Chapter 058: The Beautiful Mural of Ji Xingchen.

Chapter 058: The Beautiful Mural of Ji Xingchen.

The wardrobe ghost stayed silent, straining to listen to the sounds outside without making a noise. Should Chi Shen discover he had interrupted, could he even remain in this house?

In truth, he had arrived here long ago, but with so many ghosts in the house, he dared not show himself. Feeling Chi Shen's aura, he considered emerging, but another, more formidable aura stopped him.

That menacing aura grew stronger until it clashed with Chi Shen's. After an extended time, it waned to a level he could tolerate. Judging by the remnants of the auras, he assumed a fight had taken place. Although Chi Shen seemed weaker initially, it appeared he won. To withstand such a powerful collision of auras and remain intact was impressive.

After a while, the wardrobe ghost cautiously opened the door, concerned about Chi Shen's wellbeing.

To his surprise, he saw Chi Shen binding someone, and the figure on the bed was unmistakably Ji Xingchen! That residual terrifying aura was emanating from Ji Xingchen!

It probably wasn’t a fight, but whatever caused such a powerful clash of auras, the wardrobe ghost, hiding as he was, didn’t care to probe. Young people, after all, have their moments.

Chi Shen finished binding Ji Xingchen No. 2's legs and arms with the red thread to preserve his dignity while hanging upside down.

He had obtained this strong, durable red thread from a human-skin tailor. Rather, it was a gift from the tailor. Chi Shen attempted to hang Ji Xingchen No. 2 from the ceiling but found no suitable spot, plus it looked rather unsightly.

Chi Shen stared at Ji Xingchen No. 2, dangling like a dead fish, yet this display seemed to dampen the emanating emotions.

Observing the fish-like Ji Xingchen No. 2, Chi Shen felt it was a waste of such a handsome face. He dismantled the shelf across the room, found nails, and embedded them into the wall effortlessly, creating barely a sound. This way, he could hang Ji Xingchen No. 2 without complaints.

Soon, Ji Xingchen entered to inform Chi Shen that the bath was ready. But upon entering, his words halted abruptly.

Across the bedroom wall, Chi Shen had chaotically spread red threads with Ji Xingchen No. 2 suspended in the center, arms folded across his chest. The scene looked both holy and eerie.

"Decent, right?" Chi Shen asked Ji Xingchen.

Ji Xingchen stared at the wall in silence for nearly a minute before asking, "You're keeping him in the bedroom?"

"Of course," Chi Shen responded matter-of-factly. "I brought him out; I am responsible for him. I'll keep him where I can easily see and suppress his aura."

Ji Xingchen gazed at Chi Shen's sweat-drenched hair and whispered, "There was no need to bring him out."

"Apart from using your phone, you only had this one request. How could I refuse?" Chi Shen said nonchalantly, pausing to admire his handiwork for a moment. "From this position, I can see him the moment I open my eyes. I can monitor his state every day. Perfect. Let's go, time for a bath."

Passing the wardrobe, Chi Shen rapped on its door, cheerfully greeting, "Good morning!"

The ghost inside the cabinet opened the door and waved, giving them a smile filled with hidden meaning. However, both Chi Shen and Ji Xingchen seemed not to notice.

After all the commotion, a pale glow began to form on the horizon, heralding the arrival of a new day. The chaotic and terrified ghosts gradually vanished, each retreating to their domain, sinking into a deep slumber.

As Chi Shen approached the bathroom, he spotted a female ghost squatting behind the door. On seeing him, she swiftly slipped away through the door crack, heading to another restroom, leaving behind faint bloodstains.

Chi Shen cleaned the blood himself before settling into the bathtub.

"Moving is so exhausting," Chi Shen thought with a sigh. After a whole night of work, he pondered that maybe he should move less in the future.

"Ji Xingchen..." Chi Shen, feeling a bit drowsy from the bath, called out, but there was no response.

Ji Xingchen hadn't come in.

"He never used to be so distant," Chi Shen mumbled, soaking for a while longer. Growing more fatigued by the minute, he finally climbed out, ready to return to bed.

Thankfully it was the weekend, Chi Shen thought with pleasure, anticipating a sleep-in till the afternoon.

Back in the bedroom, the bed was neatly made, with no trace of the blood left by Ji Xingchen 2. Without further ado, Chi Shen dove into the covers, drifting into a peaceful slumber.

