Qian Ai, Kuang Jinxin, and even Wu Sheng, who were all included, didn’t expect Xu Wang to have such a straightforward talk with Chi Yingxue. It was okay to share information, especially after the twists and turns of the past twenty or so days. Everyone had already considered Chi Yingxue a team member in their hearts, even if they didn’t say it out loud.
However, for such an important matter, they should have at least prepared a preamble. Starting with “I have talked with the Owl” was too abrupt; Chi Yingxue would be foolish not to be confused!
The three companions silently looked at their new teammate, who indeed appeared confused.
Xu Wang also belatedly realized his impetuousness and quickly tried to remedy the situation. “This matter, well, it’s a long story…”
“The Owl talks every day,” Chi Yingxue suddenly said.
Xu Wang, interrupted, was startled. “What?”
Chi Yingxue sighed, his voice filled with inexplicable confusion. “The Owl talks every day.”
Xu Wang and the three listening companions finally understood that their new teammate wasn’t bewildered by shock but had completely misunderstood the situation, failing to see why this was even a topic for discussion…
“It’s not an internal ear prompt. It’s a real conversation, back and forth, understand?” Xu Wang pointed to himself and then to Chi Yingxue, almost in desperation. “Like how we’re talking right now!”
Chi Yingxue raised an eyebrow, a glint of interest finally appearing in his eyes. “Oh? You can have conversations with the Owl?”
“I can’t. It was just a fluke that we had one conversation, just once.” Xu Wang sighed regretfully, wishing he could communicate with the Owl anytime.
“Oh,” Chi Yingxue’s face showed a hint of disappointment, but his interest remained. “Is it a person or a bird?”
“Ah?” Xu Wang was unprepared for this focus of interest, and after a long pause, he weakly said, “I didn’t see it. It only spoke without showing itself…”
Chi Yingxue frowned slightly, dissatisfied. “Then did you ask it for strategies?”
“……” Captain Xu, finding the question too sharp, had no answer.
The last bit of interest in Chi Yingxue’s eyes disappeared, leaving only disappointment.
Xu Wang swallowed hard, sincerely reflecting. “I was young and naive then. If heaven gave me another chance to do it over… No, wait, that’s not the point!” Almost led astray by his teammate, Xu Wang quickly got back on track, earnestly looking at Chi Yingxue, emphasizing, “I’ve talked to the Owl. Don’t you find that incredible?”
Chi Yingxue blinked, calmly nodding. “Not seeing it, not catching it, not getting any strategies—indeed, it is incredible.”
Xu Wang felt a pang of pain in his heart and was rendered speechless.
Wu Sheng pulled his disheartened captain back and took over, objectively and concisely recounting the experience of Xu Wang encountering the Owl ten years ago, focusing on the timing and manner of the Owl’s appearance and the words it said. During the narration, he didn’t seek Chi Yingxue’s opinion, as the new teammate didn’t seem naively curious.
“So,” Wu Sheng concluded after the recount, “we need to both pass the levels and figure out what all this is really about.”
Chi Yingxue tilted his head at him. “According to you, the Owl said passing 23 levels would allow us to leave?”
Wu Sheng nodded. “Yes.”
“Then why don’t we just keep going?” Chi Yingxue asked, puzzled. “Why bother researching all this?”
“Setting aside whether we can pass all 23 levels.” Wu Sheng’s eyes darkened. “After being tormented for so long for no reason, are you content?”
Chi Yingxue looked at Wu Sheng’s determined eyes and a hint of anticipation curled the corner of his mouth. His body that was casually leaning on the sofa also straightened slightly. “You want to destroy the Owl?”
Xu Wang, Qian Ai, Kuang Jinxin: “……”
Yan Wang gets happier in battle, while Chi Yingxue finds chaos more interesting. In the matter of “not wanting to live peacefully”, they were in perfect harmony!
Wu Sheng, lacking the keen emotional perception of his teammates, only knew that Chi Yingxue asked a question, and he had to give a truthful and objective answer. “Currently, we haven’t thought about how to apply our research findings. At this stage, we are mainly focused on the operational logic and existence of the problems.”
Kuang Jinxin added, “Sheng Ge also made little cards to give to NPCs!”
Qian Ai said, “Yes, to enlighten them about life and the universe.”
Xu Wang added, “And it’s continuously being updated and upgraded. Now it’s already the third version of the card.”
Chi Yingxue: “……”
After a long drift, when life was almost becoming a dead loop of going back and forth in the first few levels, Chi Yingxue finally experienced a turning point in his level-clearing career—he joined a scientific research team.
……
After regrouping, the small team adjusted their rhythm, following a “three days of rest + one night of level-clearing” pattern. They breezed through levels 6/23 and 7/23 in one go. Since these levels didn’t require finding badges, it objectively made the team’s progress more focused and efficient.
On the afternoon of the eighth day, the small team arrived in Suzhou, the location of 8/23.
Xu Wang didn’t know whether Chi Zhuolin had installed satellite tracking on Chi Yingxue or if Chi Yingxue was in constant contact with his brother. In any case, Chi Zhuolin was very timely with their location updates. They had just arrived in Suzhou, and the hotel car came to pick them up.
Returning to a familiar place, the teammates inevitably recalled the shadows of their last failed attempt. But once they entered the hotel suite, they first set aside their worries and enjoyed the peace.
It wasn’t until after dinner, as the night deepened, that Xu Wang’s heart gradually calmed down.
Looking around the suite, Qian Ai, who became sleepy after eating, dozed off on the sofa; Wu Sheng, who seemed to be planning something, was at the desk, already filled with several sheets of draft paper; Kuang Jinxin sat beside the desk, intently watching Wu Sheng’s writing and drawing, not making a sound or asking questions, just understanding on his own, serious like a student in class; Chi Yingxue moved a single sofa in front of the TV, munching on an apple while watching a shopping channel, thoroughly engrossed.
According to their rhythm, today, tomorrow, and the day after were all “rest periods”, with the real “level-clearing day” only coming the day after tomorrow. So there was no pre-level-clearing tension at the moment.
But Xu Wang was still a bit uneasy.
The reason was simple: their last attempt at 8/23 had ended too tragically. Xu Wang still felt bone-aching pain whenever he thought of it.
It was around 11:30 p.m. when the five of them took a taxi to the coordinate point. Not long after getting off the taxi, it was midnight. Stepping into the purple vortex on the ground a month later, they returned to the starting point of 8/23.
A semi-open-air café with an excellent view.
The open-air part was surrounded by quaint green fences. Inside were several round tables, chairs, and large umbrellas for shade. A gentle breeze was blowing, carrying the aroma of coffee.
In reality, it was a cold, dark midnight.
But inside 8/23, it was a spring-like morning.
However, the five of them were well aware that, under this bright sunshine, a “bloody massacre” would soon take place.
There were already NPC customers under several of the sun umbrellas, leaving only one empty table by the fence. The five sat down, and a waiter came over to ask what they wanted to drink.
After ordering casually, the waiter left and never returned. Naturally, they weren’t served any coffee.
Just like 2/23’s airport, it was a “virtual experience”.
“It’s better in the castle banquet hall. The food and drinks are real, not fake.” Qian Ai sighed, pulling out a big white pear from his pocket and biting into it causing juice to splash everywhere.
Xu Wang remembered the large plate of fruit in the suite and asked, hoping for the best, “You only brought one in?”
“Do I look like the kind of person who eats alone?” Qian Ai took off his small backpack and, with a clatter, pulled out four more, all shiny, smooth, and fragrant. He distributed them to his teammates. “Eat as much as you like. There’s more when you’re done.”
Xu Wang realized that Classmate Qian wasn’t planning on clearing the level today; his bag was packed like he was going on a hike or a picnic.
Each of the five companions held a pear and sat around a table, enjoying their snack.
Two minutes later, the Owl’s purple vortex closed, and no new teams entered the café—distinguishing NPCs from peers was simple: just check if there’s coffee on the table.
“Are we the only ones in this level today?” Kuang Jinxin looked around, surprised. Even if they weren’t planning to clear the level, as long as they were at this coordinate point, they should have entered 8/23.
“A score of 8/23 is enough to make the overall leaderboard,” Qian Ai muttered while chewing on his white pear. “It’s normal to have fewer teams going through the levels.”
“It’s also possible that there are other teams,” Wu Sheng said. “They just didn’t get stuck at the coordinates like us.”
“That’s true.” Kuang Jinxin nodded.
To avoid encountering other teams, many would intentionally choose different times or places near the designated coordinates to enter the ‘Owl’.
Chi Yingxue, uninterested in the others, gazed distantly beyond the fence at the bustling street corner and said with an air of hope, “Are we really not going through the level today?”
Xu Wang gave him a “calm down” look and said earnestly, “Let’s just wait and see for now.”
Chi Yingxue shrugged. With no coffee or pastries, he had to make do with a bite of pear.
The fence was the safe zone, like the ancient castle’s banquet hall. Once they left, it meant the challenge began. Last time, as soon as they stepped out, they received the level content prompt. After joining the main group, they hadn’t even left the street when they all perished—a dark three minutes.
Noise from the street corner grew louder, indicating a large group was approaching.
Wu Sheng’s relaxed demeanor changed as he said solemnly, “They’re coming.”
Xu Wang tensed and quickly looked towards the street corner. Qian Ai and Kuang Jinxin also became serious, turning their heads with Xu Wang.
Chi Yingxue, not as prepared as the others, continued nibbling on his pear, though his gaze shifted to the corner. As the team leader’s small flag appeared in the distance, he forgot to bite his pear.
Around the corner came a group of about thirty people, led by a flag-bearing leader, followed mostly by young men and women in their twenties and thirties, chatting and laughing lively.
They moved quickly, reaching the café in a short while. The guide approached the five of them, inviting warmly through the fence. “Are you interested in joining our all-inclusive city day tour?
Xu Wang decisively shook his head. “No, thanks.”
The leader asked again, “Sure you won’t join?”
This time, Xu Wang, Qian Ai, and Kuang Jinxin all silently shook their heads.
Wu Sheng helped refuse a second time. “No need, thank you.”
The leader looked disappointed but didn’t persist, turning back to lead the group onwards.
The group passed the café, reaching a crosswalk.
The light was red.
About thirty people stood obediently, waiting.
In the distance, a dump truck approached normally, with no unusual speed or direction.
But just as it neared the crosswalk, a loud “bang” sounded—a front tire burst!
The driver, in panic, slammed on the brakes, but the vehicle, losing its front wheel, couldn’t maintain its course. With that brake, the truck drifted towards the thirty people waiting at the light!
It happened so fast. People who were laughing seconds ago were now stunned, with the two closest to the road instantly swept under the truck!
The others, realizing the danger, screamed and fled.
However, the truck, losing balance after drifting, flipped over, burying three people who couldn’t escape under a pile of debris!
In the chaos, another screeching brake sounded from a trailing vehicle, trying to stop too late. It hit a person who had run into the road in panic.
They avoided the burst tire and the dump spill, but not the following vehicle.
In just a few seconds, six people died.
As the dust settled, the group had lost several members. Yet, from the leader to the survivors, they all seemed amnesiac, resuming their cheerful demeanor and laughing as they crossed the road and continued on their planned route.
Xu Wang shuddered, feeling that cold terror unique to this challenge again.
Death is frightening.
But what’s scarier is knowing that a slight misstep could kill you, yet not knowing where the danger lies.
Or rather, death could come in countless ways at any moment.
[The demon causing accidents is among these people. Find them before sunset if you’re still alive.]
That was the first sentence they received from the [Cheat Sheet] after leaving the café fence last time.
Feeling weightless, Xu Wang and Wu Sheng only saw Xiao Hungry opening his mouth but couldn’t hear his voice anymore.
As the world stabilized and their vision cleared, Xu Wang and Wu Sheng found themselves back in front of the blue metal panels at the fenced construction site. However, their position had shifted from the pedestrian walkway on the west side of the site to a temporary parking lot on the east side.
At three in the morning, the coldest time of the night, the air alone was enough to make one feel the chill of the north, even without a breeze.
Yet, Xu Wang and Wu Sheng felt nothing.
They stared at each other, physically back in reality, but their thoughts still lingered in the “Owl”.
Finally, Xu Wang broke the silence. Under the quiet moonlight, his voice, filled with confusion and disbelief, was especially clear. “Do you think the change in mission was part of the original task setup and Xiao Hungry was just following the process, or…”
Unable to articulate another bizarre possibility, Xu Wang trailed off.
“Or was it Xiao Hungry’s own improvisation?” Wu Sheng helped him finish.
“Right, right.” Xu Wang exhaled in relief, calming down a bit. “That’s what I meant.”
Wu Sheng shook his head helplessly. “Hard to say.”
Xu Wang felt like changing his name to Despair. If even Wu Sheng couldn’t figure it out, there was little chance of getting a conclusion.
“Actually, it’s not just about changing the mission,” Wu Sheng continued. “The bet earlier, the one-minute countdown, and even before that, him directly teleporting us to the Ghost Spring, might not have been part of the Owl’s original setting.”
Xu Wang was astonished. “That’s a bit too overbearing…”
“Unless we go through this mission line again, there’s no chance to understand it fully.” Advisor Wu sighed while gazing at the starry sky, his eyes filled with unfulfilled regret.
“Go through it again?” Xu Wang didn’t like the idea at all. “I absolutely don’t want to go through such a heart-wrenching line a second time!”
Wu Sheng looked puzzled. “Didn’t you tell Xiao Hungry not to forget you?”
“We can meet again, but meeting doesn’t mean we have to do a task.” Xu Wang looked up at the sky, picturing a beautiful reunion. “We can chat, play chess, catch ghosts, or something. It would be fun and enjoyable, how nice.”
Wu Sheng: “……”
Suddenly, a ringtone sounded from Xu Wang’s pocket. On the quiet night street, it was exceptionally loud.
“Where are you two?” The call was from Lao Qian. As soon as it connected, his robust voice came through.
Xu Wang felt incredibly guilty, having been so preoccupied with discussing Xiao Hungry that he nearly forgot about his two valiant teammates.
He quickly described their approximate location. About five minutes after hanging up, Qian Ai and Kuang Jinxin turned the corner from the street. In the Eastern Courtyard’s old house, walking from the Underworld to the Heavenly Realm didn’t seem far, but back in reality, the distance was quite evident.
The four friends took a taxi back to the hotel before exchanging their experiences.
Qian Ai and Kuang Jinxin’s story was simple, mostly about being tormented by the Dream Ghost. Of course, Classmate Qian’s gallant education of the Dream Ghost was a highlight.
After the two friends finished, Xu Wang recounted the submission process he and Wu Sheng went through.
Qian Ai and Kuang Jinxin didn’t expect such a complicated process, let alone the remaining mysteries and “frightening conjectures”.
At least for Qian Ai, the idea of NPCs acting freely was quite hair-raising. “Aren’t you two overthinking it?”
Xu Wang understood. Anyone would find it unbelievable, as they had never encountered NPCs deviating from their scripted roles in the Owl before. And while the events could be retold, the feelings couldn’t.
“If you had experienced it yourself, you definitely wouldn’t think we’re overthinking,” he could only say.
……
At noon the next day, the four friends took a train from Xuchang to Anyang.
They hadn’t reached a conclusion about Xiao Hungry for the time being, and another teammate had been waiting for several days. Fortunately, both 5/23 and 6/23 were in Henan, so it was just over an hour’s train ride away.
Xu Wang had informed Chi Yingxue in advance, who then directly sent the location of a hotel. Right off the train, the four friends took a cab there.
In the hotel lobby, as soon as Xu Wang mentioned “Mr. Chi”, they were warmly and politely led to the elevator and taken straight to the top floor.
Exiting the elevator, Xu Wang knew immediately, without asking, that it was a top-tier suite again.
At the end of the corridor, the suite door was wide open, with Chi Yingxue leaning against the door frame, facing their direction, watching them from afar.
He wore a haze blue knitted sweater and deep blue acid-washed jeans today. Though both were in the blue spectrum, the difference in depth made for a harmonious match. The low-key and quiet colors complemented his fair skin, giving him a melancholic serenity.
Of course, the four friends knew that this was a “false impression” brought by his outfit.
Chi Yingxue couldn’t possibly be melancholic and quiet. For example, he was frowning at them from afar.
As they got close enough to hear each other clearly, he immediately said, “Tsk, you guys are slow.”
Having said that, he turned and entered the room.
Qian Ai was puzzled, glancing at the other three friends. “He waited at the door just to complain?”
Xu Wang chuckled, patting his shoulder. “That’s Xiao Xue’s special welcome ceremony. You have to understand.”
Qian Ai: “…It’s too hard to understand!”
While talking, the four friends entered the room. The suite, not as big as the one in Beijing, was still nearly 300 square meters. Even with five people inside, it felt spacious.
“Did your brother book this again?” Xu Wang looked at Chi Yingxue.
The latter, already sitting on the sofa, shrugged his shoulders in response.
Xu Wang was conflicted. “Does your brother have a pass for all the top presidential suites in five-star hotels across the country?”
“He only has this one good point,” Chi Yingxue said while peeling an orange and tossing a segment into his mouth.
Qian Ai, busy looking around, didn’t hear the context but caught the last part and asked, “What good point?”
Chi Yingxue, chewing the sweet and sour orange, naturally replied, “He’s rich.”
Qian Ai: “……”
Why did he even ask!
The four travel-weary companions put down their backpacks and settled themselves comfortably, officially starting their reunion.
“If you didn’t come soon, I was planning to switch teams,” Chi Yingxue declared, finishing the last segment of his orange, expressing his feelings about the wait.
Xu Wang noticed his impatience, appreciating that this new teammate, known for his lack of patience, had waited so many days for them. However, he still felt the need to defend his team. “Switch teams? Where else could you find a company as good as ours?”
Chi Yingxue raised an eyebrow. “What’s so good about it?”
Without hesitation, Xu Wang responded, “The CEO has tremendous personal charisma.”
Chi Yingxue: “……”
Seeing the conversation might not go further, Captain Xu quickly changed the topic. He briefed the new teammate on their twenty-day journey through the challenges and then focused on the experience with Xiao Hungry in 5/23.
Unlike Qian Ai and Kuang Jinxin’s skepticism, Chi Yingxue clearly didn’t believe a word and simply nodded. “Oh.”
Xu Wang: “That’s it? Don’t you have anything else to say?”
Chi Yingxue thought for a moment. “It must have been part of the mission line’s original setting.”
“……” Xu Wang wished Chi Yingxue had more curiosity, just like Wu Sheng, whose curiosity was like a disease. Why couldn’t these two teammates balance their curiosity about the world!
“Forget it.” Xu Wang gave up. “Tell us about your experiences. How was your journey through the challenges these days?”
Although they kept in touch with Chi Yingxue through WeChat, their communication was infrequent and rarely detailed about the challenges. They mostly exchanged information to avoid attempting the same challenges on the same day.
Chi Yingxue: “Joined teams, submitted papers.”
Xu Wang: “……”
Wu Sheng: “……”
Kuang Jin Xin: “……”
Qian Ai: “That’s it?”
Chi Yingxue: “Then joined another team, submitted another paper.”
The four companions: “……”
Sensing his teammates’ speechless stares, Chi Yingxue felt compelled to elaborate. “I’m too familiar with the first five levels. It’s all the same to me, whoever the team is, as long as I want to turn in my papers.”
“Don’t boast.” Qian Ai couldn’t stand his exaggeration. “When we met on 3/23, didn’t we submit before your team?”
Chi Yingxue shrugged. “Han Buting didn’t let me do as I pleased.”
“It wasn’t freedom? Don’t tell me that pushing Kuang Jinxin on the Ferris wheel was Han Buting’s plan,” Qian Ai blurted out without thinking.
After saying it, he regretted it a bit, feeling like he was dredging up old grievances.
Kuang Jinxin didn’t expect Qian Ai to bring that up, but he was indeed curious about what Chi Yingxue was thinking back then, so he looked at him.
Unexpectedly, Chi Yingxue was also examining him, and after a thorough look, he turned to Qian Ai and asked seriously, “Don’t you think his face screams ‘please bully me’?”
Kuang Jinxin: “……”
He regretted thinking about it for so long!
Qian Ai couldn’t sit still anymore, ready to throw himself at Chi Yingxue like a cannonball, but Xu Wang quickly intervened, reminding him, “Presidential suite, presidential suite—”
Qian Ai’s raised fist reluctantly returned to his side.
It’s hard to fight when you’re indebted!
After finally calming Qian Ai down, Xu Wang felt exhausted.
There was Wu Sheng, who intermittently spoke in abstracts, and now Chi Yingxue, who could make sense but provokes enmity with every sentence. Leading this team wasn’t easy!
But on second thought, what teammates say isn’t as important as what they do.
Chi Yingxue didn’t owe them his patience. Though they were teammates, they hadn’t actually spent many days tackling levels together before splitting up. With Chi Yingxue’s almost non-existent patience, switching teams would have been normal, and Xu Wang had even anticipated it.
Thus, reuniting with Chi Yingxue after more than twenty days was quite surprising for Xu Wang.
He also felt a bit guilty.
He didn’t expect Chi Yingxue to fully open up to them, and likewise, he hadn’t fully opened up to Chi Yingxue.
