The Ultimate Horror Live Stream

“That’s so cruel?” My fingers gently brushed over Xiao Feng’s back. She was still a bit tense, instinctively trying to pull away.

“The female officer said the needles have been there so long they’ve rusted into the flesh, making them hard to remove.”

I couldn’t imagine the pain Xiao Feng had endured, but sympathy aside, marrying her was out of the question.

How could I possibly bring home a woman with such a mysterious past, someone I barely knew? Not to mention, she might be harboring a vengeful ghost that could go berserk at any moment.

“You’ve suffered a lot.” I helped her adjust her clothes. “About marrying me, I hope you think it through. Marriage is a lifelong commitment for a girl, so choose wisely.”

Xiao Feng had a subtle beauty, the kind of gentle elegance typical of southern women. Anyone unaware of her past might find it hard to resist such allure.

I didn’t give a direct answer, but my meaning was clear.

“Anxin Inn is a nightmare I can never return to. I didn’t go to school, and I’m not good at socializing. Besides you, I don’t even have a single friend.” Her eyes dimmed.

At that moment, I wanted to say something harsh: “Sorry, I’ve never considered you a friend. That night, I was just using you to get useful information.”

But I couldn’t bring myself to say it. She was pitiful enough already; I didn’t want to hurt her further.

“Think carefully about marrying me. You’re still young, and you have a long road ahead.” I moved my chair and sat across from her.

Xiao Feng’s face had a pallid, ashen hue. Her eyelids twitched, and she clutched the handcuffs, her bound ankles pulling back as if trying to stand.

Seeing her in such a terrifying state, I sighed deeply. If no one helped her, she would likely end up forcibly committed to a mental hospital.

As my fingers tapped the table, Xiao Feng’s expression grew more twisted, still frightening even under the light.

“Beep beep.” The walkie-talkie in the drawer buzzed. It was Tie Ningxiang instructing me to evacuate immediately.

I stood up, extinguished my cigarette, and looked at Xiao Feng’s pained expression, feeling a pang of guilt.

“Gao Jian, leave now! The suspect might lose control again!”

I stood there, casually turning off the walkie-talkie. Becoming a Streamer for the Underworld Showroom, I had begun to encounter a world invisible to ordinary people, a world of horror and constant fear that only those who experienced it could understand.

Almost instinctively, I moved next to Xiao Feng, gently cradling her head and holding her close. “I know your loneliness, and I understand what you’re afraid of. How about this? If you really have nowhere to go, my shop happens to need a clerk. If you don’t mind, you can come work for me. The monthly salary is 1000 yuan, with room and board included. How does that sound?”

There was no response for a long time until I felt a warmth on my hand. Only then did I realize Xiao Feng was crying, her tears making her seem incredibly fragile.

Five minutes later, Tie Ningxiang and Xiao Wang entered the room and began the formal interrogation.

“You’re quite something, aren’t you? You managed to get her to behave so obediently in no time.” As we left the police station, Tie Ningxiang invited me to join her for a meal at their cafeteria, chatting non-stop along the way. “By the way, were you serious about offering her a job as a service clerk at your place? Can two people even fit in that tiny space of yours?”

“We’ll make it work somehow. I’ve already promised, can’t go back on my word now.”

“I really appreciate your help. I feel bad about how things turned out…”

Whether Tie Ningxiang felt bad or not, I couldn’t say. All I knew was that early the next morning, two police cars were parked outside the Adult Store, and several officers were banging on the door.

“Gao Jian, open up! We’re here to deliver someone to you!”

“Deliver someone?” I mumbled sleepily, quickly throwing on some clothes and rushing over.

Opening the door, I was greeted by Tie Ningxiang, all smiles in her crisp police uniform. “Good morning, Gao Jian!”

“What is all this…”

“We agreed yesterday, didn’t we? I’m delivering her safely to you, so make sure you treat her well!” The officers stood in perfect formation, and behind them, Xiao Feng approached in a brand-new black dress.

“Wait, this is all so sudden! You could’ve at least given me a heads-up!”

“Just wanted to surprise you.” Tie Ningxiang gently nudged the shy Xiao Feng forward. “Sweetheart, consider this your home now. If he ever bullies you, let me know. The police won’t wrongfully accuse a good person, nor will they let a bad one go unpunished! Alright, you two have your private chat. We should be going.”

“Hey, Captain Tie, hold on!”

“Mission accomplished, let’s roll!”

The police cars sped away, leaving me feeling like they’d just handed off a hot potato.

“So much for ‘the police serve the people’…” I sighed as I ushered Xiao Feng inside.

The innocent girl curiously touched and examined everything, leaving me a bit embarrassed to explain the true purpose of the merchandise.

