The sky was still drizzling with fine rain, but it was completely blocked by the mansion constructed from black mist.
Yu Deng was pinned against the head of the bed by his deceased husband, slightly tilting his head back. His slender neck, with its disheveled, soft black hair, and a few tears at the corners of his eyes, added to his delicate appearance.
His deceased husband lay on his chest, holding him tightly.
It seemed both affectionate and imprisoning.
Cheng Chaoling softly called out to Yu Deng, his tone warm and intimate, "Wife."
"Hmph."
Yu Deng, called by Cheng Chaoling, finally began to feel a bit like a wife. However, the persistent itching from the cherry-pink marks made him uncomfortable, and he was still sulking, awkwardly pushing Cheng Chaoling's shoulder away.
His husband shouldn't be biting there—it's too perverted.
Cheng Chaoling took the opportunity to lift his head, his body still pressed against Yu Deng's. His high nose bridge rubbed against Yu Deng's warm cheek.
"Wife hasn't answered me yet."
Yu Deng stared blankly at his husband for a few seconds before remembering what Cheng Chaoling had said. His husband had told him not to look at others.
"But, that's not something I can control," Yu Deng said in confusion, "after all, there are so many people in the world."
Cheng Chaoling gazed at him for a few seconds, then smiled gently. "What my wife says is correct."
So, if all the troublesome people and things were dealt with, wouldn't that solve the problem?
As soon as this thought emerged, the space in the mansion seemed to shake.
Yu Deng remained firmly encircled. Cheng Chaoling, pressed so close to him, let his chilly breath seep through Yu Deng's torn clothes.
Yu Deng was completely held in his husband's embrace. He realized too late that he couldn't feel Cheng Chaoling's heartbeat.
Because Cheng Chaoling was indeed dead.
Yu Deng pressed his slightly swollen lips together. "Have you been trapped inside before, unable to get out?"
"Yes." Cheng Chaoling replied casually, "I was in the coffin all the time. Even if I came out, others couldn't see me or hear me."
The mature and powerful older man deliberately showed a weak side in front of his little wife.
"Did you do anything bad?" Yu Deng asked softly.
"Wife, that is the greatest secret of the Cheng family." Cheng Chaoling traced the corner of Yu Deng's eye with his fingertip but still said, "I disdain to do anything wicked."
At least when he was still human, he would never have done such things. As for now, as a ghost, wanting to monopolize a beloved human seemed quite normal.
Yu Deng was silent for a few minutes.
He felt guilty; his deceased husband might have been killed. Now that he had finally come out, Yu Deng still had to seal him again.
But if he didn't complete the task, he would be in danger. Wasn't there a way to resolve this?
Yu Deng remained silent for too long, and Cheng Chaoling, unable to suppress his ghostly nature, started to become restless.
His cold hand moved to Yu Deng's back, gently caressing and rubbing down his spine to the sensitive base of his tailbone.
His fingertips almost touched the raised curve.
Yu Deng's eyelashes fluttered, and he reflexively kicked Cheng Chaoling.
"Sorry, wife, but ghosts can't control themselves," Cheng Chaoling said apologetically, though his actions didn't stop. He grasped Yu Deng's ankle and lowered his head to kiss Yu Deng's crimson lips.
Yu Deng's slender white legs were parted and slightly lifted, the black mist crawling over his trousers, causing the fabric to appear as if it might tear.
"I said not to kiss me, and stop touching me, it's perverted," Yu Deng complained.
Perhaps because he knew his deceased husband was the shadowy figure from a few days ago, Yu Deng's temper was quite high.
"Every kiss is both itchy and painful, and you always kiss those places."
"Pervert."
Cheng Chaoling smiled at Yu Deng's assessment, explaining, "Ghosts indeed lack morals, but if my wife is unhappy, I'll kiss gently, so it won't hurt you. Isn't that fair? It doesn't count as bullying, right?"
Cheng Chaoling skipped over whether kissing was permissible or if more extreme actions were allowed, focusing instead on discussing how forcefully he should kiss.
It seemed logical, but it was full of malicious temptation.
Yu Deng tilted his head and pondered for a moment.
It seemed somewhat reasonable...
"Alright, but you can't hurt me next time you kiss."
"Of course, no problem."
System 01: [..]
Foolish host, you haven't completed many tasks and are being bullied.
The study on the second floor of the mansion.
Cheng Xiao, standing a few meters away, spoke to Lin Zhiyue, his words revolving entirely around the young widow Yu Deng.
Miss Lin, having lived her life on edge, had never experienced such a breakdown.
She believed Cheng Xiao was indeed not interested in capturing her; this young man's eyes were only on Yu Deng. In a sense, her murderous intent shifted from one level to another.
"I understand. You truly have no interest in investigating. I'll let you off for now," Lin Zhiyue said, forcing a smile. "But let me remind you."
She said sternly, "Don't covet what you shouldn't covet."
Cheng Xiao glanced at her, subtly suggesting, "My stepmother probably doesn't like girls."
Lin Zhiyue: "…" Forget it.
Miss Lin turned and left.
Cheng Xiao watched the killer leave, his tensed muscles relaxing as he put away the dagger hidden in his sleeve.
