Scream Queen- Chapter 1

When Zhu Yang decided to head abroad for university, her parents, knowing her spoiled nature, bought her a villa near the school. This way she could avoid the hardships of living in a dormitory with others and concentrate on her studies. 

However, it’s rather difficult to say whether she studies or not. However, to possess such a good living condition without any parental supervision, it was the ideal environment for her to indulge in a little fun. 

Thus, there was always a party at Zhu Yang’s house from dusk to dawn. The loud music would often annoy the nearby neighbors, causing them to file complaints. The police also got involved, however they still refused to correct their behavior. 

In a few days time was Zhu Yang’s birthday. Based off of her love to cause a scene and love for vanity, she had already started planning for the event. 

From time to time she would ask a few friends to pitch in some ideas. 

For today, Zhu Yang had requested the help of a plastic* bestie, Xie XiaoMeng– 

(T/n: Author uses 塑料, which literally is plastic, probably just describing how fake everyone is.)

Of course, using the term “bestie” was an euphemism. In the eyes of the outsiders, all of Zhu Yang’s girlfriends from her sorority were all just her followers.

The outsiders love to point at the group’s faults, but couldn’t help but yearn to be just like them and feel jealous of their carefree displays of extravagance.

So for a long time, many people spent countless amounts of efforts in order to get an invitation. Because, aside from getting to show off, being part of this group came with a lot of hidden benefits. 

Zhu Yang opened the door and ordered Xie XiaoMeng to carry in her mail delivery. Recently she had bought a great deal of decorations. 

Xie XiaoMeng inwardly complained, but outwardly acted like everything was fine, “Wouldn’t it be better to hire an event coordinator? That way you wouldn’t be so busy everyday.” 

“I’m free anyways.” 

Xie XiaoMeng secretly scolded her. Of course you’re free. All you do is order something online and move your mouth. The ones doing the actual work were always them. 

After entering the house, the two tossed their bags onto the sofa and began unboxing the delivery.

Halfway through the pile, Xie XiaoMeng found a flat box. She opened it thinking it was some eyeshadow palette Zhu Yang had bought. 

Taking a quick glance, she saw the words: “Sexy lady, seductions in an empty room. European male models, a fierce battle in the sea?” 

The bold red letters made Xie XiaoMeng look towards Zhu Yang with an intrigued expression– 

“Oh~~” 

Zhu Yang snatched the CD up and sneered, “What’s that look huh? You think I bought it? Why would I, Zhu Yang, need to watch this sort of film? Why would I watch this cheap and vulgar film that believed people would buy it if they advertised European models?” 

That was true, Xie XiaoMeng was quite disappointed at that fact.  

Zhu Yang, no matter how bitchy, was a true beauty. Otherwise she wouldn’t be in charge of the sorority. 

In fact, Zhu Yang was so pretty that if she entered the entertainment circle and played the part of a vase, she could still earn enough to support herself. 

“Then how did you become targeted by the film distributors?” Xie XiaoMeng couldn’t hold back from mocking her. 

Hearing this, Zhu Yang replied, “Because I can.” 

She then slid the CD into the CD player, shocking Xie XiaoMeng with her sudden actions. 

Pressing the play button, Zhu Yang warned Xie XiaoMeng, “Now, don’t go blabbing any nonsense. If I hear any news of this, I’ll tell everyone that you brought this film for me to watch.”

Xie XiaoMeng’s lips twitched. In this giant f*cking college, the only person who starts up any senseless drama is you!

During their conversation, the video had finished loading, displaying an image of historical Tokyo, along with the word “HOT.”

Then the scene panned out, replaced by an empty dimly-lit room. 

Zhu Yang thought although the scene fits the description, the tone was a bit dark and depressing. The mood it gave off didn’t belong in that type of film, instead it’s similar to those from a horror movie. 

While she pondered this, a chair appeared inside the room. Then a woman in a white dress walked towards the chair and sat down. 

The lady took out a comb and started to brush her jet-black hair. 

The woman’s beautiful hair sharply contrasted with her mediocre looks. 

Zhu Yang couldn’t help but point that out, “This girl looks bad!” 

As soon as those words were uttered, not sure if it was a trick of light or not, but the woman’s movements stiffened before relaxing back to her creepy combing movements. 

Xie XiaoMeng felt more freaked out as she continued watching, “Doesn’t this look a bit familiar? Didn’t that suicide clip from The Ring also start off with a girl combing her hair?!” 

