Chapter 092: Chi Shen’s Preparation for Ascension.

Chapter 092: Chi Shen's Preparation for Ascension.

A hint of confusion appeared in Chi Shen's eyes as he looked at the dark child and tentatively called out, "Sister?"

The dark child glanced at him but paid no attention, clutching tightly onto Sheng Yulan. Her body was covered in blood, a gaping wound evident on her chest where she had been bitten. Her appearance was truly horrifying.

This injury seemed even more gruesome than the self-inflicted wounds Sheng Yulan had before. Yet, she didn't show any sign of pain. In fact, she even smiled, explaining to Chi Shen the situation.

Huang Lingling looked on, seeming somewhat discontented.

But Sheng Yulan took the initiative to hug her and said, "You too have had a tough life. Come, join us for dinner."

"Does that still make you my mother?" Huang Lingling's tone was full of resentment as she spoke, glaring at the dark child.

"Of course," Sheng Yulan assured, "If you're willing, both of you can be my children."

Huang Lingling broke into a smile, "Then, Mama, I want braised pork!"

"Eat up!"

Chi Shen prepared five bowls of rice, with chopsticks standing upright in four of them, placed respectively in front of Sheng Yulan, the dark child, Huang Lingling, and Bai Wan. In front of him, the chopsticks lay on the rim of the bowl.

Calling out their names, Chi Shen used "Sheng Yulan's daughter" for the dark child, who had been abandoned since birth and had grown up by consuming spirits, hence lacking a name. He then announced, "Let's eat."

Each ghost reached out to grasp the chopsticks embedded in the rice, lifting their bowls, joining Chi Shen at the table, and beginning their dinner.

"Mama, I want that!" Huang Lingling was particularly lively, "I can't reach it, Mama, can you get it for me?"

"You should share some with your sister." Sheng Yulan had clarified earlier that Huang Lingling was older, making her the elder sister.

Huang Lingling gave a glance at the dark child, who couldn't even use chopsticks properly, seeming a bit reluctant. Still, she shared half of her portion, showing her exasperation, "That's not how you hold chopsticks! It's like this!"

Sheng Yulan smiled as she watched the two converse. Bai Wan gently lifted her veil to eat, while Chi Shen couldn't help but smile, thinking that even Du Jun would be smiling happily at this moment. So, for once, he didn't hide it and laughed openly.

While Sheng Yulan's culinary skills were not particularly outstanding and her seasoning couldn't compare to fine restaurants, each dish she made brought an inexplicable joy. They tasted simple and familiar, reminiscent of home-cooked meals that Chi Shen hadn't tasted in years.

Ever since he started college, he'd been living off the campus cafeteria or instant noodles. Once he began working, it was always takeaway or small eateries. He had thought about cooking for himself, but there were no proper facilities during school and no time after he began working.

"I should get Ji Xingchen to learn some cooking," Chi Shen decided instantly.

Dinner concluded amidst Huang Lingling's lively chatter. By the end, only two ghosts remained at the table.

Sheng Yulan and the dark child had vanished.

Chi Shen vividly remembered their expressions at that moment. Sheng Yulan was smiling, and the dark child showed the first genuine smile. The next moment, they turned into specks of light and disappeared within the room.

"Mama, I—" Huang Lingling began, turning to find Sheng Yulan's spot now empty.

The vivacious Huang Lingling's demeanor suddenly turned cold. Dropping her chopsticks, she looked at Chi Shen expressionlessly, "The act is over; I'm leaving."

Chi Shen replied, "Finish your meal first."

"I'm done! I'm full!" Huang Lingling abruptly stood up, "If you won't take me back, I'll go on my own!"

Chi Shen glanced at her, "Want to cry?"

"Certainly not!" Huang Lingling stamped her foot, glaring at Chi Shen, "Don't involve me in such matters again!"

"I'm visiting your place this weekend. Do you want to go back?" Chi Shen said calmly, "Li Xu will also be there."

"My home?" Huang Lingling looked at Chi Shen, puzzled.

Chi Shen nodded and continued eating.

He slowly finished his dinner. Sheng Yulan had indeed cooked too much. There would be leftovers for days. He wrapped each dish in cling film and stored it in the fridge, then went to wash the dishes.

Only after completing these chores did he freshen up and prepare for bed.

As he stepped into the bedroom, he suddenly realized he'd forgotten something. Turning around, he approached the wardrobe, reaching out to open it.

Gui Lian and the lady in red lay listlessly inside, still quarreling.

Gui Lian exclaimed, "It's all because of your stupidity that we ended up locked in here!"

The lady in red retaliated defiantly, "You! So talkative! Big mouth! I'll tear you apart!"

Chi Shen crouched down to look at the two ghosts, "Aren't you planning to come out?"

The lady in red, realizing the situation, scrambled out in a flash and vanished instantly.

Gui Lian quickly stood up from the cupboard, asking Chi Shen, "How's Bai Wan? She's not gone, is she?"

Bai Wan's ghostly figure floated past the bedroom door, causing Gui Lian to instantly shut up, pretending he hadn't said a word.

