Good Night, Mr. Ghost - Chapter 85

“Are you really okay?”

He sensed Jiang was hiding something from him. Something important.

Jiang smiled brightly, “I said I’m fine. Oh, it’s already nine o’clock. Mr. Ghost, let’s go to sleep.”

“Alright.” Mr. Ghost grasped his wrist and lifted his chin, examining his face closely.

There didn’t seem to be anything unusual. Jiang Chenyi’s face was still smooth, glowing with health, and his lips were rosy, inviting a kiss.

And so, Mr. Ghost did just that.

Jiang felt the movement and abruptly pushed him away, glaring, “No way! I still have garlic breath!”

“It’s alright.” Mr. Ghost looked pitiful, like a puppy being scolded by its owner.

So adorable.

Jiang straightened up, “Go brush your teeth, then you can kiss me.”

Mr. Ghost paused, “Really?”

If Meng Loudi had ears and a tail, they’d be perked up like Meng Jiang’s, with a fluffy tail wagging nonstop.

“Really, go ahead. Tonight, you can be a bit excessive.” Jiang tugged at his collar, a rare hint of allure on his face.

“Excessive?” Mr. Ghost covered his nose.

For a moment, Jiang wondered if he was having a nosebleed.

But clearly, he was overthinking it.

Mr. Ghost released his hand, a look of delight spreading across his face.

“Then I’ll-be really excessive.”

The next morning, Jiang woke up fully aware of what “really excessive” meant.

He lay sprawled on the bed.

Mr. Ghost had already gone to work.

Oh, what to do.

Jiang covered his eyes.

The frequency of coughing up blood was getting worse.

If his worst fears were correct, he might die.

Because, logically, a living person shouldn’t be able to see the dead, except for those with yin-yang eyes¹.

And he could see the dead.

Oh, this is bad.

He really wanted to tell Mr. Ghost.

Jiang Chenyi’s eyes felt sore.

But could Meng Loudi really handle it?

Would he be the one responsible for his lover’s demise?

Oh, God.

Just the thought made Jiang feel like his heart was breaking.

He was doomed.

Would leaving Mr. Ghost really make him normal again?

Or were these effects permanent scars?

Was he still human?

What if what awaited him was the end of his life?

Could either he or Mr. Ghost truly bear such a merciless outcome?

Jiang lay on the bed, running through a series of hypotheticals.

If he told Mr. Ghost, and they faced it together, but in the end, he still died, Mr. Ghost would lose his mind.

They could share their last warm moments together, but then what would be left for Mr. Ghost?

Endless cold and solitude?

Jiang Chenyi stared at the ceiling, realizing for the first time he was a cruel and selfish person.

He should have drawn clear boundaries from the start.

Holding onto a foolish hope had led to all this.

Meng Loudi was innocent.

He had to find a way to make amends, find a solution.

Mr. Ghost had endless life, so what should he do?

Bring endless pain to Meng Loudi, trapping him in the nightmare called “Jiang Chenyi”?

“Damn it. I need to think this through.” Jiang threw off the covers and slid out of bed, his body still sore but manageable.

What could he do to minimize the harm to Mr. Ghost?

Jiang Chenyi stared at his reflection in the mirror. His features were somewhat handsome, yet his aura was a peculiar blend of aloofness and warmth. After staying home for so long, even his skin had turned translucent and pale, marked with red imprints that were both striking and alluring. He looked at himself, feeling almost delectable.

In that moment, Jiang suddenly had an idea. He gazed at his reflection and hurried downstairs.

The little sparrow was perched on the chandelier, surveying the furniture below and Meng Jiang. It was the most esteemed presence in the house, aside from the two adults.

Jiang Chenyi called out, “Little sparrow.”

The sparrow perked up, flapping its wings as it flew to him, chirping cheerfully, “Young Master Jiang! Good morning!”

The young man raised his hand, and the little sparrow obligingly landed on his slender, pale fingers, its soft yellow claws gripping his finger. Smiling, he gently stroked its feathers and asked, “Little sparrow, are you quite capable?”

“Not too bad!” The little sparrow puffed out its chest.

“Then, how many supernatural beings do you know? The kind that have taken human form,” the young man asked softly.

“At least eighty, if not a hundred! Young Master Jiang, what do you need?” The little sparrow tilted its head.

“Help me with something,” the young man said, his eyes downcast, a cold glint in his brown eyes.

There was no time left. He didn’t know how much longer his body could hold out.

The little sparrow was efficient. Two days later, it excitedly reported back to Jiang Chenyi, “Madam, madam! It’s all set. We’ve found all the human-formed demons we could!”

Jiang looked at the sky outside. The sunlight seemed splendid. He smiled faintly, “Then tomorrow, have them go there. I want to meet them one by one.”

When Mr. Ghost returned home, Jiang Chenyi had already prepared steamed egg with shrimp, rice, green pepper and pork sauce, spicy boiled fish, and chilled vegetables with aromatic oil.

As Mr. Ghost entered, he embraced Jiang, noticing the jade ring on his wrist, and smiled, “Was Chenyi well-behaved today?”

