Yu Xiao leaned on the balcony railing, surveying the lawn below. The grass, a lush green, stood eerily uniform in height.


    She hesitated briefly before seizing an ashtray from the coffee table and flinging it downwards. The moment it struck the ground, it disappeared, leaving behind a wave through the grass and a distinct crunching noise.


    “Well, isn’t that just charming? Even the grass here has a taste for ashtrays,” Yu Xiao remarked dryly, stepping back as annoyance flickered across her face.


    As she turned to leave, a sound from below halted her. Looking down, she saw the ghost she had earlier struck with lightning, now attempting to stand.


    A hint of a smirk appeared on Yu Xiao’s face. The instruction was to finish the task by eleven, but it never specified who had to do it.


    **


    Stepping out of the meeting room, Xue Rong Rong was holding a bunch of papers, feeling a bit lost as she leaned against the wall. Despite playing a horror death game, here she was, in an office, looking like she worked there.


    She got pulled into a meeting where everyone, including the boss, was hyped up, yelling slogans as if fueled by an overdose of caffeine. They even wanted everyone to stand up and say their work goals, like how much overtime they’d do.


    When it was Xue Rong Rong’s turn, she thought, ‘I’m not here to win employee of the month,’ so she just said she planned to leave on time. That got her some weird looks from everyone, boss included, as if she’d grown a second head.


    Settling at her desk, Xue Rong Rong felt a mix of tiredness and confusion. What kind of weird challenge was this?


    Just as she was trying to figure things out, her computer turned on by itself, showing a message.


    【You’re all about your job. Make sure you finish everything before you head out.】


    Xue Rong Rong was startled. “What if I can’t get it all done?”


    【If you fail to complete your tasks, you will be stuck here indefinitely, toiling away endlessly.】 S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    “…What?”


    Right then, a lady in a red outfit and high heels came over, swaying her hips, and dropped a paper on Xue Rong Rong’s desk.


    “Here’s your to-do list for today.”


    Looking at the list—stuff like fertilising the lawn, working at the factory, moving frozen meat, hiding coins for the boss, and delivering food to the boss’s friends—Xue Rong Rong got the chills. “Why do I have to do all this? How am I supposed to finish?”


    The lady in red just rolled her eyes. “It’s not my problem if you finish or not. These are the boss’s orders. Got a problem? Talk to the boss.”


    And with that, she walked off, heels clicking away.


    After blurting out her intention to leave on time at the meeting, Xue Rong Rong felt a twinge of regret. She flagged down a coworker and inquired, “When do we normally wrap up here?”


    The colleague, looking more like a walking shadow with those dark circles and thin frame, glanced at her and said, “Typically by five.”


    Xue Rong Rong mumbled under her breath, “Fantastic,” her mind already wishing she had chosen to work overtime instead.


    **


    Ye Lang pushed open the door to a stunning villa, its luxury evident in the two-story mansion, swimming pool, tennis court, and sprawling garden.


    As he strolled through, Ye Lang was in awe. Could he ever call such a home his own?


    The TV flickered on just as he entered.


    A ghostly figure, decked out like a deity of wealth but with a pale blue hue and sharp, crimson lips and teeth, greeted him with a chuckle. “Ah, a fresh face, hehehe…”


    After a bit of a cackle, the ghost composed himself and said, “You’re on a treasure hunt. This place? It’s owned by a loaded tycoon who’s tucked away gold coins everywhere. You’ve got until tomorrow to find a hundred of them. Don’t find them, and well, let’s just say the tycoon will have your head.”


    Ye Lang stayed cool; such trials were nothing new to him. He’d been through weirder stuff than this. Yet, he eyed the pool and tennis court, pondering if the coins were there— if so, locating them there would indeed pose a significant challenge.


    **


    Meanwhile, Xue Rong Rong, bag of coins in hand, was baffled by the villa’s grandeur, which she hadn’t noticed from outside.


    Her mission? To stash the gold so well that even the boss couldn’t find them.


