CHAPTER 50: CHAPTER 34: OUT OF CONTROL (BONUS UPDATE) (PART 2)

"Young man, today is August 13, not Mid-Autumn Festival’s August 18, and it’s four in the afternoon, not eight at night. What are you up to?"

Beside them, an elderly man watching on with his hands behind his back couldn’t help but interrupt Huang Zhongyu.

Huang Zhongyu hurriedly paused the recording. The cute girl with short hair and hot pants beside him was wearing cat ear hairbands, smiling cheerfully at the old man, "Don’t worry, grandpa~ We’re recording a show. Xujiawan Village is so weird, we dare not enter on the Mid-Autumn Festival. Isn’t it because the sky looks gloomy like night now, so we’re quickly recording some material and getting out?"

The old man suddenly took a red armband from his pocket and wore it in front of the four of them, making them extremely embarrassed.

"Young people, this place is now forbidden to enter. Will you leave on your own, or do you want me to call the police to escort you out?"

Huang Zhongyu quickly smiled apologetically, "Grandpa, when I came a few days ago, nobody stopped us. Why suddenly won’t they let us in? Did something happen inside?"

The old man got angry, "Hurry up and leave! Don’t snoop around where you shouldn’t. Go, go, go!"

The old man chased them away, and the four could only leave resentfully. However, they weren’t going to miss this good opportunity. When the old man went to patrol elsewhere, they found another opening and sneaked into the village.

In front of the deserted ruins, Huang Zhongyu resumed recording, introducing their ’Four Great Kings of Spirit Exploration’ one by one.

The lively and cheerful girl with short hair and cat ears wearing a T-shirt and hot pants is Qi Xiaomiao.

Next to her is a cold and aloof woman with long curly black hair and bold red lipstick, wearing a retro red dress, known as Sister Hong.

There’s also a muscular man with a buzz cut, thick eyebrows, and big eyes, wearing clothes with ’Red Sun Fitness Center’ printed on them, holding a crowbar and grinning, named Zhang Da Kui.

After recording the opening remarks, the four of them checked their portable video cameras.

Huang Zhongyu said to the group, "Xujiawan Village was originally named Mountain God Village, where strange rituals are held every year around the Mid-Autumn Festival. Maybe they’re holding a ceremony today. We’ll split into pairs and see if we can capture anything. If not, we’ll stick to the original plan."

"Sister Hong and I will mainly explore Fushou Paper Shop, Fatty Pork Shop, and Kangmin Clinic. Little Miao, you and Da Kui continue to play the cute girl and tough guy couple, explore July Photography Studio, Aunt Qiao’s Tailor Shop, and Brother Watch Shop. Create some spooky moments if needed. We’ll leave before eight and watch out for that old man."

"Got it!" Qi Xiaomiao replied, brimming with energy.

Zhang Da Kui tapped the crowbar in his hand, and the tall man standing next to the short Qi Xiaomiao had quite a two-dimensional couple vibe.

After the discussion, the four of them entered Xujiawan Village, passing through unfinished ruins.

"What a big fog~ Achoo~ It’s so cold and eerie with the yin energy all around~"

Qi Xiaomiao rubbed her arms and looked around. Clearly, there was no fog outside, but as soon as they entered the village, the mist grew thicker, becoming wet and creepy instead of humid.

"Miao Miao, let me give you my jacket."

Zhang Da Kui immediately took off his sports jacket and draped it over Qi Xiaomiao, fully embodying his role.

Sister Hong, who hadn’t spoken yet, suddenly said, "It just rained this morning; the moisture is heavy with summer heat, forming fog naturally. Xujiawan Village is on the shaded side of Dragon Spine Mountain, so it’s normal for it to be cold."

Passing through the front ruins, the four walked onto Xujiawan Village’s main street. The mist swirled eerily in flowing strands, its hue shifted to an eerie green, with their footsteps echoing in the deserted village.

All around were street shops covered in old greasy stains, with worn tables, chairs, and benches piled with faded tarps in the corners. The walls were covered with ads for ID certificates.

"Look, what’s that?" Qi Xiaomiao pointed to the corner ahead.

The group walked over and found three bowls at the corner, each containing flower buns, roasted chicken, and fruits, surrounded by bricks and with wax drippings from burnt red candles on both sides.

Qi Xiaomiao was curious to touch them, but Huang Zhongyu stopped her, "Don’t touch it; it’s for worshipping the Mountain God. Let’s not offend anyone. Just take some footage. Fatty Pork Shop is up ahead; I’ll go with Sister Hong, and you guys can head over there. July Photography Studio is at the corner."

Huang Zhongyu pointed Qi Xiaomiao and Zhang Da Kui in a direction and then led Sister Hong to the Fatty Pork Shop’s entrance.

Thick grease stained the pavement at the pork shop’s entrance, with a pungent smell emanating from the drain. The shutter was half-open, with fingerprints marking the dust, indicating someone had recently visited this place.

Sister Hong maintained a cool demeanor, inspecting the surroundings outside the shop.