Chapter 33.5

On the fourth day of the hellish training, You Xi took the time to meet Fu Qing and Liang Yi. In the days that followed, Fu Qing and the others also participated in the training. Gu Mian was located far away from the city where You Xi was and had important things to do at home, so he didn’t join them.

The four people gathered together to share their experiences and knowledge of the escape game. After taking a break, Fu Qing also taught You Xi how to make and use a slingshot.

Although the slingshot was very low in terms of lethality, it was very light and could exert unexpected effects at certain moments.

Alongside Fu Qing and the others, the days became somewhat lively, and there was a bit more laughter to accompany the pain.

It was 10 o’clock in the morning again, and You Xi took his friends into the instance of ‘Pear Garden Resentful Soul.’

The background of ‘Pear Garden Resentful Soul’ was set in the Republic of China period. In this instance, the acting troupe ‘Qingyu Group’ 1 had a prominent reputation, and they were renowned throughout the country. The troupe was able to make four or five famous actors each year, and it could be said that they were at the top of the drama circles at the time. In the Qingyu Group, even if you were just a messenger, you had a lot of face and were worth bragging about everywhere.

Qingyu Group was mysterious and unpredictable, and there were three strange things about them that people gossiped about most.

The first strange thing was that on the 15th of each month at midnight, the members of the troupe had to put on heavy makeup, make their debuts, and sing in the empty theatre. Each year on July 15th, the Qingyu Group shut their doors tightly, suspend all performances, and all of the staff make grand preparations. The gongs and drums are noisy, and they use their housekeeping skills that night –

People say that Qingyu Group is a singing show for ghosts.

Ghosts like to listen to dramas. If they don’t have special shows, they can only mix in with the crowds and run into innocent guests. Legend has it that the owner of the troupe set such a rule specifically for the long-term development of the troupe’s operations.

The second strangest thing was that cats and dogs were not allowed in the Qingyu Group . Particularly in regards to black cats and black dogs, whichever dared to step through the gates of the pear garden would be beaten to death by random sticks. The smell of blood outside the Qingyu Group was so strong that maybe it couldn’t be removed. The wild cats and dogs nearby would run away if they passed by there.

Regarding that incident, some people speculated that there were countless dirty things about Qingyu Group. The troupe owner was afraid that the cats and dogs would offend the ‘ghosts’ when they appeared, so they then ordered the cats and dogs to be killed. Some people say that it’s just a gimmick and that the acting troupe just doesn’t care for animals.

The third strangest thing was that most of the famous actors in Qingyu Group were born unlucky. There were also a few actors and actresses who died at their first shows, and their deaths were horrible. But even so, all of those people who joined the Qingyu Group desperately attended practice and wanted to rush ahead.

“Since ancient times, beauties are like famous generals, and white heads are not seen in the world.” 2 It seems as if everyone could accept the truth, but the death rate of the Qingyu Group was too high.

Qingyu Group seemed to be in full swing, but with so many deaths, how could officials actually just sit back and ignore it?

The identity of the players in this instance were spies sent by the government: there were a total of fifteen people who were all there to investigate over a dozen deaths in Qingyu Group and then demand that the murderer be captured before the rooster crows at dawn on July 15th. Among them, five spies were inserted into the Qingyu Group as newly recruited actors, and the remaining ten of them were dressed as ordinary workers for the Qingyu Group.

You Xi was arranged to be in a Dan role, Liang Yi in a Jing role, 3 Fu Qing was a waiter 4 and Gu Mian handled random matters. Guo Juexing was the uncle who swept the floor.

Guo Juexing: “…… I hate this world that cares about faces!”

Everyone understood the background. They were ready and officially entered the game.

When he opened his eyes again, You Xi was already lying on a bunk. There were around twenty people in many rows around him.

A man with a loud bell suddenly entered the room and shouted: “The new kids are all getting up now! Get up for the morning practice!”

But the sky outside was still pitch black.

Everyone complained, but none of them dared to be disobedient. They all shivered and put on their clothes. When You Xi stumbled out of bed, everyone around him moved in synchrony.

“Ah, he’s so white!”

People whispered, but You Xi was silent when he heard it, only hurrying up as he put on his clothes. He was putting on his belt when You Xi suddenly felt a piece of clothing on his back.

You Xi turned around and saw Qin Yuandai’s handsome face that was like snow on a mountain appear in front of him.

Qin Yuandai wore only a pair of pants. His upper body was bare, showing off his firm muscles and honey-toned skin.

You Xi swallowed down his saliva.

He heard his voice tremble slightly: “What a coincidence, you’re here.”

Qin Yuandai’s eyebrows were sharp. His thin lips opened slightly, but he only coldly said: “En.”