В эпоху династии Сун вдовам было легко выйти замуж

Глава 8

At the hotel entrance, Wendy, searching for her son, found the old chef dead. She screamed, noticing the axe marks on the corpse and a large pool of blood still spreading. Suddenly, she heard the clinking of a wine glass behind her. Wendy whirled around to see a man in a tuxedo, his head cleaved open with an axe, blood gushing from the split, laughing and raising a glass to her: "Fun, isn't it?" Wendy rushed towards the hotel's side door, the man's voice still echoing behind her.

Laughter.

"Danny! You can't escape! Danny!" Jack shouted as he chased after Danny, weaving and stumbling through the vast forest maze, always following Danny's footprints. "I'm right behind you!"

Danny was exhausted; his pace slowed, and Jack's voice grew closer. The maze before him had completely disoriented him, and the biting wind, mixed with snow and hail, lashed at his body, nearly freezing him to death. Danny stopped, turned back, and followed his own footprints in the snow back to the other side of the maze. He then bent down and wiped his footprints away.

Wendy reached the side entrance of the hotel, intending to run out, but her eyes widened in horror. She saw massive gushing blood gushing from both sides of the entrance, flooding the entire lobby. All the furniture floated in the blood's spray; ghosts were about to engulf everything! Without looking back, Wendy turned and ran. She'd had enough. Come on, all the ghosts, come on! She was going to get out of there, she was going to find her son no matter what! Without looking to either side, without pausing, Wendy mustered her courage and rushed towards the hotel's main entrance!

Jack followed Danny's footprints, only to find they had disappeared. Jack stopped, while Danny, hiding not far away, was powerless to escape. Danny nervously closed his eyes. Jack couldn't find the footprints, but he knew Danny was nearby. "Danny!" Jack shouted. Jack ran in another direction. Danny immediately got up and struggled to run back the way he came, following his own footprints!

Wendy ran to the snowmobile the old chef had brought, calling out loudly for her son. Just then, Danny, using his last bit of strength, collapsed at the maze entrance. "Mommy!" Danny cried weakly. "Danny!" Wendy rushed over, warming her child with her own body heat, and the two embraced tightly.

"Where...are you?" Jack screamed from inside the maze. He was completely disoriented in this vast forest labyrinth—the same lights, the same trees, the same black walls of trees, the all-consuming cold!

Wendy carried Danny onto the snowmobile driven by the old chef. The snowmobile slowly started moving, and the mother and son inside could still hear Jack's screams coming from the maze.

Jack finally collapsed from exhaustion in the maze. He couldn't find Danny, nor could he find the exit. Jack's voice gradually lost its humanity, becoming disordered and indistinct, eventually turning into the wailing of a ghost, which the haunted house absorbed.

Jack finally turned into a frozen statue, still clutching the long axe in his hands, a near-mad smile on his lips.

On the hotel's wall covered with photos, there were pictures of guests gathering together. The most eye-catching photo in the center was of dozens of people at a lavish party, all dressed in outdated styles, exuding a stale fashion. Standing at the very front of the photo was Jack, smiling.

At the very bottom of the photo is a line of text that reads: Overlooking Hotel, ball on July 4, 1921.

Part Two: I Know What You Did Last Summer

(1)

Nangang is actually just a small bay with a strange name: Duchen Bay. No one knows why it has such an odd name. The water in the bay isn't deep; it's a large gentle slope, making it unsuitable for large cargo ships to dock. In fact, no cargo ships have ever come here. The so-called pier is just a long wooden bridge extending into the water. The people here aren't sailors; they are all fishermen who have lived at sea for generations, making a living by fishing.

The bay in Nangang is calm. Every July, after the monsoon winds from the Atlantic disperse the clusters of rain clouds, the subtropical high pressure system takes control of the area. This is the best time of year in Nangang.

In the first few days of July, the people of Nangang basically do no work. This is not only because of July 4th, Independence Day, but also because the annual Big Fish Festival celebrations will reach their climax during these days.

