Chapter 134

Chapter 134

◎Legacy After Death◎

After taking a moment to process Ji Nanxing's reassurance, Xiao Ye looked at the girls lounging in the living room, exhausted from the heat: "Should we handle this now? Where is it?"

Ji Nanxing walked into the room, lightly tapped the Golden Bell with his finger, and a clear bell sound resonated, pushing back the lingering ghost trying to follow them inside. Only then did he say, "No hurry, we'll handle it later. I've driven it outside for now."

After such a long-awaited trip, they should let everyone have their fun. He would handle the rest later.

Cui Yi originally wanted to follow them into the house, but as soon as he stepped inside, he was pushed back by the sound of the bell. His previously foggy mind seemed to clear up.

Cui Yi looked at the group of kids inside the house, his eyes showing hesitation and conflict. He believed that the sound just now was definitely not made without reason.

He scanned the house, disappointed to find no wind chimes or similar items under the eaves. He tried again to enter the house but was blocked by an invisible force.

Stuck outside, Cui Yi could only wait longingly. He desperately needed someone who could see him to help.

Though he wasn’t sure if the sound was man-made or if the house had ghost-repelling properties, since it could block him, there might indeed be someone here who could catch ghosts. So even if he risked being caught or exorcised, he stayed. As long as someone could see him, even if they came to capture him, it was worth it.

Ji Nanxing looked outside and saw the lingering ghost lingering at the door, refusing to leave. He then turned to Jiang Tangtang: "Where’d you go this afternoon?"

Jiang Tangtang didn't think much of it and shared their afternoon adventure: "We went to the sunflower field. It’s photogenic, but you’ve got to find the right angles. It’s not as stunning as the ads make it out to be. Although you can see large golden flower fields, the rows of fields sort of spoil the view. And there were so many bees! Good thing I didn’t wear yellow today."

Ji Nanxing: "Buy anything?"

Jiang Tangtang rummaged through a pile of shopping bags: "I got some clothes, a hat, and a few bracelets. The shopkeeper said they’re pure silver, but I’m not sure."

Lin Yi said, "They likely are."

Jiang Tangtang exclaimed, "You can tell?"

Lin Yi smiled, "No, but I’m allergic to everything but gold and silver. I tried them on, and I’m fine, so they’ve got to be pure silver. They can’t be gold, can they?"

Jiang Tangtang exclaimed, "That's amazing! You're like a human detector! I'll take you with me when I shop from now on. You try it first, and if you don't get allergic, I'll buy it!"

Xiao Xiao took off her sunscreen jacket: "There's still some time. I'll go upstairs to take a quick shower and come down soon. I'm all sweaty."

Lin Yi quickly followed, "I want to take a shower too."

Otherwise, being all sticky with sweat would make eating uncomfortable.

Jiang Tangtang waved at them, "Go ahead. I'm so tired, I just want to lie down and not move."

Zhang Yuan and Chen Shiyi came downstairs and said, "If you really don't want to move, you can order food to be delivered."

Jiang Tangtang sat up in an instant, "No way! I worked so hard to book that boat restaurant. I have to go, even if I have to crawl there!"

Xiao Ye walked over to Ji Nanxing: "Could it be caused by the things she bought?"

He remembered that some antique jewelry could come with "friends."

Ji Nanxing said, "Probably not. I'll go upstairs to get something."

After saying that, Ji Nanxing turned and went upstairs. Soon, he came back down with a small box in his hand, opened the lid, and placed it under Jiang Tangtang's nose.

A refreshing scent instantly filled her brain. Jiang Tangtang, who had just felt so tired she wanted to lie down and sleep, was now fully revived.

"What is this? It's more effective than cooling oil. I'm not tired anymore!"

Ji Nanxing closed the lid: "It's a balm that helps refresh and clear your mind."

Jiang Tangtang asked curiously: "Where can I get this? It's so effective, I want to buy it too."

Ji Nanxing chuckled: "A friend of mine whipped it up, but if you knew the ingredients, you probably wouldn't want it."

Zhang Yuan and Chen Shiyi both came over curiously, but they only smelled a faint fragrance and didn't feel much of a refreshing effect. Hearing Ji Nanxing's words, they naturally became curious: "What ingredients?"

Ji Nanxing: "Dead bugs and their droppings."

Jiang Tangtang immediately exclaimed, even shivering, and waved her hands repeatedly: "No way, no way! I think cooling oil is quite good too."

Ji Nanxing smiled and put away the balm. This is a balm that dispels yin energy, with effects similar to yin-dispelling talismans, but sometimes it's inconvenient to use talismans, so he always kept one handy, just in case. Unexpectedly, it came in handy this time.

