Good Night, Mr. Ghost - Chapter 7
Jiang finished cooking and, as usual, shared the meal with Mr. Ghost before settling down to play some games. Meng Loudi watched the young man take his seat at the computer, but there was no sign of recognition or praise for the meal. He sighed, a bit disappointed.
He had hoped for some acknowledgment, but it was alright. Mr. Ghost kept a mental list of everything he did for the young man, noting whether Jiang noticed or praised him. He was saving it all up for the day he could finally speak, to settle accounts one by one.
Jiang, with his carefree nature, didn’t even notice the clothes drying on the balcony. He was completely absorbed in his game until, as usual, he was dragged to bed before eleven.
Jiang: “……”
Jiang lay there with a blank stare, thinking perhaps he should start getting used to this lifestyle-a forced healthy routine.
Mr. Ghost turned off the lights, climbed into bed, and snuggled up to him. Jiang reached out to touch his head, surprised by the length of his hair, which was almost down to his waist. The cool, silky texture felt incredibly nice.
“Mr. Ghost, are you an ancient ghost?” the young man asked.
Mr. Ghost nodded.
Indeed, he was an “ancient” ghost, having been one for nearly a thousand years. Yet, throughout those years, he had watched the world change and managed to keep up with the times.
With Mr. Ghost’s confirmation and the pleasant feel of his hair, Jiang continued to pet him like he would a beloved pet.
Meng Loudi didn’t mind. Being close to him was a good thing. Relationships needed time to develop, and before they were defined, one had to be tolerant and indulgent. All the items on his mental list could be settled later.
With Mr. Ghost’s indulgence, Jiang’s life became increasingly pleasant. Meals were cooked, clothes were washed, and there was always someone to hug, even if it was a bit chilly. So, after work, Jiang’s greatest desire was to rush home to see if Mr. Ghost was still there.
Talking to thin air might seem silly, and if anyone else saw it, they’d probably think Jiang was crazy. But there was no one else in Jiang’s home, so he chatted with Mr. Ghost with confidence.
Yet, Jiang had a small worry. He feared that one day Mr. Ghost might disappear, and he wouldn’t be able to find him no matter how hard he tried. He didn’t know how Mr. Ghost had come to be, so naturally, he didn’t know how he might leave.
October was approaching, and the weather was getting colder. Jiang rushed upstairs, opened the door, and happily fell into Mr. Ghost’s embrace.
Meng Loudi indulged him, closing the door and then letting him go, pinching his rosy cheeks with satisfaction. It felt heartwarming.
Jiang stood on his own two feet, looking at where Mr. Ghost was, and asked, “What delicious food did Mr. Ghost make today?”
Mr. Ghost took his hand and led him to the dining table, where a steaming bowl of noodles awaited. Green vegetables, a soft-boiled egg, and shrimp made for a fragrant dish.
Jiang bounced over to the sofa, picked up the bowl, and took a deep breath, feeling utterly satisfied.
Mr. Ghost dutifully lit incense for himself. Despite being a ghost, he didn’t seem to fear fire.
After finishing his meal, Mr. Ghost sat beside Jiang. Jiang reached out to touch him, feeling the coolness. Over the days, Mr. Ghost’s form had become increasingly tangible, even the creases in his clothes were discernible.
After slurping down the last of his noodles, the young man suddenly said, “I hope Mr. Ghost can always be here.”
Meng Loudi looked at him, surprised.
Jiang set down his bowl and leaned to one side, feeling the coolness. He murmured, “Mr. Ghost has spoiled me. If you weren’t here, I’d be very lonely.”
Humans are like that. If they’re used to loneliness, it’s fine. But if one day Mr. Ghost disappears, he’d surely be devastated.
But Mr. Ghost was a ghost, not a person, so even if he said these things, Mr. Ghost wouldn’t laugh at him. And even if he did, Jiang wouldn’t see it.
Jiang puffed out his cheeks.
Mr. Ghost watched the slightly angry young man, puzzled. He leaned over and poked his cheek, silently asking what was wrong.
Jiang looked at his side and asked, “Did you just laugh at me?”
He felt a bit embarrassed.
Mr. Ghost couldn’t help but chuckle. Why would he laugh? Those words could easily be seen as the prelude to a confession.
He took Jiang’s hand and placed it on his face, shaking his head.
Jiang was a bit flustered.
“Really? Then let’s leave it at that.”
His gaze drifted to the side and then back.
Mr. Ghost watched him, finding every move he made adorable.
“I wasn’t laughing. I’m very happy,” a raspy voice echoed in the air.
Jiang froze, looking at Mr. Ghost. “You… spoke?”
