After Escaping Marriage - Chapter 69
Chapter 69
After lunch, the trio arrived at the haunted house entrance.
This haunted house, located within Happy Valley, covered a vast area, almost comparable to large-scale haunted houses. It featured a Japanese horror style and was quite famous locally. Many haunted house enthusiasts came specifically for it, and the queue at the entrance already formed a long line.
The haunted house sign was rusty, dripping with blood, twisted and asymmetrical, creating a very immersive atmosphere.
Yu Qingtang felt a backward pull on her hand. She turned to look at Cheng Zhanxi, who had suddenly stopped, her eyes questioning.
Cheng Zhanxi didn't dare even glance at the haunted house nearby. Her gaze focused on Yu Qingtang's face. She subtly took a breath and forced a smile, "It's nothing."
Xiang Tianyou was extremely excited, joining the queue first and waving at the two who were lagging a dozen steps behind.
Cheng Zhanxi maintained her expression, took Yu Qingtang's hand, and proactively walked forward, saying, "Let's go."
...Hopefully, this haunted house wouldn't be too scary.
Cheng Zhanxi prayed silently.
After queuing for nearly half an hour, with waves of people entering ahead, Cheng Zhanxi and the others reached the front of the line. Cheng Zhanxi kept her gaze averted from the haunted house, pretending to look at the scenery. When she occasionally glanced back, her eyes quickly skimmed over the top of the building. Suddenly, her gaze froze because there was a doll placed on the rooftop. The doll was extremely realistic, its hair disheveled, eerily watching the people queuing below.
Fortunately, it was daytime. Cheng Zhanxi's neck only stiffened for a few seconds before she slowly turned her gaze away.
Yu Qingtang held Cheng Zhanxi's arm with one hand, curiously looking around. She naturally saw the doll too, calmly met its gaze for a few seconds, realized it was fake, retracted her gaze, and continued looking elsewhere.
Another group went in, the queue moved forward, and the three arrived at the entrance.
Cheng Zhanxi took out her phone to play a game, determined not to look elsewhere.
Yu Qingtang saw a strangely dressed person standing nearby. She wore a long white dress reaching her ankles, her long black hair draped down, covering her face.
Cheng Zhanxi was playing a match-3 game when her hand was suddenly tapped. Already on edge, she flinched slightly. Seeing it was Yu Qingtang, she smiled gently, "What's wrong?"
Yu Qingtang pointed to the strange woman in the white dress and asked, "What is this?"
Cheng Zhanxi followed her finger and looked over. Just an arm's length away stood Sadako.
Cheng Zhanxi: "!!!"
Cheng Zhanxi closed her eyes briefly, pulled her gaze away from Sadako's face-covering long hair, and calmly, gently introduced, "This is Sadako. There's a movie called 'The Ring'; this is a classic horror image from it."
Yu Qingtang seemed to understand.
She had heard of the movie "The Ring" and the name Sadako sounded familiar, but she never knew what she looked like. So this was it. Not scary at all. Maybe the part behind the hair was scary?
Cheng Zhanxi saw her thoughtful expression. To showcase her girlfriend power, she gently said, "It's okay, she should be a mannequin."
Just like the one on the haunted house rooftop, meant to create a scary atmosphere. Which haunted house staff would be so dedicated as to dress up as Sadako at the entrance?
"Mannequin?" Yu Qingtang questioned doubtfully. But she had just seen "Sadako's" chest rising and falling slightly; she was breathing.
"Yes, a mannequin." Cheng Zhanxi smiled, turned her face, looked at the fake "Sadako" at the entrance, and even reached out to pat its shoulder.
Hmm? Why did it feel warm?
Then she saw the Sadako in front of her slowly lift her head.
Cheng Zhanxi's smile froze on her face.
Sadako's long hair parted, revealing a pale, dead face in the gap. Two lines of bright red blood trailed from her eyes and the corners of her mouth. Her greyish-white pupils stared eerily at her.
The two stared silently at each other for several seconds.
Cheng Zhanxi's hair stood on end. Her pupils contracted violently. Uncontrollable fear made her open her mouth. Just as a short cry escaped, a girl queuing behind them screamed first, "Ahhh!!!"
Sadako turned towards the screaming girl.
The people behind who saw Sadako: "Ahhh!!!"
