Chapter 6: The Terrifying Basement

"Music? What music?" I was so engrossed that I stretched my waist and asked

I raised my eyebrows; Peng Gang's thoughts were not without reason

This sound feels very warm, yet in this context, it carries an indescribable aura of eeriness, a formidable sense of the uncanny. Moreover, this sense of eeriness is difficult to articulate, akin to a stone lodged in the heart, causing goosebumps to rise all over the body

Peng Gang's curiosity completely overshadowed his fear at that moment. He cautiously pushed open the iron door and stepped inside. The space within was vast and particularly cold, with the distant sound of howling wind audible. Peng Gang dared not shine his flashlight any longer; he turned it off and followed the sound. Not far away, there was a source of light, obscured behind a pile of dark, indistinct objects, making it difficult to see clearly.

Peng Gang looked at me and said, "Old Liu, you must understand that sometimes something that seems very peaceful can become terrifying when placed in a different environment. For example, if you suddenly see a little girl in pajamas in an abandoned haunted house, how would you feel?"

Surprisingly, there was an old sofa placed on the platform between the second and first floors

I can't quite describe it," Peng Gang said. "The piano accompaniment is very soothing, with a harmonious interplay of low and high notes, creating a kind of lounge music feel. Do you know what lounge music is?

I nodded slightly: "I have heard that there are doomsday cults abroad that promote apocalyptic theories. Just think about it, your father, from birth to death, even went to the underworld; perhaps after living, he might believe in something."

At this point, Peng Gang shivered slightly and took a sip of water from his cup

His father reacted quickly, suddenly sitting up, turning off the player, and extinguishing the desk lamp, plunging the surroundings into complete darkness.

What you mean is ... ... '' I want to say: `` This kind of music is pleasant in itself, but in the kind of environment you experienced, it becomes very terrifying ''

Do not mention Peng Gang; even I, as a listener, feel a bit cold in my hands and feet just imagining the scene at that time. I asked with a trembling voice, "Your father isn't involved in some church or underworld organization, is he?"

Peng Gang walked closer and finally saw what was happening at the bright spot. On the ground lay a portable table lamp, next to which was a speaker playing that piece of music. His father, Peng Liang, was curled up on a tattered blanket. The blanket was so dirty that its original color was unrecognizable, emitting a nauseating odor. His father was turned away from the outside, huddled like a baby, with his arms wrapped around his knees.

The father and son gazed at each other across the darkness, motionless like statues

Fortunately, Brother Peng's company is located on the fourth floor of the office building, and the journey is not very long. However, walking in such a narrow, desolate staircase feels like torture, with each passing second losing all sense of time. At the junction between each floor, there is a small rotating platform. Each of these platforms is cluttered with various items left from unknown eras: broken chairs, broken tables, lamps without shades, plastic bags, woven bags, and a myriad of other things.

He walked cautiously in that direction, as music floated through the vast underground space, accompanied by the background piano and a man's warm, deep voice: "... ... Please relax your body and mind throughout the entire process ... ... Take deep breaths along with my voice ... ... With each deep breath, your body and mind will become increasingly relaxed ... ... "

Peng Gang shook his head: "What you said is surprisingly similar to what Mr. Li speculated at that time. However, I don't think it is the case. Let me finish speaking."

"Is your dad listening to this music? Oh, I see, is it because he is under too much pressure and has hidden himself in the basement to listen to soothing music to relieve his tense nerves?" I said

I tap the table, feeling somewhat dazed; what is this routine

Peng Gang was almost suffocating, not daring to move, tense to the point that sweat was beading on his forehead, and he could almost hear his own heartbeat

Does your father exhibit any other unusual behaviors? Aside from his aversion to sexual activity, watching nature documentaries, and being withdrawn. To be honest, Peng Gang, what you have mentioned does not necessarily indicate any significant issues. Men can also experience a midlife crisis; it is quite reasonable for someone of a certain age to become irritable and display abnormal personality traits

At that time, I was truly impulsive, my mind was heated, and I forced her to take me to find out. After all, I am the young master, and my words still carry weight. Exiting through the back door of the company leads to a hidden staircase in the office building, a place I knew existed but had never traversed. This staircase is an emergency exit; the building has not had any incidents in over a decade, and it has long been abandoned. The corridor lights are not functioning well, and the staircase twists and turns, shrouded in darkness. The little secretary was too afraid to go down and told me that the boss descends this staircase every day, and there seems to be a basement below. At that moment, I had no idea what fear was; I was particularly impulsive and just wanted to confront my father for clarity. I returned to the company, grabbed a flashlight, and was ready to go down. The little secretary clutched my arm, hesitantly saying that if the boss asked, I should not mention that she had said anything. I still had no idea what fear was; I was particularly impulsive and just wanted to confront my father for clarity. I returned to the company, grabbed a flashlight, and was ready to go down. The little secretary clutched my arm, hesitantly saying that if the boss asked, I should not mention that she had said anything. I waved my hand and said, you should mind your own business, this is not your concern. Then I went down.

The staircase before him was shrouded in darkness, seemingly extending into an endless void. Peng Gang, holding a flashlight and leaning against the wall, cautiously descended. It appeared that no one had been here for a long time; everything was covered in dust. As he glanced at the path he had taken, he was startled to find that the wall was covered in his own handprints. Those handprints were strikingly clear, sending chills down his spine, and he began to regret his recklessness. However, he feared the ridicule of the young secretary if he turned back, so he steeled himself and continued downward. Those handprints were strikingly clear, sending chills down his spine, and he began to regret his recklessness. However, he feared the ridicule of the young secretary if he turned back, so he steeled himself and continued downward.

