Li Xiaohu moved into the old Strange Talk apartment, a dilapidated building on the edge of the city. The sun filtered through the curtains into his new room, giving him a warm, rusty glow that made him feel a little homey, but he couldn't hide his anxiety. The apartment's history is a labyrinthine and unpredictable one, and there are even rumors that a mysterious death took place there. Li Xiaohu had planned to settle down here and live an ordinary and quiet life, but the apartment's nights always seem to be filled with unusual events.

After only a few days in the apartment, Li noticed something strange. Late one night, he woke up from a dream and felt the room filled with cold air. The breeze from outside the window passed through the cracks and brought a slight chill. He opened his eyes and saw that the lamp on his bedside table had suddenly moved across the room, as if someone were secretly manipulating it. He sat up and rubbed his eyes with both hands to make sure it was an illusion. When he opened them again, the lamp stood still. Feeling a thrill, he turned on the lamp but saw nothing unusual.

Then he noticed what seemed to be a figure moving through the window. Li Xiaohu's heart was racing. He held his breath and slowly moved closer to the window. Outside, the night was inky and the stars were sparse. He could see a faint outline of a human figure. But as he approached the window, the figure suddenly disappeared. He felt a chill behind him and when he turned, the door was closed and there was no one there. Li Xiaohu took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down. Maybe it was just an illusion caused by being too tired.

He walked out of the room and into the darkened hallway. The old wallpaper on the corridor walls was mottled and peeling, and a musty smell hung in the air. There was a sudden sound of soft footsteps in his ear, as if someone were quietly following him. He quickened his steps, and so did the footsteps. Li Xiaohu turned and tried to catch the shadow, but there was only an empty corridor. The lights at the end of the corridor flickered on and off, as if controlled by some force. Feeling cold, he hurried to his room and locked the door behind him. He turned on his phone's flashlight and looked around, trying to find a possible explanation. At that point, he noticed that the lamp on his bedside table was gone again, replaced by his diary. He remembered that he had left it in his book bag. How could it be there?

Li Xiaohu was full of doubts. He sat back on the bed and looked through the diary, which recorded all the strange things he had encountered in the apartment. He decided to solve the mystery and not let it bother him anymore. He took out his notebook and wrote, "Tonight was very unusual. I must find answers."

Just as Li Xiaohu was about to continue his investigation, he suddenly heard an old voice outside the door: "Young man, you'd better not investigate any further. Things here are not for you to deal with." Li Xiaohu was shocked and turned to look, only to see an old woman standing at the door. Her voice was low and hoarse, and her eyes showed a complex emotion that was difficult to grasp. The old woman's eyes were particularly sharp in the dark, as if they could see everything.

The old woman warned him, "You don't know how deep the secrets are here. Some things are beyond your reach." Li Xiaohu was so stunned that he couldn't speak for a moment. The old woman's eyes showed a deep sense of helplessness and worry. She slowly turned around, her back looked more lonely and old in the dim light, and finally disappeared at the end of the corridor. Li Xiaohu took a deep breath and tried to calm his mind. His heart was still beating fast, but he was also filled with an irrepressible curiosity. He was determined to find out what was really going on in the apartment anyway.

Li Xiaohu returned to his desk and opened his notebook again. He decided to write down every detail, every change, no matter how insignificant. He took his pen and wrote on a blank page: "Every day in the apartment feels like a fight against the unknown, but I won't give up." It would be a long battle, he knew, but he was up for the challenge.

Li Xiaohu walked to the window and looked out at the night scene. The moonlight reflected on the street, and everything looked so peaceful, but his mind was full of doubts. He couldn't help but think of the old woman's warning, but her words stuck in his heart like a needle, forcing him to face reality. Li Xiaohu knew that only by revealing the secret of the apartment could he truly live with peace of mind. He takes a deep breath and stares firmly into the distance.

Li Xiaohu lay in bed, his mind constantly flashed images of what he had seen during the day. Sunlight filtered into the room through a gap in the curtains, and the warm light dispelled the haze of the night. Li Xiaohu stretched, rubbed his bleary-eyed eyes and decided to put aside the investigation for a moment. He went to the kitchen and brewed a pot of tea. The fragrance of tea filled the room and made people feel relaxed and happy. As he savoured the sweetness of the tea, he thought about what to do next. He knew that this investigation would require wisdom as well as courage. He sipped his tea and decided to watch for a while and wait for the right moment before taking action.

