Good Night, Mr. Ghost - Chapter 43

Upon returning home, they switched on the lights in the villa, which felt a bit cold and empty. Jiang Chenyi headed to the kitchen, tying an apron around his waist. “Loudi, what do you feel like eating tonight?” he asked.

Mr. Ghost, having removed his suit, followed him in. His broad shoulders, slim waist, and long legs were accentuated by the white shirt he wore, a stark contrast to the less revealing outerwear or traditional garments.

Jiang glanced at his own physique, feeling a twinge of envy. Compared to Loudi’s well-defined form, he felt like a scrawny chicken, except for his somewhat decent waistline. Maybe it was time to start working out? Not to bulk up too much, but at least to have some definition.

Seeing his partner lost in thought, Mr. Ghost chuckled. “How about noodles? I’ll cook the noodles, and you can make the sauce.”

“Sure~” Jiang replied, helping Meng Loudi tie his apron.

They divided the tasks. Mr. Ghost wasn’t picky about food. Jiang planned to make a tomato and egg sauce and another with green pepper and pork.

With the ingredients ready, Jiang quickly got to work on the sauces. As he stirred the pan, the kitchen filled with a delicious aroma.

Meng Loudi stirred the noodles with chopsticks, and soon they were ready. He drained them, letting them cool. In this hot weather, cold noodles were the perfect choice!

Jiang finished the sauces, serving them up. The vibrant red tomatoes and golden eggs looked appetizing, while the green peppers and brown pork strips exuded a savory aroma.

The white noodles floated in the water, and Mr. Ghost gracefully served them into two large bowls, the kind only men or growing teenagers could handle.

Jiang took his bowl, ladling two spoonfuls of tomato and egg sauce over the noodles. Slurping up the chewy noodles, he savored the fresh and flavorful broth. Delicious! He could easily eat another bowl!

Jiang’s face lit up with satisfaction. Noodles were his favorite type of pasta.

Mr. Ghost enjoyed his noodles too, finding the sight of Jiang’s delighted expression made the meal even more enjoyable, despite the noodles being quite ordinary.

After finishing their meal, Jiang was so full he could only collapse on the sofa, pretending to be dead. Mr. Ghost dutifully went to wash the dishes.

Jiang lay there, eyes glazed, feeling like he might burst. Why was it so tasty? He hadn’t overindulged like this when eating alone.

His hand dangled down, suddenly touched by something cold. He froze, slowly sitting up to look down, spotting a grayish, elongated shadow.

“……”

Jiang didn’t call out, just watched.

The shadow moved, crawling onto the sofa like some strange, slimy creature. Once it settled, silence fell between them.

Jiang appeared calm, but inside he was screaming.

“Hello, I’m the registered snake ghost here,” the shadow spoke first, its voice raspy but surprisingly polite.

“Uh, hello, I’m Jiang Chenyi,” Jiang replied.

“……I know. Um, could I ask you a favor?” The snake ghost wiggled what seemed to be its tail tip.

“What is it?” Jiang was puzzled. What could a human like him do for a ghost?

The snake ghost rummaged around, producing a photo from who knows where, shyly handing it to Jiang.

Jiang took it, seeing it was a picture of him and Meng Loudi taken at Ba Lin’s company. It looked a bit like a candid shot, though it might have been taken openly.

“This?” Jiang was confused.

The snake ghost handed over a pen, its voice cautious, “Could you autograph it for me? On the back? And if possible, could Mr. Meng sign it too?”

Jiang: “……”

What was happening?

Perhaps his expression was too blank.

The snake ghost wiggled its tail, explaining, “You might not realize it, but you two are our idols! Since Mr. Chief arrived, the number of dangerous incidents in the eighth district has decreased significantly! We’re all eager to see him in action.”

It lifted its head, pleading earnestly, “So, could you help me, Mr. Jiang? Sign it, and get Mr. Meng’s signature too!”

“……Okay.” It was Jiang’s first time being asked for an autograph, especially by a non-human. He felt a bit complicated but didn’t want to be harsh to this seemingly fanboy ghost.

He carefully signed his name on the back, a bit messy, but he tried his best. It was his first time signing for someone else.

Just then, Mr. Ghost finished washing the dishes and approached with his long strides.

“Chenyi?” He noticed the unfamiliar ghost on the sofa but didn’t pay it much mind due to its weakness.

Jiang smiled, waving the photo, “Could I trouble my Mr. Ghost for an autograph?”

