LIGHTNOVELONLINE
Chapter 40
Jiang BaiYan was often busy shooting dramas and used to staying up all night. After negotiating with the crew last night, he fell asleep in the van and woke up to find the police had surrounded the hotel.
The forensic examiner found eight bodies.
“There’s one more now?” Jiang BaiYan was confused.
“The owner’s body,” Jian Jing patted his shoulder. “Don’t look, you’ll have nightmares.”
“Oh.” Jiang BaiYan listened to her and turned to ask, “Did you find it, Teacher?”
Jian Jing wanted to be humble, but couldn’t control her excitement. “Yeah, I searched all night until I found it.”
“Teacher is so amazing, you’re the best.” Compared to his fans, Jiang BaiYan wasn’t stingy with compliments either. “Where was it hidden? Inside a wall? Did we touch it?”
“No, we didn’t find it. It was in a basement that hadn’t been discovered.” Jian Jing reassured him. “But the mechanism was right in front of us.”
Jiang BaiYan was an excellent listener. “What was it?”
“The clock.”
Most of the old furniture in the hotel had rotted away and couldn’t be used. Only a few items remained, including the clock hung in the lobby besides the marbles she had found in the props department inventory.
Although the clock’s battery was dead and it no longer worked, the face had a starry sky design with traces of time passed. So the props department kept it. The coin hidden below the front desk was behind this clock.
When Cao Yu and the others had searched, they had turned the hands a few times but nothing happened. So at first, Jian Jing didn’t consider the clock.
But just in case, she climbed up to examine it at the end. And she discovered something.
The clock face background was the twelve zodiac signs, and the hands were made of different materials - the hour hand was copper, the minute hand wood, and the second hand plastic.
She analyzed the Big Dipper star map from the room layout again, and searched online to find new information.
The orientation of the Big Dipper handle points in different directions during different seasons.
“Handle pointing east, spring throughout the land. Handle pointing south, summer throughout the land. Handle pointing west, autumn throughout the land. Handle pointing north, winter throughout the land.”
Comparing to the map, the handle in the room layout pointed west, secretly indicating autumn.
Autumn had six points on the zodiac: Start of Autumn at 135°, End of Heat at 150°, White Dew at 165°, Autumnal Equinox at 180°, Cold Dew at 195°, Frost's Descent at 210°.
She tried them one by one, but all failed.
At the time, Jian Jing almost gave up. It seemed like she was overthinking.
But at last, with a trace of unwillingness and stubbornness to see it through, she realized there was still something she missed - the hands.
Autumn was the golden season, so it was called Golden Autumn.
After removing the wooden minute hand and plastic second hand, she turned the metal hour hand again.
When it pointed to 135°, the mechanism opened.
There was a rumbling sound from under the front desk as the floor and concrete broke open, revealing a passage.
This was the hidden basement, or grave.
Below was just a bare dark room with a coffin. Inside laid the hotel owner who had been missing for so long.
Only after she found this corpse did the system announce the task was complete.
The breath Jian Jing had been holding in her chest finally dissipated, and her whole body relaxed, as if she had drank three shots of espresso and felt like she could battle another day and night.
The sense of accomplishment from solving the mystery through hardship was the highest mental enjoyment.
She was invigorated. “The rest is up to the police to find out who killed all these people.”
“Yeah, the police will definitely catch the murderer.” Jiang BaiYan placated her a few words before getting to the point. “Did the crew mention to you, Teacher? They plan to still air the show, but add a behind-the-scenes afterward.”
Jian Jing nodded.
“What do you plan to do, Teacher?” He asked.
“I haven’t decided yet.” She said frankly. “If they can catch the murderer, considering the victims’ families, it’s best not to air it. But if they can’t find them, the show’s influence could help.”
“What is it?” She asked, puzzled and surprised.
Jiang BaiYan organized his words and said, “Ghost House is a suspense and reasoning show, and loves gimmicks. Even if inappropriate, it’s best...to have others bring it up.”
Jian Jing was silent for a moment before smiling. “Thank you, I understand.”
“Also, I was going to recommend you film a few more episodes. Keyan will start shooting soon, so there will be an opening.” His mouth turned down in disappointment. “But now that probably won’t work. You’re too good, Teacher.”
He spoke tactfully without leaving any openings, but got his meaning across - everyone had a role in a variety show, being able to showcase themselves was best, but if one person stood out too much, others wouldn’t get the chance to shine, and who would be willing to play second fiddle?
By now, any necessary calls had probably already been made. Favors, benefits, exchanges...it came down to business. But Jian Jing didn’t care.
This episode was already thrilling enough, she didn’t want to come back at all. Instead, she was surprised. “It was you who recommended me?”