    A ghost, clad in Hanfu, warned from the TV, “Hide these so no one can find them. If they do, the boss is gonna have your head…”


    Scratching her head, Xue Rong Rong started plotting. She scattered the coins here and there, making sure they weren’t all in one place. Her gaze landed on the tennis court. Burying a few there seemed like a smart move.


    The tennis court was huge—no way anyone would dig up the whole thing, right? So she buried some coins in the flower beds, chucked a few into the pool, and even tossed a couple onto the roof. Who in their right mind would go looking up there?


    **


    Sweating buckets, Yang Xian was slaving away in the kitchen.


    When she first pushed the door “Family” open, she stepped into a plain two-bedroom flat.


    In the living room, there were two people: a bald guy with a belly that could rival a beer keg and a kid totally lost in his Gundam toy world.


    Right then, the TV went from cartoons to flashing a message.


    【Family is your everything. You’d go to the ends of the earth for them. By tomorrow, make sure they adore you 100%. If not, they’ll stop having your back against the creepy crawlies out there.】


    Yang Xian froze. She never meant to pick the family door. Health was her first choice, but someone beat her to it. Family seemed doable, so she went for it. She had no clue it’d be this tricky to boost the love metre.


    She eyed the duo—one big, one small—and couldn’t help but crinkle her nose. That kid, her son? No way. With a pancake-flat nose, beady eyes, and sausage lips, he looked nothing like her. Then she saw Mr. Beer Belly on the couch, and it hit her.


    That dude, with his seven-month ‘pregnant’ belly, was her hubby? She’d take being a spinster any day over this!


    But she had to get out of this game. So, Yang Xian plastered on a fake grin, crouched by the boy, and asked, “Buddy, how can I make you like me more?”


    The kid gave her the stink eye and snapped, “I’m starving! Get me some food!”


    The couch potato gave her a glare that could curdle milk and barked at her, “What, you got cotton in your ears? The kid’s hungry! What kind of mom are you, huh? Lounging around all day, and you can’t even keep the house clean. Look at this dust!”


    Yang Xian was stumped. Why did she even choose this family door? If she knew it’d be like this, she would’ve gone for the food door in a heartbeat.


    **


    Zhao Yang, feeling miserable after his bout of sickness, slumped at the dining table. He kicked himself for not being quicker on his feet. A faster reaction might have spared him from the dreaded food door.


    When he stepped through the door, he found himself in a cosy restaurant, where tables and chairs were set up just so.


    Across from a shabby chair, a TV buzzed to life. Zhao Yang edged into the room, and cryptic words popped up on the screen.


    【So, you fancy yourself a foodie? Hate to see a meal go to waste, right? Check out this spread. But here’s the twist – you gotta clean your plate. Miss a crumb, and the chef behind this will make you vanish before you can even think ‘yum’!】


    The screen played tricks, offering Zhao Yang a grim choice.


    【Pick your poison, pal. A. Curry rice that tastes like shit. B. Shit that tastes like curry.】


    “…”


    He stood there, mind numb. Facing off with a ghost seemed like a walk in the park now.


    With a heavy heart, he went for A.


    He told himself it might not taste great, and getting it down would be rough, but hey, it was still food. Maybe if he didn’t overthink it, it wouldn’t be so bad.


    Then came a knock. Zhao Yang found a cart with a cloche-covered dish waiting outside. He wheeled it in and closed the door, hearing the cart roll away. Was a ghost playing delivery? If he didn’t eat, would the ghost come for him instead?


    He sank into his chair, inhaled deeply, and lifted the cover.


    Instantly, a foul odour swept through the room, turning Zhao Yang’s stomach into a whirlpool of nausea…


    **


    After stashing all the coins, Xue Rong Rong got back to delivering meals to the boss’s pals.


    She was in the restaurant’s back kitchen, piling up the ready meals on a cart to take out front. The notice board in the kitchen had one clear rule: don’t peek at the eaters. So, she’d just push the cart to the door, knock, and then duck back into the storage room.


    After the folks outside grabbed their grub and closed the door, she’d roll the cart back, ready for the next batch of orders.