July 4th, Independence Day, seemed destined to be an unusual day. As evening fell, the tide began to recede, and the road connecting the town to the coast became blurred in the twilight. The daytime roar of the waves seemed weary, only occasionally surging white foam ashore before retreating with a low sigh. At this moment, the entire beach appeared deserted and quiet.

No one would linger on the beach at this hour, but there are always exceptions. On a large, protruding rock by the roadside, a man sat gazing at the sea, seemingly listening to its whispers. In his hand, besides a bottle of liquor that almost every man here carries, something else gleamed: a silver, round plaque engraved with the words "I love you."

Suddenly, something seemed to startle him. He turned around and saw that the highway was still lying there quietly in the twilight. Apart from the chirping of autumn insects, no one was approaching the area.

He tilted his head back and poured the wine into his mouth.

A series of explosions rang out in the sky, fireworks lit up the heavens, and the Independence Day celebrations—the grand finale of the town's 47th annual Big Fish Festival—began.

On the small stage of the club in the town center, the annual beauty pageant was drawing to a close, and the host was pushing the lively atmosphere to a climax.

"Aren't they beautiful and charming?"

Yes, the maritime climate has indeed made the girls here exceptionally well-fed, the host's words drew cheers and applause.

"Welcome back to the stage, our six finalists! Come on out, ladies!"

To the accompaniment of upbeat music, six girls lined up in a row, their swimsuits displaying their stunning figures. Clearly, the crowd loved the style; applause erupted, mixed with whistles and cheers.

"We are so proud of your hard work!" the host shouted. "And so are your parents!"

"Yes!" In such a noisy atmosphere, it was really not easy to make everyone hear him.

Helen Schiffer was positioned in the exact center of the six contestants, not because she wanted to be there, but simply because the event director had arranged them according to height. All the contestants were now focused on the audience, as that was the purpose of being on stage—to be remembered. However, Helen's gaze swept across the audience only briefly before moving towards the box directly opposite the stage.

There were three people in the private room, Helen's three best friends: Barry, Helen's boyfriend, a rich young man; Julie James, Helen's best friend, who had just been accepted into law school and would be leaving after summer vacation; and Ray, Julie's boyfriend.

"Look at her, she's a natural-born talent, she's completely at home there." Julie never hides her praise for her friend.

Ray, standing next to her, stared intently at the stage: "I had no idea she had such big breasts..."

“Idiot, of course you don’t know!” As Helen’s boyfriend, Barry obviously knew her inside and out.

Julie glared fiercely at the two lecherous men: "Hey, what are you saying? I can't stand it!"

"Shut up, you're talking such boring stuff!"

The host asked the contestants questions on stage.

"In the spirit of Mother Teresa, I ask you, how will you contribute to the community and the world?"

The host handed the microphone to Helen, a gesture that clearly stirred the emotions of the other female contestants. However, like true competitors, they maintained their dignity without showing any emotion on their faces.

Helen took the microphone, and without even a second's hesitation, she answered the question: "After summer..."

"I plan to go to New York to pursue a career as an actress. My goal is to entertain the world through art, and I will serve my country through art..."

Her words drew applause, and some people even ran to the front of the stage to take pictures of her.

Ray glanced at Julie beside him: "Did you teach her to say such nonsense?"

Julie smiled but did not answer.

Barry yelled at the stage, "Damn them, baby!" He turned to his two friends and smiled smugly.

They said, "They love her to death, she's amazing!"

Helen knew that if she could answer the last question, the championship title would be hers for the taking. She confidently puffed out her ample bosom, awaiting the final announcement.

The stage fell silent as people awaited the announcement of the champion.

"This year's beauty queen is—Helen Schiffer!"

As soon as the host finished speaking, deafening applause erupted like a tidal wave.

Helen seemed to have been prepared for this; her smile remained unchanged, still as captivating as ever. She simply took a step forward, and...

It's her privilege as the champion.

Cheers, whistles, and applause erupted.

Barry raised his hands and cheered wildly as if dancing. No one could hear what he was shouting; it was just a series of unconscious notes. He probably didn't even know what he was saying.

