Good Night, Mr. Ghost - Chapter 24
Wang Yi had been single for so long, always proclaiming that she didn’t need love. But really, how many people truly don’t need it? Eventually, love found its way to her, and Wang Yi decided to embrace it. Although separation brings some melancholy, we should still offer our blessings for the other’s happiness.
With a smile that reached her eyes, Wang Yi said, “Of course, that dog man went through so much to win me over. Since he’s so determined, I must reward him properly. And guess what, he’s three years younger than me. Your sister here is really robbing the cradle~” Her voice was full of playful delight.
Jiang thought of his own Mr. Ghost, who was centuries old, and couldn’t help but think, “If only Wang Yi knew what real cradle-robbing was.”
“By the way, Jiang, you don’t have any classes today, right? That guy took a day off, so could you cover his class? It’s high school chemistry, probably for sophomores.”
“Sure.”
Jiang gathered his things and walked into the classroom just in time. Inside were three high school girls. It was Saturday, which was why there were high school classes. Typically, from Monday to Friday, the students were those who were either preparing for higher-level courses or receiving one-on-one tutoring. High school students only showed up on weekends.
As Jiang entered, three pairs of eyes focused on the handsome and gentle young man. He smiled and said, “I’m your substitute teacher, Mr. Jiang. You can call me whatever you like. Today, we’re covering Chapter 3, Section 4, right?”
“Yes,” replied the girl in the middle, looking at him with a teasing smile. “Can we call you handsome guy?”
Jiang shrugged, “Of course.”
The long-haired girl on the left chuckled softly. The girl on the right exchanged a glance with the middle girl, and they both burst into laughter. Jiang wasn’t quite sure what was so funny, but he kept his composure and taught the class, finishing the morning session smoothly before returning to his office.
Once there, he plopped down and gulped down several mouthfuls of water. “Oh my god, that was nerve-wracking!” He patted his chest, trying to calm himself down.
Mr. Ghost wasn’t human, and being with him seemed to have some side effects. Jiang was gradually starting to see things he couldn’t before, like ghosts. In today’s class, there was a ghost behind the long-haired girl on the left. It was a female ghost, with twisted limbs and a long tongue sticking out of her mouth, her eyeballs nearly falling out. She didn’t look like a ghost who had died peacefully.
Jiang felt a headache coming on. How did that girl get involved with a ghost? She seemed so quiet and well-behaved, not the type to get into trouble. Maybe it was best not to get involved; who knew what kind of trouble it might bring?
It was lunchtime, and Jiang decided to go eat. He figured he was done for the day. As he stood up, there was a knock on the door. He was puzzled; the door wasn’t locked, and anyone could just come in. Wang Yi always did.
So who was outside now?
“Come in,” Jiang said.
There was no response, just a faint, persistent knocking, like a heartbeat echoing in Jiang’s chest. He tensed up, swallowing hard as he slowly approached the door and even more slowly opened it.
Outside stood a shadow. She was translucent, and Jiang could see everything through her chaotic form. The ghost smiled, her eyes fixed on Jiang, watching his expression freeze.
She giggled, a chilling sound, and said, “So, you can see me. Can you hear me too?”
Jiang stepped back, nodding cautiously, like a small animal facing a predator, ready to flee at the slightest threat.
The female ghost swayed as she walked in, and the door slammed shut behind her. “You…” Jiang studied her, unsure why she had come to him.
The ghost wore a blue outfit, and now that nothing obstructed his view, her appearance was even clearer. She was tall, nearly 1.7 meters, with a face smeared in dark blood, obscuring her features. Her wrists and ankles were twisted, her head tilted, and her clothes were stained with blood, which dripped off her only to vanish into thin air. Her short black hair was matted and sticky.
She looked like a student.
The ghost examined Jiang, grinning as she said, “Handsome guy, could you do me a favor?”
Her raspy voice carried an eerie chill as she made her request.
“What?” Jiang instinctively stepped back again.
The ghost tilted her head, chuckling, “I have unfinished business and can’t move on. But you’re the only one who can hear me, the only one who can help.”
Jiang looked at the ghost, whose presence was oddly calm. “What do you need me to do?”
