This is the seventh year since Jing Jiujiu's death.
He died in the Sleeping Beauty Castle given to him by his father. He was just eighteen years old when he died.
Now, Jing Jiujiu was wearing an eight-button brown suit with a lace ruffle collar around his neck, which made his face look smaller and whiter, like an exquisite little prince placed in a high-end display window.
There is a kind of calm elegance and beauty.
He lowered his head slightly, and in the dim light, he could only glimpse a little of his smooth and white chin. He counted on his fingers and muttered, "When can I leave here..."
As soon as he finished speaking, the chandelier behind him suddenly shattered with a bang.
Jing Jiujiu was startled and quickly grabbed the knife on the table: "Who?!"
The castle was quiet, without a sound at all.
A creepy feeling slowly crept up Jing Jiujiu's back, and more than ten seconds passed.
Jing Jiujiu suddenly put down the knife in her hand: "Oh, I am a ghost, right? What should I be afraid of?"
More than ten seconds passed, and the pile of chandelier fragments made a rustling sound.
A palm-sized robot rolled out and said in a cold voice: "Hello, I am System 377."
What is this
"Do you want to leave this castle?"
think.
Of course I do.
Last month, several high school students came here to explore. They talked about Sleeping Beauty Castle and then mentioned Jing Jiujiu's other father.
Jing Jiujiu has two fathers, one disappeared eight years ago, and the other is the president of Jing Group, Jing Tinghua.
He heard them talking about how Jing Tinghua had married a new wife, had a new child, and that the child had just had his seventh birthday party.
He's dead... Have they all forgotten him
He wanted to leave here. He wanted to see what the woman looked like and what the child looked like.
Is that kid as good-looking as him
The unhappy feeling hit Jing Jiujiu's heart heavily, and then at this moment, it was dispelled by the talking little robot in front of her.
"When you died, you became a ghost here, so you can never walk out of this gate. From now on, you have to work hard to pretend to be a ghost and scare people. Every time you scare someone, your power will become a little stronger, and you will be able to leave this castle eventually."
"Are you going to scare people...?" Jing Jiujiu thought about it, and made full use of his limited experience with horror movies. He raised his hand, pulled his cheek, and revealed his pointed little canine teeth: "Is that so?"
"… "
377 felt like he had found the wrong person, no, the wrong ghost.
The other side of the city.
The agent sat on the sofa with a stiff neck and said dryly, "Isn't this the only way? I owe you a favor, don't I have to pay it back?"
"That's a favor you owe me." The young man opposite said lightly.
The man seemed to have just come down from an awards ceremony. He was wearing a black tuxedo with his badge and armbands pinned meticulously. His hair was combed back, revealing his handsome eyebrows and eyes underneath.
His eyes shot cold stars, and his eyebrows were as black as ink.
A man's good looks, just like his good acting skills, are recognized as excellent in the entertainment industry.
One critic even wrote a long article for him, describing him as bright as the sun and the moon, and as magnificent as the morning glow.
The agent was even more embarrassed when he heard this: "I am a skinny person. If you don't give me face, then you have to look at the announcement fee they pay... 30 million. Just be a guest for one episode, just one episode."
The young man asked calmly, "Am I short of money?"
The agent choked and said, "Yes... You don't need it." Others may not know, but how could he not know? The man in front of him didn't lack money at all. He didn't rely solely on the entertainment industry to make a living. As long as he wanted, he could easily earn enough money to make a movie.
Maybe you will be interested in this variety show
The words came to the agent's lips, but he never got them out.
Although the man in front of him is young, he has played emperors, generals, an immortal who has been alone for nine lifetimes and subverted the world, and a crazy killer who walked among the crowd in a casual long gown... Perhaps because he has played too many strong roles, the agent can always feel the majesty of a superior from him.
As time went by, the pressure on the agent increased.
At this time, someone knocked on the door and asked quietly, "Brother Bai, are you going to attend the celebration party later?"
The agent sighed and thought, forget it, I'll go to the production team and tell them I can't help you with this...
The young man suddenly spoke up and asked, "Do I have any plans for tomorrow or the day after tomorrow on my schedule?"
The agent was stunned and said, "No, isn't this your habit? Every time you win an award, you have to take a break for a while... I haven't made any arrangements yet."
“Give me the schedule for that reality show.”
The agent was stunned at first, then suddenly surprised, and quickly turned around to look for the process chart: "Wait a minute, I'll find it for you right away. Thank you, Brother Bai! Brother Bai, I'll ask my mother to make a lion head for you some other day!"
"I won't go to the celebration party. Let me look at the schedule first." Bai Yuhuai said coldly.
"Okay, okay!" The agent handed him the schedule, nodded repeatedly and went out.
The reality show the agent is talking about is called "How to Escape". There are five permanent MCs in total. A horror and suspense theme will be selected every two episodes. The five MCs plus a flying guest will enter the theme location together and stay there for eighteen days. The show will end when they successfully leave the theme location.
Because the recording process is too long, not many artists are willing to participate in this program, and the director had a hard time gathering people and obtaining sponsorship.
