Chapter 27

Gu Feiyin headed to work that day while munching on a tea egg. And let me tell you, that tea egg was absolutely delicious! The shell had been cracked, allowing the spices to seep in completely, making every bite irresistibly fragrant. Upon arriving at her department, she changed into her work uniform and cheerfully waved to her colleagues. They were all friendly and easygoing, though their health seemed a bit fragile-they often broke out in cold sweats.

It’s no wonder, though. Work this demanding can really take a toll on the body.

During the morning meeting, the kind boss specifically announced Gu Feiyin’s official promotion, praising her exceptional skills and encouraging everyone to welcome her warmly and work well together. Amidst a round of enthusiastic applause, Gu Feiyin officially embarked on her first day as a full-fledged employee.

The boss then added, “Actually, there’s another important announcement today. The ‘Winner Takes All’ production team will be coming this Saturday evening to record an episode. They’ve specifically chosen our haunted house as the filming location. This is a golden opportunity for us to shine, so I expect everyone to bring their A-game. Whether our haunted house gains fame or not depends entirely on this!”

The news sent the employees into a frenzy of excitement. The girls were practically swooning, their eyes sparkling as they squealed and jumped up and down, already fantasizing about meeting their favorite celebrities. They were chattering about taking selfies, asking for autographs, and even daring to request hugs.

Gu Feiyin hadn’t expected such a major event to come her way so soon after her promotion. The pressure was suddenly overwhelming.

The boss, feigning seriousness, said, “It all depends on your performance. Work hard and make sure our haunted house leaves a lasting impression. This is a rare opportunity to attract more visitors to our park, so don’t let it slip away!”

Of course, the idea of meeting celebrities and appearing on TV was thrilling. Who knows? Maybe someone’s stellar performance might catch the eye of a director, leading to a movie role and a chance to reach the pinnacle of success…

“And it’s not just our haunted house participating,” the boss continued. “Other attractions like the carousel, roller coaster, and Ferris wheel will also be involved. Last year, our haunted house was voted the least popular attraction in the park. This year, we absolutely cannot come in last again. Your job is to make visitors scream and go wild-that’s our mission. Got it?”

“Got it!”

“Louder! Got it?”

“Got it-!!!”

Satisfied, the boss nodded and went on to explain some ground rules, such as no sneaking friends or family in to watch the filming, adhering to the show’s regulations, and keeping all details of the recording confidential. After covering everything, the meeting was adjourned. As the boss left the room, he turned back and said, “Xiao Gu, come to my office for a moment.”

Gu Feiyin limped into the office, and the boss glanced at her leg. “Have you had that leg checked at the hospital? I’ll give you the afternoon off-go get it looked at.”

Gu Feiyin grinned. “Thanks, boss.”

The boss hesitated for a moment. “…You’re welcome.” Though he was used to her peculiar demeanor, he still couldn’t shake the chill running down his neck.

Waving her off, he said, “Xiao Gu, I really have high hopes for you. I called you here because I want you to perform exceptionally well on the day of the recording. Show off your outstanding skills and lead our haunted house to glory. Make the production team, the audience, and even the other departments in the park see us in a new light.”

Feeling the weight of responsibility, Gu Feiyin solemnly replied, “I won’t let you down!”

The boss was pleased. “Good. Now go back to work and spend the next couple of days preparing.”

…

Gu Feiyin pondered how she could improve her work efficiency, but her options were limited. Most of the time, she simply lay in a coffin, occasionally opening her eyes to flash a creepy smile. Perhaps it was time to step out of the coffin and try something different.

After finishing her morning shift, Gu Feiyin, armed with the boss’s special permission, prepared to visit the hospital to check on her leg. Limping around wasn’t a sustainable solution.

Just as she was changing out of her work uniform, a colleague knocked on the door and said, “Someone’s here to see you-in the break room.”

Gu Feiyin was puzzled. “Thanks. Someone’s looking for me? Who could it be?”

She changed into her regular clothes and headed to the break room, only to find two strangers waiting for her-two people she didn’t recognize at all. “Is it you who’s looking for me? I don’t know you.”

