After several months, Lin Qiu Shi was about to face his sixth door.
He thought that based on what happened last time, Ruan Nan Zhu would let him and Cheng Qian Li, who was also going through the sixth door, enter together. Unexpectedly, Ruan Nan Zhu separated them this time.
Although he didn't know why, Ruan Nan Zhu always had his own reasons for doing things, so Lin Qiu Shi didn't ask too many questions.
There were still over ten days left. Cheng Qian Li had gotten his clue early, according to custom. Usually everyone would help investigate the clue's background, but this time was an exception - Cheng Qian Li's clue remained confidential, known only to him and his brother.
When Cheng Qian Li got the clue, he seemed quite happy. Lin Qiu Shi asked what he was so happy about, and Cheng Qian Li said gleefully, "Hehehe, my brother won't let me say."
Lin Qiu Shi thought...although Cheng Qian Li acted silly at times, when it came to important matters he still obediently listened to his brother.
After finishing his foolish laughter, Cheng Qian Li asked Lin Qiu Shi, "Have you gotten your clue yet?"
Lin Qiu Shi shook his head. "Not yet." Ruan Nan Zhu hadn't given him the clue yet, seeming to be deliberating over something.
Cheng Qian Li said, "With Brother Ruan looking after you, don't worry, nothing will happen."
"Mm," Lin Qiu Shi nodded. "Hope everything goes smoothly for us."
"Everything will be smooth," Cheng Qian Li continued laughing merrily without a care.
A few days later, Lin Qiu Shi finally received the clue for his next door - four words: Gaunt Shadow.
"What's this?" Lin Qiu Shi was a bit confused when he first got the clue. "Is it a legend?"
"It's an urban legend from abroad," Ruan Nan Zhu said. "Also called 'noodle people' by the public. Have you heard of it before?"
Lin Qiu Shi thought for a moment, then nodded. "Seems a bit familiar." He remembered seeing movies of this kind.
Ruan Nan Zhu tossed him a booklet of information. "Take a look first. There's not much data, but it's better than nothing."
Lin Qiu Shi picked up the booklet and started reading.
The booklet described the gaunt shadow legend in detail. It was a foreign urban legend about a humanoid monster with long, thin limbs and no face. These monsters had long, skinny arms and legs that made them look somewhat like humanoid spiders. They usually wandered desolate wilderness and small towns, primarily hunting lone children, but would also attack adults. Children stalked by them would mysteriously disappear, while adults targeted by them would show strange omens like endless nosebleeds, nightmares, or even seeing their worst fears.
The booklet also elaborated on the gaunt shadows' murder methods and characteristics - for example, they liked stringing people up on tree branches and watching them bleed to death. They also enjoyed ripping out victims' organs and putting them into plastic bags...In short, even outside the spirit worlds, ordinary timid people would probably find this urban legend quite frightening after reading the details.
Lin Qiu Shi quickly finished reading the information. He thought that was all the preparation needed, but unexpectedly Ruan Nan Zhu suddenly suggested they go shopping for clothes.
Lin Qiu Shi was puzzled. "Buy clothes? What clothes?"
Ruan Nan Zhu smiled. "The clothes you'll wear inside the doors."
Then, under the villa residents' sympathetic gazes, a completely confused Lin Qiu Shi was dragged by Ruan Nan Zhu to the shopping mall. At first the clothes were normal men's outfits, but later the two wandered into the women's section...
Ruan Nan Zhu was clearly experienced, explaining he was buying clothes for his girlfriend while sneaking glances at Lin Qiu Shi.
At first, Lin Qiu Shi didn't understand. Obliviously, he asked, "Nan Zhu, you have a girlfriend?"
Ruan Nan Zhu: "No."
Lin Qiu Shi: "Then why are you buying women's clothing?"
Ruan Nan Zhu: "They're not for me, they're for you."
Lin Qiu Shi: "But I don't have a girlfriend either..."
Carrying several bags, Ruan Nan Zhu walked ahead then turned back. "They're all for you to wear, who needs a girlfriend?"
It took three seconds for Lin Qiu Shi's brain to process what was happening. Finally realizing the situation, he showed an expression of utmost horror. "Nan Zhu--I'll wear them? Me? Wear?"
Ruan Nan Zhu: "Yes, you'll wear them."
Lin Qiu Shi: "But--can I wear women's clothing looking like this--"
Ruan Nan Zhu's expression grew strange. "How do you see yourself?"
Lin Qiu Shi: "Just an average-looking guy."
Ruan Nan Zhu fell silent, gazing at Lin Qiu Shi with an increasingly odd look. Feeling uneasy under his stare, Lin Qiu Shi didn't dare ask anything more and obediently followed him back to the villa.
