"This one's free! You're the first to buy cola here, so it's on me."
Feeling a bit guilty for scamming him out of eighteen colas, Lin Chen bought Wang Jingze a free one.
"Free?"
Wang Jingze's angry eyes lit up.
Lin Chen nodded, "Yes, free."
Tempted, Wang Jingze hesitated — he was a unique guy, didn't game or smoke or drink but loved cola.
He'd tried almost all brands, but none compared to this cinema's.
Though he just declared he'd never drink it again, now accepting the free one was embarrassing.
After hesitation, he forced a smile, "Since you're so sincere, I can't refuse. Who am I not to be magnanimous?"
He grabbed the cup happily and drank it.
Seeing this, others in the lobby sneered.
Seriously? Haven't you heard what he said before?
Facing their scornful looks, Wang Jingze calmly smiled, "Heh, this cola's really good."
Everyone thought: never seen such shamelessness!
Time passed, but still no sign from the screening room.
Lin Chen lit a cigarette and took a puff, growing anxious.
Shen Hao had been inside nearly 80 minutes.
The movie A Wicked Ghost was only 90 minutes total, so less than ten minutes remained.
If Shen Hao lasted, he'd be the first to watch the entire film — meaning Lin Chen would lose money and fail the Side Quest.
Losing money wasn't a big deal — a ticket and cola together was under 500 yuan.
But the Side Quest reward was a random movie, important because no one knew when the System Mall would open.
Only A Wicked Ghost wouldn't support the cinema long-term — new movies were needed before audience fatigue set in.
...
Inside the screening room, the plot was over halfway.
Unlike earlier ease, Shen Hao looked miserable — pale, lips colorless, legs no longer crossed, muscles tense, soaked in cold sweat.
Nearly 80 minutes of the movie had strained his mental defense.
Especially the elevator ghost scene, nearly breaking him.
Luckily, his strong will kept him seated, or he'd have followed Wang Jingze's fate.
Checking his watch, less than ten minutes remained, and he relaxed slightly.
"Finally near the end!"
The climax approached.
Shen Hao inhaled deeply, focused, and mentally repeated, "It's all fake, 3D effects, and suggestion! Just a few more minutes, I'll win!"
The final terrifying scene came.
The protagonist, played by Wu Zhenyu, held his beloved woman tightly. Suddenly, she transformed into the ghost Chu Renmei, her terrifying face filled with malice staring at him.
Prepared for the challenge, Shen Hao frowned, finding the scene less scary than the elevator one.
"What's going on? Am I just too cautious?"
Soon, his frown eased, replaced by confident smile, "No matter what, I win in the end!"
"Oh? Is that so?"
Suddenly, a sharp, eerie female voice whispered near his ear.
In an instant, Shen Hao's pupils dilated in disbelief; a chill surged from his feet to his brain.
Who was speaking?
Was there someone else in the screening room?
When did she get in? Why hadn't he noticed?
Questions flooded his mind.
Before he could think further, he found his body immobilized, as if held down by an invisible force.
His head slowly turned right uncontrollably.
As his vision shifted, a dark blue dress appeared first, then thick black hair, then finally the resentful, terrifying face of Chu Renmei filled his sight.
"This cinema really has ghosts!"
This was Shen Hao's last thought before his eyes rolled back and he fainted in terror.
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。