Good Night, Mr. Ghost - Chapter 88

Jiang spent the night on the sofa and, upon rising, went out to buy breakfast. After eating and surveying his dust-covered home, he rolled up his sleeves and started a thorough cleaning.

He meticulously cleaned every inch of the place.

It seemed that by getting the house in order, he could start a new life.

The exhausted young man collapsed onto his bed. “Ah, I’m so tired.”

Before he could finish his sigh, a severe pain surged through his body, unlike anything he had experienced before.

He sat up abruptly, and blood spurted out, staining the sheets and the floor.

Meng Loudi clutched his abdomen, his expression turning fierce.

This was the first time it hurt this much.

Could it be getting worse?

Indeed, his way of handling it wasn’t wrong. Delaying further would be bad for both of them.

The young man looked at the newly changed sheets now in disarray again and sighed deeply. Once the pain subsided, he stripped the bed and threw the sheets into the washing machine.

In his final moments, he hoped to die here.

After all, this was his home.

Here was where everything began and it would be where everything ended.

His face was deathly pale, yet his lips were as red as if stained with blood.

Jiang Chenyi cooked himself a bowl of noodles and then happily sat on the sofa to eat.

His physical ailments seemed not to affect his normal life.

After finishing his meal, the young man washed his dishes and sat down to watch a horror movie.

The bloody scenes on the screen did not instill fear in him.

He sat there, a smile in his eyes, listening to the screams, watching the images.

His lips maintained a subtle curve.

He resembled a marionette, endowed with life but devoid of soul.

Or like a ghost, rotting away unseen in some corner.

As he watched movie after movie, he suddenly turned off the TV. “Really, this is so boring.”

Lonely and bored.

He hated this feeling.

Jiang Chenyi looked at his cell phone. Since the day Mr. Ghost called him, there had been no further contact.

That’s right.

Even if Meng Loudi still loved him, he couldn’t accept being treated like a fool by his beloved.

Even in his humility, he was still Meng Loudi.

His Mr. Ghost.

Proud and arrogant.

How could he tolerate someone who looked down on him like that?

Sigh-feeling a bit lonely.

Will the end come in loneliness?

Jiang put down his phone and walked into the bedroom, burying himself under the covers and closing his eyes.

A dreamlike world dragged him into a mysterious shape, strange lines constructing another realm.

Jiang Chenyi, do you really think so?

Yes.

You’re lying, you still love me, right?

No.

…

Light entered the room, and Jiang Chenyi opened his eyes. “A nightmare. Or maybe not.”

In the dream, that man was relentless, persisting, questioning.

It seemed that way, he could bring him back to his side.

How could that be possible?

“Indeed, I still can’t let go, can I? Perhaps, if he comes over, I might just soften.”

Jiang Chenyi tidied up a bit, preparing to head out for some food.

Since it’s just him, snacking and having casual meals seemed perfectly fine.

After all, with his fate sealed, why bother depriving himself of culinary pleasures?

But today, he decided to try a different place; the soup dumplings from the usual spot weren’t up to par.

So, like an elderly uncle, he leisurely strolled to a bun shop on another street.

He bought a basket of soup dumplings, a basket of steamed dumplings, and a cup of soy milk.

The young man paid for his purchase and then ambled back home.

As he passed by a pile of trash, something caught his eye.

It was a small, furry, dirty tail that, if not looked at closely, might be mistaken for part of the garbage.

He noticed it because it had just flicked.

Is it a cat?

It seemed so small.

The young man, with nothing better to do, squatted down to take a closer look.

The tail was almost camouflaged against the black garbage bags.

The little creature seemed aware of his gaze, frozen in place, afraid to move.

Jiang Chenyi wasn’t exactly a saint; he simply smiled at the little tail.

After a while, the tail twitched, followed by a faint meow.

Jiang Chenyi chuckled. Was it showing weakness?

Or perhaps hoping he’d leave quickly?

“Meow-meow,” he called out, mimicking the sound.

His voice was melodious, almost identical to a cat’s meow.

The tail paused, then pushed out a bit more, “Meow meow?”

“Meow~” he replied with a grin.

Then a small head popped out, its tiny face seemingly surprised.

It was a black cat with green eyes, looking pure and clear, yet lacking any sparkle, somewhat timid.

It hesitated, crouching in the trash pile, then lifted a small paw, “Meow meow?”

“Meow,” Jiang Chenyi responded, feeling a bit silly but delighted.

The little black cat looked barely a month old, so small it seemed like it could fit in one hand.

“Meow-” Its eyes still held confusion, and then it cautiously took a step forward.

Now free from the black garbage bags, Jiang Chenyi could see it more clearly.

Small and skinny, it appeared malnourished.

Its hind leg was awkwardly raised.

Was it injured?

It made sense; a stray cat, so young, without a mother’s protection, would surely struggle against bigger cats.

