Whether it was the woman's voice or the girl's voice, both sounded perfectly normal on their own.
But combined with their current surroundings and those eerie lyrics, everything took on a different meaning.
"That first part was sung by the child — she's looking for her mom. The second part must be the mother singing. Mother and daughter are clearly in the same room, but the daughter can't see her mother, and the mother can't reach her daughter. That means one of them has definitely already become a ghost." Wang Yan analyzed the situation with conviction, though his girlfriend was already trembling beside him.
"This room isn't safe either. Let's get out of here quickly."
"No." Unlike before, Wang Yan didn't choose to leave. Instead, he shook his head decisively. "Before the woman's and girl's voices started singing, did you hear the music box?"
"A music box?" His girlfriend looked puzzled. "I think I did hear something. But what does that have to do with leaving?"
"One of the clues Boss Chen gave us was a music box that plays on its own. There's a hidden clue in this room!" Wang Yan's eyes were resolute, carrying an almost sacred sense of purpose. "Boss Chen gave us four clues. Ten of us came in to explore, and so far, not only have we failed to find a single clue, but we've also completely lost contact with each other."
"I know some of that is because they were arrogant and reckless, but think about it — we're supposed to be a team. If we give up just because our teammates are incompetent, then in the end, the ones who'll be looked down on are us!"
Wang Yan released his girlfriend's hand and took a step toward the bedroom door.
"Don't go over there! Fine, we're incompetent — what's wrong with being looked down on? It's not like it'd be the first time. Let's just stop exploring altogether." His girlfriend tried to persuade him.
"The clue is right behind that door. Do you want to be a coward for the rest of your life, or do you want to be a hero for the next few minutes?" Wang Yan glanced at his phone. "There are only ten minutes left before the scenario ends. I'm going to do something I've never done before."
Gritting his teeth, he pushed open the bedroom door and scanned the room at lightning speed.
The window was shut tight, and behind the thick curtains, a shadowy shape seemed to loom. The dresser drawer was half open, the chair overturned. A single bed's sheets draped down on both sides, concealing whatever lay beneath. The blanket was tossed haphazardly on the mattress, its center bulging as if wrapping around a human figure.
Every piece of furniture mentioned in the song was present in the bedroom, as though everything sung about were real.
"The sound seems to be coming from inside the wardrobe." The room's atmosphere was deeply unsettling. Wang Yan's pupils trembled as he slowly approached the wardrobe.
He reached out and gripped the edge of the wardrobe door. Just as he was about to open it, a soft sound came from behind him.
"Who?!" His heart nearly leaped out of his throat. When he spun around, he realized his girlfriend had walked up to the bedroom door — she'd bumped into it by accident.
"Wang Yan, please, let's go. Something about this room just feels wrong." His girlfriend urged him in a quiet voice. She wasn't particularly attached to Wang Yan — she simply didn't dare walk away on her own.
"Don't worry. We'll leave soon." Wang Yan took a deep breath to calm himself, then opened the wardrobe door.
A faint musty smell drifted out. Wang Yan quickly spotted a music box sitting on the second shelf.
It had a rather vintage look, clearly handmade, and no doubt expensive.
"Actually quite pretty." Wang Yan picked up the music box. "This is Boss Chen's hint — but where is the clue for getting out?"