Chapter 58

Chapter 58

◎The Lingering Spirit Who Refuses to Return◎

It was a child who looked about ten years old, dressed neatly and cleanly, with a slightly thin figure. Because he was a lingering spirit, he didn't have the lifeless aura typical of lingering ghosts, and his demeanor was as lively as a living person.

The child knew that the female ghost sister wanted to send him home, so when he found that she had come looking for him again, he quickly tried to dodge her. However, he was careful to avoid the dead but overlooked the living. As he tried to crawl out of the bushes, he bumped into someone and landed on his backside.

Meng Jin instinctively said sorry after bumping into someone, but when he got up, he realized that he shouldn't have been able to bump into anyone since he was no longer among the living.

Looking at the older brother he had bumped into, Meng Jin looked up in confusion. After meeting his gaze and confirming that he could see him, he asked in surprise, "Are you a ghost as well, big brother?"

Xie Paner floated over and grabbed the child's hand, "Got you! Where do you think you're off to now?"

Meng Jin struggled hard, "Why are you grabbing me? I don't even know you! Don't think kidnapping a child isn't illegal just because you're a ghost!"

Xie Paner turned to look at the Young Celestial Master, "Is it illegal for a ghost to kidnap a child?"

Ji Nanxing replied, "I don't know about the laws of the underworld, but the retribution might be even more terrifying than legal consequences."

Hearing this, Meng Jin became even more confident, "You hear that? There's going to be retribution! Let me go! You're not my family, so why are you meddling in my affairs!"

Xie Paner angrily said, "You little brat! Can't you let people finish speaking? If you're truly set on dying, we can't force you to stay alive!"

Meng Jin also got angry, "Then why are you forcing me to return when I don't want to! Can't I even make my own decisions!"

Xiao Ye, seeing Ji Nanxing standing aside, was a bit confused, "What's happening here?"

Ji Nanxing passed his hand over Xiao Ye's eyes, and soon two figures, one big and one small, appeared before him.

Xie Paner had recently swapped fates with someone, so her ghostly aura was fainter, making her appear more like a living person. The child, being a lingering spirit, didn't emit much ghostly aura and appeared normal.

So when he suddenly saw the people appearing before him, Xiao Ye wasn't scared. Instead, he calmly waved at Xie Paner, who was looking at him, and said, "Hi."

Xie Paner exclaimed, "As expected from a middle schooler who wants to save the world, you're remarkably calm. You're not scared at all seeing a ghost."

Xiao Ye replied, "With my Naonao around, what's there to fear? What are you arguing about now?"

Xie Paner looked at the little brat who only came up to her chest and let go of him, "I thought you were a wandering spirit and wanted to help you return, but since you don't want to go back, we won't force you. But life is only once; you need to think carefully. If you're dealing with any hardships, like domestic violence, school bullying, or if you feel like it's the end of the world, you can share with us. Perhaps we can help you resolve it. If you truly believe that living won't solve anything, we won't prevent you from choosing death. Do you understand?"

She herself had committed suicide, and honestly, some things might seem like trivial matters to others, but to oneself, they could be an insurmountable darkness. So she understood how this child felt.

But stepping out of the environment she was in at that time, Xie Paner felt that if someone could have pulled her up, if someone could have helped her, she wouldn't have jumped from such a height and given up her life.

Now she met someone who might be in the same situation as her, and she wanted to pull them up. Whether it's life or death, at least it's not the only choice in the darkness.

Meng Jin looked down at his released hand and quietly listened to what the female ghost sister said. After she finished, he said, "No need, I've decided. I'm not returning, and there's nothing that requires others' assistance. As long as you don't send me back against my will, that's the biggest help."

Ji Nanxing said, "We will respect your wishes. Your vitality is already very weak; I hope you can still have a chance to go back before you regret it."

Xiao Ye said, "Kid, why don't you tell us what's going on? If the sky falls, there are taller people to hold it up. If you're worried that you'll continue to be abused after you return, don't worry, my family has a legal team. No matter how unreasonable your parents are, we can save you from the suffering."

Meng Jin expressionlessly pulled the corners of his mouth towards them, "Thank you, no need."