“Xiao Feng, from now on, you’re the sole service clerk here. I’ll give you a key tomorrow, and you’ll eat and sleep here. By the way, the first floor is yours; the second floor is my office space, so try not to go up there unless necessary.”

Honestly, my intention wasn’t to hide the fashion magazines on my bed or the 100GB of lifestyle documentaries on my computer. I just didn’t want her accidentally stumbling upon records related to the Underworld Showroom.

“Okay, I’ll do as you say.” Xiao Feng nodded obediently, seemingly embracing her role as the new bride.

“The drawer has the product catalog and price list. Familiarize yourself with them. Also, this is a Stun Gun. If anyone tries to harm you, press this switch.”

“Is it here?”

“Ah!” A scream pierced the morning silence, waking up the street to a new day.

…

Today marked another day for the Underworld Showroom to release tasks. I charged my phone, left Xiao Feng at the store, and headed to the overpass to borrow a talisman from Blind Liu.

However, it seemed Blind Liu anticipated my visit and had packed up early, disappearing to who knows where.

“Darn it, lives are at stake, and you just stand by doing nothing! Blind Liu, you better wait for me!” After shouting at his door for a good fifteen minutes, I left in a huff. No choice today but to go it alone.

By eight in the evening, I had sent Xiao Feng away and was sitting by myself, guarding the smartphone.

As the clock hands crossed, the Large-Screen Smartphone emitted a faint cold glow, and an unfamiliar number called in.

“Who will it be this time?” I wondered as I answered the call.

“Ring around the rosy, ring around the rosy, twist off the head and secretly place it behind the little ones, don’t tell him, hurry, hurry, catch him! Hurry, hurry, catch him!” A children’s song that should have been cheerful sent chills down my spine.

Finally, when the song ended, a few children’s eerie laughter echoed from the other end: “Let’s play a game. If you can find me before dawn, I’ll let you go. Otherwise, you’ll stay with me forever…”

As the call ended, a new text message appeared in the inbox.

“The campus becomes mysterious at night, count the thirteen steps beneath your feet, listen to the infant’s cries in the healthcare room, the ghost doll hiding in the last stall is waiting for you to open the door. She wants to ask where your lost left hand has gone. Now, answer my final question: Do you like blue, white, or red?”

“Live Streaming Task: Arrive at Xinhu High School at midnight and survive until sunrise.”

“Optional Task: Complete seven games on campus, earn one point for each additional game.”

Looking at the suddenly appeared optional task, I scratched my head: “Are you sure this is the playful kind of play?”

This time, without the protection of a Thunder Talisman, I had to be extra cautious: “Xinhu High School?”

To my knowledge, there was no such school in Jiang City. A quick online search revealed that the school had been completely shut down five years ago.

The official explanation was absent, while online speculations were rampant. Some guessed it was due to a sudden fire, poor evacuation by the school, leading to a large-scale stampede, too many deaths, hence abandoned.

Others said it was because the school often had people jumping off buildings, eventually shut down by the education department.

Some even claimed it was a ghost school, with humans attending classes during the day and ghosts studying at night.

I found previous photos of the school online, bright and grand. Upon further investigation, it turned out to be a prestigious private school co-founded by China and Japan, attended by children from wealthy families, many transferred from other cities.

“Logically, this school should be quite famous, yet I haven’t heard of it in years. News about it seems deliberately suppressed.” Checking the address, Xinhu High School was located between Jiang City and Puhu City, quite remote.

“This is tricky.” I had a narrow escape at Anxin Inn that night, thanks to the police arriving in time, but Xinhu High School was between two cities, and it would take the police over an hour to reach.

Without the Thunder Talisman, unable to call the police, I rubbed my chin, feeling anxious.

“What are you thinking about? Why the long face?” Xiao Feng emerged from the inner room, carrying a bowl of steaming noodles: “I made it myself, try some.”

“Xiao Feng, I need to go out tonight, you stay and watch the shop. I can’t eat now, time is tight, I must leave immediately.” After checking the live streaming equipment, I picked up the black suitcase and prepared to head out.

“Are you going to live stream again? Can I come with you?” She looked at me with hopeful eyes, holding the steaming noodles.

I shook my head and firmly refused: “No, you stay and watch the shop, don’t wander around at night.”

“Then, at least have a bite, I made it especially for you.” The fragrant noodles were placed in front of me. After that incident years ago, it had been a long time since anyone cooked for me.

“Alright.” I took a few hurried bites, surprisingly delicious: “Not bad, tastes great.”

“Okay, then you…”

“I’m off, don’t worry, see you tomorrow.”

I hurriedly left with the suitcase, not noticing the smile on Xiao Feng’s lips.