Good Night, Mr. Ghost - Chapter 21
“I’ll ask Yi-Jie for a month’s leave, and we’ll head out together!” Jiang Chenyi decided, turning to Luo Hui. “Luo Hui, you should pack up too. We’ll leave together. It’s always good to have company.”
To be honest, their main target was Luo Hui. If they moved together, they might be able to protect him. If things got really bad, they’d have to prioritize their own safety.
“We should take a taxi or something. Going to the train station might get us caught,” Luo Hui advised from experience.
“Alright, let’s pack up and go,” Mr. Ghost agreed.
The cat demon nodded and dashed back to his place, gathering his three cats. He glanced at his still-lit screen and sighed, “Looks like I won’t be able to finish this commission for now.”
His slender fingers tapped on the keyboard, sending a message that quickly received a reply.
Gray Cat: Sorry, but I might not be able to finish that commission right now. Something came up. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll compensate you, and you can find someone else to do it.
I Have Cats: What? What happened? It’s okay, the deadline can be extended. Only you can do it; I just love your style. Can you tell me what’s going on? I can help if you need it.
Luo Hui sighed, unsure of what to say. If it weren’t for this rich, naive client constantly buying his art, he might not have been able to support the four of them. And now they were even offering help.
Gray Cat: It’s nothing, thank you.
After sending that message, Luo Hui closed his laptop. It was his livelihood and had to come along. The other three cats started packing their things, grabbing cat food and fish snacks to stuff into a bag.
Back at the Jiang Family home, Jiang Chenyi finished a call with Yi-Jie and sighed, “What a mess. Yi-Jie thought I was in trouble with loan sharks. Alright, Loudi, let’s pack up and head out! Consider it a honeymoon~”
He said with a sweet smile, bouncing into his parents’ bedroom. Meng Loudi couldn’t stop thinking about the word “honeymoon.” Now that he thought about it, it seemed like a good idea. A honeymoon with Chenyi.
As for the four cats? Not their concern.
Mr. Ghost hummed a tune as he started packing their luggage. Jiang knelt on the prayer mat, saying, “Mom, Dad, Loudi and I are going out for a while. Sorry for the sudden decision. We won’t be able to spend the Dragon Boat Festival with you. Have fun, and if you need anything, visit me in a dream. Bye!”
Yes, they were that bold, deciding to leave right away. They packed their bags, locked the door, and set off happily.
The three cats carried their small bags, just big enough to hold food, to avoid starving if they got lost. Luo Hui carried a laptop bag, dressed and ready to go.
Jiang Chenyi had a backpack, and Meng Loudi carried a small suitcase. They looked like they were going on vacation, while the four cats seemed like they were fleeing a disaster.
They left the house, and Jiang ordered a long-distance taxi. It was late, but after ten minutes, someone accepted the ride. The price was understandably higher.
The three of them and the three cats got into the car. The middle-aged driver glanced back, “Don’t let them pee in my car.”
“Got it,” the young man replied with a cheerful smile.
They squeezed into the back seat. Meng Loudi, not wanting any other man near his lover, sat between Luo Hui and Jiang, exuding a chilly aura. Luo Hui, holding two calico cats, quietly huddled in the corner.
It was late, and the taxi driver wasn’t in the mood for conversation. They quickly hit the highway and, after four hours, arrived in another city. It was already midnight.
Jiang Chenyi reimbursed the driver for the night’s lodging, smiling as he suggested the driver rest before heading back. How the driver arranged things was not their concern.
Even at this hour, the city was bustling, a vibrant scene. Compared to A City, where Jiang Chenyi lived, this city was more prosperous, a second-tier city known for tourism. They planned to wander around, making it hard for their pursuers to track them, eventually returning to A City.
They rented a guesthouse room using Jiang’s ID. The owner glanced at it and agreed. They planned to stay for three days before moving on.
The four cats shared one room, while Jiang and his Mr. Ghost had another. After settling in, they fell into a deep sleep.
Mr. Ghost held the young man, inhaling the scent of his skin, a mix of body wash and something uniquely alive. Meng Loudi sighed, holding his lover close. Just like this, everything was perfect.
Jiang Chenyi woke up at ten in the morning, reaching out but finding the bed empty. Startled, he looked around. His man was gone!
The young man hurriedly dressed, opened the door, and called out, “Loudi?”
Luo Hui was in the living room playing with the cats. Xiao Huang was gnawing on a fish snack, while Da Hua1 and Xiao Hua2 played with a cat teaser.
“Chenyi, you’re up,” the cat demon with a youthful face greeted.
“Uh, where’s Loudi?” Jiang stretched and asked.
Luo Hui stood up, “He went out to buy groceries, said he wanted to cook. He left about ten minutes ago.”