At the same time, the woman seemed to finally react. She looked up, and stared in their direction. 

The corners of her mouth hooked into a knowing smile. She then slowly stood up, turning to face them– 

“Huh, they really included Sadako’s clip.” The silent room was interrupted by Zhu Yang’s sudden realization. 

“En?” Xie XiaMeng was scared shitless but still responded. 

Zhu Yang continued to babble, “There used to be an old comedy talk show, where one female guest stated she loved watching all types of films- both Western and Asain films. However, what she meant was that she liked watching the horror-genre, which caused the audience to heckle her. Afterwards, when Sadako was mentioned, a demon king was surprised that Sadako’s clip was included.” 

“Anyways, that clip was old news!” 

After hearing this, Xie XiaoMeng recalled that video, “No way, really?” 

“Why not? As long as it would make money, what wouldn’t people film? This cliche is so popular, just you wait, there will be some hot guy that appears behind the ghost doing this and that with her. 

“Using a horror theme in this kind of film isn’t a bad money making strategy,” Zhu Yang opened a bag of chips, “The atmosphere is very good, pretty refreshing. However, the female lead is too ugly. Her figure isn’t that appealing either. This is probably just to attract attention.”

Right as she finished saying this, the woman on screen walked towards the only window in her room before turning around again. Her originally sinister expression seemed to glare even more venomously at Zhu Yang.

Then the woman jumped out of the window, disappearing from the scene. The room was still the same, and the screen went black. 

The film was over! 

Zhu Yang was confused. Where was the hot guy?! Where was the transformation of the female ghost from gloomy and depressing to provocative and passionate?! Where was the pa-pa-pa?!

How could it just end like that?

Zhu Yang wanted to scold the film, but was cut off by her phone ringing. 

The light within the room was very dim at the moment, so the sudden noise started the two girls. 

Annoyed, Zhu Yang dug out her phone from her bag. It was from an unknown number. 

Picking up, a hoarse and raspy female voice croaked out, “S-s-seven day!” 

(T/n: Bolded words are spoken in English.)

Zhu Yang didn’t put the call on speaker, but due to the silence within the room, Xie XiaoMeng was able to hear the whole conversation. 

Her face paled dramatically and cold sweat beaded from her body. From the CD to now, the whole atmosphere was weird and suffocating.

However Zhu Yang was not amused, “S-s-s, shut the f*uck up! Your pronunciation wasn’t even good, and you dare to plagiarize the American version! I understand you prankster-losers like to cause and scare people, but let me ask you one thing. This whole film consisted of one Asian actress, and you used the American version? Aren’t you afraid of being criticized by your viewers?” 

Disgruntled, Zhu Yang hung up and stood up, “What a waste of time. Come, let’s get back to decorating.” 

The usually obedient Xie XiaoMeng stood up shakily. With a pale face and trembling lips, she asked, “You- you really think this was just a prank?” 

Zhu Yang cocked her head, puzzled, “Of course. Do you really think Sadako is going to climb out of the TV?” 

As she said this, she ejected the CD out of the player and tossed it into the trash. 

Xie XiaoMeng gulped nervously, “It’s good that you feel so confident, but I still think something’s wrong. Don’t you feel that the house suddenly felt very creepy after the film?” 

“Whose house are you calling ‘creepy’?” Zhu Yang raised her eyebrow. 

Xie XiaoMeng didn’t dare to offend Zhu Yang, but also couldn’t stand this oppressing feeling anymore, “No! I-I don’t feel so good. I’ll head home for how, and come back tomorrow to help decorate.” 

Zhu Yang noticed Xie XiaoMeng’s legs were shaking, inwardly despising her lack of courage, but didn’t want to see her fearful expression, waved her hand, “Go, go.” 

Xie XiaoMeng, as if granted an amnesty, started to pack her bags to leave, but was called back by Zhu Yang– 

“Take out the trash when you leave.” 

Xie XiaoMeng and the rest of the girls had gotten used to doing these tasks, so normally she would just snarl and not say anything, but this time, the disc was in the trash. 

Xie XiaoMeng felt a little awkward, but under Zhu Yang’s abuse of power, she could only do as she was told, gingerly picking up the trash bag and carrying it out the door. 

Originally, Zhu Yang planned to arrange the layout of the event and called Xie XiaoMeng since she was a design major. However, because of that film, she got nothing done. 

She cursed the film silently in her heart, but also felt the uncomfortable coldness that surrounded the room. 

