Chapter 193: About the Little Sister.

Chapter 193: About the Little Sister.

After the Spring Festival, Chi Shen implemented his plan. He chose a tropical island and took everyone on a vacation. This time, he was joined by Huang Lingling, He Ling, Bai Wan, and Zhong Yi. As for Ji Xingchen, it was a given that he would be there.

In the chilly winter, Chi Shen lounged on the beach in a shirt and shorts, sipping juice and basking in the sun. If not for the excess tourists, it would have been a perfect vacation.

Amidst the buzz, He Ling ran from the seashore, spitting out seawater as she ran, "Ugh! It's so salty! There's so much resentment in this water. Doesn't anything from the sea regulate this?"

Chi Shen's spot was somewhat secluded, so he wasn't drawing much attention. Although some noticed, they couldn't see He Ling, but the wet trail on the sand was evident.

Chi Shen, swirling his drink, asked He Ling, "Didn't you used to enjoy places filled with resentment? Reveling in watching people drown? Now you dislike resentment?"

"Who likes places of heavy resentment? Who? Definitely not me! Maybe it's the water ghosts. I've ascended from my former lowly spirit status; I am the spirit of the river. Why would I like such ghastly things?" He Ling defended. "I like pristine, clean water, and the vitality left by playful fights in the water. How could I possibly like what ghosts do?"

Chi Shen took a leisurely sip of his juice without refuting her and asked, "You can purify the resentment in the water. Can you cleanse the resentment in the sea?"

"I think I can only manage the river in Harbor City... Wait a minute," He Ling, who was washing off the seawater, suddenly turned to Chi Shen, "How do you know I can purify the resentment in the water?"

"The water tank I bought for you, the one someone died in, its resentment is gone," said Chi Shen. "Why hide such a thing?"

River Spirit looked uncomfortable but decided to speak truthfully, "In reality, I don't have much power. Although I've portrayed myself as formidable before, I can only... only purify some less intense resentment. Oh, and if someone drowns in Harbor City, I'll know instantly. But knowing doesn't mean I can always save them."

With that, River Spirit let out a sigh, "Suddenly, I feel like it wasn't so bad being a ghost."

"So, would you like to try and purify the resentment in this sea?" Chi Shen pointed to some nearby rocks. Despite the bright sunshine, they seemed enshrouded in shadow, giving a chilling feeling to anyone who glanced at them.

"I'll give it a try," said River Spirit, pinching his nose before diving back into the water.

"Little Water Ghost got duped," Huang Lingling said, sitting beside Chi Shen while playing with the sand. She seemed to be building a sandcastle, but for now, it just looked like a mound. "The little water ghost has become the problem-solving tool."

Chi Shen playfully tapped her on the head, "Say that again and I'll retract your body."

Huang Lingling covered her head, giggling and making a face. Her current form was a reward from Chi Shen for her protection of the agency. Although it was a simple change from paper to rubber.

"So, why is Xiao Zhong here again? How did he follow?" Yuan Yi Ping asked. He wasn't on vacation but was here to report for work. After his report, he had run into Zhong Yi buying fruits for Bai Wan.

Chi Shen sighed, "He claims he's here to help us register accompanying spirits. Do you believe that? I don't."

After a pause, Yuan Yi Ping said, "Your sister..."

"My sister, well, Xiao Zhong is decent, right? I find him trustworthy. He's a bit quirky, but when it's about my sister, he becomes flexible. So, he's good for her," Chi Shen explained.

Yuan Yi Ping hesitated, "That's not what I meant. I meant... your sister is fading away."

Chi Shen didn't show much emotion. He spoke calmly, "I once asked her if she wanted to come back to life. To become a regular girl of this era. To study, work, fall in love, marry, and live a normal life."

"She declined."

His voice became distant as he recalled the past.

"She told me she belongs to the departed and has no reason to exist in this world. She said she lived a painful life, and fading away might be a mercy. However, she did ask me to look after Zhong Yi."

Yuan Yi Ping glanced around and added, "Indeed, the way Bai Wan looks at Zhong Yi reminds me of how my grandmother looks at me. Anyway, I should leave. It seems the spirits here don't need my attention."

Chi Shen waved him off, "Go on, don't block my sun."

As Yuan Yi Ping left, a sudden gust blew from the sea. Dark clouds gathered overhead, seemingly signaling an incoming storm.

Most of the beachgoers started to head back, but the old fruit vendor remained undisturbed, even asking Zhong Yi if he'd like another mango.

Bai Wan curiously asked, "Sir, aren't you leaving? It's about to rain."

The old man waved his hand dismissively, "You outsiders wouldn't understand. By the sea, it's like this — it might rain one moment and be sunny the next. It's not like the weather inland. This rain will stop shortly. If I leave now, I'll just have to return later to find a spot. It's not worth it."