    She had no clue who the customers were—probably some spooky types. Before taking the food out, she’d slyly lift the lid just a smidge. And every time, she’d get hit with a stench so foul, it could only appeal to a ghost’s taste buds.


    **


    “Xiao Zhen,” Gentle cooed, his voice dripping with fake sweetness as he shook Zhou Xiao Zhen’s hand, “I’m starving, absolutely famished. I’m craving meat.”


    Zhou Xiao Zhen looked up, half-expecting divine intervention, but no heavenly meat shower was forthcoming.


    She eyed Gentle warily, his stomach rumbling like thunder. Without meat, his affection metre was stuck on low, which spelled trouble for her. But getting him meat? That was a whole other problem.


    “Really, Gentle?” Zhou Xiao Zhen sighed, exasperated. “Can’t we just enjoy a date without your constant cravings?”


    Gentle, undeterred, pleaded, “Please, Xiao Zhen, I’m dying here…”


    Zhou Xiao Zhen snapped, “What’s next? You’ll eat me? Over my dead body!”


    Then it clicked—why limit herself to one option? The other rooms were full of potential… meat.


    “Hold on,” she told Gentle, pointing to the bedroom. “Be a good boy and wait for me in bed. I’ll be back with something to eat.”


    She left, catching a glimpse of a ghostly figure on the TV. Ignoring it, she headed to the next room.


    The ghost on the screen warned, “Beware, all these men are hungry. Only the one who truly loves you is safe…” But her hand was already on the doorknob with a decisive click.


    Behind the unassuming door, Zhou Xiao Zhen encountered a room adorned in sleek monochrome tones. Seated on a pristine white bed was a man clad in a sharp black shirt, his rebellious air accentuated by a glinting nose ring.


    Meeting Indifferent’s intense stare, Zhou Xiao Zhen felt a twinge of intimidation. He was alarmingly attractive! Her knees felt weak.


    As he stood, towering over her, she felt the air thicken. Leaning in, his presence almost threatening, she reached for her talismans.


    “Boom! Boom!”


    Then, two loud thuds shook the house, and Gentle’s door burst open.


    Zhou Xiao Zhen stepped in, a mysterious black shape in hand, and closed the door behind her.


    “Feast your eyes, this is all for you,” she said with a sly grin.


    Gentle’s face softened, and he hugged her tightly. “You’re the best, Xiao Zhen.”


    She smirked back, teasing, “Better enjoy it, and no more hunger complaints, got it?”


    **


    Yu Xiao watched from the balcony as a ghost with untamed hair worked hard on the stubborn lawn below. Despite its efforts, the grass was resisting, much to Yu Xiao’s amusement.


    She sighed to herself, realising her lawn-fixing plans were in jeopardy if she didn’t move fast. More hands on deck seemed like the only way out.


    Decisively, Yu Xiao made up her mind to ‘hire’ more help. No time to waste, she turned from the balcony and headed for the green door.


    “It’s not bedtime yet,” whispered a spooky voice from behind the door, trying to spook her.


    Yu Xiao ignored it and reached for the doorknob.


    An icy draft swept out as she cracked the door for a quick look.


    Gathering her nerve, she flung the door open, revealing a dim room with a ghost sprawled on a huge bed. Its wild hair flowed everywhere, and blood seeped from its face, its eyes glaring at Yu Xiao as it tried to get up, muttering something creepy.


    Listening carefully, she heard the ghost mumble, “This is my bed… No one’s allowed to sleep in my bed…”


    Yu Xiao watched, unfazed, as the ghost struggled to rise, managing only to get halfway.


    Losing patience, she asked, “Need help?”


    The ghost, in a bloody gown, looked puzzled, “?”.


    Yu Xiao didn’t hesitate, grabbing its cold, swollen hands and yanking hard.


    The ghost flopped onto the floor, looking confused. This was new.


    But the ghost’s thought process wasn’t exactly firing on all cylinders. Now free, it thought about attacking the intruder.