Jiang BaiYan was startled, seeming to suddenly realize what he had said. He covered his face. “Ah, I messed up.” He looked at her pitifully. “Pretend I didn't say anything, okay?”
Jian Jing laughed at him and deliberately asked, “Why?”
“It’s a bit embarrassing.” He scratched his face. “I didn't really do anything.”
“Then I should thank you anyway.” A verbal thanks didn't seem sincere enough, so Jian Jing thought about it and asked, “If you don’t mind, can I treat you to a meal?”
Jiang BaiYan asked, “Coffee instead? I’m still dieting...”
"Pfft," she chuckled. “Of course, no problem.”
*
Kang Mu Cheng bought plane tickets overnight and flew over at 8 AM the next morning. By noon, he was already eating lunch with the producer.
After discussion, they reached an agreement to add a behind-the-scenes episode after this Ghost House episode.
At the same time, at Jian Jing’s strong request, the crew finally agreed that if the victims' families objected, graphic corpse images had to be deleted, leaving only her discovery process.
Afterward, Jian Jing got a good rest at the hotel before returning with Kang Mu Cheng the next day.
On the plane, Kang Mu Cheng asked her, “How do you feel?”
Jian Jing was silent for a while before murmuring, “Do you believe ghosts exist in this world?”
“Did you run into a ghost?” He asked back.
Jian Jing sighed, unable to answer.
After the police had taken away the bodies, the system settlement came down.
[Task Name: Seven Stars' Sorrow (Completed)]
[Task Description: This is a long-standing murder hotel, harboring death-related secrets. The innocent dead have yet to be found, their resentful souls still unwillingly crying out. Can you hear them?]
[Task Reward: Basic Bravery 20 + Special Contribution 20 (for finding all the bodies)]
The task description made her hair stand on end. Were the marbles and abnormal temperature really just psychological, or was there something subtle and inexplicable?
Although she had transmigrated and gained a system, it was still terrifying to think deeply about it!
“I don’t believe in ghosts.” Kang Mu Cheng said. “If you’re experiencing auditory or visual hallucinations, I’ll take you to see a doctor.”
Jian Jing: “...” As expected of Boss Kang.
“I’m fine.” She changed her wording. “It would be even better if the police can uncover the truth sooner.”
Kang Mu Cheng glanced at her inconspicuously and asked, “This event seems to have been proposed by you. May I know your thoughts?”
“I didn't think much about it.” She was confused and surprised. “Feeling something was wrong, of course I wanted to know what was going on - did I make trouble for you?”
“No.” Kang Mu Cheng said. “The producer is quite happy actually. They already planned to combine online and offline, building a haunted house brand. A real event will attract more tourists.”
Speaking to here, he paused briefly. “But currently the show still relies on the guests to compete for viewership, not story plots.”
Jian Jing said, “I understand.”
“There will still be opportunities in the future.” As if afraid she would be disappointed, Kang Mu Cheng promised. “I’ll keep an eye out for more of these activities you like.”
Jian Jing really wanted to say she didn't actually want to do this again, but the words changed at her lips to, “Let’s see the results after this episode airs first. If it’s no good we can drop it.”
*
On August 14th, the police released a seemingly ordinary notice.
“The police recently received a report that multiple skeletons were discovered in a hotel on a certain mountain. The police rushed to the scene upon receiving the report, and confirmed a total of eight skeletons, one middle-aged male, and seven children aged 2-4 years old...
“After investigation and DNA identification, the seven children’s skeletons were confirmed to be missing children from nearby, the earliest in 2000 and the latest in 2004. Cause of death was poisoning. After poisoning the seven victims, the murderer sealed them in urns and stored them in compartments in the hotel ceiling...
“The middle-aged male Qi Mou was the father of the hotel owner, died of natural causes... Currently, the police have identified Qi Mou’s son Qi Tian as the major suspect in the case, and have issued a nationwide wanted notice for him...”
The police bulletin was not sensationalized like news reporting, but the factual description was sufficiently horrifying.
Netizens immediately turned into little Holmeses, identifying the key points - seven children’s skeletons, sealed in urns, hidden in the hotel. One look and you knew this was no ordinary murder case.
Then, the loose-lipped crew members revealed that this was discovered during Ghost House filming.
This instantly blew up the hot search.
The #Ghost House Adventure# topic became scorching hot. Everyone looked forward to the premiere to uncover the truth.
On August 25th, the first episode of Ghost House Adventure Season 2, “Haunted Hotel”, premiered.
Jian Jing watched right on time.
She already knew the initial content, and the bullet screen debates were also within expectations. It was the other team’s part after they split up that surprised her a little.
Cao Yu, Zheng Keyan, and Cai Tonger also encountered many difficulties while searching for coins on the first floor.