He felt he needed to talk to Ji Xingchen about something, but... perhaps he'd address it after waking up.

By daybreak, the Bai family started to stir.

Bai Ximing first reviewed the surveillance report of the old mansion. Apart from a ghostly car that stopped briefly at the mansion's entrance the night before, nothing unusual occurred. Moreover, the car was recognized as that of a deceased rideshare driver who roamed the city.

He wasn't overly concerned, sticking to the plan to kidnap Chi Shen during daylight.

They wouldn't dare venture into the old mansion at night, so the ideal time to grab Chi Shen would be under broad daylight, without any ghostly aid. Bai Ximing thought Chi Shen's work hours suited this plan.

Though it was a weekend, without a functioning kitchen in the mansion, Bai Ximing assumed Chi Shen would dine out. Plus, past records showed Chi Shen ventured out during daylight every weekend. Therefore, he ordered his men to be vigilant and seize Chi Shen once he emerges.

However, the wait outside was fruitless. As midday approached, growing impatient, one of them thought that the ghosts wouldn't be as active in broad daylight and decided to barge in to find Chi Shen.

The sunlight shone upon the old mansion's blue tiles and white walls, making it seem less ominous. As the group entered, they found a serene environment devoid of the usual spine-chilling dread.

Is it because the sun is at its zenith?

No, it isn't.

They went to Chi Shen's room, only to find it deserted. The few personal items he had were now gone – clothes, charging cables, everything was missing.

Bai Xi Ming received a call. Under such circumstances, he chose to answer it personally.

"It seems Chi Shen has moved out."

Bai Xi Ming's brow furrowed, his voice cold, "When did he move? Didn't you say he just came back late last night?"

"We... we don't know."

Without hesitation, Bai Xi Ming commanded others, "Check the surveillance."

Then he heard another exclamation from the phone, "The main house is empty!"

Bai Xi Ming's expression darkened. The main house held the ancestral tablets of the Bai family. He hadn't expected Chi Shen to desecrate it before leaving. Was this an act of vengeance against the Bai family?

Another person cried out, "Why are there chains everywhere in the main house... and blood, so much blood!"

"Wait," Bai Xi Ming suddenly realized something was amiss, "Chains? Blood?"

"Chief," the person on the phone sounded panicked but forced himself to remain calm, "I think it's best if you come and see for yourself."

Bai Xi Ming hung up, his face grave. Since placing his father's tablet in the main house, he hadn't opened it for decades. What had transpired inside during that time?

He suddenly recalled He Lao's inexplicable retreat. Could it be related to whatever was in the main house?

Xu Xiu Yun, who was nearby, overheard Bai Xi Ming's conversation. She didn't fully understand the situation in the main house, but she did catch that Chi Shen had left the old residence. After Bai Xi Ming left the room looking troubled, she contemplated for a moment before calling Chi Shen.

At that moment, Chi Shen was deep in sleep. At the first ring, Ji Xing Chen silenced the phone, not allowing Xu Xiu Yun's call to disturb Chi Shen's rest.

Chi Shen slept until the afternoon. He first admired Ji Xing Chen No. 2 for a moment, thinking his creation exuded an artistic vibe, reminiscent of the melancholic internet literature that themed around "Roses and Death." He was rather proud of his taste. Although he felt he hadn't rested enough, hunger eventually forced him out of bed.

Ji Xing Chen was waiting for him at the bedroom door.

Seeing Ji Xing Chen suddenly invigorated Chi Shen. He remembered wanting to speak to Ji Xing Chen in the morning. Meeting Ji Xing Chen's gaze, he said, "I want to take a closer look at you."

Ji Xingchen removed his glasses. The profound gaze of Chi Shen met his eyes, seeing through the entirety of his life in a single glance.

It was a gentle and beautiful memory. In Ji Xingchen's recollection, every day was sunny. He had a mother who adored him, cradling him gently and narrating tales when he was young, and encouraging him to pursue his education independently as he grew. Yet, at some point... his mother mysteriously vanished.

Strangely, Ji Xingchen could not recall when his mother disappeared. That part of his memory was blurred. What followed were memories of his growth; getting into prestigious high schools and universities, working at multinational companies, everything seemed perfect and harmonious.

"Why would you feel pain?" Chi Shen, seeing Ji Xingchen's puzzled expression, smiled and said, "You are evidently wonderful."

*

Author's note:

Am I the first writer to depict a submissive tying up a dominant by the bedside?