Chapter 130: It Has Entered.
From Ji Xingchen's perspective, he could clearly see into the kitchen through the now empty shelves that used to hold ingredients.
The chef leisurely strolled past a row of knives in the kitchen, inspecting them as if admiring a collection. His demeanor resembled that of an artisan choosing the right tool, or perhaps a soldier selecting a suitable weapon.
Finally, he settled on one particular knife that seemed to meet his approval. After examining it for a moment, he took it and made his way out.
Ji Xingchen watched him the entire time without posing any questions or interruptions. He simply observed as the chef chose his preferred knife and prepared to leave.
In front of him still sat the plate of tomato and egg fried rice that the chef had brought over. The tomatoes were glossy, the eggs golden, and each grain of rice was distinct yet coated with egg and tomato. The dish looked appetizing, but he hadn't touched it.
After his explanation, the chef didn't immediately leave but continued to watch Ji Xingchen, reiterating, "Take your time with your meal."
Under the chef's friendly gaze, Ji Xingchen raised his hand.
That smile seemed to be an invitation for him to taste the meal the chef had personally prepared.
Gourmet cuisine.
However, Ji Xingchen merely adjusted his glasses.
The chef's gaze seemed somewhat disappointed, and the way he looked at Ji Xingchen shifted slightly.
After adjusting his glasses, Ji Xingchen casually picked up the chopsticks from beside him. Under the chef's watchful eye, he gracefully took his first bite of the fried rice.
The chef's expression immediately brightened, appearing relieved. Ji Xingchen didn't comment on the dish, and the chef didn't ask if he found it palatable. It seemed as though Ji Xingchen's mere act of taking that bite was the most significant acknowledgment the chef needed.
"Don't go out," the chef said as his last words before vanishing through the restaurant's entrance.
Ji Xingchen sat by the window, leisurely finishing the plate of fried rice. His expression didn't suggest he found the meal unpleasant. He likely ate slowly, believing it would aid digestion.
After finishing his lunch, Ji Xingchen slowly rose from his seat. Instead of departing straight away, he headed towards the kitchen.
The knife they noticed missing the previous night was still absent today. And here, only one knife was missing.
The grill beside was just as they'd left it the previous night. It appeared the chef hadn't noticed someone had used the grill, suggesting he wasn't particularly attentive to his kitchen.
After surveying the kitchen, he poured himself a glass of water and returned to his seat by the window.
His decision to stay wasn't out of heed to the chef's words.
He was waiting for someone.
The sky was overcast, casting a gloomy light that made the view from the floor-to-ceiling windows seem drab. The plants appeared listless. Ji Xingchen rested his hands on the table, sitting serenely without gazing outside, resembling a contemplative young man.
Fortunately, he didn't have to wait long.
"Hello."
Soon after, the restaurant door opened to reveal a middle-aged man. Crow's feet marked his eyes, but he had a friendly face, one easy to remember. He was the hotel staffer who had previously brought them local specialties.
Ji Xingchen looked up, greeting, "Hello."
While the hotel staffer was smiling, he looked slightly pale. His demeanor differed from when they'd first encountered him at the hotel entrance.
"Mr. Ji, are you finding your stay here comfortable?" The middle-aged man asked with courteous politeness.
"The dining options here are rather limited," Ji Xingchen remarked, seemingly offering genuine feedback. "The services promised during booking were inconsistent. The only commendable aspects are the natural hot springs and the complimentary osmanthus wine. Beyond that, my assessment is: unsatisfactory."
The middle-aged man hesitated, clearly surprised by Ji Xingchen's candid feedback.
"I assume, in the service industry, you would prefer the unvarnished truth," Ji Xingchen continued, his voice cool and detached, speaking as if he truly were just a tourist.
"Yes, indeed," the middle-aged man quickly responded, "I apologize for our shortcomings. I'm genuinely sorry for not meeting your expectations. I will relay your feedback to management..."
The man's apology seemed genuinely heartfelt. His speech was fluent, almost rehearsed, as if he had uttered it countless times. If one were to hand him a handkerchief, he might have wiped the sweat from his brow.
