Good Night, Mr. Ghost - Chapter 23

They had been staying there for three days, basically just lounging around in a different place.

Jiang was playing on his phone while Meng Loudi sat on the sofa watching him.

“Chenyi, I want to find a job,” Mr. Ghost said.

Jiang paused and looked at him. “Why?”

If Mr. Ghost wanted a job, it certainly wasn’t going to be a ten-yuan-an-hour gig.

Meng Loudi looked at him. “I don’t want to be a kept man.”

He said it with a pitiful expression, and Mr. Ghost’s face looked genuinely forlorn.

Jiang sat up, a bit troubled. “But my dear Mr. Ghost, you don’t have any qualifications or skills.”

Meng Loudi had never been to college, nor had he learned any professional skills, which made things difficult.

In this society, finding a job based on those things was really tough.

Of course, Mr. Ghost had a handsome face, but Jiang didn’t want his man to rely on his looks. What if he ended up cheating on him?

Meng Loudi sensed the young man’s dilemma.

For the first time, he felt a bit powerless.

His life had always been smooth sailing, getting whatever he wanted without any effort.

Now, because of himself, he felt powerless.

Before, while inside the jade ring, he had seen many things, but always as a detached observer, indifferent to what was happening.

He had thought that one day he would just fade away, never expecting to leave the jade ring.

And then, he met Jiang Chenyi.

“If it doesn’t work out, forget it. I’ll continue with my part-time jobs,” Meng Loudi said, lowering his eyes and lying down on the young man’s lap, closing his eyes with a smile.

“Can I continue being a kept man?” he asked.

The man’s eyes were deep, and his face showed obvious worry.

Jiang’s heart softened. “Of course you can.”

His man could be a kept man for a lifetime.

Jiang Chenyi grinned, thinking how lucky he was to have such a handsome man.

“It’s about time. Let’s pack up and head home,” the young man said, running his fingers through Mr. Ghost’s long hair.

So smooth.

“Alright.” Mr. Ghost sat up, leaving a kiss on Jiang’s lips before contentedly going to pack their things.

Jiang picked up his phone to call the landlord.

“Yes, yes, we’re leaving now. Could you please come over to collect the keys?”

They were ready to leave without any hesitation, planning to take the train back to the small city.

Then Jiang remembered that Mr. Ghost was still an undocumented person!

An undocumented person!

The kind who couldn’t take the train!

Jiang Chenyi looked at his clueless Mr. Ghost and smiled. “Let’s just take a taxi back.”

“Why?”

Meng Loudi noticed something was off about Chenyi’s expression.

Jiang looked at Mr. Ghost, then buried his head in the man’s chest, mumbling, “Ah, it’s my fault. I can’t even get you an ID card.”

“Huh? ID card?”

“Yeah, it’s a document that proves your existence. Without it, you don’t have an identity. What should we do?” Jiang mumbled.

As a regular citizen, he was really worried about taking Mr. Ghost to get an ID card and being met with suspicious looks from the police.

After all, his man looked like someone who could easily be trafficked.

Sigh, maybe he should ask his friends for advice.

Jiang listlessly posted online.

Meng Loudi held the person in his arms, watching him worry as he sent messages, frowning.

Now that he thought about it, maybe he really should do something.

After all, it wasn’t right for Chenyi to be so troubled.

Mr. Ghost’s mind was racing.

“Don’t worry about it, Chenyi. I don’t need it,” he said.

Jiang looked at him, puffing out his cheeks. “What nonsense are you talking about? How can you live without an ID?”

Meng Loudi didn’t argue.

But Mr. Ghost was clear in his mind: if not having an ID meant there were many things he couldn’t do, then he just wouldn’t do them. He would stay quietly by Jiang Chenyi’s side.

Until…

Jiang and he got into a taxi, heading to the small city.

The young man leaned on Mr. Ghost’s shoulder, whispering, “Don’t worry, I’ll figure it out.”

Mr. Ghost just smiled.

They had been together for almost a year, and to be honest, this young man had almost no social life.

He lived in a state of detachment from the crowd.

What could he possibly do?

Jiang Chenyi thought for a moment and decided to call someone.

As the phone rang, the person on the other end picked up.

A clear male voice came through.

“Chenyi-Ge¹! What made you think of calling me? Did you miss me? Did you, did you?! Wait, I’ll come find you right now!”

Jiang Chenyi rarely showed a look of disdain. He held the phone away and said, “Wait, Yuexi, listen to me.”

“Okay, okay, go ahead, brother!” Jiang Yuexi’s voice was cheerful, and just from the sound, Jiang Chenyi could imagine his cousin’s fawning expression.

It was strange; his cousin was always so warm and friendly toward him.

Though they hadn’t had much interaction recently, they had been very close when they were younger.

The last time they met was at the funeral of Jiang Chenyi’s parents.

At that time, Jiang Chenyi was completely devastated.

Jiang Yuexi had comforted him.

Later, Jiang refused everyone’s comfort and shut the Jiang Family’s door tightly.

Gradually, the rest of the Jiang Family stopped bothering him.

Now, reaching out to Meng Loudi made Jiang Chenyi feel a bit embarrassed.

Jiang brought the phone closer and said softly, “I have something to ask, Yuexi. Can you help me?”

“What is it?”

