As An Antique Shop Owner, It's Only Reasonable That I Know A Bit Of Magic - Chapter 39

Because Annie had been in poor condition lately, filming had been wrapping up early each day, slowing down the overall progress.

For the rest of the crew, however, this wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.

How big of a star can a low-budget film really attract? Most of the cast were either fresh newcomers or unknown actors who had been playing bit parts for years.

Unlike A-list celebrities, who constantly juggle promotions and packed schedules, these actors often found themselves with little to do for much of the year.

Sticking around the set for a few extra days to eat boxed meals wasn’t a big deal. Wrapping early also meant they could go out and explore.

As long as they showed up for filming, the director didn’t bother micromanaging their free time—they could do whatever they wanted.

Normally, a few people would hang around, but today, for some reason, it seemed like everyone had coordinated to go out.

So, in the vast rest hall, only Su Fan and Annie were left, chatting back and forth.

Naturally, the conversation kept circling back to Freddy.

“Habits from when someone was alive often influence the ghost they become after death. That means Freddy is more interested in young people than in elderly folks in their seventies or eighties.”

“I took a look earlier—there are quite a few young actors in the crew. They’ll be the main focus when we hand out the talismans later.”

“We can distribute to others as needed.”

As Su Fan said this, he suddenly remembered something important.

“You’re not planning to just tell them straight out that there’s a rotten-faced evil spirit killing people in their dreams, and that these talismans can save their lives, are you?”

“Don’t worry, I’m not that stupid. If knowing the truth makes them fearful, wouldn’t that indirectly help Freddy?”

Annie tilted her head and shot Su Fan a playful glare, full of charm.

“I’ll just say these are very effective lucky charms. Wearing them will bring good fortune.”

“When they actually run into Freddy in their dreams and get protected, they’ll understand the benefits.”

“Then, Master Su Fan, you can reveal the truth to them.”

“To save their lives, they’ll be eager to buy your talismans. It’s like a free trial—except I’m covering the initial cost.”

“It’s like killing two birds with one stone. Well, your plan does sound workable.”

Su Fan smiled, correcting Annie’s mixed-up idiom.

“Same difference.”

Unlike the optimistic Annie, Su Fan didn’t trust others easily.

There were plenty of sensible people who would rather believe in something than dismiss it, but there were even more stubborn, arrogant fools who outright reject what they don’t understand.

Until they personally experienced death and fear, he doubted those people would believe.

Having finished their discussion, both Su Fan and Annie fell silent out of tacit understanding.

The former closed his eyes in meditation, like a monk entering deep contemplation, his breathing slow and steady.

Annie, meanwhile, picked up a Rubik’s Cube.

She wasn’t usually into these kinds of puzzles, but since she couldn’t sleep, she’d started using them to pass the time and ease her anxiety.

After about ten minutes, Su Fan opened his eyes.

“Did I disturb you?”

Annie stopped twisting the cube, her eyes apologetic.

“No, they’re back.”

Before Annie could ask, she faintly heard noisy discussions and footsteps outside.

The door swung open, and a stream of actors filed in.

Seeing this, Annie made to stand up and take out the Evil-Warding Talismans, but then she noticed the director and key production staff following behind the actors.

The originally spacious room suddenly felt crowded with so many people pouring in.

At the center of the group was none other than Elizabeth, who had visited earlier!

“Elizabeth, I thought you’d already left.”

A sense of foreboding rose in Annie’s heart.

“I appreciate your concern for my mental health, but pestering me like this is just annoying.”

“Why would you be annoyed, Annie? You were so cooperative during our sessions before.”

Annie’s tone was already sharp, but Elizabeth showed no sign of taking the hint. Instead, she smiled broadly, her heavily powdered old face wrinkling.

“What made you give up on treatment from me, a psychological expert? It’s because of him, isn’t it?” she said, pointing at Su Fan.