The ratings of the reality show are not bad. Firstly, it is because the subject matter is unique; secondly, it is because the director had given a lot of favors in his early years, and some of those who received favors became famous. They cannot be permanent residents, but it is easy to give them face and let them be flying guests. With them as guests, fans will of course rush to watch it.
The guest who was supposed to participate in the next recording agreed to the director three months in advance, but changed his mind at the last minute and joined the crew to shoot a movie.
Of course the director couldn't be blamed, so he could only ask people around to invite guests.
This is how it happened to Bai Yuhuai.
Bai Yuhuai simply glanced through the process chart and put it on the coffee table. Then he stood up and packed his suitcase himself.
On the page of the flow chart, there were a few big words written: "Castle Survival Challenge".
And now in the castle.
Jing Jiujiu had just figured out that this little robot came from outer space, and when it passed by here, it did not have enough energy to support it to return to its own planet. It hoped that by helping Jing Jiujiu, it could regain energy and return to its home planet smoothly.
Jing Jiujiu smacked his lips and said, "It sounds like a science fiction story. It's not scientific at all."
"You've turned into a ghost, how is that unscientific?"
Jing Jiujiu: “…Yes.”
The little robot choked.
"But..." Jing Jiujiu slumped down on the table, "There's no one here, who should I scare?"
"Wait." The little robot seemed very experienced. It said, "There will definitely be some young people who have nothing better to do and want to come explore."
Jing Jiujiu sighed deeply and had no choice but to wait. Maybe it would take a month, two months, or even half a year.
Who knew that he didn't have to wait too long. The next afternoon, he heard the sound of a car approaching, which woke Jing Jiujiu up from her dream. Ghosts don't dream, but Jing Jiujiu didn't think of herself as a ghost at all.
He lazily sat up from the bed, yawned like a human, and then went to the window.
There was a lot of dust on the glass windows, but he could still clearly see through the window that many people had come in and were moving their luggage outside.
Since the last time a few high school students came, Jing Jiujiu hasn't seen so many people for a long time.
He quickly turned around and went downstairs.
The little robot followed him clumsily.
At this time, the rag flew into the air and started to wipe the dining table. The broom followed closely behind, making dust fly all over the sky. Finally, the refrigerator door opened by itself...
The oranges on the trees in the backyard of the castle flew through the air and fell into the refrigerator one by one.
The little robot was stunned: "What are you doing?"
Jing Jiujiu said without even turning her head: "You have guests at home, don't you clean up and prepare some fruit?"
Little robot: “…”
It, it makes sense.
“But you’re trying to scare people? You cleaned the place so cleanly and thoughtfully prepared food and drinks. How can there be a scary atmosphere?” The little robot barely regained some sanity.
How many years has the young man in front of me been trapped in the castle? Why is he so excited about someone coming
Jing Jiujiu: “…Oh.”
The rag and broom fell to the ground with a "thump", and the oranges rolled away...
Little robot: "Forget it, forget it, this is fine."
Anyone who enters an old castle that has been abandoned for many years and finds that it is clean inside, as if someone lives there, but there is no sign of anyone would feel scared.
It was a blessing in disguise.
At this time, there was a noise at the door.
"Be careful, put all the video equipment in place first." "Be careful when moving the luggage." "Go record Brother Bai quickly, don't make any mistakes!"
"Someone is coming!" Jing Jiujiu shouted.
When the little robot turned around, it found that Jing Jiujiu was gone.
Who is afraid of whom here
Bai Yuhuai took short rests along the way.
According to the program team's requirements, he was the last one to get off the car.
The castle is on the mountain, and the forest is full of fog and rain. As soon as Bai Yuhuai got off the car, MC came over with an umbrella to cover him and greeted him earnestly: "Hello, Brother Bai!" "Hi, it's still a little cold in the mountain, Brother Bai, be careful not to get wet."
Bai Yuhuai glanced at him.
The man holding the umbrella is called Ji Meng, who debuted in a talent show four years ago. But he peaked right after his debut and fell into obscurity six months later. He is not ugly, on the contrary, he is very handsome. When he smiles, he looks like the prince charming in a campus drama. In order to make him popular again, his agent took him to this variety show, just to create a cute contrast character.
Bai Yuhuai didn't have a deep impression of Ji Meng. He only vaguely remembered seeing him at a music festival, so he just nodded slightly and said coldly, "Thank you."
The others then realized that Bai Yuhuai had gotten off the car, and they quickly gathered around and greeted him one by one.
"Has Brother Bai ever participated in a variety show like this before?"
"I heard that the castle was abandoned because someone died inside. That person died tragically, probably in a fire..."
"Ah, didn't he drown?"
"Brother Bai, I brought a talisman specially. Do you want it? I'll give you one." Ji Meng came up again and said with a smile.
Bai Yuhuai seems a bit cold and unsociable in the show, but everyone knows his personality and his status in the circle. Regardless of whether this person has a sense of variety, the ratings will definitely explode after the show is broadcast.
So no one would miss such an opportunity.