“You saw me earlier, didn’t you? I was hovering over that girl. Her name is Xu Moli1, like the jasmine flower. It’s a nice name, isn’t it?” The ghost smiled eerily at Jiang.
Her lips curled into a frightening smile. “She seems so innocent and pure, doesn’t she? That’s her best trick. You all believe her. But she’s a deceitful woman!”
As the ghost spoke, Jiang felt the temperature drop noticeably.
The ghost’s haunting words told a story, revealing truths unknown to everyone else.
Her name was Lin Yi, and in life, she had been Xu Moli’s classmate. Unlike Xu Moli, Lin Yi wasn’t well-liked. She knew this, so she focused on her studies, becoming an introverted and lonely girl. Her reserved nature, combined with her excellent grades and decent looks, along with her respectful demeanor towards teachers, eventually earned her the label of “teacher’s pet.”
Though there was no concrete evidence that Lin Yi was a tattletale, it didn’t stop some girls in the class from disliking her. They hated her “goody-two-shoes” act. So, bullying and exclusion were inevitable.
Everything changed with Xu Moli’s arrival. The long-haired girl, with her facade of kindness, appeared before Lin Yi. In the school restroom, Xu Moli found Lin Yi sitting in a corner, drenched.
“Lin Yi, what’s wrong?” Xu Moli asked, her voice full of concern as she looked at the soaked girl. Lin Yi had just been doused with a bucket of water, thankfully clean.
Lin Yi sat silently, not responding. Xu Moli, after a moment’s thought, took off her jacket and offered it to Lin Yi. Under Lin Yi’s indifferent gaze, Xu Moli smiled sweetly. “I don’t know what happened, but school’s over. You should wear my jacket and go home.”
Her smile was gentle, with a hint of shyness. “I don’t know what happened, but do you want to talk about it?”
She glanced at the still-wet girl. “If someone’s bullying you, you should tell the teacher! You’re so good at your studies; the teacher will definitely help you.”
Xu Moli looked earnestly at Lin Yi with her almond-shaped eyes.
Lin Yi remained silent, not taking the jacket. Xu Moli stood awkwardly, puffing her cheeks in frustration, and unexpectedly pulled Lin Yi up with surprising strength. “Lin Yi, what are you thinking?! Are you going to sit here forever?! Come with me!”
Perhaps it was the first time this well-behaved and beloved girl had shown such assertiveness. Lin Yi listened to her.
They went to the classroom, where Xu Moli found a handkerchief, pure white with floral embroidery. She used it to dry Lin Yi’s short hair. In the golden light of dusk, the scene was unexpectedly heartwarming.
Xu Moli maintained her kindness, thoughtfully buying Lin Yi a cup of milk tea and walking her home. At Lin Yi’s doorstep, Xu Moli suddenly held Lin Yi’s shoulders, looking up at her with sincerity. “Lin Yi! I really like you. Be my friend!”
Lin Yi looked at her, surprised. Xu Moli, a bit embarrassed, scratched her cheek. “You’re so good at your studies, and you’re really cute. If I could be friends with you, maybe I could become better too! So, Lin Yi, will you be my friend?”
It was the first time Lin Yi had heard a peer call her cute. Xu Moli’s clear eyes looked at her with anticipation. It was a look that easily stirred the softness in one’s heart. So, almost against her will, Lin Yi agreed.
At that moment, Lin Yi thought, maybe Xu Moli just felt sorry for her and wanted to show some pity. If they became friends, Xu Moli could protect her openly, right? Perhaps it was a transaction. Xu Moli offered protection, and Lin Yi offered help.
They became friends.
When Xu Moli and Lin Yi grew closer, the class was surprised. Soon, Xu Moli and Lin Yi were inseparable friends. Although Xu Moli could be friends with everyone in the class, and many girls adored her personality, she still put Lin Yi first. They studied together, ate together, and sometimes went out together.
But sometimes, you never know what your best friend might do behind your back.
Footnote:
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- Xu Moli(许茉莉):Xu Moli (许茉莉) sounds similar to “jasmine” in Chinese, as the name “Moli” (茉莉) is the Chinese word for jasmine flower.