But now, he didn’t want to hold back anymore.
“Xiao Xue.” Xu Wang took a deep breath and began.
After many days, Chi Yingxue’s resistance had worn off, and he couldn’t help but respond, “If you keep calling me that, I’ll leave the team.”
Xu Wang didn’t expect to have to change the nickname first and quickly thought of another: “…Xue?”
Chi Yingxue, resignedly sinking into the sofa, replied, “Just stick with Xiao.”
With the comparison, Xiao Xue instantly seemed full of robust masculinity.
Xu Wang’s lips curled in triumph, but he quickly became serious again. “There’s something I have to tell you.”
Chi Yingxue didn’t seem very concerned and asked casually. “What?”
The crisp notification sound rang out beside the Ghost Spring, interrupting the still-deliberating Captain Xu and Advisor Wu. They received good news from their teammate.
[Owl: Congratulations on finding the 5/23 Ghost Mansion badge!]
Xu Wang, squatting beside the well, turned to look at Wu Sheng with a pitiful expression. “Heaven didn’t hear your prayer.”
Wu Sheng sighed and nodded, rarely admitting his own lack of divine power.
“No team happened to submit their papers just now,” Xu Wang added, sounding utterly disheartened.
Wu Sheng asked, “Have you decided what to do?”
Xu Wang took out a yellowed little paper packet from his pocket, staring at it blankly. It was hard to imagine that such an inconspicuous thing, thrown into the spring, could annihilate all the ghosts in the Eastern Courtyard.
Though they were called ghosts, Xiao Hungry and those in charge were all very much alive, with emotions, friendships, and loyalties.
“Who let you in here!” Suddenly, a stern voice came from behind.
The two turned around sharply to see the manager from the Heavenly Realm.
Seeing the paper packet in Xu Wang’s hand, the manager’s body was suddenly enveloped in dark energy, his voice deepened, and his eyes shot sharp lights. “What are you planning to do with the Ghost Spring?”
The two immediately stood up and faced the manager.
Xu Wang instinctively clenched the paper packet in his palm, gripping it tightly, his lips moving, but he couldn’t answer the manager’s question. Perhaps the earlier dilemma had exhausted all his mental energy, and now the usually ready lies deserted him.
As their eyes met, the atmosphere suddenly became tense. But then, a very short “ding!” sound came from their arms.
Xu Wang and Wu Sheng were both surprised.
Not only surprised by the timing of the notification but also that they had never heard such a “ding” before!
Since joining the Owl, they had heard three types of “dings”: the first was the common notification “ding—”, the second was the paper submission notification “ding-ling-ling—”, and the third was the record-breaking notification “ding-ling-ling-ling-ling~~~”.
But this short “ding”, almost unnoticeable if not paying attention, was a first!
With the situation urgent, they no longer cared about revealing their identities and simultaneously raised their arms—
[Cheat Sheet]: 1 minute. Countdown begins now.
The two exchanged a quick glance, baffled.
They had seen countdown notifications before, but they always knew what the countdown was for!
For instance, the 4-hour bomb defusal on the red-eye flight, the 15-minute cross-dimensional battle in the doomsday city, or the 5-minute grace period for disbanding or kicking out members after forming a 5-person team in the Owl.
But this vague countdown, what were they supposed to race against time for?!
Wu Sheng’s gaze shifted to the paper packet tightly held in Xu Wang’s hand, his voice low and fast. “Ghost Spring”.
Xu Wang’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Only one minute left to poison the Ghost Spring?!
They had been deliberating for ten minutes and still hadn’t made a decision!
“What are you sneaking around for?” The manager stepped forward, his eyes narrowing dangerously. “Leave the Ghost Spring now, or I’ll be forced to be unpleasant.”
There were 50 seconds left in the countdown.
Sweat in Xu Wang’s palm dampened the paper packet.
“Wu Sheng,” Xu Wang suddenly called in a low voice.
“I’m here,” Wu Sheng replied.
“Even if I throw this packet into the spring, even if it causes destruction, the Eastern Courtyard will still be the same tomorrow, right?” Xu Wang asked softly.
“Right, otherwise, how would other teams continue their challenges?” Wu Sheng quietly answered, watching the manager on the other side of the spring.
“Then why can’t I bring myself to do it…” Xu Wang’s eyes heated up, and his throat turned bitter.
Wu Sheng gave a helpless smile. “I can’t answer that question for you because I feel the same way.”
There were 35 seconds left in the countdown.
Xu Wang: “Why isn’t the manager coming over?”
Wu Sheng: “He’s probably waiting for the countdown too.”
Xu Wang: “What happens when the countdown ends?”
Wu Sheng: “He’ll probably come over to send us on our way.”
There were 20 seconds left in the countdown.
Xu Wang: “Will Lao Qian and Xiao Kuang blame us?”
Wu Sheng: “Xiao Kuang probably won’t.”
Xu Wang: “And Lao Qian?”
Wu Sheng: “That depends on how much trouble he went through to get the badge.”
There were 10 seconds left in the countdown.
Xu Wang: “What if I say you were too soft-hearted to do it?”
Wu Sheng: “I don’t mind. It’s up to them whether they believe it or not.”
Xu Wang: “……”
Wu Sheng: “You said I was rational and not inhumane.”
Xu Wang: “…That was you who said that!”
The countdown ended.
The manager didn’t move but slightly tilted his head towards the right upper space, respectfully saying, “Boss, you won.”
Xu Wang and Wu Sheng were stunned, following his gaze upwards.
Above the Ghost Spring, a dark figure faintly appeared.
A black robe, red eyes, and the same gaunt face with a sallow complexion, but the expression was now imposing, no longer showing any signs of frailty or pity. Instead, there was a sense of danger and oppression.
Xiao Hungry had become a formidable figure.
Overwhelmed by this turn of events, Xu Wang couldn’t accept it, even with the evidence right in front of his eyes, and he still asked in disbelief, “Xiao Hungry?”
The Starving Ghost floated down, not going to his manager, but landing in front of Wu Sheng and Xu Wang.
Just a step away, they faced each other directly.
The Starving Ghost gave a faint smile. “You deceived me, and I deceived you. We’re even.”
Anger boiling up inside him, Xu Wang pushed the Starving Ghost away. “Get lost! We only hid our task from you, but you’ve been playing us for fools from the very beginning!”
The Starving Ghost staggered backward, the smile fading from his face, but his eyes still held no hostility.
“I only lied to you about my identity,” he said, eyes downcast, his emotions hidden in the shadows.
“Ha, just that? What about ‘leading many people but no one ever willing to take you out of the Underworld’? A ghost’s lie*? Oh, I forgot, you are a ghost! What kind of double agent are we, compared to your supreme undercover act!” Xu Wang had never been so emotionally invested in an NPC. As much as he had been troubled before, he was now equally furious.
*(鬼说) It’s a term referring to something equivalent to a “tall tale”.
The Starving Ghost looked up slightly, his expression much colder than Xu Wang’s agitation, but if one listened carefully, there was deep sincerity in his voice. “I didn’t lie to you.”
“Not lie to me? You’re the boss of the Eastern Courtyard. Do you even need someone else to take you to the Heavenly Realm? The heavens will follow you wherever you go!”
“It’s different, whether the heavens follow me or someone is willing to take me to it.”
“So, those who ignored you were lucky enough not to be deceived by you?”
“They didn’t need to. Because I wouldn’t let them enter the Human Realm.”
“……”
Xu Wang, already infuriated and mentally short-circuited, was even more frustrated by the ghost’s sharp retorts.
Wu Sheng held Xu Wang’s shoulder and patted it soothingly. He asked the Starving Ghost on behalf of Xu Wang, “Is your death real?”
The Starving Ghost frowned slightly, not understanding. “Huh?”
Wu Sheng was much calmer than Xu Wang. Although he felt awkward, his logic was still clear and organized. Rather than being upset by the deception, he cared more about “clarifying matters for Xu Wang”.
“You said you starved to death in your previous life and have been hungry ever since, unable to be satisfied. Is that true?”
The Starving Ghost said without hesitation, “Yes.”
Wu Sheng raised an eyebrow. “The boss of the Western Courtyard said that the boss of the Eastern Courtyard is the Heart-Digging Ghost.”
The Starving Ghost remained calm. “Always hungry, always wanting to dig out hearts to eat.”
Wu Sheng: “At the manager’s place in the Underworld, you knew we weren’t ghosts. Why didn’t you dig out our hearts?”
The Starving Ghost looked at him quietly. “I dig out the hearts of evil people, not friends.”
Wu Sheng was silent for a long while, his eyes flickering. “Our goal was to poison the Eastern Courtyard. With one small packet, all the ghosts there would be annihilated. Do you think we consider you a friend?”
The Starving Ghost looked at Xu Wang, still tightly clutching the paper packet. “But you still didn’t do it.”
“Are you done questioning!” The manager by the Ghost Spring, unhappy now, interjected. “You were already exposed at the manager’s place in the Underworld. If it weren’t for the boss, you wouldn’t even be able to enter the Human Realm, let alone the Ghost Spring!”
Just as Wu Sheng was about to respond, Xu Wang asked the Starving Ghost first, “Why did you help us, knowing we were going to poison the entire Eastern Courtyard?”
“I didn’t know at that time.” The Starving Ghost shook his head. “As for why I helped?” He thought seriously for a moment, then shook his head again. “I can’t explain.”
Xu Wang looked at him and suddenly realized that although the entire demeanor and expression of the ghost had changed, becoming completely cold, the eyes of the Starving Ghost still held some familiar elements from before.
“When did you find out that we were going to poison the place?” Xu Wang’s anger had passed, and now he just wanted a clear understanding.
The Starving Ghost answered, “When you persuaded me to leave the Eastern Courtyard.”
Xu Wang asked, “Knowing that, why didn’t you expose us?”
The Starving Ghost said, “I thought you wouldn’t go through with it.”
Xu Wang smirked. “So you made a bet with the manager to see if we would go easy on you?”
The Starving Ghost paused for a moment, then said, “It was to see if you cared about me as a friend.”
Xu Wang looked at him intently. “You won. We indeed couldn’t go through with it. And then?”
The Starving Ghost said, “I regretted it.”
Xu Wang: “……”
The Starving Ghost: “I’m sorry.”
“Why are you apologizing, boss?” The manager floated over and landed next to the Starving Ghost. He angrily said, “If you hadn’t stopped me, I would have sent them to the afterlife just now!”
Xu Wang’s chest heaved with turmoil, his mind in chaos, unable to sort out who was right, who was wrong, and who owed whom more. It was a complete mess.
Suddenly, the Starving Ghost grabbed his arm.
Xu Wang was startled and instinctively tried to pull away, but the Starving Ghost’s grip was so strong that he couldn’t break free.
Looking down, Wu Sheng was in the same predicament.
The Starving Ghost held each of their arms, eyes closed, surrounded by black energy, muttering under his breath.
Xu Wang panicked. “Xiao Hungry, there’s no need to curse us over a quarrel…”
Before he finished speaking, a combined “ding—” sounded.
On their arms, held tightly, the owl emblem on the [Cheat Sheet] automatically opened, entering [Cheat Sheet].
The new notification in the [Cheat Sheet] already stunned Xu Wang and Wu Sheng, but what shocked them even more was that the mission inside the [Cheat Sheet] had changed!
The original mission was — [Cheat Sheet]: [Mission] Infiltrate the Eastern Courtyard, find the Ghost Spring, and pour in the Soul Annihilation Powder!
The new mission was — [Cheat Sheet]: [Mission] Infiltrate the Eastern Courtyard, find the Heart-Digging Ghost.
Xu Wang was dumbfounded.
Even Wu Sheng’s mind was a bit muddled.
The one-minute countdown earlier was without a clear indication; now the mission had inexplicably changed. Encountering two “inconceivables” in one night was a bit too much, wasn’t it?!
And… find the Heart-Digging Ghost? Wasn’t that Xiao Hungry? They had already found him!
“Ding—”
[Owl: Congratulations on passing the 5/23 test and handing in your papers! See you tomorrow~~]
They succeeded?!
Xu Wang looked at the Starving Ghost in astonishment, his eyes nearly popping out. A myriad of questions flooded his mind, each one begging for an answer.
But time was already running out.
Before the world spun around him, Xu Wang, following his instincts, said what he most wanted to say, “My name is Xu Wang, and he’s Wu Sheng. We’ll remember you, and don’t you forget us either—”
The mother came knocking at the door, and Gu Jie felt that the likelihood of a misunderstanding was slim, especially given how certain she seemed. Sometimes, when one side is assertive, the other can easily become flustered and unsure…
But this wasn’t some small, trivial matter to be blamed for inadvertently; this was a huge accusation!
“Auntie,” Gu Jie began with difficulty. “Please think carefully again. Did Lu Yiyao really say it was me? Did he tell you himself that he was involved with me?”
Fan Li, seasoned by years in the business world, prided herself on being able to discern truth from lies. The bewilderment on the young man’s face in front of her didn’t seem feigned. Moreover, if he truly were in a relationship with Lu Yiyao, he should have shown some heartache at the suggestion of breaking up or persuading Lu Yiyao. Even if he could mask it on his face, what about his eyes? Unless he had no real feelings for Lu Yiyao, it was impossible not to show any sign.
But all she saw in him was “shock”, and this shock didn’t contain any hint of guilt or worry over a secret being discovered but rather complete perplexity. Besides that, the only thing he had shown was reassurance and consolation to her, a grieving mother, including holding her hand continuously to offer warmth and strength.
“He told me himself.” Fan Li decided to bluff one last time, watching Gu Jie’s face intently for any microexpressions.
She witnessed the entire transformation of Gu Jie from shock to bewilderment, from bewilderment to perplexity, and from perplexity to despair.
Finally, Gu Jie sighed deeply, his face becoming more troubled as his brows knitted tightly. “I don’t know why he would say that. As a friend, I support him unconditionally, whether he likes men or women. But personally, I really can’t respond to these feelings… Auntie, there are some things I’m not at liberty to discuss, but since you came today, could you convey my stance to Lu Yiyao? Even a hint would do. I don’t want to lose this friend, and it might be easier coming from you…”
“Wait a second,” Fan Li interrupted him, feeling the need to calm down and think things through.
She had come here intending to persuade this man to leave her son, but how had it turned into something like a matchmaking conversation, and why was he solemnly rejecting?!
Something was definitely amiss.
Fan Li quickly reviewed the events from last night, when Lu Yiyao confessed to her, to this morning’s departure, trying to reconstruct every detail as accurately as possible. She quickly identified the pivotal moment—it was Lu Yimeng!
She had extracted the information from her daughter, but the more she thought about it, the more credible Lu Yimeng’s slip-up seemed.
But “credible” depends on whether Lu Yimeng’s perceived “truth” is indeed true. What if her daughter had been mistaken?
She had assumed Lu Yimeng’s “knowledge” came from Lu Yiyao and concluded that Lu Yiyao didn’t involve his sister in his confession to avoid her wrath. However, what if Lu Yimeng’s “knowledge” didn’t come from Lu Yiyao at all? What if her son didn’t even know his sister was aware? That would make more sense why he chose to confess alone. After all, with an overly reactive Lu Yimeng present, who knows if the conversation could have proceeded smoothly?
Another critical point was Gu Jie’s obvious lack of romantic interest in Lu Yiyao. She knew her son well enough to know he wouldn’t force anyone into a relationship. During his confession, Lu Yiyao’s demeanor was clearly of someone who believed the other party reciprocated. If the other party hadn’t given any indication, even remotely, or was as completely unaware as Gu Jie seemed to be, then her son wouldn’t have acted that way.
Fan Li didn’t want to admit she had been misled into a huge blunder by her daughter, but that was the only explanation that made sense.
Gu Jie watched as Fan Li’s eyes flickered with intense thought, clearly pondering over a crucial and complex issue. He waited patiently, not daring to interrupt, fearful that even a cough might disrupt her concentration.
“Why are you so sure you can’t reciprocate Lu Yiyao’s feelings?” Fan Li spoke again, the previous aggressive demeanor and manipulative softness fading, replaced by rational calm. “Is there something about him you find unsatisfactory? His looks? Body? Personality? Family? Or us as his parents…”
“Gender.” Gu Jie knew it wasn’t polite to interrupt, but with his reputation at stake, he got straight to the point to prevent any further misunderstandings. “No need to consider aspects like looks or personality; first and foremost, his gender isn’t suitable.”
Fan Li bluntly asked, “You like women?”
Gu Jie sincerely replied, “Auntie, to tell you the truth, in all my years, you’re the first person to doubt my orientation.”
Obviously, her misunderstanding was firmly established now, and it was a big one at that.
For the first time in her life, Fan Li experienced what it felt like to desperately want to crawl into a hole and disappear. But as embarrassed as she felt inside, she couldn’t let it show; otherwise, it would be too humiliating.
Although Gu Jie wasn’t involved with her son in that way, he was still a friend, or even a close friend, which was beyond doubt. Her son didn’t have many close friends, so Fan Li found herself involuntarily thinking from her son’s perspective about today’s events and Gu Jie’s reactions—
“Have you ever considered that Lu Yiyao saying he’s with you might just be a way to use you as a shield, to protect the person he’s really involved with? And your words today are essentially dismantling his cover.”
Gu Jie was puzzled. “Are you suggesting I should collude with Lu Yiyao to deceive you?”
Fan Li didn’t answer directly but said, “I just think that since you’re friends and he’s asked you to cover for him, it wouldn’t hurt to help him out a bit.”
Gu Jie’s brows, which had begun to relax with the clearing up of the misunderstanding, furrowed again. For the first time since meeting Fan Li, he showed a look of disagreement and even displeasure, something that hadn’t happened even when Fan Li was accusing him earlier.
Fan Li noticed the change in his emotions, somewhat surprised, but remained composed on the surface.
Gu Jie had already started speaking, his voice calm yet assertive, displaying an utterly serious attitude. “Auntie, I’m a straightforward person and I speak my mind. Please don’t take offense…”
Fan Li knew that usually, when someone starts with such a preface, what follows tends to fall into the “definitely not going to like hearing it” category.
Gu Jie continued without pausing, “I consider Lu Yiyao a friend, and I’d take a bullet for him if he needed. But in this matter, I don’t think he should use me as a shield. Using me doesn’t help solve the problem. In essence, it’s just delaying tactics. But how would delaying a few days change anything? Would you change your mind and accept him? It’s just evasion. So using me as a shield is wrong, and not even telling me about it goes against the principles of friendship…”
Fan Li was taken aback by Gu Jie’s bluntness. It seemed she inadvertently put her son in the line of fire and was about to explain when Gu Jie cut her off again—
“Auntie, please let me finish,” Gu Jie insisted, looking directly into Fan Li’s eyes with an open and honest gaze. “I don’t just disagree with Lu Yiyao’s approach; I also disagree with yours. Not to mention anything else, you came here first asking me to persuade him, and when you found out I wasn’t the person you were looking for, you felt I wasn’t helping Lu Yiyao enough, like I wasn’t a good enough friend. From start to finish, you’ve only considered things from your perspective. Have you considered mine?”
Gu Jie is the type who won’t stop once he starts talking, aiming for complete clarity. However, once he finished, he realized that Mother Lu’s expression was… not too favorable.
Gu Jie was at his wit’s end. His entire Gu family favored speaking the harsh truth, disliking any form of sugar coating or beating around the bush, including his mother with her straightforward and fiery temper. Gu Jie dreaded such scenarios where tact was required. “I mean, Auntie, I’m just saying. I didn’t mean to criticize you. I just feel that…”
“Sorry,” Fan Li suddenly interjected.
Gu Jie stopped mid-explanation, stunned.
Fan Li wasn’t someone who couldn’t listen to reason, especially now that she realized she had targeted the wrong person, leaving her without any animosity towards Gu Jie and feeling rather apologetic. Indeed, Gu Jie’s words might have made her lose face, but instead of defending herself and making things worse, she chose to apologize frankly, acknowledging that she had acted impulsively by coming here and unfairly making Gu Jie carry the blame. If she were in Gu Jie’s shoes, she might not have remained as calm as he had.
“It’s okay…” Gu Jie said awkwardly, scratching his head, unsure how else to respond.
But Fan Li shook her head. “Not just for barging in without understanding the situation, but also for deceiving you.”
Gu Jie, puzzled, sat up straighter, waiting to hear the “truth”.
“Lu Yiyao didn’t use you as a shield. He only told me he liked men, not who it was.” Fan Li thought admitting such a mistake would be embarrassing, but once she said it, she found it easier than expected, perhaps due to the atmosphere or being influenced by Gu Jie’s directness.
However, honesty is indeed a balm for the soul.
For the first time since last night, Fan Li felt a bit of relief. Though she was far from feeling entirely unburdened and her heart was still heavy, at least there was a small corner where she could relax, not having to hold back or restrain herself, and speak some heartfelt truths—
“It was my daughter who told me, saying that her brother and you were involved. I assumed Lu Yiyao had told her. Now it seems more likely that she deduced it herself from what she perceived as clues.”
Gu Jie looked into Fan Li’s sincere eyes, willing to believe her words this time, but asked, “Is your daughter a police officer?”
Fan Li was momentarily puzzled. “No.”