Su’s Father: “…”

Su’s Mother: “…”

The couple stared at the young woman with long black straight hair as she walked in, her strange gait drawing their attention. Her overly pale face was expressionless, and her dark eyes fixed on them with an unsettling intensity, making them feel as if something sinister was watching them. It was downright creepy.

They hadn’t expected the kind Miss Gu who had saved their son to look like this… Her appearance was unnerving, to say the least.

“Yes, yes, we came specifically to find you,” Su’s Father finally managed to say, nudging his wife and silently chastising himself for judging by appearances. Sure, the girl looked scary, but she had a kind heart. A bad person wouldn’t have saved Sudi and then disappeared without asking for anything in return. “We heard that you saved our son a few nights ago. We went to the police station to get your address and came here to thank you.”

Su’s Mother, snapping out of her daze, also began to reflect on her initial judgment. Meanwhile, the girl with long black straight hair suddenly lit up, her dark eyes gleaming as if she’d spotted prey. She grinned, her pale face looking even more ominous. Limping closer, she asked, “Hehe, it’s you. Has the little one’s condition stabilized?”

Su’s Mother took a deep breath. “Yes… it has.”

Su’s Father added, “Thanks to timely treatment, his condition was brought under control. Sudi was discharged from the hospital yesterday. We actually came by last night but couldn’t find you, so we returned today. Sudi wanted to come too, but we thought it might inconvenience you, so it’s just the two of us.”

He picked up several paper bags from the side and handed them to Gu Feiyin. “These are small tokens of our gratitude. We hope you’ll accept them. We’re truly grateful for your help. Without you, who knows what might have happened that night? Sudi might not have made it…”

Talking about the kidnapping brought tears to Su’s Mother’s eyes, and she momentarily forgot her earlier unease. “Miss Gu, we’re so thankful to you. If it weren’t for you, Sudi might have died! I went to the temple to pray before, and the master there said Sudi was destined for an early death. I didn’t believe it at the time… If I had, maybe I would’ve been more cautious, and none of this would’ve happened. But now it’s over-Sudi has survived this ordeal, and he’ll be safe from now on.”

Initially focused on the “small tokens,” Gu Feiyin was thrilled to receive gifts after missing out on the 50 million reward. Rich families really were generous! Her disappointment vanished-something was better than nothing. But when she heard Su’s Mother mention the master’s prophecy, her attention shifted. Tilting her head, she asked, “The master said Sudi was destined for an early death?”

“Yes…”

Gu Feiyin thought for a moment and began to understand why her leg was injured. It seemed the heavens were punishing her.

Having been a ghost for years, she had developed a slight sensitivity to such matters. A person’s life trajectory was predetermined by the heavens, and the world operated according to its own laws. Interfering with fate and altering the natural order would inevitably invite divine retribution. The heavens were fair, and karma was inevitable. By saving Sudi, she had disrupted his destined path, altering his karma-and now she was paying the price.

The punishment, known as “Five Defects and Three Shortages,” included five personal afflictions: widowhood, loneliness, orphanhood, isolation, and disability; and three material losses: wealth, power, and life.

Fortunately, she had only been made “disabled” and hadn’t lost her money. Limping was inconvenient but manageable. Losing her money, on the other hand, would have been catastrophic. And now she even had gifts to look forward to!

Su’s Father noticed her silence and asked, “Is something wrong?”

Hugging the gifts tightly, Gu Feiyin shook her head. “No problem. Do you have anything else to discuss?”

“No, that’s all… We’re truly grateful. Once Sudi is fully recovered, we’ll find an opportunity for him to thank you personally.”

“Alright,” she replied cheerfully. Another chance for gifts!

After expressing their gratitude several more times, Su’s parents left. As they stepped out of the haunted house, they both let out a sigh of relief. Despite the cold wind and snow outside, it felt warmer than inside the haunted house. They couldn’t quite explain why…

Maybe it was the haunted house itself that made them uneasy?

