Chapter 105: Chishi – Righteous, Kind-hearted, and Amiable.

Chapter 105: Chishi – Righteous, Kind-hearted, and Amiable.

Huang Lingling's gaze was filled with intense malice. She seemed eager to see Chi Shen's reaction. Although she still bore the appearance of a child, she had been a spirit for over two decades, making her, in essence, older than Chi Shen.

Such a malicious expression on a child's face was deeply unsettling and created a jarring contrast. Even Xu Jiayuan, who was driving, couldn't help but glance back through the rearview mirror.

Chi Shen's smile remained unchanged, friendly as ever, and he did not avert his gaze from Huang Lingling.

Huang Lingling observed his unchanging expression, not detecting any sign of shock. Her malevolent stare gradually morphed into confusion and uncertainty. Soon, her eyes darted away, revealing a look of apprehension. Within that gaze, there seemed to be a hint of fear. She shifted herself towards the car door, avoiding Chi Shen's eyes.

"I've come up with a plan," Chi Shen suddenly announced, snapping his fingers.

Li Xu looked at him, "What plan have you thought of?"

Reaching out, Chi Shen gently patted Huang Lingling's head, his smile warm and genuine, "From today on, I am her father."

Li Xu blinked in disbelief, clearly taken aback, "What?"

Huang Lingling immediately resisted, "I don't want that!"

Chi Shen firmly grasped Huang Lingling's neck with one hand, "Be good, my daughter. Remember, daddy isn't someone who strictly believes in joyful education."

Huang Lingling gave up struggling almost instantly, staring defiantly at Chi Shen in silence.

Chi Shen's smile grew even more tender, "Now, call me 'daddy'."

Huang Lingling hesitated, "...Daddy."

Chi Shen laughed heartily, filling the car with an atmosphere of joy.

Later, the report Xu Jiayuan submitted read:

The vengeful spirit, Huang Lingling, was beaten to death by her father. Having lacked familial love since childhood, the kind-hearted Chi Shen believed that her resentment stemmed from her family. He wished to bring her into his home to offer a taste of familial warmth.

After discussions and observations, I believe Chi Shen's approach is viable. With his assistance, our department has already helped two vengeful spirits find peace. Chi Shen is upright and kind-hearted, with a unique ability to communicate with spirits. I, therefore, deem the plan of entrusting Huang Lingling to Chi Shen feasible.

Below was Yuan Yiping's approval: "Verified and approved."

Thus, Huang Lingling went home with Chi Shen. Upon arrival, she found a hiding spot and disappeared completely. But Chi Shen knew she couldn't leave the premises. He didn't insist on her coming out; if she wished to remain hidden, he wouldn't press her. He had other matters to attend to, after all.

The next day, as usual, Chi Shen was woken up by Ji Xingchen and went to work.

As he was leaving, he spotted Bai Wan on the balcony. Though the morning sun hadn't yet reached the balcony, daylight had broken. Bai Wan stood amidst the chrysanthemums, seemingly inhaling their fragrance. The chrysanthemum leaves drooped from lack of water.

Chi Shen bought the chrysanthemums home and hasn't really taken care of them. With the pleasant weather over the past few days and him being out all day, he hasn't watered the flowers once.

Bai Wan took a moment to savor the scent of the chrysanthemums, pausing to realize—ghosts can't smell flowers.

Yet, Bai Wan didn't ponder on it for long. Holding a tablet in one hand, she seemed to check something. Soon after, the lady ghost in red joined her, and under Bai Wan's guidance, fetched a bucket of water to water the plants.

A ghost's ability to interact with physical objects depends on their power. The more resentment they hold, the more they can affect. With Bai Wan and the red-clothed ghost's capabilities, they could water the flowers without even touching the bucket, and the two spirits laughed together on the balcony.

From the shadows of the living room, little Huang Lingling, hiding behind the air conditioner, cast envious eyes towards the balcony.

Chi Shen glanced over a few times before leaving his house.

Following him out, Gui Lian whispered in his ear, "Is it alright to leave the little girl alone?"

Chi Shen smiled, "Give the kitten some time to adapt to her new environment. I need to get some cat treats."

Gui Lian looked puzzled, "Huh?"

That evening, Chi Shen returned with colored card papers and started folding paper candies after dinner.

The house livened up. The red-clothed ghost eagerly watched every fold. Every time Chi Shen finished one, she'd try to grab it, only to be playfully blocked by Gui Lian. Their playful tussle was interrupted by Ji Xing Chen, who separated them.

Even though Ji Xing Chen was the weakest ghost there, weaker even than Gui Lian, for some reason, neither dared to confront him. They backed off without resistance and exchanged resentful glances over his shoulder.

Once the candies were folded, Chi Shen took them to the balcony, cleared a spot beside the chrysanthemums, placed the candies down, and set them alight.

Flames consumed the paper treats quickly, casting ethereal candy shadows in their wake. The red-clothed ghost reached for them first, but the swiftly rising flames deterred her and Gui Lian.

Adjusting his glasses, Ji Xing Chen remarked in a tone that one would use to evaluate a barbecue, "Wait a bit longer. Go wait in the living room."

Bai Wan then dragged the two ghosts to the living room, seating them in a row.

To prevent the flames from harming the nearby chrysanthemums, Chi Shen stayed outside, watching. In the glow of the firelight, he turned to the living room's window and asked, "Aren't you going to have some candy with them?"