Gu Jie heaved a sigh of relief. “That’s good. Otherwise, there would be so many more miscarriages of justice in this world.”
Fan Li couldn’t help but laugh, then felt a touch of melancholy.
Gu Jie, coming back to his senses, remembered the shock of learning about Lu Yiyao’s orientation. They had been friends for so long, and he hadn’t noticed any hints. Lu Yiyao had hidden it too well!
Initially, when she realized it was a misunderstanding, Fan Li wanted to glean some clues from Gu Jie. But now, seeing him even more clueless than herself, she found it somewhat amusing yet frustrating.
Perhaps it was because Gu Jie was as baffled as she was that Fan Li felt a subtle sense of camaraderie with her son’s friend. Facing Gu Jie, she unconsciously relaxed, no longer feeling antagonistic but rather empathetic due to their shared astonishment.
“Coming in full of steam and leaving with my tail between my legs.” Fan Li was rarely self-deprecated. “This must be the most unsuccessful negotiation in my life.”
As she got up to leave, she heard Gu Jie say, “I think it was a very successful conversation.”
Fan Li looked at him, puzzled, and sat back down. “How so?”
Gu Jie explained, “Because if you hadn’t come to me today but had found the person Lu Yiyao really likes, you would have completely failed.”
Fan Li narrowed her eyes, a subconscious gesture of defense. “What do you mean?”
Gu Jie pondered for a moment, then said, “Auntie, everything I’m about to say is the truth. Please don’t take offense…”
“Do you have anything I’d like to hear?” Fan Li was already wary of this young man’s preamble.
Gu Jie fell silent.
Seeing his struggle to find the right words, Fan Li softened again. “Just say what I might not like to hear.”
Gu Jie exhaled, prepared himself, and faced Fan Li squarely. Without considering anything else, he spoke his mind, hoping to offer some insight to his friend’s mother. He might not understand loving men, but the trope of mothers trying to persuade their children to break up with undesired partners was all too common in dramas and news stories. Every time he saw it, he wanted to offer his two cents—
“Auntie, Lu Yiyao was honest with you, so why do you ignore him and try to persuade the person he likes to break up instead? Because you don’t want to confront your son, you think it’s easier to deal with an outsider than your own son… Right?
It had been many years since anyone spoke to Fan Li in such a manner. In the business world, everyone maintains layers of decorum, never revealing their true thoughts directly, preferring to beat around the bush. Her children, of course, are frank with her, but out of filial piety, they rarely point out her faults, and even when they do, they choose a gentle and indirect way.
Being bluntly called out on some of her darker thoughts was hard to bear.
But Gu Jie wasn’t being critical. It seemed he just preferred to be clear to the maximum extent, eliminating any ambiguity to ensure his thoughts are transmitted to the listener as accurately and undistorted as possible.
Such straightforwardness is disarming, yet not offensive. It even carries a certain charm that makes you want to listen more.
“But you’re wrong, Auntie. If you had found the right person today, not only would you not be able to avoid confronting Lu Yiyao, but it would also strain your relationship with him even more. I think Lu Yiyao didn’t want to tell you the person’s name because he wanted to protect him, not wanting him to bear the brunt of the storm. Yet, you’ve done exactly what Lu Yiyao least wanted to see. Do you think this is solving the problem, or is it exacerbating the conflict?”
Fan Li: “Maybe I would have been able to persuade that person to leave Lu Yiyao.”
Gu Jie: “And then, would Lu Yiyao not be heartbroken?”
Fan Li: “Heartbreak heals.”
Gu Jie: “What about the hurt caused by his own mother?”
Fan Li frowned, staring at Gu Jie.
“I’m just putting myself in his shoes; I might not be right,” Gu Jie continued. “But I think Lu Yiyao was honest with you about his feelings for men because he trusts you, respects you. Otherwise, he could have just not married for life and kept a secret affair. He knows you won’t immediately accept it, so why would he come out and ask for trouble? Because you’re important to him. He wants your approval because he wants a completely honest relationship with his family. But by respecting you this way, did your approach respect him? If you had found the person he likes today, then the hurt your words would cause that person would essentially all be inflicted on Lu Yiyao.”
Fan Li felt a pang in her heart. Everything Gu Jie said made sense, and she started to consider what if she had found the right person today, what would the aftermath be once Lu Yiyao found out the truth…
“So, there’s no solution to this. If Lu Yiyao informs me, I just have to accept it, right?” Fan Li felt trapped, unable to move forward, unwilling to step back, and eventually turned to Gu Jie with a sour smile. “You’re a good advocate, but no matter what you say, I can’t accept my son liking men.”
Gu Jie shook his head without hesitation. “Persuading you to accept a man loving another man is something Lu Yiyao should do, not me. I won’t take his place in persuading you. Besides, I can’t do it; this is also an unknown territory for me.”
Fan Li was taken aback, confused. “Then what was all that you just said…”
“I wanted you to understand, regardless of the final outcome, you should communicate and resolve it with Lu Yiyao, not seek others,” Gu Jie stated. “Because the root of the issue is Lu Yiyao liking men—it’s irrelevant who he likes.”
Fan Li’s face showed genuine sadness. This wasn’t feigned; Gu Jie’s words had truly affected her. “Why does it have to be like this? It’s abnormal. Men should like women. Why can’t he just…”
“I can’t explain this matter clearly, but he’s not an exception. Homosexuality has existed since ancient times. There’s a saying, ‘If it exists, it’s reasonable’…” Gu Jie faltered, realizing he was out of his depth. “But one thing I know, he really loves you, so he doesn’t want to deceive you.”
Fan Li looked down, and Gu Jie couldn’t see her face but clearly saw a tear drop onto her leg and disappear into the dark fabric.
“If he really cared for me as his mother, how could he bear to make me suffer so much?”
Gu Jie heard her say.
After a long silence, Gu Jie said, “He can’t bear it. I remember my mother always willing to tell me, son, no matter what big trouble you encounter, don’t carry it alone, tell me. Even if I can’t help, just listening is sharing the burden. I haven’t actually shared any troubles with my mother, fearing it’d make her sad. But if I were in Lu Yiyao’s situation, I would choose to tell my mother too, because it’s you parents who make us believe that a parent’s love can encompass everything.”
Gu Jie blinked, suppressing the warmth in his eyes, feeling a bit homesick and melancholic.
Fan Li remained head down, her shoulders shaking slightly.
Gu Jie leaned over to pat her back, his heart filled with sorrow.
It was a while before Fan Li finally looked up, her face marked by tears but otherwise plain and not too obvious. What surprised Gu Jie was her quick recovery—venting silently and calming down swiftly.
Gu Jie inwardly marveled, ‘Truly Teacher Lu’s mother.’
“Thank you for not holding it against this middle-aged woman and being willing to talk so much.” Fan Li exhaled, looking sincerely at Gu Jie. “Though I still can’t accept it… like you said, the root lies with Lu Yiyao. It’s an internal family matter, and bothering others is pointless.”
Having seemingly persuaded Fan Li gave Gu Jie a huge sense of accomplishment. Without a second thought, he grabbed her hand and raised it, as if they were about to arm wrestle, “Don’t worry, Auntie. I won’t say a word about today’s visit to Lu Yiyao, as if it never happened!”
Fan Li was momentarily stunned, then realized.
If Gu Jie told Lu Yiyao, he would undoubtedly be angry with her for taking matters into her own hands. Then all that Gu Jie mentioned about “exacerbating the conflict” and “hurting Lu Yiyao” would probably all come true.
Looking back, Fan Li realized that what she did was not only impulsive and poorly considered, but also quite foolish and illogical. She always thought the wives beating up the mistresses in the news should be confronting their husbands instead. Yet, when it came to her own situation, she reacted just as irrationally.
“Thank you.” Fan Li didn’t know what else to say. She was grateful that she had found the wrong person today, and even more grateful that the wrong person was Gu Jie. Her son didn’t have many friends in the entertainment industry, but if they were all like Gu Jie, a few would be enough.
Fan Li, now with a shifted perspective on solving the problem, was truly ready to leave this time.
Gu Jie offered to escort her downstairs, but she declined, so he only walked her to the door and watched as she entered the elevator before closing the door and returning inside.
However, once back inside, he went to the window to look down, and before long, he saw Lu Yiyao’s mother leaving the building.
Her car couldn’t enter the residents’ underground parking, so it was parked in an open-air spot in the complex.
Gu Jie watched her walk away with mixed feelings. Coming out is torturous enough to think about, and it’s bound to be a long battle. He didn’t think he had the power to turn the tide, but the least he could do was help Teacher Lu bring his mother home, preventing the battlefield from spreading and involving the innocent. As for how to continue solving the problem behind closed doors, he could only send his best wishes to Teacher Lu.
This was the first time in his life he had spoken so much in one go. Though he felt somewhat drained, he thought it was worth it for a friend.
With that thought, Gu Jie closed the window, turned, and went back to his bedroom, keeping his deeds to himself.
……
Dai Chu was driving while glancing at his boss in the rearview mirror. Since she left Gu Jie’s place, she hadn’t said a word and was just staring out the window, seemingly lost and bewildered. This wasn’t the Fan Li he knew, lacking her usual sharpness, composure, and determination, instead appearing somewhat vulnerable.
He didn’t know what had happened at Gu Jie’s house, but perhaps the crux wasn’t there. Since seeing Fan Li that morning, she seemed struck by something.
Having worked with Fan Li for years, Dai Chu rarely saw her like this. Even when she was occasionally emotionally agitated or even lost her composure, it usually had something to do with Lu Guoming, her ex-husband. A few harsh words, and it was mostly over—just anger. But this time was different.
“Not going back to the office,” Fan Li suddenly broke her silence, decisively stating. “Just drive around this area for a bit.”
Dai Chu was confused but saw his boss regaining her usual demeanor and didn’t ask further, driving the car in circles around the neighborhood.
In the backseat, Fan Li picked up her phone and dialed a number.
No one answered the call, and Fan Li’s expression grew darker.
She tried again and again, and finally, on what seemed like the umpteenth attempt, the call was answered, but clearly not by the person she wanted—
“Oh… In a meeting. I see. Then please tell him that Fan Li is looking for him… Yes, right now.”
Dai Chu wasn’t trying to eavesdrop, but human curiosity is a fatal weakness.
The words “Fan Li is looking for him” seemed effective because soon enough, Dai Chu heard Fan Li engaging in a conversation—
“I need to see you, right now… What, you’re not in Beijing? When are you coming back? Oh, uncertain… You don’t care if something happened to our son?!”
Dai Chu was startled, sensing something significant as Fan Li seemed to have gained the upper hand—
“Fine, tomorrow at noon. I’ll wait for you at XX.”
Dai Chu now believed something monumental had occurred because Fan Li, who had sworn never to deal with her ex-husband, had initiated a call to him. If this got out at the company, it would provide enough gossip for the old employees for a year.
……
Lu Yiyao’s original plan was to go home for the weekend, but just two days later, he received a call from his sister. “Brother, you need to come back, something has happened at home!”
Lu Yiyao’s breath hitched, immediately fearing the worst about his mother, with himself as the likely culprit after coming out. “Don’t panic. Tell me clearly. What happened?”
Lu Yimeng: “Dad’s here!”
Lu Yiyao’s mind blanked.
Not because his sister made “Dad’s here” sound as ominous as “the wolf is coming,” but because “Dad’s here” in itself was alarming enough.
“Dad’s… where?” Lu Yiyao’s heart pounded, fearing a false alarm.
“Dad’s at our place… No, he’s come to where mom and I are!” Lu Yimeng, eager for clarity, not only chose her words carefully but added more description. “He’s sitting in the living room right now, and mom even made him brew his own tea!”
“Mom didn’t make him tea?”
“How could she? She didn’t even let the housemaid make it for him, and insisted he do it himself.”
“That’s good then…” Lu Yiyao steadied his heartbeat. “The situation can still be controlled.”
“The situation between them can be controlled, but I’m afraid once you come back, it won’t be.” Lu Yimeng sounded grave.
“Me?” Lu Yiyao didn’t catch on immediately.
“Of course, you,” Lu Yimeng said exasperatedly. “What else could make two enemies who haven’t seen each other for sixteen years sit together for tea?”
“What enemies…” Lu Yiyao frowned involuntarily. “That’s dad and mom.”
“Yes, dad and mom.” Lu Yimeng sighed. “They both asked me to tell you to drop everything you’re doing and come home for a lecture.”
Lu Yiyao glanced at the time; it was already five. He decisively said, “Okay.”
Having both parents together had always been Lu Yiyao’s dream, whether studying in the UK or starting his career back home. Occasionally, in the quiet of the night, he would revisit this desire under the moonlight. But as the years went by and his parents remained apart, his hope faded until he nearly accepted the reality that they might never reunite.
Now suddenly being told his father was sitting in his mother’s living room, even if the purpose was to jointly scold him, he couldn’t control his excitement, speeding home just shy of getting a ticket.
As he approached home, the sky was darkening. Lu Yiyao parked the car and walked to the front door, his steps light, not like he was about to face the storm of coming out but more like anticipating a joyful family reunion.
“I’m back—” Lu Yiyao announced as he entered the hallway, looking into the living room.
“Cough—” As if to ensure his presence was noted, a cough came from the living room.
Unable to contain his buoyant mood, Lu Yiyao quickly changed his shoes and headed to the living room. Lu Yimeng was the first to greet him. Lu Yiyao handed his sister his coat and then eagerly looked towards the sofa. Indeed, both his dad and mom were sitting there!
Although they were each at one end of the sofa, as if the Milky Way separated them, Lu Yiyao was still overjoyed. His voice almost sang as he greeted them, “Dad, Mom.”
Lu Yimeng, holding her brother’s coat, stayed on a dining stool a safe distance away, not wanting to get caught in the storm. Yet, seeing her brother return so happily, she couldn’t help but feel a bit eerie. Was this some new strategy for coming out?
“Don’t grin like that!” Lu Guoming, seeing his ex-wife not initiating the conversation, decided to assert his paternal authority with a stern voice. “What’s going on? Your mother told me… cough, that you’re suddenly into men?”
“Yeah.” Lu Yiyao moved a single sofa to face his parents directly, then sat down. His gaze hadn’t left them for a second, even as he arranged the furniture. Once settled, he didn’t even blink.
Lu Guoming felt a bit unnerved under his son’s direct gaze. Ever since that night with the fishbone incident, he felt his authority as a father wane. Now, being stared at by Lu Yiyao, he felt the last bit might crumble too.
His son had matured, and he had aged. The intellectual development of the son and the waning authority of the father seemed to progress in tandem. Though somewhat melancholic, Lu Guoming didn’t find it too hard to accept. He even felt his relationship with his son became more harmonious post the “fishbone era”—less authority, more warmth.
But now, his wife—or rather, his ex-wife—needed his authority, so he had to bravely face up. “Hmm? Just a ‘yeah’?”
Lu Yiyao smiled, not sure why, but his lips curled upwards uncontrollably. “It’s not that I want to like men; I’ve just always liked men. Think about it, have I ever dated a girl from childhood to now?”
Lu Guoming frowned. “How do you know you don’t like women if you’ve never dated?”
Lu Yiyao firmly replied, “Then how did you know mom was the one you wanted to marry as your first love?”
“So we divorced, right?” Fan Li finally found a flaw in her son’s argument. “It’s precisely because we had no experience before dating that we thought we were right, but it all turned out to be wrong.”
“That can’t be said for certain…” Lu Guoming didn’t fully agree.
Fan Li glared at him.
Lu Guoming was about to retort but remembering the rare occasion of sitting together on the same couch for a united front, he backed down.
Lu Guoming was in a somewhat elated state when his ex-wife approached him, which lasted until he was informed about his son’s homosexuality. It took him a while to gather his thoughts and understand what his ex-wife meant.
Unlike his ex-wife’s vehement rejection, Lu Guoming, though surprised and subconsciously repulsed, wondered if it was another act of rebellion, like when Lu Yiyao chose acting over business studies. Was it just to spite him?
So, after listening to his ex-wife’s complaints, his first question was whether she had been pushing Lu Yiyao into blind dates recently.
Then, the ex-wife exploded.
Lu Guoming didn’t want to recall the “passionate” afternoon teatime that followed. Ultimately, when he came to believe Lu Yiyao was sincere, the impact was somewhat lessened due to the back and forth.
Although he didn’t understand the LGBTQ+ community well, having dealt with various people in business and keeping up with news and social media, he had a rough idea about homosexuality.
It was hard to accept emotionally, but logically, he knew it couldn’t be changed. He understood his son was not one for frivolous acts. Even when Lu Yiyao chose to study acting to defy him, he pursued it earnestly, and upon returning home, he diligently worked on his career, never slacking due to the initial rebellious choice.
So, if Lu Yiyao was open about liking men, it must be a well-considered decision. Lu Guoming wasn’t open-minded enough to accept it without any barriers, but years of rationality and calm made him realize that, like it or not, he’d have to force himself to accept it.
But he couldn’t tell his ex-wife that.
His only role now was to share her indignation. If it was found out he had any sympathy for the situation, he’d be ousted immediately.
Lu Yimeng watched the family dynamics from afar, confused about the currents within the storm. Her mom scolding her brother was expected; her dad aiding the scolding seemed right, but her dad’s attitude was subtly nuanced, and his attention was divided between her mom and brother, not fully committed to the scolding. And her brother, well, he seemed to ignore everything said, smiling foolishly at his parents from start to finish.
Lu Yimeng had initially planned to rush in and defend her brother at an opportune moment. Seeing that might not be necessary, she continued to fiddle with the phone she’d snatched from her brother’s coat pocket.
Her brother’s phone lock screen password had always been a sore point for her. It was just four numbers, and he liked using memorable dates. Despite her intelligence, she had failed to crack it countless times, which was a disgrace to her name as a sister and fan!
Click.
The screen unlocked.
Lu Yimeng was stunned, incredulously staring at the unlocked phone screen. What had she just tried…?
She took a deep breath, shut the screen, and then turned it on again to re-enter the numbers—0602.
The screen obediently lit up.
Indeed.
Lu Yimeng wanted to laugh but couldn’t muster it, wanting to criticize her brother but felt an odd pang of sympathy.
The first time she attempted to sneak into her brother’s phone, she tried their parents’ wedding anniversary.
It wasn’t until today that she remembered to try their parents’ divorce anniversary.
This visit to see him was sudden and rushed, and because they were in a hotel, they couldn’t be alone together easily. So, their intimate moments were few and far between, almost down to counting minutes.
However, for Ran Lin, who had endured a two-year long-distance relationship, these challenges were nothing. After finishing filming and returning to Beijing, they would have plenty of time to be affectionate. There was no rush for immediate intimacy. So, even though he was reluctant, he let go of his thoughts and fully devoted himself to his work after seeing off Lu Yiyao.
Meanwhile, Lu Yiyao returned home on the second day after his departure.
It had rained earlier in the day, and the temperature had dropped sharply. When Lu Yiyao finished work and returned to his mother’s villa, it was just getting dark.
“Brother!” Lu Yimeng heard his car and opened the gate, calling out to him. Lu Yiyao parked his car and approached her with a smile, intending to pat her on the head. However, before he could, his younger sister hugged him.
Lu Yiyao was used to this and entered the hallway with his sister still hanging on him. He closed the door and asked, “Where’s Mom?”
Before his younger sister could answer, Mrs. Fan coughed from the living room. Lu Yiyao smiled and said, “Mom, I’m back.”
“I knew you were at home waiting. Couldn’t you have come back a bit earlier?” Fan Li complained as she walked over, her words and the affection in her eyes not quite matching.
Lu Yimeng finally let go of her brother and turned to help with the conversation. “Mom, if Brother came back any earlier, he might as well have taken the day off.”
Lu Yiyao smiled but remained silent as he bent down to change his shoes.
Fan Li continued to nag, but it was clear she was happy to have her son home.
As Lu Yiyao entered the house, he noticed that half the table in the dining room was already filled with cold dishes. He assumed the hot dishes would be served when he returned.
However, he couldn’t find the cake, so he took off his coat and curiously asked his younger sister, “Where’s your creation?”
Lu Yimeng smiled sweetly. “It’s the grand finale, of course.”
Twenty minutes later, all the hot dishes were on the table, and Lu Yiyao, who had changed his clothes and washed his hands, helped his mother bring the plates to the table. Today, the housekeeper was off, so all the dishes were prepared by Fan Li.
She was quite skilled in cooking, and Lu Yiyao remembered that when he was very young, he used to frequently enjoy her homemade meals. However, she became busier over time, and her time in the kitchen dwindled. After their parents divorced, Lu Yiyao was sent abroad, and when he returned to reunite with his mother and sister, it became rare to see her cooking.
“Brother, you’re really something,” Lu Yimeng said with admiration as she smelled the delicious food. “You can make Mom willingly put down her work and cook. You’re the only one in the world who can do that.”
“You make it sound like I’m mistreating you,” Fan Li said, bringing the last dish to the table. She glanced at her daughter with a teasing tone. “I didn’t cook, but I still managed to raise you so tall.”
Lu Yimeng retorted, “Other girls raised by their mothers are delicate and fair-skinned, and I turned out this tall. What kind of upbringing is that?”
