January 25th, Tuesday.

At Shangyang Games.

Ruan Guangjian once again entered the game to thoroughly experience “BE QUIET.”

As usual, startled shouts and screams rang out continuously, though the Shangyang Games staff had already grown accustomed to this.

Ye Zhizhou and Wang Xiaobin whispered to each other.

“Master Ruan’s decibel level today is higher than before.”

“Yes, it shows that our recent improvements have been very effective.”

The two stared at the decibel meter in front of them, its readings constantly fluctuating, with peak values being recorded.

Compared with previous test results, they immediately noticed a significant improvement.

After a long while, the sounds finally subsided.

Ruan Guangjian’s face was flushed and full of energy as he praised, “Good!”

“Now this game finally has that horror game feel!”

“I think the game visuals don’t need any more changes. Next, we should focus on refining the details.”

Everyone stood up and applauded, expressing their sincere gratitude.

During this period, Ruan Guangjian had helped wholeheartedly, not only completely transforming the game’s art style but also offering many suggestions for gameplay changes.

The game’s horror element was originally just passing grade, but with Ruan Guangjian’s help, it had been elevated to excellent!

Moreover, Ruan Guangjian had also made time to paint for the shared phone booths and even contacted his buddies from other groups to help.

Ruan Guangjian had contributed tremendously, which everyone at Shangyang Games recognized.

Although Lin Wan had paid him his full salary, Shangyang Games still owed him a huge favor.

“Well, things here are settled, so I should head back to Magic City soon.”

“I need to arrange the relocation of my studio, and then prepare for the New Year.”

“Perhaps after the New Year, our entire studio will move to Jingzhou, and we can be neighbors!” Ruan Guangjian said with a smile.

Everyone expressed their thanks, and despite not having worked together for very long, they felt somewhat reluctant to part.

After leaving the Shangyang Games, Ruan Guangjian took out his phone and called Mr. Pei.

Leaving Jingzhou certainly warranted at least a simple farewell.

…

At that moment, Pei Qian had just seen Lin Chang off.

The two had agreed that after the horror game and mobile phone were released, and Lin Wan’s situation was handled, they would have a big meal together to celebrate enthusiastically.

Pei Qian’s phone started vibrating.

“Hmm?”

Seeing Ruan Guangjian’s number, Pei Qian instinctively frowned.

Just thinking about the phone booth situation made him angry!

But anger aside, calls still needed to be answered. Otherwise, what if he missed some fatal backstabbing news? Wouldn’t that be a major problem?

“Mr. Pei, I’m planning to stay in Jingzhou for a couple more days, and then I’ll return to Magic City.”

“Thank you for your hospitality during this time. I know you’re busy with work, so I won’t say goodbye in person.”

“After the Spring Festival, when I move my studio over, we brothers can drink and chat together!”

Pei Qian: “?”

What did he mean by “move my studio over after Spring Festival”?

And what was this about “we brothers drinking and chatting”???

Who authorized you to move your studio, and since when were we brothers?

Pei Qian was speechless. First Qiao Laoshi, now Ruan Guangjian—why were all the enemies on his list so overly familiar?

Hearing that Ruan Guangjian was leaving, Pei Qian instinctively felt a bit happy. After all, with this troublemaker gone, the days ahead would be more peaceful, without worrying about being suddenly stabbed in the back by a paintbrush.

But on second thought, that wasn’t right!

Pei Qian quickly said, “Don’t rush! I have something for you!”

“How about this—I’ll pick you up at your hotel this afternoon. I want to give you a big surprise!”

On the other end of the phone, Ruan Guangjian was surprised: “Oh? A surprise? What kind of surprise?”

Pei Qian chuckled: “Well, if I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise anymore. Just wait for me at the hotel this afternoon, and I’ll pick you up.”

Ruan Guangjian didn’t ask further and readily agreed: “Alright.”

After hanging up, Pei Qian couldn’t help but smile slightly.

Almost let you get away!

Pei Qian had already confirmed by phone that after a month of intense effort, three of the small projects within the second major project of the haunted house had been completed.

These small projects didn’t occupy much space. For example, the “Bathroom” was just a cramped 10-square-meter space where all the game content took place within this confined environment.

Moreover, these small projects could be worked on simultaneously, which made progress faster.

Although the third major project of Terrifying Lodge was the scariest, Pei Qian couldn’t wait any longer.

Seeing that Ruan Guangjian was about to slip away, he had to arrange something for him. He couldn’t just let him leave so easily!

With this in mind, Pei Qian called Chen Kangtuo again.

“Have all three small projects ready for me. I’m bringing a friend over to experience them this afternoon, and we must scare him until he wets himself!”

…

…

In the afternoon, at the old industrial zone.

The construction of Terrifying Lodge didn’t appear to have made much progress yet. Only three large warehouses had been cordoned off for preliminary preparation work.

Inside one of the large warehouses were several shipping containers, which housed the second major project.

The entire old industrial zone was very large and would eventually have ticket offices, souvenir shops, and more, but currently, none of these were visible.

After all, only a little over a month had passed since the proposal was submitted. Being able to rush out three small projects was already quite an achievement.

Ruan Guangjian and Pei Qian got out of the car and walked toward the warehouse.

“Mr. Pei, if there weren’t people working on construction here, I’d almost think you were planning to kill me and dispose of my body,” Ruan Guangjian joked.

