With each step toward the refrigerator, Yu Xiao felt the countdown ticking, the kitchen’s chill hinting at a sinister secret within. The once mundane fridge now seemed to be the epicentre of an otherworldly cold.
Yu Xiao’s heart didn’t race with fear of the supernatural; rather, she dreaded the mundane horror of spoiled food. Her imagination conjured grotesque images of decaying meat or swarms of maggots behind the door, sending a shiver of disgust through her.
Her hand trembled as it brushed against the fridge’s cold metal, the frigid touch confirming the malevolent presence inside. She frowned, bracing herself for the encounter ahead, knowing it wouldn’t be as simple as disposing of expired groceries.
Yu Xiao was well-versed in caution. She withdrew three Taoist talismans from her pocket, each marked with exorcism sigils, and clutched them tightly. Taking a deep breath, she nudged the fridge door open. A blast of icy air escaped, briefly concealing the sight of a rigid, metallic hand reaching out from the darkness.
As the chilling appendage approached the door’s edge, Yu Xiao acted swiftly. Her other hand shot out, thrusting the talismans into the cold abyss before slamming the door shut.
“Bam! Bam! Bam!”
**
The loud bangs resonated, drawing the attention of nearby people from the other doors, all fixated on the source of the commotion.
Xue Rong Rong and the crew gaped, their expressions a mix of pure bewilderment. “Wow, that sounded like talismans!?” they mused. The show had only just begun, and it seemed like someone was already going all out.
Meanwhile, Zhao Lan and Zhou Xiao Zhen nodded in recognition. It was classic Yu Xiao, deftly using talismans like a seasoned pro. They didn’t view it as overkill; rather, they admired her ingenuity, considering it quite practical and cool.
**
Then came the triple thunderclap waltz, causing the kitchen—and the fridge—to shake and shimmy thrice. Outside, lights flickered, and although the fridge door remained shut, its seal was compromised as smoke seeped from every crevice.
Ever vigilant, Yu Xiao retreated, covering her nose and mouth as she awaited the smoky tempest’s end. When it finally abated, she cautiously opened the fridge, greeted by a dense fog that obscured even the faintest ghost—ironically, the very thing she sought.
To dodge any nasty surprises, she backed away yet again, giving the smoke its moment to bow out. And when it finally did take its leave, the fridge’s contents came into view.
There it was—a ghost, appearing as though it had just had a fight with a toaster, with its hair sticking up and foam coming out of its mouth, all crammed inside the fridge. Yu Xiao looked at it with disgust, reached in, and with a firm grip, pulled the spectral intruder out by its crispy hair.
The singed spectre landed on the floor with a splat, spreading out like a dropped kebab. And that’s when Yu Xiao noticed the stash of chicken wings, coolly waiting in the fridge.
Exhaling in relief, she was thankful for the simple fare. “Raw isn’t an option, is it?” she mused, eyeing the gas stove warily. A quick cook should suffice.
Culinary flair wasn’t her thing. In a world of takeout and ready meals, who needed it? Yet, now faced with the reality of having a kitchen based task, she realised the value of cooking skills.
With resolve, she filled a pot, aiming to boil a single wing. The task was simple: make breakfast, not a banquet.
She plunged the wing into the water and ignited the flame with a twist of her wrist.
Watching the blue flames flicker under the pot, Yu Xiao attempted to call Zhao Lan and Zhou Xiao Zhen.
“I’m sorry, the number you have dialled is not in service…”
No surprise there. Yu Xiao had braced for this. If all challenges were like this, her friends would surely thrive.
Lost in thought, she didn’t immediately notice the flames changing to an eerie green hue.
And then, as if summoned from an ancient tale, a hand emerged from the fire. Fingers first, then a palm, pressing against the bottom of the pot as if trying to escape the fiery underworld.
Yu Xiao carefully watched the pot, her eyes wide with determination. She couldn’t afford to mess this up; all her hard work would go down the drain.
**
Behind a different door, Zhou Xiao Zhen found herself in a long corridor, doors lining one side. Puzzled, she wondered about her whereabouts and how she arrived.
Suddenly, the living room TV flickered on, displaying pink hearts and a sweet voice announced, “Welcome, here you will experience the joys of love.”
“This is my jam,’ Zhou Xiao Zhen thought, her heart fluttering with anticipation. ‘I chose love because I’m brimming with excitement for it.’
(????)
