When XiXi, Li Mei and Mo Hua heard Sheng Tao's name, they also turned their heads in surprise but what greeted their eyes not only startled them but someone's presence left them flabbergasted.
Sheng Tao was not alone. Yan Xuan was standing beside him with a devilish smile on his face. His eyes were glues to Mo Hua's face. On other side Rong Chi was shivering in fear holding Sheng Tao's arm.
Xi Mian hurriedly walked towards Sheng Tao's side and pulled him aside. When they were out of sight from rest of the group, Mian pinched Sheng Tao's arm and asked annoyingly," What the hell are you doing here?"
Sheng Tao tried to hide the truth that he was helping Yan Xuan and said, "Baby I missed you so I came here when you said you were here."
Xi Mian knew he was hiding something so she pinched him again and said," Stop lying. And why are your friends here?"
To handle the situation, Sheng Tao lied again," My friends met me when I was on my way here so I asked them to join us."
Making a pouty face he continued, "Why baby, is there any problem to hang out with my friends?"
Xi Mian was about to answer when Li Mei called them saying," Mian Mian, Sheng Tao if you are done then please let's go. We are running out of time."
Sheng Tao took it as an excuse to escape from his girlfriend's questions and started dragging Xi Mian back towards the group.
Sensing that something was wrong, Xi Mian slowly whispered to Sheng Tao, "This isn't over. We will talk when we get back to dorm." leaving poor Sheng Tao wide-eyed. He knew he was going to face her wrath today.
Saying this Xi Mian ran towards Mo Hua and held her hand making her feel relax.
She knew Yan Xuan's arrival has caused stress for her and it was all because of her stupid boyfriend Sheng Tao. She decided to punish him when they go back.
Mo Hua was trying very hard to hide all her emotions to not them reflect on her face. She didn't want Yan Xuan who was noticing her every move to know that his arrival had affected her mood.
Sensing the awkward situation, XiXi felt uneasy and decided to say something, "Let's not waste time anymore. You guys are already here so why not join us in the mission?"
Rong Chi who was shivering few minutes ago suddenly stood straight and said," Yes why not. Let's go."
XiXi took a glance at him and remembered that he was the swimmer Rong Chi whom she was drooling over in morning.
She smiled and mockingly said," Sometime ago I saw you shivering in fear. Are you sure you are ready?"
Sheng Tao who was controlling his laughter, burst out in loud laugh. His voice echoed in the dark house making Mo Hua more scared. She scooted closer to XiXi which was noticed by Yan Xuan.
He thought inwardly, 'So I was right. She is scared. I must take care of her today.'
He said nonchalantly," Let's go then. I don't mind joining you girls."
When Mo Hua heard Yan Xuan's words, she was again left open-mouthed.
'Why is he here?'
'Is it coincidence?'
'How?'
'No no no..I need to stay away from him..' she was thinking inwardly.
When Yan Xuan saw her in turmoil and realised that she was nervous.
So, he smiled while averting his gaze from her and decided not make her more nervous.
Xi Mian and Sheng Tao and Li Mei started leading the way towards the door. Mo Hua was holding XiXi's arms and they both started walking towards the door when Ron Chi yelled," Hey XiXi, wait for me. Take me with you girls. Please."
XiXi laughed at the shivering voice of Rong Chi and while pointing towards Yan Xuan she said," Why don't you hold your friend's arm. He will keep you safe."
Rong Chi abruptly said, "Yan Xuan?? no way. He is demon himself. He will ditch you in darkness and you won't even know. I am not following him."
Yan Xuan glared angrily at Rong Chi while both girls where looking at the demon with shocked face.
Mo Hua was in deep thought,' Why is his friend calling him demon? Is he really so bad?' when she felt a grip on her other hand which was hanging freely around her waist.
She gaped in surprised when she saw who was holding her hand and before she could protest or say something, she was being dragged towards the dungeon door leaving Rong Chi and XiXi dumbfounded.
Mo Hua was following the footsteps of Yan Xuan silently while Yan Xuan was happily holding her wrist and walking forward with a dashing smile on his face.
Everyone around them were in disbelief when the saw Yan Xuan was holding Mo Hua's hand intimately but decided to keep quiet and not to make things more awkward.
Rong Chi saw Yan Xuan dragging Mo Hua, so he grabbed XiXi's arm and said," Please take me with you. See my friend abandoned me already and there is no one who can keep me company. Please..."
