Why is my journey to the world of anime a strange tale of rules?

"In this way, at least hot water will be guaranteed."

She glanced at the wok placed on one side of the room. The wok was stainless steel, so it wasn't rusty, just covered in a layer of dust. Once cleaned, it could be used to boil water and cook noodles.

Originally, Consort Zhen thought she would have to live a life of eating raw meat and drinking blood for the next few days, but now that she saw that the water vapor had not stopped, she had received the best news possible.

"Although it's a good thing, all we can eat right now is instant noodles and compressed biscuits. Well, it's better than nothing."

Gao Hai himself has always been a fan of instant noodles. In his opinion, instant noodles are meant to be soaked and eaten, and cooking them is completely unnecessary. He only considers cooking instant noodles when he has a lot of free time. So, it seems that the reason he transmigrated was because he bought eggs, ham, and other ingredients to go with instant noodles in order to cook them.

"Maintaining a quality life is always important, as it has a very positive effect on regulating one's mindset. Although the ingredients are limited, since the water supply is secured, I'll take care of dinner tonight. Hmph, don't think I'm some kind of sheltered young lady who can't cook anything."

Maki, who disagreed with Gao Hai's idea, shook her head and patted her chest, which was not rising or falling, revealing a slightly proud expression.

"Is that so? Although I have visited Shuchiin, I don't know much about the students there, and I have no idea what kind of person you are (this is a lie). However, I have heard that the Shinomiya and Shijo families are very powerful family businesses. Hmm, I'll open that refrigerator over there. It's been sitting there for more than two years without being opened. I guess it must be pretty scary inside. It's not really suitable for a girl like you to open it."

Despite having read the original Kaguya-sama manga, Takami continued to lie through her teeth, her expression unchanged. She walked past Maki and headed to check the refrigerator at the far end of the kitchen.

"Ha, what, you think I'm strong because I have a family to rely on? Hmph, you ignorant fool, I'm a true all-rounder. I can handle any situation, and my skills are beyond your imagination. Mathematics, martial arts, kendo, housekeeping, art, foreign languages, and so on. My knowledge in daily life is also something a shut-in like you can't compare to. Alright, get out of the way. It's just a refrigerator. Do you think I'd be scared and disgusted by seeing rotten vegetables and meat? You underestimate me. Stand aside, I'm here to investigate. I'll also show you what the Shijou family's style is like!"

Speaking at lightning speed, Shijo Maki stretched out her small hand to stop Takahashi, gave him a somewhat disdainful look, snorted, and walked towards the refrigerator.

Judging solely from her tone and manner of speaking, it has to be said that she was quite unlovable. Someone who didn't know her might have thought she genuinely looked down on Gao Hai. In reality, she was worried after hearing Gao Hai's words that something bad might be lurking in the refrigerator in this eerie place, and therefore intended to investigate first to prevent Gao Hai from taking any risks. That's why she said those words on purpose. However, before she could even finish her bold statement, her legs began to tremble slightly as she approached the refrigerator, and her fingers hesitated as she reached for it.

Could something actually jump out after we open the refrigerator?

Shijo Maki wasn't very brave, and she was starting to shrink back, but she still stubbornly refused to show her weakness to outsiders.

So that's what tsundere is.

Gao Hai, who had observed Maki's subtle actions, simply stroked his chin and nodded slightly, inwardly reflecting on the different expressions of tsundere personalities in the real world and the two-dimensional world.

I could immediately sense her tsundere charm in the manga, but in real life, unless I meticulously observed every subtle movement, I genuinely thought she was looking down on me. Hmm, so is it true that tsundere girls only seem cute when they understand the other person?

If I were to ask her about relationship issues right now, could I guide her to utter a famous line like "I'm a love guru"? Ah, I suddenly really want to hear her say that; it would surely be incredibly pleasant.

Although Gao Hai was still lost in his own thoughts as always, he quickly approached and stood beside Zhen Fei.

"It looks like the refrigerator is still powered on. Be careful, who knows what might be inside."

As he said this, Gao Hai stood next to Zhen Fei and reached out to pull the refrigerator door shut.

"Ha, as long as nothing jumps out to attack me, there's nothing to be afraid of. I've seen far more of the world than you have."

Feeling somewhat slighted, Shijou Maki showed an unhappy expression. As she spoke, she grabbed the small refrigerator door and pulled it open forcefully.

A frozen man's face came face to face with Princess Zhenfei in the next moment.

"..."

In that instant, Gao Hai could feel the girl beside him tense up all over, her whole body almost completely stiffening.

As the refrigerator door was fully opened, the figure of a man who had been huddled inside and was completely frozen was revealed to the two of them.

Even though he had been dead for a long time, his frozen, grotesque face, filled with terror and despair, seemed to still tell the story of the immense fear this man felt when he finally hid here.

Gao Hai looked down into the refrigerator, but unfortunately, he didn't find any clues like the notes next to the corpse or the words carved before death—the kind of clues commonly found in puzzle games. It just goes to show that games are games; finding clues in real life isn't so easy.

"Wearing only a thin tank top and shorts, perhaps he encountered something while sleeping and resting, and was caught off guard and chose to hide in the refrigerator?"

Feeling the chill emanating from the refrigerator, Gao Hai tried to analyze the deceased's last experiences and behavior, but so far he has not come up with any valuable clues.