He glanced at the gray, overcast sky outside the window, frowning.
Downstairs, the players had gathered together unusually during non-meeting hours. Noticing Cheng Xiao's arrival, Ke Qi spoke softly.
"The mansion is very strange now."
"Hmm."
"Look." Ke Qi pointed to the mansion's pitch-black environment and indicated the nearby servants. "The NPCs are acting weird. They almost gave me chills when I spoke to them. The experienced players say a big move might be coming."
The mansion now seemed to have formed some kind of dangerous domain, of which the players were completely unaware.
Cheng Xiao looked at the servants. Their expressions were subtle, rigid, and strange, like puppets on strings.
Cheng Xiao's frown deepened.
Strange, he hadn't seen his little mom around. Could he be in danger?
At this moment, the butler silently entered the room. Cheng Xiao stopped him. "Uncle Dong, have you seen my little mom?"
The butler rolled his eyes. "The madam went in that direction."
Minutes later.
The black mist-constructed mansion turned into nothingness again, and Yu Deng once more saw the dim sky.
Suddenly, the dense mist was parted, and a lithe figure swiftly approached from afar. All the unknown creatures that came near were dealt with efficiently, and the figure finally stopped a few meters in front of Yu Deng.
Cheng Xiao, with eyes full of admiration for his beautiful little mom, was relieved to see him and then noticed the man beside him.
Cheng Xiao's gaze became sharp.
Upon closer inspection, he saw that Yu Deng had changed clothes, and the man was attentively buttoning Yu Deng's clothes and adjusting his collar.
Yu Deng's eyes were watery, and his eye corners were flushed, as if he had been roughly handled.
Cheng Xiao: "..."
He pressed his knuckles hard, gripping his dagger, and approached step by step.
Yu Deng, stunned, looked at Cheng Xiao.
What, Cheng Xiao is also a newbie player, why does he seem so capable?!
The system anticipated Yu Deng's thoughts and comforted the host, saying, [Once you complete the beginner's dungeon and acquire skills and items, you'll be strong too.]
Yu Deng felt reassured by the system.
Cheng Xiao ignored the restless black mist trying to drive him away and stood one meter away from Yu Deng.
The two men had similar profile curves, and their eyes held the same pathological obsession with Yu Deng.
Cheng Xiao asked softly, "Little Mom, who is he?"
Before Yu Deng could answer, Cheng Chaoling scoffed, "You're calling him little mom, but you can't even recognize his spouse, your own father?"
Cheng Chaoling looked coldly at his adopted son and sighed from the perspective of an elder.
"It was a mistake to agree to raise you under my name. It is my fault for letting you become this shameless brat who covets his elders."
Cheng Xiao immediately realized who the man was. He gripped his weapon tightly and snorted, "Isn't it natural for me to take care of my father's widow? Who knew a dead person would come back to cause trouble? Besides, Deng Deng hasn't refused me."
The smile in Cheng Chaoling's eyes faded.
The refined and graceful superior and the emerging young wolf cub couldn't stand each other. The mature and strong and the vibrant youth were evenly matched in their confrontation.
If Yu Deng hadn't been there, they might have already fought.
Yu Deng, caught in the middle, watched the two men who were about to clash, feeling anxious but unsure of what to do.
In his panic, tears welled up in his eyes.
"My wife is so beautiful and lovely, indeed very likeable," Cheng Chaolin sighed with lowered eyes.
After a few seconds of contemplation, Yu Deng interpreted this remark as a compliment. He blinked, feeling a little proud, 'Many people have always liked me.'
"Indeed, I can see that," Cheng Chaolin replied gently, his lips curling up.
Cheng Chaoling smiled gently. "But, my dear wife is only mine."
Once was, and always will be.
As those words fell, sharp black mist eagerly attacked Cheng Xiao, who quickly reacted, slashing through it and bracing for a fight.
Yu Deng widened his eyes. "What's going on?"
"Wait!" Yu Deng, in a fluster, grabbed the stepson who was about to attack his late husband. "D-Don't fight."
Don't stubbornly confront the fierce ghost boss.
Cheng Xiao paused, thinking Yu Deng stopped him to prevent Cheng Chaolin from getting hurt.
The rebellious wolf cub instantly turned into a disappointed puppy.
He lowered his gaze and emphasized, "Deng Deng, what he can give you, I can give you too."
Cheng Chaoling coldly glanced at his adopted son. "Really?"
"Instead of talking so much, why not let Deng Deng choose?" Cheng Xiao stared deeply at Yu Deng. "Deng Deng, who do you like?"
Yu Deng hesitated, glancing between his little mom and his deceased husband.
Actually, both of them are bad dogs who like to nibble on him, so it's a tie. If he really has to choose...
"I, I like those who are obedient and powerful."
Someone who can cooperate with him on tasks and help him succeed.
Cheng Chaoling and Cheng Xiao, upon hearing this, had the same determined look in their eyes.
Their intense and pathological love and possessiveness meant that they wouldn't allow anyone else near Yu Deng.
Even if, in name, they were family.
They were about to compete for the sole bride.
-- Only the winner is worthy of being the pampered baby's dog.