"You both did well today," Chi Shen began, patting Gui Lian's face for comfort since the lady in red had already run off, "As a reward, have something to eat. I'll fetch a couple of drops of blood."

Before Chi Shen could finish speaking, two drops of blood rolled out from a corner, stopping right in front of him.

Somewhat surprised, Chi Shen glanced back at Ji Xingchen No. 2, smiling, "You're just as shy, aren't you? Thanks."

Gui Lian consumed the blood from Ji Xingchen No. 2. The aura of darkness around him intensified instantly, making him elated, "I feel so powerful now, as if I'm two, no, three, no, maybe five or ten times stronger!"

The lady in red was soon retrieved by Chi Shen to feed, and she never resists when it comes to food. She swallowed a drop of blood from Ji Xingchen No. 2. The next second, the tongue Chi Shen had trimmed grew back in an instant.

Observing the lady in red's present state, Chi Shen contemplated and reached for his scissors.

The lady in red immediately covered her mouth. The elongated tongue retracted, and in its place, bony structures sprouted from the upper half of her disappearing body, stopping around her waist.

Now, the appearance of the lady in red was a floating head and hands with a skeletal upper body, all draped in a red dress.

She seemed quite pleased with her new form, repeatedly touching her bones and laughing, "Look! Beautiful! Ah, beauty in decay!"

Seeing the joyful lady in red, Chi Shen cheerfully invited her and Gui Lian to go outside and play. He then brought in a hoodie from the living room that Sheng Yulan had asked him to buy, placing it beside the wardrobe.

The wardrobe door gently opened, revealing two ghostly white hands that reached into the clothes bag and pulled out the garment.

It was a bright yellow, fleece-lined hoodie, perfect for the deep autumn weather.

The clothes that had been disarrayed by Gui Lian and the lady in red in the wardrobe were neatly arranged by the wardrobe ghost. Since moving into the new house, it had taken up the daily task of organizing the wardrobe. Everything placed inside was categorized meticulously, seemingly its passion.

It would also hand things to Chi Shen. Clothes placed beside the wardrobe were deemed ready for tidying and storage.

Just as Chi Shen changed into his pajamas, seeing the hoodie taken out, he remarked, "That doesn't need arranging. It's size M, too small for me. I'll give it to the old lady this weekend."

A face emerged from the wardrobe, looking at Chi Shen in puzzlement.

Chi Shen inquired, "What happened?"

The ghostly hand holding the hoodie turned it inside out, showcasing the label to Chi Shen: "L."

——

In the afternoon.

Chi Shen went to buy milk tea for Sheng Yulan.

Sheng Yulan, holding the garment, returned to the clothing store. She returned her piece and then apologetically called out to the salesperson, "Can I exchange this for a larger size?"

The sales clerk smiled and said it was possible, but as she turned away, she murmured with a hint of annoyance, "I told her it wouldn't fit, but she insisted on buying it. Now she wants to exchange it. Such a waste of time."

As she saw the sales clerk bring over the size L, Sheng Yulan felt the fabric, ensuring its thickness, and then chuckled, "How can I manage if I wear something so thin during cold weather?"

——

To stage this play, Chi Shen specially took a day off. Fortunately, Li Xu was understanding and didn't comment on his day off, not even docking his pay.

The next day, Chi Shen brought Huang Lingling to the company and replaced Du Jun, who was holding a spot for Huang Lingling, with Li Xu.

Du Jun looked at Chi Shen with some concern, "How is my mother?"

All of Chi Shen's actions were with Du Jun's consent. He knew what Chi Shen intended to do.

"She fulfilled her long-cherished wish and departed peacefully," said Chi Shen.

Du Jun nodded. Without another word, he stood by Chi Shen for a moment and then returned to the ginkgo leaf.

"Do you still wish to see that female classmate again?" Chi Shen asked.

The leaf remained silent for a while, then softly responded, "Am I being too greedy? I just wanted to see her once before, but now... I want to be with her for the college entrance exams."

The smile on Chi Shen's face didn't reach his eyes. He remarked, "You are indeed greedy, but right now, I'm in a good mood. I can grant this wish of yours."

The leaf replied, "Thank you."

As the living and the ghost conversed, Ji Xingchen stepped out from the shadows of the desk. To make the scene authentic, Chi Shen had kept Ji Xingchen in the company.

"Some linger due to hatred, while others stay because of love," Ji Xingchen whispered.

Chi Shen hadn't been seated for long when Ma Caijin, sneezing and sipping the coffee provided by the company, emerged from the pantry. Upon seeing Chi Shen, he greeted him nonchalantly. However, after taking a few steps, he suddenly turned back with a look of surprise.

Chi Shen was already launching a game, intending to enjoy a new horror game while getting paid.

Ma Caijin's voice suddenly sounded close by, "Why are you dressed so flamboyantly today? Didn't you always wear monochromes of black, white, and gray? That yellow is so striking. Are you planning a coronation?"

"Looks good, right? My mom says young people should wear bright colors," Chi Shen replied with a smile. Unlike his usual radiant grins, this one was subdued, but anyone could see it was a genuine smile from the heart.