Chapter 27: A Family of Six (2)

Chapter 27: A Family of Six (2)

◎[First Update] In this house, there's someone they can't see. ◎

The system provides basic information to the players after they enter the game instance, such as the red shoes in the ancient town and the bathroom. Thus, even if some players haven't spoken to the family, the information of "A Family of Six" was already linked to the number of family members before they entered.

"We can only wait to inquire from the mistress tomorrow," Su Xi looked towards Shi Youqing, "You're in charge of prenatal education, so you have easier access to her. Try to find the right moment to ask. If she's expecting twins, at her stage of pregnancy, it should already be known. She couldn’t be unaware. If it is twins, then we just need to avoid the death rules for these seven days..."

"If not, that will be more problematic," Li Yuancheng said, furrowing his brows.

The rest had rather grim expressions.

Feng Bin suggested, "Let's divide the rooms first."

Su Xi didn’t hesitate to look at the other girl, Lin Lulu: "We’ll share a room!"

The other girl quietly hummed in agreement.

Li Yuancheng said to Feng Bin, "We're both security guards; staying together might be more convenient."

Feng Bin nodded, agreeing to his proposal for room sharing.

Hao Tianshuo was initially staring hopefully at Shi Youqing, but his gaze, unreciprocated and sliced by another cold look, was soon blocked by someone stepping forward to obstruct his view.

Hao Tianshuo was fuming with anger.

"Kid, now we have no choice but to share a room," Sun Enhao clapped him on the shoulder, "Those two are obviously acquaintances, at least more than you are, and that guy looks a bit unwell. If you went there, you'd probably end up taking care of him. Stick with me; I can show you the ropes."

Hao Tianshuo scoffed, "Don’t call me 'kid' and act like you're leading me. Who are you, anyway?"

Seeing his cocky attitude, Sun Enhao made a face, “Just don’t come crying to me when you need help.”

"…Brother, focus on staying alive a bit longer."

"…A dog biting Lu Dongbin."

Ignoring their argument, Su Xi went straight over and picked up a key with a “Fish” sticker, corresponding to one of the rooms on the first floor.

Sun Enhao, catching a glimpse, quickly grabbed the key for the “Pig” room, also on the first floor and right next to the “Fish” room.

The remaining two keys were for the second floor — “Ox” and “Mouse.”

Li Yuancheng, noticing Shi Youqing and others hadn't moved, took the initiative to pick up the key with the “Mouse” sticker: “I was born in the Year of the Mouse, so I’ll take this one.”

The last key naturally went to Shi Youqing and Bo Huai.

With that, everyone had chosen their rooms.

The two rooms on the first floor were taken by Su Xi and Lin Lulu, and Sun Enhao and Hao Tianshuo.

On the second floor, the rooms were occupied by Feng Bin and Li Yuancheng, and Shi Youqing and Bo Huai.

Everyone visited each of the four rooms for inspection. The facilities and layout were almost identical, modest in size, seemingly intended for temporary staff accommodation.

“Thought each room would be different,” Sun Enhao murmured, looking at the stickers on the door, “If they’re all the same, why bother with these decorations?”

“Don’t let your guard down…” Su Xi advised, “Better to be cautious.”

A few minutes later, everyone gradually returned to their respective rooms.

Each room had a double bed.

It was getting late. Under the influence of the medicine, Shi Youqing, who slept on the bed closer to the wall, quickly succumbed to sleep, his initial thoughts of discussing the rules drifting away.

Bo Huai locked the door and double-checked the windows and curtains. After making sure everything was secure, he went to the bathroom to wash up. By the time he returned, the young man on the bed had already fallen into a deep sleep.

He paused for a moment, then approached to take a closer look.

Shi Youqing's face was slightly flushed, his brows furrowed.

Bo Huai bent over to touch his forehead, his gaze turning cold in an instant.

He was a bit feverish.

...It was a low fever brought on by the cold.

Moments later, a basin of hot water appeared by the bed.

The person standing by the bed wrung out a towel firmly, meticulously wiping the young man's forehead down to his neck.

After doing all this, they retrieved fever-reducing medicine from the bag and helped the patient sit up.

Upon waking, Shi Youqing sleepily half-opened his eyes and obediently swallowed the medicine brought to his lips.

"Are you cold?" The voice that asked was exceptionally soft.

