46. Scaring the Ghosts in the Haunted House
Arriving at the amusement park, they stepped off the bus.
First, they bought their tickets. Ruo Xiaoxi noticed a sign for discounted children’s tickets for those under 1.4 meters tall and briefly considered trying to slouch to get a cheaper ticket.
Unfortunately, she wasn’t that short. She was a high school student, after all.
As the three girls approached the ticket booth, the attendant, wearing a red and white baseball cap, looked out the window and asked,
“Where are your parents?”
“Um… we’re high school students… three adult tickets, please…” Ruo Xiaoxi raised her hand shakily, scanning the QR code to pay.
Oh, there is a child here, Tianxin.
If she were shorter, she might actually qualify for a child’s ticket.
The attendant paused, perhaps charmed by their cuteness, and gave them each a child-sized aviator hat with little feathers on the sides, a playful touch.
Ruo Xiaoxi actually put hers on; it was free, after all. The other two girls followed suit. It might be helpful if they got separated.
“Don’t get lost, Tianxin. If you can’t find us, listen for the announcements. They might say, ‘Third-year middle school student Ruo Tianxin, your older sister is looking for you. Please come to the broadcasting room immediately.’”
“…I really want to punch you.” A vein throbbed on Ruo Tianxin’s forehead as she clenched her fists. So smug just because she’s starting high school, just one year older than me!
She really wants to emphasize her “older sister” status, even though she’s a delicate little loli who can be easily pushed down.
Where to first?
Entering the amusement park, their eyes widened at the sight of the towering Ferris wheel and roller coaster, the air filled with screams.
“Roller coaster?”
“No.” “No.”
“Yeah, no,” Ruo Xiaoxi agreed. She didn’t dare ride it either. It felt like a missed opportunity not to ride the roller coaster at an amusement park, but she had never ridden one in her life.
But it wouldn’t be fun without a little thrill. They could save the teacups for later when they needed a rest. How about the pirate ship as a compromise?
“Haunted house! Is there a haunted house? I want to go!” Ruo Tianxin suggested.
“A h-haunted house right off the bat?” Lan Yinuo shivered, then reassured herself. “It’s okay… I can handle horror cutscenes in games, a haunted house should be fine…”
“Hmph, a haunted house is different from a game. In a game, you can just lean back and move away from the screen. You can’t hide in real life. Xiao Nuonuo is too timid; she needs to practice being brave.”
“Then… let’s go.” Lan Yinuo nodded.
It shouldn’t be so scary if I’m not alone.
The haunted house was always popular, with groups of visitors venturing inside. There were even some brave souls who walked in alone, headphones on, their faces impassive.
They bought their tickets and entered a dark tunnel, a chilling sensation washing over them.
The dim lighting and eerie growls from the depths of the darkness heightened the suspense.
As a vampire, Ruo Xiaoxi had night vision. Even in complete darkness, she could activate her crimson eyes and see what was lurking in the shadows.
Once she saw the props for what they were, she wouldn’t be scared.
The three girls cautiously walked through the haunted house, following the faint glow of the guide lights, their breaths held tight, anticipating a jump scare at every turn.
Jump scares are so cheap. I hope there aren’t too many of them.
“Ah!” Suddenly, Lan Yinuo, on the right, screamed.
“Waaaah!” Ruo Xiaoxi and Ruo Tianxin followed suit, their screams escalating in pitch. “What’s wrong, what’s wrong, Xiao Nuonuo? Did you see something?”
“I-I don’t know, I just got scared…”
“Whew… you scared me to death,” Ruo Xiaoxi said, placing a hand over her heart.
“Yaaah!” Xiao Nuonuo screamed again, her body stiffening, frozen in place. “S-something touched me!”
“It’s my hand, I’m holding your hand,” Ruo Xiaoxi said, scratching her cheek.
“Oh, i-is that so… sorry, I overreacted.” Lan Yinuo was embarrassed.
“Eek~ Sister, taking advantage of the darkness to hug Nuonuo, busted! What are you two up to~?” Ruo Tianxin teased, her eyes gleaming mischievously.
“N-nothing! I’m just afraid Xiao Nuonuo is scared, so I’m holding her hand to comfort her.”
As they continued walking, a grotesque monster statue suddenly lit up, making Ruo Xiaoxi jump, her ahoge sticking straight up like an antenna!
“Waaaaaaaaaah…”
Chaos ensued. The three girls huddled together, trembling.
As they stared at the statue, a staff member in a ghost costume crept up beside them, ready to jump out and scare them. But then he saw Ruo Xiaoxi’s glowing red eyes.
The other girls hadn’t noticed him, but Ruo Xiaoxi, with her enhanced vision, had seen him in the darkness.
“…” Ruo Xiaoxi looked up, and they stared at each other in silence.
The “ghost” froze, then let out a bloodcurdling scream, scrambling away in terror. “Holy shit, holy shit, is that girl also a staff member? Why are her eyes red!”
“Waaaah! What was that!? Someone appeared and ran away!” The other two girls squeezed closer to Ruo Xiaoxi, their soft bodies pressing against her.
Ruo Xiaoxi felt a surge of… happiness. Xiao Tianxin and Xiao Nuonuo, like two soft bunnies, were snuggling against her. Easy there, ladies, I’m blushing.
But what just happened? Did I… scare the ghost?
Hey! Have some professional integrity! Who’s the ghost here!?
Wait a minute…
Ruo Xiaoxi’s eyes widened as she realized something she had almost forgotten.
I am a demon, a vampire.
T/N: The author uses the term 鬼 (guǐ), a versatile Chinese word for supernatural entities. While commonly translated as “ghost,” its meaning can range from “spirit” and “phantom” to “demon” or even “devil” depending on context. Given the discussion, vampires might fall under this umbrella in certain interpretations—especially in mythologies where they’re seen as malevolent or demonic. (I’m using demon)
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