Chapter 9: What Broken Item?

June 24th, 2023

Inventory?

Lin Xuan searched through the system panel and found that beside the “Personal” interface, there was now an “Inventory” interface. She clicked on it, and a graceful long hair lay quietly in the first empty slot of the inventory.

Sadako’s long hair, is it the one from “The Ring”? Just hearing about it gives me the creeps.

Lin Xuan lightly tapped on the item, and its attributes were displayed.

[Name: Sadako’s Long Hair.]

[User Guide: Wear it when you get lost, and you can crawl out of the television at any time. However, it’s uncertain whose television you will emerge from. Truly an essential item for home and travel.]

[Tips: Since Sadako likes handsome guys, using this item to crawl out of the television may have a chance of encountering a handsome guy. It’s really a great thing, so thank Sadako!]

I truly thank you!

What kind of rubbish is this? Who wants to crawl out of a television? Just thinking about it is horrifying, isn’t it?

“Is this thing serious? Crawling out of a television when you’re lost? Nowadays, anyone with a cellphone won’t get lost. Even if, by some chance, I really do get lost, what happens if I crawl out of someone else’s television? It will scare people to death. Besides, getting lost in the first place isn’t a crime, but crawling out of a television changes the nature of the act. If I break into someone’s house, the police will take me away.” There are just too many flaws to mock.

“The mall is only responsible for selling items. How to use them is up to the host to arrange,” the system explained emotionlessly.

“May I ask if all the pixelated items in the mall are like this? If so, I won’t buy them. It’s just a waste of merit points. Aren’t these merit points better used for your operation?” The most important thing is that this time the draw was discounted, wasting only 10 merit points. Next time, when it’s back to the original price, it will be 99 points again. These 99 merit points took her more than a week of hard work to accumulate.

“To learn about the item’s attributes, please make a purchase first,” the system replied.

“Just based on your attitude, I won’t buy it.”

Lin Xuan reached out and tried to take out the wig from the inventory. After a moment, a soft black wig, as smooth as silk, appeared in her hand.

Did it really come out? It was as if I took something out of my own bag, it just came out with a reach.

Although Lin Xuan complained about it, she was still incredibly curious about the items in the system.

“The hair quality is really good.” Feeling the soft texture of the wig, Lin Xuan couldn’t help but praise. It was smooth, just like the hair in those shampoo commercials with special effects.

“Does wearing it really allow me to crawl out of the television?” Which child hasn’t dreamed of having superpowers? Even the ability to crawl out of a television, as horrifying as it may be, is still a superpower.

Why not try wearing it? I just want to see what happens, whether a television really appears.

Lin Xuan couldn’t resist the desire in her heart and acted on her impulse. With a raise of her arm, she put on the wig. Just like an NPC in a game equipping an item, Lin Xuan didn’t need to adjust the angle with her hand. Sadako’s long hair automatically adjusted itself, seamlessly blending as if it were growing from Lin Xuan’s head. At the same time, a dimly lit passage appeared suddenly in front of Lin Xuan. It was as if the passage had some kind of magic, irresistibly tempting her to walk inside.

Lin Xuan stood up, and the long hair cascaded down, reaching all the way to her ankles.

“Xiao Xuan?” A slightly puzzled voice sounded from behind.

Lin Xuan snapped back to reality and turned around to see that the makeup artist had returned from the restroom. Thankfully, she came back; otherwise, Lin Xuan would have almost crawled into the television.

It was too horrifying.

“It’s really you. I thought I mistook someone else. Where did you buy this wig? It looks so real.” If it weren’t for the bright red cotton coat Lin Xuan was wearing, she might have been a bit hesitant to recognize her. “The hair quality is really good. Is it made of real hair? It must have been quite expensive.”

The makeup artist lifted a strand of the wig in front of Lin Xuan and gently caressed it.

“It’s alright. It cost about a week’s worth of my salary.”

“That’s not expensive at all. Where did you buy it? I want to get one too. I think it would be great to have one in my escape room. With this hair, the horror atmosphere would be off the charts. It’s so amazing, let me tell you,” the makeup artist said.

“Well, there’s only one left, and it’s already sold out,” Lin Xuan hurriedly replied.

“That can’t be true. The store will definitely restock. Tell me the location, and I’ll go ask another day.” She genuinely liked it.

“The store closed down. Yes, when I came over in the morning, I happened to run into a wig store having a clearance sale. After I made my purchase, they closed the store,” Lin Xuan explained.

“Why the rush?”

“Yes.”

“What a pity. This wig looks so good. When you wear it, you look just like Sadako.” The regret on the makeup artist’s face couldn’t be concealed.

“Her gaze is piercing. This is Sadako’s long hair. Are you scared?” Lin Xuan stated truthfully.

“It’s not like it was actually cut from Sadako’s head. Why be scared? Can you let me try it?” The makeup artist also wanted to give it a try.

Words spoken unintentionally, but they had an impact on Lin Xuan, making her heart skip a beat.

“Sy… System?” Lin Xuan called out.

“Here,” the system replied.

“Is this hair really cut from Sadako’s head?” Lin Xuan asked, her heart trembling with fear.

“System-made products are guaranteed to be authentic, imported directly from the original source. You deserve to have it,” the system reassured.

Who wants to have it!

Startled, Lin Xuan immediately ripped off the wig. The makeup artist thought she took it off to let her try it on, so she took it from Lin Xuan’s hand.

“Hey, wait a minute…” Lin Xuan suddenly realized that this thing wasn’t an ordinary wig. It could crawl into the television.

“What’s wrong?” The makeup artist had already put “Sadako’s long hair” on her head and was adjusting it in front of the mirror while talking to Lin Xuan.

