Chapter 35: Why?

Inside the Ghost House was pure, thick darkness.

Only a few strands of faint green emergency lights barely traced the twisted walls and bizarre props.

The air was cold and damp, carrying a sharp stench mixed from years of dust and cheap artificial blood.

Beneath their feet, the uneven floor was deliberately made to obstruct their path.

All around echoed the carefully crafted, intermittent sounds of whimpering, crying, and the grating screech of metal scraping.

Occasionally, a sudden, piercing scream from some corner—like a stone thrown into still water—rippled layers of fear through the air.

Mu Xi and her group groped their way forward in the darkness.

Ahead, Mu Yurou and Huang Xi clung to each other tightly.

Though they were Magical Girls who had faced life-or-death battles with Insect Monsters, those battles were out in the open—enemies visible and tangible.

But now, immersed in this pure, unknown, deliberately designed atmosphere of darkness and terror, the girls’ innate fear of “ghosts” was magnified infinitely.

They were no longer the valiant warriors of the battlefield, but just two ordinary girls trembling, tightly huddled together.

“Ugh… aahhh… I regret this! Why did we even come in here!”

Mu Yurou’s voice cracked with sobs, her whole body nearly shrinking into Huang Xi’s arms.

Her arms wrapped tightly around Huang Xi’s waist, trembling uncontrollably.

“So dark… so scary… I’m most afraid of ghosts…” she buried her face in Huang Xi’s neck, her voice muffled and filled with fear.

“It’s… it’s okay, little Rou…”

Huang Xi’s voice also wavered, but she forced calm, gently patting Mu Yurou’s back.

Her own heartbeat raced wildly, palms slick with cold sweat.

“I… I’m here… don’t… don’t be scared… hold me tight…” she tried to make her voice sound reassuring, but the tremor at the end gave her away.

Just then!

Around a corner ahead!

A staff member dressed in a tattered red outfit stained with fake blood, hair disheveled, face painted ghostly white with a sinister smile, suddenly sprang from the darkness!

Accompanied by an ear-piercing electronic sound effect!

“Waaahhh—!!!”

The two girls immediately erupted into screams louder than any ghostly sound effect, nearly shaking the roof off!

Mu Yurou jumped in fright, clutching Huang Xi like an octopus.

Huang Xi staggered back a step, her heart pounding so hard it felt like it would burst from her throat, holding Mu Yurou tightly as they both shrank together like frightened rabbits.

Several paces behind them, Mu Xi presented a completely different image.

She walked through the darkness like an emotionless statue, expressionless and unmoved.

Her lavender-purple dress under the eerie green light looked somewhat unnatural.

When that red-clothed “ghost” leaped out with exaggerated sound effects, Mu Xi didn’t even blink.

She merely spoke two words in an extremely flat, almost dismissive tone directly at the terrifying face mere inches away:

“Wow.”

Her voice was calm, unshaken, with no rise or fall.

The staff member seemed stunned, probably never encountering such a “composed” visitor, then sullenly retreated back into the darkness.

Mu Xi’s steps never faltered; she kept moving forward.

Only now, on her right arm, that invisible “attachment”—Mu Ming—was clinging tightly to her.

Her arm was gripped so firmly she could feel Mu Ming’s slight trembling through the fabric.

“Waa… so scary…”

Mu Ming’s voice whispered in Mu Xi’s ear, deliberately exaggerated with a trembling tone of fear.

As if to prove how “terrified” she was, she buried her head deeply into Mu Xi’s arm and pressed herself even closer.

But Mu Ming’s “burying” was never complete.

After a few seconds, she would sneakily and quickly lift her head just a little, eyes fixed intently on the pair up ahead—still clinging tightly, visibly shaken.

What on earth is this little rascal up to today?

I can’t just respond to her casually now.

Little Rou is right here; I can’t let her notice.

If my sister saw me hugging thin air, she’d definitely think I’m crazy.

Mu Xi frowned inwardly.

Since entering the Amusement Park, Mu Ming’s mood had been off.

Now, inside the Ghost House, it was even more obvious.

Mu Ming’s gaze was locked unwaveringly on Huang Xi and Mu Yurou.

She watched Huang Xi, who was clearly scared but still bravely steadying herself, gently patting Mu Yurou’s back with trembling hands.

She watched Mu Yurou like a frightened little animal burying her face in Huang Xi’s neck, seeking shelter and comfort.

She watched them cling to each other ever more tightly, completely unreserved because of fear.

That intimate posture of mutual reliance and comfort in the dark…

Was like a poisoned dagger, stabbing mercilessly into Mu Ming’s heart!

Why?!

Why could they do that?!

Even trembling with fear, they still held each other tightly!

What about me?!

Mu Ming’s gaze suddenly snapped to the person she was clutching so tightly.

Mu Xi…

She walked expressionless, like a programmed machine.

She didn’t even glance down at her.

No comforting words!

No intention to hug back!

Only I… like a fool, gripping her arm so tightly!

Why… why won’t you look at me?!

Mu Ming screamed silently inside.

I’m clearly pretending to be scared too!

I’m clearly acting like a little girl who needs protection!

Look how tightly I’m holding you! Look how badly I’m shaking!

Why… won’t you comfort me?!

Why won’t you hug me?!

Why—?!

A huge wave of indescribable grievance and bitterness suddenly surged over Mu Ming like a raging tide!

She dropped her head abruptly, this time truly burying her face deep into Mu Xi’s arm.

The darkness hid her suddenly reddened eyes.

But deep in those scarlet pupils churned jealousy, unwillingness, and resentment so intense they seemed almost tangible!

I can’t anger you…

I can’t tempt you…

I can’t tease you…

I can’t get close to you…

Even if I go out and cause trouble… you’d only glance at me… scold me a little…

Now…

I’m showing weakness…

I’m acting so fragile… so in need of you…

Like a truly frightened little girl…

Why…

Why are you still so indifferent?!

Why won’t you even give me one hug?!

Why—?!

I just… just want you to hold me…

Like they do…

Hold me tight in your arms…

Tell me… don’t be afraid… I’m here…

It’s that simple…

Is it really so hard?!

Mu Xi seemed to sense something, lowering her gaze to the figure buried in her arm, shoulders trembling slightly.

A faint trace of confusion flickered in her eyes.

She looked at the slightly trembling form clinging to her arm and wanted to hug her back—but that thought was quickly dismissed.

“I’ll hug you when we get home. If the cameras catch it, that wouldn’t be good,” she thought.

Her face returned to its calm, impassive expression as she lifted her head and continued following the two still visibly shaken girls ahead.

Mu Ming, still buried in Mu Xi’s arm, felt that brief pause, then the steps resume—without a trace of reluctance.

Her heart felt as if it was thrown into an icy pit.

The coldness of despair—and a rage born from being utterly ignored—raged and burned wildly inside her!

What on earth…

What exactly…

What must I do…

To…

Make you…

Like me…

In the darkness, Mu Ming bit down hard on her lower lip.

A crazy thought filled with destruction and extreme possessiveness grew wildly in her heart like poisonous vines!

A bold, dangerous plan—one that could be considered a last desperate gamble—sprouted like a toxic seed in her chaotic and hopeless thoughts!

Maybe…

Only like this…

Only this way…

Will you…

Truly…

Take the initiative…

Come to me…

Look at me…

Hold me tight…

And never let me go…

Mu Ming slowly lifted her head.