On the third day, Ruan Nan Zhu dragged Lin Qiu Shi, who had been hiding in his room, out and started dressing him up.
Working an office job long-term, Lin Qiu Shi's physique wasn't very sturdy, just an average male build. His facial features were also delicate and refined without sharp edges, more on the softer side. Ruan Nan Zhu had Lin Qiu Shi sit properly, then took out his tools and began applying his makeup.
Frightened, Lin Qiu Shi's eyes widened. "Nan Zhu...can we talk this over?"
Ruan Nan Zhu: "Talk what over?"
Lin Qiu Shi pleaded softly, "Can we not do this?"
Ruan Nan Zhu emotionlessly refused. "Didn't you ask if crossdressing is fun? No matter how much I describe it, trying it yourself will be better." His eyes curved in a frigid smile. "Don't worry, I'll protect you properly inside."
Lin Qiu Shi nearly cried.
He didn't recognize any of the makeup products before him. He felt Ruan Nan Zhu smearing all sorts of things on his face for a long time, so long that he nearly dozed off. Finally Ruan Nan Zhu straightened up and clapped his hands. "Done."
Lin Qiu Shi: "..."
Ruan Nan Zhu handed Lin Qiu Shi a mirror. "Take a look first, then pick a hairstyle you like."
Lin Qiu Shi took the mirror and glanced at it, then became somewhat stunned. Reflected in the mirror was a woman's face - not dazzlingly beautiful, but enough to attract attention. This face had a gentle temperament and seemed slightly aggrieved, making "her" appear all the more pitiful.
Lin Qiu Shi couldn't help uttering "Damn" under his breath.
"Young ladies shouldn't swear," Ruan Nan Zhu chided. "Do you prefer long or short hair?"
Lin Qiu Shi: "Long hair..." He had intended to say he liked girls with long hair, but Ruan Nan Zhu was already putting a long wig onto his head.
Lin Qiu Shi: "..."
After the wig was in place, Ruan Nan Zhu did some final touch-up work on Lin Qiu Shi. He probably wanted Lin Qiu Shi to wear a dress initially, but upon seeing his panicked expression as if he might faint at any moment, Ruan Nan Zhu relented and picked relatively gender-neutral clothing instead.
Forced into the outfit, Lin Qiu Shi felt like bolting - he was never going to run his mouth again.
Seeing the person before him, Ruan Nan Zhu looked very satisfied. Lin Qiu Shi's delicate features weren't very defined, instead having softer lines that could easily be altered. Together with the makeup and his originally gentle temperament, the disguise was extremely fitting.
"I'll wear this inside?" Still unwilling, Lin Qiu Shi tried pleading with Ruan Nan Zhu again. "Nan Zhu, I know I was wrong, can we..."
"No," Ruan Nan Zhu rejected him straightaway, already knowing what Lin Qiu Shi wanted to ask. "Enjoy being a young lady."
Lin Qiu Shi: "..." He had no words.
Although Ruan Nan Zhu spoke like this, in the end he "kindly" gave Lin Qiu Shi a backup plan - he offered that Lin Qiu Shi didn't have to pretend to be mute. He could simply be a crossdressing man instead.
In the end, the thick-skinned Lin Qiu Shi decided that pretending to be mute was better. He certainly didn't want others looking at him strangely.
Because of the women's clothing, Lin Qiu Shi also suffered mockery from the other villa residents.
"Hahahaha, even Lin Qiu Shi has met this fate today!" Cheng Qian Li was the most shameless, laughing loudly. "But you look quite good, much better than Chen Fei Qiang."
Lin Qiu Shi: "Ha?"
Chen Fei nearby glared. "You've got some nerve saying that to me, Cheng Qian Li. Why don't you take a look at yourself?"
Cheng Qian Li retorted arrogantly, "Hmph, even if I become a young lady, I'll still be a peerless beauty!"
Ruan Nan Zhu: "Oh really?"
Hearing Ruan Nan Zhu's voice, Cheng Qian Li's entire body shuddered. "No no no, Brother Ruan, I'm just joking!"
Ruan Nan Zhu glanced at him, then sat down by the table. "How are things going over there with you and your brother?"
Cheng Qian Li: "Very good." He took a bite of food. "The world this time seems simple."
Ruan Nan Zhu casually murmured in acknowledgment, then didn't inquire further. He appeared quite at ease regarding Cheng Yi Xue, but Lin Qiu Shi still wondered what that argument he overheard was really about.
With Cheng Yi Xue's personality, he didn't seem like someone who would easily get into conflicts with others.
But Lin Qiu Shi didn't know any more details. As the day to enter the doors approached...