Glued to the screen, she watched as the voice cooed, “Seven doors, seven chances at love,”
Her heart raced. Seven handsome men? This was getting interesting, indeed!
“Please choose a room and open the door,” the voice guided.
Standing before the first door, emblazoned with “Passionate” in bold red, Zhou Xiao Zhen paused.
Passionate men were her Achilles’ heel, yet she knew better than to jump into things blindly. She needed to explore all her options before making a decision.
Next, the word “Sly” caught her eye on another door.
Sly? A smirk crossed her face. A little cunning charm was irresistible. The prospect of a battle of wits with a sly, dashing man was tantalising. Isn’t love all about playful mischief?
Yet, she wasn’t done exploring.
At the “Playboy” door, she arched an eyebrow. Playboys might have a bad rep, but hey, she was the only one here. Who else would they play with but her?
Each door seemed tailor-made for her tastes.
The “Brooding” door conjured images of her favourite moody protagonists from films and series. Zhou Xiao Zhen sighed dreamily, considering how brooding charm complemented a handsome visage.
Still, she ventured forth.
The “Indifference” door didn’t deter her. An aloof, attractive man? Now that would be a challenge, and she was all for it.
With a gentle touch, she considered the sixth door “Gentle”, then the seventh, marked “Paranoid.”
Each one seemed to be her type, not because she was fickle, but because she had a big heart when it came to love.
Zhou Xiao Zhen paced before the seven doors, her mind a whirlwind of indecision.
Ultimately, she opted for gentleness—not as her preferred choice, but for its perceived ease of management. With a mix of reluctance and resolve, she chose the path of gentleness to conquer the challenge.
As the green door swung open, the TV screen shifted from a rose-filled display to a haunting, ghostly face.
The spectral figure observed Zhou Xiao Zhen with a widening grin. “You’ve selected your true love,” it sang. “Win his heart fully by tomorrow’s end, reach one hundred percent affection, or face the consequences… he he he~!”
The room glowed with a soft pink hue as the door revealed its secrets, casting a tranquil light over everything. A man of tall stature and serene demeanour sat on the bed, clad in a pristine white suit.
Upon her entrance, he turned, his kind eyes and lustrous black hair framing a face that disarmed her instantly.
Stepping onto the soft carpet, Zhou Xiao Zhen licked her lips. (°?°?).:?
“What’s your name?” the man on the bed asked.
“I’m Zhou Xiao Zhen,” she replied, already by his side, just a heartbeat away. “And you?”
“I am Gentle (温柔: Wen-Rou),” he said, offering a hand with grace.
Zhou Xiao Zhen recoiled slightly, prompting Gentle’s reassurance, “Fear not, I mean no harm.”
“Truly?” she asked, easing down to his level. “How can I earn your full affection?”
With a gentle smile, Gentle replied, “Simply do what delights me.”
“And what would that be?”
“I like meat,” he whispered, his lips parting slightly. “Could you satisfy that for me?”
Zhou Xiao Zhen pondered. Perhaps Smiley was better suited for this task. Her Saint Elizabeth was brimming with meat, a ghost’s delight. Smiley would have made it effortless.
Crouching before Gentle, she dialled Yu Xiao’s number, only to be met with: “Sorry, the user you are trying to reach is out of the service area…”
Frustration bubbled within her; the house had been scoured to no avail. No food, no meat. To win over Gentle, she might have to consider offering him her own flesh.
“I’m starving,” Gentle murmured, his frown adding to his allure, “I’m really hungry. Can you help me out?”
**
Yu Xiao stared at the fire ghost emerging from the flames, pulling out a Thunder Striking Ghost Repelling Talisman. As she hurled the Talisman at the ghost, the flames surged and consumed it, reducing it to mere ashes.
“…” ∑(ΦдΦlll
Speechless, Yu Xiao was at a loss; such a ghost was beyond her experience, one that could render a talisman useless. She pondered the need for a fireproof variant, but given talismans were paper-based, how would they resist fire?
The ghost’s form began to materialise from the fire. In a moment of clarity, Yu Xiao grabbed her smartphone from her pocket and, with a swift decision, turned off the gas.
With a resounding smack, the fire ghost’s emergence was cut short, its roar fading as it vanished with the extinguished flames.
Yu Xiao, pot and smartphone in hand, grimaced at the thought of consuming the undercooked chicken wing.
