Chapter Twelve: Knowing Full Well It Might Be a Scam
Shang Yi suddenly understood: “Don’t be afraid, I’m here. Let’s go out and have a look together.”
He and Su Xiaoxue walked to the ticket hall, where a throng of people crowded the entrance. Before they even stepped outside, the clamor of dissatisfied tourists reached their ears.
“Where’s the haunted house owner? Come out right now! How can you be so deceitful?”
“You’re here to seek justice too?”
“That’s right, it’s so shameless! I was so frightened I couldn’t sleep all night.”
“You all are lucky. I was miserable. I was in my rented apartment, just sitting on the toilet, when I foolishly scrolled past that wretched thing. I was so startled my hand shook, and my phone dropped straight into the toilet.”
“My new girlfriend called at that exact moment. I didn’t answer, and now she thinks I’m hiding something from her. She’s breaking up with me—damn it!”
...
Hearing the tourists cursing and complaining, Shang Yi couldn’t help but secretly laugh, but he still had to use his grimace skills, putting on a face that said, “I’m the seasoned owner who’s seen it all. If you have complaints, bring them to me.”
He stepped into the crowd. “I am the owner here. Welcome to experience my haunted house.”
“Who wants to try your lousy haunted house? We’re here to confront you.”
“That’s right. You posted that video last night, didn’t you? Tell us how you want to die!”
“You think you can scare people out of their wits and not pay for it? This is a society governed by law!”
“Exactly! Malicious hype, and that’s an extra offense!”
Seeing the tourists so agitated, Shang Yi worried the situation would spiral out of control. He quickly spoke up, “I apologize for the video I posted last night that startled everyone. I was too abrupt.”
When the mood calmed a little, Shang Yi felt a surge of confidence.
He put on a face that said, “I understand your grievances, and I’ll make it up to you. My sincerity is written all over my face.”
Shang Yi swept his hands wide: “Now that you’re all here at my horror house, why not go inside for a try?”
“The best way to soothe a frightened heart is repeated exposure—to let yourself adapt to fear, and then gradually relax.”
“Today, our prison scenario is open to the public for the first time. As compensation, tickets are at a thirty percent discount—just for today. Don’t miss your chance.”
Despite Shang Yi’s radiant smile and excellent service attitude, many tourists weren’t having it.
“Don’t try to fool us!”
“Exactly! You think a discounted ticket will buy me off? I’m telling you, absolutely not—even if you give me a ticket for free, I won’t take it.”
——
“My girlfriend broke up with me—what are you going to do about that?”
...
The tourists weren’t letting up, surrounding Shang Yi, but none were willing to go inside.
Seeing the situation turning sour, Shang Yi realized that even with all this popularity, it wouldn’t translate into profit. He hastily put on a face that said, “I’ve seen plenty of cowards like you—don’t push your luck. I have no shortage of ways to deal with you.”
He suddenly raised his voice: “Looks to me like you’ve been scared out of your wits by a mere video! Is that all it takes?”
“So many grown men, and not a single one dares to enter a haunted house?”
“My video was filmed in one of the haunted house’s scenes—it was staged, or maybe it’s just hype. You can go inside and see for yourselves.”
Shang Yi’s words stirred curiosity among the crowd.
“We’re already here—maybe we should go in and take a look?”
“Don’t trust that heartless haunted house owner. There’s nothing in his haunted house—if you go in, you’ll regret it!”
Some encouraged, others discouraged, and the group quickly split into two camps, but still, no one actually stepped forward.
Seeing that even his provocation was useless, Shang Yi had to pull out his trump card.
He put on a face that said, “I’m a man of my word. If you trust me, it’ll be the best decision you ever make.”
“Today is the first day our new prison scenario is open. Tickets are reduced from twenty to fourteen yuan—proof of our sincerity.”
“Whether there’s anything real in the haunted house, I’ll make you a wager.”
“I’ve placed thirty copies of the Prison Regulations in the prison scenario. I’ll put one as an example at the entrance.”
“If anyone can collect more than ten copies within thirty minutes, I’ll reward them with two thousand yuan.”
“Fourteen yuan for a ticket, two thousand in prize money?”
Hearing there was a cash reward, and seeing Shang Yi’s honest, good-natured face, the tourists at the entrance perked up.
“Why do I want to try even though I know it might be a scam?”
“Maybe there aren’t even ten copies inside—you’ll never collect more than ten.”
With so many people arguing outside Shang Yi’s haunted house, a middle-aged man in a Tianmeng Park staff uniform walked over.
——
“Yi, what’s going on? Why are so many people gathered here?”
Seeing the man’s face, Shang Yi quickly searched his memories from this world.
He was Uncle Li, the park administrator, who had always gotten along well with his parents and often looked after him.
Shang Yi immediately put on a face that said, “I’m just a kid, Uncle Li, and they’re all bullying me. You have to stand up for me!”
He leaned in and whispered in Uncle Li’s ear, “Uncle Li, my haunted house has a new scenario, and some tourists want to visit, but others are deliberately causing trouble.”
Uncle Li was a kind man, but his voice was famously loud.
Seeing Shang Yi’s sincere expression and hearing his earnest tone, then watching a crowd of tourists surround him, Uncle Li’s anger flared.
He shouted, “You’re all grown-ups—don’t you know how to queue? Anyone who cuts in line, get out of the park!”
Dressed in his park uniform and charging in with a booming voice, Uncle Li scared the tourists into retreating.
The arrogance they’d shown bullying the young Shang Yi vanished instantly.
Uncle Li pulled Shang Yi aside. “Why are you out here in the open? Where are your parents?”
Shang Yi immediately put on a face that said, “I’m just a kid with a hard life, Uncle Li. Please have pity on me.”
He quietly explained his parents’ situation to Uncle Li.
Uncle Li listened, his brows furrowed. “I see! That’s tough for you. Well, your parents owe the park for water, electricity, and venue rent, but I won’t collect from you for now.”
“Try running the place for a while. If you have any difficulties, come to me.”
Shang Yi immediately put on a face that said, “I’m a child who knows how to repay kindness. Uncle Li, if you look after me, you’ll be rewarded.”
It had been a long time since Uncle Li had seen so many people gathered at the entrance to Shang Yi’s haunted house.
More visitors were a good thing for the park, so he stayed to help maintain order at the haunted house entrance.
“Queue up! Queue up!” Uncle Li’s booming voice was like a police officer maintaining public order, and with a few shouts, he had the tourists lining up obediently.