Chapter 11: The Invitation

Watching Nie Xiaolan’s furious figure as she strode away, Ji Linmo hesitated for a moment before hurrying after her.

“Ma’am, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have spoken to your child without permission just now,” he said. “I meant no harm, but if you don’t mind, please accept this as an apology.”

With that, Ji Linmo took out a freshly purchased “Fresh Human Hand” from the vending machine.

[Fresh Human Hand (Shelf life: three days)]
[Item Quality: High]
[Price: 600 Netherworld Coins]
[Item Description: The delicate hand of a young girl, freshly severed, rich in collagen for beauty and youthfulness. An ideal gift.]

“What?” Nie Xiaolan, her brows furrowed in disgust, glared at Ji Linmo. But when her gaze landed on the exquisitely packaged “Fresh Human Hand,” a look of astonishment flashed in her eyes.

“This… isn’t this a bit much?”

[Prompt: “Ghost Teacher - Nie Xiaolan” Favorability +20]

Seeing the prompt, Ji Linmo seized the opportunity and quickly took out another expensive “Children’s Nutritional Blood Tonic” from the vending machine, offering it with both hands.

“Don’t say that. Please accept both. Haohan is a very clever and adorable boy—he’ll surely have a bright future.”

Hearing her son praised, Nie Xiaolan broke into a delighted smile.

“Isn’t that so? My Haohan is a bit mischievous, but he’s incredibly smart.”

[Prompt: “Ghost Teacher - Nie Xiaolan” Favorability +40]
[Favorability reaches 30, your relationship is now ‘Friendly’]

Observing the rising favorability, Ji Linmo understood two things.

First, this ghost teacher before him was especially fond of hearing praise for her son.

Second, the items sold in the vending machine in this instance were meant to help build relationships with the other residents.

“By the way, you must be new here. Have you had breakfast yet? Why don’t you come and sit at my place?”

Accepting the gifts, Nie Xiaolan tucked back a strand of hair, her phoenix eyes narrowing slightly as she smiled at Ji Linmo.

Creak!

The door to apartment 301 behind her was nudged open by a draft, half ajar.

—Under the orange glow of a warm lamp, the living room sofa was soft and plump, and a steaming pot on the dining table bubbled enticingly, wafting out an inviting aroma.

Peering through the gap in the door, Ji Linmo was momentarily lost in thought.

The neat, bright, and cozy little home was a stark contrast to the dark, cramped, and cracked corridors of the complex—it felt as if one had stepped back into the real world.

[Mission Triggered]

[Visit Nie Xiaolan’s Home as a Guest]
[Mission Description: It’s just a simple breakfast invitation, nothing more to explain.]
[Mission Success Reward: Breakfast]
[Mission Failure: ?]

Ji Linmo glanced at the mission panel and nodded to Nie Xiaolan.

“Then I’ll trouble you.”

Rarely did he get a chance to explore another resident’s apartment—he wasn’t about to waste it.

“Hehe, big brother, you don’t know, my mom rarely has guests over. Her breakfast is amazing,” Haohan said, taking Ji Linmo’s hand and leading him inside.

Bang!

As they stepped over the threshold, the door to 301 slammed shut behind them, sealing tightly without a breeze.

The corridor fell silent—no other sounds remained.

Inside, Ji Linmo surveyed his surroundings with caution.

Apartment 301 wasn’t large, but it had a kitchen, living room, and bathroom—all the essentials.

At the center of the living room stood something shrouded in thick black cloth, as if deliberately concealed.

“Sir, please put on these slippers.”

Nie Xiaolan handed him a pair of disposable slippers.

“Thank you.”

As soon as Ji Linmo took the slippers, an ear-piercing shriek erupted from beneath the black cloth at the center of the room.

“Run! Run! Run!”

The shrill voice repeated, accompanied by frantic flapping—something inside was desperately trying to break free.

Ji Linmo looked towards the shrouded object, watching as the black cloth trembled and writhed.

“Sir, your slippers.”

Just as Ji Linmo continued to stare, a face suddenly appeared inches from his own—eyes wide to the point of bulging, blocking his view entirely.

The woman, holding the slippers, glared at him with eyes so large and clear they seemed to take up half her face.

[System Prompt: “Ghost Teacher - Nie Xiaolan” status changed to Angry]
[Favorability -10]

“Mom?”

Standing to the side, Haohan watched in confusion, clearly sensing his mother’s anger.

Ji Linmo, noting the prompt, stayed silent and didn’t take the slippers. Instead, he calmly surveyed the room.

—In a world of horror, every new scene may have its own rules.

Thus, when entering a new setting, one must not act rashly; finding the “rules” is the highest priority.

“There…”

Ji Linmo’s frown eased as his eyes settled on a small note pasted beside the shoe cabinet.

[Guest Notice]
[1. Before entering, make sure your feet are clean before using the slippers.]
[2. Promise Haohan anything he asks—do not let him be upset.]
[3. Do not enter the bedroom.]
[4. There is no parrot in the house! Absolutely no parrot!]

The elegant handwriting was neatly arranged. The note itself, no bigger than a palm, could easily be overlooked.

“Thank you.”

Ji Linmo quickly averted his gaze, confirmed his feet were clean, and donned the slippers.

“Please wait a moment. I’ll go reheat the dishes,” Nie Xiaolan said, her smile returning as she headed into the kitchen. Haohan, bouncing along, naturally pulled Ji Linmo to the sofa.

Sitting down, Ji Linmo noticed a scattering of dolls on the floor.

Some had arms and legs torn open, revealing fluffy white stuffing.

“Big brother, these are my favorite coal-digging dolls.”

The boy eagerly picked up the toys, introducing them one by one.

“Look, this red-haired doll is Little Red—she’s Little Ming’s bride. And this one in the school uniform is Little Feng.”

The shoddily made dolls had black plastic eyes that wobbled with every movement, clicking softly.

“Big brother, here—you can play with this one.”

Haohan handed Ji Linmo the Little Feng doll. As he took it, Ji Linmo’s expression shifted slightly.

—The blue and white uniform on Little Feng was a miniature version of the one from his alma mater, Nurturing High School.

“Big brother, do you want to see a movie I made with my dolls?”

Haohan’s eyes lit up as he suddenly remembered, holding the doll up to Ji Linmo.

“A few days ago, I filmed a movie with these dolls!”

With that, the boy pointed to a videotape on the television.