Waves of screams echoed above the haunted house entrance.
The timid ones directly ran back from the queue. Several people couldn't even hold them back as they cried, "Mom! Help!"
Cheng Zhanxi silently closed her half-opened mouth and moved closer to Yu Qingtang.
The screams slowly subsided. The staff member playing Sadako, having scared this wave of tourists, pushed her hair aside. Her pale face smiled at Cheng Zhanxi, who had patted her initially.
Sorry, our staff members are just this dedicated.
Cheng Zhanxi forced a smile and politely said, "Thank you for your hard work."
Sadako let her long hair fall back down, continuing to stand motionless at the entrance, waiting for the next "victim" seeking death.
Yu Qingtang looked at Cheng Zhanxi, who was unconsciously clinging to her, her expression thoughtful.
Finally, they reached the haunted house entrance.
Eight people entered at a time, grouped as 3+3+2. After entering the scene, they would explore separately.
A notice was posted on the wall at the entrance. Among other things, one item was written in bold capital letters: NO VIOLENCE/HITTING STAFF MEMBERS.
Haunted house staff members, commonly known as NPCs, hide in the scenes specifically to scare people, sometimes appearing unexpectedly. It was said some staff members even chase tourists, creating a thrilling pursuit experience, keeping your adrenaline pumping throughout, scaring you out of your wits.
Generally, haunted houses with staff members are much scarier than those with only props and mannequins.
Cheng Zhanxi stared at this prohibition notice, lost in thought.
Entering with them was a couple, both women, and a group of three friends, two women and one man.
Everyone exchanged brief, friendly smiles. Since they would separate anyway, no introductions were made.
The theme of this haunted house was a school. In the first dim classroom, under flickering fluorescent lights, the fan creaked with a sound of decay. Shivering, they watched the introductory video: first, a high school girl died mysteriously, then the entire class died one after another. Teachers, the director, and the principal couldn't escape either. The curse spread, other students transferred out one by one, and the school became abandoned, a ghost school.
Their goal was to find the truth behind the high school girl's murder.
It had some elements of escape room puzzles, but there was no strict time limit. It didn't matter if they couldn't find the truth; the main point was to experience the scene. If they got too scared, they could ask a staff member to lead them out. The facilities inside were well-equipped; help could be requested at any time.
The eight people came out of the classroom. The staff member who explained the rules gave each group a flashlight. The flashlight beam was extremely weak, and the light it cast wasn't normal white. It was hard to tell if turning it on or off was scarier.
The three groups separated. The haunted house exploration officially began.
Cheng Zhanxi no longer tried to act tough. Xiang Tianyou held the flashlight, leading the way. Cheng Zhanxi and Yu Qingtang walked behind.
A thumping sound came from the ceiling, as if someone were jumping up there.
An eerie wind blew through the corridor. It was pitch black. The flashlight's incredibly weak beam made them walk very carefully. Cheng Zhanxi, 1.74 meters tall, shrank down to only 1.6 meters, half a head shorter than Yu Qingtang.
Yu Qingtang's eyes held amusement.
Cheng Zhanxi sensed her gaze. Just as she was about to salvage her image a little, she saw blood seeping out of the wall Yu Qingtang was looking at. Cheng Zhanxi swallowed hard and slowly shrank her head back down.
The three of them—two teachers and one student—felt a strong sense of immersion in this ghost school, making the terror index skyrocket. Well, Cheng Zhanxi didn't know what Yu Qingtang and Xiang Tianyou thought, but she felt that way. If it were an ordinary haunted house, her fear level might be lower.
Drip—drip—
It sounded like something splashing onto the ground, clearly audible in the empty corridor. Xiang Tianyou stopped, shining the flashlight beam towards the ceiling.
As soon as he made this move, Cheng Zhanxi squeezed her eyes shut tightly.
Drip—drip—
Xiang Tianyou saw the bright red color clearly and said, "It's fake blood, quite realistic." He chuckled, "Not ketchup."
Yu Qingtang hummed in agreement.
Cheng Zhanxi felt hot breath approaching her ear. Her knuckles tightened as she resisted the urge to strike out. Then she heard Yu Qingtang's voice, audible only to the two of them, "Alright, you can open your eyes now."