The couple exchanged glances. Su’s Father said, “Let’s head back.”

Su’s Mother paused before replying, “Yes, let’s go.”

At that moment, they began to understand why the kidnappers had claimed to encounter a ghost and why Sudi had been shouting about ghosts in his nightmares…

…

Gu Feiyin retreated to the restroom to examine her gifts. There were three bags in total. One contained bottles and jars she couldn’t decipher, as they were labeled in English. She felt a pang of regret for her lack of education-how frustrating to not even understand what the gifts were! This was a harsh reminder of why so many jobs required a degree.

Another bag held boxes adorned with pictures of flowers and plants she had seen plenty of in the mountains. She hadn’t thought much of them at the time, but apparently, they were valuable enough to be given as gifts. Maybe she should start collecting some herself.

The third bag contained four envelopes. She felt the thickness of the contents and opened one, only to find a stack of cash inside!

She was stunned. “Wow-”

…

The Red-Dressed Ghost was genuinely impressed. She had never seen anyone so cautious and protective of a mere few thousand yuan. Gu Feiyin had even enlisted her as a bodyguard to escort her home!

Watching the girl clutching the bag tightly to her chest, the ghost rolled her eyes. “You’re making it obvious. Just carry the bag casually-no one will suspect it’s full of money.”

Gu Feiyin replied, “No way. What if I get robbed?” Initially, she had planned to skip the hospital and continue working in the afternoon, but now that she had money, her priorities had shifted. She needed to stash the cash at home first-only then would she feel at ease. The journey home was still a bit long, and she couldn’t risk anything happening. Having more people around would make her feel safer.

“Do you really think robberies happen that often?”

“I’ve already been kidnapped once.”

“…” The ghost couldn’t argue with that. She hadn’t expected Sudi’s parents to personally come and thank Gu Feiyin, but she wouldn’t miss the chance for gossip next time Sudi himself showed up.

Gu Feiyin asked, “What about your friends?”

The Red-Dressed Ghost immediately understood what the girl was implying. One bodyguard wasn’t enough-she wanted more. Narrowing her eyes, the ghost said, “No! I refuse!”

Gu Feiyin countered, “I can pay them. One candle per person. Candles are expensive now-two yuan each.”

The ghost hesitated. “…Fine.”

Gu Feiyin: “Hmm?”

The ghost: “…”

For some reason, the ghost was reminded of the time Gu Feiyin had devoured another ghost in one bite. She wasn’t sure if the girl had fully digested it yet, but her aura occasionally resembled that of the malevolent ghost-sinister and terrifying. It made other ghosts feel as if they might be next on the menu, just like now.

…

Ten minutes later.

The Red-Dressed Ghost walked at the front with a solemn expression, followed by three other ghosts she had befriended after her death. Together, they surrounded the Long Black Straight Hair on all sides, floating slowly and stiffly, their pale faces exuding an indescribable sense of wonder.

And why wouldn’t it be wondrous? Here they were, ghosts acting as bodyguards for a human…

One of them was an acquaintance of Gu Feiyin. When Gu Feiyin first applied for a job at the amusement park, it was this ghost who had shown her the way. Though usually busy, guarding her son who was about to take his college entrance exams, her soul was nearly worn out from worry. Today, her son was at school, giving her a rare moment of free time. Upon hearing the call, she came, eager to ask Gu Feiyin how work was going. Had she been reprimanded?

The Red-Dressed Ghost heard the Long Black Straight Hair boast proudly, “I’m doing great at work. The boss is really pleased. I’m officially an employee now!”

“That’s wonderful! Keep working hard, and promotions and raises won’t be just a dream.”

“Yes, don’t worry. I have work experience now, so I won’t make mistakes.”

“That’s good to hear. As a full-time employee, the company even provides insurance. The benefits are decent! But be careful working in the haunted house. When I was alive, passing by the haunted house, I often saw staff with bruises, all beaten by visitors.”

Indeed, she had seen that happen several times. Fortunately, she just lay in the coffin, and no one ever came in to beat her up, so she remained safe.

