171: Chapter 171 Mold, Ski Resort, and Transoceanic Business Trip

It was the last day before winter break.

Outside the window, a rare layer of gray, cold mist hung in the air, as if trying to stuff the entire city into an expired tin can.

Qin Ming idly twirled a ballpoint pen in his hand, his gaze falling on the "Vacation Countdown" in the corner of the blackboard.

The moment the bell rang, a burst of raucous cheers erupted in the hallway, sounding as if the students were tearing the building down.

"Qin Ming, what are your plans?"

Qin Ming turned his head to see Wednesday stuffing her Gothic literature books—each as thick as a brick—into her pitch-black backpack.

"Robert is going to Japan for business, and Emma and I are going with him," Qin Ming replied casually, stopping the pen in his hand.

"Japan?" Wednesday paused her movements. "What a pity."

She pulled an exquisite little iron box tied with a black ribbon from her pocket.

The box was about the size of a palm, its lid engraved with dense patterns that carried a certain religious and sacrificial meaning. She shoved it directly into Qin Ming's hand.

Qin Ming took the box and felt a bone-chilling coldness. "What is this? A parting gift?"

"If you die unexpectedly while abroad, remember to remind your family before you draw your last breath to place this box with your corpse."

Wednesday lowered her voice. "It will release a special mold I recently cultivated. This mold will cause your corpse to take on a perfectly beautiful purple-black hue within two weeks and drain all excess moisture.

It's very suitable for making a mummified specimen. It would look very harmonious hanging on the second pillar of my family's main hall."

Qin Ming's lip twitched violently; this farewell was more direct than a curse.

He opened a small crack, and a strange scent—a mix of damp earth and aged rot—instantly wafted out.

"Thanks, but I'll try my best not to die in a way that's suitable for a specimen." Qin Ming expressionlessly put the iron box into his grid space.

He thought to himself that if this mold worked on spiritual entities, it wouldn't be a bad new type of biological weapon.

"What about you?" Qin Ming asked back.

Wednesday sighed, showing her second negative emotion of the day. "I have to go to my mother's side—a distant cousin thirteen generations removed and two generations senior. If it weren't written in the genealogy, no one would acknowledge the connection."

Qin Ming shrugged helplessly. "Well, good luck. If there's a situation you can't handle, or if your cousin plans to turn you into a Frankenstein's monster, call me anytime."

"I will." Wednesday nodded slightly, turned, and walked toward the back door.

Qin Ming picked up his backpack and walked out of the classroom.

At the school gate, under an oak tree that had lost all its leaves, he met Jennifer.

"You're going to Japan?" Jennifer looked up, her eyes clear.

"Yeah, I have no choice. Robert doesn't feel comfortable leaving me home alone," Qin Ming nodded.

Jennifer was silent for a moment and said softly, "My father is taking me to the Overlook Hotel for a skiing vacation.

He said it's the best resort in Colorado. It gets snowed in every winter and is very quiet."

Qin Ming's normally calm pupils contracted slightly. The Overlook Hotel?

A series of keywords instantly flashed through his mind: winter vacation, snowed in, an endless maze, twin girls, and that famous line: 'All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.'

"Jennifer, listen." Qin Ming took a step forward. "If you see twins in blue dresses in that hotel, or see blood spraying from the cracks in the walls, or if you find your father talking to thin air, call me. Also, take this." Qin Ming took out a Holy Light Amulet.

Jennifer took the Holy Light Amulet blankly. Although she didn't understand why Qin Ming had suddenly become so intense, the tangible feeling of being protected sent a wave of warmth through her heart.

"I'll remember." She nodded. Qin Ming watched her walk away, his mind racing.

"The wraith energy at the Overlook Hotel is immense, with strong hallucinogenic and mental pollution properties."

"With Jennifer's already sensitive Medium constitution, entering that place is like being a thousand-watt light bulb in the dark—it's way too conspicuous."

"That's another huge pile of points."

"I hope her dad can survive in the mountains of Colorado," Qin Ming muttered, turning to walk toward his home.

As soon as he pushed open the door, he found the house in a mess.

Robert was sweating profusely, stuffing suits into an extra-large suitcase.

"Oh! Ming, you're back just in time!" Robert wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve. "Pack up tonight. We fly tomorrow. This business trip is very important. We're going to Tokyo to coordinate with the branch office there. I heard the sashimi and hot springs there are amazing; you two will definitely love it."

He spoke with a solicitous smile on his face.

Qin Ming stepped around the laundry bags on the floor and looked at the bustling Robert. He wasn't sure if the sashimi would be good, but the 'local specialties' of Japan would certainly let him return with a full harvest.

"Okay," Qin Ming responded, turning his gaze to Emma, who was sitting on the sofa.

"Emma, go pack your things." Qin Ming walked over to her side.

"I know, big brother." Emma looked up.

She tilted her head, her smile so sweet it was almost cloying. "By the way, if we meet a bad person hiding in a well, can we push her back down?"

"Depends on the situation." Qin Ming reached out and patted Emma's head. "If she doesn't listen, we'll weld the well cover shut."

"Oh," Emma replied, satisfied.

That night, Qin Ming lay in bed, planning his arrival in Japan and the start of his point-gathering scheme.

Winter break was about to begin.

"It's going to be a busy vacation."

Qin Ming rolled over, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly.

Early the next morning.

At Los Angeles International Airport, the roar of engines cut through the morning silence.

Robert walked ahead carrying two large suitcases, muttering to himself as he checked the passports and tickets.

Over the intercom, a sweet female voice was repeating an announcement:

"Flight JL061 to Tokyo is about to begin boarding. All passengers, please proceed to Gate 52..."

Meanwhile, deep in the snow-capped Colorado mountains.

A luxury van was driving along a winding mountain road.

Jennifer sat by the window, looking out at the increasingly desolate snowy landscape through the glass.

At the end of that snowy expanse, a gloomy, massive hotel building stood like a silent giant, waiting in the cold wind for the arrival of new guests.

Jennifer reached out and touched the amulet in her pocket; the warmth against her palm calmed her heart a little.

"Overlook Hotel, we're here." Jennifer's father looked at the road sign, a smile appearing on his face.

Winter break had officially begun.