"Don't try to fool me anymore. What's all this nonsense about a world inside the door? Are you filming a TV show or trying to scam money?" The roaring middle-aged man was dressed lavishly, with an expensive Patek Philippe watch on his wrist indicating his wealth. But it was likely because he was born into privilege that he was completely unable to accept such an outlandish situation beyond common sense.
"I absolutely won't believe this. I'm leaving right now," the man said. "Don't try to stop me!"
Next to the man, a frail young woman was sobbing in distress, apparently frightened by the scene. The remaining few had either bewildered or aloof expressions on their faces. Another young man mocked sarcastically, "Go ahead and leave if you want. It's not like anyone's stopping you."
The middle-aged man let out a cold laugh, then actually turned and strode out of the building.
Other than this lone tower they were in, all other structures were shrouded in darkness, as if a thick fog had enveloped the entire world. The man had guts to walk straight into the black mist without looking back. Lin Qiu Shi was just about to remark on his temper when less than a minute later, wretched screams echoed from the fog.
Stumbling out emerged a bloodied figure, drenched from head to toe in gore, features unrecognizable beyond height and build indicating it was the same middle-aged man who had marched off.
"Quite lucky, actually. He didn't die," an aloof, tall young woman in the group commented blandly.
Lin Qiu Shi turned his gaze towards her. With long, slightly wavy black hair and refined features set in a frosty expression, she would have been quite eye-catching if not standing amidst the crowd, partially obscuring her from clear view. It was only when she stepped forward that Lin Qiu Shi noticed her attire - identical to Ruan Nan Zhu's crossdressing outfit when they had first met.
Holy sh*t - Lin Qiu Shi instantly understood what was going on, cursing up a storm mentally while keeping a bewildered look on his face.
"Where exactly is this place?" the weeping girl finally halted her tears, voice quavering. "I'm so scared..."
"The world inside the doors," the disguised Ruan Nan Zhu stated. "My name is Zhu Meng. My second time here. What about you guys?"
"I'm Yu Linlin," Lin Qiu Shi hastily fabricated. "Also my second time."
"I see," Ruan Nan Zhu nodded. "Don't cry. This place is frightening but there are ways to get out alive if we work together. What's your name?"
Sniffling, the girl replied, "I'm Xu Xiao Cheng." She had likely started bawling as soon as she entered, eyes red and swollen. "This place is so scary."
The rest introduced themselves one by one. Along with the middle-aged man outside, there were seven people total, three being newcomers. While Xu Xiao Cheng wept and the other youth looked ready to faint, Ruan Nan Zhu took charge and gave a simple explanation of their goal - to spend seven days here and participate in the triplets' upcoming birthday, just as the elder had tasked them to do in the previous world.
Noticing the incapacitated middle-aged man, one of the women asked if they should help but Ruan Nan Zhu coldly declined, saying she couldn't be bothered.
As the group turned to enter the building, the man stumbled desperately after them, eyes filled with raw terror from whatever he had witnessed in the dark fog.
The dilapidated tower had a rickety old elevator that could fit five people at most so they split into two groups. Everyone vied to stay close to veteran Ruan Nan Zhu who suggested leading the experienced members to inspect upstairs first while the newcomers waited below, promising to return for them shortly.
"Please come back for us," Xu Xiao Cheng pleaded pitifully. "I'm so afraid."
"I will," Ruan Nan Zhu assured.
Lin Qiu Shi, Ruan Nan Zhu and two others crammed into the elevator. Graffiti and odd markings covered the interior, numbers running from 1 to 14. However, only the button for the 14th floor could be pressed.
"Fourteenth floor it is then," Ruan Nan Zhu stated neutrally as they ascended with jarring creaks.
No one spoke, faces grim. When the doors opened, Lin Qiu Shi instinctively shrank back, wary of something looming on the other side. But there was only a dingy corridor leading to a half-opened door, sound of a television drifting out. Seemed the occupants were watching something.
Ruan Nan Zhu strode right up to knock.
"You're here!" A middle-aged woman wearing an apron as if cooking greeted them with a smile. "Come in!"
They entered the spacious but worn apartment. Despite the aged interior, meticulous housekeeping kept even obscure corners dust-free. In the living room, an old television blared cartoons but what drew Lin Qiu Shi's gaze were the three identical little girls sitting before it.
Other than identical features and outfits, their lack of interest in the newcomers was also uniform.
"My daughters," the woman introduced. "Thank you for coming to their birthday party in seven days."
Having gone through this routine before, Lin Qiu Shi immediately grasped the significance - they had seven days to participate in the triplets' upcoming birthday celebration, which was evidently the purpose for being brought here. Better than making coffins at least.
The woman said she was going to cook, handed them keys to the adjacent rooms for lodging, and left. Ruan Nan Zhu pocketed the keys and told them to wait upstairs while he fetched the others.
"Is this your second time too?" the woman named Tang Yao Yao asked Lin Qiu Shi after Ruan Nan Zhu departed.
Lin Qiu Shi nodded, still eyeing the creepy triplets. He was reminded of the three sisters in the Fairshaw Bird story.
Seeing his distraction, Tang Yao Yao quieted and also turned to watch the cartoon.
Shortly after, Ruan Nan Zhu returned with the remaining newcomers, including the blood-drenched middle-aged man. Likely traumatized by the fog, he now seemed rather dissociated with dried blood caking his face.
"The terms have appeared," Ruan Nan Zhu announced. "Stay here seven days and participate in the triplets' birthday." He displayed four keys. "Each is for a room. Pick whichever you want."
"Can't we stay together?" Xu Xiao Cheng pleaded, still trembling. "Safety in numbers, right?"
Ignoring her, Ruan Nan Zhu directly entered the nearest room and unlocked the door.
"Why's the room like this?" Xu Xiao Cheng recoiled in fright. Instead of a bedroom, there was only a small cell with a single window and a wooden bed that resembled the outline of a coffin.
"The rooms are too cramped to share," Ruan Nan Zhu said flatly. "Separate them."
"I want to stay with you," Xu Xiao Cheng raised her hand beseechingly. "Please, I'm so scared..."
Again bypassing her request, Ruan Nan Zhu looked to Lin Qiu Shi and beckoned. "You'll room with me."
Lin Qiu Shi blinked in surprise. "M-me?"
"Yes."
The others shot him envious glares.
Lin Qiu Shi: "..." Don't glare at me, there's nothing to be envious about!