“Let me guess—did he tell you your restlessness and nightmares are caused by an evil spirit?”

“Did he also say he has some magical talisman that can protect you from the spirit’s influence?”

Annie’s fine eyebrows furrowed, and her voice grew louder.

“What are you trying to say?”

“He’s a fraud, can’t you see, Annie?”

“My psychological therapy is what’s actually treating your condition. Any effects he claims are just coincidental.”

Elizabeth pointed at the Evil-Warding Talisman in Annie’s hand.

“Did you buy his worthless paper scraps? And now you’re planning to peddle them to the other actors and crew?”

She turned to address the crowd.

“Is this what he stuck on Annie’s forehead during the day?”

“Yep, exactly the same.”

“Elizabeth was right on the money.”

“So he really is a con artist?”

“What else could he be? Have you ever seen a medical expert resort to violence?”

“Just a charlatan, and a bold one at that—scamming people right here on set.”

Annie’s actions almost perfectly matched Elizabeth’s deductions.

This swayed even those who had been on the fence, and soon everyone turned against Su Fan.

The looks directed at him became uniformly filled with disdain, contempt, and hostility.

The barrage of stares and muttered criticisms made Annie frantic.

“All of you, be quiet! It’s not what you think—let me explain!”

Annie, always poised and polished in public, shot to her feet, her beautiful eyes wide with anger. Her presence alone momentarily overpowered the crowd!

She glanced worriedly at Su Fan, concerned he might storm off in anger, but he remained perfectly calm, not seeming upset at all.

“Annie, hold on to the talismans.”

Su Fan’s voice was quiet but clear, reaching everyone’s ears.

“Freddy is coming.”

No sooner had he spoken than the lights in the lounge began flickering wildly!

The room alternated between light and darkness.

The once-familiar environment suddenly made everyone present break out in goosebumps!

It was here!

Something was coming!

In the strobe-like effect, everyone realized they had somehow been transported to a boiler room.

The dim space had poor visibility, made worse by white mist seeping out from gaps in the pipes around them…

“Hehehe… ahahahaha…”

A bone-chilling laugh echoed in everyone’s ears.

Under the murky yellow light, a blurred shadowy figure approached step by step from the distance.

“Wh-what the…?”

Was this an illusion?

Frozen in terror, the director could barely form words. He looked around frantically, only to see everyone else reacting the same way, all staring in the same direction.

Was it possible for a whole group to share the same hallucination?

The director didn’t know.

But the eerie events didn’t stop there!
The bright, warm lounge and the sinister, terrifying boiler room alternated rapidly.

Light and darkness flickered with the lights!
It was as though hell and reality were merging at that very moment!
But Annie knew—they were being dragged into a dream!

“Su! What do we do!?”

Terrified, Annie turned to Su Fan for help.

Su Fan rose from the couch, cracked his wrists, and then shot forward like a shadow.

But his target wasn’t Freddy—it was the others standing across the room!

Clutching several Evil-Warding Talismans, Su Fan charged into the crowd. With precise strikes, he knocked each person out cold and slapped a talisman on them.

In under two seconds, everyone except the director and Elizabeth was on the floor, unconscious thanks to Su Fan!
His ghostly figure quickly appeared behind the director, delivering an elbow to the back of his head before placing a talisman on him.

As for the last one standing, Elizabeth, Su Fan gave her exactly what she deserved—her favorite slap.

Smack!

The crisp sound snapped Elizabeth back to her senses instantly, and Freddy vanished from her view.

“You!”

Elizabeth was furious, but she couldn’t get another word out.

Not only because her dentures had been slapped flying, but also because another slap was already landing on her other cheek.

Smack!

Another slap reverberated through the room.

After that one, Elizabeth’s eyes rolled back, and she passed out.

Finding her expression too disgusting to look at, Su Fan covered her face with an Evil-Warding Talisman.

“All done.”

Su Fan lightly brushed off his hands.