"Bear it in mind for next time," Ji Xingchen advised.
"Of course, will do."
The middle-aged man nodded repeatedly, but his motion abruptly paused as a realization struck him. Regaining his composure with a smile, he offered, "It seems you're searching for someone. Would you like to check the surveillance room?"
Ji Xingchen appeared to contemplate for a moment before replying, "Yes, let's."
The man's smile broadened a touch, and he turned, leading the way, "Please, follow me."
The middle-aged man moved somewhat stiffly, one arm hanging limply at his side. On his dark coat were traces of a darker stain, and as he walked, droplets of blood fell from his sleeve—one, then another, and another...
Ji Xingchen glanced at the blood on the floor.
Suddenly, the man turned back with a smile, "What's the matter? Why aren't you coming?"
"Nothing," Ji Xingchen replied evenly, catching up.
——
Chi Shen circled the hot spring area, noticing that the two male students had disappeared.
He pondered for a moment, approached a random pool, and inquired about the students.
The response he received was that the duo had scurried away in a hurry, their current whereabouts unknown. Chi Shen considered this and then returned to the hotel building.
Events were unfolding differently than he had anticipated. It was unexpected that someone would still be providing tourism advisories. The situation seemed to be getting intricate.
Upon entering the hotel lobby, things played out almost as he had expected. The two students were at the front desk, exclaiming, "There's something wrong with your hot spring!"
The receptionist looked at them as if they were delusional, retorting sarcastically, "Oh, let me guess, you're saying there's a ghost?"
"Yes, there is!" one of the students shouted, still in swimwear and draped in bath towels, shivering from the cold in the lobby.
"What did you see this time?" the receptionist asked, expertly pulling out a feedback book, "Did you think the footprints weren't yours, or did you spot bloodstains by the hot spring?"
"It's written in blood, not just stains!" one student quickly interjected, "It says, 'Leave now, don't come to the hot springs.' We didn’t see anyone, and then those words just suddenly appeared. This place is haunted."
"Wait, you knew about the hauntings?" The other student detected something amiss, discreetly tugging at his companion, urging him to keep quiet.
"Gentlemen," the receptionist paused in her note-taking and looked up at them, "You both completed nine years of mandatory education, right? If so, you should know that ghosts don't exist. I don't know where you got these bizarre ideas from, but the police have inspected our premises. If you don't trust me, trust them. There are no ghosts. Understand?"
"But we saw—"
"Change into your clothes first before you catch a cold," a new voice interrupted them.
Both students turned to see who had interjected. The receptionist also cleared her throat upon seeing the man, adjusting her expression to appear more welcoming and kind.
"It would be foolish to freeze to death before even seeing a ghost," Chi Shen remarked.
"Do you know what we experienced?" one student demanded, his tone heated.
"He's right. Let's change and then leave. Leave immediately," the other student advised, pulling his friend back.
Chi Shen assessed the two and then chuckled, "Such an expensive hotel. Don't you want to stay the night before leaving?"
"Only idiots would stay here," the agitated student retorted, but as the cold seemed to get the better of them, the duo retreated to change.
Their clothes were in the changing room by the entrance to the hot springs. Shivering, they hurriedly dressed, grumbling all the while. Once dressed, one mused, "Are we really just leaving like this?"
"Do you want to stay?"
"What if someone's playing tricks on us, trying to scare us off?"
"The hotel wouldn't do this. It's bad for business...wait, did you hear laughter?"
"No...wait, I think I did?"
"Who's laughing?"
This time, they heard it clearly—a deep, faint chuckle echoing from every corner of the room. The laughter, seemingly full of delight, lingered briefly before vanishing.
"Is this some haunted house theme?"
"Let's move quickly—"
"Wait."
The changing room door slid open automatically, but no one was outside.
They noticed a trail of wet footprints leading up to the changing room door, yet the soles of their shoes had long since dried from coming and going.
So, these weren’t their footprints. They might be brave, but they weren't foolish. Their experience from watching horror films allowed them to judge the situation clearly.
The trail of footprints stopped right at the door.
—It has entered.
—Or it's right at the door.
