Chapter 16 The Wedding Chamber

Wait a minute—if that's the case, then what about Qin Feng? Qin Feng's name wasn't on the newspaper's list of the dead, yet he became the NPC "Ghost Bride." Was there another reason, or...

As Ji Linmo pondered this, Old Master Ma coughed heavily a few times.

"Boy, since you're here, how about keeping me company for a few games of chess?"

"I've finally made some sense of the unfinished game from last time, but it's still not enough fun..."

[Mission Triggered]

[Play Chess with Old Master Ma]

[Mission Description: Old Master Ma is a well-known chess fanatic in Ruolan Community, whose lifelong wish is to find a true opponent. Do you have the confidence to defeat him?]

[Mission Reward: 800 Nether Coins]

[Mission Failure: ?]

Ji Linmo looked at the white-haired Old Master Ma and nodded.

"Alright."

As soon as he spoke, Ji Linmo began to set up another unfinished game, sitting down across from Old Master Ma.

This time, the black side was in grave danger but still had a sliver of hope, while the red side seemed certain to win but was riddled with hidden traps. The two of them, locked in the struggle, responded to each other's every move with vigor and intensity.

"Ha! In the end, I still lost!"

By the time the leaden sky was stained with a crimson hue at sunset, the three-hour-long battle had finally come to an end.

"Truly, a worthy opponent! It's been so long since I've had such a satisfying game!"

Old Master Ma raised his thumb to Ji Linmo in sincere admiration.

"Even in defeat, I couldn't have enjoyed myself more!"

"You're too kind, sir," Ji Linmo replied, his expression calm, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.

Seeing that it was getting late—almost seven o'clock—Ji Linmo turned to leave.

"Hey, hey, don't go yet! Play one more with me?"

"No, it's getting late."

"Well, you can't just leave empty-handed. I have no need for money, but you beat me fair and square, so you should take these 800 Nether Coins."

With that, Old Master Ma took out 800 Nether Coins from the pouch at his waist, ready to hand them over to Ji Linmo.

But the man, hands in his pockets, simply smiled faintly.

"Sir, keep your money. True chess friends are hard to come by. I enjoyed the game just as much as you did."

Old Master Ma watched Ji Linmo, his grizzled beard twitching with excitement. He slapped his thigh, a look of pure joy spreading across his face.

"A kindred spirit is so rare! At last—at last I've met someone who loves chess as much as I do!"

[Notification: "Old Ghost Ma Jianguo" favorability +100, your favorability level has reached "Confidant"]

["Old Ghost Ma Jianguo"]

[Level: Advanced Evil Spirit]

[Character Description: Resident of 202, Ma Jianguo, a chess enthusiast who lives with his wife Gu Yulan. When not playing chess, he spends his days drinking with his old friend, Niu Zhongxin of 101.]

Hmm?

Ji Linmo was a bit surprised at the sudden surge of favorability in the notification bar. He hadn't expected that, without offering any gifts, a single sentence could so quickly close the distance between them.

"Young man! Kindred spirits are hard to find. If you don't mind, please accept this."

Old Master Ma stood up, as if he'd made a firm decision, and walked over to Ji Linmo with resolve.

He quietly slipped a small object into Ji Linmo's hand—something hard, cold, and irregular, delicate and intricate in his palm.

As Ji Linmo raised his hand to look, Old Master Ma quickly pressed it down.

Glancing around nervously, Old Master Ma shook his head.

"Don't take it out here. He'll see you..."

Afterward, the old man lowered his voice, leaned in close, and whispered in Ji Linmo's ear.

"Remember, open it at midnight. You'll need it. I sincerely hope I see you again tomorrow."

With that, Old Master Ma abruptly changed his demeanor, swiftly packed up the chessboard, and walked off without a backward glance.

Clutching the object, Ji Linmo slipped it into his pocket and hurried across the gray-green grass, quickly entering the building's main entrance.

Just as he stepped inside, the blood-red sun slipped below the horizon.

The world, cleaved by the crimson afterglow, instantly plunged into endless darkness. The boundary between earth and sky vanished, leaving nothing but unfathomable black.

[Community Bulletin Board]

[Resident Information]

[① Pay 200 Nether Coins room fee daily before 8 a.m. in Room 101]

[② No fighting, running, or screaming in the corridors after 8 p.m.]

[③ Curfew is from midnight to 4 a.m. Residents are welcome to leave their rooms and savor delicious treats]

Ji Linmo's eyes swept over the gray wall's announcement, and he headed straight for the elevator.

"Big brother!"

Nie Haohao, having heard the footsteps, was already hanging upside down from the top of the elevator, poking his head out with hopeful eyes.

Ji Linmo, understanding, handed over the two servings of chilled human brains he’d bought from the vending machine earlier.

"Thank you, big brother!"

As Nie Haohao gleefully scooped up the treat with a little spoon, he suddenly thought of something and squinted up at Ji Linmo with a mischievous grin.

"Hee hee! Big brother, guess what? After you left, a big brother and a big sister came to find my mom and asked to visit her at home."

"But, one of them didn't dare drink the pork rib soup my mom made. He got his eye gouged out by my mom and was thrown out. Hee hee!"

Ji Linmo frowned, questioning him, "Who didn't drink your mom's soup—the big brother or the big sister?"

"It was the big brother! The big sister was very obedient and finished all her soup!"

Ji Linmo's brows knitted even tighter. He wanted to ask more, but Nie Haohao put away his smile and pointed at the elevator buttons.

"Big brother, tell me which floor you're going to. I have to go home for dinner soon, or my mom will be upset!"

Ji Linmo pressed the button for the fourth floor, but instead of returning to his own room, he went straight to Room 402.

Room 402 belonged to Zhang Lanlan.

He knocked on the door, but as expected, there was no response.

Zhang Lanlan hadn’t returned to her room.

Feeling that things were becoming more and more sinister, Ji Linmo slowly walked back to Room 403.

As he grasped the doorknob, a small slip of paper, tucked perfectly in the door crack, fluttered to the floor.

—They will come for the whip tonight

It was Zhang Lanlan’s handwriting.

Ji Linmo tore the note to pieces, then opened the door to his lodging in Room 403.

He froze on the spot.

The interior of Room 403 had been completely transformed.

No longer was it a bare room with just a table and bench. The space had expanded into a standard apartment, complete with a living room, bedroom, and bathroom.

Everywhere, the walls were plastered with the double happiness symbol, and red streamers were hung—festive and bright, like a wedding suite.

No—it was a wedding suite.

Standing before the double bed in the bedroom, Ji Linmo’s face turned cold.

As he lifted the crimson quilt, he saw the bed strewn with red dates, peanuts, dried longan, and lotus seeds.

Dates, peanuts, longan, and lotus seeds—symbols of fertility and offspring.

Did this mean the bridal chamber was to be consummated tonight?