Pei Qian inwardly thought, “Haha, you think I don’t want to?”

Ruan Guangjian looked around, completely confused: “So, Mr. Pei, what exactly is this surprise you mentioned?”

Pei Qian kept him guessing: “Follow me and you’ll find out.”

The two entered the large warehouse, where Chen Kangtuo and Hao Qiong came out to greet them.

Upon seeing the project name “Terrifying Lodge,” Ruan Guangjian finally realized: “Oh, Mr. Pei, is this a new haunted house?”

Pei Qian smiled slightly: “That’s right! You didn’t get to fully enjoy the haunted house when you came to Jingzhou, so this has been specially arranged for you!”

This statement wasn’t at all false. When Pei Qian decided to build a haunted house, apart from wanting to lose money, the second major motivation was to get back at Ruan Guangjian!

Even Qiao Laoshi had obediently suffered when he came. Why should Ruan Guangjian be able to return unscathed?

Unacceptable!

Ruan Guangjian’s face instantly turned pale: “No, no, no, I can’t! Mr. Pei, I must leave!”

He clasped his hands and was about to turn and flee.

Pei Qian quickly grabbed him: “Come on, since you’re here, you should at least experience it!”

“Besides, this haunted house was specially made for you. If you don’t go in to play, wouldn’t all my good intentions be wasted?”

Despite Pei Qian’s persuasion, Ruan Guangjian kept shaking his head.

“Mr. Pei, to be honest, I’m fine with roller coasters, giant swings, bungee jumping, and such activities, but what I fear most are haunted houses!”

“How about this, Mr. Pei, I’ll treat you to bungee jumping, and we can jump together…”

Just as Ruan Guangjian was trying to change the venue and showcase his strengths, Pei Qian decisively rejected him.

“No way! Bungee jumping isn’t interesting!” Pei Qian shook his head vigorously. “Trust me, the haunted house is much more fun!”

After much persuasion, Ruan Guangjian reluctantly agreed to experience the haunted house.

Before entering, Ruan Guangjian specifically went to use the bathroom.

After all, he hadn’t brought a change of clothes, and it would be problematic if they got wet.

Chen Kangtuo handed the project instructions to Ruan Guangjian: “Master, pay attention. After going in, you must completely fulfill the requirements of these instructions to pass.”

Ruan Guangjian was on high alert, staring at the instructions and reciting them in a low voice, with beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

Pei Qian stood by, outwardly cheering Ruan Guangjian on, but inwardly rejoicing.

Ruan Guangjian, oh Ruan Guangjian, your day has come!

Are you immune to giant swings and bungee jumping? You enjoyed my roller coaster experience with relish?

Today, I’ll teach you a lesson!

Pei Qian knew very well that in this Terrifying Lodge haunted house, the third major project was the most terrifying, but the second major project was also quite frightening.

If the third major project used scenery, props, actors, and other traditional methods to scare people, then the second major project leaned more toward using psychological suggestion.

Scaring yourself, gradually increasing psychological pressure, keeping your mind constantly fluctuating in a highly tense range—this kind of fear was equally terrifying.

Pei Qian was almost impatient to see Ruan Guangjian running out in tears, scared out of his wits…

Soon, Ruan Guangjian finished memorizing the requirements for the first small project and entered the corresponding shipping container.

Originally, this major project should involve randomly encountering many small projects, with players needing to memorize the requirements for all small projects and complete three consecutive projects in one go to pass.

But since construction wasn’t complete yet, they could only experience them separately.

After Ruan Guangjian went in, everyone immediately gathered around a nearby laptop to check the surveillance.

Chen Kangtuo hesitated for a moment before reminding, “Mr. Pei, shouldn’t we conduct a simple physical examination? This scenario is terrifying. I experienced it once myself and was scared out of my wits.”

Pei Qian shook his head: “I don’t think that’s necessary.”

Ruan Guangjian was in excellent physical condition. He was fine with roller coasters and giant swings, so he didn’t have any health issues.

In the haunted house, at most, he would just scream in fear, and if he showed any extreme reaction, the staff would immediately rescue him. There wouldn’t be any problems.

“Um… Mr. Pei is trembling,” Hao Qiong said.

Through the monitor, they could see that after entering, Ruan Guangjian took nearly ten seconds just to latch the door, and another ten seconds to pick up the red candle from the ground and turn off the lights.

He was probably continuously building up his psychological defenses.

Pei Qian chuckled: “Stalling for time? The longer he stalls, the more afraid he’ll be!”

The entire project didn’t have a time limit, nor did it need one.

Staying in such a frightening environment for longer would only make it more terrifying. The best approach would be to quickly complete the task and get out.

For someone like Ruan Guangjian, he would probably be scared away before completing all the requirements.

“Ahhhh!!!”

A scream rang out.

There were high-definition infrared cameras inside, as well as speakers and microphones for sound.

This scream startled everyone present.

Pei Qian was so startled that he jumped, and after two seconds asked: “What did he see?”

Chen Kangtuo scratched his head in confusion: “He didn’t see anything. He just placed the candle in front of the mirror, and he hasn’t even covered his eyes with his hands yet.”

“He screamed just from seeing himself in the mirror?”

Hao Qiong looked at Pei Qian, who was expectantly watching the monitor: “Mr. Pei, Master Ruan seems to be timid. Maybe we should call it off?”

Pei Qian shook his head: “How can we call it off? I believe he can overcome his fear!”