Helen's smile seemed to never change as she accepted the scepter and the host placed the jeweled crown on her head.

Thus, the beauty pageant reached its climax.

Barry finally managed to say something that could be understood: "That's my girlfriend!"

But his words were meaningless, because no one could hear what he was shouting, but this did not affect Barry's mood. When he saw people giving Helen flowers, Barry was so excited that he stomped his feet, making the floorboards rumble under his feet.

Julie and Ray were also infected by his emotions, and the three of them jumped up and down with joy, with Ray even shouting on his back...

On a makeshift open-air stage set up in the town square, a small band was playing country music, many people were walking back and forth among the buffet tables, and even more were dancing and partying to the music...

Helen and Julie walked over.

Helen, as if seeking Julie's opinion, asked, "How's my hair?"

Julie glanced at it casually: "Even a typhoon can't mess it up."

Helen clearly cared a lot about her friend's attitude; she advised Julie like an expert: "Professional women only..."

Knowing that brains are important is actually wrong...

“Hair is the most important thing! I know!” Julie replied.

“You must never forget this, especially after you become a top lawyer,” Helen said solemnly.

Helen's sister Elsa squeezed in: "Hi, do you want to ride home in my car?"

Helen clearly didn't like this older sister; she coldly shook her head: "No! You tell Mom, I..."

I'll be home later.

Elsa was enraged by her sister's attitude: "Hey, Miss Big Fish, are you going out for a drink tonight?"

"Let's drink until we're drunk?"

Helen sneered sarcastically, "Ah, you're quite humorous!"

Elsa angrily shouted, "You... get out!" and turned to leave in a huff.

Julie was used to this scene; she quietly observed the sisters' conflict. Clearly, Elsa had reached her breaking point with her sister's arrogant attitude and disrespectful behavior. Helen's crowning today undoubtedly exacerbated this tension.

"Hi Julie, here's a toast to you with raw tomato sauce."

A cup was offered to Julie, and Max, who was volunteering for the party, stood in front of her with a tray.

Max had once pursued Julie, and although Ray later became Julie's boyfriend, Max always harbored feelings for her. He didn't dare to directly compete with Ray, but Max firmly believed that given the opportunity, he wasn't entirely without a chance to win her over again. Now, with Ray conveniently absent, he immediately seized the opportunity.

Helen stepped aside, watching the scene with considerable interest. She knew, of course, about Julie and Max's past, and she knew Ray was nearby and wouldn't allow Max to get close to his girlfriend. However, how Julie would handle the situation was certainly something to behold.

"Thank you." Julie shook her head politely but not enthusiastically. "But I'm afraid of that sticky feeling."

"

Max wasn't really going to offer a drink; he was just looking for an opportunity to strike up a conversation, and now he'd got it.

"Then let's go have some fun before you leave, okay?" Max's eyes were full of anticipation.

Julie was at a loss. She looked to Helen for help, but Helen turned her face away.

Julie had no choice but to face the dilemma: "No...no need, Max."

“We’re friends, how can you just leave like that?” Max stopped Julie from turning away.

“You…” Julie was getting anxious; she didn’t want Ray to be jealous again.

Suddenly, someone barged between her and Max and snatched the drink from Max's hand. It was Ray.

“A toast to us!” Ray raised his glass above his head, then turned to Max, “To our…most…

Cheers to that second summer of my naive... decadent adolescence!

Max stared coldly at Ray, then turned and shouted, "Someone's drunk!"

Ray's face darkened, and he shoved Max hard: "Scumbag, get out of here!"

Julie quickly stopped Ray, shouting, "Stop! Can't you all be a little more civilized? Stop it now!"

Max lunged forward, but Barry suddenly jumped out and blocked him, and the two began to fight.

People gathered around, and Julie, embarrassed and unsure how to resolve the conflict, could only repeatedly explain to those around her.

"They...they are...friends..."

Ray stepped between the two men who were fighting, forcing them to stop.

Barry glared at Ray with displeasure, then turned away sullenly and said, "I was just trying my best to take care of your friend."