It looked pitiful.

Jiang Chenyi suddenly stood up and walked away, distancing himself from the odd-smelling trash pile. After several steps, when he could no longer smell anything strange, he squatted down again.

The little black cat stared at him, “Meow meow?”

Its voice was weak and pitiful.

Jiang Chenyi beckoned with a finger, “Meow-”

His gesture meant to come over, but if it couldn’t understand, what could he do?

The little black cat sat by the trash pile, staring at him intently.

Who was Jiang Chenyi now? A man with time to spare, nearing his end, with nothing to do.

He didn’t mind spending a few minutes like this.

Teasing a little kitten was the best way to pass the time.

The little black cat looked at him, observing the young man who maintained a smile.

Jiang Chenyi’s eyes held a hint of mischief, but to the little black cat, it didn’t seem that way.

After a brief internal struggle, it began to move.

With its hind leg impaired, it hobbled towards Jiang Chenyi, each step seemingly requiring immense courage.

An aunt passing by noticed and asked, “Young man, what are you doing?”

Jiang Chenyi chuckled, “Just playing with a cat.”

The little black cat, hearing the commotion, tensed up as if ready to retreat at any moment.

The aunt, upon seeing the black cat, exclaimed, “Oh dear, why are you mingling with a black cat?! It’s bad luck! Seeing a black cat brings misfortune!”

She meant well.

Jiang shrugged and smiled, “That’s a Western belief. Our ancestors said black cats are a good omen.”

“Really? Oh, they all say black cats are unlucky. Never mind, I’ll be on my way.” The aunt waved her hand and hurried off with her shopping basket, seemingly afraid of attracting bad luck.

The little black cat perked its ears, eyes wide, watching the man.

But Jiang Chenyi continued to squat there, smiling at it.

The little black cat glanced at the garbage pile behind it, then at the human, then at the spot where the aunt disappeared, and back at the garbage pile.

It looked quite anxious, as if unsure of what decision to make.

Jiang Chenyi watched its indecisive demeanor and chuckled, “Meow-”

His voice carried amusement, as if genuinely pleased.

The little black cat looked at him, its eyes growing brighter, and for a moment, Jiang felt an illusion.

It seemed like the little black cat’s eyes were filled with tiny stars.

That’s why they shone so brightly.

The young man watched it.

The little black cat: “Meow meow meow!”

Then it moved forward, gradually picking up speed, eager to reach the young man’s side. Its legs were unsteady, and it stumbled as it ran, clearly wanting to get to him as quickly as possible.

As it ran, it tripped and tumbled, rolling over on the ground, its already dirty fur becoming even dirtier.

Jiang Chenyi looked at the little creature, still three steps away.

The little black cat, despite its fall, was happy. It got up and continued hobbling to the young man’s feet.

It was like a little coal ball.

Its bright eyes looked up at him, maintaining a small distance so as not to brush against the young man.

The little black cat was expectant.

Jiang Chenyi looked at it and extended his hand.

The cat flinched slightly, its tail fluffing up, but it restrained its fear and stayed put.

The young man’s fingertip tapped its little head, and he teased, “You’re filthy, I’m not touching you.”

The kitten was almost knocked over by the tap, but it shook its head and looked at him happily.

Jiang used his clean hand to pick up a steamed dumpling, eating the skin himself.

He had bought pure meat ones.

This little thing could eat.

Leaving the meat filling, he placed it in his palm and extended it to the little black cat.

The little black cat looked up at him, then at the warm meat filling, and back at him.

Jiang observed the joy almost spilling over from the cat’s face and thought: Could it be seeing him as a parent or something?

Quite adorable.

The little black cat leaned forward, burying its head in the young man’s palm, gobbling up the food, clearly very hungry.

It ate quickly, and after finishing, it licked its nose, still wanting more.

Its nose was pitch black too.

It was like a little coal ball, even blacker than Meng Jiang.

At least Meng Jiang had some white spots; this little one was all black except for its eyes and mouth.

After eating, the kitten rubbed against the young man’s fingers, leaving a smudge of dirt.

Jiang: “…”

Oh dear, what now?

He stood up and took a step back.

The little black cat watched him, then hobbled forward ten steps, still trying hard to look up and see his expression.

Jiang looked at the little creature seemingly intent on sticking with him and, with a smile, reached out to scoop it up.

Since it was already dirty, he might as well clean it up later.

But it was truly filthy, carrying a certain smell.

The kitten squatted in his palm, trembling as it looked down, then up at the man, letting out a soft meow.

“Meow.”

“It’s okay, we’ll be home soon,” the man reassured, “Once we’re home, I’ll clean you up.”

The little black cat looked at him, bewildered.

As they turned a corner, a child called out to Jiang Chenyi.

“Hey! Why are you carrying a dirty cat?!”