The Extravagant Alpha And The Cold Movie Queen’s Fake Act Became Real - Chapter 18

Chapter 18: Is This Hospital Even Legit?

For the next two days, Ruan Siyi used work as an excuse to avoid communicating with Fu Ru’an.

Even when her phone buzzed with notifications from Fu Ru’an, she merely clenched it tightly, unable to summon the courage to open the messages.

This state of affairs continued until the recording of the second episode of Heartbeat Signal began.

Seeing Director Aike’s all-too-familiar face and her serene yet “warm and kind” smile, Ruan Siyi couldn’t help but shudder silently on the side.

Rong Zhi glanced at Ruan Siyi and Fu Ru’an, surprised to find them sitting unusually far apart—with a whole arm’s length of distance between them. She smirked at Ruan Siyi and sneered:

“What’s this? Are you two getting a divorce?”

[Yeah, yeah! I also feel like the atmosphere between Ruan Siyi and Fu Ru’an is a bit off today!]

[No way? They couldn’t even keep up the act for one episode? Fake couple vibes. I don’t get why people ship them.]

[But… their vibe doesn’t really seem like a fight or divorce situation… Ruan Ruan’s expression reminds me of how I looked after I, uh, went too hard on my partner. More like shyness?]

[Off-topic, but @above, is it the kind of “going too hard” I’m thinking of? (Dirty-minded emoji)]

Hearing Rong Zhi’s words, Ruan Siyi’s face immediately flushed with two streaks of red.

She cautiously stole a glance at Fu Ru’an, only to find the other woman already looking back at her with a faint, thoughtful smile.

Caught in the act, she quickly averted her eyes and shot Rong Zhi what she thought was a fierce glare:

“None of your business!”

[Hahahaha Xiao Ruan is so adorable! Like a loyal little guard dog!]

[This reaction… could it really be what the earlier comment said? That they went too hard…]

“Hello! Good morning, dear audience! Welcome back to the live broadcast of Heartbeat Signal’s second episode!”

Director Aike, seeing the viewership break a million and the barrage of flying comments, cheerfully adjusted her Conan-style glasses.

“Can you guess today’s theme based on my outfit?” she teased with a grin.

[Holy crap, those glasses nearly blinded me this early in the morning.]

[What is it? Anime-themed?]

“Today’s theme is—escape room!”

She flashed an evil smile.

“This episode will feature pairs exploring a mysterious midnight hospital as new interns, uncovering its secrets.”

“Additionally, to stay true to our dating show nature, we’ve included some tasks to enhance intimacy between partners,” added planner Duoke.

What?

Escape room?

And a hospital theme?!

The moment she heard “midnight hospital,” Ruan Siyi felt her entire being wither, her expression turning increasingly bitter.

Gritting her teeth, she forced out, “Sister Fu, don’t be scared. I… I’ll protect you.”

Fu Ru’an raised a brow, her voice laced with amusement.

“Alright, then baby must protect me well.”

[What? Since when did “Ruan Ruan” become “baby”? Something definitely happened!]

[Hahahaha stop pretending, Xiao Ruan! You’re clearly the one who’s more scared!]

[Fu, you must protect our Xiao Ruan! (Waving handkerchief)]

Aike, seeing Ruan Siyi trembling, didn’t give her a chance to think further and swiftly blindfolded her.

Ruan Siyi stiffened, instinctively grabbing Fu Ru’an’s hand.

Aike, watching their tightly clasped hands, beamed as if she could already see countless trending topics and skyrocketing ratings.

With a grand wave, she summoned the staff:

“Quick, send our brave little explorer Ruan on her way.”

And so, Xiao Ruan set off, clinging fearfully to Fu Ru’an.

The underground passage of the midnight hospital was eerily cold. After removing their blindfolds, the staff left them alone.

Step by step, they advanced down the corridor, the only sounds being their own breaths. The flickering lights cast erratic shadows, and the faint hum of electricity lingered in the air.

Ruan Siyi’s palms were drenched in cold sweat, her grip on Fu Ru’an—her only lifeline—desperate.

Suddenly.

At the end of the hallway, a strange red light flashed on and off, as if beckoning them.

Fu Ru’an frowned slightly. “Shall we check it out?”

Ruan Siyi gulped and nodded stiffly.

As they approached, the red glow grew brighter, emitting a bizarre metallic scent.

The corridor ended at a decrepit wooden door, its surface shedding splinters. A rusted sign hung crookedly, barely legible: “Dissection Room.”

Just as they reached to push the door, a dark, viscous liquid began oozing from the cracks, dripping slowly onto the floor—a pool of unsettling crimson.

“Is… is that bl00d?”

Ruan Siyi’s voice trembled, her eyes refusing to look directly at the liquid. Her breathing grew ragged.

Fu Ru’an glanced at her, tone gentle. “Scared already? Weren’t you going to protect me?”

Her words were slow, teasing, as she tilted her head, watching Ruan Siyi.

Under that gaze, Ruan Siyi squirmed, swallowing hard. “N-no. Sister Fu, stay back. I’ll open it.”

The moment the door creaked open, a chilling draft rushed out. The sight inside stole their breath—

The walls and ceiling were covered in frantic scratches and bloody handprints, as though someone had struggled desperately.

In the center of the room, a corpse draped in a white sheet lay on a rusted dissection table, its bony joints and skeletal fingers visible beneath the cloth.

Then, the old wall-mounted speaker crackled to life, a hoarse voice announcing:

“—Welcome to Midnight Hospital—”

A woman’s shrill laughter followed, the voice dragging out each syllable—mirth laced with sobs, like someone trapped in an abyss, screaming silently.

The laughter cut off abruptly, replaced by a whisper: “Come… we’ve been waiting for you…”

Ruan Siyi stood frozen, her face pale. Her eyes were glued to the corpse, terrified it might suddenly sit up.

Her voice shook. “Sister Fu…”

“Don’t panic,” Fu Ru’an said calmly. “That’s Director Aike’s voice on the speaker.”

[OMG HAHAHA! Now that she mentions it, it totally is!]

[Director Aike, cutting costs by voicing the ghost herself… how touching.]

Ruan Siyi: “……”

Instantly less scared.

Fu Ru’an squeezed her hand reassuringly. “It’s fine. Let’s find the clues and leave.”

Just then, the white sheet slid off the corpse, revealing a grotesque, pallid face. Its eyes were half-open, staring directly at them.

The corpse’s lips split into a grin, its throat gurgling:

“Save me… save me…”

The voice was raspy, strained, as if forced from its depths.

Its head slowly turned toward them, hollow eyes widening, mouth gaping to reveal grayish teeth—as though about to speak.

The room’s temperature plummeted. Ruan Siyi’s breathing hitched, her fingers trembling uncontrollably.

Her voice wavered. “H-how… how do we help you move on…”

[LMAO “move on”?! HAHAHAHA!]

[I’m dying—Ruan Siyi is somehow both terrified and bold!]

[Did anyone notice Fu never let go of Ruan’s hand?! She knows Ruan’s scared! She’s so in love!]

As soon as Ruan Siyi spoke, the corpse’s head tilted with a sickening crack, its eyes bulging, mouth stretching unnaturally wide. A manic, despairing laugh bubbled up.

“I’ve been here… so long… Only those with medical skill… can free me…”

With a sudden jerk, the corpse sat upright. Its gaze dropped to their intertwined hands, eyes gleaming oddly.

“Here… take my bed. Give each other a ten-minute massage. Let me see if your technique is… correct.”

Ruan Siyi: “Oh.”

“Wait—what kind of massage?”

Hold up—is this hospital even legit?