Chapter 102: A Glimpse Through Time.

Chapter 102: A Glimpse Through Time.

The weekend was bathed in splendid sunlight; the weather was delightful.

It was Chi Shen's first time experiencing such wonderful sunlight in his new home since moving. The recent continuous autumn rains made the entire port city seem as though it was on the verge of becoming moldy.

Admiring the lovely sunlight, Chi Shen folded up his sun umbrella and shifted the flower pot next to his lounge chair a bit, ensuring he didn't accidentally step on the flowers.

It was then he realized he might have bought too many chrysanthemums; they were everywhere on his small balcony.

It wasn't entirely his fault, though. Who could resist buying large, colorful flowers, each unique in its splendor?

Chi Shen had roughly counted earlier and realized he'd bought at least twenty different types of chrysanthemums. Fearing that he might unintentionally kill some, he purchased each in pairs. So, it was only natural that his balcony was overflowing with chrysanthemums.

After shifting a pot of golden-fountain-like chrysanthemums, Chi Shen finally reached his lounge chair. Grabbing his little blanket, he lay down amidst the chrysanthemums, peacefully closing his eyes.

Breathing in the slightly bitter fragrance of chrysanthemums, Chi Shen's last thoughts before drifting off were that he might very well be the modern Tao Yuanming, picking chrysanthemums below the eastern fence, leisurely gazing at...

In the warm embrace of the sunlight, Chi Shen fell asleep.

Not long after, from the shadows in the living room, ghostly figures began peeking out, gazing at him from a distance.

Bai Wan was the first to speak, "Should we remind him?"

Gui Lian shifted his gaze from the TV to the outdoors.

The scene was rather pleasing to the eye: a beautiful man, surrounded by blooming flowers and bathed in radiant sunlight, just like a painting.

Indeed...

"He looks like he's dead," the ghost in the red dress pointed out, cutting to the chase.

Everyone turned their attention to the ghost in the red dress.

She looked back at them innocently, as if she didn't understand the implications of what she'd just said.

Several ghosts once again looked in Chi Shen's direction. Bai Wan commented, "He actually has fewer white chrysanthemums. It doesn't quite look like a funeral."

Gui Lian added, "Perhaps we should suggest he buys some other flowers."

"Autumn is when chrysanthemums look their best!" the ghost in the red dress remarked once more.

Bai Wan, stroking her chin in thought, posed a question: "Now, who's going to remind him?"

The ghosts exchanged glances, each taking a step back, hesitant to volunteer.

A sudden thought seemed to occur to the cabinet in the living room. The ghost inside it extended a hand, showing the number “five”, signaling that there should be five ghosts present.

The ghost in the red dress quickly understood, exclaiming, "I’ll call Brother Ji!"

"Where's Handsome Ji?" Gui Lian looked around but didn't spot him.

Soon, they all saw Bai Wan pointing in Chi Shen's direction. From the shadows, Ji Xingchen's hand emerged, tucking Chi Shen's exposed hand back under the blanket.

The ghosts exchanged glances, collectively thinking: Let it be. As long as they’re happy, it's fine.

After all, if they're not bothered by the funeral-like setting, why should anyone else be?

Chi Shen’s nap extended into the evening. Ji Xingchen didn't wake him, and by the time Chi Shen arose, the sun had set.

The lounge chair wasn’t the most comfortable sleeping spot. A short nap might have been fine, but a longer slumber left Chi Shen feeling sore. He stretched, his joints audibly protesting.

"So tired... I didn't realize I'd slept for so long." Rubbing the bridge of his nose, Chi Shen added, "I'll need to ask Boss Li for overtime pay."

Ji Xingchen, standing in the long shadows cast by the setting sun, attempted to grab the blanket on Chi Shen, intending to fold it up. But his hand phased right through. He paused momentarily, adjusting his motion and pulling back his hand as if nothing happened. "You’ll be working late tonight," he remarked.

"Not much work left for tonight, nothing too tedious," Chi Shen said as he folded the blanket, smiling. "Let’s eat! Anything you're craving?"

Ji Xingchen shook his head, "Don't waste money on me."

Chi Shen replied, "Spending money on you is never a waste."

The two conversed and just as they entered the living room, Chi Shen noticed the ghosts peeping curiously. Upon seeing the duo, the ghosts resumed their previous activities, pretending they hadn’t been watching.

Chi Shen noted that Bai Wan, her face obscured by a red bridal veil, had turned her head almost completely around, ostensibly looking away, but actually peering at them.

"Good evening," Chi Shen greeted, opting not to probe what they were up to.

A chorus of ghostly voices echoed back, "Good evening."

Gui Lian watched the pair, seemingly on the verge of saying something but holding back.

Chi Shen tilted his head towards him, prompting, "Speak your mind."