In the afternoon, Li Xiaohu walked down the long corridor to his room. The old wooden doors on either side of the corridor are closed, and occasionally there is a faint wind blowing through the wooden floor. Then suddenly he heard a strange sound not far away, like a low voice crying. He stopped and listened. The sound became clearer and clearer. It was a low, sad cry, which was very depressing. Li looked around and saw that the sound was coming from Zhang Dali's room on his left. Zhang Dali is his neighbor, usually does not talk much, giving people a gloomy feeling. At the moment, his door is closed and he can only hear voices from inside. Li Xiaohu hesitated for a moment, but out of curiosity and sense of responsibility, he pushed the door open.

The door creaked slightly. Li Xiaohu put his head in and saw Zhang Dali sitting on the edge of the bed, covering his face and shaking slightly in his shoulders. Li Xiaohu suddenly felt his throat dry, his heart suddenly beat. He knocked gently on the door frame, trying to get the other side's attention: "Zhang Dali, what's wrong with you?"

Zhang Dali looked up, his eyes empty and confused, as if he had lost all focus. His cheeks were streaked with tears, his eyes filled with fear and despair. Mr. Li immediately realized that Mr. Zhang's emotional outbursts might have something to do with his own investigation. "Don't be afraid," Li soothed. "Tell me what happened." Sobbing, Mr. Zhang spoke intermittently of his strange experience in recent days, in which he felt an invisible force interfering with his peace. This, Mr. Li thought to himself, might be the clue he had been looking for. Mr. Zhang's mood swings seemed closely related to the paranormal phenomena, and he was determined to dig deeper to solve the mystery.

Li Xiaohu paced back and forth in his room, his thoughts running wild. He felt that Zhang Dali's reaction was too strong, as if he was hiding a deeper secret. He recalled hearing rumors from other residents that Mr. Zhang had mentioned his own childhood trauma. Could all this be a continuation of his past?

Li Xiaohu was lost in thought when the doorbell suddenly rang and interrupted his thoughts. He hurried to the door and looked out through the cat's eye. Outside the door stood a man in a black trench coat, with a cold face and piercing eyes. Li Xiaohu's heart tightened, feeling that the other side seemed to be spying on something. "Who are you looking for, please?" he asked cautiously. The other person was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "I'm here to investigate the strange things happening here, just like you."

The man's voice just fell, Li Xiaohu's heart suddenly shook. He didn't expect to meet such a person at this point in time. The man's eyes were keen, and he seemed to know everything. Li Xiaohu instinctively felt a little nervous, but he remained calm. "What's your name?" he asked. The man replied, "I'm Lin Hai."

Despite his confusion, Li thought the man might be able to provide some useful information. He motioned for Lin to come in and the two sat opposite each other. Lin Hai cut to the point: "I have studied paranormal phenomena for many years and know something about Strange Talk Apartment. I know you've been investigating."

Li Xiaohu nodded and responded cautiously: "Yes, I found some strange phenomena, but I don't know the specific reason."

Lin Hai paused and said earnestly: "The history of Strange Talk apartment is far more complicated than we thought. Many incredible things have happened to it. In case you didn't know it, this apartment has a secret room on the ground floor that holds some key secrets."

Lin Hai's words were like a beam of light illuminating the fog in Li Xiaohu's mind. He decides to trust his new friend and uncover the secrets of the apartment together.

Chapter 2

As night fell, Li Xiaohu quietly left the room, clutching the flashlight and a few simple tools. He felt his fingers go white with tension. There was an indescribable chill in the air, and he took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. The light in the corridor was dim, and the patchy peeling wallpaper made a slight noise on the walls. Li Xiaohu walked gently through the corridor, trying to avoid any noise.

He followed Lin Hai's cue to find the entrance to the basement. The heavy iron door had been corroded with rust by age, and the door was covered with a thick layer of dust. Li Xiaohu pushed open the door with great force. All he could hear was the grinding sound of the iron chain on the shaft of the door. The sound reverberated in the empty corridor. The air in the basement was damp and cold, and the walls were covered with green moss, which gave off a musty smell. A few cobwebs were scattered around the corners, and a few tiny bugs scurried past occasionally. Li Xiaohu carefully touched the wall and moved forward step by step, each step accompanied by a racing heart.

