Atlas Studios

  Atlas Studios

  Being sandwiched between the two school hunks, I felt like there were many pairs of eyes staring at me from behind. It was especially uncomfortable.

  So, later, it was decided that tuition would take place at Su Qi’s home.

  It was the first time I went to Su Qi’s house – a high-end condominium situated near the number 1 key high school. It was over 160 square meters. At that time, the average price of the land was over 30,000 yuan. Every inch of land was worth gold. Such a condominium was considered a luxury property!

  It was such a big apartment, but he lived alone. Usually, there would be a housekeeper to cook for him and take care of his daily life. However Su Qi preferred quietness, so other than the regular cleaning time, he was the only one at home.

  He said that his parents were busy with their business and rarely stayed at home, so he lived alone……

  His living room was huge – more than 50 square meters. At that time, game consoles were rare, but he had a range of them in his house, and he owned all kinds of games.

  While I revised my work, Dongyu and Su Qi played video games. I could only watch enviously from the side.

  The feeling of being tutored was particularly monotonous.

  During that period, the joys of eating, drinking, and playing eluded me!

  At that time, a Japanese-themed haunted house was launched at Ocean Department Store. It became exceptionally popular through word of mouth and business boomed.

  Many thrill-seeking young students who visited the haunted house said that they just could not get enough of it. It was very interesting, scary, and exciting. They all recommended it and even formed cliques based on it.

  I was afraid of ghosts, but I was very curious about the supernatural. Since I was young, I loved to watch horror movies with Dongyu, so I suggested a trip to this haunted house together.

  However, Dongyu countered at once, “I’ll take you there if you should come in among the top ten in class next month.”


  Su Qi chipped in, “As long as you do well, the treat is on me!”


  I wilted. “What if I don’t do well?”


  Dongyu said coldly, “Then we don’t have a deal.”


  I bit down on the pen, my ambition was finally set ablaze and I started to work hard.

  However, how should one say this… motivation comes from ambition.

  By the end of the semester’s monthly exam, I hadn’t gotten close to the top ten, but my grades were 0.5 points short of the tenth place. Dongyu didn’t seem so unsympathetic. On the weekend, we met Su Qi and we went to the haunted house together.

  After buying the tickets, however, I became nervous and didn’t dare to go in. Su Qi saw through my timidity and couldn’t help laughing at me. “You were the one who wanted to visit! But now you’re standing there and don’t have the guts to go in. What’s the meaning of this?”


  Dongyu explained, “She’s afraid. She’s especially afraid of ghosts.”


  Su Qi replied, “You’re afraid of ghosts and you’re taking on the haunted house?”


  I was indignant. “Who said I was afraid?”


  I proclaimed this loudly and clearly, but still, I dared not step in.

  Su Qi waited until he ran out of patience and walked over to take my hand. I flinched, avoiding his hand, and snorted. “I’m not walking in front.”


  “Then I’ll let you walk in the middle.”


  As Dongyu spoke, he took the initiative to hold my hand and lead the way. I didn’t know why, but the moment he held my hand, I felt that the pitch-black door that seemed like the gateway to an endless abyss wasn’t as terrifying as before. I gathered my courage and followed him.

  Su Qi, who was just behind, was stunned for a few seconds. He only moved forward to catch up with us when the staff urged him on.

  The haunted house was extremely narrow and decorated in the theme of Japanese style horror movies. Every detail was chilling and sent fear that seemed to seep into one’s bones.