The Forbidden Living

The ghostly kid floated right past me, like I wasn't even there. Ever since Dayang showed up, both Xiuxiu downstairs and this spooky little one seemed to totally ignore me—probably 'cause of that sticky rice powder Dayang sprinkled on my head. I was dying to know what was going on, but I knew now wasn't the time to ask. Dayang told me to wait upstairs, so I figured I'd get the lowdown when he was ready. 

As the kid disappeared into the shadows, I bolted up the stairs, my lungs on fire like I'd just run a marathon. I was holding my breath, trying not to make a sound, but it felt like I was about to lose it. By the time I hit the second floor, I was so dizzy I could barely think. Dayang had said something about the "second room," but the hallway split into two identical paths, leaving me totally confused. Two doors. Two choices. 

No time to think. I went with my gut and grabbed the left door, slamming it shut behind me before collapsing in a heap, gasping for air. The room was huge, with this old, faded fancy vibe. A big red mahogany bed took up most of the space, and there was this matching vanity with a tarnished mirror. I caught my reflection—pale as a ghost, covered in that weird white dust. 

Mirrored rooms? Bad news. I felt a chill run down my spine, but going back wasn't an option. The hallway had already spat out one nightmare; who knows what else was lurking? For now, this creepy room would have to do. 

The silence was killing me. Downstairs, Dayang was dealing with Xiuxiu, and honestly, his reckless confidence had been the only thing keeping me sane these past few days. Compared to Niu Shisan's fake bravado, Dayang's carefree attitude somehow felt more trustworthy. His warning about the "blood jade" around my neck kept echoing in my head—it wasn't a charm, it was a curse. I'd been such an idiot, blindly following orders like a puppet. 

Then a scream ripped through the house—half laugh, half wail—and it felt like a snake was coiling around my throat. I couldn't just freeze; I had to do something, even if it was pointless. I started reciting multiplication tables, trying to focus on something normal as the cold seeped into the room. I got up on shaky legs and headed to the bathroom, half expecting some gnarled hands to pop out of the toilet. I didn't flush, just in case. 

When I got back, I felt this numbness creeping through my body, like icy roots were holding me in place. I let out a laugh—sharp and weird—and then horror hit me as my body moved on its own toward the vanity. The mirror showed someone else: a stunning woman in a red qipao, her hair flowing like spilled wine. My hand reached for a comb and started running it through hair that wasn't mine. 

Reality shattered. The reflection's eyes met mine—not mine, but hers—filled with endless sadness. She painted her lips with blood, her laugh coming out of my throat, sweet but rotten. 

I fought against invisible chains as the mirror seemed to dissolve. Her smile—full of despair—burned into my soul. Behind the laughter was pure misery: eyes crying silent curses, a song of hate and broken dreams. The mirror didn't show me anymore, just a weeping ghost and the puppet she'd taken over.

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Chapter Ten Highlights: Breaking Down the Spooky Stuff

[Glutinous Rice Powder] 

- This stuff's like a Chinese ghostbuster charm, straight outta folklore. When the main dude gets it sprinkled on his head, it's like he's wearing an invisibility cloak against ghosts. Totally reminds me of those old-school corpse-driving rituals from Xiangxi, where rice keeps zombies at bay. It's not just about tradition—it shows how desperate our guy is to dodge some serious supernatural heat.

[Blood Jade] 

- Creepy alert! This jade's soaked in human blood, used for some dark ghost-raising or curse-swapping rituals. Niu Shisan tricks the protagonist into wearing it, basically turning him into a human shield. Classic Taoist "scapegoat" move. This jade's bad vibes are a big deal in the story, showing just how shady the characters can get.

[Spectral Infant] 

- Imagine a ghost baby born from a kid who died too soon. When it shows up, it's a hint that the villa's got a double haunting—mom and kid ghosts. Later, you see it again with the combing ghost lady, all about the pain of a murdered pregnant mom. This ghost baby adds some serious feels to the story, all about loss and revenge.

[Mirror Spirit of the Vanity] 

- Mirrors are like ghost portals in folklore. This red-robed ghost pops out of one, showing there's a whole other "mirror world." Her hair-combing thing is all about trying to take over the protagonist's body to come back to life. Super creepy and symbolic, showing how thin the line is between life and death.

[Taboo of Birth Horoscopes] 

- In Taoist beliefs, your birth chart's like your cosmic fingerprint. If some evil dude gets it, they can curse you big time. The protagonist keeps his secret, just barely avoiding disaster. This part's all about playing it smart and staying one step ahead.

[Mahogany Bed Malevolence] 

- Mahogany's usually good vibes in feng shui, but in this ghost-infested villa, it's gone bad. The room's fancy but falling apart, hinting at some bloody history. Over time, it's turned into a "corpse-nurturing crypt." This bed's a metaphor for how even good things can get corrupted.

[Bodily Possession Phenomenon] 

- Ghost takeover alert! The protagonist starts acting all weird, laughing like a lady, thanks to the qipao ghost using the mirror and the blood jade to mess with him. It's a scary reminder of how vulnerable he is to these supernatural forces.

[Soundless Lament] 

- This ghost's laughter hides a silent scream, showing she died in agony without a chance to cry out. It's a haunting reminder of her pain, adding a layer of dread and pity to the story.

[Chamber Layout Conundrum] 

- The villa's second floor is split into life and death zones, thanks to some yin-yang design. The protagonist accidentally walks into the ghost zone, setting off the mirror spirit incident. It's a tricky puzzle that needs some serious Taoist knowledge to solve, showing how the protagonist's gotta use both brains and guts to get through this.

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