"Mu Qi, did you notice a white shadow flash by just now?" Yun Shu Nian tugged gently at Mu Qi's sleeve and whispered in his ear.
Without waiting for a reply, Yun Shu Nian continued, "Mu Qi, say something! Did you see a white shadow float past? Mu Qi, why aren't you talking?"
Yun Shu Nian's heart felt like it was about to leap out of her chest.
Shan Gong, trailing behind them, listened to Yun Shu Nian's incessant chatter, a vein throbbing on his forehead.
He truly couldn't fathom how entering a mere ethereal haunted house could reduce Yun Shu Nian's intelligence to such a degree.
Seeing Yun Shu Nian's hand trembling along with his sleeve, Mu Qi forcefully turned her head. He then leaned down, parting her lips and gently but firmly bit the tip of her tongue.
Feeling the sharp pain on her tongue and seeing the magnified handsome face before her, Yun Shu Nian slowly regained some composure, yet she was still terrified.
Yun Shu Nian pushed Mu Qi away slightly, "Mu Qi, why didn't you answer me just now?"
Yun Shu Nian's tone was a little rushed, fear more apparent than blame.
Sensing Yun Shu Nian's emotions from her tone, Mu Qi placed his hands on her waist, lifted her up, and then held her close, stroking her head.
"Close your eyes, we'll be out soon." Mu Qi offered no explanation, he only knew Yun Shu Nian was extremely uneasy.
"Mhm, mhm, but Mu Qi, can you please not touch my head? It gives me the creeps." As soon as Mu Qi spoke, Yun Shu Nian immediately nuzzled his chest and nodded rapidly.
Shan Gong: "..."
Shan Gong felt Yun Shu Nian was truly ungrateful. So many people accidentally brushed against Young Master and would be so excited they wouldn't wash their hands for days, yet Yun Shu Nian was so demanding.
Shan Gong grumbled fiercely in his heart, while Mu Qi simply tightened his embrace around Yun Shu Nian and softly agreed.
Just then, an NPC with hair obscuring their face and tattered clothes revealing distinct bloodstains appeared before Mu Qi.
The surrounding people immediately screamed in terror.
Yun Shu Nian, unable to see, flinched at their screams and tightened her grip around Mu Qi's neck.
Mu Qi cast a cold glance at the NPC, then without hesitation, turned to give Shan Gong a look.
Shan Gong, facing the NPC with pale skin that shimmered with a faint green glow, swallowed hard. Following Mu Qi's instructions, he picked up the NPC and moved them aside.
Shan Gong wasn't scared, he just found it disgusting!
Then, under Mu Qi's direction, Shan Gong brought the map of the haunted house before Mu Qi.
Mu Qi's gaze swept over the intricate pathways, then without a moment's hesitation, he stepped forward.
At this moment, Yun Shu Nian was clinging entirely to Mu Qi. Without having to adjust his pace to hers, Mu Qi moved much faster.
Along the way, there were no lack of dedicated NPCs blocking their path. However, these NPCs were either so captivated by Mu Qi's face that they forgot their menacing screams, or they were so bewildered by Mu Qi and Shan Gong's calm demeanor that they became flustered.
Before long, Mu Qi had safely carried Yun Shu Nian out of the haunted house.
Feeling the warmth and brightness of the sunlight, Yun Shu Nian, who had been hidden in Mu Qi's embrace, let out a sigh of relief.
Indeed, the "mortal world" was better.
Yun Shu Nian patted Mu Qi's back, signaling for him to put her down.
However, Mu Qi, who had been moving with such urgency, now slowed his pace.
Shan Gong knew Mu Qi best and naturally sensed Mu Qi's reluctance. Perhaps a wire had snapped, as he suddenly spoke,
"Madam, after the roller coaster and the haunted house, you must still be shaken. Why don't you let Young Master hold you for a while longer to rest?"
After speaking, Shan Gong realized the impropriety of his words and nervously watched Mu Qi's profile.
"Mhm, let's rest a bit longer." Mu Qi responded readily, lifting Yun Shu Nian up again, showing none of the previous slow, lingering hesitation.
Hearing Shan Gong's words, Yun Shu Nian was quite surprised. She raised an eyebrow, leaned off Mu Qi's shoulder, and looked at Shan Gong.
However, looking at Shan Gong's poker face for too long quickly became tiresome.
Seeing Mu Qi actually holding her tighter, Yun Shu Nian quickly tried to kick her legs, "Mu Qi, don't listen to Shan Gong, quickly put me down. I'll take you to play something else."
"Isn't it good for me to hold you?" Mu Qi lowered his gaze, appearing quite dejected.
Seeing Mu Qi like this, Shan Gong wished he could forcefully shove Yun Shu Nian back into Mu Qi's arms.
"Of course it's not good." Yun Shu Nian replied without hesitation, then patted Mu Qi's shoulder, urging him to put her down quickly.
Mu Qi's expression stiffened, a storm brewing in his eyes. The hand on Yun Shu Nian's waist involuntarily tightened.
But after a moment, accompanied by Yun Shu Nian's startled cry, Mu Qi managed to suppress the turbulent emotions in his phoenix eyes.
When Yun Shu Nian finally landed, she rubbed her waist and looked up at Mu Qi with a reproachful glance.
Seeing Mu Qi show no reaction and remain unusually silent, Yun Shu Nian's reproachful mood instantly vanished.
"Mu Qi, are you okay?" Yun Shu Nian reached out to take Mu Qi's hand. Mu Qi didn't refuse, but turned his head away as if to hide his reddened eyes.
"Were the 'ghosts' inside a bit scary?" Yun Shu Nian, disregarding the growing circle of onlookers gathering around them, stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Mu Qi, patting his back.
Facing Yun Shu Nian's initiative, Mu Qi's body gradually stiffened, but the ferocity hidden in his phoenix eyes gradually dissipated.
"Are you tired from holding me?" Seeing Mu Qi still not responding, Yun Shu Nian continued to pat his back and then knead his shoulders.
"Are you feeling any better?" After a moment, Yun Shu Nian shook Mu Qi's sleeve and looked up at him, asking.
Seeing this, Shan Gong felt that their Young Master had clearly misunderstood. He boldly spoke again to Yun Shu Nian.
"Madam, why don't you let Young Master hold you for a little longer?"