Chapter 3

Chapter 2: Changming Town 2

Inside the black-and-white funeral hall, the eyes of two women were fixed on Jiang Wan’er, seemingly studying her reactions.

Shi Zong, hiding within Jiang Wan’er’s shell, remained expressionless, also observing them.

Although he didn’t fully understand this game, Shi Zong remembered the keyword in its name—“murder mystery.”

In reality, murder mystery games come in many types: some are hardcore, focusing on deduction and puzzle-solving, while others emphasize immersive experiences, sometimes without a culprit-finding element, focusing on emotional stories.

Regardless, the script is pre-written; if there is a deceased character, they have already been determined.

What about this game world?

The system had only mentioned that a killer might exist among the players, but it hadn’t revealed who the deceased was…

Is it because the murder hasn’t happened yet?

Or does even the system not know the deceased?

Because it depends on the players’ choices.

Shi Zong’s gaze swept over the two women in front of him: one was the mother-in-law who believed he killed her two sons, the other was the romantic rival of his recently deceased husband…

They both hated him; both likely had murderous intent.

In any case, Feng Meimei shouldn’t be bringing him bird’s nest soup.

This bird’s nest cannot be eaten.

Drawing that conclusion, Shi Zong recalled the system’s warning, “Do not OOC casually,” and, using Jiang Wan’er’s body, looked at the women with a seemingly fragile expression.

“Sorry, I’m too upset, I can’t eat anything.”

Feng Meimei seemed to stop pretending, looking at Jiang Wan’er with mockery. Coldly, she said: “Really? You only say that in front of your cousin’s coffin.

“You’ve been cozying up with the Zhang family heir for a while, don’t think I don’t know. You’re supposed to marry tonight. Congratulations—you leave the Li family and attach yourself to the Zhangs.”

Li Ershao is Jiang Wan’er’s third husband.

Now his body isn’t even cold, and Jiang Wan’er is about to marry Mr. Zhang?

If the system isn’t trolling, this script is truly strange.

Thinking this, Shi Zong heard his mother-in-law Liu Jinhua snicker and say to Feng Meimei: “This bird’s nest, eat it yourself. Someone from the slums like her doesn’t know how to eat bird’s nest. A mountain pig is a mountain pig; she can’t handle fine food!”

Then Feng Meimei mocked Jiang Wan’er a few more times before actually eating the bird’s nest herself.

Hm? The bird’s nest isn’t poisoned?

Allowing the two women to chat, Shi Zong slowly moved to the window to observe.

The window reflected his current form—

A woman in all-black mourning clothes, pale, thin, and delicate.

After inhabiting Jiang Wan’er, his body had changed, and his facial features differed noticeably from reality, though traces of his original appearance remained.

It seemed the dungeon characters weren’t created from nothing; they referenced the player’s appearance.

Soon, as if his soul had merged with Jiang Wan’er, Shi Zong automatically acquired her story.

Jiang Wan’er is 21 years old.

Twenty-one years ago, she was born in Changming Town.

A relatively closed and remote town, rich in gold, the town prospered, though wealth wasn’t evenly distributed.

The Li, Wang, and Zhang families each controlled a mine, collectively ruling the town.

They occupied the most prosperous areas, naming them the “Wealthy District,” while farmland and orchards belonged to the “Slum District.”

The three families imposed strict town rules.

Only members of these families could leave town; others were forbidden to step outside.

They even held life-and-death power.

When the families wanted to execute someone, they could initiate a townwide vote. If the majority agreed, the person would be executed.

Jiang Wan’er was born in the slums. With her extraordinary beauty, she caught the eye of Li Dashao and was fervently pursued. Soon, she married into the Li family.

But perhaps it was her illusion—after the wedding, Li Dashao’s attitude changed, no longer as passionate as before.

Three days after marriage, Li Dashao fell gravely ill, bedridden. One day, Jiang Wan’er tried to care for him but received only a cold “Leave” in return.

During her sadness, it was Li Ershao who comforted her.

To avoid suspicion, Jiang Wan’er initially tried to ignore Li Ershao.

But Li Dashao repeatedly hurt her, even insulting her, claiming she married him for money and power.

Whenever she was heartbroken, Li Ershao was there to comfort her.

The powerful young master of the wealthy district personally cooked her favorite food and made countless gifts…

Eventually, they fell in love secretly.

After Li Dashao died, Jiang Wan’er was supposed to marry Li Ershao.

But Liu Jinhua opposed fiercely, expelled her from the Li family, and spread rumors that she seduced her younger brother-in-law.

