No one answered them.

After convincing themselves they knew who the girls were, the four people standing at the door all adopted a “let’s see what trick you’ve got up your sleeve” attitude—even Shu Yuxin was no exception.

Many people feel this contradiction: they know something frightening might happen, and the cautious ones know closing their eyes is the smart move. Yet curiosity wins. They watch anyway—with wide eyes—only to jump in terror moments later.

Shu Yuxin had nearly vanished behind Jiang Zixuan, but her head still peeked out to watch the four girls. The couple beside them fared slightly better—clinging tightly to each other, faces flickering between fear and curiosity.

Receiving no reply, the lead girl simply smiled and turned away. Then, almost in unison, all four pulled sharp pocket knives from their pockets. They toyed with the blades, expressions shifting from playful to unnervingly ecstatic. Just a glance sent a cold shiver down Shu Yuxin’s spine.

Logic screamed: *Close your eyes. Cover your ears. Wait it out.* But her gaze stayed locked on them. The girl’s voice slithered into her ears again:

“You know… rumor says… many patients died in this ward long ago… Their spirits linger here… waiting for a human to possess… to take their place in death…”

“And to summon them… it’s so simple… just… hehe…”

As her tone twisted eerie, the girls pressed blade to fingertip—slid gently—blood welled, trickled down, dripped onto the floor.

“Let your blood fall… and they’ll come for you…”

Shu Yuxin’s heart hammered against her throat. *Classic horror setup. Something’s coming.* Finally, she crushed her curiosity, squeezed her eyes shut, buried herself behind Jiang Zixuan, and clamped her hands over her ears.

Silence.

“Haha! You actually believed that?!”

The laughter cut through the quiet—impossible to miss, even with ears covered. The tonal whiplash stunned Shu Yuxin. Curiosity won again. She peeked out.

The four girls were doubled over laughing. Knives gone. Thick wads of tissue pressed to their fingers. Their teasing eyes clearly mocked the four at the door.

“Hahaha! Ghosts aren’t real! Total prank! Relax~ Smile a little!” The speaker turned fully toward the door. From Shu Yuxin and Jiang Zixuan’s angle, it felt like she was sizing them up.

Relief washed over Shu Yuxin—tinged with irritation.

*This is a haunted house! What are they doing?! Shouldn’t they be scaring us? Are they tourists too? But they’re not wearing badges…*

The couple ahead looked just as confused. The girl whispered to her boyfriend; he nodded. They stepped forward, ignoring the laughing girls, aiming to cross the room and move on.

The moment they neared the center—everything changed.

Lights died. Total blackness swallowed the room. Laughter cut off. Replaced by a bone-chilling, shrill cackle.

Shu Yuxin’s heart shot skyward. She lost control—screamed with all her might:

“AAAAAH—!!”

The scream released pent-up fear. Next instinct: lunge, grab Jiang Zixuan, shove him forward desperately.

He stumbled, caught off guard.

*Why push him toward the center?* She wouldn’t have known. In pure terror, logic shorts out. Actions need no reason.

Less than two seconds passed. As she shoved him, lights flickered—just long enough for Jiang Zixuan to see: the four girls vanished. Only the frozen couple remained. But his eyes locked on something else—a dark silhouette dead center.

*Semi-transparent. Pale white face.*

A female ghost.

In the final flash before darkness returned—he saw it lunge straight at him.

“Holy shit!” Even Jiang Zixuan cursed, freezing mid-step. Shu Yuxin, head pressed to his back, missed it. Feeling him stop, she shoved harder twice.

He was stunned.

He stayed calm in haunted houses because he *knew*—ghosts were actors. A mental shield: *It’s fake. Just people.* That mindset kept fear low, even shaped how he saw things. Until now.

*That… couldn’t be human. It was semi-transparent!*

Shu Yuxin kept shoving. Off-balance, Jiang Zixuan grabbed her arm, pulled her close, wrapped his arms around her—purely to stop her flailing. Nothing else.

Lights flickered on again.

The ghost was gone. Four female corpses hung from the ceiling. Dim light revealed just enough. They swayed—unnaturally, without wind. The cackle deepened, more sinister.

Darkness returned.

Too late. Shu Yuxin had seen it.

“AAAAAAAH—!!!”

“GHOST! AAAAH—!!!!”

“AAAAAAAAH—!!!”

Chaos erupted. Shu Yuxin’s screams led the chorus, joined by the couple’s cries, weaving with the room’s eerie laughter—a relentless, ear-splitting duet of terror.

This time, Jiang Zixuan wasn’t scared of the corpses. He was startled by Shu Yuxin screaming in his arms.

Lights stuttered like faulty wiring. Each flash revealed new horrors. Shu Yuxin stopped struggling—just buried herself in his chest and screamed louder, higher. Whether from fear or rivalry with the other girl, her voice climbed toward ultrasonic.

The other girl sobbed. After roaring once, her boyfriend scooped her up and sprinted out like an Olympian. Jiang Zixuan, curious about the room’s tricks, hesitated half a second—then ran out too, still carrying Shu Yuxin.

Beyond the door: a long corridor. Stairs at the end. Door open. Emergency exit sign pointed down. *Finally. Almost done.*

The couple had stopped nearby. Pale but trying to stay calm, the boyfriend soothed his girlfriend, who clung to him motionless.

Jiang Zixuan glanced down.

Shu Yuxin clung just as tightly, face buried in his chest.

…Exactly the same.

“…Yuxin. We’re out,” he murmured, walking slowly.

Her arms tightened around his neck.

He sighed. Said nothing.

As they passed the couple, the boyfriend called out: “Hey, bro.”

“Hm?” Jiang Zixuan paused.

Strained smile. Bloodless face. “That back there… you weren’t scared?”

“Pretty scary, yeah.”

“Hah. Those hanging figures nearly killed me.” He stroked his girlfriend’s back—hand trembling slightly. “Man… how’d they do that? Seriously impressive.”

Jiang Zixuan chuckled. “Holograms, I think. Saw equipment racks and speakers near the beds. No blood on the floor. All fake.”

“Holograms? That advanced?” A shaky breath. “Felt real… Someone with heart issues might actually drop.”

“Haha, they *did* warn against it for heart conditions,” Jiang Zixuan laughed, waving as he moved to leave.

The boyfriend blinked. “You’re still going?”

“Huh?”

“Your girlfriend’s a mess. Just stop.” He nodded at Shu Yuxin, voice gentle. “Wait for security. Wave your badge—cameras everywhere. They’ll come. We’re done. Can’t take more.” He held up his own badge, waving it high.

Jiang Zixuan opened his mouth—

Shu Yuxin jerked her head up. “I’m done! No more! Zixuan, please—let’s wait for security?!”

Jiang Zixuan: “…”