    It raised its clawed hands, its mouth full of sharp teeth.


    Then, a hand with a bunch of talismans appeared, unfurling them like a fan.


    The ghost hiccupped.


    “Mind giving me a hand?” Yu Xiao joked. “I did help you out. It’s only fair you return the favor.”


    Back on the balcony, Yu Xiao watched two ghosts mowing the lawn. She nodded, pleased; the extra ghost had sped things up. They might just get all the lawns done before eleven.


    Yu Xiao stretched, feeling relaxed. The sun was shining, and a hot cup of coffee or tea sounded perfect.


    **


    【Question three: What is the most popular attraction in Lolita Amusement Park?】


    Once again, Zhao Lan was at a loss. Amidst the scramble for clues and a way out, who could spare a thought for the park’s most frequented spot?


    She thought hard, trying to remember which attraction had the longest line.


    They all seemed to attract a crowd of death-seekers.


    Her mind kept going back to the haunted house. With a sigh, Zhao Lan gave her answer.


    “The haunted house.”


    It wasn’t just a guess; she figured the haunted house must be swarming with ghosts, even if she wasn’t sure about the tourists’ favourite, she was pretty sure it was the ghosts’ hotspot.


    【Correct answer. Please choose the friend you want to help below.】


    Zhao Lan: “…”


    The screen split into six, showing where the others were.


    Zhao Lan’s eyes found Smiley, who reclined leisurely under the sun’s caress. A breeze ruffled her hair as she rested, eyes closed, humming softly—a picture of serenity amidst the chaos.


    A pang of envy hit Zhao Lan; Smiley had a knack for finding peace in the most harrowing games.


    Her gaze moved to Zhou Xiao Zhen, still in the pink room. She was chatting with a man in a white suit who was slowly undressing, button by button…


    Zhao Lan groaned. Was she the only one in such a dire situation?


    She saw Zhao Yang dealing with a strange dish and felt a bit better. At least she wasn’t alone in facing odd challenges.


    Yang Xian was sorting toys, Xue Rong Rong was scattering something on the grass, and Ye Lang was running through a villa, a ghost on his heels.


    Seeing her friends managing, Zhao Lan decided to help Ye Lang.


    “I’ll assist our friend from the Wealth Door.”


    The screen zoomed in on Ye Lang, the rest fading away.


    **


    In the kitchen, Ye Lang’s eyes twinkled as he spied his first gold coin in the oven. He reached out, but a cold hand clamped on his wrist.


    A ghost popped out, chasing him like he was the last bus of the night.


    Ye Lang bolted, heart racing. One measly coin in hand, and a ghost on his tail—how was he supposed to nab a hundred by sunset?


    He zipped through the villa, but oops—a rogue object sent him flying, and he tumbled to the floor.


    A ghastly touch clutched his ankle, and his heart lurched, bracing for the worst.


    ‘Well, this is it?’ he wondered, resigned himself to his fate.


    Then, an ear-piercing shriek rent the air, and the spectral grip loosened. The ghost? It bolted, as if it had seen a mouse.


    Ye Lang lay there on his back, a mix of shock and relief washing over him. “What in the world…?” he mused. One second he’s the main course, the next, the ghost’s beating a hasty retreat. Perhaps it’s afraid of spiders?


    He shook off the surprise, spotted a weird lump under the carpet, and voilà—a hidden coin, just sitting there, waiting to be found.


    **


    Meanwhile, Xue Rong Rong paused her meal deliveries to give the lawn a quick feed. As she sprinkled the fertiliser, the grass perked up, as if it was gobbling up the stuff.


    She glanced over her shoulder and muttered, “This grass is weirding me out,” while eyeing the balcony. A shadowy figure loomed there, all kinds of ominous. Seriously, who has a lawn that acts hungry?


    A chill crept up her back, but Rong Rong wasn’t about to let it slow her down. She flung another handful of fertiliser, pep-talking herself, “Keep it together, Rong Rong. Not your problem, not your haunted house. Just sprinkle and scoot!”


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