...
...
Of course, the story isn’t always just about failure.
In Wen Xishu’s initial plan, Wu Xiangjiao, who had the weakest sense of fear, might be a valuable assistant in this mission.
Unfortunately, Wu Xiangjiao, Venerable Wen, and Xiaowu all failed.
However, Ah Miao, who was most deeply affected by the eeriness, had an unusually smooth experience in this mission.
"Oh, Ah Miao, you’re back again."
When Ah Miao chose to interact, the comedian quickly opened the door and invited Ah Miao in with great joy.
The comedian’s name was He Taiping. In fact, as Wen Xishu said, comedians often don’t have a good temper.
Especially since He Taiping’s comedy was not expressed through humor, but by making himself look ugly.
He came here initially to suppress the growing anger inside him.
He hoped to perform comedy that was consistent inside and out.
Over time, he gradually felt that everything was worth being happy about. This eerie invasion became deeper and deeper.
When Ah Miao arrived, He Taiping said:
"I can see that you’ve also become much happier, you know, this house makes people happy."
Ah Miao nodded:
"Yes, my life wasn’t so great before, but now I think... it’s not bad. I think even if I encounter problems in the future, I can face them with a smile."
He Taiping was very pleased:
"We’re indeed kindred spirits. Ah Miao, can you do me a favor?"
Ah Miao asked:
"Of course, what do you need me to do?"
He Taiping took out a knife:
"I want a face that always smiles."
Ah Miao’s smile suddenly froze.
At this moment, Ah Miao felt a bit scared. She knew what he was going to do and understood that this Three Tower person likely reached a twisted level.
He Taiping might no longer feel emotions other than joy. He kept watching those moments of anger from the past on set, but only laughed out loud.
Now, He Taiping’s twisted state escalated—he needed pain to alleviate his joy.
Or, he just wanted to prove to himself that any pain could bring joy.
For the first time, Ah Miao realized that endless laughter also brings a sense of pathological madness.
"Why aren’t you laughing anymore? Ah Miao, are you scared? If so... I’m a bit disappointed in you. Come on, use the knife to cut my mouth, creating a crescent-shaped smile!"
"Hahahaha, are you scared! You’re scared! I taught you, to face it with a smile!"
Ah Miao anticipated that she might be cast out.
At this moment, she remembered what Wen Xishu had told her.
"Ah Miao... you will have to return eventually. Don’t be influenced by this place, don’t think death is unimportant; everyone cares about you."
"So, don’t forget your mission because of joy."
Yes, I will have to go back. I can’t forget my mission because of the joy here!
At this moment, the only woman in the team, Ah Miao, forced a crazy smile.
What could be scarier than dying alone in a bunker?
Ah Miao took the knife, and He Taiping opened his mouth wide, waiting for the permanent smile to be carved on his face.
But he suddenly stopped smiling.
Because Ah Miao didn’t cut him; instead, she unhesitatingly cut her own face.
"Hahahaha, hahahahahaha!" Ah Miao laughed.
He Taiping paused and then joined in the laughter:
"Hahahahahahaha! Ah Miao, Ah Miao! You’re just amazing! Hahahahaha..."
Their laughter intertwined, crazy and unruly.
Ah Miao was pretending.
She wasn’t so far gone yet. She let the pain of tearing skin stimulate her nerves, but still maintained a smile:
"Teacher He, are you looking for more joy or a greater challenge?"
He Taiping didn’t deny it:
"Of course. Things that cause others pain and anger make me happy. I need to keep experiencing these things."
Until death.
Ah Miao suddenly thought, maybe this person’s way of dying is realizing "even death is worth a smile."
But these things didn’t matter. At this moment, Ah Miao was performing at her best.
Joy made her temporarily forget fear and pain:
"Then why not try leaving? Teacher He, if it were anyone else, I’d think they were just hiding in the house, deceiving themselves."
"For example, I can hurt myself or keep recalling past pains and still laugh. But I still want to leave this house."
"Teacher He, a face that always smiles needs someone to see it, doesn’t it? Hahahaha..."
He Taiping was stunned.
Ah Miao laughed:
"Hahahaha, are you scared? You taught me to face it with laughter, Teacher He. Our inner strength comes from us, not from this house?"
He Taiping fell into deep thought.
Yeah, does our strength come from us or from this house?
In this house, everything seems laughable, but what about outside? Stay in the house laughing for life? Laugh to oneself?
He Taiping seemed to understand:
"I get it, thank you, Ah Miao. Yes, I have to leave this house, hahahaha! What’s there to be afraid of! Hahahaha, it’s a decision worth laughing about, isn’t it?!"
"I’ll start packing now!"
Enduring the tearing pain on her face, Ah Miao laughed:
"Teacher He, you are my guiding light. Perhaps we will meet outside."
"Ah Miao, you’ve really helped me!"
"Then I’ll go now, Teacher He, I won’t disturb you packing. I look forward to your good news."
Ah Miao ended the interaction voluntarily because she had received an unprecedented prompt.
[The destiny of He Taiping has been rewritten. He will leave the building voluntarily and has not lost his desire for joy, thus not triggering the Mechanism of Town Seven. Congratulations, you will soon receive the invitation. Invitation countdown: 24 hours.]
Although Ah Miao started out behind others due to deep fear, human courage can rebound. When courage rekindles, fortune may follow.
Ah Miao returned home and immediately started bandaging herself; the pain brought her to tears.
But she held on. While treating herself in front of the mirror, she tried to smile.
She didn’t know what the invitation was, but she knew... it meant she did the right thing!