Chapter 21

Chapter 21

I've Forgotten Many Things, But I Remember You

After kissing his wife over the phone for a while and listening to his daughter call him daddy a few times, Wu Pang hung up, feeling thoroughly satisfied.

Cen Sheng was busy studying the Paternal Simulator, absentmindedly taking the burger Wu Pang handed him, his mind preoccupied with the forecast the narrator had just released.

"Bro, have you ever thought about traveling abroad?"

Wu Pang munched on his burger, "Why ask all of a sudden?"

"Yongsheng Technology recently launched a luxury global tour package. It includes private car and plane transfers, with an accompanying butler and tour guide. In each country, there’s a personal translator for service. You don’t need to worry about anything, just follow the butler, and you can see all the popular tourist spots and check-in locations around the world."

"Damn, it's that good?"

Wu Pang pulled out his phone to search and indeed saw many people discussing this package, "You can even try diving and skydiving? Damn, and meet cannibals?"

"Not cannibals, but tribes that are willing to interact with outsiders."

Wu Pang was very tempted, but after seeing the price listed on the official website, he sighed, "I don’t have that much money."

"You don’t need to pay." Cen Sheng scrolled through his phone's photo gallery and found a picture, "A few years ago, Rong Ye and I saved an executive from Yongsheng Technology. As a thank you, he gave us a travel voucher."

"He called it a 'ticket' that allows us to experience all of Yongsheng Technology's travel projects. There are two tickets in total; one ticket can bring three family members or friends. Rong Ye and I each have one. If you want to go, I can give you my ticket."

Now that Rong Ye had become a ghost and Cen Sheng a resident of Yin He Community, it seemed unlikely they would have the opportunity to travel again.

Such tickets aren’t sold but can only be obtained through special means, and they’re highly priced online.

It didn’t feel right to sell someone else's gift online, so he thought it better to give it to Wu Pang's family.

This would serve as a thank you for Wu Pang's years of care and also as a reason to send his family abroad for safety.

The chapter preview given by the narrator was too cruel. Cen Sheng didn’t want Xiao Hui and Lingling to die tragically, nor did he want Wu Pang to suffer such pain.

Most of the plot of "The Cold Remains" takes place in the Southern Technology New City. That city and its nearby residents live in the world of that suspense novel.

Yin He Community is in the northern industrial old town, and the story background of the supernatural novel "Yin He Ghost Stories" should also be in this city.

Sending Wu Pang’s family abroad, away from the novel world of "Yin He Ghost Stories," should avoid the danger and change their fate.

Wu Pang was already tempted, and Cen Sheng kept persuading him on the side.

After hesitating for a while, Wu Pang excitedly grasped Cen Sheng's uninjured hand, "Brother Sheng! From now on, you're my brother!"

"When do you plan to go?"

"After my wife finishes her busy schedule, probably in about two months."

Feeling that was too long, Cen Sheng worriedly lied to Wu Pang, claiming that the ticket was only valid for another half a month.

Wu Pang believed him and, after discussing with his wife for a long time, decided to hire a nanny to care for her parents. They planned to start their global tour next weekend.

Cen Sheng checked the time; today was Sunday.

Seven days…

There shouldn’t be any trouble in that time.

————

According to the voice assistant, once a character's favorability exceeds 80, they become Cen Sheng's companion.

As soon as Wu Pang left, Cen Sheng eagerly opened the companions tab.

Inside were a series of avatars, with the illuminated ones in the front row being the unlocked companions. The dim ones were either not yet friendly enough or didn’t meet the conditions to become companions.

His current companions included Wu Pang, Ji Meng, Xiao Jiejie, and Rong Ye.

Overwhelmed by nostalgia, Cen Sheng felt submerged. Looking at the chibi avatars on the screen, he couldn't help but reach out to touch them, but felt nothing.

Taking a deep breath, Cen Sheng clicked on Rong Ye's avatar.

[Companion: Rong Ye]

[Level: Junior]

[Rating: Legendary]

[Status: Dying]

[Innate Skills: None]

[Special Skills: None]

[The novel's protagonist, overwhelmed with resentment before death, turned into a fierce ghost. Someone cursed him, causing him to forget many things. However, he still remembers that you two were lovers, and you are his most beloved.]

Staring at the word 'Dying', Cen Sheng's mind buzzed.

He knew Rong Ye's condition was bad, but he hadn't expected him to be on the brink of death.