Only those who had been tainted with yin energy would feel the effect when they smelled it. A ghost had been tailing Jiang Tangtang, so she had been feeling tired all along. The effect of this yin-dispelling balm was most obvious on her.

Feeling rejuvenated, Jiang Tangtang sprang up from the couch: "I’m gonna shower, do my makeup, and slip into the cute dress I brought for boat photos!"

Watching Jiang Tangtang run upstairs noisily, Chen Shiyi took an ice cream from the fridge and ate it slowly. Girls are such a mystery, one moment they're too tired to move, but for the sake of looking beautiful, they can instantly become full of energy.

The restaurant was on a boat in the middle of the lake. They’d pre-ordered their meal, and a boat could seat up to eight people. They would circle the lake while eating and enjoying the scenery. It wasn’t cheap, but the view made it worth it.

On both sides of the lake were houses built by the water, mostly shops, with bright lanterns and colorful balls hanging. The antique-style street lamps reflected on the lake surface, bright and splendid.

Jiang Tangtang had been looking forward to this for a long time, and even pulled Xiao Xiao and Lin Yi to change into the Hanfu she had prepared. The flowing, fairy-like skirts, their chest ribbons fluttering in the wind, sitting on the boat, leaning lightly against the window, really had a bit of ancient charm.

Ji Nanxing and the guys were busy eating, while the three girls kept taking photos, sometimes looking up at the stars, sometimes looking down at the water, or reaching out to stir the lake water.

Zhang Yuan couldn't help but say: "We're eating, can you save the drama for after we’re done eating?"

Jiang Tangtang, who was in the middle of taking photos, rolled her eyes at him: "Even food can’t shut you up! Why can’t you be a quiet hunk like the academic god? Oh, I was wrong, you can only be considered a man at most."

Zhang Yuan picked up a drink bottle and pretended to throw it at her.

Ji Nanxing smirked, watching them jump around taking photos, striking all kinds of weird poses just for the perfect photo.

Beside him, Xiao Ye meticulously picked out the fish bones with his chopsticks, then dipped them in sauce and put them in Ji Nanxing's bowl, and diligently peeled shrimp for him, focusing intently on feeding him.

Ji Nanxing wasn’t used to being waited on during meals. But after living with Xiao Ye for so long and always eating together, he had mentioned it a few times, but Xiao Ye couldn't help wanting to do things for him. Now, he ate the things Xiao Ye gave him very naturally.

Chen Shiyi and Zhang Yuan weren't eating with them for the first time either. From being shocked and speechless at first, they could now ignore it. Watching Xiao Ye take care of every detail, Chen Shiyi sighed: "You’re up to no good."

Ji Nanxing looked up at him: "What do you mean?"

Xiao Ye narrowed his eyes and glared at Chen Shiyi.

Zhang Yuan laughed and responded: "Too sinister."

Ji Nanxing looked puzzled: "What are you two going on about?"

Xiao Ye immediately drew Ji Nanxing's attention back: "Try this pork rib, it's quite good, don't mind them, they’re just acting strange."

Chen Shiyi bit his chopsticks and smiled. Once you get used to being pampered, it’s hard to go back.

While Ji Nanxing was pulled away by Xiao Xiao and the others to take photos, Chen Shiyi said fiercely: "You’d better be ready to serve him forever!"

Xiao Ye showed his white teeth at him: "I’ll take that as a blessing!"

Zhang Yuan leaned to the side, tossing peanuts into his mouth one by one. With the girls’ laughter chattering behind him, he smiled with the lake breeze blowing, carefree in youth, wondering what they would become ten years later.

Jiang Tangtang handed her phone to the boatman and called out to everyone, "Come on, let’s snap a group pic! Tall people sit at the back, short ones squat in the front!"

Chen Shiyi asked, "So should I sit or squat?"

Jiang Tangtang pulled him down to squat with her, "Know your height, thanks! Now, show off those pearly whites!"

As the shutter clicked, Xiao Ye tilted his head slightly, and the photo captured an intimate moment with his head close to Ji Nanxing's.

After stuffing themselves, they wandered through the bustling night market in the ancient city, bought some fruits and souvenirs, and then casually made their way back to the homestay.

Ji Nanxing said to Chen Shiyi, "Stay in your room once we’re back."

Chen Shiyi exclaimed, "Why? Are you guys going somewhere else later?"

Ji Nanxing replied, "There’s a ghost lurking outside the homestay. We’ll handle it later, so stay away from the ghost’s energy."

Chen Shiyi was shocked, and so was Zhang Yuan, who turned to Xiao Ye with wide eyes full of questions, "What’s the deal?"

Xiao Ye explained, "It tailed Jiang Tangtang and the others back. We’ll figure it out when we’re back."

Looking at the three girls skipping ahead, Zhang Yuan frowned, "What did they do to attract a lingering ghost?"