“Do you want to eat or not?”
“I do.”
“Then hurry up and unveil your grand masterpiece.”
“Here it comes.”
Lu Yimeng quickly went to get the masterpiece, and Lu Yiyao watched her departure in a daze.
“What are you thinking?” Fan Li noticed that her son had been relatively quiet since he entered the house.
Lu Yiyao snapped out of his thoughts and looked at his mother with a faint smile. “I’m thinking about what wish to make later.”
Fan Li didn’t expect her son to give such an answer. She was rarely stirred by romantic sentiments but replied gently, “What’s there to think about? Your entertainment career has had a successful conclusion, the company is stable, and the only thing left is your marital status. So, what wish do you think you should make?”
The mention of marital status caught Lu Yiyao’s attention, and he almost blurted something out. However, Lu Yimeng was quicker and had already brought over the beautifully decorated cake.
It was a three-tiered cake covered in gold dust, with a spiral staircase leading to the top, where a small figure in a suit stood, holding a beautiful trophy.
“Since the day you won Best Actor, Mom and I have been waiting to celebrate with you. Now, with your birthday coming up, we can have a double celebration.” Lu Yimeng explained, her tone carrying some annoyance at her older brother for not coming home for so long.
“But then again,” Lu Yimeng continued, “if you had come back after winning the award, I wouldn’t have been able to make this cake.”
With Lu Yimeng’s words, Lu Yiyao could only smile helplessly. “Can I make a wish now?”
“Of course,” Lu Yimeng said as she lit the candles with a lighter, turned off the lights, and the candlelight illuminated the cake and the area around the dining table.
Lu Yiyao wasn’t used to making serious wishes during these family gatherings. Usually, he just closed his eyes, made a quick wish, and blew out the candles, leading to Lu Yimeng often complaining about how he rushed through it.
Finally, Lu Yiyao slowly opened his eyes, took a deep breath, and blew out the candles all at once.
Lu Yimeng got up to turn on the lights, and in the renewed brightness, her confusion was evident on her face. “Brother, why are you acting so strangely today…”
Lu Yiyao looked at his sister, who was getting closer, with an expression that seemed to say, “Tell me more.”
“Before, when you made wishes, it felt like you weren’t thinking seriously, like you were just going through the motions. But just now, it was different,” Lu Yimeng said, moving closer to his face. “You definitely have something on your mind!”
Lu Yiyao pushed her head away and said with an indulgent tone, “Eat your food.”
A glint of curiosity flashed in Fan Li’s eyes, almost too quick to notice. The family enjoyed a joyful meal, but only Lu Yiyao seemed preoccupied, occasionally lost in thought. Fan Li knew her son had something on his mind, but he didn’t want to discuss it in front of his sister, so she patiently waited.
After dinner, the family of three, who rarely had such gatherings, sat in the living room, eating fruit, watching TV, and chatting. Finally, Lu Yimeng started yawning, and that was when Fan Li took the opportunity to suggest that it was getting late and they should rest.
Lu Yimeng didn’t suspect anything and yawned as she headed to her room. Fan Li also went back to her room, but when she reached the bedroom door, she glanced back at Lu Yiyao, who was still sitting on the sofa.
Lu Yiyao had been watching her all along, and with that look, he was sure that his mother had sensed that he wanted to talk about something.
As Fan Li closed the door, the entire house quieted down. Lu Yiyao got up, turned off the living room lights, and moonlight suddenly shone in from the floor-to-ceiling windows, merging with the light from the night lamp left in the corner, creating a faint and hazy glow.
Lu Yiyao took a deep breath, as if determined, and ascended the stairs to Fan Li’s bedroom door. Without knocking, he gently opened the door and entered the room.
The light was on in the bedroom. His mother was sitting by the bed. Seeing him enter, she showed no surprise. She was probably sitting there, waiting for him.
“What is it that you must avoid your sister to talk about?” Fan Li cut to the chase. After all, she had already imagined too many scenarios that night and had no patience for her son to slowly get to the point which he might not reach anytime soon.
“It’s not about avoiding Mengmeng. It’s just that she gets startled easily. I don’t want her to create a fuss before we finish talking,” Lu Yiyao said softly.
Fan Li nodded. “Now it’s just the two of us, mother and son. Tell me, what is the grave matter that has burdened you so heavily?”
“Do you remember when Mengmeng said I was particularly serious when making a wish earlier?” Lu Yiyao smiled. “It’s because I really hope that what I am about to say will go well.”
“Don’t beat around the bush, just say it.” Fan Li urged, yet deep down, she had a bad feeling. If her usually straightforward son was circling around with his words, the matter might be more serious than she anticipated.
The inevitable moment arrived, and Lu Yiyao exhaled softly, looked steadily, and said slowly, “Mom, I can’t bring myself to like women.”
The room suddenly fell silent, as if time had stopped.
Fan Li looked at her son in disbelief, wishing he would make a face the next second and say, “Mom, I’m just kidding.”
But he didn’t. Lu Yiyao’s expression was more serious and determined than ever before.
“It’s okay.” Fan Li tried to make her voice light and breezy so as not to pressure her son further. “Medicine is so advanced now; these are small issues and easily treated.”
Lu Yiyao looked at his mother blankly for a moment, then suddenly realized and hurriedly explained, “I’m not saying I’m incapable with women… I mean, indeed, I don’t feel for women, but there’s nothing wrong with me per se; I just can’t like women. I like men.”
This statement brought an even more profound silence to the room.
In the stillness, Fan Li realized her earlier misunderstanding, but the unveiled truth was even harder for her to accept.
In the prolonged silence, she didn’t know what to say. Shock and surprise intertwined into a surreal feeling. She felt her brain thundering, pounding with a headache, and making it hard to breathe.
Finally, Fan Li spoke, her voice trembling slightly with a hint of coldness, a suppressed restraint. “Since when?”
Lu Yiyao, feeling pained, still met her sharp gaze without flinching. “I was born this way, and I’ve realized it long ago.”
Fan Li asked, “Then why only say it now?”
Lu Yiyao paused for two seconds and said, “I’ve been thinking about how to tell you, and it took me so many years.”
“No.” Fan Li seemed to smile briefly, but it was too quick to be sure. “You’re telling me now because you’ve found the person you want to be with.”
Lu Yiyao tried to suppress the surprise in his heart, but his expression shifted slightly.
Unexpectedly, Fan Li softened her tone. “Who is he? What kind of person is he? Can you tell Mom?”
Lu Yiyao pursed his lips, silently staring at his mother for a long moment, then slowly shook his head. “It’s not time yet.”
Fan Li slightly frowned; a hint of sadness apparent in her eyes. “Why?”
Lu Yiyao felt guilty but remained firm. “Because you still need time to truly accept that I like men. This matter has nothing to do with whom I’m with now. Even if I’m single, it doesn’t change the fact. Mom, if you can’t accept the real me, then no matter who I’m with, you won’t be able to accept it.”
The room was too quiet that the echo of Lu Yiyao’s words lingered for a long time.
Fan Li’s eyes began to redden, seemingly trying to suppress the tears with several deep breaths.
Lu Yiyao appeared unmoved, yet his hands clenched white behind him.
It was a torturous moment for both.
“You need to give me time,” Fan Li finally said, her voice hoarse.
Lu Yiyao let out a sigh of relief but felt a deeper guilt and discomfort. “Mom, I’m sorry.”
Fan Li took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled, shaking her head as if to shake off the prior conversation. “No more talking. I want to rest.”
Lu Yiyao didn’t expect things to be settled in one conversation. In fact, this was already much better than he had anticipated, so after saying goodnight, he left.
A sleepless night followed.
The next morning, Lu Yiyao got up early for work, knowing his mother would be awake. Indeed, as he descended the stairs, he saw porridge and side dishes on the dining table. His mother looked a bit haggard but urged him to eat quickly and go to the office to set an example for his employees. She didn’t mention last night’s conversation.
Knowing that haste wouldn’t bring success, Lu Yiyao didn’t bring it up again, obediently finishing his breakfast and driving to the office.
But Lu Yiyao was resolved that starting now, he would return home every weekend, gradually talking, until his mother truly accepted the fact that he liked men. Then it would be natural to introduce Ran Lin to the family.
Lu Yiyao was optimistic because his mother’s reaction was much better than expected, but what he didn’t know was that as soon as he left, Fan Li’s expression turned cold, staring out the window lost in thought.
If it were an employee of Fan Li’s company, they would instantly recognize that the boss was angry, very angry, to the point that no amount of yelling or table-flipping could resolve the issue. So she became even calmer, because only in calmness could she devise a satisfying solution, either to strike a deadly blow to her enemies or to completely eradicate the problem that irritated her.
When Lu Yimeng came down the stairs, sleepy-eyed, Fan Li was still sitting there; her face was no longer clouded with anger but only sadness. Lu Yimeng was surprised to see her mother hadn’t gone to the office yet and quickly explained as their eyes met, “I start work at nine. I’m not late.”
Although Lu Yimeng worked for their family business, starting from the bottom and being miles apart from her mother, the CEO, she hardly ever saw her at the company. She subconsciously thought her mother, a powerful woman who was at her office by seven each morning, might not understand the schedule of their junior employees, who started work at nine.
But after her explanation, she realized that her mother wasn’t about to reprimand her; in fact, her mother might not have even absorbed her words. Her mother just stared blankly at her, her eyes slowly welling with tears.
Startled, Lu Yimeng snapped awake and hurried over. “Mom, what’s wrong?”
She had always thought only something as severe as the divorce from her father could make her sturdy mother so vulnerable, and that had been over a decade ago. Her mother hadn’t shown such emotion since then, so Lu Yimeng felt as if the sky was falling.
“Mom, talk to me. What’s wrong? Don’t scare me!” She would have shaken her mother by the shoulders if she wasn’t worried about making matters worse.
“Your brother…” Fan Li finally spoke, her voice carrying both weariness and sadness. “He’s told me everything.”
Lu Yimeng’s eyes widened, and she inhaled sharply. “What, what did he tell you?”
Fan Li looked deeply at her daughter. Lu Yimeng swallowed, forcing herself to wait for her mother to speak first to avoid any blunder that would infuriate her brother.
Fan Li took Lu Yimeng’s hand gently, as if drawing strength from her. “Your brother said he likes men, and he has already found someone he wants to be with…”
Lu Yimeng’s mouth fell open, unsure of what to say next.
She had thought of the possibility of her brother coming out when she saw her mother’s expression, but actually hearing it made the revelation feel incredibly abrupt. Such a big revelation just dropped without any preamble or cushioning. At least some sort of buffer could have been provided!
But then she thought, no matter how much you cushion or prepare for such news, it’s still a bolt from the blue, especially given the societal norms where most parents wouldn’t accept it. Her mother’s reaction was already quite extraordinary.
As Lu Yimeng’s thoughts raced, none of her expressions escaped Fan Li’s watchful eye.
Fan Li had initially wanted to inquire if Lu Yiyao had been closely involved with anyone recently, given that Lu Yimeng was her brother’s biggest fan and closely followed his every move, including his social engagements. Knowing Lu Yiyao liked men, her daughter must also be undoubtedly curious about who the person was and might even help her find out.
But Lu Yimeng’s reaction right now, with surprise, conflict, and realization, lacked any disbelief or shock. This meant she had already known about “Lu Yiyao liking men”!
Fan Li was unsure whether her son had told her daughter or if her daughter had found out on her own—because yesterday, Lu Yiyao had avoided Lu Yimeng when he came to her. This could be interpreted as “he thought Lu Yimeng was unaware” or “he hoped his mother would think the daughter was unaware, thus not directing anger at her.” But whichever it was, it didn’t matter. As long as Lu Yimeng was aware, this matter would be much easier to handle than anticipated.
“Mom, actually, it’s not as serious as you think. Homosexuality… uh, it’s already legal in many countries, like the United States and the UK. It’s quite normal there, and they can even register for marriage. Brother has been studying in the UK, influenced by what he’s seen and heard, so he can understand…”
“I’m not angry, and I won’t blame your brother,” Fan Li interrupted softly, then her face hardened, and she narrowed her eyes unconsciously. “If anyone is to blame, it’s that surnamed Lu.”
Lu Yimeng silently looked out the window.
Dad, I’m sorry!
Sniffling, Fan Li spoke again, solemn and earnest. “I know what kind of person your brother is. He’s not one to joke about such matters, nor is it a fleeting whim. So, although it’s really hard to accept, I can try. But the person he chose… I forgot the name; I really don’t think he’s suitable for your brother. Does your brother want to be with him for a lifetime, and does he sincerely want to be with your brother for a lifetime? Besides, your brother never dated before him, and with all the temptations in the entertainment industry, your brother never wavered, so why now for… What’s his name? It’s on the tip of my tongue…”
Fan Li frowned deeply, massaging her temples in thought.
Lu Yimeng sighed, “Gu Jie.”
Her mother must be truly saddened; otherwise, her usually excellent memory wouldn’t fail to recall a name.
“Right.” Fan Li’s face remained unchanged, still furrowed with worry. “I think his intentions in approaching your brother aren’t pure.”
“You can’t say that.” Lu Yimeng, unsure of the effectiveness of her consolation, still wanted to support her brother. “Everyone’s in the entertainment industry, seeing each other all the time, so developing feelings over time is normal. And he’s also in movies and variety shows, so he’s not short on money. What could he be after from Brother?”
Fan Li’s eyes lowered in silence. Lu Yimeng sat quietly beside her, hoping her mother wouldn’t dwell on her concerns too much.
“Forget it.” Fan Li finally lifted her head and said to Lu Yimeng, “Don’t worry about me and go to work.”
Lu Yimeng hesitated.
“Relax.” Fan Li patted the back of her daughter’s hand. “I won’t do anything rash; I just need some time to process this.”
Seeing that her mother didn’t have an extreme reaction, though still apprehensive, Lu Yimeng obediently washed up, brushed her teeth, ate breakfast, and then hurried off to the company to be a proactive and upward-moving successor.
However, on the way to the office, Lu Yimeng hurriedly made a call to tip off her brother. At the time the phone rang, Lu Yiyao was alone in the meeting room, watching the behind-the-scenes footage from Xi’an for the drama <Youth of Wuling>, a weekly routine task to understand the filming progress and make a reasonable forecast for the future—a unique habit of Lu Yiyao, the actor turned executive.
By the time he returned to his office, it was already 9:30 a.m. Lu Yiyao noticed his phone plugged in and flashing its notification light. He checked to find three missed calls from Lu Yimeng, all between 8:30 and 9:00.
Shrugging, Lu Yiyao called her back.
The call was cut off almost as soon as it rang but then rang again shortly after—Lu Yimeng was calling back.
“Hello…” Lu Yimeng’s voice sounded secretive.
Lu Yiyao chuckled. “What are you doing?”
“At work,” Lu Yimeng whispered, obviously suppressing her voice. “It’s not good to be seen making personal calls by the supervisor, so I’ve hidden in the bathroom.”
Lu Yiyao laughed. “What’s up?”
“Stop pretending. Mom told me everything.” Despite her quiet voice, Lu Yimeng’s tone was firm. Originally, she had called to tip off her brother, but now that they were talking, she began to admonish him, “Why would you hide something as important as coming out from me? I could have supported you and spoken for you!”
Lu Yiyao was taken aback, feeling that his sister’s focus was… somewhat off?
As if hearing his thoughts, Lu Yimeng continued with a hint of resignation. “You think you’ve kept it a secret? I’ve noticed it long ago and was just waiting for you to say it. I thought I might even be a god-tier support when the time came.”
Lu Yiyao was astonished.
He had genuinely thought he hadn’t given anything away. Was this some kind of telepathy between siblings?
“You always hang out together, and you even visited his set. If others can’t tell, how could I not notice? Ever since you debuted, when have you been so close with anyone?” Lu Yimeng sighed, her voice softening as she thought of her mother’s condition that morning. “Mom’s quite upset, but it seems like she’s trying to accept it. I told her that this kind of thing is common overseas, and many countries allow marriage… Hopefully, she’ll take it to heart.”
Hearing this made Lu Yiyao feel a mix of discomfort and sorrow. “Did Mom say anything else to you?”
Lu Yimeng replied, “Not much. Just worried you might be deceived. She said if anyone is to blame for you liking men, it’s Dad’s fault.”
Lu Yiyao, about to assert his maturity in discerning genuine feelings, paused when he heard the latter part. “Blame Dad?”
Lu Yimeng hesitantly continued, “I accidentally mentioned it when I said that countries like the UK and the US allow marriage… That your studying in the UK might have influenced you.”
Lu Yiyao facepalmed.
He remembered considering the same thing when he first realized he might like men. It seemed like his father was destined to carry this blame.
“When are you coming back?” Lu Yimeng suddenly asked. Lu Yiyao replied, “This weekend, and I’ll be coming back every weekend from now on.”
Lu Yimeng breathed a sigh of relief. “That’s good. This is probably going to be a long battle, but don’t worry, brother, I’m with you!”
For the first time since last night, a genuine smile spread across Lu Yiyao’s face. “Got it.”
“Okay, I better go back to my desk before the supervisor comes looking for me.” With the tip-off complete, Lu Yimeng quickly ended the call.
Lu Yiyao looked at his phone and slowly smiled, feeling quite good about having an ally.
……
While Lu Yimeng was making her tip-off call, Fan Li, on the other hand, had Dai Chu thoroughly investigate Gu Jie’s background.
Now that his name was known it was easy to find his information. He was an artist in the entertainment industry, had appeared on variety shows, acted in movies, and was acquainted with Lu Yiyao… Putting all these clues together, there was no need for further narrowing down or investigation; the target was clear. Moreover, according to the information Fan Li received, this man had posted a photo on Weibo dining with her son just two days ago.
A face with distinct features, proper and well-placed, tanned skin, and a sturdy and robust physique, he seemed every bit the embodiment of masculine youth.
Him and Lu Yiyao?!
Fan Li couldn’t imagine it; just thinking about it made her feel like she was going mad.
When she first heard from Lu Yiyao that he liked men, she was unable to accept it. Now, pinning a face to the person supposedly leading her son astray, the chaotic images in her mind from the previous night took on a concrete form, and it became even more unbearable for her. She didn’t argue with her son right then only because she understood him well and knew that doing so would only backfire. It was better to stabilize him first and then find a solution.
She could see her son had made up his mind, so the solution naturally had to come from the other person involved.
“Is he in Beijing?” Fan Li asked, looking at the apartment address listed in the information.
“Yes, he returned from Xi’an yesterday,” Dai Chu replied.
“I want to meet him.” The reason Fan Li could manage such a large company alone was her ability to be patient when necessary and decisive when needed.
Dai Chu understood that when Fan Li said “meet”, it was more akin to “confronting.” He informed her, “He just returned from Xi’an yesterday and doesn’t have any engagements today. If he hasn’t made plans with friends, it’s likely he’ll be at his apartment. Even if he’s gone out, we can wait for him.”
“Okay.” Fan Li stood up. “Let’s go now.”
Dai Chu was puzzled but quickly followed. Suddenly being tasked with investigating an artist, understanding his complete social and friendship circles, and then going to confront him—the whole situation was odd.
Dai Chu sensed that this had something to do with Lu Yiyao, especially since Fan Li and Gu Jie were unrelated. But Gu Jie was as clean as distilled water. Since entering the industry, he had hardly any scandals, except for a brief rumor with an actress named Qi Luoluo, which was later proven false. He hadn’t been in any confirmed relationships either, dedicating his prime years to acting, fitness, and free fighting—essentially a homebody in another sense.
Moreover, Gu Jie and Lu Yiyao were good friends. The information gathered showed a deep brotherly bond, with no trace of Gu Jie ever betraying Lu Yiyao. So, what exactly was Fan Li worried about, and what did she want to discuss with Gu Jie? Dai Chu couldn’t figure it out.
……
Gu Jie was woken up by the doorbell.
Before it rang, he was dreaming of Chang’an, savoring rose mirror cakes, drinking Bingfeng soda, tearing into lamb stewed buns, picking wide belt noodles, all delicious and heartwarming…
And then, abruptly, there was no more.
Gu Jie yawned and got up, figuring it was his assistant at the door, as no one else would come this early. He wasn’t scheduled for any work today, but you never know if the assistant might bring some company matter to his attention.
So, he opened the door in his shorts, bare-chested. “What’s the order now…”
Gu Jie’s words stopped abruptly.
The cold wind outside hit his robust upper body, raising goosebumps.
But this discomfort was nothing compared to the shock of seeing who was at the door.
A woman in her fifties, dressed simply, her face somewhat haggard, and a well-dressed man in his thirties, tall and strong. More importantly, he didn’t recognize either of them.
“Did you… maybe knock on the wrong door?” Gu Jie could only think of this possibility.
“Hello,” the woman said, her voice weary but gentle. “I am Lu Yiyao’s mother.”
Gu Jie’s mind went blank for a moment.
But his mouth acted quicker than his brain. “Uh, Auntie, please come in. I’ll go put on some clothes…”
With that, Gu Jie stumbled into his bedroom to get dressed—civility and politeness are basic virtues, even in a state of confusion.
As Dai Chu listened to the banging and clanging from Gu Jie’s bedroom, he couldn’t help but think that the man wasn’t so much dressing as dismantling something. Lost in thought, he heard Fan Li say, “Wait for me in the car downstairs.”