Ji Nanxing nodded upon hearing this and said to Xiao Ye, "Let's go."

Xiao Ye didn't persuade anymore and followed Ji Nanxing to leave.

Seeing the two big brothers leave, Meng Jin looked at the female ghost, "Aren't you leaving?"

Xie Paner hid under the shadow of the slide: "Why do you care?"

Outside, the sun was shining. Even though Meng Jin was a spirit, the sun still made him uncomfortable, so he was forced to hide in the shadow with her.

Perhaps because the weather was nice, soon a few children came to play, climbing up and down under the watchful eyes of their parents, screaming and laughing.

Xie Paner rubbed her ears: "It's so loud."

Meng Jin looked at her: "If you don't like children, why did you meddle in my business earlier?"

Xie Paner: "I was just curious about a spirit for the first time. Anyway, I was bored, and I can't leave until it gets dark. Why don't you tell me about your family?"

Meng Jin rolled his eyes: "You're so curious. Don't you know not to rub salt in someone's wounds?"

Xie Paner sighed: "Being a ghost for so long has been really lonely. It's rare to find someone I can talk to. Do you know that before I met the Young Celestial Master—that guy just now—I hadn't spoken to anyone for years? Because the living can't see me, and there aren't many ghosts around, it's so boring."

Meng Jin ignored her, sitting in the shadow watching the playing children, silently lost in thought.

After leaving the small park, Xiao Ye looked back and didn't see the two figures before asking: "Really not going to intervene?"

Ji Nanxing: "He doesn't want to return, and I can't force him. That kid is probably about ten, and at that age, they understand a lot. Some ten-year-olds are even more mature than adults. Don't assume they're too young and try to impose your will on them."

Xiao Ye nodded: "That's true. What did you use to open my spiritual sight earlier? Can it stay open?"

Ji Nanxing: "Of course not. I used my own spiritual power to open it. The longer it's open, the more it drains me."

Though curious about the unseen world, Xiao Ye didn't want to drain Ji Nanxing, so he quickly said: "Then shut it off right away."

Ji Nanxing smiled: "It's already off."

Looking at the clear sky, Xiao Ye said: "Are you hungry? Want to get something to eat?"

Ji Nanxing glanced at his stomach: "Didn't we just eat?"

Xiao Ye pulled him along: "Meals are one thing, snacks are another. Let's go, I'll buy you some snacks at the supermarket."

There was a large mall nearby, complete with dining, shopping, and a cinema. Since it was the weekend, the mall was packed with families.

Xiao Ye had already ordered drinks on an app, and as they entered, the order was ready. Just as he picked up the milk tea, two bright and youthful girls stopped him.

Seeing the milk tea bag in his hand, Jiang Tangtang teased: "Hey, Brother Ye, on a date?"

Xiao Ye looked at Jiang Tangtang and Lin Yi and laughed: "Yes, on a date. You better stay away, or my partner might get the wrong idea."

Jiang Tangtang immediately looked around with a gossipy eye, trying to spot Xiao Ye's date in the crowd.

Before they could look further, they saw the most striking presence in the crowd. Jiang Tangtang linked arms with Lin Yi, leaning on her shoulder, and exclaimed with starry eyes: "The Academic God is so good-looking. He doesn't even have to do anything; just standing there, he grabs all my attention."

Who gets the appeal of a heartthrob? In the crowd, everyone else is just a backdrop, but he stands out as if spotlighted. Who understands?

Lin Yi stood by, smiling. She wasn't as extroverted as Jiang Tangtang, able to express her admiration so openly and passionately, but her gaze lingered a bit longer. Ji Nanxing looked even more handsome in casual clothes.

Xiao Ye directly lifted the milk tea bag to block their view: "What are you looking at? Keep your eyes to yourselves!"

Jiang Tangtang clicked her tongue lightly: "What's the big deal? Don't block my view!"

Ji Nanxing finished replying to Xia Junyan's message, looked up, and saw Xiao Ye talking to someone. He put away his phone and walked over: "You're here shopping too?"

Xiao Ye handed him one of the hot drinks: "Be careful, it's hot."

Jiang Tangtang complained to Ji Nanxing, "He just said you're his girlfriend! And told us not to disturb his date!"