“Of course,” Jiang Chenyi replied, planting a kiss on his cheek.

Mr. Ghost was very pleased, feeling as if he had finally graduated from the role of a little wife to that of a novice domineering president. Meanwhile, Jiang Chenyi naturally slipped into the role of the little wife. Lately, he had been fulfilling every request, making Meng Loudi feel as if he were on cloud nine. It was truly wonderful.

Jiang looked at Mr. Ghost’s face, which was adorned with a blissful smile, and maintained his own smile. “Let’s eat. After dinner, we’ll go upstairs to play games.”

“Alright!”

Their evening unfolded as usual, with entertainment followed by more serious matters. Mr. Ghost lay on top of Jiang, sniffing his scent like a little dog, inhaling deeply. Jiang had already showered, and he held him, stroking his dark hair.

“Let’s sleep. You have work tomorrow.”

“Chenyi, was work tiring today?” Mr. Ghost gave him a gentle kiss before settling down beside him obediently.

Jiang held his arm, observing the fingers-long and slender, with distinct knuckles. His hands, larger than Jiang’s, were unblemished and smooth, clearly the hands of someone who had lived a life of comfort.

“Not tiring at all. I’m almost done with my comic.”

“That fast?”

“Yeah.” Jiang tilted his head, nestling into his embrace, his voice drowsy. “Let’s get some sleep.”

“Okay.” Mr. Ghost agreed, though he wished they could chat a bit longer, but Chenyi was tired.

Jiang Chenyi closed his eyes, feeling the presence beside him, his mind restless.

He couldn’t afford to say much or get too attached. Everything he was doing now was for their own good.

He couldn’t waver; he had made up his mind. No need to think about the future, just focus on the task at hand.

And minimize the harm to both of them.

That was the best course.

The next morning, after Meng Loudi left, Jiang woke up.

He dressed meticulously, with a hat and mask, as if afraid someone might recognize him.

With a dog on a leash and a bird in tow, Jiang Chenyi confidently headed to a large warehouse in the suburbs.

Tables were already set up there.

And those who came were supernatural beings hoping for a shortcut to success.

Of course, some came, and some didn’t.

Jiang wasn’t surprised. Seeing the thirty or forty cars outside, he calmly walked in. The spacious warehouse was filled with people.

There were young men and women who seemed just out of their teens, as well as mature men and women who appeared successful in their careers.

They all looked at this man, wrapped up tightly.

Jiang lowered his hat brim and said, “Is everyone here? Now, please line up here, one by one. I’ll tell those who are suitable to stay. If you don’t receive a clear word, you can leave.”

Facing such a group of supernatural beings was indeed a bit daunting, but it was manageable.

After all, he had a fierce dog for protection.

These seasoned supernatural beings scrutinized the organizer.

Most of them were curious.

Few believed in the so-called “shortcut to success.”

Jiang then sat behind a table deep in the warehouse, where a mirror stood.

Thirty meters away from the table was a bright red line.

That was the starting point.

The little sparrow didn’t know what Jiang Chenyi intended to do.

But it shouldn’t be anything too terrible, right?

Everything here was funded by the bank card Jiang Chenyi had given it.

The first to step up was a mature, glamorous woman in an evening gown, seemingly taking this matter seriously.

Jiang raised his hand, gesturing to the chair opposite him. “Please, have a seat.”

The woman sat down, elegantly flipping her brown hair. “What do you intend to do?”

Anyone daring to organize such a large event surely wasn’t a small player, even if he appeared to be just a human.

The young man scrutinized her, feeling dissatisfied. Her appearance didn’t match, and her demeanor wasn’t right either. He shook his head. “Sorry, please send in the next one.”

The woman chuckled softly, leaning forward. “I didn’t have high hopes to begin with, just curious about what you’re planning.”

What was he trying to achieve by gathering all these beings?

Jiang Chenyi looked at her, seeing the evident curiosity in her eyes, devoid of malice.

“To find someone.”

“What kind of person?”

“Someone who can win over a certain important figure.” The young man’s voice was chilling.

“Wow, that’s impressive.” The woman arched an eyebrow. “I’m a bit eager to see who the lucky one will be.”

“Goodbye.” Jiang Chenyi remained cold.

The woman rose gracefully. “You seem a bit unhappy, young man. Are you perhaps looking for someone for your beloved?”

She smiled teasingly.

Jiang felt no emotional stir, even finding it a bit amusing.

If he told her he was looking for a lover for his man, she’d probably be shocked.

One by one, the supernatural beings came up for the interview, but Jiang was not satisfied.

Not to mention the demeanor, even finding someone with a similar appearance was rare.

After everyone left, Jiang sighed in disappointment, slumping over the table. “Ah, what should I do now?”

Footnote:

1. Yin-Yang Eyes(阴阳眼):In Chinese folklore, this refers to a supernatural ability to see ghosts, spirits, or the deceased. It implies a unique perception that allows one to bridge the realms of the living (yang) and the dead (yin).