Chapter 184: Extra - : The Marriage-Pressuring United Front (2)

Hearing footsteps, the girl in the pleated skirt with her hair in a bun immediately stood up. Waving her hand as if she’d just run into a long-lost friend, her voice was full of pleasant surprise:

“Hey, isn’t that Yu Xian?”

Yu Xian immediately played along, widening his eyes and feigning disbelief:

“Wen Xiao? What are you doing here too? What a coincidence!”

Beside Wen Xiao, a tall, sophisticated woman with long hair, wearing a trench coat and gold-rimmed glasses, also slowly turned around.

She pushed up her glasses, her cool gaze sweeping over.

For some reason, Yu Xian felt that when the eyes behind those lenses met his, there wasn’t much surprise. Instead, it was only when her gaze passed over him and landed on Yu Zhengze behind him that a flash of astonishment and shock crossed her eyes.

“Dr…. Dr. Wen?” a voice came from behind him.

Yu Xian stole a glance at his cousin and saw that his previously nonchalant expression had suddenly frozen on his face.

Yu Zhengze’s pupils contracted slightly. He turned to glance at Yu Xian, then quickly forced a stiff smile for Wen Yu, even reaching up to touch his unshaven stubble.

The surprise on Wen Yu’s face had long since vanished, replaced by a meaningful, even somewhat teasing, smile.

“What a coincidence, Captain Yu.” Her voice was gentle and pleasant.

“I didn’t expect you to be interested in this kind of children’s game.”

“Ahem… Yeah, quite a coincidence.” His cousin’s voice sounded incredibly awkward.

“I’m here with my cousin, just to relax.”

The smile on Wen Yu’s lips deepened. She just nodded lightly.

“Then it must be… fate.”

Beside them, Wen Xiao and Yu Xian exchanged a look, and both saw a glimmering, cunning light of a successful scheme in the other’s eyes.

‘Plan successful. The show is about to begin.’

“All four players are here, so we’re ready to begin.”

A staff member came over with a black storage box, a wide smile on her face, interrupting the subtle and awkward atmosphere.

“To create an immersive experience, our escape room is quite dark inside with complex terrain. To avoid losing valuables or getting injured, please lock your coats, phones, keys, and other items in the lockers over here.”

She pointed to a row of lockers nearby and added:

“Also, the heating is on full blast inside, and there might be chase scenes, so it’s best to wear something light.”

Yu Xian and Wen Xiao exchanged a glance and quickly stuffed their bags and coats into a locker.

With her coat off, Wen Xiao was wearing a white uniform-style shirt with a light pink bow at the collar and a gray pleated skirt. She looked full of youthful energy, with a hint of sweetness.

Yu Zhengze also took off his slightly wrinkled black jacket, revealing a black T-shirt underneath that faintly outlined his muscles.

Wen Yu, on the other hand, wore a beige knit sweater, looking elegant and intellectual.

After storing their belongings, the four of them were led to a dilapidated iron door.

A crooked sign hung on the iron door, reading “Emergency Passage.” Red paint dripped down from it like blood, and the distinct smell of hospital disinfectant wafted from the crack in the door. The atmosphere really hit all the senses.

“Now, please put on these black blindfolds.” The staff member handed over four thick, light-blocking blindfolds.

“The way into the hospital is a bit special. You’ll need to form a single file line. Each person places their hands on the shoulders of the person in front of them. The person at the very front will hold this guide rope, and I will lead our four intern doctors into ‘Ren’ai Hospital.'”

An idea sparked in Yu Xian’s mind. ‘This is my chance.’

Arranged by height, the petite Wen Xiao was naturally placed at the front of the line.

The moment the staff member positioned Wen Xiao at the door, Yu Xian quickly snatched the second spot.

“I’ll be second, then,” he said with a straight face.

Wen Xiao froze for a moment, then obediently nodded, put on her blindfold, and stood at the very front.

Yu Xian followed right behind her and put on his blindfold as well. His vision was instantly plunged into darkness, leaving only the eerie background music and the staff member’s instructions in his ears.

