Uncle Xu's voice cut through the clamor of the crowd, his tone laced with worry as he pulled Chen Ge behind him, shielding the young man from the restless mob gathered outside the Haunted House. "Xiao Chen, where have you been? Why are you so late for work?" he asked, his eyes darting nervously between Chen Ge and the agitated group, his protective stance a testament to his concern. The bright morning sun illuminated New Century Park, casting long shadows from the crowd that blocked the entrance, their presence an unexpected obstacle on what should have been a bustling day. Chen Ge's heart raced, the weight of the paper box with the twenty-four name tags still in his hands, a reminder of the supernatural mystery tied to Fan Yu and Mu Yang High School. The park's lively atmosphere felt stifled by the crowd's hostility, their murmurs a stark contrast to the quiet resolve Chen Ge had carried from the police station and Fan Yu's apartment.
Chen Ge met Uncle Xu's gaze, his voice calm but tinged with exhaustion as he explained, "I just came back from the district station; I was helping the police with a murder case." The words hung in the air, silencing the crowd's murmurs as their eyes widened in disbelief. The bright sunlight glinted off the Haunted House's eerie facade, amplifying the shock that rippled through the group. Excuses for tardiness typically involved mundane issues like traffic or illness, but involvement in a murder case was so far beyond the ordinary that it left both Uncle Xu and the mob momentarily speechless. Chen Ge's mind flashed to the night's events—the well, the sealed classroom, Fan Yu's aunt's confession—each moment a heavy weight that had kept him from his usual routine, now colliding with this unexpected confrontation at his workplace.
"Huh?" Uncle Xu's jaw dropped, his shock mirrored by the crowd, who exchanged uncertain glances, their aggression faltering under the weight of Chen Ge's revelation. "Murder case?" Uncle Xu repeated, his voice tinged with disbelief as he momentarily forgot the chaos at hand. The crowd's earlier hostility seemed to waver, their raised voices quieting as they processed the gravity of Chen Ge's words. The morning sun cast their faces in sharp relief, revealing a mix of curiosity and unease. Chen Ge stood firm, the box of name tags a grounding weight in his hands, its connection to the sealed classroom's spirits a silent reminder of the stakes he faced. The park's vibrant energy felt distant, the crowd's presence an unwelcome intrusion that threatened to derail his focus on the supernatural mystery still unfolding.
Chen Ge clarified, his voice steady as he addressed Uncle Xu and the crowd. "Yup, but the case is different from the earlier murder at the apartment; it probably won't be broadcasted on the mass media." The mention of another murder sent a fresh wave of shock through the mob, their earlier rage dwindling as they grappled with the implications. The earlier apartment murder had already marked Chen Ge as someone entangled in dark events, and this new case only deepened their uncertainty. The sunlight illuminated the Haunted House's sign, its eerie design a backdrop to the crowd's faltering momentum. Chen Ge's mind churned, the weight of Fan Yu's smile and the name tags pressing on him, their significance tied to the spirits now residing in his underground scenario. The crowd's aggression seemed trivial in comparison, a distraction from the deeper mysteries he was determined to unravel.
"Alright, leave this to me," Chen Ge said, stepping forward to face the crowd, his voice firm and commanding. "You guys are looking for me?" The simple question cut through the remaining tension, extinguishing the mob's dwindling momentum. The group exchanged hesitant glances, their earlier bravado faltering as they shoved forward a middle-aged man, the shortest among them, to confront Chen Ge. The man's face was set in a forced scowl, his posture betraying his unease as he faced the Haunted House owner. The morning sun cast long shadows across the park, the crowd's presence an obstacle to the visitors trying to access the attraction. Chen Ge's grip on the box tightened, the name tags a reminder of the sealed classroom's mystery, their weight grounding him as he prepared to address the accusations that had drawn this mob to his doorstep.