What exactly did Rong Ye go through during the time he disappeared!

Cen Sheng took a few deep breaths to calm himself down and followed the assistant's tutorial to change the avatar on the main interface to Rong Ye.

The white light orb disappeared, replaced by a man covered in blood on the semi-transparent screen.

He was of mixed heritage, with a high nose bridge and deep-set eyes. His usually vibrant deep blue eyes now appeared empty, like stagnant water.

His chestnut, slightly curly short hair was matted with dried blood. His handsome face was pale and tinged with purple, devoid of any color.

For the first time, Cen Sheng felt the terrifying visage of death. Just one glance made it difficult for him to breathe.

The moment he saw Rong Ye's corpse, he truly realized that his lover was dead.

What Cen Sheng found hardest to accept were the dense, blood-red lines on Rong Ye's body.

Rong Ye's clothes were torn, and his face and the few exposed parts of his skin were covered in bloodlines.

He had been dismembered.

This thought pierced Cen Sheng's heart like an icicle, causing intense heartache and uncontrollable trembling in his body.

It took over ten minutes for the ringing in his ears to fade. Wiping away the tears on his face, Cen Sheng tentatively called out, 'Rong Ge?'

Although Rong Ye's eyes were open, he was asleep, indicated by a string of [zzz] in the dialogue box below.

Cen Sheng called out louder, "Rong Ye? Rong Ge!"

Rong Ye suddenly woke up, looking around warily. Realizing there was no danger, he tilted his head in confusion.

Cen Sheng understood that he couldn’t communicate with his companions through thought.

He picked up his phone, pretending to make a call, "Bro, can you hear me speaking?"

Rong Ye frowned, and the dialogue box displayed his thoughts, [Can't speak, and Xiao Sheng can't see me. Ugh, so annoying.]

The font color was different, indicating these were his inner thoughts.

Rong Ye suddenly had an idea, and a light bulb appeared over his head. Then Cen Sheng felt a gentle bite on his earlobe.

The illustration didn’t change; the simulator couldn’t display interactions between the companion and the external world.

Normally, being touched by a ghost should feel cold. Cen Sheng had felt a bone-chilling cold when touched by the transport monster and Wang Wenlong.

But when Rong Ye's ghost bit his earlobe, Cen Sheng felt a faint warmth in his body.

He pursed his lips and whispered softly, "Bro, bite me again."

An invisible hand grasped Cen Sheng's chin. The ghostly Rong Ye embraced him, leaning down to kiss his lips. Before Cen Sheng could adjust, Rong Ye pried open his lips and invaded his mouth.

Domineering, forceful, disobedient, and unreasonable.

Indeed, even as a ghost, Rong Ye remained the Rong Ye he knew so well.

No one could see his ghostly lover, including Cen Sheng.

He sat alone on a bench in the hospital corridor, head tilted back, mouth open, eyes reddening, face flushed.

Cen Sheng didn't dare to imagine how he looked at the moment, resembling someone consumed with unfulfilled desires.

Rong Ye was considerate of his feelings; he released Cen Sheng as soon as someone approached.

Cen Sheng's cheeks were burning; he kept his head down, not daring to look at passersby.

————

After calming down, Cen Sheng continued to ask, "Bro, who killed you, was it the landlord?"

[It was him, but he was just a pawn. The one who really wanted me dead is Bai Yujing.]

"The Bai Yujing of the Heavenly Jade Capital, from the Twelve Towers and Five Cities?"

[I only remember the name, but I can't recall what it specifically represents], Rong Ye’s avatar showed a little question mark, 【Xiao Sheng, how do you know what I said?】

Cen Sheng explained about the Paternal Simulator, but Rong Ye kept shaking his head, saying he couldn't hear clearly.

After several attempts, the assistant reminded Cen Sheng that only he could know about the narrator and the Paternal Simulator.

Thinking Cen Sheng didn’t want to answer, Rong Ye changed the subject, [You moved into Yin He Community?]

"Yes, and it seems it's going to be difficult to leave. Bro, how did you disappear originally?"

[Disappear? I disappeared?]

"I searched for you for over two months, only to find you dead outside."

[I can't remember clearly, I only remember I opened a door. Don't glare at me, it wasn't a rash decision, I had thought it through. But why I had to open it, I can't remember.]

Rong Ye yawned, [It seems like I knew too much, and to prevent me from leaking secrets, someone cursed me. I can't remember anything related to that.]