Dai Chu hesitated, mainly concerned for Fan Li’s safety, especially given Gu Jie’s muscular build, but then he remembered that the man was Lu Yiyao’s friend and probably wouldn’t be discourteous to his friend’s mother. Although he didn’t know what Fan Li intended to discuss, her instruction to wait downstairs likely meant she had a plan.
“Alright. Call me if you need anything,” Dai Chu said and took the elevator down. As the elevator doors closed, Fan Li entered Gu Jie’s apartment.
When Gu Jie came out dressed, Fan Li was already sitting on the sofa, looking at him with gentle eyes like calm waters.
However, Gu Jie felt uncomfortable under her gaze, but he didn’t forget to pour a glass of water for Fan Li. Holding the cup, he approached and handed it over, asking, “Auntie, what brings you here?”
The fact that Lu Yiyao’s mother had come to see him was something Gu Jie couldn’t fathom even if he used 100% of his brain.
“Sit down.” Fan Li didn’t answer his question but instead asked him to sit.
Gu Jie took a seat on the sofa across from Fan Li, facing her at a conversational angle yet maintaining a certain distance, feeling somehow safer this way.
Once Gu Jie was settled, Fan Li slowly began. “You probably know why I am here today.”
Gu Jie swallowed nervously. Did he really know?
“I know it’s sudden for me to come like this, but I really had no other choice,” Fan Li said, her voice growing sadder.
“What exactly happened?” Gu Jie asked worriedly.
Fan Li shook her head, her eyes brimming with helplessness—half for Gu Jie to see and half genuine. “He’s my only son, and I was hoping he’d marry and have children. Now he tells me he likes men; what am I supposed to do?”
Gu Jie’s mouth dropped open in astonishment, wondering if he was still dreaming.
Teacher Lu is gay?!
No, this must be a dream. It has to be—
“I don’t want to be a bad person, and I want to be an open-minded mother, but I hope you can understand a mother’s distress,” Fan Li said, becoming emotional and her hand trembling as she grasped Gu Jie’s.
The dream was so vivid that Gu Jie could clearly feel the sadness of Lu Yiyao’s mother. He really wanted to comfort her and tell her to be more open-minded. While loving men might be hard for the older generation to accept, it didn’t stop Lu Yiyao from continuing to be filial and a good son. At most, he might not be able to give her grandchildren, but life is always full of regrets, isn’t it?
However, it didn’t seem appropriate to say all this now. What if it only upset Mother Lu more and her health suffered?
“Don’t be upset, Auntie.” Gu Jie held Fan Li’s hand back, thinking carefully about what to say next. “I can understand you. I know every mother has high hopes for her son, hoping that he will be healthy and happy and have a harmonious family…”
Fan Li didn’t expect Gu Jie to be so considerate, and his expression seemed genuinely sincere. Surprised and feeling a bit guilty, her initial intention of playing the sympathy card turned into earnestness. “Lu Yiyao wasn’t always like this. He’s just confused for the moment. Even if he has told you something now, he might change later…”
“He hasn’t talked to me about these things, really.” Gu Jie finally started to grasp the situation, realizing that Lu Yiyao’s mother thought he was in on it and was coming to confront him.
Fan Li then asked, “Now that you know, can you help me persuade him?”
“This…” Gu Jie was in a difficult position and could only equivocate, “I can try to help you, but I can’t guarantee it will be effective.”
“I know it’s a lot to ask, and I’m asking too much of you,” Fan Li continued, looking at Gu Jie earnestly. “But I’m really out of options. Even if you can’t persuade him, can you at least break up with him?”
“……” Gu Jie was stunned, his mind a tangled mess, unable to find the end of the thread. Fan Li waited patiently, sensing his hesitation.
They locked eyes, a silent struggle ensuing.
Finally, Gu Jie spoke, but his question was unrelated to the previous turmoil. He just wanted to know one thing—
“Auntie, who exactly is Lu Yiyao involved with?”
Fan Li was taken aback, showing the same bafflement Gu Jie had minutes ago. “Isn’t it you?”
Gu Jie was shocked by the answer and retorted, “Me?!”
Fan Li’s voice rose unconsciously. “Isn’t it?!”
Gu Jie replied somewhat sheepishly, “It shouldn’t be…”
Kinky Thoughts:
LMAO. Poor Gu Jie, the straightest man in this novel…
Since their entry into the Owl, this was the first time they had wavered in executing their task.
The Starving Ghost misunderstood their silence and forced a smile. “Uh, I understand. Don’t feel troubled. I’ll leave now.”
Without waiting for their response, he turned into a wisp of black mist and disappeared swiftly and cleanly.
Xu Wang and Wu Sheng were too late to react, left standing there by the Ghost Spring.
“What should we do?” Xu Wang asked Wu Sheng, feeling a bitter taste in his heart.
Wu Sheng smoothed his furrowed brows and said firmly, “I’ll listen to you.”
Xu Wang suddenly squatted down, sighed heavily, and cursed as if venting his frustration. “Who chose this damn task!”
Advisor Wu, who had made the decision to go to the left wing of the Western Courtyard in front of the Ghost Mansion for his team captain, wore an innocent face, pretending to have temporary amnesia.
“What would happen if we don’t poison?” Xu Wang asked, making up his mind and looking up.
Wu Sheng replied realistically, “We’ll fail the task.”
Xu Wang refused to give up. “But Lao Qian and Xiao Kuang haven’t found the badge yet.”
Wu Sheng pondered for a moment, then outlined a burden-free, beautiful future for his team captain. “If Lao Qian and Xiao Kuang can’t find the badge, and we wait for the badge without poisoning, ultimately letting other teams successfully submit their tasks first, then we won’t have wronged Xiao Hungry, nor Lao Qian and Xiao Kuang.”
Xu Wang wished to shake hands tightly with him. “I knew you would understand me…”
Wu Sheng squatted down with him. “Don’t frown. You’ll lose all your luck.” Although his words were teasing, his hand tenderly stroked Xu Wang’s head.
Xu Wang was surprised. “Since when do you believe in luck?”
Wu Sheng said helplessly, “Since you started looking so worried.”
Xu Wang: “……”
Wu Sheng: “Stop overthinking. Let’s just wait.”
Xu Wang: “I don’t want to harm Xiao Hungry, but I also don’t want Lao Qian and Xiao Kuang to fail. They must be desperately searching for the badge right now.”
Wu Sheng: “Then let’s pray that right after Lao Qian and Xiao Kuang find the badge, someone immediately submits their papers. The time difference shouldn’t be more than one second, so we won’t even have time to poison.”
Xu Wang: “Aren’t the details of your wish a bit too specific…”
……
Eastern Courtyard, the Underworld, Dream Ghost’s residence.
In the courtyard, a sweaty head flew in the front, followed by a disheveled male ghost.
Inside the house, Kuang Jinxin hid by the door, intensely controlling the severed hand, sweat beads forming on his nose.
After throwing several stationeries to no avail, Qian Ai finally used his last [(Illusory) Quit While You’re Ahead] to lure the Dream Ghost from the bed inside the house to the courtyard, initiating a “romantic chase” around the courtyard.
Under normal circumstances, the Dream Ghost wouldn’t easily leave its bed.
Unless the situation was special.
Like being lured away by [(Illusory) Quit While You’re Ahead], taking away the pillow and bedding.
When the bed was left with only a wooden plank, even a Bed Loving Ghost couldn’t withstand it.
Thus, the first step of the tactic, luring the ghost away from the mountain, was successful.
Unexpectedly, the Dream Ghost’s bed was enchanted with ghost magic, and no matter how the severed hand circled the bed, it couldn’t touch it!
Qian Ai didn’t know the specifics, only that he was running out of breath and his legs were about to break, with no movement inside the house!
He dared not shout to communicate, fearing the Dream Ghost would realize someone was still inside, so he could only call out to his partner through telepathy—Xiao Kuang, hurry up!
“Whoosh—”
The Dream Ghost leaped into the air and landed in front of Qian Ai, blocking his path.
Qian Ai immediately stood still, like countless times before, calmly controlling [(Illusion) Quit While You’re Ahead]. This illusory stationery, although mixed with some bitter memories, was truly handy to use. Regardless of what ghost magic the Dream Ghost used, whether it was the “Life-Claiming Long Hair” or “Heart-Plucking Ghost Claw”, all were absorbed by him, a perfect combination of defense and counterattack!
The Dream Ghost’s face was pale, and in its slender phoenix eyes, the base color was the pain of prolonged nightmares, but at the surface, it was full of murderous intent!
He didn’t speak, remaining gloomy and silent throughout.
Now, he stared at Qian Ai, and his severed hair, which had been cut off for the 101st time, fell to the ground as black silk.
Qian Ai put his hands on his hips, adjusted his breathing, and shook his head. “How many times has it been? Can’t you see, my defense is unsolvable? Be sensible, stay quiet, and give yourself and me a break, won’t you?”
At first, he was quite intimidated by the Dream Ghost, not daring to even look back while being chased. But as they fought, Qian Ai’s feelings towards the Dream Ghost subtly changed. Not to say they became friends, but at least he became more familiar and could exchange glances.
Unfortunately, the Dream Ghost was sparing with words.
“Ding—”
[Owl: Congratulations on finding 5/23 Ghost Mansion badge!]
The moment Qian Ai heard the ding, he was overjoyed, knowing without further prompts that Xiao Kuang had found the badge!
“Xiao Kuang, well done—” Qian Ai, nearly suffocated, finally could shout loudly!
Of course, he wasn’t foolish; after shouting, he turned to run, as per the strategy he and Xiao Kuang had set beforehand—grab the badge and run!
But just as he started, he felt darkness before his eyes.
It was the severed hair that had entangled his head!
Qian Ai immediately reached up to grab it, but the hair didn’t budge and even tightened more!
Qian Ai was horrified!
It was impossible. The previously severed hair, once cut, was cut. Its essence had been absorbed by the illusory stationery, and unless he wanted to counterattack, the severed hair couldn’t come back to life!
But now, the hair was like countless snakes, wrapping his head into a black mummy!
A few steps away, the Dream Ghost bowed his head, his eyes hidden in his hair. His slender figure looked so thin it was as if it could be blown away by the wind. But Qian Ai, looking closely through the remaining strands, saw his lips silently mouthing some ghost magic, just like the countless times he had attacked before!
Qian Ai immediately closed his eyes and summoned [Quit While You’re Ahead], but there was no response.
He finally realized the problem—the duration of [Quit While You’re Ahead] had ended!
The power of the stationery was too strong, so its duration was naturally short, and thus the Dream Ghost’s magic started to take effect!
Qian Ai had just sensed something wrong when his body, along with his head, was flung into the air by the hair, drawing a perfect arc at a high altitude and rapidly falling towards the roof of the Dream Ghost’s house!
Kuang Jinxin used four stationeries to break the ghost magic and allowed the severed hand to touch the badge. Just as he was about to slip out of the house, he heard a loud “bang” from above.
A huge hole was smashed into the roof, and Qian Ai crashed into the room, landing directly on the Dream Ghost’s bed!
“Qian Ge!” Kuang Jinxin’s heart tightened, and he immediately ran to the bed.
“Don’t come here—” Qian Ai shouted loudly, struggling to breathe but still sternly warning his teammate. “Don’t get on the bed!”
He couldn’t afford to have Kuang Jinxin get involved too.
Startled by the shout, Kuang Jinxin finally came to his senses, realizing he would be just delivering himself to the enemy, and immediately activated [(Defense) Lost in a Five-Mile Fog]!
Instantly, the entire courtyard of the Dream Ghost was enveloped in a thick fog. Inside the house and in the courtyard, everything was shrouded in white fog, obscuring people, ghosts, and houses, all in impenetrable mist!
The Dream Ghost, ready to enter the room, suddenly lost direction in the fog and couldn’t find his way home.
Kuang Jinxin stood still and silent, not making a sound, to avoid alerting the Dream Ghost.
He knew his defense stationery was only a temporary measure. To truly save Qian Ai, he had to get him off the bed!
But he had no idea about Qian Ai’s current condition. Since crashing into the room, Qian Ai had been silent, and Kuang Jinxin could only faintly hear rustling noises, as if someone was having a nightmare on the bed!
On the bed, Qian Ai was trapped in an endless nightmare.
But he didn’t realize it.
For Qian Ai, he just fell into the room, onto the bed, and then countless hands suddenly grew from both sides of the bed, clasping each other tightly like straps, immobilizing him completely!
“Let me go!” Qian Ai yelled but couldn’t hear his own voice!
Startled, he struggled fiercely, but suddenly another hand stretched out from under the head of the bed, covering his mouth and nose!
Qian Ai suffocated for a moment, trying to break free, but his entire body was immobile!
In the next moment, countless little ghosts crawled out from under the bed. The hands holding him were those of the little ghosts hiding under the bed!
The little ghosts had a green complexion, skinny and bony, emitting eerie laughter as they climbed onto his stomach and legs.
As they climbed on him, the hands that were holding Qian Ai naturally loosened.
Qian Ai knew he should immediately flip them over, but his body stiffened uncontrollably.
“Get… off…”
The little ghost stood on his chest, making it difficult for him to speak. Though he was obviously scolding, it sounded more like a plea.
The little ghost squatted on his chest, leaning close to his face, mockingly laughing, “Hehehe.”
Qian Ai was frantic, angry, and scared. His scalp felt like it was exploding, and his blood vessels were about to burst. He bit his own tongue hard and, amidst the severe pain, finally realized the anomaly—how could he see his own body!
His invisibility cloak shouldn’t have worn off so quickly… Qian Ai’s eyes widened in realization. This was a dream! A nightmare created by the Dream Ghost’s bed—a literal ghost pressing down* on him!
*Sleep paralysis (as explained before).
Whether he could use stationery in a dream, Qian Ai didn’t know.
But at the moment, he couldn’t think of a better way to escape!
Clenching his teeth, Qian Ai used his last ounce of strength to lift his arm and activated a stationery!
Instantly, all the little ghosts heard the sound from hell—
[Owl: Someone used [(Illusory) Ah, Dropped Money] on you~~]
With this reminder, all the little ghosts’ pockets, hidden linings, and secret compartments turned inside out, dropping gold ingots, silver bars, large copper coins, clinking and clattering all over the floor!
The little ghosts were shocked and terrified, their originally pale, ghostly faces twisting even more grotesquely. They all scrambled to the ground, frantically picking up the money!
Qian Ai felt a bit guilty, thinking that these were offerings burned for them by their living relatives.
In the face of money, the distinction between humans and ghosts vanishes, as they both share the same pain.
But in the face of survival, Qian Ai could only sympathize with the little ghosts for a second, then jumped off the bed and ran, shouting as he ran—
“Xiao Kuang, Xiao Kuang, Xiao Kuang—”
“Here, here, here. Wake up fast!”
Did he really call someone over?!
Qian Ai was surprised, but suddenly felt dizzy. When he opened his eyes again, he saw Kuang Jinxin standing by the bed, holding his head, and shaking it hard.
Qian Ai immediately jumped off the bed, not daring to touch it again!
Kuang Jinxin immediately dispersed the fog. Qian Ai’s shouting would definitely attract the Dream Ghost, so the fog was useless now!
Sure enough, as soon as the fog cleared, they saw the Dream Ghost already at the door.
It stood there motionless, looking at Qian Ai and then at the empty bed, tilting its head as if puzzled.
Qian Ai pulled Kuang Jinxin behind him, frowning at the Dream Ghost. “Do you always have the nightmare I just had on that bed?”
The Dream Ghost narrowed its eyes, gazing gloomily at him.
“You call that a nightmare?” Qian Ai sneered, then stood tall and proudly educated the Dream Ghost. “Let me tell you what a real nightmare is. Just two words—no money!”
“Why did you help me?” Wu Sheng asked the Starving Ghost.
“Do I need a reason?” The Starving Ghost countered.
Wu Sheng nodded. “Yes, you do.”
His eyes conveyed both confusion and wariness.
Xu Wang understood.
Finding out Wu Sheng wasn’t a ghost, the Starving Ghost’s silence was already abnormal, and his help was even more puzzling.
The Starving Ghost fell silent, seemingly struggling to explain. His reluctance wasn’t out of opposition or disgust, but more like not knowing how to articulate his feelings.
Xu Wang and Wu Sheng waited patiently. After a long pause, the Starving Ghost finally looked up and spoke softly, his voice filled with emotion. “Actually, I’ve guided many ghosts, but you two are the first who were willing to take me out of the Underworld and all the way to the Heavenly Realm…”
“It doesn’t matter to me whether you are ghosts or not. All I know is that you are my friends.”
His gaze was intense, contradicting his usually timid nature, making Xu Wang and Wu Sheng uncomfortable to look at directly.
“Xiao Hungry…” Xu Wang felt uneasy but didn’t know what to say.
The Starving Ghost snapped out of his reverie at this call, immediately embarrassed as if the heartfelt confession wasn’t his. He quickly said, “I’ll go outside and find the direction of the Ghost Spring!” and hurried away.
In an instant, the Starving Ghost vanished. Xu Wang looked at Wu Sheng, wanting to say something but hesitating.
Wu Sheng sighed. “If you want to say something, just say it.”
“Do you blame me?” Xu Wang asked.
Wu Sheng was baffled. “Blame you for what?”
Xu Wang said, “For unnecessarily persuading the Starving Ghost to leave the Eastern Courtyard.”
Wu Sheng shrugged. “Yeah, if you hadn’t, we wouldn’t have gotten into all that mess.”
Xu Wang fell silent.
Uncovering how Xiao Hungry helped Wu Sheng cheat, revealing their true natures, eliciting his sad story, and realizing he considered them friends—this persuasion indeed was a mess.
Seeing Xu Wang’s dejected look, Wu Sheng patted his head and sighed, then changed the subject. “But if you hadn’t, I would have.”
Xu Wang looked up blankly. “Really?”
Wu Sheng affirmed, “Of course.”
“You would have struggled too?” Xu Wang was surprised. “I thought you’d lecture me, saying the mission comes first.”
“Being rational doesn’t mean I lack humanity,” Wu Sheng replied irritably, pinching Xu Wang’s cheek hard. “If I didn’t struggle in such a situation, I’d be a monster…”
Xu Wang accepted the pinch without complaint, finding some comfort in knowing Wu Sheng shared his feelings.
“Hey?” Wu Sheng suddenly seemed to remember something, asking Xu Wang, “Did he say he guided many ghosts?”
“Ah? Yeah… I guess…” Xu Wang struggled to recall.
Wu Sheng was already racing down the thought lane. “Who are these ‘many ghosts’? Are they challengers like us? If so, does he remember them?”
Since their failure in 8/23, they had repeatedly passed several levels in order to get badges. Naturally, they had also met some NPCs repeatedly, but none of these NPCs remembered them.
The NPC in 1/23 were bears, which could be ignored; in 2/23, the red-eye flight had minor adjustments with some new and old faces among the passengers, but 90% of them were the same acquaintances, available for conversation again, still engaging in the pattern of exchanging names and polite small talk like strangers; in 3/23, they didn’t encounter Xiao Ding again, but they met Yuan Zai and even a familiar-looking mall security guard, both of whom had no memory of them; in 4/23, they avoided Hei Momo but ran into Xiao Huang and Xiao Bai again, who, similarly, treated them as if it was their first meeting, with no difference even in Xiao Huang’s dialogue.
Through this journey, they have come to accept as an unspoken rule that “NPCs reset” in the world of the Owl. It’s easy to understand when you think about it. If NPCs had memories, wouldn’t the Owl become chaotic? This is much more impactful than the small cards Wu Sheng issued.
As they were pondering, the Starving Ghost returned.
He carefully closed the door and whispered, “The Ghost Spring is in the northeast corner of the Heavenly Realm.”
Xu Wang and Wu Sheng remained silent.
Thinking they didn’t believe him, the Starving Ghost hurriedly added, “I smelled the ghost energy. It’s strongest in the northeast direction. I’m sure.”
“The Ghost Spring can wait.” Xu Wang pulled the Starving Ghost to a chair. “I have another question first.”
Exploring the Owl’s nature took precedence over badges and levels.
“Sure, ask.” The Starving Ghost complied willingly.
“You said you guided many ghosts. Who are these ‘many ghosts’?” Xu Wang got straight to the point.
The Starving Ghost furrowed his brows, seeming puzzled. “Who? Do you mean their names or appearances? Actually, I’m not sure if they were all ghosts. Some seemed to have no ghost energy…”
“Names and appearances, anything!” Xu Wang urged impatiently.
“Okay.” The Starving Ghost nodded, his gaze drifting as he tried to remember.
Suddenly, the Starving Ghost knocked on his head in frustration. “Strange, why can’t I remember? I definitely guided those ghosts…”
“Don’t rush. Take your time,” Xu Wang tried to calm him.
The Starving Ghost looked at them helplessly, his expression becoming chaotic and pained. “I really can’t remember. I remember guiding them, but why can’t I recall a single name or face…” As he spoke, he became more anxious, his eyes reddening.
“Try to…” Xu Wang started but was stopped by Wu Sheng gripping his wrist.
The rest of the words were swallowed.