Zheng Keyan was going crazy praising her behind her back: "Oh my, it's great that Jian Jing is here. I really can't figure this out. My head hurts so much."
Cai Tonger also said: "Yeah, she's so amazing, her mind works so fast."
"My memory has deteriorated since I had my child," Zheng Keyan said. "I even make mistakes in calculating bills."
Cai Tonger said: "I've always been quite dumb, reacting slower than others."
There were bullet comments flashing "Pregnancy makes you silly for three years", and also ones flashing "Little sister is so cute", the atmosphere turned unexpectedly harmonious.
Jian Jing was truly impressed, praising someone behind their back was far more subtle than praising them to their face, and with cameras on, how could these compliments not get out?
On further reflection, she also found it clever.
The biggest star in the team was Zheng Keyan, but Cao Yu, with his capabilities and seniority, vaguely overshadowed Zheng Keyan. It was hard to say whether Zheng Keyan's high praise of Jian Jing contained ulterior motives to use her to boost herself.
Her compliments were more sincere, while Cai Tonger's were slightly perfunctory. Her intention in praising Jian Jing was still to bring up herself. After all, the two were close in age, it was hard not to draw comparisons when placed together.
What about Cao Yu? He seemed to be focused on solving the puzzle, not joining in the conversation, and certainly not praising Jian Jing one bit.
Bullet comments cued him "Cao the strategist doesn't look too happy", provoking rebuttals "The strategist is focused on solving the mystery", as well as consolation "Stars' advantage isn't here to begin with, it's normal not to compare well, no need to make comparisons."
Behind the seemingly harmonious team variety show, it was full of contests.
But in this round, because of the behind-the-scenes special, no matter how they struggled, Jian Jing was the undisputed biggest winner.
When the show was nearing its end, bullet comments flooded in.
"Everyone go watch the behind-the-scenes special, it's amazing!"
"The behind-the-scenes is the main show."
"After watching, directly called her an expert, converted from passerby to fan."
"Reality is always more amazing than art."
"The main show is starting, high-energy warning!"
"The faint of heart please be cautious, be sure to have the lights on!"
The special was the process of Jian Jing discovering eight corpses after filming.
She said the rooms were arranged according to the Big Dipper.
Bullet comment 1: F*ck really?!
Bullet comment 2: I've got goosebumps.
Bullet comment 3: Too scary right? What does this mean?
...
She smashed out the first corpse in Room 206.
Bullet comment 1: F*ck f*ck f*ck f*ck
Bullet comment 2: Damn
Bullet comment 3: Oh my god
Bullet comment 4: Comment shield for the body ah ah ah ah
Bullet comment 5: Psychopathic I I I can't stand it
...
Seven corpses.
Bullet comment 1: Too horrifying
Bullet comment 2: Scared me into hugging my boyfriend
Bullet comment 3: Medical student feels unwell
Bullet comment 4: Who the hell did this? Too freaky!
Bullet comment 5: Evil arts murder, must be evil arts, how could a normal person do this?
...
Searching for the eighth corpse.
Bullet comment 1: There's still one corpse?
Bullet comment 2: Miss, are you sure? The Big Dipper only has seven stars?
Bullet comment 3: Saw in the news, eight corpses were unearthed
Bullet comment 4: I really can't imagine where the last one will be
...
Because the cameras weren't removed at 11pm, the hotel's cameras were still running. Production thoughtfully annotated the time in the bottom right corner.
Viewers could see Jian Jing going back and forth in the room for one or two hours, staying up all night, finally climbing up the shelf and triggering the mechanism in the clock.
On public screen, some followed along analyzing, some searched for information to analyze. Clearly knowing these were past events, but the sense of immersion from this kind of live broadcast was too strong, no one could bear to drag the progress bar, their whole mind and spirit attracted to the past.
The moment the secret door appeared, everyone was re-energized along with it.
The screen was filled with "6666666", completely covering the visuals. By the time the tomb visuals came out, everyone was already impatiently anticipating.
Bullet comment 1: The best episode of Haunted House, no comparison, nothing will ever surpass it in the future
Bullet comment 2: Before watching: How did the newbie get a whole episode, after watching: Boss, I'm going to buy your books right now
Bullet comment 3: Previously felt the production was too fake, now I know, I can't handle the real thing, goodbye
Bullet comment 4: A classic episode of Haunted House
Bullet comment 5: Can't watch this episode twice, terrifying upon further thought
...
At the ending, production pasted up the police bulletin and wanted order, requesting netizens to help search for the hotel's former boss, Qi Tian.
The photo in the wanted order was very blurry, could vaguely make out a gloomy-looking young man.
Bullet comments expressed they would help stay alert in the future, let Qi Tian get a taste of the power of the internet.
But Jian Jing wasn't so optimistic.