Chapter 62.1 Crazy Love Season
A+？
The group of players were stunned on their spots. They had heard of instance upgrades, but it was the first time they had heard of instance downgrades.
Wen Shi himself was surprised as well.
When Liu Yun saw his expression, she suddenly recalled the scene where the manager of Big Factory was killed. She couldn’t help asking, “So, what are you surprised about every time?”
Wen Shi lowered his eyes and didn’t say anything.
His expression didn’t really relax because of the difficulty being downgraded. When considered carefully, only the summoning of Xie Tangyan in the first instance seemed normal. Both the frequency of taking action each day and the power dynamics underwent dual restrictions. Even in Big Factory, the teenager’s strength was restricted, although not as much. This adjustment aimed to strike a balance between the formidable deep-sea monsters and the power held by Jian Qingrong, making it a reasonably sound approach.
Only in this instance, the game surprisingly let a child have the power to control fourteen key NPCs.
Wen Shi’s tone sounded just as puzzled as Liu Yun’s, “So, what’s making it unhappy?”
How did the game, who promoted and recommended the instance, end up complaining in the end?
Closing his eyes, Wen Shi helplessly said to his companions beside him, “Looks like I’m just a scapegoat.”
Ji Yuanzhi & Liu Yun: “……”
Right when the instance announced its downgrade, the TV show’s ratings plummeted simultaneously. The host’s eyes went dark, and he almost fainted.
“What are you all standing around for? Come with me to find people!”
The staff members carried equipment, getting ready to set off.
Just then, a small figure appeared in the distant mountain stream. While crossing the water channel, he pulled up his pants, struggling to maintain his balance on the slippery rocks.
“Papa—”
The sound of water and distance made the child’s voice quite muffled.
A’Sang ran excitedly toward Wen Shi, clutching his big thigh in fear while saying, “M-met a bear, everyone, burp… everyone got eaten…”
Wen Shi’s eyelid twitched.
My dear, speaking while burping like this makes it hard for Dad to defend you.
Wen Shi picked him up. The child hadn’t gained much weight, but he felt a bit heavier.
The scene fell silent, all kinds of curious gazes converging on the little one. The host suppressed his flashy expression, staring intensely at A’Sang, as if he could see through the child. Despite the circumstances, being a seasoned host, he still reported the popularity rankings:
Wen Shi and his late match emerged victorious.
The last place went to a player named Yan Yan. His match was a petite woman who didn’t talk much.
“Due to an unexpected incident, the final round of the game segment can’t proceed today.”
Yan Yan interrupted the host, “In such an event, shouldn’t you inform the family?”
A trace of coldness flashed in his eyes, “I remember you said that love can transcend life and death, that a partner’s death doesn’t mean their love can’t continue.”
Yan Yan subtly hinted to the host that they could relay the news of Red Jacket Lady’s disappearance to her family and then hold the Dark Wedding.
On the first day, Wen Shi kindly revealed clues about the Dark Wedding to prepare everyone mentally. He didn’t expect it to be used against him so quickly. Yan Yan’s provocative behavior was meant to attract attention. Being the least popular, he’d surely be eliminated. And there was nothing more attention-grabbing than a conflict with the first-place winner.
Even in the real world, this would still be an effective marketing strategy.
As for that peculiar and powerful child, he didn’t believe the game would just let things be, even allowing the child to harm other players.
If they could really hold the Dark Wedding, Pei Wenwei’s situation would be dire. Even if he managed to escape narrowly, he’d be severely weakened, with no energy to deal with him.
Yan Yan believed he had thought it through. The Dark Wedding proposal was malicious, but it could serve his self-interest entirely.
A smile returned to the host’s face, “This guest is right. Even though the game can’t continue, filming can.”
The live chat became active again. The host swiped the screen a few times, “Everyone seems to highly praise this proposal.” He looked at Yan Yan, “Congratulations, you’ve gained the support of most loyal fans of the show. They’ve decided to give you another chance. You won’t be eliminated this round.”
Yan Yan let out a relieved breath upon hearing that.
“Scumbag,” Liu Yun muttered softly.
Yan Yan shrugged indifferently.
As for Wen Shi, his first thought was about Red Jacket Lady, which led to the decision to temporarily pause the program’s recording.
The host was eager to implement the proposal, “I’ll go inform the victim’s family first. You all can have some free time for now. Gather at the village entrance by 6 PM.” Looking at Wen Shi, he emphasized, “We hope everyone holds onto their commitment to love, and truly stick together through thick and thin.”
It seemed like a reminder for Wen Shi not to run away, but also an encouragement for him to utilize this time to escape to Sealed Coffin Village.
Unfortunately, Wen Shi remained unaffected.
On the other side, Yan Yan was prepared for a confrontation, but the person involved didn’t seem annoyed at all. He didn’t even glance at him.
