Chapter 85: The Haunted House Adventure (2)

The message had barely been sent out before Wen Yichen retracted it, yet this did nothing to stop Jiang Muwen from seeing it. Moments later, Wen Yichen sent another message: Not safe. Don’t go.

Seeing this message, Jiang Muwen’s heart gave a little jolt—was Wen Yichen actually worried about her? But she had made all the preparations, and everyone had already agreed to meet. It seemed a shame not to go now. After a moment’s thought, she sent another message to Wen Yichen: Then why don’t you come with me?

If you’re not going, I’m going to sleep.

Despite Wen Yichen’s earnest attempts to dissuade Jiang Muwen, this did nothing to change the plan. At eleven o’clock, Jiang Muwen and Gu Nianxi met up with Yin Lize at the entrance downstairs.

The hotel lobby was hushed at this late hour, as if everyone had long since gone to bed. Yin Lize appeared before them carrying a camera, which made the two girls pause in surprise.

“Why did you bring that?” Gu Nianxi glanced at the camera in his hand, then looked him over.

“To record, of course. Do you think this camera might capture things our eyes can’t see?” Yin Lize lowered his voice, a hint of a mysterious smile tugging at his lips.

Jiang Muwen shivered involuntarily at his words. Yin Lize truly was bold—no matter how much courage she mustered, she would never dare bring a camera in to record.

“Let’s not talk about it—let’s just go,” Gu Nianxi said, giving a little shudder before looping her arm through Jiang Muwen’s.

The abandoned building rumored to be haunted stood not far from the hotel, only about a ten-minute walk away. Though so close, the atmosphere between the two places was worlds apart.

There was still some trace of life around the hotel, but here all was desolate and empty. Perhaps it was simply the late hour, but the place felt like a different world entirely.

Faced with the looming building, the two girls couldn’t help but shiver. Gu Nianxi switched on her flashlight, the white beam cutting through the darkness as she swept it back and forth.

There was no one guarding the abandoned building, and even the “No Entry” sign at the door was battered and askew.

Though the spring breeze should have been gentle, here it sent a chill straight through the girls, making them shudder.

This “haunted house” seemed to possess a mystery so profound it was almost frightening.

The faint light finally illuminated the building, and then Xia Manman’s timid voice broke the silence, “Let’s go in.”

Jiang Muwen gave a quiet affirmation, but no one dared take the first step. The two girls exchanged a look and then, as if by unspoken agreement, turned their eyes to Yin Lize. After a few seconds of silent standoff, Yin Lize gave in. “Alright, I’ll lead the way.”

He pulled a flashlight from his pocket, holding it in one hand and his camera in the other, advancing step by step.

Creak.

At last, Yin Lize pushed open the half-closed door. The hinges hadn’t seen oil in years, and in the stillness, the sound was especially jarring—as if it could sink right into one’s skin, making everyone uneasy.

The faint light fell into the room. As soon as the three stepped inside, they were assailed by the acrid scent of dust. It was clear no one had set foot here for ages; Jiang Muwen felt a chill the moment she entered.

The silence inside was oppressive, the darkness all-encompassing—who knew what the next step might bring?

The two girls crept along behind Yin Lize, letting the bold boy lead the way. He seemed fearless, waving his flashlight all around.

“You think there’s really something unclean in here?” Jiang Muwen whispered, clutching at Gu Nianxi’s sleeve.

With that, Gu Nianxi grew more nervous herself. “There shouldn’t be, right?”

Bang.

No sooner had she spoken than the sound of a window slamming against its frame shattered the silence, making their hearts nearly leap from their chests. Jiang Muwen instinctively clung tighter to Gu Nianxi’s clothes. Though she said nothing, her body was trembling.

“Don’t be scared—it was just the wind,” Gu Nianxi tried to comfort her. She looked at Yin Lize up ahead and hurried her steps.

“Yin Lize, slow down!” Jiang Muwen called after him.

“There’s nothing much here. Don’t be afraid—keep up,” Yin Lize replied as he turned, sweeping his flashlight across the wall.

Driven by curiosity, Jiang Muwen glanced in the direction of the beam—and saw, scrawled in red on the dingy wall, a crooked, unsettling line of text.

She stared until the words became clear: “I’m watching you.” The letters were jagged, the red liquid dripping down the wall before drying in place.

“Ah!” Jiang Muwen cried out, instinctively squeezing her eyes shut.

Startled by her cry, Yin Lize turned in that direction.

“Don’t be scared, it’s just someone’s prank,” Yin Lize said, moving the flashlight away. Seeing how shaken Jiang Muwen looked, he walked toward her.

His footsteps on the wooden floor echoed with every step, each creak like a needle pricking Jiang Muwen’s heart. She stood there, eyes squeezed shut, like a condemned prisoner waiting for judgment.

The world around her was darkness and the ceaseless tapping of the window against its frame, as though at any moment something terrifying might appear right before her eyes.

“Don’t be afraid, I’m right here,” Yin Lize’s familiar voice whispered beside her. “If you’re scared, we don’t have to go any farther. We’ve only just come in, after all.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than the sound of the door creaking shut echoed in Jiang Muwen’s ears.

The air was still, broken only by the creak of footsteps. Jiang Muwen stood frozen, and only after she grew accustomed to the sounds around her did she slowly release her grip on Gu Nianxi.

Just as she was about to open her eyes, she felt a warm hand seize her wrist.

Jiang Muwen’s heart leapt; she instinctively tried to pull away, but the grip held fast.

“Don’t be scared, it’s me.” A familiar voice sounded at her ear, and her heart finally began to calm—it was Wen Yichen.