The basement passageway was so dark that he could barely see the road ahead. The flashlight's rays flickered in the darkness, forming a wavering beam that barely guided him. A chill came over him, sending a shiver down his spine. He quickened his pace, trying to remain calm. Suddenly, he noticed that a piece of moss on the wall seemed to move, and he looked closely to see that it was a gecko crawling slowly. This made him even more uneasy.

At last he saw a hidden iron door, covered with rust and dust. The lock on the iron door was tightly wound with a rusty chain, and evidently no one had opened it for a long time. Li Xiaohu had a feeling in his heart that he knew there might be a great secret hidden behind the door. He took out the small tool he had carried with him and began trying to unlock it. The grinding sound of the chain was particularly jarring in the still air, and with each stroke it seemed to strike his nerves. Concentrating, his palms oozing with sweat, he finally untied the chain and forced open the heavy iron door. The shaft squeaked sharply, as if to protest the intrusion. Li Xiaohu took a deep breath, gathered his courage and stepped in.

The room was dusty and filled with an old smell. He illumined the room with his flashlight and found that there were piles of old furniture, books and other debris. The old sofas and chairs looked very sad in the dim light. Old oil paintings hung on the walls, showing people with different expressions, some smiling, some angry, as if they were telling him something. He kept walking forward and suddenly noticed a stone slab on the floor, slightly raised. He crouched down to take a closer look and saw that it was an organ. He pressed hard on the edge of the slab, which slowly sagged, revealing a hidden entrance to the darkroom. Li Xiaohu held his breath and walked gently into the dark room. He shone his flashlight around the dimly lit room. Strange symbols and designs were carved all over the walls. These symbols seemed to have some special meaning, suggesting some secret.

Suddenly, he felt a cold wind blow behind him and looked back, but there was nothing there. He turned to explore further and found a battered wooden table in the center of the darkroom, on which lay a few yellowed journals and a few faded photographs. He picked up a diary, in which he recorded the strange events of the Strange Talk apartment's past. The cover was yellow and the pages were cracked. He opened the book and found the title page bearing the words: "The truth is always buried underground. Only the brave can find it." "The words made him even more determined to continue his investigation. He continues to scroll through his diary and discovers key clues that point to the startling fact that a major accident once took place in the Strange Talk apartment, resulting in many lives being lost. And this tragedy is closely related to the basement level of the apartment.

He flicked through the rest of the contents and suddenly heard light footsteps outside the door. He knew at once that someone might have spotted him. Li Xiaohu quickly stuffed the diary into his pocket, hid the rest of his belongings and then tiptoed towards the door. Holding his breath, he quietly listened to the noise outside the door, trying to distinguish who it was. At that moment, the door handle made a slight turning sound. Li Xiaohu's heart tightened and he immediately prepared to defend himself.

Li Xiaohu took a deep breath and continued to read his diary. He found some key clues that pointed to a surprising fact: a major accident had taken place in Strange Tan Apartment, resulting in many deaths. And this tragedy is closely related to the underground level of the apartment. He flicked through the rest of the contents and suddenly heard light footsteps outside the door. He knew at once that someone might have spotted him. Li Xiaohu quickly stuffed the diary into his pocket, hid the rest of his belongings and then tiptoed towards the door. Holding his breath, he quietly listened to the noise outside the door, trying to distinguish who it was. At that moment, the door handle made a slight turning sound. Li Xiaohu's heart tightened and he immediately prepared to defend himself.

He opened the door carefully and saw a shadowy figure standing in front of it. It was dressed in a long black robe and a mask, which showed only a pair of cold eyes. Li Xiaohu's unease intensified. He instinctively pulled out his protective flashlight and shone it into the man's face. The light flickered in the darkness, but it did not clearly illuminate the man's face. The man was silent for a moment. Then he said softly, "What are you looking for?"

'I... I just want to see what's here." Li Xiaohu swallowed, his voice trembling.

The man was silent for a moment, then said softly, "Since you have found this place, that means you have courage." But you must understand that some things are more than you can bear." Then the figure disappeared down the corridor.