Yu Qingtang's credibility score with her was maxed out. Cheng Zhanxi obediently opened her eyes. Xiang Tianyou's flashlight had returned to its normal direction, shining on the ground in front of them, as if carefully observing something.
As long as she didn't look, nothing could hurt her.
Cheng Zhanxi breathed a sigh of relief, focusing her gaze on Yu Qingtang's face before her. Even though she could only see a hazy outline, she felt incredibly safe. If only she could turn into a pendant and hang from Yu Qingtang, nestled against her chest beneath the clothes—not only would it be secure, but she wouldn’t have to see anything either.
Yu Qingtang's free hand, hanging by her side, twitched slightly. She suddenly wanted to make a scary face to frighten the woman before her. The thought flashed by and was quickly suppressed, not put into action.
Just then, Xiang Tianyou in front suddenly turned around. He placed the flashlight under his chin, the light shining upwards, illuminating a pale face. He gave the two a ghastly smile.
He had somehow gotten blood plasma—probably fiddled with it on the ground while the two were talking—and smeared some under each eye, creating two lines of bloody tears.
Reflected against the deep corridor behind him, he looked like a vengeful ghost that had crawled out.
It was truly a waste that the haunted house didn't hire him as staff.
Yu Qingtang: "..."
Cheng Zhanxi's heart stopped abruptly, almost jumping on the spot.
If you don't court death, you won't die.
Xiang Tianyou was pressed down and beaten up by the furious Teacher Cheng.
"What's the skill in scaring people? If you have the guts, go scare ghosts! How can you be like this, kid?"
Yu Qingtang stopped the angry and frightened Cheng Zhanxi, saying, "He's still a child, focus on education, don't resort to violence."
Cheng Zhanxi hadn't hit hard, just his arm. Boys are tough-skinned; it was nothing. Not only was Xiang Tianyou not annoyed, but he grinned. Of course, he felt a trace of regret and guilt inwardly; who knew Teacher Cheng was so afraid of ghosts? Didn't she say she was okay outside just now?
Tsk, adults' words, deceiving ghosts.
Xiang Tianyou: "I was wrong, Teacher Cheng."
Cheng Zhanxi was trembling from the emotional upheaval. Yu Qingtang hugged her, gently patting her back to soothe her, then turned her head to glare at Xiang Tianyou.
Cheng Zhanxi calmed her emotions and apologized to Xiang Tianyou. Xiang Tianyou generously said it was okay. Afterwards, he behaved himself and didn't dare act mischievous again.
Xiang Tianyou, having experienced socialist beatings: "Teacher Cheng, I'm going to shine the light on the wall, close your eyes first."
Cheng Zhanxi closed her eyes, gripping Yu Qingtang's hand tightly.
Yu Qingtang held her hand with both of hers, one hand covering the back of hers. She opened her mouth, her throat tight, silently mouthing one word: Good.
Xiang Tianyou found a line of small bloody words on the wall, along with a blood-stained arrow.
Cheng Zhanxi, eyes closed, listened to the eerie wind in the corridor, feeling she couldn't appear too cowardly. So she mustered her courage, opened her eyes, and calmly met Yu Qingtang's gaze, attempting to regain some composure.
The three arrived before a classroom door that was slightly ajar.
Such a good ambush spot; it would be strange if there wasn't something behind the door.
Xiang Tianyou: "Ahem." He turned back and winked meaningfully at the two teachers.
Cheng Zhanxi didn't speak. Yu Qingtang said coolly, "You go open the door."
Xiang Tianyou: "Alright."
Yu Qingtang led Cheng Zhanxi back two steps. Seeing her eyes open, she used her palm to cover them.
Cheng Zhanxi, feeling brave again after the clear weather and rain stopped, gently pushed her hand away, saying calmly, "I'm fine."
Yu Qingtang felt the sweat in their clasped hands and raised an eyebrow noncommittally.
"I'm opening the door now." Xiang Tianyou, this kid, was mischievous. Unsure if he was speaking to the two teachers behind him or the ghost hiding inside, he raised his voice, afraid the other party wouldn't hear.
Cheng Zhanxi resisted the urge to close her eyes, keeping them wide open, though her mind was actually blank.
Creak—
The classroom door was slowly pushed open. A corner of the classroom had dim light, but only hazy outlines could be seen. Desks were arranged neatly, empty, appearing even more eerie under the light.