The middle-aged man cleared his throat, his voice carrying a rehearsed indignation. "We are from Qin Guang's studio. Last night, you employed unethical tactics by hiring a 50-cent army to spread rumors that are damaging to Qin Guang's reputation." The accusation was bold, but Chen Ge's response was immediate and cutting. "I'm the one who employed unethical tactics? You people sure know how to create a story. Who the real unethical plagiarist here is, you know yourselves." His words were sharp, slicing through the man's claims with a clarity that left no room for doubt. The crowd shifted uncomfortably, the sunlight highlighting their uncertainty as Chen Ge stood his ground, the box of name tags a silent anchor to the truth he had uncovered at Mu Yang High School. The park's lively atmosphere seemed to pause, the confrontation a stark contrast to the joy of the visitors beyond.
The man persisted, his voice rising as he tried to regain control. "Qin Guang merely chose to have the livestream at the same location as you. That is not a basis for you to claim that he plagiarized your work simply because you happened to shoot at the location first." His argument was flimsy, and Chen Ge's patience wore thin. "A simple comparison between our livestreams shows that Qin Guang mimicked even my starting analysis while trapped inside the bedroom. If that is not plagiarism, what is?" The question hung in the air, the crowd's silence a testament to the truth in his words. The sunlight glinted off the Haunted House's windows, their eerie reflections a reminder of the horrors Chen Ge had faced, horrors that Qin Guang had shamelessly copied. The box of name tags felt heavier, its connection to the spirits a grounding force as Chen Ge faced down the mob's accusations.
The middle-aged man's face reddened, but he pressed on, his voice growing more defensive. "At most, he only copied your beginning. The plot that developed after that was his own creativity. Of course, it cannot be called plagiarism. At the very worst, you can call it a homage." The audacity of the claim stunned Chen Ge, the shamelessness of labeling blatant theft as a "homage" sparking a mix of anger and disbelief. He had never encountered such brazen denial, and reasoning with them felt futile. Brushing past the man, he moved to open the Haunted House's gate, determined to prepare for the day's business despite the crowd's interference. The morning sun illuminated the park's vibrant scene, but the mob's presence cast a shadow, their accusations a distraction from the name tags and the sealed classroom's mystery that still demanded his attention.
The man followed, undeterred, pulling a document from his bag with a flourish. "You are new to the scene, so we understand your drive to succeed, but you have to know that this job is not that easy," he said, his tone patronizing. Chen Ge had braced for a legal threat, but the document was merely a proposal, not a lawyer's letter, revealing the man's lack of conviction. The sunlight cast the paper in sharp relief, its words a hollow attempt to intimidate. The man continued, waving the document. "You are not from this field, so you don't understand certain things—that's fine—but most established hosts are made with gold and popularity. It might appear that you have caught some popularity for now, but the platform will never support a newcomer and abandon Qin Guang because Qin Guang is the platform's key promoter. His success is tied to the success of the platform itself." The threat was clear, but Chen Ge's resolve remained unshaken, the box of name tags a reminder of his true purpose.
The man's voice grew sharper as he delivered his ultimatum. "If you agree to stop the malicious attacks against Qin Guang and post a public apology on your personal account, we will compensate you accordingly. However, if you insist on walking down the wrong path and harassing Qin Guang and any of his affiliates to brush up the popularity of your own livestream, we will contact the platform to block you from all of its channels." The threat hung in the air, but Chen Ge's expression remained impassive. The sunlight illuminated the crowd, their faces a mix of defiance and uncertainty, but Chen Ge's focus was unwavering. The name tags in the box, the spirits of Mu Yang High School, and Fan Yu's haunting smile were his priorities, not the petty politics of a streaming platform. The park's vibrant energy felt distant, the mob's threats a minor annoyance compared to the supernatural mysteries he was determined to unravel.
Chen Ge's voice was calm but resolute as he responded, cutting through the man's bluster. "Don't try to shift the blame onto the viewers; they are completely innocent. If anything, the viewers simply cannot stomach the open bullying and came to support me." He dismissed the threat with a wave of his hand, his confidence rooted in the organic growth of his popularity, untainted by the platform's support. The truth of Qin Guang's plagiarism had sparked a grassroots movement among viewers, their support a testament to their disdain for injustice. The sunlight cast long shadows from the crowd, their aggression faltering as Chen Ge stood firm, the box of name tags a silent anchor to the sealed classroom's mystery. The Haunted House's gate loomed behind him, its eerie facade a symbol of his true mission, undeterred by the mob's hollow threats or the platform's politics.
