Wen Yaoyao had been running with Gu Moleng for a long time before they finally shook off their pursuers. The two hid in an empty room, catching their breath.
Wen Yaoyao couldn’t stop her tears. She knew Jiang Du was likely in grave danger—that man had willingly risked his life to protect her. He must have loved her deeply to make such a sacrifice.
But now, he was gone.
Gu Moleng comforted her, "Yaoyao, don’t grieve. We can’t waste Jiang Du’s sacrifice. We must live on."
Wen Yaoyao nodded through her tears. "Yes, I understand."
Deep down, Gu Moleng felt a twisted sense of relief. With Jiang Du dead, no one would compete for Wen Yaoyao’s affection. From now on, she would have to rely solely on him—a favorable outcome, as far as he was concerned.
Suddenly, a cold wind swept through the cramped space, though the doors and windows were tightly shut. Where had it come from?
Gu Moleng warily scanned the room and finally noticed something amiss.
A trapdoor had opened in the floor, revealing a basement below. A sinister draft seeped from its depths.
—If you see a basement, and its door is already open, remember to light a red candle.
Gu Moleng’s mind raced. He frantically searched the room but found only a single white candle lying on the ground. He snatched it up and hastily lit it with his lighter.
Seeing his panic, Wen Yaoyao grew uneasy. "Brother Gu, what’s wrong?"
"There’s no red candle here… Maybe the white one will work!"
At that moment, the chilling clatter of chains echoed from the basement.
Terrified, Wen Yaoyao hid behind Gu Moleng. In an instant, a monstrous black figure lunged from the darkness, its jagged teeth sinking into Gu Moleng’s arm—the one holding the candle.
Gu Moleng screamed in agony but still clung to Wen Yaoyao, trying to drag her toward the exit.
The creature resembled a grotesque hybrid of wolf and dog, its massive body bound by chains that stretched unnaturally from the basement. Yet, the chains did nothing to restrain it—instead, they slithered like living things, their metallic clangs a death knell.
The monster was too fast. In mere leaps, it closed in on its prey.
Gu Moleng shoved Wen Yaoyao forward. "Yaoyao, run!"
There was no denying it—Gu Moleng truly loved her. Even in death, he chose to protect her.
In the blink of an eye, the beast pounced. His screams were cut short as he was reduced to a mangled corpse, most of him devoured.
Wen Yaoyao didn’t dare look back, but she didn’t get far before tripping and collapsing. The monster’s guttural growls drew closer. When she lifted her head, the bloodstained beast loomed over her.
Her heart nearly stopped—until a man stepped between them.
Jiang Du stood with wounds on his back, gripping a burning red candle. "Back off!" he commanded.
The monster recoiled at the sight of the flame, retreating step by step into the basement’s shadows.
Jiang Du turned to Wen Yaoyao. "Yaoyao, are you alright?"
Tears streamed down her face as she flung herself into his arms. "Jiang Du… thank goodness you’re here. I—I didn’t know what to do!"
As it turned out, Jiang Du had narrowly escaped death and rushed after her. The candle in his hand wasn’t originally red—it had been dyed crimson by blood.
Wen Yaoyao mourned Gu Moleng, but she knew she had to stay strong. Lingering in grief would dishonor his sacrifice.
Jiang Du suspected their escape lay underground. Holding the red candle, he led Wen Yaoyao into the basement. They traversed a long, pitch-black corridor until finally, light appeared.
They emerged into a grand hall, free at last. Wen Yaoyao buried her face in Jiang Du’s chest, weeping quietly. He patted her back. "I’ll take care of you from now on. Don’t cry."
Director Lin didn’t question why only two of them returned instead of three. Instead, he placed a pot of white roses into Jiang Du’s hands and smiled. "Congratulations. You’ve earned the right to seek the White Rose Garden."
Jiang Du cradled the flowers in one arm and held Wen Yaoyao’s hand with the other. "I think the boss means we’re allowed to enter the White Rose Garden—but we still have no idea where it is."
His expression darkened. "There are fewer and fewer of us left. That makes us even bigger targets. If only Ming Buchang hadn’t died so soon… We could really use that travel guide."
Wen Yaoyao bit her lip. This man had risked his life for her. With Gu Moleng gone, he was her only lifeline.
After a moment’s hesitation, she confessed, "Actually… I have the travel guide."
Jiang Du blinked in surprise. "You do?"
She nodded innocently. "I found it on the road. Ming Buchang must’ve dropped it before he died."
Relief washed over Jiang Du’s face. "That’s perfect. With the guide and these flowers, we can find the White Rose Garden."
Meanwhile, back at home, Xia Miao noticed something off about E Gui.
He wasn’t his usual clingy self. Instead, he sat curled in a corner, arms wrapped around his knees, face buried. His long, disheveled hair spilled like dark moonlight, shrouding him entirely.
When he finally lifted his head, a storm cloud seemed to hover above him—lightning flashing, rain pouring, drenching him in misery.
Xia Miao thought he looked like a abandoned puppy.
She finished an apple and glanced his way. Still sulking.
She devoured a pear and peeked again. Still playing mushroom.
Enough was enough. She called, "E Gui."
No response. He seemed lost in thought.
She tried again. "Hubby?"
Still nothing.
Xia Miao cleared her throat. "My dearest darling!"
Instantly, the cowlick on his head perked up. He turned, his dark, watery eyes pleading.
Xia Miao stretched out a hand. "Come here."
He crawled over on all fours, pressing his head into her palm and nuzzling it like an affectionate animal. A contented purr rumbled in his throat.
Xia Miao softened her voice. "What’s wrong?"
His gaze wavered. "Miao… I’m bad."
She slid off the couch, knelt before him, and cupped his face. "You’re my precious treasure. You could never be bad."
His lips curled into a shy smile. "I’m… a treasure?"
"Of course! The most priceless treasure in the world!"