Though they’d planned to rise at dawn, the next day they didn’t crawl out of bed until eight or nine.

To Shu Yuxin, though, that hour was already *insanely* early.

By the time everyone finished washing up, it was nearly ten.

Yan Zhikai first led the group to a nearby breakfast stall for a quick meal, then headed straight for the amusement park.

A line still snaked outside the entrance, but noticeably shorter than yesterday’s—though maybe it was just too early for the daily rush.

Either way, fewer crowds were a win.

Yan Zhikai collected tickets from the VIP counter and bought another on the spot for Wei Zhanpeng. Smooth entry secured.

This time, he didn’t treat anyone. He grabbed a drink from a vending machine, turned, and asked, “So, how’re we playing today?”

“Need I even say?” Lao Mei slapped Fu Bai’s shoulder with a grin. “Taking my dog straight to the roller coaster! Sigh~ Who can blame him? He didn’t get enough yesterday.”

“Lao Mei, Lao Mei—you’re really asking for it,” Fu Bai shot back, arms flung wide, expression wildly exaggerated. “Who was it yesterday who couldn’t even open their eyes on the ride? Huh?”

“Hah! And you’ve got nerve? Don’t forget who stepped off shaking like a leaf—Parkinson’s vibes!”

“Pfft. Normal reaction. Your legs were trembling too, Lao Mei…”

“Skip the excuses. You in or not?”

“Bring it. Like I’m scared?”

After a few more jabs, they linked arms and strolled off toward the coaster—just like yesterday—completely forgetting the others existed.

Yan Zhikai watched them like they’d lost their minds.

Once they vanished, he shrugged. “Well. Two idiots gone. You guys? Plans?”

Jiang Zixuan shook his head. “Yuxin and I are flexible. No preference.”

“So… any good ideas, President?” Peng Xiaoxiao asked with a smile.

Yan Zhikai scanned the group, scratching his head. “I’m easy. But since we’re out—why not pick something together? A bunch of shut-ins like us rarely escape. Gotta make some happy memories, right?”

“Water park!” Lao Guan, previously glued to his phone, suddenly lit up. “Still open, right? Super fun—absolutely awesome!”

Lighter Paradise Park housed a large water park, open March to November. Going now meant catching the year’s last ride. Usually packed in summer, the shoulder seasons stayed quiet thanks to cooler temps—practically a private session.

But his suggestion got zero traction.

“Dreaming big, huh? Hoping for some wet-and-wild show?” Yan Zhikai shot him a look.

Lao Guan froze. “Uh, no… I…”

“No need. I get it,” Yan Zhikai shook his head. “But that’s not today’s vibe, friend.”

Lao Guan winced. “Kai, can’t you just let me finish?!”

“Nope.”

“Damn it.”

Zhang Houlin nodded. “Temp’s dropped. Risk of cold. No spare clothes. Let’s skip it.”

Lao Guan sighed. “Fine. Whatever.”

“Then…” Peng Xiaoxiao piped up, “Haunted house!”

“Haunted house? Sure.” Yan Zhikai nodded. “Went once before—pretty fun. All in?”

Shu Yuxin: “….”

*How obsessed is Peng Xiaoxiao with haunted houses?!* She’d been nagging about it since trip planning began!

*Why must it be the haunted house?!*

“Thoughts? Go or no?” Yan Zhikai pressed.

“I’m fine,” Lao Guan mumbled, already back on his phone.

Wei Zhanpeng looked uneasy but nodded at Peng Xiaoxiao’s eager face. “I’m in.”

Jiang Zixuan glanced sideways at Shu Yuxin.

He knew his best friend well—haunted houses were her absolute no-go zone. Getting her inside? Tough.

True to form, after a hesitant pause, Shu Yuxin shook her head. “I… I’ll pass.”

“Huh? Why? It’s fun! Come on!” Peng Xiaoxiao bounced over, pouting.