Instead, Wu Sheng asked the Starving Ghost. “You don’t remember their names or faces, but you must remember what they did, right?”
The Starving Ghost looked lost as he turned to Wu Sheng, eyes blank.
“You just said it,” Wu Sheng reminded. “None of them were willing to take you out of the Underworld.”
After a long stare, the Starving Ghost finally spoke weakly. “If I say I don’t remember anything except that none of them wanted to take me out, will you be upset?”
Wu Sheng shook his head decisively. “Remembering that alone is already impressive.”
“Impressive?” The Starving Ghost didn’t understand.
Wu Sheng glanced at Xu Wang.
Xu Wang got the hint—Advisor Wu’s class was in session.
But unlike before, they weren’t facing a reset NPC. This time, it was an NPC who “might remember certain things”. Wu Sheng’s lesson plan was likely to be revolutionary.
Wu Sheng: “We don’t belong to this world.”
Xu Wang: “……” That’s a bit too direct!
“Don’t belong?” The Starving Ghost was either slow or open-minded, still able to ask.
Wu Sheng nodded affirmingly. “Yes, we don’t belong here. We’re from another world.”
The Starving Ghost’s eyes glazed over in confusion.
Xu Wang held his forehead.
“You don’t need to understand. Just try to remember,” Wu Sheng emphasized again. “We’re not from here, and those like us aren’t either. We only appear here between midnight and five in the morning every day. It might not align with your time, but it’s definitely a fixed period…”
The Starving Ghost, with an expression close to tears, said, “Why should I remember these things…”
“Do you want to be free?”
“Huh?”
“Your life might not be under your control. Everything you do now is manipulated by a force. Don’t you want to break free from it?”
“I have no life.”
“It’s the same for a ghost.”
“If what you say is true, and I remember these strange words, can I break free?”
“First remember, then think. With thought comes doubt, and with doubt, there’s a chance to break the chains.”
Xiao Hungry looked at Xu Wang for help, or rather, for rescue.
Xu Wang held his forehead and felt a bit of pity for him. “Be good. Remember it first. Whether you break through or not, let it happen naturally.”
Xiao Hungry was obedient. Afterward, no matter what Wu Sheng said, he would silently repeat it with his lips, taking it very seriously.
Finally, when Wu Sheng finished, he asked, “Since you don’t belong here, why did you come here?”
“Just like you, we are also controlled by this force,” Wu Sheng said. “It controls us to enter and controls you to cooperate.”
The Starving Ghost blinked, trying to digest what he could understand. As he digested, he suddenly got stuck. “Aren’t you looking for the Ghost Spring? What do those things you just said have to do with the Ghost Spring?”
Wu Sheng was caught off guard.
Xu Wang was also stunned.
Yes, what does all this have to do with the Ghost Spring?
They talked about the universe and life but forgot their original mission. It was Xiao Hungry who firmly remembered it for them.
But how should they answer?
The previous Starving Ghost was just a kind-hearted ghost leading the way. They felt guilty for lying to him, but now that the Starving Ghost had become their friend, that guilt had turned into a sense of sin!
“It’s okay. If you don’t want to say, I won’t ask,” the Starving Ghost said calmly. “Since I promised to help you find it, I will not let you down.”
With that, he closed his eyes, slightly spread his arms, and tilted his head back, his expression slowly becoming solemn, as if exerting effort in secret.
After a while, Xu Wang and Wu Sheng suddenly felt the ground under their feet become soft, as if the stone had turned into mud!
In the next instant, the surroundings changed, and the three of them somehow arrived in a courtyard with no trees and only a spring in the center. The spring water was gushing out—not clear, almost black in color.
The Ghost Spring!
Wu Sheng’s heart trembled, while Xu Wang looked incredulously at the Starving Ghost beside him. “Did you teleport us?!”
The Starving Ghost scratched his head, smiling sheepishly with a bit of embarrassment, still looking timid. “It’s just a small ghost trick, not worth mentioning.”
The wind stopped.
Suddenly, the courtyard was very quiet, with only the sound of the spring bubbling, dull and heavy, making one’s heart feel heavy.
“What now? We’ve found the Ghost Spring. What do we need to do next?” The Starving Ghost looked at Xu Wang and Wu Sheng, suppressing his curiosity, and said with difficulty, “If it’s inconvenient, I can leave.”
The zone where Nol and his companions entered was precisely the territory of the dog-headed beastmen.
The dog-headed knights generously provided snow goats for these four “frail” humans to ride. These tall and sturdy goats treated cliffs as if they were flat ground. In less than half an hour, Nol and his companions were brought down the mountain.
The knights’ village was called “Sheepskin Ball Village”, located at the foot of the snow mountain, with over a hundred households residing there.
Nol hadn’t made any specific settings, but according to the racial ecology of Shiva, it wasn’t strange for such small villages to exist—
The northern part of Shiva bordered Gratice, with a harsh climate surrounded by ice and snow all year round. The inhabitants here were mostly thick-furred beastmen. Once the population of any tribe became too large, a portion of the youth would often voluntarily leave to establish new villages.
Amidst the swirling snowflakes, the small village resembled gingerbread decorations on a cream cake, quaint and adorable.
Nearly every household in the village raised snow goats and high cliff chickens. These goats could grow as tall as horses, and the high cliff chickens were significantly larger than normal chickens—their eggs were comparable to the size of an adult’s fist.
At this moment, smoke wafted from several small houses, and fluffy dog-headed cubs frolicked in the snow.
“Humans, I must first take you to see the village chief. Without a pass, you’ll find it difficult to move a step in Shiva,” Knight Saint Bernard said seriously. “Of course, this pass is temporary. Once you reach human territory, you’ll need to apply for official identification.”
“We understand.” Painter nodded in agreement. “I’ve heard about the severity of poachers.”
The dog-headed beastmen were somewhat better off, but the fur and scales of some other races were hard to come by on the black market; not to mention races like succubi, elves, and sirens, which were inherently valuable.
Shiva didn’t completely refuse humans, but due to its multi-racial characteristics, it was particularly strict with immigration control.
This was a setting already present in “Tahe World”. This feature made Shiva a bottleneck for Player levels, only opening up in the mid- to late-game.
Nol curiously observed the surrounding houses. The dog-headed beastmen were equally curious about them, with many puppies clamoring at the windows to watch the excitement.
Their gaze held only curiosity. For these richly furred races, the bald humans—regardless of gender—really had no appeal.
The village chief’s house was in the center of the village, indistinguishable from the other small wooden houses. Saint Bernard didn’t even knock. He just pushed the door and entered.
“I smell humans, and other strange things.” A hoarse voice spoke, fluent in the common language. “Bonakani, what have you picked up this time?”
Upon entering, the warmth enveloped Nol, making him squint. When he looked again, he saw a Border Collie’s head wearing glasses.
The village chief, wrapped in a goat skin coat, lifted his nose, sniffing suspiciously.
“A human nun from the Temple of Life, one who ate too much boom fish, and one contaminated with the sea’s filth.” Knight Alaskan quickly answered.
“That’s right,” Saint Bernard said gruffly.
The Border Collie chief eyed Painter for a while, then with a roll of his eyes, said, “Well, since they say so… let them stay here for a night and set off tomorrow morning. Let the humans handle it themselves.”
“Thank you for your generosity.” Painter lifted his skirt, performing a perfect curtsy.
“Later, there will be goat milk porridge, boiled eggs, roasted meat, and apple sweet wine. Bonakani will bring it to you.” Border Collie’s eyes briefly passed over the group. “But you aren’t residents of our country. These services are not free… Hmm, including the service of bringing you down, there will be a charge.”
Saint Bernard looked bewildered, its tail drooping, remaining silent in confusion.
“Theoretically, it’s 300 gold wheels per person, but since you brought three cubs, a total of 1,000 gold wheels will suffice.” Border Collie pushed its glasses up.
Nol was shocked—while it was reasonable to compensate these furry knights, this was a bit too much! Even as nuns from the headquarters of the Temple of Life, they wouldn’t carry around 1,000 gold wheels in cash.
Teest also expressed surprise with a “huh.”
“This…” Painter showed a somewhat troubled expression.
“Can’t pay, can you?” Border Collie’s claw tapped the wooden floor. “Ah, well. We won’t be too harsh on guests… In that case, you can work off the debt.”
Nol was uncertain about where this was going. [What’s going on?]
[I haven’t heard of this rule,] Teest responded. [At least, it wasn’t the case when I last entered.]
[…Did you enter as a human last time?]
[Not exactly. I disguised myself as an elf then.] Teest winked at Nol. [Too bad. If we weren’t disguised as nuns, I could have brought back the succubus outfit.]
It seemed like this was a special treatment for humans. Nol sighed internally—if not for fear of being targeted by the Temple of Life, they could easily disguise as a monster squad to enter.
“What form of work will pay off the debt?” Painter asked politely.
The Border Collie chief didn’t answer directly but signaled to Knight Saint Bernard. “Call Samobain and Hashbyte in.”
“Yes!”
Soon, along with the original Saint Bernard and Alaskan, four dog-headed knights stood firm in the chief’s room.
“You should thank these knights. Pay off the debt with fifteen minutes of head patting,” the Border Collie chief said calmly.
Nol: “…?”
Is there such a good deal?
Standing in front of him was the newly arrived Samoyed knight, who smiled at him and wagged his tail in a friendly manner. “It’s okay. No need to force yourself.”
“No, no, not at all.” Nol tried to control his voice. “I’m more than happy to do it.”
Before the Border Collie chief could start, Nol began patting the Samoyed’s head.
Indeed, it was warm, fluffy, and soft… When was the last time he had touched a dog?
Nol actually disliked staying alone in an empty house. He longed for the companionship of another life.
Many neighbors in Joy Garden had dogs, and he often saw them walking their beloved pets. He had always wanted to pet them, but work had been so busy that he hadn’t even touched a single dog’s hair…
In fact, Nol also loved cats and had seriously considered adopting one. However, sometimes he had to work overtime and stayed at the company for two or three days straight, leaving him with no confidence in taking care of a cat…
Thinking of this, he couldn’t help but turn his head and sneak a peek at Teest, who was nearby—Teest was looking at the Husky knight with a face that hadn’t been touched yet.
He noticed a very subtle expression on the face of the Mad Monk.
Not just Teest, Painter’s gaze also carried a bit of surprise. The Samoyed knight seemed to enjoy being petted, wagging his tail so much that his cloak fluttered.
…Oh, right, he forgot. In “Tahe World” humans were quite afraid of beastmen.
About twenty minutes passed, and the Border Collie village chief chuckled twice.
“That’s enough. Take them to the guest room. Dinner will be served later.” His attitude was a million times better than when they first entered.
The “guest room” he mentioned wasn’t a simple room, but a detached wooden cabin.
The cabin had two bedrooms, a fairly large living room, and a blazing fireplace. Outside the window, large snowflakes quietly fell. The glass was covered with a layer of water vapor, and the warm light turned into blurred orbs.
“The village chief is quite interesting,” Painter said.
“Nol and I will stay in this room.” Teest directly ignored him and pointed to the better-conditioned bedroom.
Fischer looked at Painter, openly showing a look of disdain. “My Lord, Painter and I…”
“Who said you could sleep?” Teest said coldly. “You’re on night watch. A Supplement Demon can endure.”
“Yes, My Lord!”
Far from being discouraged, Fischer seemed invigorated, as if he had received a reward.
“The village chief is really interesting,” Painter persistently repeated.
“Go ahead.” Nol had no choice but to pick up the conversation.
“He probably smelled something off about us—if trained, dog-headed beastmen can distinguish the scent differences between men and women.” Painter added some wood to the fire. “I thought we’d have to use illusion magic, but it seems he doesn’t intend to wade into these waters.”
“The prolonged head-patting just now was also a test. If we had any malice or disdain for dog-headed beastmen, it would be hard not to show it… Anyway, it’s best if you don’t get any ideas about making a move on him.”
“Is it really okay to just leave it like this?” Fischer coldly retorted. “I also felt that thing smelled something.”
“Hehe, trust me. They, like us, especially enjoy seeing the Temple of Life in disarray.” Painter waved the fire poker. “In times like these, maintaining peace is the best. Right, Teest… hmm?”
Teest had already disappeared, taking the attentive Mr. Nol with him.
“It’s useless to tell you.” Painter pouted, focusing on tending the fireplace. “The former High Priest of the Eternal Church could never possibly have a partner.”
Fischer: “……”
Fischer: “?”
Inside the bedroom.
Teest solemnly drew the curtains, darkening the room immediately, leaving only a candle burning by the bed. The two sat side by side on the bed, the candlelight casting Teest’s shadow on Nol’s knees.
“You seem to really like dogs,” Teest said with an inscrutable tone.
“I like all animals except bugs,” Nol earnestly confessed.
It was hard to tell where the Mad Monk’s thoughts had wandered, but it was best to start with the truth.
“You really are overflowing with kindness… Never mind.” Teest shook his head. “I just wanted to show you a little trick.”
He snapped his fingers, and something furry jumped out from Nol’s knee.
“…Ben?”
The shadow wolf had shrunk to the size of a puppy, similar to their size when they had traveled to the past—the shadow wolf could slightly adjust its size, but it has a limit and definitely couldn’t shrink this small.
“I’ve been pondering the matter of time reversion for a while.” Watching Nol lift Ben with a smile, Teest’s tone became cheerful.
“Don’t you find it interesting? Both the Time Reversion Potion that travels through time and the Age Reversion Potion that reverses physical age are closely related to the concept of ‘time’… and they both taste terrible.”
Nol hugged the whining Ben. “So?”
“I suspect they used the same core material.” Teest shrugged. “So I analyzed the magical fluctuations of the potion in my body and tried to replicate Ben’s state during time reversal.”
“Of course, I don’t have your ability to create magic. Ben truly shrank once before, and there were residual magical traces inside it… I just found the pattern and restored it.”
Nol took half a second to respond.
The core material of a potion determined its magical properties.
Therefore, potion masters often kept their formulas secret to ensured their potions couldn’t be deciphered by others.
Teest found a clever workaround—he didn’t directly unravel the secret of the potion but used the magical properties of “age reversal” to restore the residual “time reversal” on Ben.
This act of using one’s own key to unlock a neighbor’s door was a success for Teest.
The Pomeranian-sized fluffy black ball licked Nol’s hand eagerly.
“Amazing. I hadn’t considered this at all.” Nol hugged the moving Ben.
“Because you always think too much.” Teest laughed. “And I just thought, a little dog might make you happy. This way, it can always stay outside.”
“Besides, I know a little secret you don’t.”
Saying this, Teest leaned in closer. “The potion for creating a Supplement Demon actually tastes quite good—I’ve tasted many potions. Only those two ‘reversion’ ones tasted like they were fished out of a trash can.”
Watching Teest lean in proudly, Nol felt his cheeks heat up. He swallowed the “thank you” that came to his mouth and decided to express his gratitude in a more direct way.
He turned his head and kissed Teest’s cheek. “An impressive discovery. I’ll keep it in mind.”
Nol felt a subtle mood, thinking this had little to do with “Teest dressing as a woman”—they had changed their appearance, presenting a non-threatening facade. All the previous uses and tests were washed away by this harmless appearance.
Despite countless changes in identity, the attraction remained the same.
Teest seemed to have similar troubles, hesitantly reaching out to grasp Nol’s front, drawing the kiss to his lips.
The miniaturized Ben jumped off Nol’s knee, scampering to a corner, and curled up neatly. The room grew hotter as the faint sounds of kissing overshadowed the crackling of the candle.
It felt unbelievably good, Teest thought. Whether it was seeing Nol’s surprised smile or kissing.
He thought trying it out thoroughly for one night would make him lose interest. However, his God had a deadly magic that was more exciting than fresh blood.
Teest’s hand reached under Nol’s wide robe, but before he could explore, he was stopped.
“This isn’t right,” Nol murmured breathlessly. “Kissing is okay… Let’s wait for the rest.”
“Honey, I’m only a year older than you.” Teest raised an eyebrow. “Even if you’re nominally seventeen, I think the problem is..”
“No, you look too young.” Nol shook his head. “I can’t get over that.”
Teest’s expression froze, and he looked at Nol incredulously.
Nol chuckled, rubbed Teest’s warm ear, and added another kiss. “Just a week. Or are you updating your prayer schedule again?”
“Since you say so, I’ll consider it carefully.”
The Mad Monk tidied his messy hair, muttering, “Morning and evening prayers are already scheduled… Let me think about it…”
“I smell dinner.” Nol ran to the corner and picked up the soft shadow wolf. “Let’s go eat. We’ll think after dinner.”
Ben sniffed and agreed with a “howl”.
As for himself, Nol thought, he couldn’t let Teest’s brilliant idea go to waste. It was time to study those bizarre potions from the Eternal Church.
After dinner, he needed to talk to Fischer.
……
Fischer believed in Teest, and Teest believed in Nol. With this wonderful nesting doll relationship, Fischer’s attitude towards Nol was still okay.
“Only the Pope knows the exact source of the potion.” High Priest Fischer sold out his former employer quite calmly. “There is indeed a difference between the Supplement Demon Potion and the Age Reversion Potion. The former has stock; you just go and apply when it’s used up. The latter, it is said, is issued along with the oracle. That’s all I know at my level.”
Coincidentally, there was a Pope here. Nol turned his questioning gaze to Painter—Painter was happily sipping apple cider with grilled meat, looking blissfully content.
Feeling Nol’s gaze, he decisively shook his head. “Don’t look at me. Although the Temple of Life isn’t much, we don’t have those kinds of bizarre potions.”
“What about the oracle?” Nol casually continued.
Painter’s action of pouring the wine paused imperceptibly, and when he spoke again, his tone was as usual. “Well… no comment, no comment. Our relationship hasn’t reached that stage yet, young man.”
Nol didn’t expect Painter to tell him directly—the mystery of the oracle was known only to the Pope within both religions, clearly not information that could be casually shared.
However, Painter’s choice of words was interesting. He could casually mention a “price” for his own oracle, but when it came to the source of the oracle, he only had one sentence about having nothing to do with it.
Painter could no longer be loyal to the Temple of Life. Nol could only understand that the secret of the oracle was of great significance, like the secret of the dragon race. A little carelessness could bring great disaster.
“Forget it.”
Nol breezily changed the topic. “I’m just about to go to Ice Rock City. I should first figure out the little secrets of the Eternal Church.”
“Then you must take me along!” Painter drained his cup of apple cider.
The next day, Knight Saint Bernard prepared a goat snow cart for them.
Two sturdy snow goats pulled the wooden cart fitted with sleds. The cart was lined with thick leather, not letting in a bit of cold wind. The knight also gave them a metal thermos engraved with thermal insulation magic for warming hands.
They seemed afraid that these hairless humans would freeze to death.
Knight Alaskan drove the goats in front of the cart, while Saint Bernard accompanied the four inside. The snow cart slid swiftly on the thick ice, as fast as flying.
“The First Brigade of the Investigation Knights is over there.” Saint Bernard carefully instructed, “I will take you all the way into the tent. Only after they confirm your identities will we leave.”
“It’s not that I doubt you, but only after the humans on that side sign off will our responsibility here completely end. After that, the affairs of you folks will be entirely up to the Temple,” he patiently added, fearing they might misunderstand.
Well, that’s good. As long as the Temple signs off, even if they start going mad afterward, it won’t affect this lovely race.
“Sir Knight, are there other races nearby?”
Teest naturally leaned on Nol’s shoulder and asked “innocently”.
Knight Saint Bernard’s furry face darkened for a moment.
“No.” He said listlessly, “That human knight order doesn’t get along well with anyone. No one wants to be near them.”
That meant there were no other racial territories nearby. Nol casually wrapped his arm around Teest’s shoulder, frantically mapping out possibilities in his mind. In case things went awry, they needed to find the easiest escape route.
Fischer looked puzzled at their intimate actions. It was unknown what he was thinking, but his expression gradually became calm again.
With the muffled wind outside the cart, Nol closed his eyes.
……
Black Forest, Lost Tower.
“What did you say?” Lynn pressed her temples and asked.
“…Mr. Xu has evolved into the new Demon King.”
Anakin took a sip of fruit soda, reaching for the crispy pepper chips. Awesome, only the Lost Tower had such authentic Earth food.
She was numb to the news of “Xu Yue being the Demon King”. It didn’t matter—Paradise, heroes, Demon Kings—they were all their own people, so she could just take it one step at a time.
As long as that Mad Monk wasn’t staring at her side, her psychological pressure in Paradise was almost zero.
Poor Miss Lynn was still trying to digest this fact.
“That is to say…” Witch Lynn summarized in despair, “The creators of the previous three worlds were all from Earth, and for some reason, they became Demon Kings. Now it’s Xu Yue’s turn, and the system has issued a mainline quest to kill him. Is that it?”
“And now the Temple of Life is already on their trail, so that guy doesn’t dare to contact home at all, rushing towards those lunatic headquarters.”
“Pretty much.” Anakin crunched on the chips.
Wow, that’s really thrilling when you put it like that.
“How did the Players react?” Lynn took several deep breaths.
Anakin swallowed her chips, her expression becoming serious.