Xiang Tianyou walked in, rubbed the goosebumps on his arm. He wasn't scared, just cold inside, freezing him.
Xiang Tianyou checked behind the door, shone the flashlight beam towards the ceiling, turned back, and said, "Come in, there's a person hanging from the ceiling, nothing else."
Yu Qingtang led Cheng Zhanxi inside. As soon as the three entered, the classroom door suddenly moved without wind, slamming shut with a loud bang.
A burst of female ghost laughter echoed in the classroom simultaneously, accompanied by fluttering curtains, eerie and terrifying.
The sudden sound effect startled the three of them.
After the female ghost finished laughing, it turned into purely terrifying music, creating a tense atmosphere.
Xiang Tianyou quickly calmed down, complaining, "Isn't this too low-level?" Saying this, he continued exploring the blood-stained desks and podium with his flashlight.
Yu Qingtang didn't comment, but thought similarly to Xiang Tianyou.
Cheng Zhanxi's heart leaped into her throat, then fell back into her stomach. She swallowed hard, feeling like she was about to have a heart attack.
She remembered being dragged by a friend to watch a horror movie before. Her friend said the movie wasn't scary; what was scary was Cheng Zhanxi suddenly reaching out and grabbing her arm forcefully.
The three tried to stick together, moving collectively with Xiang Tianyou at the center. Just as the three left the desks and stepped onto the podium, Xiang Tianyou, based on his online research experience, raised his hand to stop them, saying, "There might be a ghost under the podium."
Cheng Zhanxi and Yu Qingtang stayed put, letting him scout ahead alone.
Cheng Zhanxi looked at the empty classroom, the white curtains fluttering with the wind, feeling like something might crawl out at any moment. Just as she was about to retract her gaze, she watched helplessly as a person fell from the ceiling, splattering blood everywhere.
Cheng Zhanxi went numb, from her scalp to her toes, losing all sensation.
Then her whole body started trembling, even feeling a bit like crying.
Xiang Tianyou followed the sound, his flashlight beam landing on the bloody figure. "It's a mannequin," he said. "Tsk, the makeup is quite realistic." The flashlight beam shone on the mannequin's face. He admired it carefully for a few seconds, noting it resembled a Japanese doll face, pupils pitch black, no whites. He suddenly felt his scalp tingle a bit too, quickly retracted the light, and subtly exhaled.
Cheng Zhanxi buried her face in Yu Qingtang's shoulder, taking small, sobbing breaths.
Yu Qingtang gently patted her back, whispering comfortingly in her ear, "Don't be scared."
Cheng Zhanxi whimpered softly, half scared, half acting cute.
Yu Qingtang's heart softened further. Her hand stroked her long hair, her cheek touching hers.
There was indeed someone under the podium, but it was a fake life-sized doll wearing a Japanese high school girl's uniform. The skirt and socks below the waist were stained red with blood. Xiang Tianyou found the doll strange, crawled in to examine it closely with the flashlight, and discovered it had no legs.
Because Cheng Zhanxi had her face buried in Yu Qingtang's neck and couldn't see anything, Xiang Tianyou pulled the doll out and said, "It has no legs."
Yu Qingtang said, "It should be a clue."
Cheng Zhanxi suddenly paused, her voice muffled from her position, "I know a Japanese nursery rhyme."
Xiang Tianyou stuffed the doll back.
Yu Qingtang said, "You can look at us and talk."
Cheng Zhanxi only dared look at their faces. "That nursery rhyme is called 'Sazuko,' adapted from a Japanese folk legend."
Sazuko was bullied by classmates at school. On a snowy day, while rushing home by train, she stepped into a hidden ditch covered by snow. She watched helplessly as the train ran over her, crushing her below the waist. With only her upper body left, Sazuko crawled to the side of the tracks with her last breath. After her death, someone wrote a song as a prank.
The lyrics were: "Sachiko always called herself Sazuko, how funny. She loves bananas but only gets to eat half each time, how pitiful. Sazuko went far away, she'll probably forget me, how lonely, Sazuko..."
There were four lines in total. After reciting three, Cheng Zhanxi stopped.
Yu Qingtang & Xiang Tianyou: "?"
Cheng Zhanxi: "I'll tell you when we get out. Anyway, just know this clue exists."
