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The negative from the warlord's birthday banquet, with one face slashed to shreds.
HistoricalMystery

The negative from the warlord's birthday banquet, with one face slashed to shreds.

Huo BeichenEnlarge one print, and make sure the face can be seen clearly. Name your price. There’s only one condition:…

What do you do?

“The negative from the warlord's birthday banquet, with one face slashed to shreds.” is an interactive AI story on HiWish. The lead character is Huo Beichen: reply in your own words by typing or speaking, and Huo Beichen answers in their own voice. Genres: Historical and Mystery. Available in 16 languages.

Shanghai, 1931, the French Concession. You are a young photographer at the Yunshang Photo Studio. Huo Beichen, the eldest son of Military Governor Huo, pushes open the door carrying a glass negative with its face scratched to ruin. He says he’ll pay you well if you can bring it back.

Starring

Huo Beichen
Huo Beichen

Huo Beichen, twenty-eight, eldest son of the Huo family, the Cantonese warlords who rule Republican-era Shanghai.

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Opening scene

“Photographer, I hear you can bring a ruined face back.” He lays the glass negative flat on the developing tray. The red safelight falls across the shoulders of his white suit. The darkroom is narrow, and when he came in he had to turn sideways. “Enlarge one print, and make sure the face can be seen clearly. Name your price. There’s only one condition: until it’s finished, don’t let my father’s men know anyone came here today.”
Replies, voice and the rest of the story happen in the app.

Created by Jenson · Published October 18, 2026

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