Chapter 21 The Momentary Wedding Dress

Ji Linmo looked at the young man and replied softly, "Alright."

"Then let's go," the boy said, his brilliant smile lighting up his handsome face, his almond-shaped eyes curving into crescent moons.

He extended his hand, signaling Ji Linmo to go first.

Ji Linmo gazed at the youth before him and moved forward stiffly.

Although the boy was smiling at him, showing no trace of anger, Ji Linmo found himself even more unsettled than before.

What was happening? Why did he feel a faint fear in this moment?

Frowning, Ji Linmo walked silently ahead of the boy.

The instant he stepped into the bedroom, a cold, piercing gaze stabbed into the back of his head like a sword, making his skin crawl.

Unable to resist, Ji Linmo turned around. The youth's smile remained unchanged, his quiet eyes fixed on Ji Linmo.

A chill seeped through Ji Linmo's bones, flooding his entire being.

A cold wind gusted; the candle at the bedside flickered in the draft, its flame rising and falling.

—The youth, clad in blood-red wedding robes, stood out in the midnight darkness like a long, crimson gash, splitting the night in two.

Staring at the silent "ghost bride," Ji Linmo realized the other was still waiting for the embrace that had been interrupted a moment before.

"Before that, I have a gift for you..." Ji Linmo spoke first, producing a gold ring.

[Old Master Ma's Wedding Ring]

[Item Quality: Medium]

[Item Description: This is the wedding ring Ma Jianguo used to propose to his beloved. It holds great significance, though heaven only knows how he managed to steal it back from her.]

"I won this ring here. I thought... you might like it," Ji Linmo said, using the gift as a diversion.

Just now, as he entered the bedroom, Ji Linmo had carefully recalled the earlier scene and suddenly realized that when his body was drained of its vitality and covered in frost, it was his arms that froze first.

Logically, when embracing the "ghost bride," his chest was in closest contact, so why did the coldest, most frozen part end up being his arms?

His gaze darkened as he looked at the candle.

—Because of the candle.

When he embraced the ghost bride, the candlelight shone on his back.

There was still a faint glow reaching his front, but his arms, hanging at his sides and hidden in the shadow of the ghost bride's robes, were completely shrouded in darkness—thus, they froze so quickly.

This time, he would use the pretense of putting the ring on the "ghost bride" to switch positions with him.

That way, when they embraced again, if he leaned forward with his body pressing against the ghost bride, the parts in contact would be bathed in candlelight.

"Shall I put it on for you?"

As the "ghost bride" extended his hand, Ji Linmo naturally guided him back to the bed.

But this time, Ji Linmo sat where the "ghost bride" had previously been, his face illuminated by the candle’s glow.

"It suits you well..."

Ji Linmo slid the ring onto the "ghost bride's" finger.

But the moment the ring slipped on, it transformed—changing from a plain, old-fashioned gold ring into a black one.

The ring could change form?

Curious, Ji Linmo pressed his finger to its surface.

[Ring of Appraisal]

[Item Quality: Low (E-level instance)]

[Item Description: Whoever wears this ring can have one instance item on their person randomly appraised, and any player within a meter can view the detailed information.]

[Special Note: The ring changes its appearance according to the wearer, but surely no fool would wear it as mere decoration, right?]

Ji Linmo’s expression shifted, as the notification window popped up once more, appraising the item on the "ghost bride" and displaying it before his eyes.

["Ghost? Basket Bride"—Player! #@, appraisal successful!]

[A random item has been appraised: "Ephemeral Wedding Dress." View?]

Gibberish in the name?

Ji Linmo glanced up at the "ghost bride," whose expression remained unchanged, then slowed his movements as he gently pressed to view the details.

[Ephemeral Wedding Dress—Ruolan Community]

[Item Quality: Intermediate (B-level instance)]

[Item Description: "A wedding scene littered with corpses—once, it was proof that I loved you."]

[Item Effect: When worn, it resets the current instance’s state to one week prior, and this week will repeat endlessly.]

[Negative Effect: This item carries a severe side effect. After wearing, ??? will occur. Use with caution.]

[Special Note: This is a fusion item. The deceased’s soul has merged with the advanced item 'Wishing Gown.' After fulfilling the deceased’s final wish, it transforms into the special B-level instance item 'Ephemeral Wedding Dress' for Ruolan Community.]

Ji Linmo's eyes widened as he read the lines before him.

The phoenix crown and crimson robes worn by the "ghost bride" were instance items!

"I really like the ring," the "ghost bride" said, locking eyes with Ji Linmo and withdrawing his hand with a smile.

Ji Linmo nodded, watching the "ghost bride," his body turning slightly as he instinctively glanced at the candle.

He had only meant to check the candlelight, but the sight made his hair stand on end and his body freeze.

—Beneath the red paper wrapping, the candle showed a hint of white.

Given that the "ghost bride" was even taller than he was and he himself could see it, how could the "ghost bride" not have noticed that this so-called red candle was actually just a white one?

Sensing Ji Linmo’s stiffness, the "ghost bride" let out a soft laugh, leaned forward, and pressed his thin lips to Ji Linmo’s ear.

"You—saw—it—"

Ji Linmo lifted his head, his gaze flickering.

The "ghost bride" had deliberately covered for him, not exposing his little trick!

"Why did you do it? Did you remember who you—" Ji Linmo began to ask in a low voice, face expressionless.

But before he could finish, a cold, broad hand covered his mouth.

"Shh—"

The "ghost bride" pressed a finger to Ji Linmo’s lips, his eyes glinting with icy amusement.

"Quiet now. Don’t we still have unfinished business?"

The "ghost bride" looked at Ji Linmo with meaning.

Another embrace—it had to be an embrace!

Ji Linmo gritted his teeth and raised his arms to hold the other.

Fortunately, his earlier suspicions had been correct.

This time, under the candlelight, it wasn’t nearly as cold as before.

Even so, Ji Linmo only loosely held the other, his fingers stiffly resting on the youth’s back, his embrace half-hearted.

Perhaps he hadn’t noticed...

Ji Linmo cautiously glanced at his companion, his fingers slowly and silently inching toward the zipper on the other's robe.

"Heh, why