The snow was falling heavily, making it nearly impossible to walk on the narrow mountain path.

　　Lin was worried that Ruan couldn't handle the weather, so he kept protecting her.

　　Xiao, standing nearby, said casually, "You two have such a good relationship."

　　"She's a girl," Lin said, "It's only natural to take better care of her."

　　Ruan, looking delicate, leaned against Lin, glancing at Xiao with a look of helplessness.

　　Xiao, expressionless, averted his gaze, seemingly uninterested in her.

　　Finally reaching the place where they were to cut down trees, the group resumed their work.

　　They chose two trees that weren't as thick this time, hoping to finish them both in one day.

　　Despite the cold weather, Lin felt his body warming up after chopping for a while.

　　He unbuttoned his coat and stood to rest for a moment.

　　Ruan leaned against a nearby tree, her eyes fixed on Lin, deep in thought.

　　Lin glanced at her, "What are you looking at?"

　　Ruan, "Your butt is quite perky..."

　　Lin almost dropped his axe, his hand shaking.

　　He turned to Ruan, "What did you say?"

　　Ruan, "I didn't say anything. You must have heard wrong."

　　Lin was full of suspicion.

　　Ruan, "Go ahead and repeat what I just said."

　　Lin, "..."

　　This girl must have known he wouldn't say it out loud, right?

　　They chatted and chopped wood, taking turns to rest with the other men in the group.

　　 Before the sun completely set, they had cut down the two trees.

　　Chopping the trees was one thing, but transporting them became a nightmare for everyone.

　　The two teammates who had been crushed by the trees yesterday were buried under a thick layer of snow.

　　Even though their bodies were hidden, the gruesome images were still vividly in everyone's mind.

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　　"We can't carry them anymore," Chi said, "We should use ropes to tie them up and drag them."

　　"Then who's going to drag them?" Zhang asked.

　　Chi said, "The men will split into two groups and take turns."

　　This method seemed fair.

　　Everyone was doing the same thing, so if anyone died, it would be pure bad luck and not anyone's fault.

　　Lin didn't say much.

　　He took the rope from Chi and, along with another teammate who rarely spoke, began dragging the heavy logs.

　　It was more difficult to drag them on the narrow mountain path than to carry them, but at least it was safer and prevented accidents like the one that happened before.

　　With the previous incident in mind, everyone was extra cautious.

　　Finally leaving the mountain path and arriving at the carpenter's house, they all breathed a sigh of relief.

　　"Old man," Chi called out, "We've brought the wood."

　　The sound of wood being processed from within the house stopped.

　　A moment later, a wrinkled, aged face appeared in the doorway.

　　The carpenter slowly opened the door, motioning for them to bring the wood inside.

　　"Old man," Chi wiped the white snow off his face, "We've brought the wood. We're going to visit the temple later. Is there anything we need to bring?"

　　The old man took a puff from his long pipe, exhaling thick white smoke, and mumbled, "Bring your people."

　　Chi frowned at this reply.

　　"You have to go at night," the old man said, "After dark, go into the temple one by one. Pray and then come out."

　　Ruan's expression changed slightly when she heard this request.

　　Lin thought she would say something, but she remained silent.

　　Instead, she simply smiled with a strange look in her eyes.

　　"One by one?" Chi seemed to find the request odd, "Can't we all go in together?"

　　"All together?" The old man scoffed, "You can try."

　　"Thank you." Chi didn't ask any further questions.

　　He turned around and called out to everyone, leaving the carpenter's house.

　　Lin felt something was wrong about the old man.

　　He said, "The people in the village wouldn't lie to us, would they?"

　　"Some might," Chi said, "But the key figures usually don't lie. If the clues they gave us about the key are wrong, then what's left for us to do?"

　　Just wait for death, basically.

　　Lin responded with an "oh."

　　After delivering the wood to the carpenter, the group returned to their lodgings, lit a fire to warm themselves, and discussed their next steps.

　　Ruan said she wanted to use the toilet and went out for a while, but she didn't come back for a long time.

　　Lin waited for a while, but he became worried about her.

　　He went out to look for her, but he didn't find her in the toilet.

　　 He searched around the house and finally saw Ruan sitting alone by the well.

　　She seemed to have been sitting there for a while, covered in a layer of white snow.

　　Lin tried calling her name, but Ruan didn't seem to hear him.

　　She didn't turn around.

　　"Ruan?" Lin walked towards her, "What are you doing? It's so cold outside."

　　"Don't move," Ruan suddenly said.

　　Lin stopped in his tracks.

　　Ruan said, "Stay away from me."

　　Her voice was cold, completely different from her usual gentle tone, "Stay far away."

　　Lin said, "What's wrong?"

　　He sensed that Ruan's sudden change in attitude was somehow related to the well beside her.

　　Ruan shook her head, refusing to answer.

　　Lin took a chance and walked two more steps towards Ruan, getting closer to the well.

　　He regretted it the moment he got a clear look.

　　 His whole body erupted in goosebumps.

　　 Inside the well, a black mass covered everything.

　　 At first, he thought it was water, but then he noticed the mass was slowly moving.

　　He realized he wasn't mistaken - the well was filled with black hair.

　　Ruan's feet seemed to be tangled in the hair, preventing her from moving.

　　"Don't come any closer, Lin," Ruan said, "You'll be pulled down with me."