That day, I wanted to have a face-to-face discussion with my father about the flow of communication regarding the pictures and books. Although he had survived a calamity and was living a precarious life, it was not right to indulge his whims without considering the feelings of others. I did not notify him in advance and went directly to his company. Upon arriving at the office, I found he was not there, so I asked the secretary. The secretary appeared very flustered and said my father was meeting a client. I tend to be quite suspicious and could tell she was lying. Suddenly, a thought struck me: had my father's behavior changed so strangely because he was keeping a mistress outside? A kept woman.

The man's voice gradually faded away, leaving only the accompaniment of the piano, occasionally interspersed with some sounds, as if a group of people were softly chanting, though it was unclear what they were saying

"If you continue to listen, you will understand why I am afraid," Peng Gang said

Peng Gang said: "What you mean is evil ... ... "

This dark stairway is so terrifying that who would come here for a stroll, except for his father. He couldn't help but imagine a scene in his mind: his father, Peng Liang, lying alone on this tattered sofa in the darkness, eyes tightly shut, his face pale, resembling a corpse

Thinking of my mother, who has endured hardships to manage this family, she deserves recognition for her efforts, if not for her achievements. My father actually has a mistress outside, which nearly drove me to the brink of fury. I slammed my hand on the secretary's desk and yelled at that girl. She was perceptive enough to realize that this was a family matter, and it wouldn't be good for her to get too involved. Only then did she stammer that every day at 3 PM, Boss Peng goes to the private room to rest, and that no one is allowed to disturb him.

He sensed intuitively that there must be someone there

He grasped the handle, hesitated for a long time, and gently pulled. This door should be opened frequently, as there was no dry friction sound at the hinges, making it quite silent. When the door opened a crack, music could be heard from inside

Yes. Peng Gang said: "He particularly enjoys watching programs about animals, including the domestic 'Animal World' and foreign 'National Geographic' and the like. Whenever animals appear on television, he sits up straight and watches intently. He can often watch for a long time. I really don't understand what is so interesting about tigers and lions eating, mating, and drinking water."

There was not a sound to be heard, the silence was maddening. As he approached the very bottom, the sound of dripping water finally emerged. At this point, he had reached the end, and before him stood a dilapidated iron door, covered in rust, with a large character for "blessing" turned upside down affixed to its surface.

I find it somewhat amusing to watch the animal world

The beam of the flashlight enveloped that person's shape for a long time, and Peng just regained consciousness and was able to think. He suddenly had a strange thought: could the figure on the sofa be his father lying there?

Since then, I began to quietly observe my father, paying close attention to his every word and action. His life is very regular; he leaves for the company early every day. Technically, it is his business, and he can arrive at any time he wishes, but every morning at 6:00, he leaves without fail, regardless of the weather, and does not return until after dark, clearly avoiding the family. Moreover, his behavior is quite strange; he hardly communicates with us. In his spare time, he either practices calligraphy or watches nature documentaries.

Peng Gang was so startled that he didn't dare to breathe; it was too strange. He felt as if he had stumbled upon a secret of his father's that should not be revealed, which made him uneasy. After hesitating for a moment, he decided to leave first. Just as he turned to go, he stepped on a broken pot in the darkness, producing a sharp "clang" sound.

Yes. Imagine yourself sitting on a large sofa on a terrace facing the sea, with the warm spring breeze blowing, a gently swirled glass of red wine in your hand, listening to soothing and warm music. This type of music is called sofa music

He increasingly felt that this place was not simple. This kid had a fierce determination to move forward at critical moments. He clamped the flashlight in his mouth, supported himself with his hands on the clutter, and leaped over.

Peng Gang smiled and said: "I am about to tell you something unusual, even a bit terrifying"

Under the dim light of the flashlight, the sofa appeared extremely worn, with the cover outside being a dark yellow. The springs and cotton were exposed. This was not the worst part; the most terrifying aspect was that a large area of the sofa was indented, surprisingly taking on a vague human shape. Upon witnessing this scene, Peng Gang felt as if he were suffocating, standing dazed on the stairs, his legs seemingly numb, unable to take a single step.

I scratch my head: "Not quite sure, as the name suggests, it might be music of a leisurely kind"

I opened the notebook and picked up the pen

I deeply resonate with this. Before I moved, there was a neighbor in the old building where I lived, and his entire family claimed to be Buddhists. Once, when I visited their home, I was greeted by the sound of Buddhist music chanting "Nima Nima" as soon as I entered. The air was thick with the scent of incense, and his wife was dressed in the attire of a nun, sitting in the living room striking a wooden fish. You can imagine, a woman in her fifties, with a greasy yellow face, her eyes and brows filled with hostility, striking the wooden fish to the sound of Buddhist chants, occasionally casting strange glances at you. The atmosphere was truly spine-chilling. What is usually a very orthodox and grand sound of Buddhism became frightening in such an environment. You can imagine, a woman in her fifties, with a greasy yellow face, her eyes and brows filled with hostility, striking the wooden fish to the sound of Buddhist chants, occasionally casting strange glances at you. The atmosphere was truly spine-chilling. What is usually a very orthodox and grand sound of Buddhism became frightening in such an environment.

After turning past the first floor, the basement was directly below. To his surprise, there were many miscellaneous items piled up at the stairway entrance, blocking the stairs leading down.

I quickly asked, "And then?"

The more he thought about it, the more afraid he became. After a long period of contemplation, he decided to continue exploring further. This was because he was uncertain whether he still had the courage to try again.

He also sensed that his father remained seated, without moving.

The stairs below can no longer be described as dim; instead, they are engulfed in utter darkness, a blackness so profound that one cannot see their own fingers when reaching out. Before him, there is only the faint beam of light from the flashlight. He takes a deep breath and slowly descends the stairs.

He pointed at me, said nothing, and simply nodded emphatically.