Gui Lian glanced again at the television screen, seemingly taken aback by Chi Shen's words. However, after a moment's thought, he said, "I don't see the point in watching TV."

Chi Shen knew that wasn't what Gui Lian meant, but he respected his privacy. Be it man or ghost, everyone had a right to it. So, he replied, "Would you like to do something else?"

Gui Lian instantly contorted himself, responding, "I want to get out and see the world. Maybe discover something new."

"Approved. I'm headed out anyway, join me and see the world," Chi Shen offered.

Gui Lian paused, "What I meant was..."

Chi Shen fixed his gaze on him.

Swallowing his words, Gui Lian asserted, "Following big brother is adventure enough. Let's go!"

A small smile formed on Chi Shen's lips.

At this, the ghost in the red dress raised her hand, interjecting, "I want to come too!"

"Alright," Chi Shen thought that the night's activities wouldn't be too troublesome and bringing along an extra ghost wouldn't hurt. "All together then. Bai Wan, how about you?"

Bai Wan rotated her head a complete 180 degrees to face forward once more, then turned to him, "May I?"

Waving her over, Chi Shen teased, "Don't be shy. Let's all go out and have some fun."

As the sun set, Chi Shen, accompanied by his ghostly entourage, stepped out.

Li Xu and Xu Jiayuan awaited him downstairs. Their task that evening involved addressing the aftermath of a series of murders in the city.

Upon seeing Chi Shen emerge, Xu Jiayuan's face registered shock, "What on earth? A parade of specters?"

Chi Shen carried a bag containing Bai Wan's spirit tablet and the paper phone of the ghost in red. As for Gui Lian, he was a wandering spirit without an anchor, present wherever there was water. Chi Shen had also inquired if the cabinet ghost wanted to join the outing, but received a negative response. To the cabinet ghost, any cabinet was a happy sanctuary, the specific one didn't matter, just as long as it was a cabinet.

With the items the ghosts were attached to in tow, Bai Wan and the ghost in red trailed behind him. While Li Xu couldn't see them, Xu Jiayuan could clearly perceive the spirits tailing Chi Shen.

Chi Shen remarked, "Just taking the family out for some fun."

Xu Jiayuan, a bit at a loss for words, retorted, "You call this a family?"

Chi Shen smiled at him.

The spirits surrounding Chi Shen also smiled at him. However, ghostly smiles always carry an unsettling element. For instance, the grin on a ghostly face stretches almost up to the brow, the red-clad female ghost's laugh reveals sharp, pointed fangs, and Bai Wan...

Bai Wan's laughter is soft and ethereal, sounding graceful yet chilling.

"So, you all are Chi Shen's family! My apologies for not recognizing sooner. I've heard much about you," Xu Jiayuan said with a warm and beaming smile. "I'm a bit taken aback seeing such a unique family for the first time. But if Chi Shen vouches for you, then it's settled. Come, let's take a tour together."

Li Xu, watching from the side, looked perplexed: ... Can someone tell me what's going on?

Under Xu Jiayuan's warm invitation, Chi Shen and his family boarded the car. Two spirits, Su Hua Skirt and Huang Lingling, also hopped in, making the vehicle feel quite crowded.

Bai Wan gracefully withdrew first, returning to her designated spot inside Chi Shen's backpack. The red-clad female ghost, albeit reluctantly, went back into the paper phone, making room for Chi Shen and Xu Jiayuan.

This time, Xu Jiayuan took the wheel, steering them towards the old district of the harbor city.

"We've done our research. Duan Rongxi moved to the old district a decade ago. He's still a teacher and has been honored as a distinguished one," Xu Jiayuan shared, glancing at Chi Shen and the spirits, Su Hua Skirt and Huang Lingling, in the rearview mirror as he drove.

Li Xu nodded in agreement, "His students speak highly of him and adore him. Yet, he's remained unmarried. Many speculate he might have issues, and few get close to him. I've heard initially many played matchmaker for him, but he rebuffed all, and his single status even affected his career, limiting his opportunities to teach at better institutions."

Chi Shen inquired, "So just because he's single, he's considered flawed?"

Li Xu sighed, "Exactly. Many thought he had health or psychological issues. That was the mindset back then. It's said he even lost opportunities to transfer to better schools because of his unmarried status."

Xu Jiayuan chimed in, "I've seen plenty of such cases. Don't be misled by my short stint as a cop, just two or three years. But in this short period, the things I've encountered...”

He lightly tapped the brakes to allow an abruptly overtaking car to pass. Despite his youth, his tone carried a hint of weariness, "People might think our job is glamorous, especially in the Special Security Bureau dealing with matters the police won't, mediating disputes between the living and the dead. But ghost-catching isn't the main event; most times, it's all domestic issues."