One afternoon over ten days later, Lin Qiu Shi had been in the living room eating snacks with Cheng Qian Li. But suddenly, when he turned his head, Cheng Qian Li's figure had vanished without a trace.
His first reaction was that Cheng Qian Li had gone to the bathroom, but after waiting a while without seeing him return, Lin Qiu Shi realized Cheng Qian Li seemed to have entered the spirit world.
About half an hour later, Cheng Qian Li abruptly reappeared on the sofa. His face was deathly pale as he gasped for breath, clutching his chest. Seeing his state, Lin Qiu Shi hurriedly asked, "Are you alright? Qian Li?"
Cheng Qian Li looked at Lin Qiu Shi distractedly without answering. Then he wildly dashed upstairs.
Seeing his flustered appearance, Lin Qiu Shi followed behind.
Cheng Qian Li ran straight towards Chen Yi Xue's bedroom without even knocking, directly twisting the door handle open.
Behind the door sat Cheng Yi Xue on the bed. He seemed to have just returned as well, his expression still impassive. Raising his eyes to look at the frantic Cheng Qian Li, he asked calmly, "What's wrong?"
"Brother--" Cheng Qian Li rushed over, tightly grabbing Cheng Yi Xue. "I thought you wouldn't make it out, I thought you wouldn't get out--"
Cheng Yi Xue didn't speak, only gently patted Cheng Qian Li's back to soothe his emotions.
It was evident Cheng Qian Li had been badly frightened. His face was even paler than Cheng Yi Xue's.
The two brothers embraced for a while. Once Cheng Qian Li's emotions stabilized, he seemed a little embarrassed. Squirming out of Cheng Yi Xue's arms, he rubbed his nose and said, "I'm hungry...I'll go eat something first."
Cheng Yi Xue didn't stop him, only watching as he left.
Seeing it was nothing serious, Lin Qiu Shi also turned to leave. But Cheng Yi Xue's voice sounded from behind him - "Lin Qiu Shi, if anything happens to me in the future, will you help Cheng Qian Li?"
Lin Qiu Shi was startled.
"Never mind, forget it." Cheng Yi Xue said. "You can go."
After speaking, he shut the door without giving Lin Qiu Shi a chance to react.
To be honest, Cheng Yi Xue hardly behaved like a sixteen-year-old boy normally. He was cold and composed, more similar to Ruan Nan Zhu. Perhaps the sixth door was too dangerous, so he had blurted out those sudden words.
Lin Qiu Shi felt strangely upset.
Back in the living room, Cheng Qian Li started eating snacks again, but this time he ate listlessly with exhaustion across his face.
After asking some questions, Lin Qiu Shi learned their world inside the doors was an ancient war zone that had just finished battling. They encountered many dangerous things.
Fortunately, they managed to escape in the end.
"My brother and I both have a hereditary illness," Cheng Qian Li spoke about a topic he hadn't shared before while eating snacks. "We can't exercise. At its worst, we can't even walk. The doctors have said we won't live past eighteen."
Lin Qiu Shi listened.
"Later my brother entered first," Cheng Qian Li said. "His condition started improving...then I went in afterwards." He scratched his head, smiling wryly. "Sometimes I think, the doors really aren't that scary. Without them, I wouldn't be able to live like a normal person or live until now. I've already gotten my investment back."
Lin Qiu Shi said, "Don't think that way. You still have a long life ahead."
"Yeah, life is still long," Cheng Qian Li's gaze grew somewhat blank. "Yet I don't know how I'll end my own life in the future."
Unable to bear it, Lin Qiu Shi was reminded that everyone in this villa were people nearing death. Some were mentally prepared; some weren't. But without exception, they had all smelled the breath of death before.
"I wish you the best on your next door," Cheng Qian Li stood up. "I'll go rest a bit first...too tired..."
Lin Qiu Shi nodded, watching as he headed upstairs.
Perhaps because he didn't harbor any strong attachments, Lin Qiu Shi's state of mind was relatively calm when entering the doors. He could accept death and was willing to welcome new life.
The time difference between Lin Qiu Shi and Cheng Qian Li's doors wasn't long. Late night on the same day Cheng Qian Li returned, Lin Qiu Shi awoke from his bed. Opening his bedroom door, he saw the twelve iron doors appear in the hallway again.
Seals were pasted onto the first five iron doors. The latter six couldn't open. Only the sixth door was easily pulled open by Lin Qiu Shi.
The familiar vertigo overtook him. When it faded, Lin Qiu Shi found himself standing on an asphalt road soaked with oil. The surroundings were desolate with only a black road sign pointing ahead. Three blurry words were written on it: Tong Shui Town.