Xiao Ye shook his head, "We only temporarily blocked the ghost outside the homestay. We’ll find out more when we get back."

Ji Nanxing added, "We’ll ask later. I didn’t pick up any bad vibes from the ghost, so it’s probably not something they did to offend it. It’s nothing serious."

Back at the homestay, the three girls washed up and got ready for bed. Seeing Chen Shiyi go upstairs while Xiao Ye and the others sat in the yard, Jiang Tangtang peeked curiously from the stairs, "You’re not coming up? Not wiped out after all that fun?"

Zhang Yuan waved at her, "We’ll hang out here for a bit. You go rest."

Jiang Tangtang said, "Oh," and after a few steps, she turned back to remind them, "If you grab a late-night bite, don’t forget us!"

Xiao Ye laughed, "Still munching? What happened to the diet?"

Jiang Tangtang, holding Lin Yi with one hand and Xiao Xiao with the other, skipped upstairs, "It’s fine to treat yourself once in a while. We’re here to enjoy ourselves!"

After they went upstairs, Ji Nanxing gave a gentle shake to the Golden Bell on his wrist, and Cui Yi, who had been squatting at the door, drifted into the room in an instant.

Ji Nanxing gave Xiao Ye and Zhang Yuan a quick glimpse into the spirit world, and a man about thirty years old and roughly 1.8 meters tall slowly appeared before them.

Ji Nanxing looked at the lingering ghost and asked, "What’s your deal with following them?"

Cui Yi was momentarily dazed, "You can actually see me?"

Zhang Yuan said, "He's a Taoist, of course he can see you. Why are you following our friends? Did they do something to offend you?"

Cui Yi quickly shook his head, "No, no. It's just that this afternoon on the old street, I thought she saw me and even smiled at me, so I followed."

Zhang Yuan and Xiao Ye's expressions changed instantly. Is this guy some kind of creep ghost?

Ji Nanxing was also surprised by the reason but explained, "My friend doesn't have the ability to see spirits. She probably didn't see you. Her smile was probably just a coincidence."

Cui Yi realized his explanation sounded off and quickly corrected himself, "I didn't mean it like that. I thought she could see me, so I followed. I’ve been lost and alone for so long, and no one can see me. I wanted to ask for help but had no one to turn to. Are Taoists specialized in catching ghosts? You can catch me, but before you do, could you help me?"

Ji Nanxing asked, "What do you need help with?"

Cui Yi felt uncomfortable standing and talking, so he floated over to sit on the flower bed by the wall, "My name is Cui Yi. I died in a car accident a few months ago. I had a girlfriend for five years, and we got married last year. We had a good relationship and were planning to have a child this year."

At this, Cui Yi's expression visibly saddened, regretting not being able to spend his life with the person he loved, but also relieved that they hadn't had a child yet, as it would have burdened her future even more.

Xiao Ye: "You can't let go of your wife?"

Cui Yi shook his head: "I know that the living and the dead are separate paths, and although it might be hard now, time will heal. I can't fully let go of her, but I also know that it's not good for ghosts to cling to the living. As long as she is doing well, I have no other thoughts. But she is not doing well."

Cui Yi must have been a gentle man in life. Even after death, though he had lingering attachments, his resentment was not deep. He explained his needs calmly and without rush.

"My situation is a bit complicated. I need to start from the beginning for you to understand. My father had five brothers. My biological father was the third son, and he had three sons. The man I should have called fifth uncle never married because he had a genetic disease and didn't want to burden others. When I was about five years old, my biological father gave me to my fifth uncle."

"They were brothers, so there was no formal adoption process. They simply handed me over to my adoptive father, saying that from then on, I had no relation to the family and was his son. He would take care of everything, and I would take care of him in his old age."

A five-year-old already understands a lot. He was the second child in the family, always on the fringes, not as important as the eldest nor as doted on as the youngest. He was so overlooked that his parents often forgot he existed.

But they were still his birth parents, and a child's love for their parents is innate. No matter how marginal he was, he couldn't bring himself to leave home. But reality didn't give him a choice.

Over time, as he adjusted to life with his adoptive father and received complete paternal love, he stopped thinking about his original family.

He studied hard, treated his adoptive father as his real father, and they were just like any typical father and son, sharing laughs and arguments. Over the years, his birth parents never came to see him, and he gradually stopped thinking about them, truly letting them go.

But the good times were short-lived. While he was in college, his adoptive father got sick and passed away shortly after. Knowing he had a disease and fearing that after his death, Cui Yi would have nothing and couldn't take care of himself, his adoptive father had long ago transferred all his assets to Cui Yi.

The savings were directly deposited into his account, and the house was transferred to him on the day he came of age. So after his adoptive father passed away, there were no disputes over inheritance.