Chapter 130: It Has Entered.
From Ji Xingchen's perspective, he could clearly see into the kitchen through the now empty shelves that used to hold ingredients.
The chef leisurely strolled past a row of knives in the kitchen, inspecting them as if admiring a collection. His demeanor resembled that of an artisan choosing the right tool, or perhaps a soldier selecting a suitable weapon.
Finally, he settled on one particular knife that seemed to meet his approval. After examining it for a moment, he took it and made his way out.
Ji Xingchen watched him the entire time without posing any questions or interruptions. He simply observed as the chef chose his preferred knife and prepared to leave.
In front of him still sat the plate of tomato and egg fried rice that the chef had brought over. The tomatoes were glossy, the eggs golden, and each grain of rice was distinct yet coated with egg and tomato. The dish looked appetizing, but he hadn't touched it.
After his explanation, the chef didn't immediately leave but continued to watch Ji Xingchen, reiterating, "Take your time with your meal."
Under the chef's friendly gaze, Ji Xingchen raised his hand.
That smile seemed to be an invitation for him to taste the meal the chef had personally prepared.
Gourmet cuisine.
However, Ji Xingchen merely adjusted his glasses.
The chef's gaze seemed somewhat disappointed, and the way he looked at Ji Xingchen shifted slightly.
After adjusting his glasses, Ji Xingchen casually picked up the chopsticks from beside him. Under the chef's watchful eye, he gracefully took his first bite of the fried rice.
The chef's expression immediately brightened, appearing relieved. Ji Xingchen didn't comment on the dish, and the chef didn't ask if he found it palatable. It seemed as though Ji Xingchen's mere act of taking that bite was the most significant acknowledgment the chef needed.
"Don't go out," the chef said as his last words before vanishing through the restaurant's entrance.
Ji Xingchen sat by the window, leisurely finishing the plate of fried rice. His expression didn't suggest he found the meal unpleasant. He likely ate slowly, believing it would aid digestion.
After finishing his lunch, Ji Xingchen slowly rose from his seat. Instead of departing straight away, he headed towards the kitchen.
The knife they noticed missing the previous night was still absent today. And here, only one knife was missing.
The grill beside was just as they'd left it the previous night. It appeared the chef hadn't noticed someone had used the grill, suggesting he wasn't particularly attentive to his kitchen.
After surveying the kitchen, he poured himself a glass of water and returned to his seat by the window.
His decision to stay wasn't out of heed to the chef's words.
He was waiting for someone.
The sky was overcast, casting a gloomy light that made the view from the floor-to-ceiling windows seem drab. The plants appeared listless. Ji Xingchen rested his hands on the table, sitting serenely without gazing outside, resembling a contemplative young man.
Fortunately, he didn't have to wait long.
"Hello."
Soon after, the restaurant door opened to reveal a middle-aged man. Crow's feet marked his eyes, but he had a friendly face, one easy to remember. He was the hotel staffer who had previously brought them local specialties.
Ji Xingchen looked up, greeting, "Hello."
While the hotel staffer was smiling, he looked slightly pale. His demeanor differed from when they'd first encountered him at the hotel entrance.
"Mr. Ji, are you finding your stay here comfortable?" The middle-aged man asked with courteous politeness.
"The dining options here are rather limited," Ji Xingchen remarked, seemingly offering genuine feedback. "The services promised during booking were inconsistent. The only commendable aspects are the natural hot springs and the complimentary osmanthus wine. Beyond that, my assessment is: unsatisfactory."
The middle-aged man hesitated, clearly surprised by Ji Xingchen's candid feedback.
"I assume, in the service industry, you would prefer the unvarnished truth," Ji Xingchen continued, his voice cool and detached, speaking as if he truly were just a tourist.
"Yes, indeed," the middle-aged man quickly responded, "I apologize for our shortcomings. I'm genuinely sorry for not meeting your expectations. I will relay your feedback to management..."
The man's apology seemed genuinely heartfelt. His speech was fluent, almost rehearsed, as if he had uttered it countless times. If one were to hand him a handkerchief, he might have wiped the sweat from his brow.
