gritting her teeth, she took one last gamble.
She took out the rose the little master had given her from her spatial backpack.
The rose, a B-level prop, showed no signs of wilting after more than a day, still blooming beautifully.
Its vibrant crimson color immediately drew everyone’s attention.
Shen Wen also looked up, his gaze fixed on the rose.
He suddenly remembered something and, resting his chin on his hand, asked:
“Did Xing Nuo give you that rose?”
The buzz-cut player nodded, trying to stay calm, her voice steady yet laced with a hint of regret.
“Yes, Xing Nuo saw I was feeling down and gave it to me. But I won’t be needing it anymore. Could you please return it to him for me?”
She placed the rose on the table, her heart pounding, her fingers trembling.
Hearing Xing Nuo’s name, Shen Wen smiled, his lips curving upwards.
“Humans are so scheming, resorting to such tricks even at a time like this.”
He shook his head and clicked his tongue, but a hint of warmth softened his eyes.
“That little rascal Xing Nuo, picking my flowers to give away, getting himself all dirty in the process.”
Thinking of the clumsy, always-dirty little cub, he smiled faintly.
The buzz-cut player, highly perceptive, sensing the shift in the big boss’s demeanor, quickly pressed her advantage:
“Xing Nuo is a very kind little master, always wanting others to be happy.”
Shen Wen nodded in agreement, his fox-like eyes crinkling slightly with amusement.
“That’s true.”
The kind little cub even remembered the often-overlooked pastry chef who would secretly cry.
So the next day, he would specifically request biscuits and praise the pastry chef.
This prevented the pastry chef from being completely bullied by the cook and constantly dejected.
Shen Wen looked at the rose for a long moment, then picked it up.
His fingers gently twirling the fragrant flower, he sighed softly.
Xing Nuo, waiting for his dad in the bedroom, had fallen asleep, his head resting on the pillow, his breathing shallow.
When he woke up, he saw his dad sitting by the bed, his mind still foggy with sleep, but his voice already calling out:
“Dad!”
Hearing the little one’s sweet, childish voice, Shen Wen’s chest tightened slightly, and a smile appeared on his face.
“I’m here. Xing Nuo, what do you want to eat?”
It was already afternoon.
Shen Wen pinched the little one’s cheek, gently picked him up, and carried him downstairs.
Xing Nuo’s sleepy mind was still hazy. Seeing his dad’s gentle expression, he thought it was nighttime again.
After all, Dad was always very affectionate at night!
He swung his little feet, nestled against his dad’s shoulder, and secretly played with his smooth, silky hair, his eyes filled with envy.
“Zaizai’s hair…curly…”
Not pretty.
Dad’s hair was smoother than Zaizai’s clothes; he loved touching it.
Shen Wen didn’t stop him but couldn’t help but look away, a hint of disgust in his gaze.
“Your chocolate biscuits are ready, and the milk you wanted, and we also have steamed egg custard with minced meat for lunch. I’m not sure if you can eat it yet.”
A three-year-old child should be able to eat meat, right?
Shen Wen’s knowledge of childcare was limited. He placed the little cub in his chair and offered him the egg custard.
Xing Nuo let out a small “Wow!”, his little legs swinging excitedly as he sniffed the fragrant egg custard.
“Dad…remember Zaizai…every day…eat with Zaizai…”
Shen Wen’s hand, holding the spoon, paused.
He smiled and gave a soft hum.
“Of course. Xing Nuo, see this little backpack?”
He pointed to a small backpack hanging nearby.
“After you finish eating, you’ll put on this backpack and follow the path outside, keep walking forward.”
Xing Nuo tilted his head, confused.
“Why?”
Wasn’t this Zaizai’s home? Why did he have to leave?
“Dad…not coming?” He scratched his cheek, which was itching from his curls.
Shen Wen shook his head, took the backpack, and placed it beside Xing Nuo.
“I can’t go with you.”
They were separated by different timelines, their paths crossing only due to the unique nature of this instance.
Shen Wen had met his future child, witnessing his cuteness and sweetness.
He felt rather fortunate.
Otherwise, he might never have chosen to have a human child.
“Xing Nuo, such a beautiful name.”
Shen Wen murmured softly, urging Xing Nuo to eat.
“Hurry up and eat. After you’re done, you’ll put on your backpack and keep walking.”
Xing Nuo, as if sensing something, ate without much enthusiasm.
The usually delicious egg custard and biscuits seemed bland today.
Shen Wen helped Xing Nuo put on the backpack, which contained the sweet biscuits the pastry chef had baked and a bottle of honeyed milk.
He led Xing Nuo out of the castle, holding his hand.
From the outside, the castle still looked magnificent and beautiful, as if a real little prince lived inside.
Shen Wen stood on the dirt path and gently pushed Xing Nuo forward.
“Xing Nuo, follow the path you came from, keep walking. The key is hanging around your neck.”
Xing Nuo’s eyes widened, watching as his dad took a few steps back. He quickly ran after him.
“Dad, Zaizai…not going!”
But Shen Wen remained firm, gently pushing him towards the path.
“You have to. The instance only lasts for a few days. Don’t worry, Dad will be waiting for you at the end of the path.”
Sensing his dad’s unwavering resolve, Xing Nuo’s steps faltered, and he looked back at him, tears welling up in his eyes.
He obediently took a few steps forward, wiping his tears.
“But…”
He turned his head, wanting to run back to his dad.
