The black business van wound around two desolate, towering mountains along the zigzagging road. Halfway up the slope, a rather grand villa came into view. A vintage black and gold fence stood tall around the villa’s perimeter. A vast stretch of greenery behind the mountain had been converted into a private golf course.
“This was originally the boss’s private residence. He has not stayed here for the past year, so he let the production crew use it for filming,” the assistant explained to the esteemed guest in the back seat.
The van came to a steady halt in the villa’s front courtyard. A middle-aged Taoist priest stepped out from the back. He wore a deep blue Taoist robe, and his long hair was tied in a bun atop his head.
The moment he stepped out, his brow furrowed. Yang Jingtai followed the Maoshan lineage and had been catching ghosts for ten years, earning quite a reputation in the industry. Many big names in the financial and entertainment sectors had business dealings with him.
The villa was located in a remote, deserted suburb on the Yin side of the mountain. Directly facing the main entrance stood an old locust tree. Usually, high-profile figures are very particular about choosing a residence; it is impossible for them to pick a site that even ordinary people would avoid. Of course, it is a different story if someone in the house is nurturing certain special little things that require Yin energy for nourishment.
In Yang Jingtai’s eyes, a house like this would not just be haunted; it would not be surprising if a powerful malevolent spirit had taken up residence here.
The main building was a four-story villa. The assistant led Yang Jingtai inside. The living room on the first floor was busy with people moving things back and forth.
“Filming resumes tomorrow, so the crew needs to set up in advance,” the assistant said, stepping onto the stairs. “You are arranged to stay on the second floor. The four leads and the assistant director are also staying here tonight.”
“I will take you to see your room first.” The assistant walked up a few steps before noticing that Yang Jingtai had not followed.
Yang Jingtai’s gaze moved past the assistant, slowly scanning upward along the spiral staircase with a meaningful look. “I will just stay on the first floor.”
The assistant felt a sudden, inexplicable shiver. He looked up suspiciously but saw nothing except the ceiling of the fourth floor. “But all the bedrooms are on the second and third floors.”
“Just give me a place to settle. I do not sleep.” Yang Jingtai wandered around the first floor before finally picking the room closest to the corner.
It was a study, and just past the corner was a tightly closed door. The assistant did not insist and let Yang Jingtai stay. Before leaving, the assistant repeatedly cautioned him not to go near the door at the corner. That was the only restricted area in the villa.
Filming was to start the next morning, but because the location was so remote, a one to two-hour drive from the nearest town, the staff had arrived early. The villa had many rooms, so there was no shortage of space. Except for the first floor, which served as the main hall, the top three floors were guest rooms, totaling seven or eight. Besides Yang Jingtai, several actors and the director were staying there.
In the middle of the night, while two stagehands were dozing off on the first floor, a scream rang out from upstairs. The two looked at each other and rushed up the stairs.
The door to the room of the actress on the second floor was locked from the inside. Intermittent screams echoed from within. Ignoring everything else, they kicked the door open and saw the actress huddled in a corner. She was wearing pajamas, her long hair disheveled, sitting on the floor in total terror. A heavy, metallic scent of blood permeated the entire room.
A crimson gash marked the actress’s wrist, and blood dripped steadily onto the floor. She was the only person in the room; the door had been locked, and the windows were tightly shut.
While the younger stagehand went to find the first-aid kit, the older one asked her, “Who hurt you?”
The actress was too traumatized to speak. She only stared straight at the head of the bed, her eyes filled with deep horror. On the snow-white wall, two bright red handprints were exceptionally striking. They were clearly fresh; the blood had not yet solidified, and numerous small trails of blood were flowing downward.
Others, drawn by the commotion, began to arrive one by one.
“What happened?” Assistant Director Li Xuexin asked the two stagehands who had arrived first.
The two shook their heads, indicating they did not know. One said, “We checked just now. There was no one else in the room, and the door was locked when we entered.” Everyone looked at the bloody handprints on the wall, falling into a hushed, fearful silence.
Li Xuexin suddenly remembered the master on the first floor and rushed downstairs to knock on his door. Yang Jingtai soon opened the door. He was fully dressed, evidently having not gone to bed yet.
As he stepped onto the second floor, Yang Jingtai instinctively shivered. From a distance in the hallway, he could see a surging, malevolent aura venting out from the doorway. Several handsome men and beautiful women, actors from the crew, stood at the door.
A middle-aged actor standing at the entrance looked panicked. Seeing Yang Jingtai, he hurried over and whispered, “Master, you have finally arrived. Please take a look; is it a spirit manifesting?” His expression was quite tense. “He would not be here to take revenge on our crew, would he?”
Yang Jingtai took only one look inside the room from the doorway and stepped back half a pace. “It is not what you think.”
The actor froze. Staring at the master’s calm and composed face, he responded slowly after a long pause, “Thank you, Master.”
Yang Jingtai straightened his robes. “I shall take my leave then.”
Li Xuexin was also stunned. “Master, are you not going in to take a look?”
“It is not necessary.” Yang Jingtai’s expression was kind, but his tone was firm and decisive as he prepared to leave.
Because the master had been invited by the lead director, the others did not feel comfortable telling him what to do. Li Xuexin felt a bit awkward; he had finally managed to bring the master up, only for him to leave after a single glance.