Mr. Ghost was equally surprised, then chuckled softly. “Yes, I spoke.”
He had so much he wanted to say to him. Finally, after all these days, he could speak.
Jiang was a bit bewildered. He had thought Mr. Ghost would always be like an invisible presence. So, does this mean that one day Mr. Ghost could become like a normal person, visible to others?
If so, could they truly live together like normal people?
Mr. Ghost held Jiang’s hand gently, “I’m Meng Loudi. And you?”
This time, his voice was gentle, like a spring breeze, making one feel cared for.
Jiang hesitated, a bit embarrassed. They had been together for so many days, yet they didn’t know each other’s names. “I’m Jiang Chenyi. Meng Loudi, let’s live together from now on.”
It was an invitation.
Jiang’s bright smile made Mr. Ghost’s heart race for a moment.
He held Jiang’s hand tightly and replied in a deep voice, “Alright.”
From now on, let’s live together. Just the two of us.
The fact that Mr. Ghost could speak made Jiang very excited. He abandoned his game, tugging at Mr. Ghost’s clothes like a curious child, asking nonstop, “So, Loudi, where are you from?”
Mr. Ghost answered calmly, “I’m from the Song Dynasty1. As for the past, I’ve forgotten most of it.”
“Song Dynasty?!” Jiang exclaimed, “Then why are you so modern?”
“Because I’ve been watching the world change. It’s become quite incredible,” Mr. Ghost replied warmly.
“Watching all this time? Wasn’t there anyone with you?” Jiang pressed.
“No, just me,” Mr. Ghost said softly.
His voice was steady, without any fluctuation.
Jiang felt a pang of sadness. He had been lonely for years, feeling like he was about to achieve enlightenment. But Mr. Ghost had spent so many years alone. How agonizing must that have been?
Jiang’s expression turned sorrowful. He grasped Mr. Ghost’s hands, intertwining their fingers, and declared, “Don’t worry, from now on, please stay here! I’ll take good care of you!”
Even though Jiang’s words carried no other meaning, perhaps just sympathy and compassion.
“Alright.”
But he still had to agree.
Even if it was impossible for them to develop any other kind of relationship, living together and comforting each other was a pretty good choice.
Jiang pulled him along, chattering away.
“So, Mr. Ghost, where did you live before?”
“Before, I lived in an ancient tomb.”
“Ew! Then how did you become like this? How did you end up here?” Jiang was a bit surprised.
But it wasn’t strange for ancient people to live in ancient tombs.
“My tomb was robbed, and I came out with the items.”
“……That’s so sad,” Jiang said sincerely. To die and become a ghost, and then to watch as others looted your grave!
What a tragic fate!
Mr. Ghost chuckled, “I did it on purpose.”
“Huh? You let them loot your grave on purpose?!”
What kind of situation is this?!
“Yes, because it was boring in the tomb, and I wanted to see what the outside world was like, so I let them loot it,” Mr. Ghost said with a smile.
At first, he was a bit panicked when he became a ghost. But after getting used to it, he adapted, like a miser guarding his tomb. He chased away many grave robbers over the years. Later, he found it dull and let them loot it, using the opportunity to go out and see what was happening in the world.
During that time, he resided in a jade ring, observing the changes in the world through that small ring. He saw many interesting things until a decade ago when his owner died, and he was buried again, only to be unearthed recently and sold to Jiang Chenyi.
“So, you’ve seen a lot, right?” Jiang’s eyes sparkled as he gazed at the empty space.
He wasn’t sure if it was his imagination, but he could see something different in the air, vaguely resembling a human shape.
“I’ve seen a lot. Some people are very interesting, and I’ve witnessed many stories,” Mr. Ghost said warmly.
“What kind of stories?” The young man’s eyes shone brighter, full of curiosity.
“Nothing too interesting, just old tales,” Mr. Ghost thought for a moment. There really wasn’t anything worth sharing.
Many stories weren’t suitable for him to hear.
“Bah, then let’s talk about something else. Has anyone else been able to see you before? Anyone like me?”
“No, you’re the first. Being with you, I don’t know why I can speak now,” Mr. Ghost’s eyes softened.
He touched Jiang’s cheek and smiled, “Maybe there’s something special between us?”
Jiang blushed, swatting his hand away, “What special connection? Alright, I’m going to play games now! If I don’t, there won’t be time.”
Mr. Ghost obediently followed the young man, watching him sit down, and suddenly called softly, “Chenyi? Can I call you that?”
Footnote:
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- Song Dynasty(宋朝):The Song Dynasty (960–1279) was an imperial dynasty of China known for its advances in technology, culture, and economics.