Cui Yi's expression turned sorrowful: "He set everything up for me, giving me the confidence to thrive in this big city. Over the years, my girlfriend and I worked hard together. Since we didn’t have to buy a home, we lived quite comfortably, saving for our future child's education fund. Before our wedding, we renovated the house my adoptive father left us, making it our new marital home."

Cui Yi regretted: "After my adoptive father died, I was pretty much on my own. I never gave my birth parents a second thought. In my heart, I had no relation to them. I thought everything in my future would be shared with my wife. I never expected to die so young, so I made no preparations. But after I died, my biological parents showed up, wanting to divide my inheritance. They wanted the house, they wanted the money. But I only wanted to leave these things to my wife, so she could have some security even without me."

Hearing this, Zhang Yuan couldn't help but say: "Under inheritance law, since you didn’t transfer the assets directly to your adoptive father, your biological parents do have inheritance rights."

Cui Yi: "I know, but I can't accept it. They didn’t raise me; it was my adoptive father who did. Now that I’m gone, they’re trying to take what I meant to leave for my wife. I can't accept it. I really can't."

Ji Nanxing said: "Then why are you here? Do you live nearby?"

Cui Yi shook his head, gave his home address, and said: "My wife and I had already moved into that house. But after I died, my biological parents came and caused a scene, saying the house was pre-marital property and had nothing to do with my wife. Even if she had inheritance rights after my death, she could only inherit half. They said she had been married to me for less than a year and didn't even have a child, so why should she inherit my things? They said since I was dead, my things should all go to my parents. So they moved into my house and kicked my wife out. This ancient city is where my wife and I often came when we were dating. When my wife misses me, she comes to stay at the inn we used to stay at, as if I were still here."

He died, unable to reincarnate because of his lingering attachments, so he could only follow his wife, watching how she was bullied by his biological parents, watching them demand the house and money from her, even saying she was a jinx who caused his death, demanding she pay with her life.

They pretended as if they cared deeply for him, but in the over twenty years, they never asked about him or visited him even once. After giving him to his adoptive father, they didn't show any regret.

The house in downtown Yulan, any one of them was worth millions. His adoptive father had bought it when the area was still a rundown neighborhood, and after the demolition, he was able to buy a new house.

With that kind of money, who wouldn’t be jealous? Plus, they did have legal inheritance rights, so they wouldn't let it go.

His wife was brutally kicked out, likely still struggling to cope with his death, and didn't have the energy to argue with them, so she came to the ancient city for a break.

He trailed behind his wife daily, desperate to find someone who could help him, but he was already dead, now just a ghost that no one could see.

Today, when he saw the girl who seemed to see him and even smiled at him, Cui Yi thought she could see him, so he followed her back.

Though it was a misunderstanding, now that he’d met a real Taoist who could see him, Cui Yi felt quite lucky.

Zhang Yuan turned to Ji Nanxing: "How should we handle this? Even if we take it to court, his birth parents are the primary heirs, at most dividing his assets equally."

Ji Nanxing looked at Cui Yi: "So you want to leave everything to your wife?"

Cui Yi nodded, then felt that it might be difficult. He knew the law, knew about inheritance. He hadn't made a will before his death, hadn't secured his wife's future, and now his biological parents had come out of the woodwork. There was nothing he could do.

Even if the other party was a Taoist, even if they were willing to help his wife find a lawyer and go to court, the law couldn't transfer according to his wishes. So, reluctantly, he compromised: "If there's really no way, getting back half would be fine. Even if we sell the house, leaving some money for Xiao Jie is better than nothing."

Cui Yi added: "Or could you let my wife see me? She hasn't come to terms with my death yet and doesn't want to argue with my family, so she keeps giving in and doesn't want anything. I want her to know that whatever’s rightfully hers, she should never give up."

That house was decorated piece by piece by him and Xiao Jie according to their own preferences, with a bright, sunlit living room, a small balcony filled with flowers and plants, a study with large floor-to-ceiling windows, and a bedroom with a large bay window. Every corner of the house was their favorite.

If it were sold, it would feel like all the memories he shared with Xiao Jie were wiped away.

Ji Nanxing placed the teacup on the table: "Since you’re unwilling to give in, why settle? The law can only divide the property equally at most, but you’re already dead."

Cui Yi looked somewhat confused: "What do you mean?"

Xiao Ye, who was beside him, said: "It means you’re already dead. You can stir up some trouble. They want the house and the money, right? Just make them too scared to take or live in it."

Cui Yi was shocked: "Can... can I really do that?"

Xiao Ye chuckled: "Why not? Turn the house into a haunted place, make them realize that if they keep pushing, they’ll be haunted by a ghost. Let’s see if they still dare."

To deal with scoundrels, you have to use scoundrel methods. Let them decide between money and their lives.