The Red-Dressed Ghost rolled her eyes. This Long Black Straight Hair dared to eat ghosts, yet feared being beaten by humans? “Alright, let’s hurry up and stop chatting. We can talk once we’re back.”

Gu Feiyin nodded, clutching the bag tightly. It was indeed time to hurry back; the outside world was too unsafe. But being surrounded like this certainly provided a sense of security.

Carrying a fortune, how could she not be cautious? If it got stolen or snatched, who would she cry to?

Moreover, with this money, she could start preparing to distribute flyers. She had inquired before; television ads reached the most people but cost millions. Even roadside billboards were several thousand! Even handing out flyers cost money, with layout, writing, and printing all too expensive for her…

Even printing a single sheet at a print shop cost 0.5 yuan. Ten yuan would only get twenty sheets, and a hundred sheets would get a 5% discount. Though discounted, it was still quite pricey.

She had to compromise by buying some white paper to cut and write on herself. Once done, she’d go out to post small ads, the most affordable and best method she could think of, far better than asking around. Unfortunately, in a society governed by law, posting ads indiscriminately could get her caught, so she’d have to sneak out at night to do it.

With these tens of thousands, she could do so much more.

Trading a leg for tens of thousands was truly worth it, no loss there.

…

Gu Feiyin was envisioning the future, feeling optimistic about what lay ahead.

Behind her walked a tall and thin man, with a sharp, rat-like face and sly triangular eyes that darted around suspiciously, clearly up to no good.

He glanced at the Long Black Straight Hair ahead, hobbling along, and the bags she carried and clutched tightly. This person looked gloomy and dressed plainly, clearly someone unpopular, introverted, and from a poor family. Yet the bags she held seemed high-end, and she hugged them tightly and cautiously, indicating their valuable contents. Besides, she was a disabled woman with a limp, the easiest kind to bully…

His greed overcame his fear, and he quickened his pace. As he passed her from the left rear, he suddenly lunged, grabbing the bag from her arms with force, yanking it into his own embrace, and without a second glance, turned and ran!

He ran far, not hearing any pursuit or cries for help behind him. Pleased, he glanced back, only to stumble in shock-there stood the Long Black Straight Hair, not far away, staring at him with dark eyes, neither crying nor shouting, nor panicking, just standing there, watching him like a ghost.

A cold wind blew, and he saw her long black hair fluttering in the breeze.

He felt a chill, gritted his teeth, and ran faster.

Familiar with the area, he dashed into an alley, zigzagged through it, and quickly reached a dingy eatery he frequented. After checking that no one was following, he entered, ordered a dish of twice-cooked pork, spicy chicken with peppers, and pork knuckle soup, “and a bottle of Erguotou.”

After ordering, he went to the restroom, eagerly opened the bag to check its contents. Sure enough, inside was a neat stack, which from experience, he knew had to be money.

Excited, he opened it to find, indeed, money-his gambling funds for the night were secured.

“Who would’ve thought someone so shabby would have so much money.”

He stashed the money away, planning to buy a couple of packs of Zhonghua cigarettes after dinner, then gather some friends for a game of mahjong. After all, the money was his now, to spend as he pleased. Just as he was thinking, there was a knock on the door. Annoyed, he called out, “Wait a minute, I’m still busy.”

The knocking paused, but soon resumed, “knock, knock, knock, knock,” incessantly. His temper flared; he had already said he was occupied, yet the knocking continued, disrespecting him. He yanked the door open, ready to confront the knocker-only to find no one there!

A prank? Someone messing with him? Confused, he returned to the restroom, closed the door, but before he could undo his belt, the knocking resumed, just as before, “knock, knock, knock, knock,” relentless.

Frustrated, he rushed to the door, intending to catch the prankster off guard! But when he opened it, the doorway was still empty… What was going on?

It didn’t make sense; he had opened the door while the knocking continued, and heard no footsteps leaving. How could there be no one?

Unease crept in, and suddenly his shoulder was tapped. He turned in fright-only to see the empty restroom behind him.

