When the Wild Beast is Trapped in the Nightmare Cycle (BL)
Chapter 435: Smells Funny

Chapter 435: Smells Funny

The two of them walked with Shen Nianzu in front and Jin Jiuchi trailing a little behind, while the maid guided them with a lantern in hand. Much to Shen Nianzu’s dismay, even the lantern was shaped akin to a vertical glass slipper. Since he learned about the ominous tale behind the glass slippers, it seemed like he began to see them everywhere in the residence.

Aside from their overlapping footsteps, no other sound could be heard in the dim hallway. The once beautiful and elegant mansion now felt like an eerie place. The flickering light from the lanterns fell onto them, casting elongated shadows on the wall akin to a distorted spirit that haunted their every step.

Shen Nianzu felt a mischievous poke on his back, and he deftly caught Jin Jiuchi’s fingers with a whoosh, preventing the husky from bothering him further. The trapped fingers did not sit still; they squirmed and wiggled around, trying to find a space to break free, but Shen Nianzu mercilessly tightened his grip around them.

The maid leading the way was utterly oblivious that the two people were playing around behind her back.

Irked, Shen Nianzu pinched Jin Jiuchi’s palm, silently warning him to behave. In response, Jin Jiuchi patted him twice and scratched his nail on his palm— wait, was he writing something? Blinking, Shen Nianzu focused his attention on his palm while trying his best to resist the ticklish sensation that made him want to shrink away.

[Nian’er, we’re really going just like this?]

With a silent huff, Shen Nianzu tilted his head sideways and mouthed at him, "Or else?"

Jin Jiuchi stuck closer to him, close enough that Shen Nianzu could feel the man’s familiar body heat seeping into his back. Their hands were still clasped between their bodies, fingers entwined, adding a hint of ambiguity to the otherwise dreadful atmosphere.

Once again, Jin Jiuchi scratched on the tender flesh of his palm, writing, [I don’t like her.]

Who?

As though sensing the question, Jin Jiuchi continued, [That woman... smells funny.]

Shen Nianzu was caught off guard for a split second before blazing anger surged in his chest, prompting him to squeeze Jin Jiuchi’s hand hard and eliciting a sharp inhalation of breath from the latter. This damned husky... he seemed to have detected something amiss about Vivianne, so why did he keep mum?! Why did he have to wait until now to—

"We’re here," the maid announced softly, stopping in front of the door. By reflex, Jin Jiuchi took an abrupt step backward to increase the distance between them, and their hands naturally parted.

Shen Nianzu clenched his fist behind his back, fuming. See? Now they couldn’t even exchange information anymore! Facing the maid, however, Shen Nianzu plastered an impeccable smile on his face, albeit his words sounded as if they were forced out through gritted teeth,

"Very well, you may leave now."

The maid bowed and hastily scurried away, eager to leave the eye of the storm as quickly as possible.

Shen Nianzu slowly raised his hand to knock on the door as he faced Jin Jiuchi, demanding silently, "What do you mean by that?!"

But Jin Jiuchi, as unreliable as ever, shook his head with a perplexed look. "I can’t explain. It’s just... weird."

Well, there goes the clue. Shen Nianzu took a deep breath and told himself to be patient instead of chucking Jin Jiuchi out of the window. At least, he understood now that he must be extra cautious in dealing with Madam Vivianne.

His hand finally fell, rapping on the door to the drawing room in three successive knocks. The sound reverberated through the silent hallway akin to the heavy thud of his heart.

"Come in," echoed a response from within.

Shen Nianzu opened the door, his vigilance heightened to the maximum. Despite the burning fireplace, the air still felt frigid for some unknown reason.

Vivianne sat on the couch that faced the door, her features half illuminated by the golden glow of the hearth while the other half remained shrouded in the shadows, creating a sharp and haunting juxtaposition. A faint smile tugged on her lips as she spoke, "Why are you standing on the doorway? Come here and... bring that girl with you too," she added with a hint of repulsion and displeasure as she glanced at Jin Jiuchi.

With his chin held high, Shen Nianzu stepped into the room while Jin Jiuchi conscientiously followed suit, closing the door behind him. Approaching the older woman, Shen Nianzu stopped when he was ten steps away, offering her an elegant curtsy, "Mother, I heard you’re looking for me?"

"Oh yes," Madam Vivianne responded, her tone tinged with concern. "I am quite troubled by the commotion earlier. Can you explain yourself and ease your mother’s worries, Rosie?"

"Of course, Mother." Shen Nianzu recited the excuse he had long prepared in mind, "Cinderella caught a mouse in her room, and because of her carelessness, quite a lot of blood was spilled, frightening the maid. I didn’t want such an unsightly scene to be witnessed by your or Father, so I swiftly took control, sealed the room and brought Cinderella away. I apologize for the unrest I’ve caused, Mother. It’s my fault."

The excuse was flawless, if he had to say. By throwing the blame on the mouse, they could explain where the blood came from. Vivianne must not have checked the room yet, as she wouldn’t want to arouse Richard’s suspicion. Shen Nianzu also cleverly left a way out for himself – as the Eldest Young Lady, it was natural for him to prioritize the family’s reputation and well-being.

All that remained was for Jin Jiuchi to keep his mouth shut and refrain from speaking even one word.

Sure enough, upon hearing the recount, the disgust in Madam Vivianne’s eyes deepened as she regarded Jin Jiuchi with disdain, "What a crude girl, indeed. As expected of the offspring of that uncouth woman. Well done, Rosie. You truly saved us back then. I shudder to think how I would explain to your father if he were to stumble upon her. It’s already troubling enough to divert his attention from the room."

Shen Nianzu curved his lips and replied humbly, "I only did what was necessary."

His hands, that had been clenching his skirt tightly, could finally relax and only then did he realize that his palms had gotten all clammy. Alas, just as he thought that they had successfully averted the crisis, Madam Vivianne spoke again,

"However, there’s something Richard mentioned that bothers me," she hummed lightly. "He said that... the relationship between you two is quite good. I understand that you’re doing this for our family, Rosie, but..." any hint of warmth she had when she looked at her eldest daughter vanished from her eyes.

"It really displeases me."

Shen Nianzu instinctively raised his head when he sensed Vivianne moving from his peripheral vision. In the darkness, a glint of light whizzed through the air.

His body tensed, and he reflexively dodged, only to realize too late that Vivianne’s attack was never aimed at him – it was aimed at Jin Jiuchi!