“Oh,” Jiang nodded and went to freshen up.
The gray-furred cat demon looked at the two calico cats playing obliviously and sighed, “Ah, little fools.”
No sense of danger at all. He stopped playing with them, opened his laptop, and started working. His QQ account blinked with messages. Opening it, he saw dozens from the wealthy client.
Gray Cat: Sorry for worrying you. I’m out with friends, so I might not finish the commission on time.
The other party quickly replied.
I Have Cats: That’s a relief. I thought something happened to you. By the way, friends? First time hearing about them. What are your friends like?
Luo Hui frowned. He didn’t like discussing his personal life with others. But this client, who kept throwing money at him, was different.
Gray Cat: They’re nice.
His pale fingers paused.
I Have Cats: Is there something you can’t say?
Luo Hui glanced back, asking, “Chenyi?”
Jiang Chenyi, having finished freshening up, was playing with Xiao Huang.
“What’s up?”
“Uh, can I tell others about you guys?”
“Why?”
“I have an online friend, never mind,” Luo Hui decided it wasn’t a good idea.
“???” Jiang was puzzled.
His pale fingers tapped the keyboard.
Gray Cat: Better not. It feels like crossing a line.
I Have Cats: Huh? What’s there to worry about? We don’t know each other, so it’s fine to share.
Gray Cat: Let’s leave it. I need to work now.
Luo Hui closed the chat, took out his drawing tablet, and started working on his art. Jiang began tidying up, planning to go out later. It had been a while since he had fun, and he intended to enjoy this trip.
When Mr. Ghost returned, he found the floor littered with cat toys, fish snacks, and three furry creatures rolling around. His smile vanished instantly.
Heh. Not seeing the person he longed for and finding such a mess instead. Mr. Ghost suspected these four cats were testing his patience.
Jiang suddenly bounced out of the room, “Hey! Mr. Ghost, you’re back!”
He flashed a bright smile, showing his teeth, which instantly warmed Mr. Ghost’s heart.
Mr. Ghost lifted the bag he was carrying, “I’m back, and I brought chicken wings. I’ll make cola chicken wings later.”
“Great!” Jiang cheered, spinning around playfully, “How do I look?”
Today, Jiang wore a black-and-white checkered shirt, black pants, and matching sneakers, looking like a college student. Mr. Ghost set the bag aside, walked over, and seriously spun him around a few times, commenting, “Hmm-very nice.”
Then he reached out, wrapped his arms around Jiang’s waist, and lifted him, his clothes transforming to match Jiang’s in an instant.
Mr. Ghost’s eyes crinkled with a smile, “So, my little mister, do you want a kiss, a hug, and to be lifted high?”
Jiang Chenyi laughed joyfully, “Yes!”
And so, Meng Loudi obliged. Luo Hui, sitting on the sofa working, pretended to be deaf and mute. The cat demon expressionlessly continued drawing.
After completing the whole routine of kisses, hugs, and lifts, Jiang and Mr. Ghost happily went to cook. The air was filled with the sweet scent of love, but Jiang was oblivious. They finished cooking, and everyone ate together.
Meng Loudi held his lover’s hand, “Let’s go out and have some fun.”
“Hmm? Should we invite Luo Hui? Should we all go out together?” Jiang asked, looking at the cat demon.
Luo Hui shook his head, “No, thanks.”
He didn’t plan to go out with the couple and be a third wheel. As a cat, he preferred the comfort of home, where it felt safe.
“Then we’re off,” Jiang Chenyi grinned, showing his teeth.
The cat demon nodded. Mr. Ghost and Jiang packed up their things and left. Meng Loudi led the young man on a leisurely stroll through the streets. They were simply out for a walk.
Jiang bought ice cream from a nearby shop, “Second one half price?”
Boss: “Yes, one for six, two for nine.”
“Two, please. I’ll have chocolate,” Jiang Chenyi said, eyeing the giant ice cream with delight.
Finally! Jiang could enjoy the second one at half price!
Meng Loudi didn’t understand why his lover was grinning foolishly, but he smoothly pulled out his phone to pay.
Jiang didn’t mind. They were family now, and next time he’d let his man pay too. It felt great to have someone else pay~
Meng Loudi took the ice cream, handing the one with more chocolate to the young man. Jiang held his hand, smiling as they walked forward. Some passersby glanced at their tightly clasped hands, but there were no unpleasant looks or comments.
Footnote:
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- Da Hua(大花):Da Hua means “Big Hua,” where “Hua” refers to the calico pattern of the cat’s fur.
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- Xiao Hua(小花):Xiao Hua means “Little Hua,” where “Hua” refers to the calico pattern of the cat’s fur.