This… this… this… was eerie.

“Hey.” His shoulder was tapped again, as if someone whispered in his ear, terrifying him into silence, his triangular eyes darting around in panic, muttering curses to bolster his courage. But there was no one around, no one to play tricks on him, yet he distinctly felt someone tap his shoulder…

Afraid to use the restroom, he took his belongings and found a seat outside.

The owner soon brought the pork knuckle soup. He served himself a bowl, blew on it, and drank a few mouthfuls to warm his stomach, calming his nerves. Reflecting on the earlier events, he figured the sudden windfall had excited him into hallucinations. Surely, there couldn’t be ghosts in this world?

But he recalled elders’ tales of ghost shoulder taps, warning never to turn around if tapped, as human Yang Energy forms a flame on the shoulder. Turning extinguishes it, akin to losing one’s Yang Energy, making it easier for ghosts to approach…

He was uneasy, fearful, but convinced himself it was all superstition, not worth believing. Yes, it was false, all false!

Thinking this, the tall and thin man felt more at ease. The pork knuckle soup was quite good, with winter melon and soybeans, likely simmered for a long time. The melon was soft, the beans melted in the mouth, tender and delicious. The soup had turned a creamy white, sprinkled with scallions, fragrant yet not greasy, warming him up.

He drank a bowl, then served another, sipping it. Suddenly, he saw a woman’s face reflected in the soup!

-Her eyes were gray, her orifices bleeding, staring at him with a sinister gaze! In an instant, the soup turned red from the blood flowing from her orifices!

Though the tall and thin man was accustomed to deceit and theft, he had never seen a ghost. His hair stood on end as he screamed, flinging the bowl and jumping two meters high: “Help, there’s a ghost! There’s a ghost in the bowl!”

The bowl shattered on the ground, spilling its contents everywhere.

He glanced at the pork knuckle soup on the table, seeing the woman’s face faintly appear again, her blood once more turning the soup red, the stench of blood nauseating him!

Panicked, he overturned the table, sending dishes crashing to the floor, desperate for her to disappear. But his frantic actions splashed soup onto the neighboring table, where several men were drinking. Their clothes soaked in oil, they were not pleased, standing to confront him: “What the hell are you doing?”

“There’s a ghost, a ghost in the bowl!”

“A ghost? What nonsense are you spouting in broad daylight!” They had ignored his earlier ramblings, but now, with their clothes stained, they couldn’t let it slide.

“Ghost, there’s really a ghost, right in the bowl!”

Instead of apologizing, he kept babbling about ghosts. A ghost? Why not claim he was the ghost himself?

These men were hot-tempered and couldn’t tolerate it any longer, rolling up their sleeves to confront the tall and thin man! The commotion was so loud that the owner and Boss Lady came out, their faces displeased, rushing to mediate.

How could they continue business if customers started fighting?

“Let’s talk it out, let’s talk it out, please don’t resort to violence, let’s keep the peace.”

“Yes, yes, for my sake, let’s all take a step back, take a step back!”

“Are we the ones causing trouble? We were eating peacefully, and he suddenly overturned the table, splashing us with oil, not apologizing, and babbling about ghosts. Are we the troublemakers?”

“Exactly, he seems crazy, causing trouble for no reason!”

“How am I crazy? You wretch, this place is haunted, your shop isn’t clean!”

This escalated from verbal argument to physical confrontation.

The tall and thin man was already on edge, and now his mind was a bit muddled. He couldn’t compete with the strength of the burly men at the next table. In the scuffle, the bag he was holding fell to the ground, and the envelope inside spilled out, revealing a glimpse of money!

Panicked, the tall and thin man lunged forward to stuff the envelope back into the bag, all the while defensively shouting at the onlookers, “What are you staring at? Never seen money before? It’s all mine! Ow-my hand!” Just as he managed to shove the envelope back, he felt a sharp pain on the back of his hand, as if it were pinned under a heavy stone. He turned to see a foot pressing down on it.