The fourth line was: Sazuko's legs are gone, tonight she will come to take your legs.
But the fourth line couldn't be recited. As long as it was spoken, it would come true, and Sazuko would take that person's legs.
Better safe than sorry, especially in a haunted house.
Cheng Zhanxi shrank closer to Yu Qingtang.
Yu Qingtang pondered, "So she died because of school bullying? The murderers were her classmates?"
Cheng Zhanxi shook her head, "Not necessarily. This story can be adapted into many versions. Let's continue collecting clues. Besides, this is just one classroom. If we can find the truth so easily, it would be too simple. It's likely a misdirection; there should be other plotlines."
While they were talking, Xiang Tianyou searched the podium and found a blood-stained lesson plan.
The classroom should be free of scary elements now. Cheng Zhanxi regained her usual cheerfulness, joking lightly, "Do Japanese teachers have to write lesson plans too?"
Yu Qingtang & Xiang Tianyou: "..."
Acting so flippant now, let's see who screams later.
Xiang Tianyou casually replied while flipping through the lesson plan, "I've seen teachers in Japanese dramas holding lesson plans, so they probably do."
Cheng Zhanxi seized the opportunity to lecture him, "See how hard teachers work? And you still misbehave in class." Xiang Tianyou: "Hahahaha."
They noted down the clues from the lesson plan, preparing to leave this classroom and explore the next scene.
As the three turned around, a rotten face appeared outside the classroom door's glass window, silently watching them, unsure how long it had been standing there.
"Ahhh!!!"
A piercing scream shattered the silence of the haunted house.
Yu Qingtang's heart contracted sharply, unsure if it was from the ghost's scare or the scream beside her. Then Cheng Zhanxi clung to her like an octopus, desperately trying to climb onto her, babbling incoherently.
At the same time, Yu Qingtang's other arm was grabbed by Xiang Tianyou.
This high school student, who had just been acting tough and playing ghost, had his pupils dilated, breathing heavily, instantly shrinking from 1.8 meters to 1.5 meters. Compared to Cheng Zhanxi when she first entered, he was just as bad, if not worse.
Xiang Tianyou suffered a double blow: the ghost plus the homeroom teacher's stare!
How could he not be afraid?
Yu Qingtang, carrying one person and holding onto another, struggled to raise her free hand. She waved at the staff member standing at the door, signaling him to leave.
The staff member playing the ghost gave an eerie smile, half of his rotten face falling off.
Yu Qingtang met his gaze expressionlessly, even showing a hint of impatience.
Ghost: "..."
After a moment, Yu Qingtang patted the woman in her arms, softened her voice, and said, "It's okay, he's gone."
Cheng Zhanxi peeked through her eye slit, quickly scanned the area, then released her hands from Yu Qingtang's neck and her legs from around her body, landing like a koala.
Xiang Tianyou leaned against the podium, panting heavily.
The two scared individuals rested for a while. Under Yu Qingtang's lead, they walked out of the classroom.
Just as they returned to the corridor, a terrified scream came from afar.
Cheng Zhanxi couldn't help but shiver.
Yu Qingtang listened for a moment and said, "It should be that couple; they're on the other side."
After speaking, she shook the flashlight in her hand and said, "To the teacher's office?" According to the clue on the lesson plan, the next step was the homeroom teacher's office. She wondered if they would encounter the ghost from the doorway again. She, the homeroom teacher, was quite familiar with that spot he was standing in.
Based on the common knowledge that things get scarier towards the end, Xiang Tianyou, after the recent scare, no longer dared to take the lead.
Yu Qingtang walked at the very front, holding the flashlight to light the way.
Cheng Zhanxi held onto her left arm, while Xiang Tianyou pulled at the corner of her windbreaker. The teacher and student exchanged a glance, then silently looked away.
Arriving at the door of the homeroom teacher's office, Yu Qingtang had the two stay behind while she went ahead to investigate.
Creak—
A door opening sound suddenly came from the corridor.
But they clearly hadn't opened the door.
Cheng Zhanxi felt someone blowing air near her ear, cool and chilling, but Yu Qingtang was in front of her.
Cheng Zhanxi's neck stiffened. She remembered... behind her... seemed... like... there was... also... a... door...
Xiang Tianyou looked at Cheng Zhanxi, his gaze going past her shoulder, seeing the "person" hidden in the shadows behind her. His facial muscles twitched unnaturally, fear showing in his eyes.