He reached out, fumbling until his hands rested on Wen Xiao’s shoulders.

The moment his palms landed, Yu Xian clearly felt Wen Xiao’s small frame jolt and stiffen.

The material of the uniform-style shirt wasn’t thick. Through the thin layer of cotton, Yu Xian could clearly feel the slenderness of her shoulders and, beneath his palms, the distinct softness and warmth of a young woman.

He could even feel the rapid rise and fall of her breathing from nervousness, like a startled kitten.

It was only then that Yu Xian realized, ‘This scenario is so scary; it must be terrifying for the girl with the bun in front of me.’

He wanted to say a few comforting words but didn’t know how. He could only give her shoulder a gentle squeeze, trying to convey a sense of reassurance and help her relax.

But unexpectedly, Wen Xiao didn’t seem to relax. In fact… her body seemed to grow even more rigid, completely tensed up. Yet, she remained silent and still, obediently letting his hands rest on her shoulders.

Just as Yu Xian was about to say something, a large, broad hand landed heavily on his shoulder.

It was his cousin’s hand, carrying a reassuring sense of steadiness and strength.

“Last but not least, ma’am, it’s your turn. Please place your hands on the gentleman’s shoulders in front of you,” the staff member instructed.

The sound of high heels clicked. Yu Xian could distinctly feel the hand on his shoulder suddenly tense up, its grip tightening.

A smile tugged at the corners of Yu Xian’s lips. Although he couldn’t see, he could imagine the scene behind him.

‘Wen Yu’s hand is gently resting on Yu Zhengze’s shoulder. My cousin must be rigid as a board, as if he’s been paralyzed.’

“Alright, is everyone ready?” the staff member’s voice echoed in the darkness, tinged with a sinister smile.

“Then… welcome to Ren’ai Hospital. Please follow my lead. Remember, no matter what you hear, do not take off your blindfolds and do not let go of your companion’s shoulders. Let’s go.”

With the CREAK of the iron door opening, the line began to move slowly.

Wen Xiao walked very slowly, each step cautious. Yu Xian followed her rhythm, shuffling forward one step at a time.

In the darkness, his senses were infinitely magnified.

He could smell the faint, milky fragrance of Wen Xiao’s body wash from in front of him, and occasionally catch the familiar scent of tobacco from his cousin behind him.

The clamor of the lobby faded away, and the sound of their footsteps grew clearer.

“Ahem…” At some point, the guide had been replaced by a middle-aged man. He cleared his throat, his voice low and rich.

“To our four intern doctors, I apologize for making you work the night shift on your very first day reporting to Ren’ai Hospital. It’s just that there’s been a panic at the hospital recently. A lot of people have quit, and we’re severely short-staffed. We’ll be counting on you tonight.”

In the darkness, Yu Xian felt Wen Xiao’s shoulders flinch slightly.

“And just as a bit of friendly advice—don’t mind me for being nosy—but I heard from an old nurse that at midnight in Ren’ai Hospital, you can go anywhere… except… except for Room 205 at the end of the hallway.”

“No matter what you hear, no matter who tells you to go… you absolutely must not!”

The moment he finished speaking, the guide’s voice cut off abruptly, as if someone had suddenly grabbed him by the throat.

The surroundings instantly fell into a deathly silence.

All that could be heard was the DRIP, DRIP of water from an unknown source and the TICK, TOCK of a quartz clock on the wall, each sound hammering against the four people’s hearts.

Yu Xian kept his hands on Wen Xiao’s shoulders, his palms now warm, but he didn’t dare to move an inch as he waited for the guide’s next instruction.

However, none came. Half a minute passed. Still, no one told them to take off their blindfolds, and there was no sound at all.

Suddenly, Yu Xian felt the large hand on his shoulder let go.

This was followed by the rustling of fabric.

“Alright, take them off,” Yu Zhengze’s voice said, calm and steady.

“He’s been gone for a while.”

Yu Xian paused for a second, then reached up and removed the heavy, light-blocking blindfold.