“Sure.” Mr. Ghost smiled, taking the photo and smoothly signing his name, adding a small heart between their names.

The photo was handed back to Jiang, who noticed Mr. Ghost’s handwriting was a thousand times more elegant, with a dashing flair, and the little heart was somewhat childish.

He pursed his lips, handing the photo to the snake ghost.

The snake ghost happily accepted it, wagging its tail, “Thank you, thank you so much! You’re so kind! And thank you, Mr. Chief! Goodbye, goodbye, sorry to disturb you both!”

It quickly scurried away, crawling out through the window.

It was a floor-to-ceiling window, offering a view of the outside.

Jiang watched as many small creatures emerged, some shadows, some fluffy, chattering as they gathered, their eyes sparkling as they looked inside.

Jiang: Maybe they think I’m easy to talk to?

Mr. Ghost didn’t like being watched by so many eyes, so he picked up Jiang, carrying him upstairs.

Jiang wrapped his arms around Mr. Ghost’s neck, laughing, “What’s up?”

“Don’t like others watching you. Let’s go watch a movie,” Meng Loudi said candidly.

After spending so much time together, he realized that showing a childlike side, being honest and occasionally acting spoiled, made Chenyi’s affection for him grow deeper.

It made Chenyi care for him even more.

Sure enough, Jiang hugged his neck, kissing his hair, “Jealous, Mr. Ghost? You haven’t played on the game console yet, have you? Let’s play that.”

“Game console?” Meng Loudi was surprised.

Perhaps during the month Bai Lu and the others prepared, they thoroughly investigated Jiang Chenyi. Discovering his love for games, they set up a console on the second floor’s entertainment room, connected to a large screen.

The games were comprehensive.

Now, Jiang led Mr. Ghost to sit in front of the TV.

Patiently, Jiang explained the game controls to Mr. Ghost, then started the game.

Jiang hadn’t played such games in a while, a bit rusty, but still much better than a beginner.

He didn’t choose a combat game.

What if they ended up hurting each other’s feelings?

So they played a cooking game.

Mr. Ghost watched as Jiang quickly and skillfully operated the controls, feeling flustered. He mumbled, “What is this? Uh, which button do I press?”

“Doesn’t matter~ I already explained, if you can’t remember, it’s because you’re too dumb, Loudi.” Jiang’s eyebrows radiated smugness, looking triumphant.

Like a teenager, playing games with friends, completely dominating them.

Mr. Ghost paused at Jiang’s smile, sheepishly lowering his head, pretending to study the game.

In several consecutive games, Meng Loudi was utterly defeated.

Jiang laughed, “Wow, I didn’t expect Mr. Ghost to be so bad at this kind of game.”

He thought Meng Loudi would pick up things quickly.

Bai Lu had mentioned before that Mr. Ghost’s learning speed for tasks was unexpectedly fast, perhaps a natural talent.

Mr. Ghost, disheartened, put down the controller, sulking, “I don’t want to play anymore.”

“Uh, lost too badly?” Jiang crawled over, leaning into his face, “What’s wrong? Having an existential crisis?”

Jiang admitted, his tone was a bit teasing.

But he really wanted to tease Mr. Ghost.

He wanted to see more expressions from him.

He had seen more than anyone else, but he hoped to see more, different expressions.

Mr. Ghost turned his head, ignoring him.

Jiang hugged him, craning his neck to see his face.

Meng Loudi now had puffed cheeks, his brows slightly furrowed, the gentle look gone, replaced by a hint of indignant anger.

Jiang reached out, poking his cheek, laughter spilling into his words, “Ah, so cute, what’s wrong? Mad because I bullied you?”

Mr. Ghost bit his lip, not responding.

Jiang reached out to touch his lips, “Hey, don’t bite, you’ll hurt yourself. Are you mad? How can I make it up to you?”

Mr. Ghost released his lip, leaving faint teeth marks on the red lips.

Those indifferent black eyes looked at Jiang, seemingly hiding an ancient city.

Deep, timeless, and serene.

Jiang swallowed, unable to deny that for him, Meng Loudi’s face was an incredibly beautiful sight.

Seemingly lured by the ancient city in those eyes, enchanted by the ghost’s beauty, the human youth leaned in, cherishingly kissing those eyes, whispering, “Meng Loudi, you’re going to be the death of me.”

His Mr. Ghost was truly captivating.

In the future, even if it meant giving his life, he might willingly do so.

After all, his Mr. Ghost loved him wholeheartedly.