Good Night, Mr. Ghost - Chapter 12

Jiang Chenyi headed downstairs with his belongings. He felt a bit guilty, considering taking a day off to hang out with Mr. Ghost instead of going to work. But the thought of spending time with Mr. Ghost filled him with excitement.

“Come on, Jiang Chenyi, once work is over, we can go out and have fun!” he encouraged himself. With renewed energy, Jiang pedaled his bicycle through the alleys, obeying traffic rules, and smoothly arrived at the tutoring class.

Wang Yi was leaning against the doorway, watching a husky playing nearby. She glanced at Jiang with a raised eyebrow. “Oh, Jiang, looks like your love life is blossoming again.”

“Ha ha ha, Yi-Jie, you can tell just by looking?” Jiang scratched his head, grinning widely.

“Of course, your face is practically glowing. Don’t spread that love-struck aura around me, or I’ll smack you. So, is it that guy?” Yi-Jie was eager to hear more.

“Yes,” Jiang chuckled, then looked at the husky digging a hole in the ground. “Why’d you bring Xinxin out?”

Xinxin was Wang Yi’s pet dog, practically her child. Wang Yi rolled her eyes at the husky. “If I didn’t take him out today, he’d tear my house apart. By the way, there’s not much on the schedule today. Jiang, could you record a biology lesson for middle school? The textbooks are in my office. Your videos are selling well, and I’ll give you a bonus at the end of the month.”

Jiang nodded and went inside to prepare. He set up the camera and stood in front of the whiteboard, ready to teach.

When Jiang was teaching, he adopted a more serious demeanor, exuding a restrained aura that drove the fangirls watching his videos wild. “This teacher is just too handsome!”

Meanwhile, Meng Loudi was at home, with nothing much to do since Jiang had left. But he was intrigued by what Jiang had mentioned about the internet.

Perhaps the browser could reveal the truth to him?

Thus, Meng Loudi opened the door to a new world.

Unaware of his beloved’s newfound exploration, Jiang finished his workday with enthusiasm and returned home.

This time, the door didn’t open immediately. Jiang hesitated and pressed the doorbell.

The intermittent ringing didn’t prompt Mr. Ghost to open the door right away. Jiang’s mind raced with possibilities, none of them good.

Meng Loudi had promised to wait for him to come home.

Jiang fumbled for his keys, just about to unlock the door when it swung open, revealing Meng Loudi’s serene face.

Jiang took a big step inside, looking at Mr. Ghost with an unsteady breath. “Where were you?”

Meng Loudi, feeling a bit guilty, had been engrossed in something. “I was watching a movie and didn’t hear you. It’s okay, don’t worry,” he soothed, holding Jiang and patting his back.

Jiang clutched his clothes. “I thought… I thought…”

“Don’t be afraid. I promised to stay with you always,” Meng Loudi reassured him, feeling a strange sense of satisfaction.

Whether Jiang loved him or not, at least for now, Jiang couldn’t leave him. Jiang needed Meng Loudi. Desperately.

Jiang puffed his cheeks, feeling a bit embarrassed for being so emotional. After all these years, if Mr. Ghost left without a word, what difference would it make? It would just be like going back to the beginning.

But he didn’t want Mr. Ghost to disappear.

Holding the cool body, he said, “If you ever decide to leave, just let me know. That way, I won’t worry about some other supernatural being taking you away.”

“Okay, I understand,” Meng Loudi gently patted his back, as if comforting a child.

Jiang released him, relieved to see Mr. Ghost unharmed. He sighed and then smiled brightly. “Alright, let’s go shopping! Come on, let’s have some fun!”

Though Jiang wasn’t particularly interested in shopping, the idea of going out with his boyfriend thrilled him.

Meng Loudi went along with him.

Jiang led Mr. Ghost to the community entrance, looking at Meng Loudi bathed in sunlight. “How do you feel? If it’s uncomfortable, we can go back.”

His face was full of concern.

He didn’t want Mr. Ghost to suffer because of him. After all, weren’t ghosts supposed to avoid sunlight?

