Good Night, Mr. Ghost - Chapter 84

And then.

“Chirp chirp! Meng Jiang, what are you doing!” The little sparrow’s voice was filled with alarm.

The dog picked it up and brought it to Jiang Chenyi.

Jiang Chenyi took the little fluff ball and chuckled, “Don’t be scared, we’re going out shopping. Little sparrow, is there anything you’d like to eat?”

The little sparrow nestled in the young man’s hand, its eyes darting around with a hint of mischief.

“If possible, Young Master Jiang, could you bring me some whole wheat bread? Raisins would be great, red beans are fine too, and nuts would be nice!”

The little sparrow chirped away, its beady eyes sparkling. Jiang Chenyi reached out and patted its tiny head, smiling, “Sure.”

Such an endearing creature.

With the affirmative response, the little sparrow’s eyes sparkled even more.

“Young Master Jiang, you’re so kind, and Mr. Chief is wonderful too, having such an amazing partner like you. Thanks to Meng Jiang as well, I really like you all!”

A rather clumsy attempt at flattery.

Yet, Meng Loudi was in a pretty good mood.

Yes, Jiang Chenyi was his!

After learning the wishes of the two little ones, Jiang Chenyi and Meng Loudi dressed for their outing.

Both wore trench coats with scarves, giving off a couple’s outfit vibe.

Once outside, they had to book a ride online.

Mr. Ghost held the young man’s hand, muttering, “Indeed, learning to drive would be better.”

With a car, Chenyi wouldn’t have to endure the cold outside.

Jiang Chenyi tucked his hand into Mr. Ghost’s sleeve, feeling the warmth.

Indeed, it was like a personal heater.

How nice.

They got into the car and headed to a nearby small supermarket.

After shopping, they returned the same way.

Carrying bags, they entered the house, greeted enthusiastically by Meng Jiang and the little sparrow.

While Jiang Chenyi was tidying up, Meng Loudi suddenly stood behind him, wrapping him in a hug. His deep voice whispered in his ear, “Darling, are you happy today?”

The voice sent shivers down Jiang’s spine, making his knees feel weak.

Blushing and heart racing, he turned his head and asked, “What’s gotten into you?”

Mr. Ghost grinned mischievously, leaning close to his ear, “Something new I learned, do you like it?”

“Like it? I love it to bits. Oh my, what are you exactly? Are you really a ghost? You seem more like a fox spirit!” Jiang clutched his wildly beating heart, feeling like he’d eventually succumb to his partner’s charming antics.

Especially since he resembled the obsessive male lead from that Korean drama he watched recently.

He was doomed.

“Not a fox spirit, just Chenyi’s Mr. Ghost.” Meng Loudi lifted his hand, planting a kiss in his palm, his gaze drifting towards him.

Jiang felt dizzy, “You’re too much, really. Oh heavens, I must have saved the world in my past life to meet you.”

“Of course, the same goes for me.” Mr. Ghost continued to gaze at him with affection.

The two remained entwined until evening.

On Lantern Festival, Jiang’s parents would visit.

They prepared offerings for the elders, then the six of them shared a meal.

Jiang cooked tangyuan with black sesame, peanut, and sugar fillings, the round dumplings clustered together, looking both delicious and adorable.

Mr. Ghost and Jiang ate tangyuan.

Meng Jiang had dog food, and the little sparrow enjoyed whole wheat bread.

The elders watched.

It was quite embarrassing.

Jiang finished eating the tangyuan and looked at his mother. Her eyes were brimming with tears, as if she might burst into sobs at any moment. His father’s brows were furrowed, looking like he wanted to smoke a cigarette to ease his worries.

Jiang Chenyi wiped his mouth and said, “Mom, can you come with me for a moment?”

Mrs. Jiang nodded and followed Jiang upstairs.

Mr. Ghost watched them go, his smile slowly fading.

Mr. Jiang glanced at his unfortunate son-in-law, “Don’t stare. Let them have a mother-son talk.”

Jiang led his mother upstairs and asked, “Is there any way?”

Mrs. Jiang understood immediately, “Chenyi, have you been feeling unwell lately?”

The thing she had been worrying about had finally come to pass.

“No, it’s just that I’m feeling less and less human,” Jiang touched his eyes, “I can see other things now.”

“What kind of things?”

“The aura around you, its color and thickness,” Jiang tilted his head, “Mom, is there really no way to stop it?”

Mrs. Jiang shook her head sadly, “No, we’ve asked around before. Chenyi, you’re the first case like this.”

Ever since they found out Jiang Chenyi could see them, they had asked other ghosts, but no one could explain it. And they didn’t know who else to turn to, because the netherworld didn’t seem to have a place like King Yama’s Palace¹.

The deceased seemed to live on the other side of the world, able to hear and see the living but unable to participate.

“Ah, is that so? Then there’s no choice,” Jiang smiled, “Mom, don’t keep frowning and giving Loudi the cold shoulder. It’s not his fault. At worst, I’ll just become a ghost too.”

Mrs. Jiang huffed, “Not his fault?! If it weren’t for him, would you be like this?”

“Mom-it’s mutual affection, don’t make it worse, okay?” Jiang Chenyi’s eyes turned cold.

This wasn’t Meng Loudi’s fault. It was his own issue. He had never refused, never explained, never faced it.

