Underground Parking Lot

Uncle Xu was genuinely looking out for Chen Ge, holding nothing back as he laid everything out on the table: "Do you still want to keep pouring money into this Haunted House?"

"I think it's worth a shot. After all, the park isn't fully developed yet, so we still have a chance to turn things around." Chen Ge's confidence stemmed from the Black Phone, though he certainly wouldn't tell anyone about that.

"You're usually such a smart kid, so why do you act so foolish when it matters most? Do you understand what the trend is? I've been in this park for ten years; my feelings for it are no less than yours, but we have to face reality." Uncle Xu pointed to several amusement facilities in the park that had ceased operation: "Do you know why they stopped running? It's not because they failed inspection, but because every time we turn them on, we're just burning money. If only one or two people visit occasionally, we can't even break even. Let me give you a more direct example: when New Century Park first opened, the area outside was packed, and there weren't enough parking spaces, so we had to occupy spots from the neighboring tenants. We built an underground parking garage later to alleviate the pressure, but starting three years ago, even during peak holidays, the surface parking lot hasn't been full once. The number of tourists has dropped year after year, hitting a new low this year."

"Uncle Xu, wait a second. You just said that even during peak holidays for the last three years, the surface parking lot hasn't been full? Doesn't that mean the underground garage hasn't been used for three years? It's basically abandoned?" Chen Ge's expression shifted, making Uncle Xu feel a bit uneasy.

"Yeah, back when New Century Park first opened, there were cars and people everywhere. You had to wait an hour or two just to get on a ride. That was our golden age, but unfortunately, the city has forgotten us now." Uncle Xu sighed as he recalled the past: "But there's nothing to be sad about. At least we had our glory days, right?"

"Uncle Xu, if I wanted to rent out the park's underground parking garage, how much would it cost?"

"What?" Uncle Xu was baffled by Chen Ge's erratic train of thought: "Why are you suddenly asking about that?"

"I want to put the underground garage to use. It's half-abandoned anyway, and given the state of the park, it's not like it's going to be used for anything else." A plan was already forming in Chen Ge's mind—one that would maximize the Haunted House expansion opportunity provided by the Black Phone.

"Are you crazy? Why would you want to rent that place? To raise bats?" Uncle Xu didn't even know how to communicate with Chen Ge anymore.

"I want to expand the Haunted House. With my current financial situation, the underground garage is the most suitable place. The rent isn't high, and the environment won't have much of an impact on the Haunted House." Since the park would find out what he was doing sooner or later, Chen Ge didn't hide this point.

"Are you possessed? Isn't a three-story Haunted House enough for you to mess around with? Do you know how big that underground garage is? Even if I rented it to you, the park would be out of business long before you finished building it." Uncle Xu waved his hand: "Don't be stupid, go back to work."

"Uncle Xu, I'm serious."

"And do you think I look like I'm joking with you!" Re-engaging his walkie-talkie, Uncle Xu walked toward the crowd, but after a few steps, he turned back to say to Chen Ge: "Five thousand yuan. I'll give it to you tomorrow morning. Just do your job properly and stop coming up with these bizarre ideas all day."

"Oh, I got it." Chen Ge followed behind Uncle Xu, looking at the group of tourists gathered at the entrance of the Haunted House, and curled his lip: "I haven't felt like the number of tourists is decreasing year by year; my Haunted House hasn't had many people coming anyway."

Pushing into the crowd, Chen Ge walked up to the medical students: "Everyone, that's enough. Someone might think I did something to you."

"Let me catch my breath. Your Haunted House is a bit brutal."

"What are you looking at? I'm not scared, I just twisted my ankle while walking through, that's why I can't stand up."

"What do I do? Now everyone I look at seems like a killer..."

"Don't act tough anymore. This Haunted House is truly extraordinary." Monkey climbed up from the steps. He held up his phone showing a five-star review and stood before Chen Ge: "However, let's be clear: don't think this means we're admitting defeat."

"What do you mean? Are you coming back tomorrow?"

"If I didn't have an exam tomorrow, do you think I wouldn't dare to come back?" Monkey sounded very fierce, though his pale lips and trembling legs were a bit of a letdown.

"If you come, I'll always welcome you." Chen Ge was already starting to treat the students from Han Jiang Forensic Academy like mascots.

"I'm never coming back. Even if I'm beaten to death or jump off the roof of the Haunted House, I will never come back." He Shan looked at Chen Ge with resentment; he had truly been terrified by the eyes in the door crack.

"Don't jinx yourself, junior." Xiao Hui pressed on He Shan's shoulder to stand up and glared fiercely at Chen Ge: "You're the first man to make me cry my makeup off. I've remembered your face."

Looking at the large bump on the back of Xiao Hui's head, Chen Ge didn't have the heart to provoke her further, so he just smiled and said nothing.

The few forensic students helped each other walk toward the park entrance. After they had gone, Feng Ge ran back alone. With a complex expression, he said to Chen Ge: "After calming down just now, I thought about your question for a long time, but I still can't believe it. I think it might have something to do with brain nerves and human stress responses."

Chen Ge knew exactly what he meant: "Perhaps. By the way, I never asked for your full name?"

"My name is He Feng. I'm older than them, and I'll be going to the field for my internship in a few days."

"Alright, then we'll meet again if there's a chance."

After the two exchanged phone numbers, Chen Ge returned to the House of Horrors. He pulled up the safety railing and hung out the sign indicating that the equipment was under maintenance and the business was closed.

"Boss, there are still many tourists waiting outside. Why did you close?"

"A small problem came up. That's it for today; go explain the situation to the tourists." Chen Ge took off his Skull-Crushing Doctor coat, ducked into the tool room, cut some black cloth, and took it into the Midnight Escape scenario.

He covered the mirrors one by one, but there were too many rooms, and by the end, he was running low on fabric: "This scenario is too big. Before the surveillance is installed, I can't risk letting tourists in. Otherwise, if something happens in a blind spot, the consequences would be unimaginable."

Locking the door to the Midnight Escape scenario, Chen Ge went downstairs. Most of the tourists outside the Haunted House had dispersed, with only one or two still lingering.

"Xiao Wan, take off your makeup and head home. That's all for today."

After giving Xu Wan a few instructions, Chen Ge ducked into the staff lounge. He hadn't had a good rest since yesterday, and as soon as he hit the bed, drowsiness washed over him.