The experience became less about fear and more about the thrill of facing it together, strengthening their bond through shared adventure.
Lin Xiaoman’s voice trembled slightly, “I used to move freely here. If you’re scared, I can let you stay close behind me.”
“Okay,” Ji Zhixian’s voice suddenly sounded close to her ear.
Lin Xiaoman didn’t know when he had approached, startled and stepping back, directly into his embrace.
“Didn’t expect you to be so enthusiastic,” Ji Zhixian laughed softly.
Lin Xiaoman blushed, surprised that someone who usually seemed so proper could be so inappropriate in the darkness. She quickly steadied herself and walked forward, raising her voice: “Keep up.”
But after a few steps, she slowed down.
It was terrifying – the walls with blue ghostly light and grotesque faces, the sudden appearing horror ghosts. She wondered how anyone could enjoy such a place.
But she couldn’t make a sound, couldn’t step back, or Ji Zhixian would discover her weakness.
“Why stop?” Ji Zhixian’s voice sounded again.
Suddenly, a headless human organ jumped out in front of her. Frightened, she turned and leaped into Ji Zhixian’s arms.
His warm scent surrounded her, her rapid heartbeat gradually calming, when she suddenly heard his heart pounding like a drum.
She realized what she had done.
The atmosphere became awkward.
She wanted to turn back but didn’t dare face the horrifying scene behind her, momentarily buried in Ji Zhixian’s embrace, unable to decide.
Ji Zhixian felt her warm breath, her slightly trembling body.
At this moment, he should ask what she was afraid of and expose her identity.
But his heart was beating wildly, and he was momentarily flustered.
How should he speak?
Suddenly, the haunted house lights turned on. Everything terrifying in the darkness suddenly became comical. The scary human organ was just a human model, the frightening female ghost merely a mannequin covered in white cloth.
Lin Xiaoman pushed Ji Zhixian away, turning her head to hide her reddened cheeks: “Let’s go.”
The rest of the way, all lights were on. Once everything was visible, nothing seemed scary. Lin Xiaoman walked quickly ahead, and they soon exited the haunted house.
“Looks like something went wrong in the haunted house,” she turned back, laughing easily, “What a pity.”
Ji Zhixian also laughed: “Indeed, what a pity.”
