The escape room's entrance was decorated like an old, abandoned ancestral hall, with white paper flowers covering its mottled beams and faded, creased red double-happiness characters pasted on its gray brick walls.
Electronic flames flickered eerily in bronze candleholders, brightening and dimming. It was pretty creepy.
The NPC wore period clothing and deathly white makeup. In a chilling voice, he told them, "All the clues are hidden in the rooms. Find the corresponding tokens and complete the wedding ceremony to clear the game..."
Then he slowly looked over Li Yichen and the other seven before continuing, "Remember, you must not touch any forbidden objects, and above all, don't turn around lightly."
"Got it. This isn't our first escape room. We know the rules. Hurry up and open the door. We're short on time." Shen Zitao waved impatiently. He was already itching to get inside.
The NPC opened his mouth. He had prepared another five hundred words of spiel, but now he could only shut up.
Then he took a deep breath and announced loudly, sounding rather annoyed, "The gateway to Ghost Marriage is about to open..."
He abruptly pushed open the heavy door behind him, and the battered wooden panels let out a long "Creeeak... eeeak..."
A gust of cold air immediately blew out through the doorway, making the atmosphere feel even chillier.
"Your ghost brides await you inside, as do your ghost grooms..."
The NPC stepped aside. Green light shone on his face as he gave an eerie smile and drawled, "May you... successfully... complete your wedding ceremony..."
The heavy old wooden door slowly closed behind them with a soft click, cutting off every trace of light from outside.
Everything went dark before their eyes. "Holy shit, why aren't the lights on?"
"Honey... I'm scared..."
Even Fang Enmeng tightened