Xiao Ye tried to cover her mouth, saying, "Hey, hey."

Ji Nanxing, who never minds such jokes, smiled and said, "Want something to drink? On me."

Jiang Tangtang shook her head, "No way, if I even glance at Brother Ye, he might kill me. If I drink the bubble tea you bought, I'm afraid he'll come for my life in the middle of the night."

Lin Yi gently nudged Jiang Tangtang, reminding her to keep her jokes within limits, "Thank you, but no. We just had dinner."

Ji Nanxing isn't the type to be overly friendly either. Meeting classmates outside, a simple greeting is enough. Seeing them carrying many bags, Xiao Ye waved, "We won't hold you up. See ya."

Jiang Tangtang said, "There's a celeb signing here today. If you're interested, you can check it out later."

Xiao Ye asked curiously, "Who is it? A singer or a dancer?"

Jiang Tangtang replied, "It's Gang Sheng! An all-around entertainer who can sing and act!"

Having never heard the name before, Xiao Ye glanced at Ji Nanxing and, seeing his equally clueless expression, knew they weren't interested. Not wanting to dampen their classmates' excitement, he said, "Alright, we'll hit the supermarket first and check it out later."

They came to the mall to buy snacks, so they headed straight to the supermarket. Xiao Ye took off his jacket and hung it on the shopping cart, sighing, "No wonder it's so packed. There's a celeb signing. Should we take a look later?"

Ji Nanxing shook his head, "What's there to see if we don't even know who they are?"

He doesn't like crowded places and isn't into celebrity chasing.

Xiao Ye took out his phone and searched for the food court in the mall, "Since we're out, why not grab dinner here? After shopping, we can store our stuff and check out the gaming area upstairs. Play for a bit, have dinner, and then go home?"

Ji Nanxing shook his head again, "We should head home before four. It's gonna rain."

The weather looked too clear for rain, but Xiao Ye chose to believe him and sped up, filling the cart with tasty snacks.

Various snacks and fruits soon filled the cart. Xiao Ye also thought about the ghost girl at Ji Nanxing's house, "What does Xie Paner like to eat? Can ghosts eat this kind of stuff?"

Ji Nanxing replied, "If it's given to her, sure. She's into sweets, like candy and cupcakes."

Xie Paner rarely asks for food. Sometimes when he eats takeout at home, she just tries to smell it, even though she can't. She's only asked for a cake once.

She seems lively and cheerful, but her family's really messed her up. Maybe because of something her father once said—that it's shameful for girls to be greedy—she often holds back her desires, not daring to show them.

Some parents don't get that their offhand comments can mess someone up for life.

Xiao Ye went back to the candy aisle and picked up a few boxes of candies and chocolates, "My first ghost buddy. Can you give these to her?"

Ji Nanxing smiled, "Sure, I'll pass on your thanks."

Knowing it would rain soon, Xiao Ye called his driver. However, the car couldn't stop at the main entrance, so it was parked at the side door. They had to walk around half the mall to get there.

The closer they got to the center, the more crowded it became. They didn't see the celebrity, just a sea of heads. Seeing the crowd, Xiao Ye pushed the cart with one hand and grabbed Ji Nanxing with the other, "Stick close. What if you get lost?"

Ji Nanxing replied, "I've got a phone, cash, a mouth, and legs. What do you think I'd do?"

Xiao Ye said, "Nah, you should head straight to the info desk and make an announcement: 'Parents of Ji Naonao, please come to the info desk. Ji Naonao is waiting here.' Then just sit tight till I come get you."

Hearing Xiao Ye's fake serious announcer voice, Ji Nanxing laughed, his eyes crinkling with a smile that instantly melted hearts.

Xiao Ye was momentarily captivated and almost crashed the cart into a display at a store entrance. He quickly regained his composure, tightened his grip on the cart handle, and dared not look around anymore.

Suddenly, the mall music blasted, and the crowd went wild, the noise so loud Ji Nanxing wanted to cover his ears.

At the center of the mall's performance stage, a stylishly dressed young man stood under the spotlight, starting to dance as the music progressed.

Ji Nanxing glanced up, and this glance made him involuntarily frown.