He shook his head subconsciously, his eyelids heavy, murmuring "sleepy" before leaning against the person and closing his eyes to sleep...

It was a long while before Bo Huai gently tucked him into the covers.

Shi Youqing slept deeply.

"He seemed to have slept for ages, yet under the influence of his biological clock, his mind awakened while his body remained uncontrollably still."

"He tried to call out to Bo Huai, but no sound would come out."

"There was an itch on the back of his hand. Shi Youqing felt distinctly something brushing over it... long and wispy—hair!"

"That strand of hair brushed over his hand, then his arm... finally reaching his face."

"No, this can't be."

"Exerting all his strength, Shi Youqing finally managed to lift his eyelids a fraction."

"A blurred shadow stood at the head of his bed."

"His heart fluttered slightly."

"The figure, with its long hair, bent down towards him, getting closer to his face, the thick mass of hair falling towards him..."

"No!"

"A sense of suffocation overwhelmed him. He wanted to struggle, but his body remained immobile."

"So cold."

"Shi Youqing shivered from the cold. As he tensed up, someone suddenly embraced him tightly."

"A warm and solid body, not that thing..."

"Someone was calling his name."

""Qingqing...""

"The binding force on his body receded like a tide."

""It's okay now.""

"Moments later, a hand wiped the sweat from his face and gently patted his back."

"Shi Youqing opened his eyes in a daze."

"The room was lit, the brightness somewhat glaring."

"At this moment, Bo Huai was sitting motionless by his bed, watching him intently."

"I think... I experienced sleep paralysis..." he said, breathlessly tired."

"Yes, there's something off in this room," the other said, placing a pillow behind his back, eyes scanning the room, "It might be related to those animal stickers on the door."

"Only then did Shi Youqing notice that Bo Huai's breathing wasn't as steady as usual. Hesitantly, he asked, "...Did it happen to you too?"

"Bo Huai glanced at him and nodded, "It was something with long hair."

"...How did you wake up?"

"I shook it off and woke up."

“……”

"You lack strength because you're sick," Bo Huai suggested as he tended to him, "That thing is annoying, I'll keep watch next time."

"...Actually, that's not necessary."

"Bo Huai, however, turned to fetch a thermometer and after a few minutes, confirmed that the mild fever had subsided."

"Shi Youqing remarked, "Luckily, I took medicine before bed."

"Dawn was breaking outside, and neither of them felt like sleeping anymore."

"Bo Huai poured a glass of water for him to take his medicine, then sat by his bed, going nowhere."

"As time ticked away and daylight brightened, they finally got dressed and stepped out, just as their neighbors, Feng Bin and Li Yuancheng, also emerged, looking well-rested."

"Noticing his pallor, Feng Bin came over to inquire."

"Shi Youqing whispered, "Sleep paralysis."

"The other's face changed subtly."

"The sleep paralysis in this copy is entirely different from reality. Here, the ghosts are real."

"Once in the living room, everyone quickly gathered together."

"Shi Youqing observed that most people seemed to be in good spirits."

"...It appeared that only their room had issues."

"As everyone was chatting, the old man suddenly came out of his room, yawning. 'Everyone's awake? Good, saves me the trouble of calling. Starting today, except for the security, you all start work at nine. Cleaners need to tidy up indoors, chefs to prepare lunch and dinner, gardeners to plant flower seedlings in the front garden. As for the teacher, my son has already discussed your duties last night. You'll conduct an hour of music prenatal education at nine in the morning and eight in the evening...'"

"Li Yuancheng quickly asked, 'Why, except for security?'"

"The old man looked at him directly: 'Because your work hours are at night.'"

"Li Yuancheng's face turned pale: 'At night?!'"

"'Yes, starting tonight, you'll be guarding the entrance security room until seven the next morning.'"

"'How can this be...' Li Yuancheng, reluctant to accept, was pulled back by Feng Bin."

"The old man looked at him disapprovingly: 'Any more questions?'"

"Li Yuancheng bit his lip and shook his head, a chill settling in his heart."

"The thought of guarding outside all night in a dark world scenario made his skin crawl."

"He had initially thought himself lucky to have the seemingly relaxed role of a security guard... In such a ghostly place, who knew what they might encounter at night!"

"Feng Bin’s expression remained unchanged: 'We just need to keep watch over the main gate, right?'"

