"Of course she's capable; someone like Old Mr. Yuan wouldn't keep a burden around." Lin Qianqian's seemingly casual remark only heightened everyone's curiosity about Bai Yu.

"It's a pity. If they hadn't been kicked out, I'd really like to see what other surprises those three would bring us." Yao Shunyu turned to look back the way they came, but the door to the front hall was already closed.

"I advise you not to have such plans. To survive smoothly, we still need to rely on those three."

Unlike Yao Shunyu's flippancy, Li Bai's voice contained a hint of caution.

Similar to Jiang Cheng's previous assessment of her, she was a relatively normal person in the mission, unwilling to cause trouble, and without excessive aggression. But this didn't mean she was incapable; she just often saw through things without speaking out.

Yao Shunyu spread his hands, putting on an innocent look. "Miss Li Bai, what are you talking about? I don't understand a word. Brother Jiang, can you translate Miss Li Bai's words for me?"

Sensing Yao Shunyu turning the spearhead towards him, Jiang Cheng didn't bother to pay attention. He was an unwelcome smart aleck.

Before long, everyone was drawn to a commotion in the distance, accompanied by a faint glow of fire.

A figure came running in a stumble. Lai Fu's eyes lit up when he saw Jiang Cheng and the others. Ding Zhenzong glared with dissatisfaction, threatening fiercely, "What are you doing? Trying to die? Aren't you supposed to keep the entire mansion quiet?"

"Masters, I'm so sorry. Someone from the eldest young master's place has come, saying they must invite the masters over for a visit, no matter what. Something strange has happened there." Lai Fu's voice trembled.

They had already witnessed too many strange events tonight: an old corpse carrying a new corpse, a smiling corpse walking on tiptoes. Who knew the eldest young master's place would also have problems? Just thinking about the handprint on the eldest young master's back sent chills down their spines.

Just as everyone was thinking of excuses to refuse, Lai Fu thoughtfully handed over a few bamboo sticks. "Masters don't all need to go. Just three masters going as a token of appreciation will do."

The bamboo sticks looked the same from the back. The only difference was at the top: six sticks, three red and three black. Those who drew the red sticks would have to keep watch at the eldest young master's place.

It seemed this was also part of the mission's arrangement, leaving no room for refusal. In the end, after drawing lots, Yao Shunyu, Ding Zhenzong, and Li Bai were selected to leave with Lai Fu. Ding Zhenzong's face was filled with reluctance.

"Brother Jiangcheng, your friend is amazing! He didn't draw a red stick even after drawing twice." Now that only three people remained, Lin Qianqian still hadn't given up on trying to talk to Jiang Cheng. Her eyes seemed to be covered with a layer of mist, revealing an unusual tenderness. "It's so enviable to be Brother Jiangcheng's companion."

Fatty got goosebumps listening to Lin Qianqian's voice, thinking this woman was really persistent. Was she not even pretending anymore, and just planning to devour the doctor by force?

Looking at Lin Qianqian's face, Jiang Cheng sighed softly, his tone unusually gentle. "Miss Lin is too kind. We're all fellow sufferers in this mission. In the end, we're all poor people not favored by fate, like duckweed in a chaotic world, or a tree without roots. We can't guess the beginning, and we can't see the end."

Lin Qianqian's gaze grew even more adoring, her tone filled with affection. "I didn't expect Brother Jiangcheng to be a philosopher."

"I wouldn't call myself a philosopher. I just feel that Miss Lin is a sincere and reliable person. I hope we can become partners." Jiang Cheng sincerely extended his hand, his eyes pure and clean. "We'll share blessings together."

Lin Qianqian hesitated slightly, but quickly covered it up with intense excitement. She also extended her hand to grasp Jiang Cheng's, her attitude excited, but before she could speak, she heard Jiang Cheng say, "And you'll bear the hardships!"

The expression on Lin Qianqian's face froze.

After they let go of each other's hands, Jiang Cheng immediately retracted his smile and looked at Fatty beside him with businesslike manner. "My fat partner, did you remember what Miss Lin said just now?"

"I remembered." Fatty revealed a malicious smile, waving the phone in his hand. "Not only did I remember, but I also recorded it. We'll share the blessings, and she'll bear the hardships. Miss Lin is truly a considerate person."

Spreading his hands towards a dumbfounded Lin Qianqian, Jiang Cheng looked slightly embarrassed. "Miss Lin, I'm afraid I won't be able to find any blessings to share with you in this world, but rest assured, this world has no shortage of dangers. You'll definitely have a use."

Even with a good temper, being mocked like this by Jiang Cheng and Fatty, Lin Qianqian's face turned gloomy, and a strange expression appeared on her pretty face.

Through observing Lin Qianqian during this time, Jiang Cheng became increasingly certain that she was the one who hid the alarm clock to harm him and Fatty. Moreover, this woman often stirred up discord in the team, deliberately saying some strange things that easily caused conflict.

Fatty also disliked this woman. Lin Qianqian made him feel uncomfortable and dangerous.

...

In another direction, outside the eldest young master's room, three people stood side by side, their faces looking grim.

The eldest young master's servant left after assigning the night's work to Yao Shunyu and the other two. The servant's flustered manner made it seem as if he was running for his life, even tripping over the threshold.

"Damn it, what kind of rules are these? They called us here but didn't tell us what strange things happened inside. They only told us to keep watch, without giving us any clues." Ding Zhenzong couldn't help but complain.

"It seems we have to explore the situation inside ourselves." Li Bai looked at the eldest young master's room, her tone filled with worry. Something was bound to happen tonight, but they didn't know if it would happen here or at Luo Tianhe and Jiang Cheng's place.

Without any clues, who would take the first shift was worth considering.

But unexpectedly, Yao Shunyu, who was usually nonchalant, took the initiative to take on the task. "I'll take the first shift. There are probably four or five hours until dawn. Starting now, after an hour and a half, Li Bai, you'll take over my post, and then Ding..."

Before he could finish speaking, Ding Zhenzong interrupted, saying in a simple and honest tone, "Mr. Yao, I'll take your shift. I tend to get sleepy near dawn."

"Miss Li Bai, please be accommodating." Ding Zhenzong also gave Li Bai an apologetic smile.

Ding Zhenzong was naturally just making excuses. He didn't like following the route set by others, especially in such a high-stakes situation. No one knew what their teammates were plotting, and he suspected that Yao Shunyu had secretly reached some agreement with Li Bai, or that Yao Shunyu had some key clues, otherwise he couldn't understand why Yao Shunyu dared to take the first shift.