Li Xiaohu's heart beat like thunder, as if he heard some mysterious force whispering in his ear. He quickly left the dark room and felt his way along the gloomy corridor. Suddenly, a cold wind blew through and he shivered, as if someone were whispering in his ear. He looked down and saw that he had stepped on a rusty key. He picked it up, put it in his pocket, and walked on.

Back in his room, Li Xiaohu sat down to collect his thoughts. He remembered the childhood trauma that Mr. Zhang had mentioned during the day and seemed to see a clue. He dug out his phone and began looking for information. Suddenly, he noticed a photo of what looked like an apartment building looming in the background. He zoomed in on the photo and studied it. The building in the photo bears a striking resemblance to the structure of Weird Talk Apartments.

In the dead of night, Li Xiaohu finally summoned up the courage to go to the basement again. He used the key to open the door to the basement and walked through the long corridor to the place where he had found the diary. This time he moved more carefully. Suddenly, a bright light came from the end of the corridor, followed by hurried footsteps. Li Xiaohu immediately ducked into the dark room and looked around in the faint light. He noticed that a new painting had been added to the wall. It showed a detailed map of the basement of Strange Tan's apartment. It showed the rooms and corridors clearly, as if to guide him.

As he perused the map, footsteps drew nearer. Li Xiaohu quickly ducked into a corner and waited for his chance. Suddenly, a strong light shone and Li Xiaohu instinctively covered his eyes with his hands. A figure appeared in the doorway with a flashlight in his hand. "Who are you? 'asked the hostage.

Li Xiaohu answered nervously, "I am Li Xiaohu, and I have come to investigate the history of this place. How about you?"

The other person froze for a moment and then whispered, "I'm the caretaker here, Lao Lin. I thought you were someone else, so I was a little wary. Now you're going to have to come with me and we're going to have to talk."

Li Xiaohu hesitated for a moment, and finally followed Lao Lin out of the basement. Mr. Lin led him to an old study room, lit a candle and motioned him to sit down. There was a faint musty smell in the room, yellowed portraits hung on the walls, and old books were piled up in the corner. Old Lin said slowly, "I know what you're looking for, and you have to know that it all has something to do with a forgotten family curse. Strange Talk Apartment used to be the residence of a prosperous family, but in a fire, the family was almost completely destroyed. It's a curse that haunts the survivors until now."

Dumbfounded, Li Xiaohu finally understood the truth behind the strange talk apartment. But he also knew that if he wanted to uncover the secret, he would have to face his innermost fears. He decides to keep investigating, even though it means taking a huge risk. However, just as Li was preparing to go further, his phone suddenly vibrated. He pulled out his phone and saw a message from Mr Zhang: "Li Xiaohu, watch your back. There is something wrong with that administrator."

With a sinking heart, Li began to reevaluate the whole plan. It seemed that things were more complicated than he had imagined. He decided to change tack, stabilizing the situation first and then finding the perfect moment. He texted Zhang Dali back, thanking him and telling him he would proceed with caution. At the same time, he began gathering more information about Lao Lin to better understand the mysterious figure.

As countless thoughts raced through Li Xiaohu's mind, he knew the road ahead was full of thorns. But he firmly believes that only by revealing the truth can the Strange Talk apartment restore calm. He puts together photos, diaries and all the information he has collected to make a detailed plan of action. He knew that every step was crucial, and that if he made a mistake, the consequences could be catastrophic.

Just as Li Xiaohu was preparing to implement his new plan, he suddenly heard a slight step outside his door. His heart tightened, he immediately held his breath and waited quietly. The door handle turned gently, and then there was a soft noise. Li Xiaohu clenched his fist, ready to react at any moment. Just then, Zhang Dali opened the door and walked in. His face was pale and his eyes were full of fear.

"Li Xiaohu," Zhang said, gasping for breath, "I discovered something important. There's something wrong with that administrator. Not only does he know the secret of the Strange Talk apartment, but he may have something to do with the curse."

Li Xiaohu's heart was shocked. He immediately understood what Zhang Dali meant. He quickly stood up and prepared for the coming storm. He knew that the path to unlocking this secret would be fraught with danger, but he also knew that he could not give up. For the sake of peace, for the sake of innocent souls, he must stay the course.

### D. Climax and crisis

Li Xiaohu suddenly turned his head, and Zhang Dali's low but frightened words still echoed in his ears. "He not only knows the secret of the strange talk apartment, but may also have something to do with the curse." Li Xiaohu's heart beat violently as he realized that what had happened was far more serious than he had imagined. He quickly looked around to make sure no one else was in the room, then breathed a sigh of relief.