“Well, I have a friend who doesn’t have an ID card. Can you help him get one?”

Jiang Yuexi fell silent.

What kind of world was it where someone didn’t have an ID card?

Jiang Chenyi tightened his grip on the phone, chuckling softly, “It’s okay if you can’t.”

“No, Ge, you didn’t take in some strange person, did you?” Jiang Yuexi questioned.

Knowing his cousin, this Mr. Nice Guy could easily be tricked by someone.

Jiang looked at Meng Loudi and sighed, “He’s not a strange person. He’s my lover.”

“What?!”

“A man. I’ll tell you more later, Yuexi. Can you help with this?” Jiang Chenyi asked quietly.

He had a reason for reaching out to Jiang Yuexi. Although his father hadn’t done well, the rest of the Jiang Family seemed to be doing quite well.

Yuexi was said to be quite capable.

He just wanted to give it a try.

Jiang Yuexi said, “Of course, Ge. Just send me a photo of him. Go to a photo studio and get a photo for the ID. I’ll get it done for you, probably in about a month.”

Jiang Chenyi smiled, “Alright.”

He hung up the phone and looked at Meng Loudi, his tone a bit boastful. “See, I found someone. Once it’s done, you’ll truly be a part of this place.”

“Mm.” Meng Loudi nodded, smiling at Jiang.

But honestly, he didn’t feel happy, especially since Jiang had to ask someone else for help with this.

However, Mr. Ghost was good at keeping up appearances.

He gently covered Jiang Chenyi’s hand and looked out the window.

The sky was blue, the world vast.

So, could he make some changes too?

At the very least, he could protect his Chenyi and ensure they could live a happy life together.

They returned to the community and went up to the fifth floor.

At some point, the damage marks on the opposite door had completely disappeared.

Probably cleaned up by the Luo Family.

Jiang shrugged and opened his own door.

Tomorrow, it was back to work.

He felt a bit reluctant.

Jiang Chenyi flopped onto the sofa, watching the handsome Mr. Ghost.

Mr. Ghost elegantly began to unpack, placing things where they belonged.

He had no expression while organizing, very calm, almost solemn.

Jiang chuckled, drawing a curious look from Mr. Ghost.

Jiang waved it off, “It’s nothing.”

Mr. Ghost didn’t mind, finished tidying up, and sat beside the young man, holding his ankle, “Going back to work tomorrow?”

“Yeah, I told Yi-Jie.” Jiang nodded, smiling brightly, looking very obedient.

Meng Loudi reached out, pinching his cheek, and sighed, “You could have taken a bit more time off, couldn’t you?”

His dark eyes held regret, as if he wanted to enjoy a few more days of their world together.

The man’s lashes lowered, half-covering his dark eyes, making him look pitiful.

Ah, this was him playing weak, trying to use his looks and guilt to make Jiang give up his career and fall into his arms!

Jiang thought: No way! He was a man of principles!

Then, the young man lifted his head and kissed Mr. Ghost’s neck.

The man’s dark hair spread out, and the young man beneath him closed his eyes, like a sacrifice, kissing the other’s pale neck.

Meng Loudi felt the slight softness, such a gentle touch, yet it made his whole heart start to burn.

He sighed deeply, holding the young man, taking what he wanted.

Not now, Chenyi could even counter the beauty trap.

Jiang Chenyi happily rode his bicycle through the alley, heading to the tutoring class.

There were quite a few noisy sounds along the way.

He even saw some strange things.

But Jiang didn’t care at all.

He was in such a good mood he wanted to sing.

Waking up in the morning with a good morning kiss, a warm breakfast, and a loving hug before leaving.

Haha, life was just too good!

The young man was practically over the moon with happiness.

He hummed a tune and parked his bike.

Wang Yi was leaning against the door of the tutoring class, sighing deeply.

This was a rare sight.

Wang Yi sighing.

Jiang was taken aback, looking at the woman with a face full of worry, “Yi-Jie, what’s wrong?”

Wang Yi was munching on sunflower seeds, looking at the young man, and sighed again, “Jiang, I might have to leave.”

“What?” Jiang Chenyi was stunned.

Leave? Where to?

Wang Yi sighed again, “I have to move. Xinxin’s dad took Xinxin away and is forcing me to marry him and live at his place. Poor Yi-Jie, can’t resist the tyranny, can only bitterly and reluctantly marry him.”

Jiang Chenyi laughed.

Who could force someone to marry them?

Besides, Wang Yi cherished her husky like it was her own eyes. How could she let anyone take the dog away?

A match made in heaven, and now they were spreading dog food.

“Will the tutoring class still be open?” Jiang asked, concerned about his livelihood.

Wang Yi looked at him, smiling apologetically, “No, it won’t be. I’m sorry, Jiang.”

Others were different from Jiang.

Jiang didn’t have another job and relied on her tutoring class to make a living.

Jiang Chenyi shook his head, smiling brightly, “No need to apologize. People won’t starve. I’m sure I’ll find a better job. Yi-Jie, you just focus on living well.”

Footnote:

1. 1. -Ge(-哥): Ge, in Chinese, using “xx哥” to address someone is quite common, especially in Mainland China and other Chinese-speaking communities. This way of addressing typically carries a sense of affection and friendliness, indicating respect and amiability towards the person.