A new scene had been unlocked, yet no one was willing to visit it. It left
From the visitors' interactions on the haunted house's mini-program, he could tell they were curious about the new scene. But anyone brave enough to challenge a three-star scene was a seasoned veteran who had already been through the gauntlet of two-star attractions.
They were all cautious, each waiting for someone else to go in first and come back with firsthand intel. Some of the more experienced visitors had already staked out seats in the rest area, settling in to watch the show.
"This batch of visitors is hopeless. Too timid — none of that fearless, nothing-to-lose energy." Chen Ge pocketed his phone, walked out of the rest area, and headed back into the haunted house.
Only after he was out of earshot did the place come alive. Visitors whispered among themselves, speculating about the new scene.
Every scene in Chen Ge's haunted house had a startling sense of realism — clearly the product of meticulous craftsmanship.
Three three-star horror scenes, each a completely different genre. It drove the haunt enthusiasts crazy with curiosity. They wanted to try them badly, but they were also afraid of running into something too intense.
"Teacher Mu, Brother Wang was hospitalized after visiting this haunted house. He still hasn't fully recovered." A young man in jeans at the back of the crowd whispered to a middle-aged man beside him. "In just a few days they've opened another scene. I'm betting they had everything pre-built and were just waiting for peak season to steal our market share. What they've released publicly probably isn't even their trump card yet."
"The best things are always saved for last. But if New Century Paradise thinks a haunted house alone can compete with us, they're sorely mistaken. They've taken a niche approach — they've mispositioned their park, serving far too narrow a demographic. They're dancing on a tightrope." The middle-aged man saw through it all.
"So we just ignore them? Let them die on their own?" The young man found the analysis convincing.
"I didn't say ignore them." The middle-aged man watched the enthusiastic visitors lining up, his eyes tracing the long queue. His voice dropped. "One theme park is enough for Jiujiang. All I need to do is absorb their signature features into our own park, and this place will have no reason to exist."
"Absorb their features into our park?" The young man nodded, only half understanding. "You mean we develop our own haunted house attraction? I think Brother Wang mentioned something like that when he came back."
"Our technology is five years ahead of New Century Paradise. We have things they don't, and what they have can be replicated — we can achieve the same effect with virtual technology. They have virtually no chance of winning." The middle-aged man had already mapped out his next moves. "But before that, we need to solve one problem: figure out why their haunted house is so captivating. As far as I know, New Century Paradise's haunted house has sparked an unprecedented online buzz, with an absurdly high approval rating. No haunted house has ever achieved that."
"Got it. So should we check out the scene Brother Wang visited first today?" The young man glanced at the large screen in the rest area. "Their new scene looks pretty tempting too."
The middle-aged man considered carefully for a moment. "Xiao Li, you're the bravest person on our team. Today's task is important. I'll provide support from out here. Make sure you send me anything important in real time."
"You're not going in?" The young man froze.
"Someone has to stay outside. Last time I heard Brother Wang captured some crucial footage, but it got deleted somehow. We can't let that happen again. The moment you've recorded something, send it straight to me. I'll upload it directly to upper management's cloud storage — no chance for anyone else to interfere."
Teacher Mu's reasoning sounded solid, but it made Xiao Li uncomfortable. The only scenario where someone's phone contents could be wiped out without them knowing was if they'd been scared unconscious. And judging by Teacher Mu's arrangements, the park had already prepared for the possibility that he would be.
"I'll start with a one-star scene, then."
The new scene was open, and plenty of visitors were tempted — they just needed a leader. Chen Ge watched the commotion from inside the haunted house, wishing he could plant a few shills in the crowd.
Finally, at eleven in the morning, someone in the queue couldn't hold out any longer.
"I've already been through Ward Three and Living
"Are you sure you want to try the new scene, bro? Did clearing a three-star scene go to your head? You forgot how the three of us got carried out of here last time?" The one who spoke was Wang Yan, who had a short temper.
"Let's think about it a bit more." The last to speak was a quiet-looking girl named Li Xue. The three of them had visited the haunted house before.
That visit had coincided with the Weird Talk Association sending people to cause trouble. After Chen Ge dealt with them, he had personally comped their admission tickets, telling them they'd get a discount next time.
"We came specifically because of the new scene. If you guys chicken out now, what was the point of coming?" Yang Chen watched the line, which was almost at his turn. "How about this — we buy our tickets first but don't rush in. Once more people are willing to try the new scene, we go in together. There's safety in numbers — the fear will naturally dial down."
His two companions finally agreed. Under the watchful, sympathetic gaze of Uncle Xu, the three purchased tickets for the new scene and entered the haunted house.
"Sign the liability waiver first. Paper and pens are on the table." Chen Ge looked up as he spoke and realized they were familiar faces. His manner immediately warmed.
"Boss, we'd like to check out the new scene this time."
At the words "new scene," a smile spread across Chen Ge's face. "Half price for the new scene — you picked the perfect day to come."
Every time Yang Chen saw Chen Ge smile now, his hair instinctively stood on end. He hurried to explain: "We want to wait until more people are willing to go, and then head in together."
"No problem at all. Have a seat and rest for a bit. I'll grab you some water."
"That's okay, Boss, we're not really thirsty—" Yang Chen tried to say more, but Chen Ge cut him off.
"Don't be polite — we're all family here. Whenever I see students from Jiujiang Medical Academy, I just feel right at home." Chen Ge handed them each a bottle of water. "Wait here. I'm going to check outside."
Chen Ge walked out of the haunted house with his phone and called out to the visitors: "Anyone else want to try the new scene? We already have six visitors signed up. Since this is the first opening, I want to give everyone a chance to settle in — I'll wait until we have a group of ten before we head in together!"