“Does the Master mean there is nothing dirty at work here? Is someone just playing ghost?” Another actor spoke. He had a high nose and deep-set eyes with sharp features, the male lead of the show. He glanced pointedly at the actress beside him.
On the surface, the crew seemed harmonious, but in reality, the actors all had their own agendas. Infighting and subtle power struggles were never in short supply.
“Perhaps she offended someone and is being retaliated against.” That actress had dark, wavy hair and gentle, beautiful eyes, though a playful, mocking smile played on her lips.
Li Xuexin still wanted to persuade the master to stay, but Yang Jingtai merely gave a cold, aloof nod and turned to walk away. Li Xuexin followed him for a few steps but could not stop him, watching helplessly as the master descended the stairs.
Just then, a voice came from above him, carrying a hint of sleepiness and confusion. “Everyone is here. Did something happen?”
All eyes in the hallway gathered on the young man who had arrived late. The newcomer wore a set of black silk pajamas. His milk-tea-grey hair was fluffy and somewhat messy. He yawned with sleepy eyes, clearly having just woken up. After greeting everyone, the young man walked slowly down from the third floor in slippers. As he walked, his pant legs shifted, occasionally revealing his bony ankles.
“Master? There is a master here?” He looked down, his ink-like pupils lit up with curiosity.
Unfortunately, he saw nothing. As he came downstairs, Yang Jingtai’s figure had just disappeared at the foot of the stairs on the first floor.
“Xiao Yu, you came down too.” Li Xuexin saw the youth and forced a smile onto his face. “It is Qiu Yan. It seems a thief got into her room.”
The young man reached the doorway and stopped. “Brother Kong, you are blocking me.” This phrasing did not sound particularly polite to those listening.
Kong Xian frowned. Meeting those eyes that were naturally full of a smile made the nameless fire in his heart impossible to vent. The grey-haired youth had eyes like stars and a beaming face, looking like a bright and docile person. They say you cannot strike a smiling face, yet Kong Xian had felt an inexplicable loathing for this person from the very first glance. Although this rookie actor’s features were merely handsome and not nearly as aggressive as the previous actor named Lu Xincheng, the smile on his face was strangely infectious.
Some people are just like that; they look ordinary when their faces are cold, but when they smile, they hit people right in the heart. Kong Xian’s sense of security was once again wavering. He did not express his emotions, only stepping aside with a cold face.
The actress nearby showed a trace of surprise. Kong Xian was the male lead and a very popular young actor among the new generation. He had actually chosen to endure an oblivious newcomer who was eager to stand out as soon as they joined the set.
She watched the grey-haired youth’s back as he entered the room. “This is the actor replacing Lu Xincheng, right?”
At the mention of Lu Xincheng’s name, Kong Xian instinctively stiffened.
The actress beside him seemed not to notice at all. “I recall his name is Yu Dengdeng. He was probably pushed in by a sponsor. Once filming starts, he will behave after a few days.”
Kong Xian did not respond, his eyes dark.
After Yu Dengdeng entered the room, he proactively took over from the stagehands to help the casualty, disinfecting and bandaging the actress who was scared out of her wits. The actress had been terrified, and her gaze was still somewhat unfocused. When she saw the person in front of her, her pupils suddenly contracted.
“Lu… Lu!” She covered her mouth, terrified, and tried to push the newcomer away.
The grey-haired youth easily controlled her with one hand. He tore the medical bandage with his teeth and skillfully wrapped the wound with his other hand. “Do not move yet, or the bleeding will not stop.”
That voice seemed to have a magical quality, and the actress was quickly calmed. She watched the unfamiliar young man before her quietly.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk. Look at Qiu Yan’s eyes; she would not be falling for him, would she? Truly unable to resist the charm of a little milk dog type,” the woman outside said, crossing her arms with a mocking smile. “This handsome little guy has some skills; he even knows how to bandage a wound.”
Just as Kong Xian was about to say something, Li Xuexin walked back while on the phone. Before hanging up, he was still emphasizing, “Of course I know we cannot call the police. Something just happened recently. This matter can only be investigated and resolved internally.”
Kong Xian immediately changed his tone and asked the assistant director, “What did Director Dai say?”
“I could not reach him.” Li Xuexin looked miserable. “The assistant said to let us check the surveillance first. Director Dai is on a plane; it is a twelve-hour flight, and he will not land until the early morning.”
As he spoke, he peeked into the room. Inside, Yu Dengdeng was half-kneeling on the floor, bandaging Qiu Yan. He was a bit surprised. “This kid actually has this handiwork?”
“It seems he knows how to sell favors.” Li Xuexin looked at Kong Xian, whose tone was cynical, and his gaze was somewhat complicated.
Kong Xian was the male lead, his popularity was at its peak, and he had capital backing him. Li Xuexin was only an assistant director and had to show him some deference. Li Xuexin tactfully did not respond and changed the subject. “You all go back to your rooms and rest. I will go check the surveillance footage.”
After they left, Li Xuexin let out a sigh. He shook his head. Kong Xian never gave a good face to any male actors, especially young ones, as long as they were exceptionally good-looking. The previous Lu Xincheng was treated that way because his face was truly too outstanding. The moment Kong Xian first saw him, he was displeased to the extreme.
Now it seemed this new young actor would not have an easy time on the set either. Li Xuexin thought with quite a bit of regret.