“Who the hell is stepping on me? Get off!”

Gu Feiyin stood firmly on the man’s hand, looking down at him. “Whose money did you say this was?”

The tall and thin man looked up in shock, realizing it was the Long-haired Woman he had robbed! How did she catch up so fast? It was impossible for someone with a disability to track him down, let alone find him.

Moreover, he realized that this Long-haired Woman was not as easy to bully as he had thought. She looked just as gloomy as before, but her eyes were filled with malice, like an evil ghost ready to devour him, making him break out in a cold sweat.

Terrified and angry, the tall and thin man tried to escape, but his hand was trapped under her foot, and no matter how hard he pulled, he couldn’t free it. How could this woman have such strength?

“I, I, I… They saw me bring the bag in. It’s mine.”

“So, you’re a robber. You snatched my things on the street and now have the audacity to claim them as yours.”

That was something even she, as a ghost, couldn’t fathom. Even if she took something from someone, she wouldn’t claim it as her own. At most, she’d say, “Yes, I took your stuff. If you have the guts, come take it back.” Whether in life or as a ghost, one should be straightforward. But those who resort to kidnapping and robbery are in a risky business with high stakes. All the young ones she encountered who tried to take shortcuts never ended well. Hard work was the only right path, at least it kept you out of jail.

Gu Feiyin looked up and said, “Could someone please call the police? He’s stolen enough to get him locked up for years.”

The boss and the onlookers were initially shocked, but soon their surprise turned to anger. This scoundrel was a robber! The crowd was incensed, and they all began to denounce the tall and thin man, insisting that this scum be arrested!

The tall and thin man knelt on the ground, not daring to lift his head. But when he heard they were going to call the police, he panicked. Getting caught would be the end of him; he didn’t want to go to jail. His eyes darted around, trying to figure out how to escape. He sneaked a glance upward, intending to play the victim, but was startled – there were several feet in front of him, all hovering above the ground, floating!

He blinked hard and looked again, but they were still floating. The black shoes and blue pants looked like they were made of paper. He was terrified and couldn’t help but look up further. He saw a man standing next to the Long-haired Woman, with one arm broken into two pieces, blood and flesh mangled, exposing white bones, as if crushed by a wheel. His stomach was flattened, and his face was unrecognizable. When he noticed the man looking at him, the man lowered his head and gave him a sinister smile.

Not only him, but there was also a headless man with intact limbs standing nearby, and a lifeless middle-aged woman muttering about how those who don’t learn well in life will end up in the eighteenth level of hell after death.

The Red-Dressed Ghost swung a black whip, “Let this scoundrel rot in jail. How dare he rob someone right under my nose? Does he have a death wish?”

The middle-aged woman said, “Yes, he has hands and feet but doesn’t know how to behave. Robbing in broad daylight, it’s outrageous!”

The man with the broken arm said, “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure to visit him in prison.”

The Headless Ghost, like a character from a comic, stretched out an arm and patted him on the shoulder.

The tall and thin man was scared out of his wits, tears streaming down his face. He couldn’t take the shock anymore, rolled his eyes, foamed at the mouth, and fainted.

He even twitched a couple of times.

…

By the time they left the police station, the sun had already set.

The Red-Dressed Ghost felt a bit embarrassed. She had just said they wouldn’t encounter a robber, and then the Long Black Straight Hair had run into one. It was a real slap in the face. She hadn’t expected society to be this dangerous; it was indeed wise to be cautious.

Gu Feiyin had initially planned to take the money home and hide it, but now she thought it would be better to buy some things instead. If it got stolen, she’d have nothing left. So, on the way back, when she passed a stationery store, she remembered her flyers and went in to buy a few packs of A3 paper, a ballpoint pen, two markers, a box of pen refills, two bottles of glue, and a utility knife. This way, she could make her flyers.

She also spent fifty on a pair of Cotton Shoes. The ones she had needed washing and airing out, or they wouldn’t be warm. Now she had two pairs to alternate. She remembered Song Na had promised to send her a coffin, which should arrive in a few days. She bought a quilt, so when the coffin arrived, she could use one for padding and one for covering, ensuring warmth.