The scandal spread throughout the town; Jiang Wan’er’s reputation was ruined, even her family home was closed to her.

That night, she ran home, only to be beaten out by her father:

“If not for the men of the three families working hard outside, how could we live well? You broke the virtue of a wife, shamed Li Dashao, and brought disgrace to our family! I never had a daughter like you!”

Homeless, Jiang Wan’er hid. Later, Wang family’s young master saved her, claiming he had loved her at first sight during her wedding to Li Dashao.

Her previous romances brought her no benefit; her true love remained Li Ershao, so she didn’t immediately accept Wang’s proposal.

One day, after hiding in the Wang family, Jiang Wan’er thought the danger had passed and went out. Passing the square, she was recognized and surrounded by people.

At that moment, Wang’s young master protected her, saying: “She will soon be Madam Wang. No one can speak against her!”

Moved, Jiang Wan’er accepted his proposal.

She had longed for a happy marriage; she hoped this time she could succeed.

But within a week, Wang’s young master suddenly died of a heart attack.

Jiang Wan’er was deemed unlucky; the angry Wang family expelled her.

While starving and wandering, Li Ershao found her.

“Wan’er, I didn’t abandon you, nor did I wrong you! When my mother expelled you from the Li family, I was locked up, unable to protect you!

“I fasted until near death, then my mother finally allowed me to marry you.

“Come with me back to the Li family. If you refuse, I’ll simply starve to death.”

Perhaps due to this fasting, Li Ershao developed a chronic illness.

Shortly after marrying Jiang Wan’er, he also passed away.

On the day of Li Ershao’s death, Liu Jinhua, grief-stricken and furious, rushed into Jiang Wan’er’s room with a knife.

Fortunately, Mr. Zhang was at the Li household and stopped Liu Jinhua, taking Jiang Wan’er to the Zhang family for a few days.

“Wan’er, Changming Town is ruled by the three families. Without my protection, the Wang and Li families would strip you alive. You might as well marry me. I’ve loved you long ago.”

Even without liking Mr. Zhang, Jiang Wan’er agreed to survive.

Desperate for a happy marriage, she told herself this might finally be her chance.

Jiang Wan’er’s three husbands had died; the “Black Widow” reputation spread across town, marking her as unlucky.

Thus, Mr. Zhang’s actions faced fierce parental opposition.

When his parents refused, he knelt in the rain for three days and nights.

After nearly dying from high fever, barely saved, he even told his mother he would refuse medication if his demands weren’t met.

Finally, his parents reluctantly agreed, setting the wedding for today.

Even if she didn’t love Mr. Zhang, Jiang Wan’er’s heart was somewhat touched.

Li Ershao’s seventh day after death was today; by Changming Town custom, he would be buried later.

Jiang Wan’er was brought to the Li family by Mr. Zhang to see Li Ershao one last time before the wedding.

“Wan’er! Wan’er, are you there? I’ve come to take you!”

Accompanied by this male voice, a man in noble attire entered the funeral hall.

Above his head appeared a few lines of text, disappearing after several seconds—

【Identity: Player】

【Name: Zhang Ye】

【Role Info: 22 years old, commonly called “Mr. Zhang” in town, your fiancé】

Zhang Ye entered, gave Jiang Wan’er a heartful, almost infatuated laugh, then approached Liu Jinhua, nodding. “Aunt Liu, I’ll take Wan’er with me.”

“Fine. I won’t let this villain stay in our Li family.

“Hah, you’re fearless. Tomorrow it won’t be my turn to take you from your funeral, right? The younger generation of the three families will all be ruined by this Black Widow!”

Liu Jinhua’s tone was sharp.

But she looked at Zhang Ye with a strange expression.

Zhang Ye smiled sincerely. “I believe this is all just coincidence. I’ll survive

Shi Zong temporarily tagged Zhang Ye with a few labels.

But things were probably not so simple.

One or two men might be excusable, but why were so many men willing to risk their lives for Jiang Wan’er?

Since when are there so many infatuated men in the world?

As he pondered, Shi Zong suddenly felt a tremor on the back of his hand, then noticed a fine red line had inexplicably appeared.

Immediately, a system prompt sounded in his mind—

【A red line has appeared on the back of your hand, indicating an irreversible plot event】

【Reminder: Do not OOC during this period】

As the prompt faded, a line of dialogue popped into Shi Zong’s mind.