"Ha... This kind of thing isn't something you can tell at a glance... Phew... It's nothing special. Wait a minute, isn't something wrong with you? Why are you able to analyze things without any reaction after seeing a corpse? Are you really a novelist?"

As for Zhenfei, who was startled, she had only just recovered. She managed to say a few words to maintain her dignity before immediately realizing what had happened and frowning as she looked at Gao Hai.

"Well, it's probably because I used to read a lot of terrible stuff while researching, so I'm immune to it now, like the most uneasy person in the world..."

Gao Hai was thinking of a suitable explanation, but he was interrupted by footsteps behind him after only a few words.

Kaguya Shinomiya silently entered the kitchen. Only when she was close to the two did she deliberately make footsteps to let them notice her presence.

She didn't speak, her gaze only sweeping over the half-open refrigerator door behind Gao Hai and Zhen Fei, and the curled-up corpse completely frozen inside. Then she gestured for them to be quiet and showed them her cell phone.

There's something happening outside. Don't make a sound, come over here.

After showing the two a brief message, Kaguya's gaze lingered for a moment on the slightly moist corner of Maki's eye, which she hadn't wiped away after being frightened, before she took the lead and walked outside.

Kaguya had already taken the clock down and was holding it in her hand. Takami and Maki followed without hesitation. The three of them tried their best to remain quiet and ensure that they acted silently.

Tuk-tuk-tuk——

Walk through the living room and into the hallway.

Before Gao Hai even reached the door, he heard a knock that was neither too loud nor too soft, followed by voices.

[Gao Hai, Xiao Gao, are you in there?]

Why aren't you saying anything? It's me, Sun Dajun!

[Everyone's outside, we're discussing what to do right now, why did you hide inside? And those two girls with you, what are you doing? Hey, can't you stop being silent? Give me an answer!]

It was the voice of that chubby executive that I had heard not long ago.

There was absolutely nothing unusual about it. The knocking was followed by a questioning voice. At the same time, the voices of what sounded like the black man and the blonde woman could be faintly heard outside the door; all three voices were heard.

Along with the steady knocking sound, it reached the ears of the three people inside.

Tuk-tuk-tuk——

Chapter Nine: Tap—Tap—Tap—

[Xiao Gao, why aren't you saying anything?]

The sounds outside continued.

It was as if the previous silence was just an illusion, as if the silence in the corridor after the footsteps appeared never existed at all.

Tuk-tuk-tuk——

The knocking continued.

The three people standing inside the room remained silent.

How is this going?

After all the sounds outside fell silent, although the three of them said they were unsure of the situation outside, in reality, both Takami and Kaguya Maki were prepared for everyone in the corridor to die. This was especially true after Maki and Takami saw the frozen corpses in the refrigerator, which solidified their belief.

But now, their voices have resurfaced.

Why did it have to happen now of all times?

They had been silent for so long, without making a sound at all. Could it all have been a misunderstanding? Could it be that nothing fatal or strange had happened, and the footsteps had simply blocked out the sounds of those outside, preventing them from noticing their movements?

Okay, okay, nothing's been happening outside, stop hiding.

[Yes, we've been knocking on your door for ages. We've been calling you ever since you came in. Why didn't you answer?]

[They just suddenly went into hiding. What happened? Nothing's wrong.]

The voices of the three people outside continued to ring out.

The knocking continued, along with the other knocking.

Tuk-tuk-tuk——

The knocking sound was steady and unchanging, as if the rhythm would never change.

Should we respond to what these people are saying?

No, we can't act rashly like that; there are just too many suspicious points.

The idea was immediately rejected by Gao Hai as soon as it came to mind.

If it were truly safe outside, then the burly white man and Lao Guo shouldn't have remained inactive. At the very least, Lao Guo, who initially acted as if he wanted to lead the group, shouldn't have stayed silent; he should have been among them.

The three people who had stayed in the hallway were talking and knocking on the door repeatedly, which was highly suspicious.

Old Guo wouldn't open the door or talk to us, and neither would that foreigner. We had no choice but to knock on your door.

[Exactly! Open the door already! Please, at least give us a word. Is it really necessary for you to just stand here in the hallway without saying a word?]

Everything's really fine outside. We're all part of this apartment building; any problems can be discussed.

Tap tap tap—tap tap tap—

The knocking and talking continued.

I don't know why these people are so persistent. Even though the people inside are ignoring them, they still keep knocking on the door.

Gao Hai remained silent.

Kaguya and Maki, who were beside him, showed no sign of making any attempt to approach the gate.

Instead, all three of them stepped back, moving away from the gate in a very tacit manner.

I said, "Is it really necessary to be so wary of us?"

Why do we have to back down? We can talk things out if we come out.

We're neighbors, why can't we talk things out face-to-face?

Tuk - Tuk - Tuk -

The knocking seemed to get a little louder.

It's like punching a door repeatedly.

The effort he used wasn't too great, but a growing sense of anxiety was emerging.

Not right.

Something must be wrong.

Gao Hai rubbed his head, feeling a little dazed. He subconsciously wanted to respond to the voice outside the door, but instinctively kept his mouth shut, remaining silent.

He couldn't quite put his finger on what was wrong.

He simply remained silent, staring at the direction of the gate without saying a word.

What's wrong with that? You've seen us before.

Sun Dajun's impatient voice was accompanied by a sound like banging on the door.

Yes, what exactly is wrong?

Gao Hai pondered silently in his heart.