Nightmare (13)-Dazzling

Yu Xing nodded and took out her phone.

Just in case, he habitually silenced his phone. Although he didn't know exactly where the time jump occurred, if Zhao Ruru's guess was correct and Zhou Xue had indeed entered another timeline, then she should have already seen the questions he sent at noon about the Yugi's concept art and replied to them.

As soon as he turned on the screen, a bunch of spam notifications popped up in his notification bar. He deleted them all with one click and then opened WeChat.

Sure enough, at 3:19 PM, Zhou Xue replied to several other colleagues' work-related WeChat messages.

Zhou Xue: Ah, sorry, I had something to do today and didn't check my phone much.

This long-tongued ghost is drawn very well; it matches my image of a long tongue perfectly, no need to change it.

Regarding the bride, I've finalized all the details of her appearance. Shall we discuss it again on Monday? Oh, and I have a new idea for a villain character that we can include in the second chapter of the Yugi, which hasn't even started yet.

A masked, mad killer, the true mastermind behind all the conspiracies, wielding an awl, and fond of humming tunes.

After being defeated by the protagonist in Chapter 1, the boss groom felt a slight pang of remorse and possessed the protagonist's body. In Chapter 2, he serves as an ally, sensing the location of the madman and alerting the protagonist to avoid him. What do you think?

Is this idea feasible?

4 o'clock sharp -

Zhou Xue: Why aren't you replying? Are you revising your drawing? I really admire you for being so diligent over the weekend. When will I be as good as you? [sighing cat. jpg][envious cat. jpg]

Yu Xing raised an eyebrow.

I'm just an artist, why would you need to consult me about the plot? If it's just a brief summary of the plot to help me with my drawing, there's no need to add two questions at the end asking for my opinion.

Was she... testing me? Did I do something that made her wary?

Or perhaps there was some element in her dream that was detrimental to me? I'm just a kind-hearted colleague who knows nothing about this!

Zhao Ruru exclaimed in surprise, "Oh, I checked my chat history, and there was a message I sent her to comfort her, saying, 'Grandma will definitely bless you. Don't think too much when you get back, just relax.' It seems we really did go to the cemetery."

She secretly breathed a sigh of relief, "That's great, as long as nothing happens to her, everything is fine."

As long as Zhou Xue is safe and sound, that's the best news for the strategists.

Ignoring Zhao Ruru's emotional changes, Yu Xing scanned Zhou Xue's reply again, focusing on the words "can hum a tune" and "friendly character".

Undoubtedly, last night's dream seemed to have given Zhou Xue an additional role to consider, and even caused her to make a 180-degree turn in her attitude towards the ghost groom, changing him into a friendly character if the plot allowed.

Why? Did you see many mind-blowing images in your dream last night?

Yu Xing had previously guessed that Zhao Yijiu was likely a character from a dream, existing on another level to protect Zhou Xue.

If that's the case... it seems Zhao Yijiu is actually playing the ghost groom.

Regardless of what others think, and regardless of Zhou Xue's intention in sending him these messages, he believes that this is the information that the Absurd Deduction system is giving to the deducer's companion at this stage.

Knowing your teammates' roles beforehand allows you to take the initiative in any situation that may arise.

So far, the three members are on opposite sides, making it difficult for them to interact.

As for the other "new character"... the appearance of a character not mentioned in the first phase at the Yin House was within Yu Xing's expectations. He was still very curious to know what position the Yin House's mistress and her ilk held in the whole affair.

What caught his attention was the phrase "humming a tune." A madman who liked to hum—these all fit the description of Lingren. Just by hearing the description, Yu Xing could imagine what this character was like.

That must be Lingren, no one else.

In all these years, Yu Xing had never been so close to the clues about the Lingren. In his excitement, a nearly complete memory surfaced in his mind.

Back then, the garden of that villa was often occupied by a slender man in the early morning. He would stand in a specific spot and practice his singing, each note carrying a strong theatrical flavor.

Then, when Yu Xing was woken up and sleepily pulled back the curtains to look outside, the man would turn his head and reveal a refined and polite smile, yet with a hint of flirtatiousness. He had a very composed demeanor, like a frail elder, and would glance at Yu Xing window with a gaze that pretended to be that of a peer.

During that time, Yu Xing would wake up every day when the Lingren were practicing their singing. At first, he wasn't happy about it, but when Master Yu heard his complaints, he just joked, "That's great! It cures your habit of sleeping in, so you won't have to get up so late every day."

The blatant fondness of the Lingren by the head of the household allowed him to move about the Yu family with increasing freedom. Yu Xing was very curious as to why her father was so indulgent towards a performer, simply because he liked listening to opera?

Every day, you could hear some humming. Gradually, Yu Xing would even unconsciously hum a few lines while drawing, and she would be very surprised when she realized it.

One day, Yu Xing was in his studio mixing paints when Lingren happened to pass by, humming a very high-pitched melody. Just by listening to his voice, it was impossible to tell whether he was a man or a woman.

At that moment, Yu Xing, for reasons unknown, put down his pen and called out to the Lingren, "Please wait, Mr. Lingren."

The Lingren turned his head, his eyes slightly lowered, but with the ever-present smile on his lips, he did not appear weak. Instead, he was surprisingly upright, composed, and neither humble nor arrogant.

As if he knew what Yu Xing wanted to say, he spoke up before Yu Xing could even make his request, "Young Master, would you like to learn opera from me?"

Yu Xing was astonished by his precognitive abilities. After hesitating behind the easel for a moment, he nodded and said, "I'm somewhat interested."

The Lingren smiled elegantly, bowed, and said, "How can such a lowly profession be associated with the young master? Perhaps we should consider..."

"What do you mean by 'low-class' or 'low-class'?" Yu Xing interrupted the Lingren, speaking to him earnestly, "You haven't stolen, robbed, killed, or committed arson. What's shameful about a perfectly good profession? The saying 'All professions are inferior except for studying' is no longer appropriate. Everyone is equal."

A golden oriole, kept by servants, landed on a tree outside the window, its melodious song ringing out, bringing life and vibrancy to the green landscape.

Pale golden sunlight streamed in through the open window, bathing Yu Xing in his pure yet resolute gaze. The paintbrush handle reflected the light, and his short black hair accentuated his Yu Xing, almost feminine, Chinese features, much like those of Lingren, making him appear warm and radiant.

It was so dazzling it was almost blinding.