“Hot Ash has doubts.” She said quickly, “With the elite group incident, both Dorothy and Hot Ash felt that the game was getting weirder. They plan to contact Mentor to discuss this matter.”
“But it’s hard to control ordinary Players. Once they see that wishes can be fulfilled, they get excited. If it weren’t for a few strong leaders, morale would disperse.”
“This can’t go on.” Lynn sat back in her chair, worried. “If the Players become more aggressive, they definitely won’t accept leaders being cautious at this time… You need to be more careful. If anything goes wrong, come to Paradise immediately.”
“Thanks, Lin Jie.”
Anakin happily agreed, then remembered something. “Oh, you have a way to contact Mr. Xu, right? I have a very important matter.”
“Eugene and Golden Sword are heading to Ice Rock City. Tell them to be very careful.”
Lynn’s expression that had just relaxed suddenly returned to agony.
“…Okay.”
The author has something to say:
Furry, furry~
Fischer: They must be acting.
Fischer: Look, what a great performance!
Painter: (Doesn’t want to talk to this Eternal Church’s lifelong single)
The award ceremony was broadcast live on television and online platforms. The moment the awards were announced, it wasn’t just Ran Lin and Gu Jie who were happy with Lu Yiyao’s win.
At Fan Li’s house in Xicheng, Lu Yimeng excitedly spilled her popcorn and immediately called her mother, who hadn’t returned from the company yet, to announce the good news.
In Dongcheng, Lu Guoming, who rarely came home early, was sitting on the sofa in the living room drinking tea, showing a trace of satisfaction while watching the television that he hardly turned on more than a few times a year.
On Weibo, fans of “God Lu” were overcome with emotion. Despite having been nominated twice at international A-list film festivals and returning empty-handed, this time, although it was just a domestic celebration, he had finally won the Best Actor award and could bring home the trophy.
Long after sitting down, Ran Lin still felt the warmth of his lover’s body.
Lu Yiyao elegantly ascended the stage, received the trophy from the presenter, and stood alone at the center of the vast stage as the presenters exited, leaving only the Best Actor.
Lu Yiyao adjusted the height of the microphone, then slowly raised his head, his smile fading to a calm and solemn demeanor. “I always wondered, while watching others receive awards, why everyone just thanks others. Can’t there be something fresh? But as I adjusted the microphone just now, I understood. There’s nothing new because, at this moment, only gratitude fills your mind…”
“…Thank you to the director for trusting me and choosing me for this role; thank you to the entire crew for your hard work, which made <Split Moon> possible and allowed me to bask in its glory…”
“…I also want to thank my friend. When I first joined the crew, I couldn’t find my bearings and called a friend who gave me a lot of insights…”
“Thank you.”
When Lu Yiyao said these final words, his gaze was fixed forward, seemingly giving a firm conclusion to his acceptance speech.
But Ran Lin knew, those words were meant for him.
That night they video chatted, they talked a lot about each other’s performances, not only Lu Yiyao’s <Split Moon> but also his <Chronicles of Winter>, as both were nearly entering their respective filming crews at the same time, both in the initial stage of finding their footing.
But what exactly had he offered Lu Yiyao that night in terms of constructive advice?
Ran Lin really couldn’t remember.
The only thing he remembered was that sentence—“My spirit is with you. If you miss me, just look up into the sky.”
……
The night after the award ceremony, Ran Lin and Lu Yiyao celebrated in the most primal way. The next morning, while Lu Yiyao energetically went to the company, Ran Lin continued to sleep off his aches and pains.
Two days later, Ran Lin boarded a plane with his luggage, heading to Xi’an to shoot <Youth of Wuling>.
Lu Yiyao really wanted to go and see for himself, but he was too tied up with work and had to send Yao Hong instead. Yao Hong’s main responsibility was to look after Ran Lin, while the producer was fully responsible for the shooting itself and would report directly to Lu Yiyao. This seasoned producer, brought in by Yao Hong and a friend for many years, was reliable in both his professionalism and character.
Not long after Ran Lin joined the crew, Lu Yiyao ran into Huo Yuntao at a cocktail party.
It was a charity cocktail party organized by a group closely related to the entertainment industry, attracting many industry leaders to support the event. Lu Yiyao, needing to familiarize himself with the circle and establish his transition from artist to business owner, attended to meet more people and assert his new role.
However, Rome wasn’t built in a day, especially since Lu Yiyao had recently been in the spotlight at the film festival, inevitably leading to some light-hearted ribbing. As soon as he appeared, someone familiar greeted him with, “Isn’t this Emperor Lu?”
The teasing wasn’t malicious, but it lacked a certain respect. Nonetheless, Lu Yiyao responded graciously, “President Sun.”
This President Sun’s company was small, without investments in any major productions, and had no prior collaboration with Lu Yiyao. They were merely acquaintances in the industry, looking to make light conversation at the dull event.
But unexpectedly, Lu Yiyao’s maturity and ease, despite being under thirty, somewhat embarrassed the other man, who then turned serious and said, “I heard your company’s first project has already started shooting?”
“Yes,” Lu Yiyao replied with a smile. “With so many mouths to feed at the company, we had to start shooting or drink the northwest wind*.”
*(喝西北风) Idiom referring to experiencing poverty or going through tough times without basic necessities. It suggests that if someone doesn’t work hard, manage their affairs well, or if a situation turns bad, they might end up with nothing to eat or no means to support themselves—essentially left with nothing but the northwest wind to ‘drink’.
“President Lu, you’re being modest,” President Sun changed his address. “Everyone knows that’s a big project for your company.”
“Only if it’s done with ease is it considered a big project. If it requires staking everything, then it’s a gamble.” Lu Yiyao sighed theatrically. “Maybe next year at this charity event, President Sun, you won’t find me.”
President Sun was amused by the joke but was internally surprised.
An artist turned businessman maintaining such poise and demeanor was likable but not unexpected. Yet, Lu Yiyao didn’t show even a hint of his former artist self; instead, he exuded the aura of a peer through and through, with every word and action suggesting seasoned business acumen. He knew Lu Yiyao as a former artist, or else he would have definitely mistaken him for a businessman through and through.
While President Sun was preoccupied with his thoughts, Lu Yiyao was unsettled.
He realized that in the moment of interacting with President Sun, he had been channeling his father’s spirit. His mannerisms and speech were highly reminiscent of Lu Guoming, as he remembered him.
Lu Yiyao didn’t often see his father in business mode, but the few times he did left a lasting impression. He vividly remembered his determination not to become a second Lu Guoming, leading him to forgo business school and secretly apply to study drama in defiance of his father.
Yet, after all the twists and turns, he found himself back at the starting point.
But Lu Yiyao had no regrets about these detours. Because life isn’t just about the outcome; it’s about the journey. If he had chosen business from the start, he wouldn’t have experienced all that followed: falling in love with Ran Lin, meeting friends like Xia Xinran, Gu Jie, and Tang Xiaoyu, and even solidifying his direction in life as he had now… If there was anything consistent in both paths, it would probably only be Huo Yuntao.
This person appeared too early, long before he even started to consider his life’s path, so whether he went into business or acting, it didn’t affect his relationship with this person. Thinking about it carefully, it really is a bad influence and a fateful bond between friends…
“Hello, do you really not see me or just don’t want to greet me?”
A familiar voice pulled Lu Yiyao back from his thoughts, and then he was stunned.
“Why are you here?” Lu Yiyao wondered if his mind contained a magic lamp like Aladdin’s, so as soon as he reminisced, the person would appear in real life.
Huo Yuntao, dressed in a thin suit and holding a wine glass, looked at his old friend with a sad face. “What’s with that expression? Are you that unhappy to see me?”
“It’s not about whether I want to see you or not; it’s just scientifically implausible for you to be here,” Lu Yiyao retorted with good reason.
“How is it implausible? The organizers have business dealings with my family… Wait.” Huo Yuntao finally realized the problem. “What do you mean it doesn’t matter if I want to see you or not? Do you want to or not?”
“I do, I’ve been dying to see you.” Lu Yiyao laughed, his earlier composure nowhere to be found, now just a childlike figure bantering with his buddy. However, he hadn’t forgotten that his friend was now a married man and looked around. “Where’s Panxi?”
“She doesn’t like socializing,” Huo Yuntao explained.
Lu Yiyao looked at his friend somewhat sentimentally. “You don’t like it either.”
“What can I do? It’s my family’s business. If I don’t carry it, who will? It’s all fate.”
Lu Yiyao clinked his glass with him. “Wishing you wealth and prosperity.”
Huo Yuntao glanced at him irritably before saying, “Wishing you consecutive Best Actor wins.”
Lu Yiyao felt a teasing itch. “Can’t your blessing be a little more heartfelt?”
Huo Yuntao was deliberately teasing, now enjoying making his friend squirm, but after his fun, he finally got serious. “Has <Youth of Wuling> started shooting?”
By this time, the two had moved to a corner where they could chat casually without attracting attention.
“Yes,” Lu Yiyao said. “It started last week.”
Huo Yuntao nodded. “How is it? Will it make a loss?”
Lu Yiyao: “……”
Only a buddy like him could ask this; with anyone else, it might end a friendship.
But precisely because it was Huo Yuntao, Lu Yiyao knew he was genuinely worried about him losing everything.
Lu Yiyao: “Hard to say. It depends on whether the final production meets expectations.”
Huo Yuntao: “And if it does?”
Lu Yiyao: “Then it won’t make a loss, and the ratings will definitely explode.”
Huo Yuntao: “And if it doesn’t meet expectations?”
Lu Yiyao: “Then the wife might not be kept.”
Huo Yuntao: “It’s not that bad, right?”
Lu Yiyao: “To support me, Ran Lin acted this time without any remuneration.”
Huo Yuntao: “If I were him, I’d kick you out by now…”
Lu Yiyao smirked.
After hearing Ran Lin wanted to buy a villa and be his neighbor, he really thought about increasing his remuneration. But when it came time to talk money, Ran Lin refused even the original pay, and his reasoning was solid—considering his remuneration as an investment in the project, if it lost, he’d chalk it up to bad luck, but if it earned, he wanted a higher share of the profits.
Of course, Ran Lin wasn’t really after high risk, high returns; even someone as slow as Lu Yiyao knew this was his way of supporting the new businessman in his life.
If <National First Love Drift Story> opened up Ran Lin’s fame, <Sword of Fallen Blossom> brought him his first wave of popularity. Then <Chronicles of Winter> and <Dyeing Fire> were helping him ride a new wave of popularity, elevating his status and raising his value dramatically.
With Ran Lin’s current momentum, returning to TV dramas meant his remuneration would be much higher than during <The Legend of Lantern Blossoms>, and even then, his pay for <The Legend of Lantern Blossoms> had already doubled from <Sword of Fallen Blossoms>. Recently, Yao Hong had set Ran Lin’s TV drama remuneration to 400,000–450,000 per episode. Of course, this quote included some leeway, but even if the producers intended to negotiate down, 300,000–350,000 per episode was the baseline. Whether Ran Lin’s remuneration rose or fell in the future would depend on his career trajectory, but at this stage, that was the number.
<Youth of Wuling> was planned for 46 episodes, and if they hadn’t chosen Ran Lin but another actor of the same popularity, the over ten million in remuneration would be a normal expense. But now, because it was Ran Lin, that money was effectively saved.
They say talking about money hurts relationships.
But Lu Yiyao felt that real mutual trust in a relationship isn’t afraid of discussing money. Naturally, he turned to Ran Lin to be the male lead in his heavily invested drama, confident in Ran Lin even before the latter’s popularity surge. Conversely, Ran Lin, believing in his vision and capability, offered to act for free, essentially sharing the risk with him.
Would Ran Lin’s participation guarantee the success of the drama? Lu Yiyao couldn’t be sure.
Was every project Lu Yiyao invested in destined to be successful? Ran Lin probably couldn’t say for sure either.
But that was their love—trusting each other, striving together, sharing the losses, and enjoying the gains.
“Can you not act like ‘the luckiest guy in the world’ every time we talk about your significant other?” Huo Yuntao had had enough. He could bear being fed dog food when they were unmarried, but after marriage, this constant show of affection was unbearable!
“I know you’re married, and happily so. No need to keep flashing your wedding ring in my face.” Lu Yiyao irritably swatted away his friend’s hand so as not to be blinded by the diamond. “Besides, what’s a man doing wearing a diamond ring? Platinum is enough.”
“That’s sexist,” Huo Yuntao retorted, turning the ring on his ring finger, convinced the diamond ring he chose for himself was quite appealing.
In fact, Huo Yuntao’s ring was quite nice. Though it was a diamond ring, it wasn’t overly large. The diamond was small and elegant, set in the groove of a platinum band, slightly flat on the surface, giving a very gentlemanly and elegant look.
But to Lu Yiyao, this was as provocative as bragging about shampoo in front of a monk.
Actually, Huo Yuntao wasn’t unjustly accused, as he was indeed flaunting deliberately. Seeing his friend’s head in the clouds whenever Ran Lin was mentioned, he felt the need to bring him back to earth occasionally. “When do you plan to tell your family about your relationship?”
Lu Yiyao was daydreaming about the beautiful future when he and Ran Lin would wear matching rings when suddenly his friend brought him back to reality. After a pause, he replied, “I’ll tell them next week.”
Huo Yuntao was startled. His intention was to make his friend not be blinded by happiness in front of him, but he hadn’t expected him to act so impulsively. “There’s no need to rush; you need to plan this carefully. You can’t just rush into battle because I mentioned it.”
Lu Yiyao realized his friend had some misunderstandings about his plan to come out. “You think I decided just now?”
Huo Yuntao frowned. “Isn’t it?”
Lu Yiyao: “Am I someone who acts impulsively?”
Huo Yuntao spoke honestly. “You aren’t usually, but when it comes to matters involving Ran Lin, you’ve always been bold.”
“…” Lu Yiyao found himself at a loss for words. Whether it was realizing his feelings for Ran Lin, coming to terms with his own identity, or even his confession, it seemed just as Huo Yuntao said: once he decided, he acted decisively. Looking back, he wanted to give himself a pat on the back for his boldness.
Unable to refute, he skipped the topic and went straight to the point. “Next week is my lunar birthday. I had promised my mom and sister to go home, so…”
“So you’ve also been considering coming out during this occasion?” Huo Yuntao began to understand his friend’s line of thought.
Lu Yiyao nodded. “The birthday atmosphere is just right.”
Huo Yuntao imagined the scene and felt his friend’s twenty-eighth birthday might be a disaster. “Are you sure you don’t want to reconsider? A thunderbolt from the blue amidst all the happiness might be too much of an emotional gap, making it even harder to accept.”
Lu Yiyao shook his head, obviously having thought it through. “There’s never a perfect time for these things. If I wait for everyone to be in a bad mood, the gap won’t be as big, but that would just add to the gloom.”
“That’s true,” Huo Yuntao admitted, not wanting to say more since his friend had considered it thoroughly. But then he thought of something else. “Isn’t Ran Lin going with you? After all, this involves both of you.”
Lu Yiyao looked down at his crystal-clear wine glass for a long while before responding, “I want to make sure everything at home is settled before I bring him over.”
Huo Yuntao pursed his lips. He understood his friend’s logic but couldn’t help feeling sorry for him.
After a while, he finally spoke up to advise. “Facing it together as a couple can make you stronger than just 1 + 1 > 2.”
Lu Yiyao slowly looked up, his eyes calm but determined. “I want him to face only sunny days.”
Huo Yuntao watched his friend for a long time, then suddenly pulled out his phone and held it to his face. “Hello, police? There’s a guy here crazy in love throwing dog food around. Are you going to do something about it or not—”
……
Ran Lin had been shooting for over a week now.
Even disregarding his relationship with Lu Yiyao and objectively evaluating, this was one of the most cohesive TV drama crews Ran Lin had been part of. Similar to <Dyeing Fire>, <Youth of Wuling> didn’t have many stakeholders and interest groups involved. The entire crew was controlled by Lu Yiyao, led by the producer, and decided by the director, creating a unified team rather than a collection of various parties. This kind of team felt more like a collective, with everyone working towards a common goal.
Moreover, <Youth of Wuling> was less worrisome in terms of actors compared to <Dyeing Fire>. Besides Ran Lin and Tang Xiaoyu, the rest of the actors were carefully selected, prioritizing professional skill and reputation over popularity. Furthermore, as a modern urban drama, <Youth of Wuling> inherently had lower acting demands than <Dyeing Fire>. Thanks to the director’s casting control, many actors could perform naturally, adding a fresh and authentic feel.
All these factors led to a stable shooting progress, allowing the director more time to refine scenes and actors to spark more intense performances, making the acting more thrilling and satisfying.
This particular day was about shooting a scene where Ran Lin and Tang Xiaoyu, playing best friends, were wandering around the Bell and Drum Tower Square, reflecting on their perplexing lives, when they happened upon a pickpocket targeting a bystander. Acting heroically, they intervened, but their good deed unexpectedly resulted in retaliation from the pickpocket’s gang. However, these two weren’t easy targets and quickly called for backup, turning a simple act of bravery into a gang fight. Though the police intervened as soon as it started, the incident still disrupted public order, landing both the friends and the thieves in jail. Fortunately, the initial victim stood up to testify, clearing their names, albeit they still received a stern lecture from the police.
For shooting in such busy, open areas, the crew usually aimed for quick, decisive action. As actors, they would get ready and travel to the location, starting the shoot promptly upon arrival.
Ran Lin and Tang Xiaoyu were the leads, while the pickpocket and the victim were played by extras. From makeup to setting off, they were separate from these actors until they arrived on set, where they saw a group already gathered, listening to the assistant director’s instructions.
“Are you ready?” the already present director asked them.
It was a weekday morning around ten o’clock. The shops around the square were all open, though it wasn’t yet the peak of customer traffic, creating a bustling yet orderly scene perfect for filming.
Ran Lin and Tang Xiaoyu knew the director wanted to make quick work of it, so they nodded in unison.
The director was pleased and said, “Let’s walk through the entire thing first to familiarize yourselves with the positions and paths.”
In the scene, Ran Lin and Tang Xiaoyu needed to chase the pickpocket, so the running paths and directions were important.
Without hesitation, Ran Lin and Tang Xiaoyu positioned themselves in front of the camera and started their “casual stroll.”
The director watched from behind the monitor, occasionally giving directions.
Once they had “strolled” enough, the director had the assistant notify the assistant director to bring over the “pickpocket” and the “victim” for the heroic intervention part of the scene. The “beating” and “retaliation” were to be shot later.
Ran Lin watched as the assistant director brought over three people. Two wore baseball caps, obscuring their faces, but with backpacks and dressed in casual sportswear, they looked like young tourists; the other was in a jacket, unremarkable and lost in the crowd, but with eyes darting around, vividly embodying the term “shifty-eyed”.
The trio stopped a few meters away from them, where the assistant director briefed them. Strangely enough, the “pickpocket” looked up attentively, while the two “tourists” kept their heads down, hiding their faces under the brim of their caps from Ran Lin and Tang Xiaoyu’s view.
Tang Xiaoyu didn’t notice anything amiss, busy rehearsing his lines and actions in his mind.
But the more Ran Lin watched, the more suspicious he became—no, extremely suspicious…
Without warning, Ran Lin briskly approached them, bent down, and looked up under the caps, indeed finding a pair of all-too-familiar eyes beneath!
“Damn—” Gu Jie was the first to react, snatching off his baseball cap. “You recognized us just like that?!”
Xia Xinran rolled his eyes and reluctantly looked up but didn’t address Ran Lin, first glaring at Gu Jie. “I told you your walk is distinctive!”
Ran Lin laughed heartily, quickly coming to Gu Jie’s defense. “Don’t blame others. I recognized you two by your figures as soon as you came over!”
Finally, Xia Xinran turned to Ran Lin and hugged him. “So, you also really do keep us in your heart—”
Gu Jie frowned. What’s with the “also”? But before he could dwell on it, he locked eyes with the smiling Ran Lin across Xia Xinran’s back and promptly said, “We’re here to visit the set!”
“And make a friendly cameo?” Tang Xiaoyu walked over, having grasped the situation, delighted like Ran Lin.
“Since we’re here, of course we should make a cameo,” Xia Xinran released Ran Lin, chuckling. “It’s not easy to owe Teacher Lu a favor; gotta seize the opportunity!”
“So it was Lu Yiyao who invited you?” Tang Xiaoyu guessed, following Xia Xinran’s logic.
But was immediately half-denied by Beauty Xia. “We just wanted to visit the set, and it happened that Teacher Lu wanted us to make a cameo, so it was a perfect match!”
Ran Lin looked towards Gu Jie.
The latter nodded. “Yep.”
Ran Lin grinned. If Gu Jie confirmed it, then it must be true.
Xia Xinran frowned. “Why do you need his confirmation after I’ve said it…”
Because you don’t seem reliable. The assistant director, who had witnessed the whole scene, couldn’t help but chuckle internally, yet also noticed these people truly had a strong bond. But with limited time, he had to be the party pooper. “Shall we run through the scene now?”
Reminded by the assistant director, everyone immediately became professional, ready to work.
Ran Lin and Tang Xiaoyu moved to sit on some nearby steps, pretending to be bored and looking at the sky, while Xia Xinran and Gu Jie positioned themselves in front of the camera, donning their baseball caps and exuding youthful vibes. The pickpocket waited not far behind them, ready to strike.
