I was criticized on a dating reality show, but I retaliated and became an internet sensation.

The film finally ended after forty minutes, the end credits slowly rose, and the lights came back on.

As if a spell had been broken, Shu Zi suddenly sat up straight and released Gu Yan's hand.

She cleared her throat and, feigning composure, said, "This...this film is just so-so."

Gu Yan glanced down at his clothes, then looked up at her, saying nothing but raising an eyebrow slightly.

Shu Zi followed his gaze and saw the distinct creases on his waist, her own handiwork.

"..."

Feeling a little guilty under his gaze, she turned her head away, pretending to look for her slippers.

[Shu Zi: As long as I don't admit it, it's others I'm afraid of]

【No, Zizi, do you think I'm blind?】

Gu Yan's raised eyebrow seemed to say: Hmm, keep making things up.

There was a two-second silence on the beach.

Director Liu peeked out from behind the camera, a confident smile on his face, his gaze sweeping around:

"How was it, teachers? This film has high artistic value, right? Was it very memorable and helped strengthen your bonds?"

Jiang Yunyou was grimacing and rubbing his arm when he heard this, and he looked up:

"It was very memorable, but I don't know if it deepened our relationship. All I know is that my arm was almost bruised from being pinched."

Su Yanhuan remained unfazed: "Say one more word, and I'll break your other arm, you believe me?"

Jiang Yunyou: "..."

He immediately shut his mouth, making a gesture of sealing his mouth.

[Hahahaha, I can't take it anymore, Huanhuan, what made you like this?]

[Jiang Yunyou: I think I'll shut up; my life is more important.]

Director Liu's gaze swept around, finally settling in a certain direction. He smiled and raised his voice, asking:

"Teacher Shu, what do you think? How's the film?"

Shu Zi kept her head down, searching for her slippers again and again.

Upon hearing her name, she paused for a moment, looked up, and met Director Liu's expression that said, "I saw everything."

Without changing her expression or speaking in a flat tone, she said, "It's alright, not scary at all."

He paused for a moment, then added, "The special effects are so-so."

Gu Yan chuckled beside him.

Director Liu glanced at her, then at Gu Yan, and gave a meaningful "Oh—".

He didn't ask any further questions; after all, he had taken pictures of everything and seen everything he needed to see.

He chuckled mischievously and stretched:

"Alright, alright, it's getting late, everyone go home and get some rest! There are exciting activities waiting for you tomorrow!"

The group got up and walked toward the villa.

Fang Yutong's face was still a little pale, but she had already composed herself, stood up, and straightened her skirt.

Yu Shize immediately stood up, his tone concerned:

"Yutong, are you alright? Would you like me to walk with you for a bit to calm you down?"

Fang Yutong smiled and shook her head:

"No need, I'm a little tired and want to go straight to my room to rest."

After saying that, she turned and walked towards the villa, her pace a little faster than usual.

Yu Shize stood there, watching her back, touched his chin, and then followed her.

Han Jingxue stood up calmly.

Shen Yihuai followed behind her, holding a glass of water she hadn't finished drinking.

Shu Zi put on her slippers, stood up, patted the sand off her skirt, and walked quickly forward without looking at the people next to her.

Gu Yan walked slowly behind her, keeping a half-step distance, his gaze fixed on her, a smile playing on his lips.

Back in 301, Shu Zi went straight into her room, kicked off her slippers, and took a shower.

After changing into her pajamas, she threw herself onto the bed, buried her face in the pillow, and sprawled out in a starfish position.

The sea breeze outside the window was stronger than it had been in the evening, causing the curtains to sway gently.

She turned over, closed her eyes, and prepared to sleep.

Then, without warning, a bolt of lightning streaked across the sky, illuminating the entire room.

Immediately following was a muffled clap of thunder.

Shu Zi suddenly opened her eyes, her heart skipped a beat.

She stared blankly out the window. Everything was fine while she was watching the movie, so how did the weather suddenly change?

Another bolt of lightning struck, followed by a deafening clap of thunder, as if it had exploded directly on the roof, causing the glass to rattle.

Then, the lights in the room flickered twice and went out.

The surroundings were plunged into complete darkness.

Shu Zi froze on the bed.

She opened her eyes wide, but could see nothing. Only the occasional flashes of lightning outside the window briefly illuminated the outline of the room before plunging her back into deeper darkness.

She reached for her phone on the bedside table, turned on the screen, and looked around the room in the dim white light.

Nothing unusual.

She breathed a sigh of relief, thinking it was just a power outage and the power should be back soon.

Then, images from the movie she had just watched started popping into her mind uncontrollably.

That rotting face, that half-open door, and those footsteps slowly approaching in the darkness.

Shu Zi turned on her phone's flashlight and shone it around again, but there was nothing there; it was just an ordinary room.

She quickly shook her head, trying to banish those images, and silently prayed:

It's okay, it's okay, it's all fake, it's just a power outage.

Heavenly spirits, earthly spirits, Namo Amitabha Buddha, Buddha protect me, there are no ghosts in this world, they are all lies.

She held her phone, staring at the ceiling, waiting for the power to come back on.

Five minutes passed.

Ten minutes have passed.

My phone vibrated; it was a message from Director Liu in the group chat:

"Dear teachers, a sudden downpour has caused a power outage. Electricians are working to restore power, and it is expected to be restored in about half an hour. Please be patient and pay attention to safety!"

Shu Zi looked at the message, took a deep breath, and thought, "Half an hour, it'll be over soon."

She placed her phone next to her pillow, closed her eyes, and tried to clear her mind.

But darkness amplifies all the senses.

The sounds of wind and rain outside the window, the rustling of leaves being blown by the wind, and the occasional thunderclaps—each sound felt like a tickle to her nerves.

She rolled over, pulled the blanket tighter around herself, then rolled over again and buried her face in the pillow.

Another flash of lightning, followed by a deafening roar.

Shu Zi flinched, her heart pounding, and her mind began to replay those terrifying images uncontrollably.

She even felt as if something was moving in the room.

She quickly picked up her phone and glanced at the time; only twelve minutes had passed since Director Liu sent that message.