Nearby, a scorched ghost twitched on the floor. Yu Xiao, kneeling next to it, bit into the semi-raw wing.
“Oh, forgot the salt.” Yu Xiao hastily rose, grabbing the spice box and sprinkling salt on the chicken wing. Another bite, “Urgh… too salty.”
(￣﹏￣)
She had considered heading to St. Elizabeth’s for food, but she had rushed into this instance precisely to avoid the chaos there. If she returned now, she might stumble upon a clash between Gluttony and George. If those two ghosts caught sight of her, they would both try to enlist her help. What a predicament that would be!
To avert such a ghostly disaster, Yu Xiao decided she would rather eat raw chicken wings and risk shitting Salmonella!
**
While Yu Xiao grappled with her half-baked chicken wing, Zhou Xiao Zhen was painfully tugging at her newly grown, yet barely there, hair.
In contrast, Zhao Lan’s situation seemed almost leisurely.
Upon opening the door, she was greeted by a scene akin to a KTV private booth. The dim lighting, expansive sofa, and imposing screen set the stage for a solitary karaoke session.
(卡拉OK – It stands for “karaoke television”, a type of entertainment venue where people sing popular songs while following the lyrics shown on a screen.)
A microphone lay on the coffee table, beckoning Zhao Lan as she entered. Confusion set in. Was this setup implying a karaoke bonding session with friends? Yet, she was the only one present.
Surveying the private room, everything seemed normal; there was no one there to provide instructions. Zhao Lan pondered, perhaps she should kick things off with a song?
She settled into the sofa, microphone in hand.
As soon as she touched the microphone, the screen came to life, presenting a prompt.
【Your six closest friends, your ride-or-die crew, are in danger. Only you can save them. Now, you face a choice: to help or not to help?】
Zhao Lan’s throat tightened as she grasped the gravity of the challenge.
“Help…”
Nothing happened…
Zhao Lan paused, before speaking into the microphone, “Help!”
【You are a kind and loyal person. At first, you could have chosen to ignore the situation for your own safety. However, you willingly put yourself in harm’s way to save your friends.】
A wry smile tugged at Zhao Lan’s lips. ‘Was it really willingly?’ she mused. ‘Or am I simply being coerced by you?’
Nevertheless, the mention of the six friends on the screen likely referred to Zhou Xiao Zhen and the others. Could she help them from where she was?
【The question challenge commences. Correct answers aid a friend; incorrect ones risk your fate.】
【Question one: What colour were the clothes that the ghost was wearing during its rounds on your first night at the hospital?】
Zhao Lan: “…”
A shudder passed through her. She clasped her head, staring at the screen in a daze.
‘How could I know?’ she wondered. ‘It was too dark; I couldn’t even peek. Besides, who keeps track of such things?’
Then, it clicked.
“Oh, I’m such an airhead,” Zhao Lan smacked her forehead. “Hospital uniforms are white, obviously.”
She confidently spoke into the microphone, “White.”
【Right you are. Now, pick a friend to help.】
The screen split into six parts, each showing a live feed of her friends’ current situations.
Zhao Lan scanned quickly, spotting Smiley and Precious.
Smiley was hunched over, eating something that seemed to make her gag. At her feet was a charred ghost, likely vanquished by her talismans.
Precious was in a room painted pink, facing a man in a white suit. He looked peaceful, but Precious seemed upset, her face scrunched up in worry.
Ye Lang (Wealth) was wandering a villa, seemingly safe for the moment.
Yang Xian (Family) was in the kitchen, and Xue Rong Rong (Career) looked like she was in a meeting.
Zhao Yang sat still, his eyes fixed on a pile of brown items. They were probably meant to be food, considering his choice (Food). His expression was one of deep sadness.
At that moment, Zhao Lan decided that Zhao Yang and Precious were in dire need of her help. While the others faced their own trials, these two seemed particularly distressed.
She chose to aid Precious, declaring into the microphone, “I’ll support my friend at the Love Door. ‘Talisman Shop — Only three points each!’”
The screen shifted focus, leaving only Precious visible.
**
Zhou Xiao Zhen was frantic, her phone unresponsive, and no meat in sight. The thought of self-harm was unthinkable. She paced, desperate for a solution.
As she sighed heavily, the room’s lights flickered ominously.
“What the heck?!” Zhou Xiao Zhen gasped, eyeing the calm man in white, bracing for chaos.
