Escape Room (Part 1)

The chill of early October was slightly biting, sweeping through the tops of the sycamore trees with a touch of bleakness. Today was October 1st, and the streets and alleys were festooned with vibrant five-star red flags. Yuncheng High School, in keeping with the National Day celebrations, had declared an eight-day holiday. The area in front of the teaching building was deserted, save for the wind that swirled a few yellowed leaves. Occasionally, a teacher on duty passed by, the rustling sound of their shoes against the ground resonating distinctly in the silent campus.

Students, backpacks on their backs, were already rushing to the school gates, gathering in groups of three or four to discuss their holiday plans. Some planned to stay home to catch up on sleep and watch TV series, others to go cycling in the suburbs, and some diligent students planned to use this time to review their lessons. The school gates were bustling with activity, with long lines of parents' cars forming. The hum of engines, conversations, and the constant honking of horns shattered the tranquility of the campus and added a touch of festive cheer to the city.

The slanting autumn sun dyed the classroom a honey-hued hue. Jiang Wanning, textbook clutched, bounded over to Gu Hanzhi's desk, the strawberry hair tie in her ponytail swaying gently as she moved. She deliberately dragged out the last syllable: "Hanzhi—" She poked the other's straight back with her textbook. "What are your plans for National Day?"

Gu Hanzhi's drooping eyelashes cast a fan-shaped shadow under her eyes, and her fingertips were inserting the last pen into her pencil case. The cuff of her Chenguang school uniform revealed half of her cold white wrist, but her movements were as sharp as a sword drawn from its sheath: "Speak frankly."

"I knew I couldn't hide it from you!" Jiang Wanning's eyes sparkled like stars as she pulled out a flyer with a bloody handprint printed on it from her schoolbag. "Look! There's a new escape room on the street behind the school called 'Midnight Terror'! The NPCs are all professionals, and they're said to be able to scare three hundred strong men to tears!" She suddenly lowered her voice and leaned over mysteriously, her hair brushing against the back of Gu Hanzhi's hand. "And during the National Day holiday, student IDs are half price. If we team up, we'll just get the best deal!"

Lu Chenzhou said to Jiang Wanning in a defiant tone, "Miss Jiang, you're not afraid of being frightened anymore."

Jiang Wanning's eyes widened, and without hesitation, she punched Lu Chenzhou on the shoulder, angrily saying, "If you don't speak, no one will think you're dumb!"

Lu Chenzhou groaned, but a faint smile played at the corner of his mouth. He rubbed his stricken shoulder, raised an eyebrow and said jokingly, "Doesn't Miss Jiang need a qualified partner? Why not let me be Miss Jiang's escape room partner for a bit?"

Jiang Wanning twirled the pen between her fingers and turned towards Lu Chenzhou. "It's up to you, as long as you're reliable."

Lu Chenzhou suddenly chuckled: "Then Miss Jiang, please be at my disposal to be my partner in escaping the secret room." The sunset outside the window was bright, dyeing the cunning in his eyes amber.

"Hanzhi, can I be your partner in the secret room?" This simple question circled around Shen Zhihe's tongue countless times before finally coming out of his mouth. His voice was very soft, as if he was afraid of disturbing something fragile.

Gu Hanzhi's hands, which were packing her backpack, suddenly paused. The moment she looked up, their eyes met. The fluorescent light cast tiny shadows beneath Shen Zhihe's eyelashes. Within those usually calm eyes, there now surged an anticipation that even he himself hadn't noticed.

Gu Hanzhi felt her cheeks burning, and her throat felt like it was choking on a ball of cotton. She hastily looked away, and after a long moment, she softly uttered a "hmm." This response, as light as a falling feather, made Shen Zhihe smile with relief.

On the first day of the National Day holiday, Gu Hanzhi opened the four-person chat for the umpteenth time. Next to the pinned "Yuncheng High School F4" group name, the countdown emoji Shen Zhihe had sent that morning was still flashing. She chuckled softly at the screen, pressing her cool fingertips against the windowpane, watching the mist transform into the hazy outline of the Ferris wheel.

Jiang Wanning's message suddenly popped up: "No one is allowed to stand me up this time! Last time, Lu Chenzhou stood me up for two whole hours, and I was so angry that I chased him three blocks!" The accompanying picture was a candid shot, and even from a photo, you could tell from Lu Chenzhou's back that he was running for his life.

Lu Chenzhou replied instantly in black font: "I was just asleep at the time. Didn't I buy you a doll as an apology?" He then threw out a Ferris wheel guide document and said, "Meet under the Ferris wheel at 1:00 PM sharp. For those who are late... please buy a cup of milk tea for the other three people."

Gu Hanzhi stroked the amulet pendant on her phone case. The rain outside the window had stopped at some point. She remembered the wish she made under the fireworks on New Year's Eve last year: "To be with my friends forever."