“What… did you see anything?” Like a passage with a light that would attract you to walk into it?

“See anything? The effect? I haven’t finished putting it on yet,” the experienced makeup artist replied. She casually adjusted it a few times, and the wig was in place. She turned around in front of the mirror and expressed some regret, saying, “It’s a shame. I’m taller than you, so the wig only reaches my calves. It doesn’t have the floor-dragging effect, not cute enough.”

It seems the passage didn’t appear. Lin Xuan breathed a sigh of relief. “But it still looks good.”

“Yes, indeed. Hair is truly a woman’s second face,” the makeup artist fondly stroked Sadako’s long hair and continued to praise non-stop. “So smooth, so sleek, so soft…”

It should be terrifying, shouldn’t it?

“System, others won’t trigger Sadako’s hair’s special abilities, right?” Lin Xuan asked the system.

“That’s correct. Unique items can only be used by the host themselves,” the system confirmed.

Lin Xuan completely let go of her worries. If everyone could use it, she wouldn’t dare to bring this thing out in the future.

“Hey, is that a new wig you bought? It looks quite impressive.” Tang Mingxu appeared out of nowhere, noticing the makeup artist combing her hair in front of the mirror while wearing the wig. Gotta admit, it was quite creepy.

“I think so too,” the makeup artist said with great enthusiasm. Then she turned to Lin Xuan and said, “How about selling it to me? I’ll give you 2,000 yuan.”

2,000 yuan?! That’s worth more than ten points of virtue. With 2,000 yuan, she could get a new phone.

Lin Xuan was tempted, just about to agree when the system’s cold and ruthless voice echoed once again, “System items are not for resale and cannot be lost.”

Indeed, relying on the system won’t make you rich!

Lin Xuan sadly said to the makeup artist, “I’m not selling.”

“Three thousand, can’t go any higher,” the makeup artist gritted her teeth and added one thousand more.

Lin Xuan also gritted her teeth, “I really won’t sell.”

“Even with more money, you won’t sell. Looks like it’s true love,” Tang Mingxu said somewhat surprised.

“Well then, but if I ever want to take photos or do cosplay, you have to lend it to me,” the makeup artist added.

“Deal,” Lin Xuan agreed gladly.

“I love you!” The makeup artist suddenly became happy again, raising her arms and forming a heart shape above her head. As she moved, the long hair fluttered, resembling the lingering spirit of Sadako.

Oh no!

Lin Xuan forcefully closed her eyes, interrupting her horrifying imagination. “I’ll go change my clothes first.”

“Wait a minute,” Tang Mingxu called out to Lin Xuan. “After you change your clothes, don’t go back immediately. There’s another session at 8 p.m., also by a master. They clear the game quickly, and it should be finished around 9 p.m. It’s a bit late, but I’ll reimburse your taxi fare. Is that okay with you?”

“Sure.” How could it not be okay? One session is 200 yuan, so two sessions would be 400 yuan. If she could have two sessions every day, she would become rich. After all, the highest internship salary in their class is only 8,000 yuan.

“Then it’s settled.” Tang Mingxu came here specifically to discuss this matter with Lin Xuan. After saying that, he returned to the front to attend to his duties.

Just as Tang Mingxu came out, he coincidentally met several masters who had just cleared the secret room.

“55 minutes, truly masters. You broke the record,” Tang Mingxu praised with a smile. As the manager of the secret room, he needed to maintain good relationships with secret room enthusiasts.

“Boss, your secret room here isn’t that difficult,” a student named Wang Kai joked.

“Oh, is that so? Then I’ll make some improvements and try to create a more challenging difficulty level,” Tang Mingxu replied with a smile.

“But the NPCs here have great acting skills, especially the woman in the red cotton coat. Her performance was excellent when she asked for our names. We, experienced secret room players, almost got immersed in it,” one of the players said.

“Did she curse you?” Tang Mingxu asked.

“He said that if I eat fish, I’ll get a fishbone stuck in my throat and told me not to eat fish today,” Shen Zhi approached them. “Your curses are quite unique. I thought it would be something like… a curse related to eating, like no seasoning packets or something.”

That’s true, Lin Xuan did a good job. She even knew how to add drama and professionalism.

Tang Mingxu took the opportunity to remind them, “Remember, don’t eat fish.”

“We made a deal. We’re heading to the grilled fish restaurant as soon as we leave,” Wang Kai smirked.

“That’s right, I want to try it and see if the curse in your place really works. If it does, I’ll promote your restaurant for free,” the youngsters had an indomitable spirit and didn’t believe in ghostly curses.

“Then I wish you good luck,” Tang Mingxu smiled and watched the group leave. Once they were out of the company’s gate, he suddenly clasped his hands together, devoutly praying towards the sky outside the window. “God, Bodhisattva, Heavenly Father, please bless him to get a fishbone stuck while eating fish.”

“Boss, your heart seems a bit malicious doing that,” the receptionist couldn’t help but comment.

“Do you want a bonus or not?” Tang Mingxu turned around and stared at her, his lined eyes more captivating than the receptionist’s.

“I do,” the receptionist answered honestly.

“If they promote us, the performance of the secret room will at least triple, and I can double your bonus.”

The receptionist shivered and quickly got up from her desk. She stood beside her boss as quickly as possible, also clasping her hands together and facing the window with an extremely devout attitude. “God, Bodhisattva, Heavenly Father, please bless him… What was his name?”

“Uh…” Tang Mingxu didn’t know either.

“That’s not important,” the receptionist waved her hand dismissively and continued her sincere prayer. “God, Bodhisattva, Heavenly Father, please bless him to get a fishbone stuck while eating fish.”