Behind the window pane, Huang Lingling, hidden in the shadow of the air conditioner, shifted slightly.

Having grown up without the affection of parents, she rarely had the luxury of candy. Tempted by the sight of it now, she seemed torn.

"I forgot to ask your favorite flavor. Last time you seemed interested in oranges, so I made half of them orange-flavored," Chi Shen's voice drifted softly.

The shadow cast by an air conditioner that had been chilling for an entire day and night suddenly moved. From it, Huang Lingling emerged, scoffing, "You think a single candy can buy my favor?"

Hearing this, the ghost in red became instantly displeased. She snatched the candy Ji Xingchen had given her, "It's not just one, it's a handful! Give them to me! I want them! She doesn’t!"

Ji Xingchen handed the remaining handful of candy to the ghost in red.

The temperature in the living room abruptly dropped by two degrees. In the blink of an eye, Huang Lingling had vanished from her spot, instantly appearing by the table.

"Give them to me."

With pitch-black eyes, she stared intently at Ji Xingchen, "They're mine."

In her eagerness to get that handful of candy, she even employed her ghostly powers!

Ghostface on the side shook his head disapprovingly, "So unethical. But, it’s not my candy anyway, haha."

Amid the cheerful ambiance in the living room, Chi Shen threw another handful of candies into the nearly extinguished flame.

Soon after, Ji Xingchen felt a sudden weight in his suit pocket.

He didn't check the pocket but, for a rare moment, a slight smile graced his face.

He knew what it was—his very own milk candy.

Seeing the fleeting smile on Ji Xingchen's face, Chi Shen chuckled from the sidelines.

Huang Lingling, who had battled over the orange candy, had already withdrawn from the fray. She had almost come to blows with the ghost in red. However, with Bai Wan and Ji Xingchen present, they only exchanged fierce glares, flaunting their eerie auras, before departing in anger.

"She's so naive! Why would you adopt such a ghost?" Huang Lingling complained to Chi Shen.

Chi Shen tilted his head to look at her, "Considering how mischievous you are, and I still took you in, I'd say it’s pretty much the same."

Huang Lingling paused, then became even more annoyed, exclaiming, "I'm smarter than her!"

Chi Shen replied with a calm smile, "To me, you both seem quite alike."

Huang Lingling retorted, "I'm already thirty! I'm not a child!"

Chi Shen nodded, "Mhm, thirty indeed. Just that you look and sound like one."

Huang Lingling paused again, taking a moment to reflect. Then, she let go of her puffed-up expression, attempting to appear more adult-like.

After a brief moment of contemplation, she said with what she thought was a grown-up demeanor, "You saw what happened yesterday. How can you remain so unfazed? He's not the good man you believe him to be."

Chi Shen knew she was referring to Ji Xingchen. He laughed, "Children wouldn't understand."

As Huang Lingling bristled, ready to retort, Chi Shen continued, "I know, but it doesn't matter. I don't care."

This response perplexed Huang Lingling. After processing for a bit, she side-eyed Chi Shen, "Seems you're no saint either."

Chi Shen chuckled, "When did I ever claim to be one?"

Once the candy fire had burned out, Chi Shen entered the living room. A sulking Huang Lingling trailed behind him, shooting a glare at the ghost in red, who responded with a disdainful roll of her eyes and a flash of her elongated tongue. However, she quickly retreated under Chi Shen's gaze.

Amid the eerie yet cozy atmosphere of the haunted house, Chi Shen's phone suddenly vibrated.

Glancing down, he saw a text from an unidentified number. The message was brief: [It's about time we meet.]

Leaning back on the sofa, Chi Shen quickly replied: [No time like the present. Let's do it tonight.]

An address soon came through in response.

Chi Shen took note and said to Ji Xingchen, "We're heading out."

Ji Xingchen stood up from the table, his color gradually fading, transforming into a shadowy figure, and followed Chi Shen out the door.

Ghostface glanced between Chi Shen and the candies on the table. After a moment's hesitation, he declared, "I'm going out too! Need to stretch after all this study."

Just as Ji Xingchen was merging into Chi Shen's shadow, he adjusted the glasses on his nose and curtly declined, "Not allowed."

Ghostface tried to follow, "I'm Chi Shen's right-hand helper. You can't handle affairs without me."

Huang Lingling rolled her eyes, "Why would they need a third wheel like you?"

The ghost in red also interjected, pointing at Ghostface, "If you go, the candies are mine!"

Once the candies were in jeopardy, Ghostface instantly expanded, enveloping all his candies within the span of his face, declaring, "No one touches my candies!"

Amid Ghostface's passionate farewells, Chi Shen was already waiting for the elevator outside.

His shadow stirred, and a hand extended stealthily, gently grasping Chi Shen's.

Chi Shen tilted his head and chuckled, "Is it tasty?"

A voice from the shadow responded, "Delicious."

*

Author's Note:

The painful ordeal of having my wisdom tooth extracted and a piece of flesh from my cheek removed in the past couple of days taught me a hard lesson: Never delay medical treatment. Never!

Who would have known that not removing a wisdom tooth in time could result in cheek overgrowth inside the mouth?

And who could anticipate that my mother's words, "I'll add some salt to your porridge," would turn into a nightmare?

Why, after having a wisdom tooth extracted and a piece of flesh cut off my face, do I have to endure porridge with added salt? Why?!