Shu Yuxin’s face tightened. “Um… I’m scared of ghosts.”

Ghosts and monsters had always terrified her. As a kid, she’d avoid dark, empty rooms at night. Grown-up? Slightly better—but not much.

Thanks to an overactive imagination, places like haunted houses needed zero real scares. With just a hint of suggestion, her mind conjured horrors—and she’d scare herself silly.

Actual props inside? Forget it.

Plain truth: she was just chicken.

“No worries! Actors in costumes! Totally safe!” Peng Xiaoxiao grabbed her hand. “Come on! Walk with us!”

Shu Yuxin’s lips twitched.

*Of course she knew they were actors!* But she was still scared! Even ghost *pictures* made her flinch!

Yet Peng Xiaoxiao’s pleading eyes made refusal hard.

“Just step in,” Yan Zhikai added gently. “I’ve done it—nothing intense. Stay between us. You’ll be fine.”

“Yeah! Remember? We agreed days ago!” Peng Xiaoxiao shook her hand coaxingly.

Shu Yuxin forced a smile. “You go. I’ll find something else…”

“That’s no fun,” Jiang Zixuan said, hand settling on her shoulder. “Together’s better. We haven’t hung out in ages. Trying something new’s nice.”

“Zixuan, you—”

“We’re doing the haunted house. Let’s go.” Before she finished, he waved to the group and seized her wrist.

Shu Yuxin glared. “I never said I’d go!”

He ignored her. “Move.”

Others exchanged glances. Yan Zhikai shrugged toward the haunted house. “Alright. Haunted house adventure—begin~”

Jiang Zixuan pulled her along. His grip: firm but not painful—just enough to hold her fast. Shu Yuxin had no choice but to stumble forward. “Let go, damn it! I said no!!”

Peng Xiaoxiao giggled beside her. “Hehe, relax! So many of us—what’s to fear?”

Jiang Zixuan caught her flashing a thumbs-up behind Shu Yuxin’s back.

Funny… the last time he’d tricked her like this felt ages ago. Senior year separation blurred old memories. Felt like lifetimes passed.

Shu Yuxin was easygoing—few weak spots. Chances to tease her? Rare. As her best friend, Jiang Zixuan never missed one. Her over-the-top reactions to taboo zones? That’s what he found amusing.

Lighter Paradise Park’s haunted house sat at the edge—named “Horror Hospital.” A derelict hospital structure, crumbling like a decades-abandoned ruin. Windows? Almost none on the exterior. Staff rest areas hid the few that existed; visitor paths had zero. Step inside = total isolation. Pure psychological dread.

The moment Shu Yuxin saw it, she wanted to bolt.

Polite hesitation vanished. “I’M NOT GOING IN!! NOT PLAYING!! ZIXUAN, LET GO!!”

Jiang Zixuan held firm, smile devilish. “Don’t fear. We’re here. Walk between us. Safe.”

“I’M NOT DOING IT!!! LET ME GO!!!” She struggled wildly—but her strength barely budged his grip. Not even one finger loosened.

She even considered biting him.

“Go in?” Yan Zhikai paused at the door, glancing at her with concern.

Shu Yuxin shrieked, “NO!!! I DON’T WANT TO!!”

Peng Xiaoxiao fell silent. She’d seen timid folks before—but *this* level of pre-entry panic? First time. Even she felt a pang of guilt.

Jiang Zixuan acted fast. He tugged her twice; she resisted so hard she nearly collapsed. After two seconds studying her defiant face, he released her wrist, crouched, hoisted her over his shoulder, and said: “Go.”

Shu Yuxin froze—then thrashed. “PUT ME DOWN!!! I WON’T GO IN!!!”

Zhang Houlin whispered to Yan Zhikai, worried: “Is this okay? No need to force her…”

Yan Zhikai shrugged, utterly nonchalant. “Not me forcing her. They’re just messing around. None of our business.”