Chapter 115: Petrification


    In the morning, when Chen Xiaomeng went to use the bathroom, Jiang Cheng sneaked onto the bed and used the same tactic as the day before. Without surprise, he was caught by Chen Xiaomeng. Since she had the rope on her, she whipped Jiang Cheng with it.


    Jiang Cheng wanted to evade, but he failed to do so due to positional issues. His arm was whipped, and it instantly turned red.


    “I’m warning you.” Chen Xiaomeng threatened him harshly, “Don’t think about ying any tricks or… I’ll kill you!”


    Jiang Cheng immediately became obedient. Then, Chen Xiaomeng left. Based on the direction of the sound of her footsteps, she should have gone downstairs. Yesterday, they decided to meet up on the first floor to wait for the vige head to arrive and bring them to Little Ravine Vige.


    After Chen Xiaomeng left, Jiang Cheng stood upzily and then went to use the bathroom. In the mirror, the welt on his arm was very conspicuous. His expression turned wicked. He caught a rope from the corner of his eyes. A towel or a washcloth hung from it. He reached out to undo both ends of the rope. Pinching them in his hands, he felt like it was just perfect.


    After walking down the rotting wooden stairs, Chen Xiaomeng came to the first floor. A few people sat around the roughly-hewn wooden table. A pot of porridge was ced on it. Her eyes scanned everyone there. She realised that everyone was there except Jiang Cheng and herself. Even the seating arrangement was very detailed. Bei Qian sat to the left. His supporters, Jiang Zhongyi and Yu Man, sat beside him.


    Zhou Rong’s party was their direct opposite. Lee Li lowered her head and ate quietly. Ben Fu was there too, but he didn’t look very good. His face was pale, probably because he didn’t have a good sleep.


    Chen Xiaomeng hesitated before walking over todle herself a bowl of porridge. Then, she took a seat at the adjacent, unupied table. She took a tentative sip. The porridge was different from the ones she was used to. It had a lot of rough millet, and some unspecified pebble-like substances would asionally get stuck in her teeth.


    Suddenly, she felt many strange gazes directed her way. They came from different directions. Out of instinct, she raised her head and met one of them. It came from Jiang Zhongyi. He was staring at her with an indecipherable gaze. However, when he saw her looking back at him, he quickly lowered his head guiltily. At the same time, the other gazes disappeared.Chen Xiaomeng was confused. She didn’t read any threat from Jiang Zhongyi’s gaze. If anything, she saw confusion and even… admiration.


    What happened to these people? She thought to herself. She had a bad feeling. Before she could dwell on it, she heard intermittent footstepsing from the stairs. She turned and saw Jiang Cheng slowly walking down the stairs. However… he was moving very strangely.


    He had one hand on the railing and the other on his waist. His gait was weak, and his figure trembled. It looked like he was physically drained. As more people looked at him, Jiang Cheng’s expression became more pronounced. His face was pale but different from Ben Fu’s paleness, and there was a shyness in Jiang Cheng’s paleness. As if afraid of their gazes, Jiang Cheng kept his head cowed as he shuffled over to Chen Xiaomeng.


    At that moment, the group could no longer hide the shock in their eyes. It was the same for Bei Qian. He gave the two a quick once-over. He was greatly impressed. He was surprised that the two youngsters would be so daring to do ‘that’ in this situation.


    Chen Xiaomeng couldn’t have imagined the expressions on the faces of the tenants in the three rooms underneath them when Jiang Cheng was having a ‘nightmare’. All of them lifted their heads in unison to stare at the extensively vibrating ceiling. The creaking of the bedframes echoed in their ears. To heighten their admiration, earlier… in the morning, they heard the familiar creaking again. Even though it was not as extended as the night before, it was still highly animated.


    At the time, Jiang Zhongyi was brushing his teeth. He was so agitated that he almost snapped his toothbrush.


    Ben Fu swallowed nervously. He admitted that Chen Xiaomeng was pretty and had simr thoughts, but he would never have the guts or the mood to showcase such intimacy in the nightmare realm. He tossed his gaze at Jiang Cheng. Internally, he admired Brother Yi Zhiping.


    “Can you help me prepare a bowl?” Jiang Cheng looked at Chen Xiaomeng with innocence and pity. Before Chen Xiaomeng could react, he added, “It hurts over here. I’ve overworked it.” He held the back of his waist.


    Chen Xiaomeng’s face dropped. It was then that she realised why everyone was looking at her that way.


    Chen Xiaomeng shot daggers at Jiang Cheng. However, her fury onlysted for a moment. Suddenly, she smiled. Her smile was seductive. She reached out to smooth down Jiang Cheng’s clothes and ruffle his hair. Her actions were intimate. “Told you not to push yourself.” Her smile was innocent yet alluring. It really captivated Ben Fu. She mumbled audibly, “It’s a known fact that you’re quick and weak in that matter. Why did you push yourself?” She tapped the man’s chest shyly. She blushed and said, “Aren’t you afraid of dying from exhaustion?”


    Everyone revealed an understanding expression. Then, they looked at Jiang Cheng with a mixture of pity and disgust.


    Chen Xiaomeng slid her hand down Jiang Cheng’s face. This action that appeared intimate to others was actually a way for Chen Xiaomeng to punish Jiang Cheng. Only Jiang Cheng knew that Chen Xiaomeng was secretly pinching his ear. She used such strength that she almost pulled his ear out.


    Chen Xiaomeng looked Jiang Cheng in his eyes. Her eyes danced with mockery.


    However…


    Jiang Cheng didn’t get angry. Instead, he looked more pitiable as he said weakly, “You said as if it was not your fault. You wanted to try something new every time!”


    Chen Xiaomeng halted.


    Jiang Cheng huffed, “I didn’t want to because I was too shy, so you threatened me like usual!” He unwillingly rolled up his sleeve to reveal the bruise on his arm.


    “Look at what you did!” He sobbed softly, “This is what you did. You whipped me. Last night, you even suggested candle y. Thankfully, I hid all the candles beforehand or else who knew what you would have done!”


    Chen Xiaomeng was petrified.