He swallowed hard and turned his face away.
Cheng Zhanxi felt like kicking him. So impressive when scaring her earlier, but useless when facing a real ghost, not even daring to lend a hand. So much for the five virtues and four beauties? Is this the level of contemporary high school students? The five thousand years of Chinese traditional virtues, respecting teachers, elders, and loving the young—not a single one practiced. Xiang Tianyou, the teacher is very disappointed in you!
Cheng Zhanxi used frantic internal monologue to calm her fear.
That cold air was already blowing on her face. She estimated it wouldn't be long before she was eye-to-eye with this ghost, so she squeezed her eyes shut tightly.
Can't see me, can't see me, go find Xiang Tianyou.
Xiang Tianyou wasn't entirely disloyal. He quietly moved a step forward, poked Yu Qingtang's arm, didn't dare make a sound, just pointed to the left.
Yu Qingtang saw the female ghost standing beside Cheng Zhanxi: "..."
Cheng Zhanxi had her eyes closed, trembling with fear.
Why did ghosts always target Cheng Zhanxi? Was it because she was good-looking?
Yu Qingtang suddenly felt an indescribable emotion, her gaze towards the ghost turning unfriendly. The ghost sensed it, turned its face towards Yu Qingtang. Yu Qingtang stared coldly at the female ghost's bruised and terrifyingly scarred face.
Female ghost: "!!!"
How is she scarier than a ghost!
Better stick to scaring the timid one in front.
Just then, Yu Qingtang spoke coolly, "Teacher Cheng, take a step to the right, open your eyes, come into my arms."
Hearing the familiar, calming voice, Cheng Zhanxi obeyed almost without hesitation, lunging forward into Yu Qingtang’s embrace before the female ghost could react.
Yu Qingtang extended her arms to catch her, her back hitting the homeroom teacher's office door.
Cheng Zhanxi was too scared and hadn't controlled her strength. With a bang, the classroom door was directly knocked open.
The homeroom teacher ghost hiding behind the door jumped out, appearing right in front of Cheng Zhanxi, his rotten face half-covered by dangling skin.
The two made eye contact.
Cheng Zhanxi let out a piercing scream, "Ahhh!!!"
The female ghost at the door was also startled. She swallowed the half-formed scream, looked towards the only remaining high school student in the corridor, reached out, and patted his shoulder.
Xiang Tianyou turned around, came face-to-face with the female ghost, and instantly let out an even more miserable scream, "Ahhh!!!"
Xiang Tianyou frantically rushed into the classroom, slamming the door shut behind him.
The homeroom teacher male ghost looked towards him. Slap! That piece of facial skin fell off, revealing the blood-red sinews underneath.
Xiang Tianyou's liver and gallbladder almost burst, "Ahhh!!!"
The two screamed one after another, taking turns, almost lifting the classroom roof.
Yu Qingtang calmly met the male ghost's eyes, pressed Cheng Zhanxi's head into her neck with one hand, and pushed Xiang Tianyou to turn around with the other, making him face away from the male ghost.
Yu Qingtang gestured with her eyes for him to leave.
The homeroom teacher ghost refused to leave. Yu Qingtang helplessly pulled the two, who didn't dare open their eyes, towards the office desk.
She searched for clues herself using the weak flashlight beam, while the two behind her clutched the corners of her clothes.
At some point, the homeroom teacher ghost disappeared from the office, likely slipping away through the staff passage.
Yu Qingtang said, "He's gone."
The two finally opened their eyes, still shaken, hearing their own heavy heartbeats. Yu Qingtang had Cheng Zhanxi sit in the inspected office chair to rest. Xiang Tianyou stood beside Yu Qingtang.
The two exchanged glances, both seeing the lingering fear in each other's eyes: Desperately seeking a pair of eyes that haven't seen ghosts.
Next were the director's office and the principal's office.
The haunted house exploration gradually reached its climax, and the mystery of the high school girl's murder was slowly uncovered. The deceased classmates, teachers, director, and principal were all murderers. Correspondingly, it became increasingly terrifying.
Cheng Zhanxi and Xiang Tianyou completely let themselves go, screaming whenever they should, because they couldn't hold it back. Along with the other five people who came in, screams echoed layer upon layer in the haunted house, amplifying the spreading fear.