"I see," Bai Wan discussed with Zhong Yi, "Let's get a few more for our brothers, easing a bit of the burden for the old man."

Zhong Yi grabbed a few more items. As they stood up from the stall, the first raindrops began to fall, but the wind had intensified.

A strange gust blew past, causing the old man's stall to sway haphazardly. He shouted out, quickly chasing after his umbrella that the wind had snatched. With the wind against them, Bai Wan whispered to Zhong Yi, "Something's off about this wind."

"The malevolence is strong. I remember this sinister aura being far from us; it shouldn't be here," Zhong Yi remarked.

Bai Wan suddenly felt something amiss. Without a word, she stepped back, revealing the candelabrum in her hand. However, the gust quickly extinguished the candle's flame.

In the past, her candle flame couldn't be blown out, indicating the wind carried with it a malicious aura.

Startled by the sudden extinguishment, Bai Wan hesitated. Just as she was about to act, Zhong Yi swiftly pulled her close, shielding her behind him. He turned to face the wind, forming incantations with his fingers while murmuring an incantation.

The wind, as if encountering a barrier, blew past them. Bai Wan, safely behind Zhong Yi, widened her eyes in astonishment, seemingly shocked that her candle could be put out.

With a swift gesture, Zhong Yi made a slicing motion. The gust split open, creating a crack, and the overhead dark clouds tore apart, allowing sunlight to pour down. Soon after, both the clouds and the fierce wind dispersed.

Zhong Yi chuckled, "In the past, you always protected me. Now, I finally get a chance to protect you."

"Thank you," Bai Wan, still holding a mango, remarked, "Let's take these to brother."

Meanwhile, by Chi Shen's side, He Ling clumsily climbed ashore, brushing seaweed off him as he grumbled, "I intended to reason with it, but who knew it would flee out of fear? I couldn’t even catch up. Are all sea spirits this powerful? Wait, it wasn’t even a proper spirit but a formless grudge. To think Zhong Yi dispelled it with a single move. I thought if it gained sentience, I could teach it how to become a full-fledged spirit. What a pity."

Chi Shen, nonchalantly adjusting his sunglasses, remarked, "It's fate. It seems it wasn’t destined to become a marine spirit."

Shortly after, Bai Wan returned, handing them mangoes. She then tugged at Zhong Yi, suggesting they stroll along the beach.

Zhong Yi followed her lead.

Chi Shen, remaining unfazed, reclined in his chair. As he turned his head, he caught sight of Ji Xing Chen's abs. He fell silent.

"How does a mere wage earner like you have abs? And eight at that! Have you been secretly working out every day?" Chi Shen grumbled.

Ji Xing Chen replied, "Perhaps I had unresolved issues with fitness in my past life, and it carried over. Plus, as a ghost, I don’t need to work out. I can maintain my physique."

Chi Shen exclaimed, "Is that one of the reasons you don’t want to be resurrected?!"

Ji Xing Chen responded, "No, it's just that if I were to come back to life, I wouldn't solely belong to you."

Both Gui Lian and Huang Lingling turned their gaze.

Chi Shen quickly covered his face, pretending he wasn't blushing, but his reddened ears betrayed him.

By the beach, where the rain had just ceased, only a few people were present. Bai Wan walked under the sun with Zhong Yi following her. Her footprints, washed away swiftly by the waves, were steps he could never keep pace with.

"Such beautiful weather," Bai Wan sighed, "I never walked through the sea waters when I was alive."

"You'll have plenty of opportunities in the future," said Zhong Yi. "If you wish, I can take you to the seaside every week."

Bai Wan turned around, smiling at Zhong Yi.

Zhong Yi looked into her eyes, gathering his courage and said, "I hail from a family of exorcists. There are many ways I can help you stay in this world and live as a normal person. If all else fails, I could plead with Chi Shen to keep you here. Moreover, I can protect you now. I... I love you. Would you stay for me?"

However, Bai Wan gently shook her head, "I am no longer of this world; you shouldn't choose me. But thank you."

The waves lapped at Bai Wan's ankles and receded, erasing her freshly made footprints.

Bai Wan walked over and hugged Zhong Yi, "Thank you for letting me feel what it's like to be loved."

"You... you could try loving me too," Zhong Yi said anxiously. He'd sensed something for a while, like Bai Wan could vanish at any moment, which is why he had stayed close to her these past days. "You can't just leave like this!"

Smiling, Bai Wan shook her head at him. Zhong Yi reached out, hoping to embrace her, but found only empty air.

Bai Wan disappeared. In that moment, when she felt truly loved, her century-long emotional bond was finally resolved, and she vanished completely from this world.

Only Zhong Yi remained on the beach, weeping as he stared in the direction where Bai Wan had vanished.