"The old man replied, 'Of course. Now, don't just stand there. My wife has prepared breakfast, eat up and get to work!'"

……

"During breakfast, Shi Youqing felt a bit better, though still listless. He sipped on milk while glancing towards the staircase."

"At the dining table on the first floor were only the eight players, while the family ate separately in the upstairs dining room. Midway through the meal, the male host, Tian Zikun, came down the stairs in formal wear, took his car keys, and hurried out."

"He was off to work."

"After the meal, everyone started their respective tasks as assigned by the NPCs."

"To prepare for their all-night shift, Feng Bin and Li Yuancheng went out to familiarize themselves with the surroundings."

"Bo Huai and Sun Enhao, as chefs, were busy preparing ingredients and cooking according to the lunch menu on the first floor."

"The piano room for prenatal music sessions was on the second floor."

"As Shi Youqing stepped onto the staircase, he suddenly felt a gaze fixed on his back."

"He turned to look."

"A short distance away, Bo Huai stood opposite the fridge, his eyes, shrouded in shadow, intently focused on him."

"Full of curiosity, Shi Youqing asked, 'What's the matter?'"

"Bo Huai walked over, handing him a box of medicine."

"The transparent medicine box revealed the daily medications Shi Youqing took: cold medicine, fever reducer, and other common drugs."

"'I have another box with me,' Bo Huai said earnestly, 'Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.'"

"Receiving the medicine, a smile crossed Shi Youqing's face. 'You’re worried, aren’t you?'"

"Bo Huai just looked at him seriously: '...I think there’s something here I dislike.'"

"'...A ghost?'"

"Bo Huai didn’t respond, clearly not implying that."

"A few minutes later."

"After parting with Bo Huai, Shi Youqing entered the piano room on the second floor."

"The lady of the house, Su Hui, was already there waiting, seated gracefully on the sofa."

"'Sorry to keep you waiting,' Shi Youqing said, approaching the room’s only piano. He opened the lid. 'What would you like to hear, madam?'"

"He had taken piano lessons as a child, and though his health had declined over time, he occasionally practiced at home. It was a hobby that should suffice for his role in this scenario."

"'Could you play Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata?'"

"'Of course.' Adjusting the piano slightly, Shi Youqing began to play."

"Golden morning light streamed through the window, and the beautiful melody flowed from those delicate, fair hands. The woman listened, enchanted, but after a while sighed, 'Sir, you play beautifully, but the piece is a bit melancholic. It reminds me of some unpleasant memories... perhaps we could change to another?'"

"The nimble and long fingers ceased their dance."

"Shi Youqing glanced at the woman’s shadow, 'Madam, are you troubled by something? It’s important to maintain a positive mood during pregnancy. We can change the music anytime, but if something’s weighing on your mind, please don’t hesitate to share.'"

"'It’s not really a worry, just... everyone wishes their partner belonged only to them, right?'"

"Shi Youqing looked directly at her."

"'Oh, don’t get me wrong, he wouldn’t dare to be unfaithful,' her eyes twinkled with irony, 'It’s just that he has an ex-wife. Although they parted amicably, thinking about their long time together always unsettles me, that’s all.'"

"'...Mr. Tian doesn’t keep in touch with his ex-wife, does he?'"

"'Of course not, they’ve been divorced for years and hardly ever meet.'"

"'I see,' he said, feigning interest in their personal affairs, 'With the pregnancy making it hard for you to move, Mr. Tian accompanies you to the check-ups, right?'"

"'Yes,' she seemed happy to share, smiling contentedly, 'You wouldn’t believe how much joy this baby has brought to our family... Oh, what’s the matter?'"

"'Nothing,' Shi Youqing quickly turned away, his fingers almost touching the piano keys, then probed again, 'Madam looks very fortunate. Perhaps you might be blessed with double happiness, expecting twins.'"

"'What a lovely thought!' she laughed, 'But I’ve seen the baby many times on ultrasound, and what you’re suggesting is just impossible!'"

"Shi Youqing pressed his lips together, unable to speak further."

"In this house, there was someone they couldn’t see."

"[Author’s Note]"

"The next update will be a bit late. Thanks to the angels who nourished me with their support: Fengsheng 10 bottles; Qianqian, Men Who Don’t Love Themselves are Like Spoiled Cabbage 1 bottle;"

"I'm so grateful for everyone's support and will continue to work hard!"