[What happened after, I'm not clear. I slept for a long time and when I woke up, I was in your body.]

Cen Sheng was taken aback, "Inside the body?"

[Yes, like Xiao Jiejie and the possessing female ghost, but I won't take over your body. I'm just hiding inside. Strange, why do I need to hide? This is so annoying, who the hell cursed me. Despicable! Disgusting!]

After a brief chat, the dialogue box again showed a string of [zzz].

Just before falling asleep, Rong Ye mustered the energy to say, [I love you.]

The assistant informed Cen Sheng that this companion was too weak to stay conscious for long.

————

Not wanting to disturb Rong Ye, Cen Sheng clicked on the avatar in the upper left corner to check his own information.

[Health Points: 8 (You have minor injuries)]

[Charisma: 8 (You have strong affinity)]

[Luck: 0 (The ghost clinging to you is affecting your luck)]

[Special Item: 'The Warm World']

[Special Ability: Detective's Privilege]

Cen Sheng asked Xiao Yin how to improve his luck.

The voice assistant suggested that he kill the ghostly man attached to him to solve the problem at its source.

Cen Sheng thought it was utterly inhumane, akin to an artificial idiot.

After confronting the assistant for half a day, he finally managed to pry some benefits from it, obtaining three compensation gift packs.

Upon claiming the compensation in his mailbox, three tightly packed gift boxes popped up on the semi-transparent screen.

The screen dimmed, and confetti burst out all around. The gift boxes disappeared, replaced by three cards.

[Congratulations Mr. Cen on receiving a special item—Clingy Little Stone]

[Rating: Common]

[Personality: Inferiority Complex]

[Description: Whether thrown away or given to someone else, as long as you call it back, the Little Stone will automatically return to your hand (the Little Stone doesn't understand much, but it likes you)]

A stone with a personality?

Cen Sheng frowned as he read the description. Suddenly, his left hand felt heavier, and a small grey stone appeared in his palm.

The stone was oval, about the size of a table tennis ball. Smooth on the surface, it appeared quite ordinary, something you'd see anywhere in daily life.

With no one in the corridor, Cen Sheng tried tossing it lightly. The Little Stone flew out and hit the wall a few meters away.

Cen Sheng whispered softly, "Come back."

The little stone that fell to the ground flew back into his hand like a boomerang.

Touching the dusty little stone, Cen Sheng found it quite useful.

He knew a friend who was good at painting, and he planned to have them paint a face and clothes on the little stone.

Tucking away the little stone, Cen Sheng unfolded the second card.

[Congratulations Mr. Cen on receiving a special item—Lucky Coin]

[Rating: Precious]

[Personality: Rational]

[Description: Mr. Coin is an elegant gentleman who always remains rational. When you can't make a decision, toss the coin, and it will bring you good luck.]

First, a stone, and now a coin.

Cen Sheng couldn't figure out whether his luck today was good or bad.

Holding the Lucky Coin, Cen Sheng opened the last card.

[Congratulations Mr. Cen on receiving a special reward—Detective Agency]

[Rating: Rare]

[The detectives in the agency are facing some troubles. If you can solve these problems, you will inherit their agency]

[Congratulations Mr. Cen on unlocking the side quest—The Invisible Man]

[Someone is chasing me, I've been running and running, but he's still after me! He broke into my house, killed my parents. I hid in a mall, in a police station, but he's still pursuing me!]

[Mission Reward: Detective Agency]

'Tap tap tap—'

Before Cen Sheng could finish reading the mission prompt, hurried footsteps suddenly echoed in the corridor.

He turned to look and saw Officer Wang rushing out of the elevator.

"Cen Sheng, come with me. There's been an accident, Dou Li is dead."

Author's Note:

I'm back!

Rong Ye is online!

Thanks to the little angels who supported me with tyrant tickets and nutrient solutions from August 25, 2023, 21:14:35 to August 26, 2023, 21:49:17~

Thanks to the little angel who dropped a landmine: glange 1;

Thanks to the little angels who irrigated with nutrient solutions: Mo Li Wu Zhu MLWZ, Jiang 10 bottles; Mei Tian Dou Zai Xue Xi, Dazai Osamu 5 bottles; Ren Sheng Jie Shu, Chang Geng Zhen De Hao Wen Rou, Pink Leopard Loves Little Pink, Rong Rong Rong, Kao Bei, (ˉ(∞)ˉ) 1 bottle each;

I'm really grateful for everyone's support, I'll keep working hard!