Chapter 403

Chapter 403

◎What a Shame It Can’t Bloom◎

The residential area where Ji Nanxing lived boasted lush landscaping, with dense greenery separating each building. Even in winter, evergreen plants thrived, offering both beauty and privacy.

With the holiday break in full swing, there was no need to rush for early classes. Ji Nanxing woke up and indulged in a rare moment of lazing in bed. Snow was scarce in their area, but the damp chill still seeped through the air.

Lying on his side, Ji Nanxing gazed out the window at the overcast sky. Even through the glass, the cold outside was palpable.

Once winter arrived, the underfloor heating kicked in, filling the rooms with warmth. This was why Ji Nanxing loved lingering in bed—after years of enduring cold, the cozy heat made him delightfully lazy.

Right on cue, Xiao Ye, having finished his morning run, showered downstairs and changed into fresh clothes before heading up. Finding Ji Nanxing awake but still in bed, Xiao Ye grinned, cracked open the window a bit, then dove under the blankets beside him.

"Smell that?" Xiao Ye nuzzled his ear.

Though faint, Ji Nanxing’s sharp senses caught the fragrance. "Magnolias?"

Xiao Ye hugged him tighter. "Yeah, the ones in the yard bloomed. Only a few, but the scent’s strong. I almost picked one during my run, but decided to wait—more will open soon."

Their garden had a magnolia tree that flowered from February to May each year. After the magnolias faded, gardenias and jasmine took their turn, followed by the neighborhood’s osmanthus trees.

Year-round, their home was filled with floral scents. Ji Naonao loved making perfumes and adored natural blooms, so Xiao Ye had carefully planned their garden’s layout.

Delighted, Ji Nanxing sat up, though their bedroom window didn’t face the magnolia. "Didn’t the gardener say the transplant might skip blooming this year?"

Xiao Ye chuckled. "I kept threatening it daily—said I’d chop it down for firewood if it didn’t bloom. It got the message."

Ji Nanxing laughed. "Bullying a tree now?"

Xiao Ye winked. "The kumquats in back heard me too—they’re loaded with fruit. Must’ve been scared straight."

"Childish."

"Not at all! Science proves plants thrive on praise. They understand us—just like people."

Ji Nanxing slipped on his slippers. "Fishing for compliments this early?"

Xiao Ye trailed after him. "Compliments? I want kisses."

Ji Nanxing covered his mouth. "Not before I brush my teeth."

Knowing his habits, Xiao Ye played the perfect shadow—pouring water, squeezing toothpaste, and handing him a towel. When Ji Nanxing finished, Xiao Ye unscrewed the moisturizer and puckered up.

Amused, Ji Nanxing gave him a peck, but Xiao Ye—clingy as superglue—pulled him close, one arm around his waist, the other cradling his neck as he melted into the kiss.

The room was perfectly warm, bare feet safe on the floor. The cracked window let in a cool breeze laced with magnolia, cutting through the stuffiness and wafting around them, perfuming the air between kisses.

When they finally parted, Xiao Ye rested his chin on Ji Nanxing’s shoulder, breathless and content. Heart full, arms full—every day like this overflowed with happiness.

Ji Nanxing tweaked his ear, voice soft. "Enough. I’ll starve at this rate."

Xiao Ye relented. "Breakfast’s ready downstairs: seafood congee, scallion and savory meat pancakes. I’ll whip up bacon and sunny-side-up eggs in a flash."

During breakfast, Xiao Ye shared some follow-up information he heard through his connections at the Management Bureau with Ji Nanxing: "When the wife of the man who died later went to claim the body, she was remarkably calm. The bureau's Xiao Zhang was handling the procedures nearby and was quite surprised. Later, it turned out that the man surnamed Liu was cheating on his wife during her pregnancy, and she had known all along."

Ji Nanxing took a bite of the pancake: "Their child must be several years old by now, right?"

Xiao Ye nodded: "Already six. After he cheated, his wife stopped sharing a bed with him. At first, she used pregnancy discomfort as an excuse, then said the child slept with her, and later simply claimed she was too tired and slept separately. She didn’t divorce him or expose him. Xiao Zhang asked her why she endured it, and you know what she said?"