As Xu Jiayuan skillfully maneuvered through a narrow lane crowded with haphazardly parked cars, he elaborated, "Cases like a mother-in-law drugging her daughter-in-law to make her believe she's seen ghosts, people using voodoo dolls on neighbors, students playing horror games to betray each other, mistresses keeping spirits to chase off competitors - the list goes on. Nowadays, hearing such tales feels routine to me... Well, except your situation, Chi Shen. That's definitely one of a kind."

While making a turn, he glanced at Li Xu, "I've indeed encountered the malevolent deity you mentioned, but it wasn't nurtured by a wealth god. It was an original entity. A woman worshipped it daily, hoping for a grandson. Instead, she got a monstrosity. We intervened. While we managed to deal with the issue, the deity was beyond us. We had to send it to our headquarters in the capital. I've no idea what happened afterward."

Li Xu, intrigued, pressed on, "When you say 'original', do you mean entities based on legends, like the spirits of poverty?"

"Exactly," Xu Jiayuan confirmed. "Most of these curse-related practices are sham. But what if someone stumbles upon something genuine? The common folk can't handle such power. In that specific case, only the grandmother worshipped the malevolent deity. But the entire family suffered. Their son's soul was grievously harmed by the creature they birthed. He's mentally incapacitated now. The daughter-in-law, while almost killed during childbirth, survived, mainly because the creature recognized her as its mother."

Li Xu sighed, "It's poetic justice, I suppose."

Xu Jiayuan shook his head, "That's why domestic issues are the trickiest. They're messy and complicated. And the power of rumors shouldn't be underestimated. Duan Rongxi's career was essentially ruined by them."

As they spoke, Xu Jiayuan had already driven past several alleys and eventually stopped outside a middle school.

This was an ordinary school in the old town, one that few from the Harbor City even knew existed. Xu Jiayuan parked along the roadside, got out to buy three grilled sausages, and returned, handing one to each of them, saying, "He's probably still in evening study. He won't be out until around nine."

Li Xu nodded, "Then, we'll wait."

Xu Jiayuan pointed to the residential area opposite the school, "He lives just across there. He's never married and doesn't get along with his family. Now he lives alone over there. We can just go to him later."

Chi Shen glanced at the time—it wasn’t even seven yet. "I'll take them for a stroll," he suggested.

Li Xu looked puzzled, "Them?"

Xu Jiayuan glanced at the ghost trailing behind Chi Shen, seemed to be on the verge of saying something, but ultimately held back, only warning, "Be...careful, alright? Just be careful."

The red-clothed female ghost clambered out of Chi Shen's backpack, exclaiming with joy, "Don’t worry! We'll be careful! We won’t get hurt!"

Xu Jiayuan stared wide-eyed at the ghost who, despite her fearsome appearance, managed to convey innocence, "I didn’t say be careful not to get hurt. I meant be careful not to bump into or bother others!"

The red-clothed female ghost seemed confused, "…Huh?"

Bai Wan quickly emerged from the backpack to restrain the red-clothed ghost, smiling reassuringly, "We'll make sure not to interfere with others. Don't worry, we’re quite skilled at this."

Xu Jiayuan nodded, allowing them to leave. After they departed, he suddenly turned to look at Bai Wan's retreating figure.

He had this nagging feeling. Her aura seemed familiar, as if he had encountered it somewhere before.

Soon, Chi Shen vanished into the crowd outside the school gates. It was seven, the time when day students return to school for evening studies. The area was bustling with activity, and some students shot curious glances their way, seemingly finding them out of place.

Watching Chi Shen leave, Li Xu finally felt it was the right moment to voice his earlier confusion, "Was someone with him earlier?"

Huang Lingling, resting her chin in her hands in the back seat, said, "Three ghosts. Oh, wait, four ghosts. The bespectacled guy was also there, but he didn’t show himself."

Li Xu rubbed his neck, "That’s quite chilling. I didn’t expect Chi Shen to know so many ghosts. No wonder he seemed so calm earlier."

As he spoke, he spotted, through the rearview mirror, the two ghosts in the back seat staring intently at him.

Now more familiar with the two, and even having been protected by them, Li Xu usually felt an affinity toward them. But their current gaze sent a shiver down his spine. He asked, "Did... did I say something wrong?"

Huang Lingling's eyes crinkled in amusement, "You're not any worse than him, you know."

Not quite grasping her point, Li Xu felt it best not to press further. Clearing his throat, he said to the ghost in the floral dress, "Just two more hours. It'll pass quickly."

Broken Flower Dress silently nodded.

In fact, throughout the journey, Broken Flower Dress had been quiet. Upon arriving here, she physically craned her neck to look towards the school. Only when Li Xu mentioned Chi Shen did she turn her head to glance at him. Now, she was gazing back at the school.

