Chapter 36: The Hotel's Secret

The two of them walked over slowly, and Zhang Xiaofan knocked on the door. The knocking suddenly ceased.

“Try opening it,” Su Qianqian said as she handed a small box to Zhang Xiaofan, asking him to keep it safe. She twisted the knob and discovered the door opened easily.

As the door swung open, they were shocked to see Zhang Hua lying on the floor, her eyes tightly shut, utterly motionless.

“Ah… Is she dead?” Su Qianqian exclaimed in terror.

Zhang Xiaofan approached Zhang Hua step by step and said, “She seems alive—she’s still breathing.”

Just as he spoke, Zhang Hua abruptly sat up, cursing, “Demons and monsters, you dare challenge me, Zhang Hua—ah…!”

Her voice rang out at a pitch so high it made their ears ache. Then, realizing it was Zhang Xiaofan and Su Qianqian, Zhang Hua said coldly, “So it’s you two.”

“Damn, you nearly deafened me,” Zhang Xiaofan complained, though inwardly he wondered if Zhang Hua had cultivated some special power—her voice was nothing ordinary.

Zhang Hua continued, “How did you two get out of those stairs?”

“I was about to ask you the same.”

“I fused with a Lion’s Roar constitution—my voice is powerful. When I couldn’t break through, I shouted twice, and the scenery before me changed. Then I got out,” Zhang Hua explained calmly.

Zhang Xiaofan felt genuine admiration. Truly formidable—this woman was not to be trifled with. Even ghosts feared her.

He closed the door and asked, “Did you encounter a ghost in this room just now?”

“Yes. I wanted to rest for a bit, but it was noisy next door, so I went out. I saw a female ghost in white and punched her. She vanished instantly, and I crashed into the door and fainted,” Zhang Hua replied helplessly.

Zhang Xiaofan and Su Qianqian exchanged a speechless look.

Zhang Xiaofan then recounted their own experience. After hearing him out, Zhang Hua frowned, “Something must have happened in this hotel. This ghost is unusually strong.”

As the three spoke, suddenly, voices echoed by their ears.

“Why, why won’t you want me? You said you would marry me…”

“We’re not right for each other anymore.”

“Is it because of that woman? Don’t forget, I’m carrying your child. If you won’t have me, I’ll confront her, go to her house and make a scene. I’ll ruin your reputation!”

“Say that again…”

“I…”

Sounds of a struggle erupted. The three exchanged glances, all of them confused.

“It’s coming from next door,” Zhang Xiaofan said.

“It must be a ghost,” Zhang Hua shook her head. “I’ve seen horror films where vengeful ghosts lament their grievances while harming others. Maybe this is what happened to her before she died—a simple story, really. A scumbag abandoned his woman for another. Happens all the time in movies.”

She pulled out her phone, surprised, “There’s a signal.”

Zhang Xiaofan took his out as well—there was a message. He opened it.

Su Qianqian: Xiaofan, where are you? I’m so scared. I woke up and saw you weren’t in the room…

“Hiss…” Zhang Xiaofan drew in a sharp breath. It was from Su Qianqian, timestamped just three minutes ago.

But if Su Qianqian sent him a message, then who was this Su Qianqian beside him?

Zhang Xiaofan didn’t panic. He quickly replied, “Su Qianqian, are you really in the room?”

Su Qianqian: Hurry up, where are you? I’ll come find you.

“Xiaofan, who are you texting?” the Su Qianqian behind him suddenly leaned in.

Zhang Xiaofan hurriedly closed his phone and asked, “By the way, where’s your golden scissors?”

Su Qianqian tilted her head, her voice chilling, “What did you say?”

Zhang Xiaofan’s heart skipped a beat. Damn, this Su Qianqian was a fake. Since the moment he escaped, he’d been accompanied by a false Su Qianqian. No wonder his escape went so smoothly—now it all made sense.

Zhang Hua asked, “Xiaofan, why do you look so pale? Are you really so useless, scared by a ghost? Even Qianqian handles it better.”

Zhang Xiaofan thought, You have no idea, you fat woman—Su Qianqian is a ghost.

He showed Zhang Hua his phone, saying, “Tang Youcai sent a message, take a look.”

Zhang Hua glanced at it. To her credit, she was quick-witted and played along, her expression changing dramatically. “That bastard Tang Youcai dares pull this? I’ll beat him up later.”

The implication was clear: they would join forces.

Zhang Xiaofan said, “Yeah, Tang Youcai is worthless. Later, you hit his left side, I’ll hit his right—we’ll teach him a lesson.”

The real meaning: you attack the ghost’s left, I’ll attack the right.

Zhang Hua nodded, pulling out a talisman. “Xiaofan, have you got yours ready?”

“Of course,” Zhang Xiaofan replied, producing his own talisman. “I’ve brought the strongest one.”

“Go!”

Zhang Hua suddenly roared at Su Qianqian, her voice blasting toward her. Su Qianqian clutched her head and, in a flash, her once delicate face morphed into a terrifying visage, tongue lolling grotesquely.

Though Zhang Hua was hefty, her movements were swift. As she flung the talisman, she whipped out a dagger and lunged at the female ghost.

A sickening sound followed—Zhang Hua stabbed with practiced ease. But that wasn’t the main point. The female ghost vanished.

Zhang Xiaofan shouted, “She’s gone again! Where is she?”

Suddenly, the lights flickered. The room plunged into darkness, and a piercing scream echoed from above.

Both looked up. The ghost in white clung to the ceiling, her tongue long and whip-like, snaking toward Zhang Xiaofan.

Caught off guard, Zhang Xiaofan was ensnared. In desperation, flames erupted from his body. Zhang Hua jumped in shock, exclaiming, “You actually have fire on you!”

The flames seemed to harm the ghost. She shrieked, dropping a roasted segment of tongue and scuttling away, eyes icy.

“You will all die…”

The ghost howled. Just then, voices sounded from the doorway—Huang Kai Jian and Tang Youcai.

“Damn, that kid just now was a ghost!” Tang Youcai cried in astonishment.

“Damn it, this place is crawling with ghosts.”

The female ghost’s mouth twisted into a ghastly grin. She lunged toward the doorway. Zhang Xiaofan and Zhang Hua exchanged a glance and rushed out.

They saw the ghost pounce on Tang Youcai, her tongue writhing like a serpent, plunging into his mouth. Tang Youcai convulsed; his black hair turned white, his skin sagged.

“Ah… Damn it!” Huang Kai Jian whipped out a screwdriver, stabbing at the ghost.

Whatever was smeared on the screwdriver produced white smoke as it struck her, but the ghost was powerful, enduring the pain and glaring furiously.

Huang Kai Jian turned to flee. Zhang Hua cursed, “Why aren’t you saving Tang Youcai?”

Zhang Xiaofan kicked Huang Kai Jian hard, yelling, “Coward!”

Looking back, Tang Youcai’s once handsome face had withered into that of a gaunt old man. His lifeless eyes stared at them, trying to speak but unable. At last, his head slumped as the last of his vitality was drained away.