Escape Studio "Hell Cinema"

Chapter 2 The Nightmare Descends

Qian Cang stretched his hand forward and moved cautiously in the darkness. After walking for about five minutes, he saw light ahead, so he quickened his pace and walked toward the brightness.

During this time, the surrounding darkness gradually began to fade, revealing its original appearance.

At this moment, Qian Cang was standing on a narrow country path made of mud, which was so narrow that only three people could stand side by side.

"Fortunately, I wore sneakers when I came out," Qian Cang Yi thought to himself.

He continued walking forward. With better vision, he saw a figure ahead, 'Is that Eagle Eye?' Qian Cang Yi had some hopes in his heart and quickened his pace. When he got close enough, Qian Cang Yi clearly saw the other person's appearance; it wasn't Eagle Eye, but a farmer. This farmer had dark skin and a strong build.

'Should I greet him? After all, I am currently playing the role of Shi Hai Min. Although Shi Hai Min went out to work after coming of age, Yuxi Village is a small remote village, with a population of only about a hundred people. It's possible we don't know each other well; saying we don't know each other at all seems quite unlikely.' While thinking, Qian Cang Yi slowed down his pace. 'But I don't even know who he is; how can I greet him? It's better to walk slowly and let him speak first, then I'll respond according to the situation.'

In contrast to Qian Cang Yi, the farmer quickened his pace after seeing him.

"Haijin! You're back?" The farmer's voice was very loud and full of energy.

Qian Cangyi waved his hand, a smile also appearing on his face, "Yeah!"

The farmer quickened his pace and ran in front of Qian Cangyi, placing a hand on his shoulder, "You, this guy, after so many years of not seeing you, you've become much more refined."

Faced with the farmer's enthusiasm, Qian Cangyi's heart instantly sank. He thought, "Fortunately, my appearance took care of that, but this is quite a joke, right? Besides an identity and profile, they give me nothing; just got off the car and I'm expected to directly interact with the villagers. Do I have to get to know everyone all over again? Even if I have an excuse for not returning to the village for a few years, it’s impossible to forget everyone like this, unless the person I’m playing, Shi Haijin, is a scoundrel."

At this moment, the manual in Qian Cang's mind began to flip open, and the appearance and name of the farmer appeared in the manual.

【Shi Jingfu.】

Below the name, there were a few lines of small print introducing him.

【A good friend of Shi Haimin since childhood, the two have a very close relationship. He is always the first to comfort Shi Haimin and provide help whenever Shi Haimin encounters setbacks.】

"You're only coming now?" Qian Cangyi thought to himself, then spoke up.

"Jingfu, you’ve become so sturdy after not seeing you for so many years!" After saying that, Qian Cangyi also patted Shi Jingfu's shoulder.

Hehehe." Shi Jingfu smiled shyly, "How can I not be sturdy when I work every day? By the way, since you’re back, you should go home and see your mother. A few years ago, your house suddenly collapsed. After the village chief and a few uncles looked at it, they said it couldn’t be repaired, so everyone helped to build a new house for your family, just not far from the village chief's house!

After saying that, Shi Jingfu turned around and pointed behind him.

In the originally cloud-shrouded mountains, scattered houses appeared. Qian Cangyi looked in the direction pointed by Shi Jingfu and saw the largest tile-roofed house.

That should be the village chief's house. Although in the city, there may not be anyone renting it even if it's for rent, in Yuxi Village, it has a feeling of standing out. The small house next to it should be 'my' home." Qian Cangyi withdrew his gaze, "Since Shi Jingfu is a very good friend of Shi Haimin, he must have contributed quite a bit to helping build this house. I should thank him.

Jingfu, thank you! This time I came back too hastily and didn't bring anything. If there's anything you need my help with, just let me know.

What are we to each other! Don't say that, just go back quickly!" Shi Jingfu withdrew his hand, "I still have something to attend to, so I won't accompany you. After I finish, let's catch up tonight.

Oh, fine, you go ahead and get busy.

After Shi Jingfu left, Qian Cangyi also set off on the journey to Yuxi Village.

Because the villagers' houses are very scattered, Qian Cangyi did not encounter any other villagers along the way.

Arriving in front of his own door, it was wide open. Inside, a woman was sewing clothes with a needle and thread. The woman looked up at the door, then her expression changed suddenly, her previously calm face replaced by excitement. She quickly put down the work in her hands and ran towards the door.

Although the simple clothing made the woman appear somewhat rustic, upon closer inspection, her features were quite good, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call her a beauty.

This should be the mother of Shi Haimin. Given the condition of the house and what Shi Jingfu said earlier, it's likely that Shi Haimin's father has passed away, leaving only his mother alone to mourn. Now, the question is, after years of separation, when mother and son meet again, should I call her 'mother'? Or maybe not, even though it's 'acting', my heart still isn't ready for it. Qian Cangyi ultimately gave up.

The manual in my mind flipped open again, and as before, the appearance and name of Shi Haimin's mother appeared on a new page.

[Shi Xi.]

Shihai Min's mother, after the death of Shihai Min's father, single-handedly supported the entire family; she is a strong woman.

Shi Xi ran up to Qian Cangyi and hugged him tightly, 'Child, you finally came back!'

Qian Cangyi sighed in his heart and gently patted Shi Xi's back, 'I’m back.'

'Let me see if you have suffered outside?' Shi Xi released his hold, took a step back, placed his hands on Qian Cangyi's shoulders, and stared at his face.

"Let's go in first." Qian Cangyi grasped Shi Xi's hand.

"After all, I am not Shi Haimin, and some feelings are still difficult to cultivate. Moreover, if there is no need, it’s best not to immerse too deeply in the role we are playing, as it may interfere with our judgment and could potentially provoke us, leading to erroneous actions." Qian Cangyi analyzed in his heart.

Shi Xi said "Okay" three times in a row, then pulled Qian Cangyi into the house.

"This house was built with help from everyone in the village. Although it's not as good as the house we had before, it’s still quite nice." While saying this, Shi Xi had her back to Qian Cangyi. "Are you hungry? I'll go make you some food!" After she finished speaking, Shi Xi headed towards the kitchen.

"It seems that after his father's death, Shi Haimin and his mother lived a very hard life!" Qian Cangyi sighed to himself.

At the dinner table, Shi Xi asked many questions, mostly concerned about Shi Haimin's living conditions outside, as well as whether Shi Haimin had a girl he liked, and other similar questions.

These questions were all brushed off by Qian Cangyi.