After their hearty meal, Jiang Xia smirked at the group. "So, where are we heading next?"
Gu De Fat patted his stomach with a satisfied sigh. "Why don't we go to the haunted house? It's one of the specialties of this amusement park. It would be a shame not to experience it!"
Jiang Gia rolled her eyes. "Can't you be a little more considerate? Look at the others. What do you say, Ling Luo? Yang Mo?" She turned to them, crossing her arms.
Seeing the interaction, Ling Luo let out a soft laugh. Jiang Gia's lively personality was refreshing. "I'm fine. You guys go ahead. I saw a milk tea store nearby; I'll just sit there and have some while you all play. Don't mind me."
"How can we just leave you behind?" Jiang Gia shook her head stubbornly. "If we're out together, we should stick together! Either we all go, or none of us go!"
Yang Mo furrowed his brows slightly, his concern evident. "Tell you what. You can stay close to us, and if you get too scared, just close your eyes and grab onto our clothes. We'll guide you out." His calm, reassuring voice seemed to put Ling Luo at ease.
"I think that's a great idea!" Jiang Gia grinned. "And if any ghost dares to scare us, I'll just punch it!" She clenched her fist and waved it in the air confidently.
Gu De Fat scoffed, still covering his ears. "Forget it. Who would dare come near you like that?"
Jiang Gia narrowed her eyes at him. "What did you just say?" she asked, stepping closer, making Gu De Fat flinch and take a step back.
Ling Luo hesitated for a moment, glancing at Yang Mo. Sensing her worry, he smiled gently. "It's alright. Trust us. We'll make sure you're safe."
After a moment of internal struggle, Ling Luo finally nodded. "Alright... I'll go."
Gu De Fat beamed. "Yes! That's the spirit! Let's go! The haunted house is this way!"
The entrance to the haunted house was designed like a dark cave, seemingly carved out of the mountain. The eerie aesthetic gave it an authentic, chilling atmosphere. Flanking the entrance were two massive, lifelike statues of the Black and White Impermanence, the infamous ghostly messengers of the underworld. The gaping darkness inside seemed to swallow any light that dared to enter.
Yang Mo scanned the surroundings and frowned slightly. "Fatty, you said the haunted house is the main attraction here, right? Then why is there no one around? Look at the Ferris wheel and pirate ship—those have long lines. But this place is practically empty."
Gu De Fat scratched his head, equally puzzled. "I dunno... Maybe it's just too scary? So no one dares to enter?"
"Or maybe people just don't like haunted houses," Jiang Gia shrugged.
"Who cares? No people mean no waiting!" Gu De Fat grinned and took the lead, boldly stepping into the dark entrance.
Ling Luo stared at the looming cave, her palms beginning to sweat. Anxiety gnawed at her, but before she could hesitate too much, Yang Mo gently nudged her forward. "Don't worry. Just follow Jiang Gia, and I'll be right behind you."
With a small nod, she took a deep breath and stepped inside with the others.
Meanwhile...
"Paralyzed playground, huh? This is perfect!" Black Tiger sneered, watching from a distance. "This haunted house is dark and isolated—ideal for an ambush."
The trio had been tailing Yang Mo and his group the entire day, waiting for the right moment to strike.
"Boss, this is a great opportunity!" Mountain Chicken nodded excitedly. "With all the horror props and darkness, we can break his legs, and no one will even see who did it!"
"Brilliant idea, boss!" Wild Rabbit chimed in. "Even if Yang Mo reports it, they'll just think it's a haunted house stunt gone wrong."
Black Tiger smirked. "Heh, of course! That's why I'm the boss! Alright, listen up. There's a cosplay shop nearby. You two go buy some ghost costumes. We'll sneak in from the back and ambush him when the time is right."
"Got it!" Mountain Chicken and Wild Rabbit scurried off to get their disguises.
Inside the Haunted House...
As soon as they stepped in, the air turned cold, and a dim purple light bathed the narrow hallway. Suddenly, a blood-soaked old woman floated out of the shadows, her empty eye sockets dripping crimson tears.
"HOLY—!!" Gu De Fat let out a terrified wail, immediately turning to flee. In his panic, he crashed directly into Jiang Gia.
"Look at you! You're a grown man, and you're this scared?" Jiang Gia gave him a disgusted look, though she herself looked a little uneasy.
Ling Luo clenched her eyes shut, barely peeking through her fingers before squeezing them shut again.
Meanwhile, Yang Mo remained completely calm. He stepped forward, directly approaching the ghostly figure.
"Yang Mo! Get back! It's coming right at you!" Gu De Fat shrieked.
"Relax. It's fake." Yang Mo reached out and casually waved his hand through the figure. His hand passed right through it.
"What...?" Gu De Fat gasped in disbelief.
Yang Mo smirked. "There are projectors hidden behind those rocks. This is just a 3D illusion."
Gu De Fat let out a long, relieved sigh. "Damn it! I was wondering how she was floating!"
Jiang Gia gave him a teasing smirk. "Tch, look at you. Meanwhile, Yang Mo didn't even blink! How are you going to protect your girlfriend if you're this scared?"
Gu De Fat pouted. "Hey! Who said I have to be the brave one here?! Maybe I want to be the one protected!"
Jiang Gia laughed. "Yeah, right! Now let's keep going!"
Unbeknownst to them, danger lurked in the darkness ahead. The Black Tiger trio had already entered the haunted house, waiting for their moment to strike...