Lan Xu was the one who paid the money, yet the sales representative smiled warmly at everyone as if they had all contributed points.
Everyone present felt a chill run down their spines. Looking at the house purchase contract in front of them was like staring at something terrifying, and a vague sense of unease welled up in their hearts.
Signing their names on the contract… would it really not trigger some kind of death condition?
But the players had no other choice. Aside from this sales office, they had no way to gather any clues in the community.
They were out of time to hesitate.
The players exchanged glances and, with heavy hearts, signed their names on the contract.
Only 'Ruan Qing' was different. He signed his name with an unusually cheerful demeanor, as though he was genuinely delighted to be purchasing a house.
The other players looked at 'Ruan Qing' with a mixture of envy and pity. Ignorance truly was bliss; he didn’t even realize the danger that was looming over him.
Lan Xu’s eyes narrowed imperceptibly for a brief moment as he cast a subtle glance at 'Ruan Qing'.
For a moment, all attention was focused on 'Ruan Qing', and no one noticed the sales representative furrowing their brows slightly in confusion when 'Ruan Qing' signed the contract. However, they ultimately said nothing.
After purchasing the house, the players tried to subtly question the sales representative for information. But the answers they received were all ordinary and generic—completely useless as clues.
With no other options, the players decided to return to the residential community.
The house they purchased was located on the fourth floor of Building A. As they looked at the unit number on the door and the one listed in the purchase contract, a heavy silence fell over them.
—Building A, Unit 444.
The number 444 was anything but auspicious, especially in a high-level haunted instance like this.
Lan Xu’s gaze grew colder as he held the contract. He looked at the other players and asked, “Who chose this room?”
All the players shook their heads, including 'Ruan Qing', who appeared utterly confused.
From the beginning to the end, none of them had selected a specific room—they had simply paid the points and purchased the house.
Lin Rong glanced at Lan Xu and calmly said, “We didn’t choose it. When I was looking at the listings, I selected Unit 108 on the first floor of Building A.”
Next to her, Wang Qian nodded and quietly added, “I noticed the same thing when we signed. The contract said Unit 108 in Building A.”
Building A was the closest to the main entrance of Mingya Building, making it their first choice. Choosing a unit on the first floor was also a strategic decision—easier to escape if something happened. That’s why Lin Rong had initially picked Unit 108 in Building A.
But now the unit number on the contract had changed. It was something none of them had considered—Unit 444.
Perhaps no matter what number they chose, the final result would always lead to Building A, Room 444.
The players also realized this. After exchanging glances, they cautiously entered the room.
The room’s layout was identical to the one they had stayed in the previous night. Even the decor was exactly the same. If it weren’t for the different room number on the doorplate, the players might have thought they had returned to last night’s room.
This time, none of the players dared to be careless. They searched the room thoroughly, leaving no stone unturned—not even the carpet or the corners.
However, they still couldn’t find any clues.
Just as the players were at an impasse, they heard the sound of a door opening.
Lan Xu was the first to turn and look in the direction of the sound, which came from a door not far from theirs.
Wang Qian swallowed nervously and glanced at Lin Rong, whispering, “Um… Sister Lin, did you hear a door opening?”
Lin Rong nodded slightly. After glancing at Lan Xu, she stood up cautiously and walked to the door.
The other players immediately followed her.
Lin Rong carefully opened their door just a crack and looked toward the door not far away.
That door had already been opened, and at the entrance stood two people who seemed to be having a conversation.
However, the distance was too far to make out what they were saying.
Lin Rong turned back to look at Lan Xu, her gaze carrying a hint of inquiry, as if seeking his opinion.
Lan Xu didn’t look at the open door but instead slightly tilted his head, signaling Lin Rong to look downstairs.
Not understanding at first, Lin Rong followed his gesture. In the next second, her pupils contracted, and her eyes widened in shock.
At some point, the previously deserted garden below the apartment complex was now bustling with residents. Some were sunbathing, others were playing chess, and the scene looked exactly like a normal neighborhood.
It was completely different from the earlier emptiness.
The players’ eyes were filled with shock and fear. Just moments ago, when they went upstairs, there hadn’t been a single person in the garden. Yet now, judging by the states of some residents, it seemed like they had been there for quite a while.
What on earth was going on?
And what did it truly mean to buy a house in this neighborhood?
“Let’s go take a look,” Lan Xu said in a low voice. After speaking, he opened the door and stepped out first.
The sound of the door opening caught the attention of the two people not far away. They seemed to notice the unfamiliar faces and paused briefly, before politely smiling at Lan Xu.
Lan Xu returned a polite smile. “Hello, we’re the new residents of 444.”
The two men nodded in understanding, and one of them smiled. “Well, we’ll be neighbors from now on. If you need anything, feel free to come to us.”
Hearing this, Lan Xu smiled a bit shyly, feeling a little embarrassed. “Since we just moved here, we’re not very familiar with this neighborhood yet. Could I trouble you to introduce us to the area?”
Lan Xu’s smile carried a hint of shyness and timidity, completely different from his previously calm and composed demeanor. This stark contrast drew the attention of several players, who couldn’t help but glance at him.
“No problem. We don’t have much going on right now anyway.” The man smiled again and fully opened his door. “Why don’t you come in, have some tea, and we can chat?”
Hearing this, Lin Rong frowned slightly, her eyes showing a trace of hesitation and doubt. She reached out, intending to tug on Lan Xu’s sleeve to remind him not to enter so casually.
However, just as her hand moved, it coincidentally brushed against Lan Xu’s hand as he raised it to adjust his glasses, perfectly avoiding her gesture.
Was that… a coincidence?
Lin Rong froze for a moment, then finally withdrew her hand.
After adjusting his glasses, Lan Xu looked at the man and gave a shy smile. “Sure, thanks, brother.”
Lan Xu followed the man inside. The other man turned to Lin Rong and the other players, his face showing a kind smile. “Why don’t you all come in too?”
Lin Rong didn’t move. Instead, she smiled apologetically. “We just moved in today and still have a lot to unpack. We’ll come visit properly another day.”
The man didn’t insist. He simply smiled and shut the door in front of her.
Watching the door close, Lin Rong felt a sinking feeling in her heart. Something about this situation seemed off, but she couldn’t quite pinpoint what.
As Lin Rong stood there lost in thought, someone tugged gently at the hem of her clothes.
It was Wang Qian.
Since the incident at the sales office, Wang Qian had grown more attached to Lin Rong. She tugged at Lin Rong’s sleeve and spoke in a small, nervous voice filled with fear and unease. “Sister Lin, look over there.”
Lin Rong followed Wang Qian’s gaze.
Wang Qian was pointing to the other side of the hallway, near the window. There, behind the curtain, was a shadowy figure watching them.
When the figure realized that Wang Qian and Lin Rong had spotted them, they hurriedly pulled the curtain shut in a panic.
Hehe
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