This type of coldness seemed to seep into the pores, and cause the person to fidget from the discomfortable sensation. 

Zhu Yang turned off the AC. The high temperatures of June had caused the house’s interior to feel dry and stuffy. In the past, she wouldn’t be able to withstand such feelings without the help of the AC. 

However, now she felt just right, as if the strange coldness was enough to offset the summer heat. 

Zhu Yang also got goosebumps, but brushed it off as overthinking and being influenced by Xie Xiaomeng’s irrational fear. 

She then pulled out her phone and ordered take-out, planning on taking a warm shower in the mean-time. 

The Zhu parents were busy with their work. They didn’t even show up when they bought this villa for their daughter. Their assistant had taken care of the whole process and chose this luxurious place. 

Zhu Yang had lived here for 3 years, and because she constantly had friends over, didn’t feel so lonely. 

The warm water pouring from the shower head, loosened her pores, and caused the cold feeling to melt away. 

Must have been overthinking then, Zhu Yang thought to herself as she lathered her shampoo. Then she noticed several strands of jet-black hair on her pristine white bathroom tiles. 

Zhu Yang cautiously brought her hand onto her head and gently ran it through the strands. However, even with her gentle touch, her hair strands still broke off. 

Panicked, she glanced at her bathroom mirror, which reflected her horrified expression and large chunks of hair just sliding off, leaving her with a bald head. 

Zhu Yang was about to let out a loud shriek when the warm water became scalding hot. 

As she tried dodging the boiling water, her elbow accidentally bumped into a wall causing a deep burst of pain to shock through her body and soul. 

When the shock wore off, Zhu Yang looked down at the tiles again. There were only the normal amount of hair strands on the floor. 

Then she looked back at the mirror and was relieved at the sight of her normal healthy hair. Thank God, she wasn’t bald. 

Carefully, she ran her fingers through the hair and gave a few experimental tugs. After deeming everything was fine, she quickly exited the shower, not wanting to stay any longer. 

Just as she got out of the bathroom, she received a phone call from her younger brother. She didn’t even need to pick up to know what he wanted to say. Her brother was determined to apply to the same college she had and come live with her. 

Zhu Yang felt pissed just thinking about this matter. She was happy with her free and unrestrained life. If her brother came to live with her, then that freedom would be restricted. She would be mad if she allowed that to happen. 

After giving her brother a good scolding, her fear was naturally forgotten. Zhu Yang dried her hair and got dressed and retrieved her take-out from the delivery man. 

Zhu Yang wanted to go to sleep after eating her take-out, but still felt unsettled. 

So she pulled up the internet, searching “Sadako, horror video.” 

Naturally, most of the results were centered around the film along with some “Sadako vs Bunshinsaba, Sadako vs Kayako, Sadako Avi” results.  

In short, there were so many off-brand movie titles. 

After clicking through a hundred of links or so, she still didn’t find anything. 

Zhu Yang was both a bit disappointed and ecstatic. She threw her phone to the side and went to sleep. 

Around midnight, she groggily awoke to use the bathroom. 

As she washed her hands, Zhu Yang felt something was off and lifted her head– 

The face in the mirror was not hers. 

Mediocre looks, long straight black hair, white dress. This was obviously the appearance of the film’s actress from this afternoon. 

Zhu Yang stared at her reflection for half a minute, and then tears started to fall from her eyes. The expression on her face showcased her despair and helplessness. 

The female ghost seeing Zhu Yang finally showing panic and anguish, couldn’t help but feel proud of herself. 

Then the b*tch (Zhu Yang) opened her mouth, “F*cker, if you want to scare me, then go ahead. But can you please not do it like that. I didn’t react quick enough and thought that I looked like this. If I looked so ugly, why do I need you to scare me? I wouldn’t even want to live with that face, what else would I have been scared of.  Female ghosts are the worst, they show what people are most afraid of.” 

Female Ghost: ……

Let’s ignore the seven day rule and kill this b*tch right now. 

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Translator Notes/Comments:

Our Queen:

From Chapter 14 of manga

Hello, it’s Eggs. I was reading this manga and fell in love with the art and the storyline, so I started reading the novel, and by reading, I meant slowly translating it since it’s easier for me to read in English. Hope y’all would enjoy.
There’s currently 24 (?) chapters of the manga out, as of today (December 5th, 2020). I’ll try to catch with the manga ASAP. It seems like each chapter manga is corresponding with the novel chapters.

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