Ji Nanxing: "What did she say?"

Xiao Ye: "She said, 'How is this enduring? The man earns money and rarely comes home. We have a nanny, so I don’t need to take care of the child. His parents dote on their grandson and are generous. As long as my heart isn’t tied to him, life couldn’t be better—money, a child, and freedom. Let him play outside however he wants. Occasionally checking in to scare him, letting him think he’s hiding it well, is as entertaining as watching a clown perform.'"

Ji Nanxing: "Seems like she’s quite clear-headed and knows exactly what she wants."

Xiao Ye: "The man’s family was well-off, and he had an accident insurance policy. Not sure if it covers ghost-related deaths, but if it does, she’ll be even more comfortable. That unfaithful man is now permanently on the wall. She’ll have money, a child, and eventually inherit her in-laws’ estate for her son. Not bad."

Ji Nanxing: "Accident insurance would cover it. The bureau will issue an accidental death certificate. As long as the policy doesn’t have exclusion clauses, it’ll pay out. What about the other woman? What was her situation?"

Xiao Ye: "She was unmarried and had been kept by Liu for two or three years. She once fought to be 'promoted' to wife but later gave up and started squeezing him for money. She secretly resold many of the bags and jewelry he bought her. The police also found she’d recently gotten close to another married man—probably setting her sights on her next target."

Before she could make her move, a vengeful spirit claimed her life.

Xiao Ye: "As for the hairpin, Tang Huaying’s mother bought it at an auction, originally meant it as a dowry for her daughter. When she learned it was haunted, she thought it was too creepy and wanted to sell it, but Tang Huaying stopped her. She donated it to a museum instead. It’s a 300-year-old relic with its tragic past—too precious to gather dust. She said her father’s will already left everything to her, so she contributed the hairpin for public display. The museum will create a special exhibit about Xue Suqin, including her name and story."

The bureau’s verification backs this up—otherwise, the museum couldn’t just fabricate or rely on unverified rumors. While there’s no historical record, the lingering ghost’s firsthand testimony is more reliable than any ancient text.

Ji Nanxing laughed: "You’ve followed up more thoroughly than I have."

Xiao Ye: "People say I have great bureau connections. I'm tight with Teams One, Two, and Three. When I drop off talismans, I often hear stories—well, case reports. All kinds of bizarre cases. Nothing's too weird for us to encounter."

After breakfast, Xiao Ye started packing. Ji Naonao had already agreed they’d spend the winter break in Haicheng, returning just before New Year’s Eve. The flights were booked, and now they just needed to pack everyday items.

Seeing Ji Naonao wearing just light layers under a calf-length down coat, Xiao Ye pulled him back: "It’s windy today. There’ll be temperature changes between the car and outside. Wear a wool vest—you can take it off in Haicheng."

"The airport’s heated. No need for so many layers. Light and comfortable is better."

Xiao Ye relented: "I’ll load the luggage first and warm up the car. Get in once it's warmed up."

Unable to argue, Ji Nanxing leisurely sipped tea indoors until Xiao Ye said it was ready, then headed to the car.

A neighbor decorating their garden for the New Year waved: "Off on a trip?"

Ji Nanxing smiled: "Yes, going on vacation."

Xiao Ye waved through the window. Their retired teacher neighbors often chatted—the husband enjoyed woodworking, while the wife loved cooking. Their housekeeper Xin made delicious sauces, and the two had bonded over cooking, making the families quite close.

After farewells, as Ji Nanxing buckled up, Xiao Ye grinned: "Don’t we look like a young couple heading home for the holidays?"

Ji Nanxing: "You’re missing three things."

Xiao Ye: "What three?"

Ji Nanxing: "A chicken, a duck, and a plump baby strapped to your chest."

Xiao Ye sighed: "Pity I can’t give birth. A daughter who looks like you would be stunning."

Ji Nanxing: "Dream on. Let’s go."

Xiao Ye stepped on the gas cheerfully: "Off we go—taking my wife home for New Year’s!"

Ji Nanxing rolled his eyes with a smile, turning to the window. *What an idiot.*