Then, with a heavy thud, something dropped from above.
Squinting, Zhou Xiao Zhen spotted a piece of bloody meat on the floor!
Disbelief washed over her as she gazed upward. Could it be? Had her wish been granted from the heavens? Was she favoured by fate?
Without hesitation, she offered the meat to the man named Gentle. Sёarch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.
Living up to his moniker, Gentle accepted the raw offering with elegance. Despite his refined demeanour, he devoured it swiftly, cleaning his lips with a swipe of his finger.
A chime rang out: “Your destined sweetheart’s affection has risen to 15%.”
Well, well. Eating a large piece of meat only earned a 15% approval rating?
Gentle’s eyes warmed as he regarded Zhou Xiao Zhen, caressing her cheek with a pale, cool hand. “Darling, you are remarkable,” he murmured, “I hold you dear.”
“Really?” Zhou Xiao Zhen couldn’t help but admire his appearance and physique. However, watching him devour the raw, unidentified chunk of meat made her feel sick.
“Yes, this is the first time I’ve felt this way about someone,” he said, his eyes soft and his words dripping with sincerity. “Is there anything you need me to do for you?”
Once upon a time, Zhou Xiao Zhen might have anticipated some naughty fun, but now her thoughts had taken a more serious turn. Nevertheless, it was difficult to resist the tempting offer.
Zhou Xiao Zhen stroked her chin thoughtfully, taking a moment to ponder before replying, “Are you feeling hot? Would you like to take off your coat?”
“I’m not hot,” he responded, a hint of a smile playing on his lips as he looked at her. “But if you want me to, I can.”
With that, he stood up, towering at least 187 centimetres tall. Facing Zhou Xiao Zhen, he grinned down at her. Despite his imposing stature, there was no hint of intimidation.
His fingers deftly undid the golden buttons of his white suit, revealing the crisp shirt underneath. He raised his hand to remove the coat, unveiling his lean yet strong physique. The black shirt clung to his form, radiating an irresistible charm.
Zhou Xiao Zhen swallowed hard, feeling a wave of desire wash over her once again.
“Xiao Zhen,” Gentle murmured, his voice soft as he knelt before her. Gently taking her right hand, he tilted his head back, his eyes and tone filled with reverence as he spoke, “I’m hungry again.”
Zhou Xiao Zhen: “…” ?_??
**
【What’s the name of your mother-in-law who lived in Gu Family Village all her life?】
Zhao Lan scratched her head, puzzled. The mother-in-law in question was none other than Gu Jing Rong’s mother, the wife of the previous village chief.
Her name was Gu… Oh, for goodness’ sake!
Zhao Lan was teetering on the edge of irritation. What sort of question was this, anyway? Who would bother memorising the names of trivial non-player characters in a game?
Convinced she didn’t know the name of the village chief’s wife, Zhao Lan timidly requested, “May I have a different question, please?”
【Answer incorrect, initiating punishment.】
Zhao Lan: “…”
All of a sudden, Zhao Lan sat bolt upright, her muscles tensing. Her left hand balled into a fist, pressing against her throat, while her right hand’s thumb and forefinger came together as if grasping something invisible.
She moved her hand across the table in a gesture all too familiar, echoing the motion of scooping up food with a spoon. Zhao Lan’s complexion turned pale; she recognized the impending scenario.
Before she could ponder further, Zhao Lan found herself mirroring her friend’s experience. Among the six other players, only two were eating, and just one—Zhao Yang, who had chosen the food door—was using a spoon.
Zhao Lan watched helplessly as her hand, clutching the imaginary spoon, approached her mouth. She was at least grateful that she wasn’t actually eating anything.
As her mouth opened and the cold spoon met her lips, a potent, foul odour invaded her senses, bringing tears to her eyes.
Moments later, she bolted to the wall’s corner, heaving uncontrollably.
( ×m×)
**
Yu Xiao finished the chicken wing and immediately felt a twinge of discomfort in her stomach. Clutching her belly, she hauled the ghost—now singed from a lightning strike—out of the kitchen.
Then, the prompt chimed in once more.
“Oh dear, look at the time, it’s already nine! You’ve had your breakfast, such a diligent child. Just a morning meal and you’re brimming with vigour. Now’s the ideal moment for chores. The grass on the lawn beyond the balcony has grown unkempt. Would you be so kind as to tend to it before eleven?”
─── ? ── ☆ ── ? ───