XiXi saw the headache coming her way but decided to bear this torture for Mo Hua today. She saw Yan Xuan's tender gaze on her best friend and knew that he is the one for her friend. She wanted to see them together and may be this was the time for them to talk with each other.
She wrapped her hand around Rong Chi's hand and said, "Don't worry Mr. Swimmer I will keep you company." and started following rest of the group.
When they reached the same door again where they saw a skeleton previously, Li Mei came forward and twisted the door knob again.
The door opened with loud creaking sound which made Mo Hua tremble in fear. She unknowingly scooted closer to Yan Xuan which made him feel delighted.
Just when he released his grip on Mo Hua's hand, she grabbed his hand immediately and tightened her grip to not let him go again.
Looking at her scared face, Yan Xuan smiled lovingly and whispered," Just let my hand go."
That's when Mo Hua realised that she was standing very close to Xuan and was holding his hand tightly.
She blushed and just when she released his hand, he immediately wrapped his arm protectively over her shoulders.
Mo Hua was left shell-shocked by his actions but didn't react as for some unknown reasons she felt safe in his arms.
Everyone started walking inside the Living Room dungeon to explore the haunted house and complete the assigned mission.
Mo Hua and Yan Xuan were the last one to enter and luckily this time the skeleton didn't drop in front of them as they were a group of 7people entering altogether as per the rules.
They heard a message as soon as they entered the room," Welcome to the Nether World. Your little adventure is waiting for you. All the best to complete your mission. At the end an amazing gift will be waiting for you. Only one tip: Keep your eyes wide open."
Mo Hua and Rong Chi were trying to control their fear when their group started to move further deep in the house.
Mo Hua was completely wrapped in Yan Xuan's arms forgetting all the awkwardness from before.
The living room dungeon was lit with dim orange light. It was giving the illusion of isolated underground mines. There was very intense lighting effect with strobe lights and black lights. There was fog dispenser placed on every corner to fill the room with fog making the vision blur and scent dispenser as well to release weird smells in every corner.
At one corner it smelled like rotten blood while the next corner it was horrific, with notes of black pepper, cedar, guaiac wood, patchouli, amber and incense. Somewhere it was of burnt wood while somewhere it was earthy and of roasted meat.
There was dust floating in the air. Sounds of numerous footsteps were confusing as well as terrifying for them as they were not sure if it was their own footsteps or someone else was following them.
Mo Hua was walking very slowly with Yan Xuan whereas rest of the group was already near the gloomy staircase towards the balcony.
Xi Mian pointed towards the wet walls of the house and said," Guys look at those old portraits & paintings. They might be of the Blood Lady."
The wall was covered with face less old paintings but the half-peeled wallpaper was still visible. There were spiders crawling everywhere and cobwebs covering the paintings.
Mo Hua was observing the things around her when she tripped onto something and almost fell on the ground. Yan Xuan with his quick reflexes grabbed her waist to stop her from falling.
"Be careful" He said gently. This was the first time he spoke to her directly. She shyly nodded her head started walking ahead of him.
Their group started moving towards the balcony slowly. The stairs were covered with dust and when stepped on them, creepy sound was heard.
When they reached the top stairs, whispered voice echoed in the room," I SEE THAT YOU ARE BACK.. SO GET READY FOR MY REVENGE!!…" followed by evil laughter.
Suddenly the glass smashing sound was heard from opposite corner on the staircase.
When Mo Hua and her friends were searching for the direction of the voice, the scritch of tree branches scraping at the windows and rats squeaking was heard.
Mo Hua was shit scared and she staggered backward only to crash onto Yan Xuan's hard chest. She turned around and wrapped her arms around his waist hugging him tightly. She started weeping softly in fear.
Yan Xuan embraced her and gently patting her head said," Hey, don't be scared. I am here. I will bring you out safely. Trust me okay. Just stay near me."
Mo Hua was much calm now after his coaxing and she nodded her head in approval.
The mission assigned to them was to retrieve the love letter and rope which was used to tie and kill the BloodLady who was the owner of this haunted house.
Story suggested that she was brutally murdered here by love of her life after betrayal. So, her soul was roaming in this haunted house seeking revenge.
The clue card they had mentioned that they will get the rope tied to a chair in balcony along with the love letter but didn't mention which room's balcony it would be. So, they had to explore each and every room until they find the rope.
When all the weird sounds were lowered down, the entire group started walking towards the balcony again.
Rong Chi almost peed in his pants when he saw a shadow on the wall.
He started panicking and shouting," Ghost.. Ghost. Holy Hell. Its real.. It's there…".