"What did you just say? Li Xiaohu tried to keep his voice calm, even though his heart was already in turmoil.

"I don't know where to start," he says. Zhang Dali's face grew paler, his eyes widened as if he had seen something terrible, and his voice trembled as he said, "I've been following him for days. I found that he went to the basement every day, and every time he came back, it was very unusual. He even secretly went to a certain room in the middle of the night."

'Which room? Li Xiaohu asked eagerly.

"I'm not sure yet." Zhang Dali shook his head, a little confused on his face, "But I can show you. He should go to the basement again tonight. We can follow him."

Li Xiaohu took a deep breath. He knew this could be the key moment to uncover the secret of the strange Talk apartment. However, he is also aware that such an adventure is fraught with unpredictable dangers. He nodded and agreed to Zhang Dali's proposal.

"Ok, let's go now. But be careful. He mustn't find out. ' Li Xiaohu clenched his fist nervously as he spoke, his fingernails digging deep into the flesh.

The two quickly packed up their belongings, donning hats and masks and doing their best to pretend to be ordinary residents. They gingerly left the room, surveying their surroundings along the way. The corridor was quiet except for the faint light coming from a distance, which gave it an eerie air. The wallpaper on the walls has turned yellow and moldy, and occasionally makes a "squeaking" sound, as if it is the whine of old wood boards.

"Are you sure we haven't been spotted? "Li Xiaohu asked in a low voice, glancing warily around every corner.

"Try to stay calm. We'll be fine." Zhang offered strong reassurance, but looked nervous herself. He kept adjusting the position of his mask and his eyes kept flashing, as if he was ready to flee at any moment.

As they slowly approached the elevator, the doors opened slowly, leaving no one inside. Zhang Dali motioned Li Xiaohu to go in first. Li Xiaohu nodded and stepped into the elevator. The elevator began to go down, accompanied by a slight vibration and the sound of mechanical operation, people feel a sense of repression. Metal grinding, gears turning, each sound is particularly clear, as if the whole elevator is telling some secret.

"Be careful." "Mr. Zhang whispered, clutching the elevator rail with one hand, his fingers white with exertion.

When the elevator reached the first floor, the door opened slowly, and a cold and damp smell came over his face. Li Xiaohu and Zhang Dali looked at each other, nodded to each other and stepped out of the elevator at the same time. In front of them was a dingy corridor lined with rows of iron doors draped with chains and rusty chains, giving off an old, claustrophobic air. The smell of decay fills the air, making it feel like you've entered another world. The old wall lamps hanging on the walls give off a dim yellow glow, adding to the eerie feel.

"Here... Is this really a basement?" Li Xiaohu couldn't help but shiver, feeling a chill down his spine.

"Yes, this is the basement," Li said. Zhang whispered back, but never took his eyes off the hallway ahead.

They walked down the corridor, looking carefully. There was a small room at the end of the passage, the door of which was ajar, and a faint light could be seen in it. Zhang Dali motioned Li Xiaohu to stop. They approached gently and peered carefully through the crack in the door.

The caretaker was busy in a secret room. Li Xiaohu saw him holding some strange charms and muttering words. All kinds of symbols and pictures were hung on the walls of the chamber, and some ancient documents were scattered on the floor, apparently carrying out some kind of ritual.

"It's... What is this doing?" Li Xiaohu asked in a low voice, his heart racing and fine beads of sweat oozing from his forehead.

"He was performing some kind of witchcraft ritual." Mr. Zhang whispered back. "It seems he really knows something."

Mr. Li frowned, a strong sense of unease welling up inside him. He clenched his fist, determined to find out the truth. The two exchanged a determined look, then quietly retreated into the hallway to discuss their next move.

"We have to figure out what he's doing," Mr. Li said. "Maybe that's the key to unlocking all of this."

"Ok, let's keep following him." Zhang Dali nodded and agreed. "If there's a chance, we'll try to get into that room."

Just as they were about to approach the chamber again, they suddenly heard footsteps in the distance. Both immediately held their breath and hid themselves in the shadows of the corridor. Seconds later, a familiar voice came through: "What are you two doing here?"