At the clap of the slate, Gu Jie and Xia Xinran walked shoulder to shoulder, Xia Xinran opening a map on his phone, discussing the surroundings with Gu Jie, stopping now and then as if they were pure and innocent tourists visiting for the first time.
The pickpocket, following closely behind, approached the two. As they huddled over the map, he opened Xia Xinran’s backpack and swiftly swiped a wallet…
“Hey—”
With a shout for justice, Ran Lin leaped into action!
The thief turned to run, and Ran Lin chased after him like a whirlwind, while Tang Xiaoyu rushed to the bemused Xia Xinran and Gu Jie, who hadn’t yet realized what was happening.
“Your wallet!” Tang Xiaoyu, too rushed to be eloquent, pointed in the direction Ran Lin was chasing.
Xia Xinran blinked, still bewildered.
Gu Jie looked back, saw Xia Xinran’s opened backpack, and instantly understood, slapping Xia Xinran on the head. “Your wallet—”
Xia Xinran finally snapped out of it. “Then why hit me! Chase the thief!”
Such was their way; the fact they managed to travel safely at all was a miracle. Tang Xiaoyu, no longer caring to explain, chased after Ran Lin!
Gu Jie and Xia Xinran promptly followed, sprinting away!
As everyone exited the frame, the take was successfully completed.
As soon as “cut” was heard, Xia Xinran immediately retaliated by slapping Gu Jie’s head.
Tang Xiaoyu quickly intervened. “Don’t do that. It’s part of acting.”
Xia Xinran looked aggrieved. “There was no such action in the script. It was his improvisation!”
Gu Jie insisted, “That’s the character’s personality. The action makes it closer to the character’s inner world.”
Xia Xinran was speechless. “You’re just making a cameo! What inner world?”
Gu Jie shrugged. “The script doesn’t write it, but you can explore it yourself, that’s an actor’s self-cultivation.”
“……” Tang Xiaoyu looked at Ran Lin beside him and suddenly understood why he was closer to these two than himself. He didn’t try to mediate because this illogical bickering wasn’t about reason but enjoyment.
‘Different strokes for different folks*’, Tang Xiaoyu thought; friendship indeed comes in all sorts and shapes.
*One kind of rice provides for one hundred kinds of people (一样米养百样人) Idiom referring to everybody thinks and acts a little differently even when we’re all in the same environment.
Xia Xinran and Gu Jie were only there for a day’s cameo, so after the morning’s outdoor shooting, they immediately moved to the police station’s interior set for the afternoon.
Ran Lin hadn’t seen Xia Xinran act before, let alone act with him. Even the morning’s chase scene didn’t require much acting from Xia Xinran and Gu Jie; being startled, then following in pursuit was the extent of it, with the focus still on Ran Lin and the thief.
But the afternoon’s “victim coming to the police station to testify” scene required real acting.
As the slate closed, Ran Lin and Tang Xiaoyu stood dejectedly on one side, Gu Jie waiting as an observer rather than a victim, while Xia Xinran, having explained the situation to the police, came over to them. His eyes lifted, filled with remorse, so convincing that Ran Lin nearly softened, ready to say “it’s okay” before Xia Xinran even spoke.
“I’m sorry…” Xia Xinran’s usual liveliness was gone, his face reflecting a complex mix of annoyance, shame, relief at having apologized, and apprehension for what was to come.
Ran Lin was surprised by Xia Xinran’s nuanced portrayal of emotions, instantly getting into character. “It’s okay.”
“Next time, don’t put your wallet in the backpack. Keep it close to your body,” Tang Xiaoyu also reminded, but he had to murmur under his breath due to the presence of the police officer.
“Alright, you can go now.” The police officer finally stood up, his tone earnest. “Remember, it’s good to act bravely for a just cause, but violence should not be met with violence.”
“Cut—”
With that, their cameo appearance was wrapped up.
Xia Xinran couldn’t wait to run to the monitor to see how well he performed.
Ran Lin was also curious and followed, only to find Xia Xinran standing beside the monitor, staring blankly at the director.
As Ran Lin approached, he realized that Xia Xinran wasn’t fixated on the director but rather on the person sitting next to the director, who was also intently looking at the monitor, casually dressed and wearing a fisherman’s hat.
“Teacher Lu?!” Xia Xinran finally found his voice.
Having already experienced many surprises that day, Ran Lin was relatively calm by this point. However, while his face remained composed, his heart was blooming with joy, as if surrounded by fragrant flowers and buzzing bees collecting nectar.
Lu Yiyao took off his hat and looked up graciously.
Xia Xinran slapped his shoulder. “You kept it well hidden!” Realizing the change in status, he immediately regretted his familiarity, especially in front of so many people. It was important to preserve Boss Lu’s dignity as a boss, so his hand quickly retreated, pretending the patting and playing were not his doing.
Lu Yiyao, seeing through his thoughts, chuckled softly and then slowly turned his gaze to Ran Lin.
Ran Lin’s heart blossomed like a garden, politely addressing him, “Boss Lu…”
It was the first time Lu Yiyao heard Ran Lin call him that, unexpectedly pleasant, making him feel almost light-headed.
“Teacher Lu, I knew it was you the moment you walked in, but I didn’t blow your cover. Considerate, right?” Gu Jie’s voice reached them before he even approached.
Just like that, any sense of floating or charm dissipated, crashing Lu Yiyao back to reality.
……
Though Lu Yiyao was resolute and even confident when discussing coming out with Huo Yuntao, the contemplation alone in his somewhat empty room back at the villa brought an inevitable nervousness. Rehearsing and foreseeing the possible outcomes, he had to admit, there was trepidation.
This apprehension was different from when he defied his parents to choose drama and performance. That was just a rebellion on the path of growth, meant to irk his father intentionally. The more infuriated Lu Guoming got, the more satisfying it felt to him.
But this time was different.
Choosing to spend the rest of his life with Ran Lin, or, more broadly, choosing to be with a man, was like taking a sharp turn in the second half of his life. It meant dismantling and reassembling all his parents’ expectations and plans for his marriage and life. But “reassembling” wasn’t the hardest part; the challenge was getting his parents to accept this “dismantling”.
For him, the hardest thing to face was never his parents’ “anger” but their “sorrow”. So, whenever he imagined his parents’ disappointment and sadness, it suffocated him.
People tend to avoid or delay confronting foreseen difficulties, but Lu Yiyao didn’t. He would still celebrate his birthday and come out on that day as planned. However, to ease his mind, he decided to bring forward the set visit, including Gu Jie and Xia Xinran’s cameo, originally scheduled for next month—if hard times awaited him post-coming out, he wanted to enjoy some happy memories first for sustenance during the tough times ahead.
But these arrangements were unrelated to Ran Lin and his visiting friends that day.
So, when the five of them gathered for dinner that evening, Gu Jie asked him why he came without notice. He replied, “To surprise you.”
“It’s to surprise Ran Lin, right?” Xia Xinran teased. “You made me and Gu Jie surprise him first, then you came in for a follow-up, layering the joy… Clever. Becoming a boss really changes a person.”
“Do you regret not signing with my company?” Lu Yiyao joked.
“Thank goodness I didn’t.” Xia Xinran shuddered at the thought. “You’re almost raising Ran Lin to the heavens.”
“Boss Lu, how about considering me?” Tang Xiaoyu volunteered earnestly. “My contract expires the year after next!”
Gu Jie nearly choked on his tea, exasperatedly saying, “You can bring that up after two years!”
Tang Xiaoyu shrugged. “Just getting a head start. I think this company has a bright future; better book my spot early.”
“I have to admit that,” Xia Xinran rarely gave such positive feedback, “You can tell a lot of money has been poured into this drama.”
Lu Yiyao was amused, accepting all the teasing with a smile.
He relished these light-hearted gatherings, occasionally looking at Ran Lin, feeling even more grounded.
Ran Lin felt there was something unusual about Lu Yiyao today. A surprise visit was definitely delightful, but there seemed to be something else flickering in his lover’s eyes. Ran Lin couldn’t discern what it was and wasn’t even sure if it was real or just his sixth sense ringing false alarms.
Shaking his head, Ran Lin decided not to dwell on it and to simply ask later when they were alone.
With this in mind, he recalled what Xia Xinran had mentioned on the way to the restaurant that it was a rare trip to the area not for work, so he and Gu Jie planned to be proper tourists the next day before flying back to Beijing.
Ran Lin was curious about what constituted a “proper tourist” for them. “So, what’s your plan for tomorrow?”
Xia Xinran, who had been inquiring about the drama crew’s logistics and shooting plans from Tang Xiaoyu, wanted to understand just how extravagant Teacher Lu was.
Thus, Gu Jie responded to the question. “In the morning, eat roujiamo with liangpi, lamb stew with bread for lunch followed by a steamer of soup dumplings. Dinner is undecided, tossing between biangbiang noodles and saozi noodles, but I also want to try the meatball hulu soup. For late-night snacks, we’ll stroll around and maybe buy some persimmon cakes…”
Ran Lin: “…Is there any activity outside of dining? Just eating all day?”
“There won’t be time.” Ran Lin brutally cut off his friend. “I personally think you guys will be ready for late-night snacks and persimmon cakes after coming back from Huaqing Pool…”
Ghost Mansion, Eastern Courtyard, the Heavenly Realm.
With its waterside pavilions, terraces, towers, and fragrant flowers, the architecture was stunningly beautiful, as if a pleasant breeze graced the face. If not for the swirling dark aura and the oppressive low clouds, Xu Wang might have mistaken it for a dwelling of immortals.
The Starving Ghost had said this place was rich in ghost energy. Xu Wang couldn’t judge for himself but was a bit curious, so he asked the Starving Ghost vaguely, “How does it feel?”
At this moment, they were following the Heavenly Realm’s steward to meet the boss.
The Starving Ghost sneakily glanced at the steward walking ahead, ensuring there was no scolding for whispering, then cautiously revealed a smile, silly yet blissful. “Good.”
Xu Wang inexplicably felt better too. “Still hungry?”
“The hunger is always there. That’s how I died, so I can’t change that. But…” The Starving Ghost patted his belly. “After absorbing enough ghost energy, it doesn’t make noise anymore. Hear that?”
Xu Wang chuckled. “If it doesn’t make noise, how can I hear it?”
The Starving Ghost actually thought about it for a while before nodding. “Right.”
Xu Wang had never seen anyone this naïve. Even the usually silent Wu Sheng couldn’t help but smile.
However, judging from the Starving Ghost’s stomach no longer rumbling, the Ghost Spring releasing ghost energy must be here, but its exact location remained unknown.
As Xu Wang pondered, they arrived at the Wutian Pavilion.
This three-story building was located at the deepest and highest point of the Eastern Courtyard.
The Heavenly Realm’s steward asked them to wait outside and went in to report.
After the steward entered the pavilion, Xu Wang shared his thoughts with Wu Sheng and the Starving Ghost. “This boss is funny, dividing his territory into the Underworld, Human Realm, and Heavenly Realm, but the place he lives in is called the Wutian Pavilion*.”
*Clarity: [Wu] (无) means nothing, none, be without + [tian] (天) means sky, heaven. So combined, it’s on the line of “No Heaven”, which is a bit ironic considering he resides in the Heavenly Realm.
Wu Sheng, expecting a significant tactical discussion, was speechless and turned Xu Wang’s head back towards the pavilion. “Instead of thinking about these nonsensical things, better focus your thoughts on ‘Where is the Ghost Spring*.'”
*He says this in English.
Xu Wang: “……”
Although he knew his advisor was trying to avoid revealing their mission and chose a mix of Chinese and English, it still felt like taking unfair advantage, or rather, taking advantage of ghosts!
Unsurprisingly, the Starving Ghost was confused. “What are you talking about?”
Before Xu Wang could fabricate a lie, Wu Sheng unexpectedly provided an explanation first. “Local dialect.”
The Starving Ghost grew more curious. “Then what did you just say? Instead of thinking about these nonsensical things, better focus your thoughts on?”
Wu Sheng said, “Me.”
Starving Ghost, “Huh?”
Wu Sheng: “Better focus your thoughts on me.”
Starving Ghost: “A single word takes that long to say?”
Wu Sheng: “Yes.”
Xu Wang: “……”
Not wanting to deal with Wu Sheng’s creative responses, Captain Xu Wang silently looked at the dark clouds, which slowly transformed into the faces of Qian Ai and Kuang Jinxin.
He wondered how his two companions were doing now…
Ghost Mansion, Eastern Courtyard, the Underworld, residence of the Dream Ghost.
Inside the house, a thin man with disheveled hair curled up on the bed, shivering. His eyes were tightly closed, muttering incoherently, and his pillow was soaked with sweat and tears.
Despite his obvious suffering, he refused to wake up, as if imprisoned on the bed, eternally trapped in a nightmare.
Outside the window, two figures observed in secret.
The trembling ghost was more pitiful than frightening, but a chilling sensation seeped through the window crack, penetrating their clothes and pores, invoking a deep, instinctual fear.
Kuang Jinxin: “Qian Ge, don’t be afraid.”
Qian Ai: “I’m not scared.”
Kuang Jinxin: “You’re stepping on my foot, and your foot keeps trembling on mine.”
Qian Ai: “……”
Kuang Jinxin: “When I was little, I always thought there were ghosts. I was scared every night. My grandma told me that humans are three parts afraid of ghosts, but ghosts are seven parts afraid of humans. It’s more scared of you than you are of it.”
Qian Ai: “My grandma told me ghosts eat disobedient children.”
Kuang Jinxin: “……”
Qian Ai: “If you want to laugh, just laugh. Don’t hold it in.”
Whether the grandchild is as dear as the grandma, it was hard to say.
Suddenly, a faint light flashed beneath the Dream Ghost!
Qian Ai and Kuang Jinxin tensed, watching intently.
The light flickered again, partly obscured by the Dream Ghost’s body, with only a glimpse visible, not very clear.
It was undoubtedly the badge.
But to get it, they would have to lift the Dream Ghost.
The two companions instinctively clenched their fists, mentally urging the Dream Ghost to turn over and reveal the light.
Unfortunately, the Dream Ghost didn’t cooperate.
They waited for a long time, but the Dream Ghost remained curled up in the same spot, as if the bed only had that small area for him to use. Despite ample space around, he showed no intention of changing positions or moving.
“If it comes to it, we’ll have to wake him up,” Qian Ai said. “Best if he gets off the bed, then your severed hand can go straight for the badge.”
Humans can’t go on the Dream Ghost’s bed, but a severed hand should be okay.
Kuang Jinxin thought the same. “Qian Ge, I’ll distract the Dream Ghost, then I’ll let the severed hand grab the badge from the bed. You’ll cover me from a hiding spot, and if something goes wrong, you’ll back me up.”
“Come on, I can’t let you go in front.” Qian Ai, though afraid, would never let a kid take his place. He’d rather fight the ghost himself. “I’ll lure the Dream Ghost away from the bed. Once he leaves, you take charge of the severed hand getting the badge.”
Determined, Qian Ai’s gaze firmed up.
“Remember, only the severed hand can go.” Qian Ai, already at the door, turned back to emphasize with lip movements. “You absolutely must not get on his bed.”
“Got it.” Kuang Jinxin, standing at a hidden spot by the window, nodded solemnly. “Be careful too, Qian Ge.”
In front of the Wutian Pavilion, the Heavenly Realm.
The steward returned, but the message he brought was unexpected. “The boss isn’t here. I’ll take you to your temporary accommodation.”
Xu Wang and Wu Sheng had been strategizing all the way, brainstorming ways to first deceive the boss and then find an opportunity to search for the Ghost Spring. They hadn’t expected such a stroke of luck.
The steward led them to a separate courtyard not far from the Wutian Pavilion, where they were told to settle down for now. They were informed that once the boss returned, they would be taken to see him. Before leaving, the steward reiterated sternly that they were not to wander around.
The exact words were: “The Heavenly Realm is a vital area of the Eastern Courtyard. It’s not a place for you to roam. Stay put in your rooms.”
Such words were frustrating for both humans and ghosts. As soon as the steward left, the two men and a ghost were eager to explore.
However, Xu Wang and Wu Sheng’s eagerness had a clear goal—finding the Ghost Spring. The Starving Ghost’s enthusiasm was purely due to the excitement of the moment, following along with them.
Xu Wang caught a glimpse of the expectant look on the Starving Ghost’s face and felt a pang of guilt that he had been suppressing.
The Starving Ghost wanted to play with his two friends.
But his two friends were plotting how to destroy the Eastern Courtyard and obliterate all its ghosts, including him.
Taking a deep breath, Xu Wang stepped back inside, found a chair, and sat down. “Xiao Hungry, have you ever thought about leaving the Eastern Courtyard?”
The sudden shift from eager readiness to a serious conversation caught Wu Sheng’s attention, but he remained silent.
The Starving Ghost, drawn in by Xu Wang’s question, replied, “Leave the Eastern Courtyard? Why?”
Because staying would mean death!
Xu Wang clenched his teeth and took several deep breaths to keep his voice steady and natural. “I know you just entered the Heavenly Realm and are looking forward to a bright future. But think about it, what’s so good about the Eastern Courtyard? The steward agreed to let us into the Heavenly Realm because we’re supposed to fight for the boss. We might be obliterated tomorrow; it’s so dangerous.”
The Starving Ghost looked puzzled. “Then why did you guys fight so hard to get into the Heavenly Realm?”
This unexpectedly astute counter-question stumped Xu Wang.
“Of course, we have our reasons,” Wu Sheng said calmly. “But definitely not to fight for the boss.”
This was almost the truth, just not very specific.
Surprised by Wu Sheng’s honesty, Xu Wang realized his own prepared response was almost identical. Had he spoken two seconds later, those words would have come from his own mouth.
Not wanting to deceive the Starving Ghost—they both felt the same way.
The Starving Ghost paused, not in shock or surprise, but simply gazing at them thoughtfully.
After a while, he finally spoke, his voice low and serious. “I don’t want to leave the Eastern Courtyard.”
Now it was Xu Wang and Wu Sheng’s turn to be taken aback.
He didn’t question their purpose but returned to the previous topic.
Xu Wang understood that the Starving Ghost’s words effectively rejected the suggestion to “leave the Eastern Courtyard.”
“I know you just entered the Heavenly Realm and are looking forward to a bright future. But I’m not trying to discourage you; fighting for the boss is a one-way street to destruction.” Xu Wang tried to reason, never having been so earnest in persuading anyone. “You said you liked the Eastern Courtyard because it’s peaceful, but once you meet the boss, there will be no more peaceful days.”
The Starving Ghost crouched, hugging his belly and looking down, seemingly in thought or feeling wronged.
“It’s not about leaving the Eastern Courtyard for the Western Courtyard,” Xu Wang continued, thinking he was hesitating. “You can leave this mansion entirely. The outside world is vast, with lots of fun and interesting things and plenty of peaceful and comfortable places.”
“I came here from the outside.” The Starving Ghost stared at the ground, speaking faintly. “I died out there. The world is vast, but I was bullied wherever I drifted. I was hungrier and more miserable than when I was alive…”
“After arriving here, I finally stopped drifting and settled down.” He looked up at Wu Sheng and Xu Wang. “I consider this place my home.”
Even the usually eloquent Xu Wang and the quick-witted Wu Sheng were at a loss for words.
They could persuade him to leave danger, but how could they convince him to leave his home?
Their “good intentions” lacked a solid foundation from the start.
The Starving Ghost remained crouched, gazing at them. After a long, silent exchange, he suddenly asked, “What exactly are you looking for?”
Xu Wang and Wu Sheng were startled.
“You’ve been looking around all the way. I didn’t think much of it at first,” the Starving Ghost grumbled, though not really angry. “Now that you say you’re not here to fight for the boss, you must be looking for something, right?”
Xu Wang looked at Wu Sheng, who gave a slight nod.
“The Ghost Spring.” Xu Wang whispered, “We want to find the Ghost Spring.”
The Starving Ghost tilted his head in confusion. “Just follow the ghost energy.”
Xu Wang fell silent for a few seconds, then looked up. “We can’t smell the ghost energy.”
“You’re also not a ghost?” The Starving Ghost’s voice was very low, but his astonishment was evident.
“Also?” Wu Sheng noticed something amiss.
The Starving Ghost sighed, looking at him. “I know you’re not a ghost.” He turned to Xu Wang. “But you too? How is that possible? When they tested for ghost energy in the Underworld, you clearly had it.”
“Wait.” Xu Wang needed to organize his thoughts. “How do you know he isn’t?”
The Starving Ghost blinked. “When they tested for ghost energy, he had none. If it weren’t for me helping him, he would have been exposed.”
Xu Wang: “You helped him?!”
Wu Sheng: “You helped me?!”
Both speaking in unison, then looking at each other—
Wu Sheng: “I thought you used the [Ghost Behind]. Didn’t you say you’d handle it?”
Xu Wang: “I did say that, but before I could act, you passed. I thought you used some stationery.”
Wu Sheng: “……”
Xu Wang: “……”
Their misunderstandings formed a perfect circle, missing the correct answer. When would they ever be cured of this…
Kinky Translations 