"Bear it in mind for next time," Ji Xingchen advised.
"Of course, will do."
The middle-aged man nodded repeatedly, but his motion abruptly paused as a realization struck him. Regaining his composure with a smile, he offered, "It seems you're searching for someone. Would you like to check the surveillance room?"
Ji Xingchen appeared to contemplate for a moment before replying, "Yes, let's."
The man's smile broadened a touch, and he turned, leading the way, "Please, follow me."
The middle-aged man moved somewhat stiffly, one arm hanging limply at his side. On his dark coat were traces of a darker stain, and as he walked, droplets of blood fell from his sleeve—one, then another, and another...
Ji Xingchen glanced at the blood on the floor.
Suddenly, the man turned back with a smile, "What's the matter? Why aren't you coming?"
"Nothing," Ji Xingchen replied evenly, catching up.
——
Chi Shen circled the hot spring area, noticing that the two male students had disappeared.
He pondered for a moment, approached a random pool, and inquired about the students.
The response he received was that the duo had scurried away in a hurry, their current whereabouts unknown. Chi Shen considered this and then returned to the hotel building.
Events were unfolding differently than he had anticipated. It was unexpected that someone would still be providing tourism advisories. The situation seemed to be getting intricate.
Upon entering the hotel lobby, things played out almost as he had expected. The two students were at the front desk, exclaiming, "There's something wrong with your hot spring!"
The receptionist looked at them as if they were delusional, retorting sarcastically, "Oh, let me guess, you're saying there's a ghost?"
"Yes, there is!" one of the students shouted, still in swimwear and draped in bath towels, shivering from the cold in the lobby.
"What did you see this time?" the receptionist asked, expertly pulling out a feedback book, "Did you think the footprints weren't yours, or did you spot bloodstains by the hot spring?"
"It's written in blood, not just stains!" one student quickly interjected, "It says, 'Leave now, don't come to the hot springs.' We didn’t see anyone, and then those words just suddenly appeared. This place is haunted."
"Wait, you knew about the hauntings?" The other student detected something amiss, discreetly tugging at his companion, urging him to keep quiet.
"Gentlemen," the receptionist paused in her note-taking and looked up at them, "You both completed nine years of mandatory education, right? If so, you should know that ghosts don't exist. I don't know where you got these bizarre ideas from, but the police have inspected our premises. If you don't trust me, trust them. There are no ghosts. Understand?"
"But we saw—"
"Change into your clothes first before you catch a cold," a new voice interrupted them.
Both students turned to see who had interjected. The receptionist also cleared her throat upon seeing the man, adjusting her expression to appear more welcoming and kind.
"It would be foolish to freeze to death before even seeing a ghost," Chi Shen remarked.
"Do you know what we experienced?" one student demanded, his tone heated.
"He's right. Let's change and then leave. Leave immediately," the other student advised, pulling his friend back.
Chi Shen assessed the two and then chuckled, "Such an expensive hotel. Don't you want to stay the night before leaving?"
"Only idiots would stay here," the agitated student retorted, but as the cold seemed to get the better of them, the duo retreated to change.
Their clothes were in the changing room by the entrance to the hot springs. Shivering, they hurriedly dressed, grumbling all the while. Once dressed, one mused, "Are we really just leaving like this?"
"Do you want to stay?"
"What if someone's playing tricks on us, trying to scare us off?"
"The hotel wouldn't do this. It's bad for business...wait, did you hear laughter?"
"No...wait, I think I did?"
"Who's laughing?"
This time, they heard it clearly—a deep, faint chuckle echoing from every corner of the room. The laughter, seemingly full of delight, lingered briefly before vanishing.
"Is this some haunted house theme?"
"Let's move quickly—"
"Wait."
The changing room door slid open automatically, but no one was outside.
They noticed a trail of wet footprints leading up to the changing room door, yet the soles of their shoes had long since dried from coming and going.
So, these weren’t their footprints. They might be brave, but they weren't foolish. Their experience from watching horror films allowed them to judge the situation clearly.
The trail of footprints stopped right at the door.
—It has entered.
—Or it's right at the door.