Xiao Ye, afraid of being separated by the crowd, held his hand firmly and led him out, but seeing him stop and stare at the stage, he also paused: "The dancing looks pretty good. Do you want to stay and watch the performance? Maybe get an autograph later?"

Ji Nanxing shook his head, made sure he wasn’t seeing things, snapped a photo with his phone, and left.

The driver was already waiting at the side door. Xiao Ye, carrying large and small bags, got into the car: "I'll take you home first. Hand me some talismans and cinnabar. I’ll give it another shot when I get home."

Ji Nanxing nodded: "Okay."

After the car started, Xiao Ye asked: "What was up with that celebrity back there? Do you know him?"

Ji Nanxing glanced at the driver in front and didn’t elaborate too clearly: "That person has a little spirit following him."

Xiao Ye first thought about the little spirit, at first thinking that such things actually existed in the world, especially since ghosts exist, but quickly realized what Ji Nanxing meant, a bit surprised: "Is it that?"

Ji Nanxing nodded.

Xiao Ye quickly took out his phone to search, remembering Jiang Tangtang said the celebrity's name was Gang Sheng?

After searching for Gang Sheng, Xiao Ye said: "He debuted through a talent show, male, twenty-three years old, debuted at eighteen, starred in a popular ancient idol drama three years ago. Is that him?"

Ji Nanxing took the phone and looked. The guy on stage was indeed him, but it was unclear whether the spirit behind him was seeking revenge or love.

But regardless, it couldn’t just be ignored, because the spirit behind the celebrity carried a murderous aura—a ghost that had killed before. If not dealt with, it could harm the innocent.

After returning home, Ji Nanxing packed a box of empty talismans and cinnabar and handed it to Xiao Ye: "Hurry back before the rain gets heavier and makes the road inconvenient."

Xiao Ye: "How do you plan to deal with that little spirit? The other party is a celebrity, might be tough to approach, but it's not a big problem. I’ll figure it out."

No one in his family is involved in that circle, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t know people who are. With his grandfather and brother's status, plenty of so-called rich kids try to buddy up with him, but he doesn’t like it—it’s messy, some not even grown yet but already living it up.

But not liking to play doesn’t mean he doesn’t have contacts, and it wouldn’t be too tough to meet that little celeb.

Ji Nanxing wasn’t surprised by Xiao Ye’s capabilities. Although he seems like an ordinary high school student, with his family background, it’s impossible not to have connections.

Ji Nanxing said: "I took a photo. I’ll process it later and send it to the Human Realm Network admin. They’ll then issue a task or handle it officially."

Photos can capture those things, although ordinary people can’t see them. With some magnetic field processing, such as the enhancement of yin energy, the lingering ghost can be revealed in the photo.

Now the mystical community has been formalized. Encountering a lingering ghost can be directly reported to the authorities, kind of like another way of calling the cops. Once reported, a Taoist will naturally take on the task. If it’s hard to approach due to the celebrity’s status, then the management bureau can summon the person through law enforcement.

Xiao Ye: "Why didn’t you just capture the ghost at the mall?"

Ji Nanxing explained: "Because there were too many people, and the other party is a celebrity. If you directly approach him and say there’s a ghost behind you, whether he believes it or not is uncertain, and he was doing an event at the time. You might be mistaken for a fan and driven away. More importantly, capturing a ghost in public, with so many media around—what do you think would happen? It’s better to report it first."

Also, with many people around, innocent people could end up as hostages for the ghost. It’s too dangerous. In such situations, the first thing is not to capture the ghost, but to pretend not to notice and not provoke it.

Xiao Ye sighed: "So your mystical community has developed so impressively. I still thought this field was all about breaking old superstitions."

Ji Nanxing smiled: "Feudal superstitions still need to be broken. Few can view such things rationally. Without efforts to break them, everyone would end up like Mao Lu’s aunt, and the world would be in chaos. Alright, go back early. Be careful on the road."

Xiao Ye looked at the person standing in the warm light inside the house. On impulse, he reached out and pinched his cheek, facing Ji Nanxing’s instantly unfriendly gaze, and laughed: "See you Monday."

As soon as Xiao Ye arrived home, the weather began to change. The clear sky was blown away by dark clouds. The rain hadn’t started yet, but the wind was already picking up.