Xu Jiayuan said, "Stay calm. Think about what you want to say later. You might only get this one chance."

Broken Flower Dress nodded, and silence enveloped the car.

After alighting, Chi Shen walked straight ahead. The best spot near the school had to be the snack street!

A snack street that can thrive near a school is undoubtedly outstanding in taste! They cater primarily to returning customers, so if the flavor isn't up to par, no matter how well-advertised it is initially, it would soon become deserted.

When told about studying, Chi Shen skipped dinner and directly boarded Xu Jiayuan's car.

Now, while wandering the snack street under the guidance of the Red-dressed Female Ghost and Bai Wan with the ghostly face, he first got a cup of hot cocoa, followed by fried skewers, and then meat-filled bread, chicken cutlet, and chicken tenders.

Finally, Chi Shen settled in a hotpot shop, ordering dozens of spicy skewers. As he waited for his order, he looked at his shadow and asked, "Are you sure there's nothing you want?"

At that moment, his shadow moved slightly and responded, "Tripe."

Chi Shen chuckled, "Boss, add an order of tripe, please!"

The service at the school-side hotpot shops is exceptionally fast. It hadn't been long before the owner served a huge pot of spicy skewers and curiously inquired, "Aren't your friends joining you?"

Eating all that alone would undoubtedly be a challenge.

Chi Shen smiled, "They'll be here soon."

The owner departed with a grin to attend to other customers.

Half an hour later, Chi Shen settled the bill. When the owner came to clear the table, he noticed much of the hotpot was untouched. Shaking his head, he muttered about the wastefulness of today's youth. He rinsed the meat from the hotpot and placed it in a dog bowl, hating to see it go to waste.

Normally, seeing food would have the dog dashing over. But this time, the canine hesitated and growled a few times.

"Strange," the owner mumbled, tugging the dog towards its food bowl. "Aren't you hungry? Can't recognize meat anymore?"

The dog strained in the opposite direction. After a few strenuous pulls, drenched in sweat, the owner gave up and opted to attend to his customers.

Once the owner left, the dog promptly overturned its food bowl and darted away.

When the owner returned after attending to his duties, he grumbled while sweeping the floor. Resignedly, he refilled the bowl with regular dog food, muttering to himself, "That's so odd."

After finishing the spicy hot pot, the number of snacks Chi Shen was carrying had significantly diminished, having shared them with the lady in the red dress and the ghost with the distorted face.

Bai Wan was rather reserved, sampling only a little of each treat. In stark contrast, the lady in the red dress seemed insatiable. If not for Chi Shen's restraint, he suspected she might have devoured the entire pot the spicy hot pot came in.

Having interacted frequently with the Special Security Bureau, Chi Shen had mastered ways to communicate with spirits. Now, they no longer required the traditional methods of offering incense and food. Instead, he'd just call their names and invite them to dine.

This method allowed them to partake in the meal. However, after the spirits had tasted the dishes, the living shouldn't consume them, lest they diminish their life energy.

Though the dishes appeared unchanged, their flavor was entirely gone after being consumed by the spirits, all the essence having been absorbed.

After dining with his spectral companions, Chi Shen checked the time. Seeing it was about right, he gathered the snacks and headed back.

Li Xu and Xu Jia Yuan, who were waiting in the car, had fallen asleep. They had gone the previous night without rest. However, the aroma of the snacks quickly roused them.

Chi Shen distributed some snacks to them. Checking the time, it was precisely 9:00 PM. Including the time needed for students to pack up after evening self-study, in ten minutes, Duan Rong Xi would pass by here, right when the two finished their snacks.

"Listen to the ground rules," said Xu Jia Yuan, munching on a meat sandwich and turning to the lady in the floral dress. "You can't approach him directly. That's the rule. We'll be monitoring. If you reveal yourself, we'll take you back. Understand?"

The lady in the floral dress nodded silently.

The torn parts of her face had somewhat healed. Li Xu initially wanted to feed her some of his blood to improve her appearance, but Xu Jia Yuan prevented it. Such an act might drive her to madness, as spirits shouldn't be exposed to human blood—it's akin to sharks hunting at the scent of blood.

Chi Shen observed her too.

Originally, her appearance was dried and shriveled from drained blood. After the battle with Bai Ran, she looked even more pitiful. Aware of her appearance, she hesitated, clutching her dress.

"He's here!" Before she could contemplate further, Li Xu whispered, pointing in a direction, "Duan Rong Xi!"

Out from the school gate, a middle-aged man with graying hair emerged. Despite the marks of time on his face, he still looked healthy, his eyes sharp—a handsome middle-aged man.

Her eyes lit up upon seeing him.