Chapter 8: The Bride of the Enigmatic King (8)

The eerie old woman did not pursue them.

Descending the stairs, Tang Mu saw Joseph standing guard at the entrance to the passage, as if waiting for someone.

When Joseph caught sight of Tang Mu, his eyes lit up instantly. But then he noticed Xue Fen, looking like a frightened puppy, clutching the hem of Tang Mu’s red dress, on the verge of tears. A sudden, inexplicable irritation welled up in Joseph’s heart.

“You’re a man, so act like one. Who are you even whimpering for all day?”

Assailed by Joseph’s words, Xue Fen’s body trembled. He already looked on the verge of tears, and now, startled by Joseph, he pressed even closer to Tang Mu.

Joseph grew angrier.

But Tang Mu merely patted Xue Fen’s back gently, as if soothing a startled fawn, and began to reproach Joseph.

“You scared him.”

Joseph was taken aback. “Huh?”

“You’re a grown adult now—why can’t you let him be? He’s just a child.”

Joseph was indignant. Damn it, a child? He hadn’t even confronted Xue Fen yet about how his teammate An Xiaoyue had turned into a ragdoll!

Ignoring the anger in Joseph’s eyes, Tang Mu focused only on the game.

“What clue did you find?”

Joseph displayed a red paper doll dressed as a bride.

“We agreed to meet in the second-floor cabin at eight, but you hadn’t come down. I was worried something had happened to you, Miss Tang. I was so distraught.”

Ignoring Joseph’s poor attempt at acting, Tang Mu’s red lips parted, “An F-grade item?”

“Yes. If affixed to the bride, it can take her life.”

Tang Mu halted her steps.

Seeing this, Joseph spread his hands in mock sorrow, “What? Do you really think I’d kill you, Miss Tang? That’s harsh.”

Tang Mu’s wariness didn’t soften despite Joseph’s explanation.

Joseph could only beg for mercy, “A thousand lights in a thousand homes, yet none belong to me.”

“Speak plainly,” Tang Mu interjected.

“Others risk their lives for money; I risk mine for love,” Joseph said, his tone sincere.

But this reason left Tang Mu unmoved.

“Then your love must already be divided among many.”

“Well,” Joseph scratched his nose, “a man always comes ashore eventually.”

Tang Mu sneered, folding her arms, brows raised, full of disbelief.

“Touching your nose is a subconscious gesture when lying, Mr. Joseph. There’s no need to give up an entire forest for a single tree.”

“Is that so?”

With an innocent expression, Joseph spread his hands, “And would you, Miss Tang, give up all the fish in your pond for me?”

Silence stretched between them.

“There you have it—even you wouldn’t, so why expect it of others?”

But then, Joseph’s tone shifted, “Still, I could try for you, Miss Tang.”

He pointed at Xue Fen beside her. “Could you, for me, try pausing your fishing for a while?”

Tang Mu smiled, “I’m afraid not.”

“Why?” Joseph’s face twisted, as if he couldn’t fathom what that boy Xue Fen possibly had that he didn’t.

“I like blank paper.”

Tang Mu made no secret of it, quickly giving Joseph the answer he wanted.

“I like the feeling of coloring blank paper with my own hands.”

“So I’m sorry, Mr. Joseph. You were never to my taste.”

Joseph was stunned, as if utterly unable to comprehend that Tang Mu would have such a preference.

“Miss Tang, I think you should reconsider,” Joseph said, gesturing suggestively to compare himself and Xue Fen. “Blank paper is too pure—perhaps it can’t give you the pleasure you seek. No skill, just recklessness.”

Tang Mu moved to pass him, but Joseph blocked her way.

She had no choice but to remove the obstacle herself. As she passed, she turned back, locking eyes with Joseph and shattering whatever hope remained.

“Who says men and women must always tolerate or confront each other? It’s the battle of hearts that is truly refined.”

“And besides,” Tang Mu licked her lips, irresistibly alluring, “recklessness has a charm of its own.”

Joseph was left speechless with frustration.

Xue Fen wasn’t sure if, as a “minor,” he ought to understand the conversation between Joseph and Tang Mu, but he decided it was best to keep feigning innocence.

This time, the game had only given him a sixteen-year-old’s body, limiting his abilities. Still, by some stroke of luck, he had managed to strike a chord with this beautiful woman.

As for Tang Mu’s remarks about “tolerance” and “confrontation”…

Heh. A woman who only knows to solve her needs by watching short clips on an app—what kind of seasoned lover is she pretending to be? All theory and zero practice?

“Tang Mu, big sister,” Xue Fen suppressed his inner sarcasm and tugged at her sleeve. “Can we go back now? Also, the hallway is so quiet.”

At some point, the corridor had indeed grown much quieter than before.

Tang Mu grew alert.

“Let’s take a look.”

The hallway was empty, but blood pooled on the floor.

Judging by the scene, another bloody incident had occurred.

A door opened with a soft creak—a girl beckoned Tang Mu, Xue Fen, and Joseph inside.

“What happened out there?” Xue Fen asked as soon as he entered, turning to the young woman.

At the mention of the outside, Xiao He’s expression contorted.

“The old woman is lying! We can’t be in the hallway between 8:00 and 11:00 PM either. And did you see the snack vending machine in the corridor? The snacks and drinks inside turn into razor blades and acid the moment you swallow them. Lots of people have died from eating them by mistake. It’s awful.”

So after eight, it was actually safer to be on the top deck or in the lower cabins?

No wonder the old woman hadn’t stopped Tang Mu earlier.

A sudden thought narrowed Tang Mu’s eyes.

“If I’m not mistaken, you’re Xiao He. My roommate.”

Xiao He looked puzzled. “Yes.”

“Room 1 is closest to the washroom. You were the first girl to rush in with a washbasin.”

“Xiao He’s” expression turned sinister. “There were other girls ahead of me in line.”

“Are you sure?” Tang Mu sneered. “Do you dare let me shine a flashlight on you?” Ghosts cast no shadows.

Exposed, “Xiao He’s” face began to crack, flakes of skin peeling away.

“Since you’ve found me out, you can die now!”

Her fingernails lengthened, reaching for Tang Mu’s life.

“I’ll save you, Tang Mu!” Xue Fen, somehow, grabbed a cup of water and splashed it on “Xiao He.”

But nothing happened; “Xiao He” was not corroded. Her form merely flickered momentarily.

Then—

“Ah!” Xue Fen screamed.

“Xiao He” was a mass of insects!

A dense swarm surged toward them in the blink of an eye.