Chasing You (Arc 8+)

Showstopper (XX)

A/N: 7/14 I think I got my numbers correct now... 

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As soon as it reached zero, the energetic makeup artists quickly moved with their new companions following in tow. They all whispered to each other in hushed voices, afraid that their ideas might be overheard by the others and taken. Only a few were more composed and spoke in a normal voice, unafraid of what the other idols may hear around them. He Xiao and the other three didn't speak about what they were going to do, rather, they were getting to know one another and getting their preferences down.

They knew not to rush things and the main missing element was a necessity in order to discuss.

Once inside, they all found the inside of the building even more eldritch than the outside. It was a European themed building. Upon entrance, you would see two large staircases that welcomed one into its splendour.

There were debris of rotten wood and broken cement all over the ground, cobwebs clinging onto the walls and corner of the building, windows clouded by time, only able to let in the faintest luminescences, old paintings covered in dust and seemingly followed wherever one goes, corridors that were as dark as night even though the sun was still flying high in the sky, creaks from the floorboards whispering their every step, faint phantasmal voices cooly breathing down the back of their necks, and the slight brush of the chilling breeze that caresses the naked parts of their skin as if marking them. The building was insanely huge and became like a confounding labyrinth in the eyes of idols. They were unable to differentiate if they had turned left or right and which part of the world had they been birthed from.

What made matters worse was that they were all separated from one another. The large group of sixty quickly dwindled down to single digits, six to four, then four to two. By the time they reached their locations, it was only the makeup artist and their idols left.

He Xiao wasn't creeped out by the environment and engaged in a colorful conversation with Tang Lan as they walked. They walked up another set of stairs and made their way down the dingy and disconcerting small hallway. There was only a total of eight doors but only one room was open and had the lights on.

As soon as he entered inside of the room, He Xiao assessed the room. It was a rather large bathroom lined with faint teal tiles on the wall and gray marble flooring. The colors looked aged and cracks could be seen all along the wall and flooring. The bathroom was fully equipped with a glass shower, a white silver clawfoot bathtub in the middle of the room, a freestanding cylindrical sink with a large circular mirror that broke in half, a standard toilet from the 1800s¹, a large water heater by the only window in the room, and a large chute.

He Xiao noticed that there was another door inside the room. He turned to Tang Lan and inquired about it, "Elder sister, where does that door lead to?"

Tang Lan had found this young idol to be very likable. He wasn't overly arrogant and looked down on people in her occupation, neither did he like to flaunt about his skills and turn their talks into an 'all about me' show. He Xiao treated her cordially and with respect. He was humble with her compliments and seemed to show great wisdom even at his age. If Bao Bao had heard of her thoughts, he would have just snottily agreed and said that it was due to his spectacular genes that such a beautiful baby was birthed.

She kindly explained the layout for him, "That door leads over to the next area, where the guests are supposed to go."

Pointing to the door, she clarified the general layout, "Each spot where the other idols are located are evenly spread out amongst the four floors. While you were all spinning the wheel, the staff members on the side were listening and planning where all of you would be placed based on the results. The entrance of the building where we all came from is where the guests will enter from and is considered the ground floor. There will be a hanged ghost, two old woman ghosts, the only other female ghost, an infant spirit, and a jiangshi. The guests will be guided up onto the next floor above where a hungry ghost, a hanged ghost, an old woman ghost, two paper dolls, and a jiangshi will be waiting."

"This bathroom is the thirteenth stop on the exhibit and is the next stop right after the twelfth stop on the floor below. The guests will walk up from the same staircase we came up from. And the door over there, in which we came from is going to be the exact door in which the guests will enter. In the third floor, there will be you, a female ghost, a hanged ghost an old woman ghost, two paper dolls, and a Mogwai."

"The guests will then be made to descend back to the floor below, where they will come across an old woman ghost, an infant spirit, and a hungry ghost. They will go back down onto the ground floor and come across two paper dolls and a hanged ghost. The final stop will be the basement where they will come in contact with three jiangshis, an old woman ghost, an infant ghost, and a hanged ghost. They will then, go out the basement's door that leads to the backyard and wait for the rest to finish."

Looking at the dutiful student take in all of the notes she had given, a smile rose on her lips. Tang Lan really felt that He Xiao was a good child, it was just sad that he had to engage in the battle within the entertainment industry. He also would be bearing the brunt of people's criticism and have to deal with all sorts of fans, ranging from ones who are supportive to crazy obsessed ones, and to black powder fans². She thoughtfully added, "When the guest enters, we will usually wait for the guests to reach the third stop before allowing the next ones in. But even after that, it all depends on each set guest on how far or close they will be to the group before it. I suggest that you don't choose something with noise so it will be easier to notice their arrival."

He Xiao nodded and smiled at her, "Thank you for the advice, older sister. I will take into consideration what you have told me."

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¹ For reference to what toilets were like in the 1800s:

²Black powder fan: 黑粉 heifen is a Chinese internet slang for anti-fan. A black powder fan is someone who attacks their idol brutally with insults, basically, troll and that is how they express their 'love' to their idol.

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A/N: You may also know this from 《The Reader and Protagonist Definitely Have to be in True Love》, as the main character is a black powder fan of the novel. If you haven't read it, I highly recommend for you to read it! It is a transmigration into a novel and is very, very, very noice. The pa pa pa scenes are to die for and are very hot and steamy. I believe that the only reason for the book is not so popular is due to the genre. The mainstream for novels in China usually revolves around: Modern China, Ancient China, Wuxia, Xianxia, Or Xuanhuan themed novels. But I think that this novel, which is a western fantasy based novel, deserves just as much attention. Plus, the translator did a fabulous job in translating and it is completely translated~! You can find it on NU btw~ Sorry for the little rant! (〃￣ω￣〃)ゞ