"I brought the relic with me. I spent a lot of money to buy it. Brother Bai, do you want it?"
"No thanks." Bai Yuhuai said calmly.
"Are you crazy? Where can you find the real relics now?"
The MCs didn't feel embarrassed at all. When they saw Bai Yuhuai refused, they immediately started to act like a variety show.
"Lao Cao, what did you bring?... Damn, why did you bring a bowl? To the haunted house to eat?"
"The bowl is filled with grains, which connects the energy of heaven and earth and can ward off evil spirits!" said MC Lao Cao.
Bai Yuhuai then turned his gaze over and said calmly, "The bowl is very useful."
Everyone was flattered and continued talking about the topic for a few more words before inviting them to go inside.
Bai Yuhuai didn't put on airs. He carried his luggage in by himself and then helped the two female MCs.
At this time, most people had come in, and Jing Jiujiu leaned on the railing to look down.
"Why does it feel a little cleaner here?" the director muttered.
"Sprinkle some dust, some dead leaves, and some spider webs. Otherwise, how scary would it be?" said the assistant director.
Jing Jiujiu watched them scatter ashes, leaves, skeletons, and broken candlesticks in the place he had worked so hard to clean...making his home look weird.
"Okay, okay, we can continue shooting. It'll be fine once the effect is almost there," the director shouted.
"Making a movie?" Jing Jiujiu murmured.
"Hiss, I feel like there's a lot of yin energy here." MC Yunxin shuddered as she entered the door.
She was popular a few years ago and was famous for her sweet voice. But she has been so obscure in the past two years that she has no choice but to take on this variety show.
Lao Cao said: "Oh, that's because you are not wearing enough."
Lao Cao is even more obscure than Yun Xin. He used to be a golden supporting actor, but now he doesn’t want to be a supporting actor anymore, so he comes to film a reality show.
"Why are there still oranges in this refrigerator?" Another female MC, Kong Xiangqi, looked at the refrigerator door and asked in surprise.
"Was it prepared by the program crew?" she asked.
Jing Jiujiu sighed at the railing.
No. It’s the caring me.
"The skin is still green and can't be eaten." Bai Yuhuai walked over and closed the refrigerator door.
Kong Xiangqi nodded: "Don't mention it, I'm really a little hungry."
"Then let's clean up first and make something to eat ourselves," Lao Cao suggested.
Everyone started moving immediately.
While they were busy, they did not forget to chat at the same time, which increased the editability in later stage.
"Don't you find it strange? When I came here, I didn't seem to hear any insects or birds singing. Aren't these the most common sounds in this mountain?"
"It's normal for a haunted house. When the yin energy is so strong, no living creature dares to come here."
“Are there really ghosts?”
"Among the many places the program team has found, this is the most likely place to have ghosts. Do you know who lived here before? The Jing family, right? The Jing family had a son... I also collected photos. Just one, but one is enough. That was the only photo of the young master of the Jing family that the media got. Let me take a look..."
As Kong Xiangqi spoke, she took out her cell phone and looked through it.
"Well, that's it..."
"How old is this? He looks so beautiful."
"When he was thirteen, he was a real elf, right? I'm in the entertainment industry, and I'm used to seeing beautiful women. I think he's so good-looking that I can't stand it at first glance."
The phone was passed around and everyone couldn't help but admire it.
Only Bai Yuhuai was not interested, and Kong Xiangqi did not dare to hand him the phone.
Ji Meng asked: "Is he the one who died?"
As soon as these words came out, everyone fell silent. After a while, voices began to be heard again.
"No way? Is it him?" "Why haven't I seen any news about it?" "Damn, is God jealous of talented people?"
Kong Xiangqi also sighed deeply as she spoke: "That's him. He was not yet an adult when he died, right? It is said that children like him have the heaviest resentment..."
Everyone else felt a little creepy.
The beauty in that photo became a regret from another world and also became an invisible knife.
Bai Yuhuai paused what he was doing, raised his eyelids, and then continued to wash the cups.
The little robot was lying on the corner of the second floor, listening to these people chatting. Even it, a piece of iron, felt that it was very pitiful, so it couldn't help but turn around to look at Jing Jiujiu.
…disappeared again
The little robot hurried to look for someone, no, a ghost.
Finally he was found in Jing Jiujiu's bedroom.
"What are you doing?" asked the little robot.
Jing Jiujiu carefully wrote down each of their names, their personalities and behaviors in a notebook. Finally, he turned around and said seriously, "I've already decided who to attack first."
"who?"
"The one called Bai Ge."
"?"
"You see, everyone else is talking a lot, which means they are very brave and are used to such scenes. Only he hasn't said a word. He must have been extremely scared since he came in." Jing Jiujiu stood up, and the notebook and pen automatically went back into the drawer.
"He must be a coward!" Jing Jiujiu argued.
Downstairs, Bai Yuhuai bent down and picked up an orange that had rolled to the ground.
There lived a little ghost here, a little ghost who still remembered to pick oranges even when he died.
Bai Yuhuai said indifferently.