Li Xiaohu and Zhang Dali's hearts almost leapt into their mouths. They turned around and saw the caretaker standing at the other end of the corridor, looking at them sullenly. The caretaker, with a dangerous glint in his eyes, had clearly spotted their presence.

"We... We just came out for a walk." Zhang Dali stammered.

The administrator sneered: "A walk? This is no place for you to just walk around. You'd better get back, or..."

Li Xiaohu knew that the situation was out of control. The situation was further complicated by the fact that the administrator had apparently sensed their intentions. He decided to take action and could not wait any longer.

"Wait, we just want to..." Li Xiaohu tried to explain, but before the words were out of his mouth, the administrator was striding toward them, the key chain in his hand making a jarring noise, like a tap on their nervous heartstrings.

"You're only getting yourself into trouble." 'said the keeper coldly, with a malicious smile on his lips.

### Part 4: The unraveling of the mystery

"We have important things to do." "If you have something to hide, you'd better say it now, or you'll suffer the consequences," Mr. Li said firmly.

The caretaker's eyes narrowed and sharpened. "You know too much, young man. You think you can stop this?"

Just as the tension was boiling over, all of a sudden, the door handle turned gently, followed by a soft rattle. Both Li Xiaohu and Zhang Dali suddenly turned around and saw the mysterious old woman walking slowly into the corridor. In the dim light of the corridor, the old woman was wearing a long black cloak. Her eyes were calm and deep, as if she could see through everything.

"What are you guys doing? "The old woman hostage asked.

Li Xiaohu and Zhang Dali were stunned. They had not expected to meet the old woman here. The old woman glanced at the caretaker and then at both of them with a look of indescribable authority. Her fingers tapped gently against the cane under her cloak, as if to suggest some authority.

"You'd better explain yourself." 'said the old woman sternly.

Li Xiaohu took a deep breath and decided not to hide anymore. "We are investigating the secrets of this apartment. We found out what you and Zhang Dali have discovered. We need your help."

The administrator's face turned livid. He clearly did not want to be tackled by the old woman and Li Xiaohu. The old woman's eyes were sharper. She seemed to understand something, but she didn't say anything right away. Her hand rubbed gently against the jewel at the top of the stick, as if weighing the pros and cons.

"I can help you guys." 'The old woman began slowly.' But you must promise me not to do anything. This secret is too dangerous. If it is exposed, the consequences will be catastrophic."

Li Xiaohu and Zhang Dali looked at each other and nodded. They knew they had no choice but to trust the old woman. The woman nodded and seemed to approve of their attitude.

"All right, come with me." The old woman motioned for them to follow her. "I'll take you to a safe place where you can discuss what comes next."

The three silently followed the old woman through the narrow corridor and into a small, hidden room. The door of the room creaked open with a cacophony. The room is filled with old furniture and books, giving it a mysterious yet historic feel. Large old bookshelves were lined with dusty books, some of the pages yellowed and tattered. In the corner sits a rocking chair, covered in a thin layer of dust. There is a faint musty smell in the air, as if time has stood still here.

The old woman settles into her rocking chair and gently rocks, making a slight creak. She motioned for Li Xiaohu and Zhang Dali to sit down. Li Xiaohu noticed that the old woman's eyes never left them. The piercing gaze seemed to penetrate all appearances.

"What do you want to know?" 'asked the old woman.

Li Xiaohu took a deep breath and decided to lay everything out. "We knew there was some kind of curse in the apartment, but we didn't know what it was. We suspected the caretaker might know something."

The old woman nodded, her expression turning serious. "You guys are right. This apartment does have a curse. It has to do with a forgotten family. But it's a very complicated secret that involves the fates of many people."

Li Xiaohu's heart racing, he knows what comes next will be a crucial moment to uncover the truth. He decided to reveal everything once and for all, even if it meant potentially disturbing the peace of the apartment again.

"I was willing to take all the risks." "We have to uncover this secret and bring peace back to the apartment," Mr. Li said firmly.

The old woman was silent for a moment, as if thinking about something. At last she nodded her head. "Well, I'll tell you all about it. But remember, this matter is no game and must be handled with care. '

Li Xiaohu and Zhang Dali looked at each other and felt a sense of mission they had never felt before. They knew this moment meant they were ready for any challenge.