Grandpa was sitting in the tea room drinking tea with his old comrades. Seeing Xiao Ye back, he smiled: "Xiao Ye, where did you go on the weekend?"

Xiao Ye walked into the tea room: "Hello, Grandpa Li. I went to my classmate's house. Grandpa, I remember you have a wolf-hair calligraphy brush, the one with the green bamboo handle. Where is it?"

Grandpa took a sip of his tea: "You don't like writing with a brush, so why do you need one? If you want to use a brush, just grab any one from the study table. Don't mess up my prized possessions."

Xiao Ye said, "Oh": "It's in the study? I'll go look for it."

Grandpa suddenly got worried: "You little rascal! That brush was custom-made by a master. Don't ruin it!"

In response, Xiao Ye's footsteps echoed as he ran upstairs.

Grandpa was so mad he was fuming: "You little rascal! Only his brother can control him. He doesn't even fear me anymore!"

Grandpa Li, sitting beside him, poured him some tea: "Isn't it good that he's not afraid? My grandchildren are so scared of me they don't dare come near. Look at your grandson, I'm envious."

Grandpa snorted disdainfully, but inside he was pleased. He didn't have many grandchildren, but each one was outstanding. As he got older, he loved having kids around making a ruckus. If all his descendants were too afraid to approach, he would be truly upset.

The rain came down in sheets, catching many pedestrians who had ventured out in the sunny weather completely off guard. Getting soaked in the rain during winter was truly miserable.

Xie Paner gasped at the sudden downpour: "The weather changes so quickly! Let's go back with me first, or else when it thunders tonight, you'll be scattered to the winds."

Meng Jin kept crouching under the slide: "I told you not to worry about me. Do whatever you want."

Xie Paner smacked him on the head: "I told you I don't care if you live or die. You can return to your body or not, it's up to you. But it's raining now. Even though we spirits don't get wet, if it really thunders, I'm telling you, you'll be scattered to the winds. I'm not scaring you. Haven't you seen it in TV shows or novels? Heavenly thunder suppresses all yin. Come on, let's go to the Celestial Master's house to take shelter from the rain."

Meng Jin was hesitant, fiddling with the seams of his pants. Looking at the heavy rain outside and the looming thunderstorm, it was impossible not to be afraid. He had never been out in such weather before, and now he was just a wisp of a soul, easily scattered by the wind and rain.

But the young man was too proud to admit it, shouting for others not to meddle while still wanting to take shelter at someone else's place. It was a bit contradictory.

Sensing his hesitation, Xie Paner grabbed his hand: "Let's go, let's go. If you're not afraid, I am. Thunder is no joke. The Young Celestial Master is very kind and soft-hearted. He won't kick you out."

The two ghosts drifted back, and before entering, Xie Paner politely knocked on the door. Ordinary people wouldn't hear it, but Ji Nanxing definitely would.

After floating through the door, Xie Paner chirped: "We're back!"

Meng Jin followed behind, his head lowered in embarrassment.

Ji Nanxing, with a cup of hot cocoa in hand, glanced at them and gestured to the table: "Xiao Ye bought these for you."

Xie Paner's eyes sparkled with delight at the sight of various candies and chocolates on the table: "Wow! Your classmate is so nice, Young Celestial Master! I even advised you to change seats before. Good thing you didn't. What a great guy!"

Ji Nanxing chuckled: "Buying some candy makes him a great guy?"

Xie Paner hugged the pile of candies, giggling. Treating her like an ordinary person with equality was what made someone a good person in her eyes.

Noticing the young boy still standing at the door, Ji Nanxing said: "You brought him back, so you take care of him." With that, he turned and went into his room. Rainy days were perfect for watching horror movies.

Xie Paner took over the entire living room, beckoning to Meng Jin: "Come on, do you want to play with the tablet? Do you know how to play games? I'll ask the Young Celestial Master for his phone, and we can play together."

Outside, the rain poured down in sheets, while inside, the floor heating kept the room warm. In the house, there was a Celestial Master who caught ghosts, and in the living room, a female ghost inviting him to play games. Meng Jin felt that from the moment his soul left his body, the world had turned completely upside down.