The middle-aged man's tone softened considerably, a stark contrast to the aggressive bravado he had displayed before Chen Ge's arrival, as he pleaded, "Being rash benefits no one, why don't you think about it first?" His earlier unreasonableness had evaporated, replaced by a cautious deference that reflected the crowd's collective unease. The six members of Qin Guang's studio, who had come to confront Chen Ge, were visibly thrown off balance by his casual mention of involvement in two murder cases—a revelation that would unsettle anyone. The bright midday sun bathed New Century Park in a warm glow, casting long shadows from the mob that still lingered near the Haunted House's entrance, their initial hostility now tempered by hesitation. Chen Ge stood firm, the paper box containing the twenty-four name tags and the group photo clutched in his hands, a tangible reminder of the supernatural mysteries tied to Fan Yu and Mu Yang High School. The park's lively atmosphere buzzed around them, but the crowd's subdued demeanor hinted at their reluctance to challenge someone entangled in such dark events.
Chen Ge's response was resolute, his voice steady as he dismissed the man's plea. "There's nothing to consider. I've already discovered the unique selling point of my livestream and videos. Even if I'm forced to leave this platform, I'll just regain my follower base elsewhere." His confidence was unshaken, rooted in the authenticity of his content—born from real encounters with the supernatural, like the sealed classroom and the well at Mu Yang High School. He waved the group from Qin Guang's studio aside, their presence an annoyance he refused to entertain further, and called out to Xu Wan to begin preparations for the day's visitors. The sunlight glinted off the Haunted House's eerie facade, its grim design a testament to the horrors Chen Ge had faced, horrors that set his work apart from Qin Guang's plagiarized performances. The box of name tags felt heavy, its connection to the spirits a silent anchor as he turned his focus to his business, undeterred by the studio's threats.
Exhausted from a night spent racing between Mu Yang High School, the police station, and Fan Yu's apartment, Chen Ge settled into the ticket booth, his body aching but his mind sharp as he began selling tickets to eager visitors. The park's vibrant energy surged as the first waves of guests exited the Haunted House, their excited chatter a welcome contrast to the morning's confrontations. But his respite was short-lived as the group from Qin Guang's studio returned, their persistence grating on his already frayed nerves. The sunlight cast their figures in sharp relief, their renewed presence blocking the path of genuine visitors drawn to the park's thrills. Chen Ge's patience, worn thin by their earlier accusations and the weight of the night's events, began to crack. The box of name tags, still in his possession, grounded him, its mystery a reminder of the deeper stakes he faced beyond this petty feud.
"You people sure are insistent!" Chen Ge snapped, his voice edged with irritation as he confronted the group. "If you're not here to visit the Haunted House, please move aside; you're blocking the path for the real visitors!" Even a saint would lose patience under such relentless provocation, and Chen Ge's politeness had reached its limit. The crowd's audacity in obstructing his business, especially after their baseless accusations, fueled his frustration. The midday sun illuminated the park's bustling scene, but the studio group's refusal to leave cast a shadow over the Haunted House's entrance. Two young men from the group stepped forward, their backpacks slung casually over their shoulders as they blocked the gate, their smirks suggesting they had no intention of leaving without a confrontation. Chen Ge's grip on the box tightened, the name tags a silent reminder of the sealed classroom's spirits, their mystery urging him to stay focused despite the distraction.
"Who said we're not here to visit the Haunted House?" one of the young men retorted, his tone dripping with challenge. "We also wish to experience the place that is dubbed the scariest Haunted House in Jiujiang." The speaker was a muscular man, his tank top deliberately chosen to showcase a physique honed by rigorous weight training, his confidence bordering on arrogance. His companion, a bespectacled man with a meek demeanor, stood beside him, their contrasting appearances united by a shared defiance. Chen Ge's eyes narrowed, suspicion flaring as he sensed their motives were less about experiencing the attraction and more about undermining his reputation. The sunlight glinted off the Haunted House's sign, its eerie design a backdrop to the brewing tension, while the box of name tags in Chen Ge's hands pulsed with the weight of the supernatural legacy he carried.