Meng Loudi earnestly assessed his condition. “I feel perfectly fine, really good,” he said, smiling as he held Jiang’s hand. “Where do you want to go?”

Jiang initially wanted to ask back, but considering their ghostly companion was unfamiliar with the world, it was unfair to make him decide. So, the homebody boy took charge.

Despite being a homebody, he knew a few large malls. He pulled out his phone to check the map. After the last navigation app led him to an antique market, Jiang had unceremoniously deleted it.

Using another app, he found the nearest mall.

Jiang looked at his bicycle, then at the tall, at least 1.85-meter Meng Loudi.

“Let’s take a cab!” he suggested, pulling Meng Loudi along. “It’ll only take seven or eight minutes.”

“What if we walk?” Mr. Ghost asked, holding Jiang’s hand.

Jiang paused, looking at Meng Loudi. “About twenty minutes.”

Meng Loudi smiled, “It’s only a little past three. We have plenty of time, right?”

Blushing, Jiang replied, “Yeah, I’ve got all the time for you today. Let’s walk.”

They strolled along, passing by several elderly folks.

Jiang greeted them cheerfully. “Good afternoon, uncles and aunts.”

“Good afternoon, Jiang. Who’s this?” one of them asked.

Jiang hesitated, then smiled broadly. “My boyfriend.”

An awkward silence followed.

Jiang maintained his smile, “We’ll be off now. Enjoy your chat.”

With a light step, he led Mr. Ghost away.

Meng Loudi tightened his grip on Jiang’s hand, leaning in. “Is that okay?”

Jiang grinned. “It’s fine. The uncles and aunts are nice, interesting people. You should come down and chat with them sometime. They’re a bit noisy, though.”

He shrugged, unconcerned.

One of the uncles watched them leave, stamping his foot. “What a shame.”

A plump aunt sighed, watching the two men walk away hand in hand. “Looks like Jiang won’t be having kids.”

“What are you saying? What a shame! Can’t they adopt?” a sharp-featured aunt retorted.

“Jiang’s had it tough. His parents passed early. You all know that. He’s a good kid, but without a car, just a small place in this community,” the plump aunt lamented.

“Exactly. Even if I like Jiang, I wouldn’t dare introduce him to anyone.”

The elderly group chattered on.

“At least Jiang has someone.”

“That young man looks handsome. He won’t mind Jiang’s background.”

“There are girls who wouldn’t mind either.”

“But they have to meet, right? There aren’t many naive girls left.”

“Would you let your granddaughter marry a poor boy?”

“Enough, enough. Let’s not gossip about Jiang. He’s been good to us, and we shouldn’t be ungrateful.”

“Of course, I see Jiang as half a grandson.”

“Speaking of grandsons, my ungrateful son doesn’t want kids. They’re all out of control!”

Jiang led his ghostly companion, leisurely walking along the road, brushing past passersby.

Meng Loudi, seeing the young man’s good mood, felt his own spirits lift. “You’re really happy?”

“Of course! It’s my first proper date with my boyfriend! I’m ready to spend all my money to make you smile,” Jiang declared, patting his chest.

“Spend all your money? Make me smile?” Meng Loudi repeated, amused.

“Yeah, I’m rich!” Jiang said, but his eyes dimmed slightly. “Though part of it is from my parents’ compensation.”

“Can you tell me about what happened before? I want to know everything about you,” Meng Loudi said, staying close.

Jiang paused, his tone casual. “Sure, when we get home, I’ll tell you everything. But for now, let’s enjoy ourselves! Once we’re home, you can ask me anything.”

His smile was bright, like the golden sunlight, but beneath the cheerfulness lay a hint of melancholy.

Meng Loudi nodded. “Alright.”

He could wait, willing to wait for Jiang to share everything with him.

Jiang held his hand, and together they walked towards the mall, unconcerned with the stares of others.

“Is there anything you want to do?” Jiang asked.

“I’m not sure. There’s still a lot in your world that I don’t know,” Mr. Ghost replied with a gentle smile.

Jiang thought for a moment. “In that case, let’s start by buying clothes!”

After all, as a couple, they should definitely wear couple’s outfits!