The old woman spoke slowly, her voice deep and magnetic, as if echoing from a distant era. "The curse of this apartment stems from a forgotten piece of family history." Her voice reverberates around the room, giving it a sense of solemnity and mystery.

Li Xiaohu and Zhang Dali stared at the old woman, waiting for her to lift the veil of mystery surrounding the apartment with strange talk. The old woman's eyes suddenly deepened, as if she were recalling some distant memory.

"About a hundred years ago, a family lived here." The old woman's voice was steady and strong. 'This family was once very rich, with great wealth and power. However, they died because of greed and selfishness. The conflicts within the family intensified and eventually led to a massacre. In this massacre, almost all members of the family died, and only a young child narrowly escaped."

Li Xiaohu and Zhang Dali were dumbfounded. They never thought there was such a dark history behind them. The old woman continued: "The surviving child swore revenge. He sealed the family curse inside this apartment. The apartment has been a cursed place ever since. Anyone who stayed there would fall under the influence of the curse and become mad or angry."

The old woman's words were like a sharp blade, splitting Li Xiaohu's inner peace. He realized that all the strange phenomena he experienced were related to the curse of the family. He took a deep breath and tried to calm the waves inside him.

"So, what do we need to do to lift this curse? "Mr. Li asked.

There was a gleam in the old woman's eyes and her voice grew more determined. "To break the curse, you will need to find the offspring of the child who survived. Only they can lift the seal. But it will not be easy, because his descendants have long since gone incognito and integrated into the vast crowd."

Li Xiaohu and Zhang Dali look at each other and a new wave of courage rises in their hearts. They know that there is still a long way to go, but they are ready to meet every challenge.

### Revelation from the Old Lady

The old woman was silent for a moment, as if pondering how to interpret it all. "It is not easy to lift the curse," she said slowly. "The descendant of the surviving child must be found and shown his mistake before the curse can be lifted." Li Xiaohu's heart struck, and he understood his next task. He turned to look at Zhang Dali. Zhang Dali's eyes shone with determination and courage. With a tacit understanding, the two men decided to shoulder the burden together.

The old woman suddenly stood up and looked sharply around Li Xiaohu and Zhang Dali. "I know you will succeed," she said, "but you must be careful. The power of this curse is serious. If you fail, the consequences will be catastrophic." The old woman's eyes are full of wisdom and love, as if to foreshadow the rough and challenging days ahead. Her words, heavy as they were, were also powerful, and they encouraged both of them to stand firm in their faith.

Li Xiaohu and Zhang Dali nodded and prepared to face the coming challenge. They walked out of the secret room, through the narrow corridors and back into the heart of the apartment. It was late in the evening and the apartment was very quiet. Only the occasional chirping of insects broke the silence, as if to cheer them on. The light in the corridor is dim and faint, and the mottled marks and peeling wallpaper on the walls seem to tell the vicissitudes of time.

They reached the basement of the apartment, where there was an entrance to an underground tunnel. Li Xiaohu recalled the previous scene, when the strong cooperation with Zhang allowed them to overcome many difficulties. Now they are working side by side again, determined to solve the mystery that has long plagued the apartment. The air in the basement was oppressive and damp, and a musty smell hung in the air, sending a chill through the heart. The heavy iron doors opened slowly, making a shrill sound that echoed through the empty space. The darkness at the mouth of the tunnel is like a huge black curtain, covering everything and making people feel afraid.

Under the dim light, Li Xiaohu and Zhang Dali entered the tunnel carefully. Inside, it was damp and cold, and the air smelled of decay, as if even time had stood still. The faint glow of the torches in the hands of the two men cast a dappled shadow on the muddy ground. Acutely aware of the changes in his surroundings, Li Xiaohu stopped to carefully observe the movement around him. Zhang Dali followed suit, ready to deal with unexpected situations. Zhang's eyes still glowed firmly in the darkness, and his breathing became rapid, but he showed no sign of flinching. Li Xiaohu noticed his nervousness and tapped him on the back for encouragement.

"Did you hear a noise?" "Mr. Zhang asked in a low voice.