He looked at Zhang Ye and spoke the line. “Zhang Lang, thank you for your understanding. I will go with you to the Zhang family now.”

Looking at Jiang Wan’er, Zhang Ye narrowed his eyes and smiled, looking very happy.

He stepped forward and patted her shoulder, leaving a “wait a moment” before walking to Liu Jinhua and handing her an invitation.

“Aunt Liu, I’ve grown up under your care, consider me half your son. Our three families rise and fall together—tonight’s wedding, you must attend!”

Zhang Ye’s actions were clearly inappropriate.

Yet even more absurd, Liu Jinhua accepted the invitation despite her own biological son’s seventh-day memorial not having passed, saying she would attend the wedding after Li Ershao’s burial.

Her expression was sour, but she did not scold Zhang Ye at all.

Jiang Wan’er’s memories, all the scenes before her eyes, felt completely dissonant.

The whole story was bizarre.

But Shi Zong was now in a mandatory red-line plot, unable to test anything with words, or explore the funeral hall.

He had no choice but to follow the system’s red-line plot instructions, quickly leaving the Li family funeral hall with Zhang Ye and boarding a fairly luxurious carriage.

At the same time, near the Li estate gate.

A roughly ten-year-old girl peeked from behind a large tree, quietly watching the carriage depart.

The dim dusk highlighted her fair face, high nose, and slightly haughty, cold gaze. She looked like a little adult with attitude.

If other players were here, they would see three lines of silver text above her head appear and then vanish—

【Identity: Player】

【Name: Li Zhaodi】

【Role Info: 10 years old, fourth Miss of the Li family in Changming Town, commonly called “Li Fourth Sister”】

Once the carriage carrying Jiang Wan’er and Zhang Ye vanished from view, the girl turned and slowly walked toward the funeral hall.

Liu Jinhua and Feng Meimei had already left; the hall was empty.

Li Zhaodi went straight to the coffin and, with a forceful push, lifted the thin lid—

It was completely empty!

The carriage left the Li estate and drove onto a deserted road.

Pulling back the curtain, Shi Zong could see a river not far away.

In the story he had, beyond the river lay a road to the outside world. Without permission from the three family heads, no one could cross it.

Looking down, he noticed the red line on his hand had disappeared. Tentatively, he said, “Please stop for a moment.”

The driver obediently halted the carriage.

Zhang Ye seemed puzzled and asked, “Wan’er, what are you trying to do?”

Shi Zong said, “I want to get off and walk a bit.”

Zhang Ye looked somewhat surprised.

But he quickly masked it, objecting, “Tonight we have a wedding. You need to get your makeup and try on the ceremonial clothes. You can’t delay!”

Hearing this, Shi Zong studied Zhang Ye carefully, guessing whether he spoke out of the script’s requirement or personal feelings.

He leaned toward the latter.

Shi Zong had already recognized the actor playing Zhang Ye—

None other than the college student Zuo Sanqiu who had played the murder mystery earlier at his inn.

By some unknown force, Zuo Sanqiu’s demeanor and expressions in the game perfectly merged with the character Zhang Ye, without any sense of incongruity.

Yet Shi Zong could clearly feel that Zuo Sanqiu’s eyes just now had shown refusal to cooperate.

Wu Gou guessed he was the killer because Shi Zong helped him sort out the logic—did Zuo Sanqiu know this and resent him?

He was clearly breaking character, yet was not judged as OOC.

Shi Zong recalled the system’s original words: “Do not OOC casually, or death is likely.”

Now it seemed that when away from NPCs, and with no red line on the hand, the system’s demands on players were not strict.

At least for this new-player dungeon, that was the case.

According to the story’s current direction, Zhang Ye should obey Jiang Wan’er.

Then, could a player, from the perspective of character traits, actively create a “red-line plot”?

Shi Zong met Zuo Sanqiu’s gaze, a smile appearing at his lips, his eyes gentle.

“Zhang Lang, I’m feeling unwell, a little dizzy. Will you walk with me for a bit?”

Zuo Sanqiu immediately felt a tingle in the back of his hand, looked down, and saw a red line appear.

Simultaneously, a few lines appeared in his mind—

【Prompt: Your current character trait is that you obey every request of Jiang Wan’er. The player inhabiting Jiang Wan’er has made a clear request. Upon judgment, the request aligns with Jiang Wan’er’s traits, thus it takes effect and triggers a plot event】

【Act according to Jiang Wan’er’s words, or it will result in OOC】

Zuo Sanqiu: “……”

—Damn, is this how this game is played?