"You also want to visit the Haunted House?" Chen Ge asked, his voice laced with skepticism, fully aware that their intentions were likely malicious. The muscular man smirked, his tone taunting. "If you're afraid that we might expose your fake advertising, then fine, we won't enter." The provocation was clear, a jab at the authenticity of Chen Ge's Haunted House, which had been built on real supernatural encounters. Chen Ge's jaw tightened, the man's words striking a nerve. "Let me remind you, the last person who made a claim like yours came out lying on his back," he retorted, his voice calm but edged with a warning. The memory of the forensic science students from Jiujiang Medical University, overwhelmed by the Haunted House's terrors, flashed in his mind, a testament to the genuine fear his attraction could evoke. The sunlight cast the men's faces in sharp relief, their bravado a stark contrast to the box of name tags, a silent link to the spirits waiting below.
The bespectacled man chimed in, his voice tinged with smug confidence. "You've only managed to arouse my interest even more. I've watched scary movies since I was young. Before being recruited by Brother Qin, I was part of a scary movie film crew. Alas, most of the movie settings were too fake; they were barely challenging." His words were a challenge, dismissing Chen Ge's Haunted House as just another staged production. Chen Ge's lips curved into a wry smile, the man's arrogance a familiar type among those who underestimated his attraction. "I do love customers like yourself who are constantly searching for a greater scare," he said, pulling back the curtain to the Haunted House's entrance. "Come in then, remember to sign the disclaimer agreement." The sunlight illuminated the gate, its dark threshold a portal to the horrors within, while the box of name tags reminded Chen Ge of the real supernatural forces at play, forces these men were unprepared to face.
Chen Ge's smile grew more genuine as he welcomed the "lab rats" into his domain, their bravado an opportunity to prove the Haunted House's terrifying authenticity. The prospect of their reaction to the sealed classroom and its twenty-four uniforms fueled his anticipation, the spirits' presence a secret weapon against their skepticism. Uncle Xu, watching from the side, shivered involuntarily at Chen Ge's expression, the memory of the forensic students' collapse vivid in his mind. The sunlight cast Uncle Xu's worried face in sharp relief, his concern for the visitors evident as he pulled Chen Ge aside. "Xiao Chen, don't go overboard. Remember, they are still park visitors," he whispered, his voice laced with unease. The park's lively atmosphere buzzed around them, but the Haunted House's dark entrance loomed, its secrets tied to the name tags in Chen Ge's hands, a reminder of the supernatural stakes that set his attraction apart.
The bespectacled man, misinterpreting Uncle Xu's warning, scoffed with derision. "Well, well, well. That's some pretty good acting. The experience has started even before we enter the Haunted House?" he said, his voice dripping with condescension. "Before I arrived, I saw the reviews on the Haunted House, and many people said that the owner knows a bit of psychology. It looks like they weren't lying." His assumption that Chen Ge's caution was part of an act only deepened Uncle Xu's exasperation, his speechless expression a silent plea for the man to reconsider. I'm trying to help you here. If not for the fact you might die inside there, I would not have cared about you! Uncle Xu's thoughts were clear in his furrowed brow, but Chen Ge remained unfazed, his focus on the challenge ahead. The sunlight glinted off the Haunted House's sign, its eerie promise a contrast to the box of name tags, their mystery a silent force waiting to be unleashed.
"Uncle Xu, I know the limits. Don't worry," Chen Ge reassured, his voice calm but laced with a quiet confidence as he led the two young men into the Haunted House. He personally oversaw their signing of the disclaimer agreement, his eyes sharp as he noted their names: Zhu Jianing, the muscular man, and Fei Youliang, the bespectacled skeptic. The sunlight faded as they stepped into the dark threshold, the park's vibrant energy giving way to the chilling atmosphere of the Haunted House. Chen Ge's grip on the box of name tags tightened, the twenty-four names and the group photo a link to the sealed classroom's spirits, their presence a hidden force that would soon confront the men's bravado. The anticipation of their reaction to the underground scenario—its eerie corridors, creaking windows, and spectral uniforms—sent a thrill through him, the Haunted House ready to prove its terrifying authenticity to these unwitting challengers.