Mystery Novel: ℬ𝓁𝒾𝓏𝓏𝒶𝓇𝒹 ℳ𝒶𝓃𝑜𝓇 EP5

Snowdrift Manor appeared after a turn. It was a three-story stone building, its exterior walls made of dark gray granite, the roof covered with heavy snow, and a few windows emitting a dim, yellowish light. The building itself wasn't particularly grand, but its location made one uneasy—a sheer rock face behind it, a steep downhill slope in front, and the only road in and out winding away into the woods. If one were to choose a place to film a horror movie, this would be the top pick. Zhang Zhenyu greeted them at the entrance. He was a man of about fifty, lean, dressed in a dark wool sweater, with a gentle smile but eyes that held little warmth. He shook hands with each person, remembering everyone's name, even accurately stating Old Zhou's title before his retirement. "Welcome, everyone," he said, stepping aside to let them through the door. "Dinner is ready. The weather changes quickly in the mountains. The forecast predicts strong winds and heavy snow tonight, so for safety, I recommend you all stay put in the manor for the next few days." The hall was about two stories high, with a massive stone fireplace in the center where flames burned fiercely. Several oil paintings of mountain scenery and forests hung on the walls, but Chen Mo noticed a small knot pattern in the corner of each painting, like the artist's signature. Sofas and armchairs were arranged in a semicircle, with a wine bottle and a cheese platter on the coffee table, creating a seemingly cozy gathering scene. However, something was wrong. Chen Mo scanned the room, confirming the positions of the seven people—himself, Lin Jing, Old Zhou, Fang Guodong, Shen Yuehua, Xu Ziqian, and Zhang Zhenyu. All seven were present. But there were eight wine glasses on the coffee table. (To be continued)