On the second day of National Day, the blazing sun poured down generously, blanketing the city in a golden haze. The amusement park was packed with people, laughter echoing in every corner. And in front of the iconic Ferris wheel, Gu Hanzhi had been waiting there for half an hour.

She wore a light white shirt, the soft fabric clinging to her figure, exuding a fresh and elegant aura. A deep purple coat, the contrasting color of the deep purple and pure white, added a touch of elegance. She paired it with black wide-leg pants, the loose fit allowing for ease of movement and creating a gentle breeze as she walked. Her white flats were simple and comfortable, perfect for long walks in the amusement park.

Gu Hanzhi sat on a nearby bench, colorful balloons and fluttering streamers behind her. In front of her, among the crowds of people, there were couples holding hands, children playing and laughing, and tourists holding up cameras to take pictures. She tilted her head slightly, following the slowly turning Ferris wheel, watching each car rise high into the sky and then slowly descend, anticipating the upcoming reunion.

Just then, her phone vibrated softly in her bag. Gu Hanzhi pulled it out and opened WeChat, only to see a new message in the group chat. It was from Jiang Wanning, a string of black text that sounded helpless and panicked: "Um... is it too late to wake up now?"

Immediately afterwards, Lu Chenzhou also popped up in the group and sent a message: "Miss Jiang, you must have been browsing your phone until the early morning last night. Now there is only half an hour left until 1 p.m. As Miss Jiang's most loyal partner, I will pick you up later."

Watching the conversation between the two, Gu Hanzhi couldn't help but raise the corners of her mouth. She shook her head slightly and tapped quickly on the screen with her fingertips: "Lu Chenzhou, you must bring our Miss Jiang here on time, otherwise you will have to buy a cup of milk tea for each of us three~" After sending the message, she put the phone on her lap and continued to wait, her eyes full of anticipation, as if she had already seen her friends rushing over.

After a while, the wind chimes on the eaves tinkled softly, and suddenly a smiling voice floated into Gu Hanzhi's ears: "So you are here too, I was wondering if you came a little early." The ending tone was a bit nonchalant and lazy, like a bamboo branch soaked in morning dew swaying gently.

She whipped her head around, the scent of cedar mixed with the crisp morning breeze. Shen Zhihe leaned against the carved doorframe, his navy blue gown casually tied at the waist, revealing the sharp cut of his black elastic trousers. His black sneakers, adorned with a few maple leaves, swayed gently with his steps, shattering the classical charm of his surroundings. He looked like a modern visitor who had strayed into an ink painting.

As dusk streamed across the Ferris wheel's massive spokes, the roar of its engines ripped through the silence at the amusement park's entrance. The matte black sports car braked like a black panther, its tires leaving long, thin scorch marks on the road.

Lu Chenzhou pushed open the car door, the hem of his dark-colored robe lifted by the night breeze, outlining the boy's slender figure. He reached out and opened the back door with a casual elegance, his metal watch gleaming coldly in the twilight.

Jiang Wanning leaned out of the train car, the tassels of her sky-blue gown swaying slightly as she moved, jingling against the silver bells in her hair. As her white sneakers touched the floor, she gazed up at the towering Ferris wheel, her eyes curved into crescents. "Luckily, it only took me 10 minutes to pack, or I'd be late."

Lu Chenzhou leaned against the car door, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the streamlined body of the sports car, and the corners of his mouth raised an uninhibited arc: "I spent a year's living expenses to buy this car. Doesn't it look very impressive!"

Arriving at the escape room front desk, Jiang Wanning's eyes widened as she tapped the four bold words "The Fainthearted Beware" on the guide. "The first scenario is rated five stars for horror! All the NPCs are real people, and there are single-line quests..." Before she finished speaking, Lu Chenzhou said, "Then choose the first scenario. If you have to choose, choose the most exciting one!"

Before Jiang Wanning could finish her words, Lu Chenzhou had already completed a series of procedures and was about to go into the secret room, holding Jiang Wanning's hand.

The cold air of the closed corridor, tinged with the stench of blood, lashed her face. Gu Hanzhi's fingertips repeatedly stroked the script, the type glowing dimly under the warm yellow wall lamp. When she looked up at Shen Zhihe, the corner of her eye curled up like a hook dipped in honey. "I've never been to an escape room before. If I get scared, you must protect me immediately."

She had already pressed her cold fingertips into the other's palm. Shen Zhihe froze in place, his Adam's apple rolling, and before he could respond, his wrist was pulled forward and he stumbled half a step.

He lowered his eyes to stare at their touching palms. The girl's nails were manicured, and through the thin calluses, he could feel the subtle trembling of her pulse. The heat gradually burning in the tips of his ears threatened to melt the flickering LED sign above his head. The red words "Midnight Horror Chamber" on it were now no match for the scorching heat of his palm.