Life was truly good.

The Red-Dressed Ghost floated behind her, covering her face. “You’ve got a few grand in your pocket. With that much money, you don’t have to be so stingy.”

Gu Feiyin replied, “What do you know? I can’t just splurge because I have money. You have to remember the days when you had none. Come on, I’ll buy you some candles. You worked hard helping me catch the robber today, so I’ll give you an extra one as a snack!”

The Red-Dressed Ghost: “…” Well, thanks a lot.

Of course, Gu Feiyin hadn’t forgotten about the two at home. They had also played a significant role in helping her get the money, so she generously bought a bag of candles to improve their diet. A bag of twenty cost forty yuan, and the Boss Lady, seeing her buy so much, kindly knocked off two yuan. Truly generous. If they rationed it, the bag could last them a year or so.

The Red-Dressed Ghost: “…” It was the first time she’d seen someone as frugal as the Long Black Straight Hair. Truly admirable. “What else do you need to buy?”

Gu Feiyin thought about what else she needed at home. “A tube of toothpaste, mine’s almost out, and a bottle of shampoo and body wash.” She usually bought single-use packets at the bathhouse for a yuan each, which was really expensive. If she bought a bottle and used it sparingly, it could last a year or so, which was quite economical.

The Red-Dressed Ghost reluctantly followed her, watching as she bought her things. “I think you should buy yourself some clothes. Aren’t you tired of wearing the same two outfits? When I was alive, I never wore the same thing twice!”

Gu Feiyin sighed, “You’re such a spendthrift. I won’t follow your example; you’re not a good role model.” She had once worn the same outfit until she was a ghost. As long as she had two outfits that didn’t stink and affected her work, that was enough. Why need more?

The Red-Dressed Ghost: “…”

…

The Red-Dressed Ghost thought the Long Black Straight Hair had already broadened her horizons, but when she first saw where she lived, her eyes nearly popped out! She had no idea the Long Black Straight Hair lived in such a place. She thought she was just a bit poor, but not this poor!

She stared in shock at the unfinished building in front of her. “You, you, you live here?”

“Yeah, do you want to come in and sit?”

The Middle-aged Woman gnawed on her candle, saying, “No, I need to go back and check on my son. I need to visit him in his dreams and tell him to study hard.” And warn him that if he doesn’t, he’ll end up living in an unfinished building.

The two male ghosts forgot about their candles for a moment, feeling a wave of emotion. To be this poor was quite something. They waved and left, munching on their candles.

The Red-Dressed Ghost also felt a headache coming on, starting to reflect on whether she was too extravagant. “I’m leaving too. You… you take care.”

Gu Feiyin waved them off, calling the two ghosts watching from the window to come down. “Come help me with the stuff!”

Neighbor Miss: “…”

Old Lady: “…”

The Old Lady floated down, with Gu Feiyin’s cotton coat draped over her broom. It was almost dry, just a bit damp, a testament to her hard work. In a few days, she’d have clean clothes to wear again. “Thanks.”

The Old Lady gave her a sidelong glance, rolled her eyes, and floated upstairs.

Gu Feiyin said, “Wait, help me carry the quilt up!”

Old Lady: “…”

…

After replenishing her supplies, life felt much more comfortable. Even though she spent a lot of money, it was all necessary, so it was worth it.

She tossed the candles to the Neighbor Miss and the Old Lady. “Today, Sudi’s parents came to see me and brought me lots of little gifts. I bought these for you, so ration them out. I’ll buy more next year!”

Neighbor Miss: “…”

Old Lady: “…”

… Have to wait until next year…

With that, Gu Feiyin returned to her room to think about how to write her flyers, hoping they would be effective.

“Benefactor, benefactor!” Song Na’s voice floated in from outside. Gu Feiyin was still chewing on her pen, but when she heard the call, she got up and looked out the window. She saw Song Na actually carrying a coffin over.

Wow, she finally had a bed!