Cheng Zhanxi's face was deathly pale, her soul practically detached, just one step away from ascending to heaven. Xiang Tianyou wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes, no longer remembering how many times he had called out "Mom."
"Are we almost at the exit?"
Yu Qingtang put down the paper slip in her hand and said coolly, "Should be soon."
The three arrived at the final passage, a long, dim corridor.
Yu Qingtang looked at this corridor and fell silent.
No reason other than this corridor was lined with ghosts on both sides—teachers, students, covered in blood. Of course, real staff members were definitely hidden among them, waiting to unexpectedly touch or pat you as you walked past.
Cheng Zhanxi looked at the densely packed ghost corridor, her knees went weak, almost kneeling down.
She looked up at the ceiling, contemplating the possibility of crawling across it.
Then she thought despairingly: Is it too late for me to become a ghost now?
Xiang Tianyou was completely stunned, dazedly searching for the way back as he muttered, "I don’t want to go this way... I want to go home..." His voice broke into muffled sobs. "Mom..."
In the end, it was Yu Qingtang who led the two of them, running quickly out of the corridor.
Arriving at the room before the exit, a large group of ghosts waited there.
"Ahhh!!!"
Accompanied by piercing, frantic screams, the three finally saw the light of day again.
Cheng Zhanxi and Xiang Tianyou collapsed onto the long bench like salted fish, eating the ice cream Yu Qingtang bought, completely drained of energy.
Yu Qingtang asked, "Still want to play?"
The two shook their heads like rattle drums.
Yu Qingtang said, "I mean other rides." She thought of a gentle one, "Like the carousel?"
The two continued shaking their heads vigorously.
Seeing the two traumatized by the haunted house, their souls yet to return, Yu Qingtang said, "Then rest for a while. Shall we go eat dinner later?"
Cheng Zhanxi nodded, Xiang Tianyou also nodded.
Cheng Zhanxi recovered fully after resting for about ten minutes, at least outwardly. Xiang Tianyou didn't recover until dinnertime. After the main meal, they went straight for supper. After eating, Cheng Zhanxi drove him home first. In the car, the two sang "Dispel Sorrows" again. Yu Qingtang hummed softly beside them, a faint smile on her lips.
A cup to the homeland, a cup to the distance
Guarding my kindness, urging me to grow
So the roads north and south are no longer long
The soul no longer has nowhere to rest
...
At nine in the evening, Cheng and Yu returned to Mingmen Estate.
The two parted ways at the elevator entrance. Cheng Zhanxi entered room 2102 alone, frantically hitting the light switches on the wall, quickly turning on the living room lights.
Cheng Zhanxi let out a long breath.
Too scary, too scary. Never pretending to be brave again.
She sat on the sofa, looked towards the dark bedroom, and turned on the bedroom light too.
Then she turned on the TV, playing "My Own Swordsman." She nervously scanned the living room, sat back down on the sofa, hugged a pillow tightly, and took deep breaths.
Yu Qingtang returned home, put down her things, checked the ingredients and tools for tomorrow's cake, put them back in place, took her pajamas, and went into the bathroom to shower.
Exiting the bathroom, passing the sink mirror, she noticed the faint smile lingering at the corners of her lips. Yu Qingtang paused slightly, quietly looked at the person in the mirror for a while, then continued smiling as she returned to the bedroom.
Yu Qingtang wasn't accustomed to staying up late. If there was no work, she would sleep early. Lying in bed, she closed her eyes, replaying today's amusement park trip. Her hands rested properly at her waist. Clearing her thoughts, she prepared to sleep.
The phone placed on the bedside table vibrated at this moment.
Yu Qingtang turned her head slightly, her eyes flashing with confusion. She reached out and picked it up.
[Cheng Zhanxi]: Asleep yet?
[Yu Qingtang]: Not yet
Yu Qingtang heard the doorbell, got up, and opened the door.
Cheng Zhanxi stood before her in dusty pink long-sleeved pajamas, hugging a pillow, her small face pale, looking thoroughly frightened.
"Yu Qingtang, I'm scared..."
Author's note:
Cheng Chengzi: I'm scared, need sister to hug me to sleep qaq
Will Cheng Chengzi get her wish to sleep together tomorrow?
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
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