Li shook his head and motioned for Zhang to be quiet. He pricked up his ears to listen carefully, hoping to catch any subtle sound. Suddenly, a low growl came from the front, a chilling sound. Both men clenched their weapons in unison, ready to face an unknown enemy. Their palms were sweaty, and the weight of the weapon grew heavier and heavier in their hands. Zhang Dali clutched an ancient dagger, the sharp edge of which reflected a cold glow in the flashlight. Li Xiaohu clenched a strong iron bar, which seemed to be his last line of defense.

At that moment, suddenly from the front came a low growling sound, as if a fierce beast was approaching. Both men's nerves were tensed for an instant, their hearts racing and their palms filled with sweat. The flashlight lights flickered and dimmed under trembling fingers, reflecting their nervous faces. Li Xiaohu and Zhang Dali looked at each other with mutual understanding and support in their eyes. They knew now was the time to show real courage and determination.

In the faint light of their flashlights, they saw what appeared to be black shadows moving ahead. A mixture of fear and curiosity, the two hold their breath and slowly move forward. Suddenly, a faint light came from the front. Li Xiaohu narrowed his eyes and saw a figure -- a young man in antique clothes, his face full of anger and pain. It was clearly a descendant of the family affected by the curse.

There was a flicker of surprise in the young man's eyes when he saw them. But soon, anger takes over. "Who are you guys? Why are you trespassing on my property? ' "He snapped. His voice was full of anger and alarm, as if warning the uninvited guests. His eyes, like a sharp knife, cut to the heart.

Li Xiaohu took a deep breath and tried to calm the young man's emotions. "We are here to help you." 'Your family's curse has affected many people. We must break it.' The young man sneered, clearly disbelieving Mr. Li. "How do you know who I am? How do you know I'm a descendant of this family?" "He demanded.

Li Xiaohu patiently explained: "We have learned about your family background and the difficulties you face. We are willing to help you realize your mistakes and let go of your hatred." The young man froze, as if no one had ever treated him like this before. He slowly lowered his weapon, and there was a wavering look in his eyes. Li Xiaohu and Zhang Dali took the opportunity to approach and try to persuade him. After some communication, the young man finally agreed to accept their help.

Li Xiaohu and Zhang Dali led the young people back to the central area of the apartment, where many residents had gathered. They were both surprised and curious at the young man's arrival. Li Xiaohu announced loudly: "We have found a way to understand the curse!" Cheers broke out in the apartment. The crowd was boiling, and the laughter of the children and the applause of the adults formed a vivid picture. Residents crowded around to ask for details. Li Xiaohu gave a brief account of the secrets they had discovered and the identities of the young men. Residents smiled with relief as they listened. They looked at Li Xiaohu and Zhang with gratitude, their eyes full of respect.

In order to celebrate this important moment, Li Xiaohu decided to organize a grand party. He invited all the residents to attend. No matter their age, everyone could feel the joy and warmth. Residents brought their own food and drinks to enjoy the rare time together. Li Xiaohu's heart fills with a warm feeling as he looks at the smiling faces of the former strangers. He felt that his hard work had finally paid off and was filled with a sense of accomplishment.

At the party, there was laughter and joy everywhere. People sit together, sharing each other's stories and telling funny things about the past. Li Xiaohu and Zhang Dali were also invited to join them and talk with the residents. They felt an unprecedented sense of belonging and happiness. Li Xiaohu smiled as he sat among a group of elderly people and listened to their stories of youthful adventures. Zhang Dali was surrounded by a group of children, whose innocent smiles and laughter softened his heart.

The old woman was also present at the party. She smiled and watched everything. Her eyes glowed with pride, clearly proud of what Li Xiaohu and Zhang Dali had achieved. She walked up to Li Xiaohu and patted him on the shoulder. "You've done a good job, young man." "She whispered.

Li Xiaohu felt the warmth conveyed by the old woman and was full of gratitude. He knew that this experience not only made him grow up, but more importantly, he made a group of real friends and felt the true feelings of the world. As he nodded his thanks to the old woman, tears glistened in his eyes. The old woman's eyes were full of love and encouragement, as if to tell him: You are no longer the dazed Li Xiaohu, you have become a real hero.

As time goes by, the strange phenomena in the apartment finally disappear, and the residents return to their normal life order. When night falls, the apartment is always filled with bursts of laughter, which is the melody of new life. Li Xiaohu stands at the window, gazing at the stars, full of hope and expectation. He knew that the story of the strange talk apartment was not over, but it would become a beautiful legend and spread in everyone's heart.