It felt somewhat cold. Lin Qiu Shi wrapped his clothes tightly around himself and slowly walked forward. The road was very wide, shrouded in thick fog. He probably walked six or seven minutes before finally seeing another person's silhouette up ahead. The silhouette seemed a bit familiar - Lin Qiu Shi's eyes lit up and he called out, "Meng Meng--"
The person ahead turned their head, revealing an unfamiliar face, but their temperament was recognizable. "Eat candy?" they asked.
Lin Qiu Shi: "Eat eat eat, I like spearmint-flavored strawberry candy."
The person answered, "I don't like it because my fourth tooth hurts."
After exchanging their coded greetings and confirming each other's identities, Lin Qiu Shi finally relaxed. "I didn't expect we'd run into each other so soon after entering..." He widened his eyes in shock. "Wait, why are you wearing men's clothing?"
Ruan Nan Zhu said, "Did I say I would wear women's clothing with you?"
Lin Qiu Shi: "..."
Ruan Nan Zhu made a shushing gesture, smiling. "Mute girls shouldn't say so much."
Lin Qiu Shi didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Can I..."
"You can't," Ruan Nan Zhu rejected him straightaway, already knowing what Lin Qiu Shi wanted to ask. "Be a good girl now."
Lin Qiu Shi: "..." He had nothing to say.
Some people walked over to them. Perhaps because Ruan Nan Zhu seemed less approachable, that person set their sights on Lin Qiu Shi, who appeared pitifully weak and helpless.
Before Lin Qiu Shi could react, Ruan Nan Zhu stretched out a hand to stop the person. "Something you need?"
The newcomer was a handsome youth in his early twenties, dressed very stylishly. He seemed extremely interested in Lin Qiu Shi. Bending down slightly, he made a gentle expression. "I was wondering if you two needed any help."
"She seems unable to speak," Ruan Nan Zhu said, shielding Lin Qiu Shi behind him.
The man found it even more interesting. "Hello, I'm called Wang Tianxin."
Ruan Nan Zhu: "Lu Meng."
Seeing Ruan Nan Zhu's protective attitude, Wang Tianxin smiled. "Do you two know each other?"
Ruan Nan Zhu said, "No, but we met as soon as we entered. There must be some fate."
They both saw the words Lin Qiu Shi typed on his phone: My name is Yu Qiuxiu. Nice to meet you.
"Oh, so your name is Yu Qiuxiu. What a cute name," Wang Tianxin said. Bending down slightly, he made a gentle expression. "I'm Wang Tianxin. If you don't mind, I'd like for us to become friends."
Acting somewhat fearful, Lin Qiu Shi shrank back slightly behind Ruan Nan Zhu. When people offer unsolicited kindness, they usually have ulterior motives – either up to no good or hoping for something in return. Although he wasn't afraid, Lin Qiu Shi wasn't foolish enough to get close and let himself be used.
Ruan Nan Zhu bluntly said, "She seems a bit afraid of you. You should keep your distance."
Surprisingly, Wang Tianxin truly turned and left upon seeing Ruan Nan Zhu's attitude.
Lin Qiu Shi hadn't expected him to give up so easily. Ruan Nan Zhu coldly laughed, apparently having guessed Wang Tianxin's intentions.
The rest of the team gradually gathered together.
As always, there were two newcomers. Both were male this time. One seemed relatively calm, while the other had an emotional breakdown, wailing as he walked over.
Fortunately, aside from crying, this newcomer didn't do anything else outrageous.
After giving up on Lin Qiu Shi, Wang Tianxin quickly found another young woman. In a short time, she and Wang Tianxin were chatting and laughing, seeming quite familiar.
Lin Qiu Shi looked meaningfully at Ruan Nan Zhu.
Ruan Nan Zhu knew what he wanted to ask. In a low voice, he said, "There's a certain type of person in these worlds who like finding partners. Of course, their partner's role may not just be a partner – there could be other uses."
Lin Qiu Shi: Like what?
Ruan Nan Zhu looked at him with a profoundly meaningful smile, but didn't answer.
Lin Qiu Shi felt a chill go through his body from Ruan Nan Zhu's smile.
Wang Tianxin was clearly very experienced in this. His aim was precise as he attentively comforted the seemingly weakest and most vulnerable girls.
But the pitiful mute girl Lin Qiu Shi, who also seemed to have a disability, was his favorite. Only Ruan Nan Zhu had ruined his plans. So he could only find another target.
Ruan Nan Zhu said, "You have to closely follow me and not let others deceive you."
Lin Qiu Shi glanced at him. If he did get deceived, then too bad - he could just take off his skirt and compare sizes with everyone...