Mrs. Jiang wrinkled her nose but didn’t say anything.

That evening, after sending off his parents who still showed Meng Loudi a cold face, Jiang stretched and hugged him, sighing, “Ah, I’m really sorry.”

“It’s okay, they’re Chenyi’s parents,” Mr. Ghost hugged his beloved’s waist, nuzzling him with a contented expression.

Because they were important to Chenyi, it was okay.

Jiang looked at him, feeling both sour and warm inside, and ruffled his black hair, asking, “If you’re uncomfortable, you should say so, even if it’s my parents. They’ve been glaring at you and not smiling, which seems pretty hostile.”

“Can I really say it if I’m uncomfortable?”

“Yes, don’t hide it from me.”

“Then, can Chenyi come to work with me?”

Tomorrow was a workday, and Mr. Ghost didn’t want to go. Without Chenyi, he had no motivation.

Jiang looked at the ghost filled with useless thoughts and romance, and said softly, “You’re dreaming.”

He knew it, yet he still had to say it.

Mr. Ghost: “Ugh.”

Meng Loudi finally realized that no matter what he did, Jiang Chenyi would never agree to his request. So, reluctantly, he went to work alone.

Jiang saw him off at the door.

Before getting into the car, Mr. Ghost waved, “Chenyi, wait for me to come back! I’ll be back soon!”

“Got it, I’ll wait for you. And remember to work hard!” Jiang waved goodbye.

Then, Jiang dialed a number.

It was the number he had exchanged with Luo Hui back then. He wasn’t sure if Luo Hui still used it.

After two rings, the call connected.

The voice on the other end sounded surprised, “Is this Mr. Jiang Chenyi?”

Jiang Chenyi briefly explained the situation.

Luo Hui listened and then fell silent. “I’m not entirely sure, but it seems serious. I’ll help you. I’ll look into some information. If I find anything, I can call this number, right?”

“Yes, but it’s best to call between 8 AM and 5 PM. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, it’s the least I can do. Goodbye then.”

Jiang hung up the phone and immediately felt dizzy. He steadied himself against the wall, taking two minutes to recover.

Looking at his palm, Jiang Chenyi suddenly realized how unnaturally pale he had become.

Not just pale, but a deathly, paper-like white.

“Ah, damn it,” the young man cursed, then turned and went upstairs.

He needed rest, needed time.

Meng Loudi hadn’t noticed anything unusual about him yet, let alone understood what was happening.

Jiang Chenyi lay on the bed, a smile tugging at his lips.

He always knew his Mr. Ghost was extraordinary, but he hadn’t expected him to be so terrifying.

The air around him was thick with a dark, oppressive aura, tinged with a blood-red aggression.

If it weren’t for the clear outline of that person, he might have been completely obscured by that aura.

Was Mr. Ghost really as simple as he claimed?

A typical rich kid, then a government official, then retired, then died of illness.

It seemed like a straightforward, uncomplicated life.

How could such a terrifying aura come from that?

Jiang Chenyi always knew he was a decent actor.

He never intended to act in front of Mr. Ghost, but now he had no choice.

He had to do it.

Under Jiang Chenyi’s facade of calm, Meng Loudi, blinded by love, fell into the trap named Jiang Chenyi.

Days passed.

By the end of February in the Gregorian calendar, Jiang, who had maintained long-term contact with Luo Hui, received a definitive response.

“I’m really sorry, I couldn’t find anyone who can help you. I even asked Juncai, and he said he’s not sure either. It’s a mixed bag. Do you have any discomfort now?” The voice on the other end sounded worried.

Jiang’s expression was cold, but his voice was gentle and kind, “No, I’m just a bit scared. After all, I’m still an ordinary person, and finding out I’m becoming not so ordinary is a bit frightening. But if that’s the case, it should be fine. I’m just really afraid of becoming something other than human.”

“This kind of thing, it seems, is unavoidable now. So, Chenyi, do you want to… leave that ghost?” Luo Hui asked, “If you need help, you can tell me.”

Jiang lowered his eyes, thinking with a smile: Who would leave that dog man for such a trivial reason?

Unless there was really no other choice, he wouldn’t leave.

The reality hit quickly.

In early March, just as the lunar calendar entered February, Jiang almost slipped up.

After rushing to the bathroom with his mouth covered, before he could clean up the pool of blood, Mr. Ghost nearly pushed the door open.

Jiang Chenyi quickly held the door shut, shouting, “Don’t come in! I haven’t pulled up my pants yet!”

Mr. Ghost stood outside, frowning. He sensed something was very wrong.

What was going on with Jiang Chenyi?

Jiang quickly washed away the blood, hastily washed his hands, and went out, complaining, “What are you doing? Do you have to follow me even when I go to the bathroom?”

Mr. Ghost, wearing a shirt, scrutinized his lover, “Are you really okay?”

“I’m fine. What’s wrong with me?” Jiang frowned, pushing him out.

Mr. Ghost was pushed out, still feeling that something was off.

Footnote:

1. King Yama’s Palace(阎罗殿): In Chinese mythology and Buddhism, King Yama (or Yanluo Wang) is the ruler and judge of the underworld/hell. His palace is depicted as the central administrative and judicial court of the netherworld, where the souls of the deceased are judged for their deeds in life and assigned their fate in the afterlife. It’s a place of ultimate authority and judgment for the dead.