Once the host left, Wen Shi took the child for a stroll nearby, intending to further study the customs of Sealed Coffin Village. As for Yan Yan… Wen Shi planned to follow Jian Qingrong’s principle of helping others without regrets and treating disappointments as part of life.
One of the forgiveness rules stated: When someone’s already dead, why hold grudges?
Other players were temporarily stuck with their matches. When forced to search for clues, they chatted about love and other topics.
Wen Shi: “Have you eaten enough?”
A’Sang didn’t mention whether he was full or not. He simply replied, “Need a couple of days to digest.”
Wen Shi got to the point, “When you were cooking, did you encounter any mysterious forces blocking you? Or perhaps, did your own strength suddenly get restricted?”
A’Sang honestly shook his head, “Everything went smoothly.”
His strength was alright, not weakened much. His speed matched what it was when he arrived. Even when unable to cook and facing fierce wild beasts, he could escape.
The excessively smooth progress heightened an underlying unease within Wen Shi.
“Is this game bipolar, by any chance?”
Actively trying to kill him on one hand, yet seeming very supportive on the other.
Or perhaps this instance was similar to Big Factory, having elements that influenced the game’s decisions?
A tiny hand pressed on his forehead as A’Sang playfully rocked a bowl. “Daddy, don’t frown.”
Wen Shi fell silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, “Would you like to meet some new family members?”
A’Sang didn’t quite understand, conveying an indifferent attitude.
The game’s contradictory attitude was undeniably strange. Maybe Xie Tangyan and the others could deduce something from it.
Wen Shi opened the attribute panel and upgraded.
“Note: Currently, your home level has reached Level 3. Would you like to spend 5,000 points to unlock the feature【Family Afternoon Tea Party】?”
The substantial points required were truly distressing. Wen Shi put on a forced smile and replies, “Yes.”
“Please wait—”
“Successfully unlocked tea party feature. Currently viewing the family members’ schedule for the next six hours.”
“Xie Tangyan, handle state affairs at noon, review memorials; practice swordsmanship in the afternoon; accompany others to watch plays and listen to music in the evening.”
“?, Train dogs all day.”
“A’Sang, idle to aid digestion.”
“Home guardian Jian Qingrong, thinks of you during studies, thinks of you during the reconstruction of the sanatorium, thinks of you while eating and sleeping.”
Wen Shi paused. TMI.
“Invitations have been sent to all family members. The tea party is planned for three o’clock.”
After ten seconds, “Invitations have been accepted.”
The game wasn’t entirely exploitative. Besides the initial unlocking cost, the detailed description of the tea party feature mentioned that one round of tea party could be conducted for free every seven days.
The TV show recording was temporarily halted, without annoying cameras following him around. Wen Shi felt much freer as he moved around. He returned to the graveyard, sensing an increase in the number of coffins. Some coffins were covered in dirt, with traces of fresh earth nearby, as if they had just emerged from the ground.
Wen Shi stood there for a while. Before long, more people arrived at the graveyard. It was Uncle Li, the steward of the old mansion, followed by two burly men.
Their arrival brought a mixed smell of fragrance and stench to the graveyard. The burly men expressionlessly found an empty coffin and lifted it, seemingly planning to move it. Uncle Li looked at Wen Shi, a sinister smile crossing his face as he said, “Our Young Miss has passed away. Everything in the house now belongs to you. Young Master, you must come back with me. We need to measure you for tailored clothing and prepare for tonight’s grand wedding.”
All of it is mine?
Wen Shi nodded. “Okay, you guys go ahead. I’ll follow shortly.”
Uncle Li’s smile seemed particularly eerie. He didn’t insist. Like the host, he almost seemed to hope Wen Shi would attempt to escape.
After observing the extra coffins in the graveyard for a while, Wen Shi walked down the mountain alone.
The old mansion was brightly lit, with the servants’ efficiency evident. Red lanterns adorned the winding covered walkways. It was overcast today, so the lanterns were lit early, resembling a serpent with eyes, watching every move inside the mansion.
The tailor had been waiting for a while. Her paper-white face had two rosy cheeks. Holding a measuring tape, the female tailor’s smile seemed very forced upon seeing Wen Shi. “Young Master, let me take your measurements.”
Wen Shi was cooperative. He felt the chilling temperature of the measuring tape transmitting through his clothes to his skin.
The female tailor said with meaning, “Young Master has a great figure. Even when lying in a coffin, the skeleton will still be perfectly shaped.”
Wen Shi: “You’re quite the flatterer.”
When I take over this mansion, the first thing I’ll do is fire you.
The female tailor didn’t catch the undertone in his words. After recording the measurements, she put away the tape and closed the door as she left.
Lunch was brought in by the housemaids–a simple meal with one meat dish and two vegetables.
Wen Shi only had a few bites of his food, then took a nap until a game notification alerted him that the tea party was approaching.
If you enjoy this novel, support the Translator ginevre on her ko-fi account :))
