Chapter 409 Extra Story

Chapter 409 Side Story

◎Compensation Money◎

The New Year holiday had Xiao Ye climbing the walls. It was supposed to be time to be glued to each other, yet they ended up spending more time apart than together. After reuniting with relatives, there were still friends to meet. From the first day of the Lunar New Year to the Lantern Festival, they were constantly busy. By the time everything was finally over, school was about to start again after just a few days of rest.

Finally free from all those complicated social obligations, the two returned to their small villa. Unable to resist, they got carried away—once you've tasted sweetness, how could you possibly endure an ascetic life again?

Even Ji Nanxing was more passionate than usual, instantly igniting Xiao Ye's desire. The two of them went at it well into the night.

The next morning, they wanted to sleep in. The holiday wasn't over yet, and school hadn't started. The weather outside wasn't great either—perfect for lazing in bed. But somehow, Xiao Ye was bursting with energy and woke up early.

Waking up early was one thing, but he could have just gone about his own business without disturbing Ji Nanxing. Instead, he insisted on grabbing his hand to trim his nails.

Ji Nanxing, groggy with sleep, opened his eyes and saw Xiao Ye sitting shirtless by the bed, holding a small bedside trash can while meticulously trimming his nails. Unable to hold back, he kicked him: "You're being noisy."

Xiao Ye tugged the blanket over him: "Just keep sleeping. I'll be done soon."

Ji Nanxing tried to pull his hand back: "I can trim them myself."

Xiao Ye grabbed him firmly: "It'll be quick. Don't move. I'm being careful—won't cut you. Just sleep."

Ji Nanxing yawned: "How can I sleep with you making so much noise? Looking for trouble first thing in the morning."

Xiao Ye pointed at his own back: "Look at the scratches you gave me."

Ji Nanxing glanced at the scratch marks on his back and couldn't help but laugh: "My fault? Who told you to go so rough?"

If he hadn't been in pain, would he have lost control and scratched him?

Xiao Ye: "Alright, my bad. Let me just trim them a bit. Long nails aren't good—what if you scratch yourself by accident?"

Ji Nanxing: "I'm hungry."

Xiao Ye: "I'll make you chicken broth noodles later. Aunt Xin also brought some homemade pickles—perfect with noodles. Want an egg? I'll fry a sunny side up too. We'll keep breakfast simple and have a proper meal at noon. With all those banquets and gatherings lately, we haven't had a decent meal, have we? Everyone else gains weight during the holidays, but you lose it. Give me your other hand."

Ji Nanxing handed him his other hand: "When are Xiao Xiao and the others leaving?"

Xiao Ye: "They said in the group yesterday that they're leaving next Wednesday. They want to have a meal together before they go."

Ji Nanxing: "Didn't they say they wanted to try Dongyue Residence? Let’s ask them what dishes they’d like, and I’ll have the kitchen prepare in advance."

Dongyue Residence was a private restaurant gifted to Ji Nanxing by his eldest brother. Managed by professionals, it required no effort from him to run. Specializing in high-end cuisine, the menu changed based on seasonal ingredients. Though pricey, the freshness of the ingredients and the chef's skills had earned Dongyue Residence a solid reputation in the upscale dining scene.

Jiang Tangtang and the others had never been there before. When they were still in town, they hadn’t even heard of the place. It was only after moving to the capital for university that they heard about it. Unfortunately, Dongyue Residence took reservations, booked solid a month out—no time for them to wait.

They had no idea the restaurant belonged to Ji Nanxing. During a recent gathering, they’d complained they’d heard the food was amazing but couldn’t get a table. Perfect chance—he’d take them there before they left.

After neatly trimming and filing all ten of Ji Nanxing's nails, Xiao Ye finally got dressed: "I’ll go make the noodles. Any plans to go out today?"

Ji Nanxing reached for his pajamas and pulled them on: "Need to stop by the Management Bureau."

Xiao Ye: "I’ll go with you. Might as well deliver the talismans they ordered."

The Management Bureau was as deserted and chilly as ever. Despite the heating, stepping through the front doors still felt like walking into an ice cellar.

The receptionist, scrolling through videos, gave them a lazy wave in greeting. The post-holiday lethargy hadn’t worn off yet—she moved sluggishly, no energy to spare.

They’d just stepped into the elevator when He Long and his team came up behind them: "Well, well, Little Nanxing! Happy New Year! Seeing you on my first case this year—means my year's looking prosperous."

Ji Nanxing gave him a smile: "Happy New Year." Then he tugged at Xiao Ye, gesturing for him to step over and make some space.

Xiao Ye glanced at the newly cleared area and raised an eyebrow slightly at Ji Nanxing.

Ji Nanxing nodded. Before he could speak, He Long shook someone he was holding: "There's an old pervert who couldn't behave even during the holidays—hiding in a sauna to peep at women bathing."

Xiao Ye took two involuntary steps back in disgust: "Saunas still exist nowadays?"

One of He Long's colleagues added: "Not just any sauna—a haunted one. We staked it out all night to catch this creep."

He Long asked, "Working a case?"

Ji Nanxing shook his head: "Just submitting a report for my master."

He Long nodded knowingly: "Master Yan was never one to write his own reports. He should be returning soon, right? I believe the next rotation falls to Yuchun Temple."

Ji Nanxing confirmed: "Yes, he'll return after this year's handover."

At the ancient tomb complex in Biancheng, his master had been stationed for over three years. While he'd been living comfortably enough there, it wasn't true freedom. With the rotation change, his master could finally come home.

While Ji Nanxing submitted the report, Xiao Ye delivered talismans. To make ends meet, many with some talent for drawing talismans sold them to the Bureau—not all Taoist practitioners could create them, and some even needed to purchase ghost-hunting talismans from the administration.

Demand outstripped supply, keeping talismans perpetually scarce. The supply division especially valued someone like Xiao Ye, whose potent Yang energy and skill produced exceptional talismans. They processed his payment immediately and mentioned which types were currently in highest demand.

But Xiao Ye shook his head: "I'm not taking commissions right now. Classes are starting soon—too many things to handle."

He'd stopped selling talismans commercially. Initially, he'd wanted to earn some spending money while supplying Ji Nanxing's needs, preferring not to constantly ask his family for funds.

Now, providing exclusively for Ji Nanxing sufficed. He didn't need the extra cash anymore—university offered new opportunities to build his career.

The supply staff could only sigh in disappointment.

On his way out, Xiao Ye picked up a box of pastries. Say what you want about the Bureau, but their daily special pastries were exceptional.

After placing the box in the backseat, he opened the car door for Ji Nanxing: "Let's run to the supermarket and pick up some groceries. What should I cook for lunch?"

Ji Nanxing remained still, frowning at a bus pulling away in the distance. The vehicle carried few passengers scattered throughout its seats, but in the aisle stood a male ghost with a pallid face, head bowed and fixated on a girl by the window.

Xiao Ye noticed his hesitation: "Naonao, what's wrong?"

Ji Nanxing slid into the car: "Follow that bus. There's a ghost aboard."

Xiao Ye scrambled in, but he wasn't in the same lane as the bus. Recognizing the route number, he tried circling ahead to intercept it at the next stop. Red lights held him up repeatedly, and when he finally reached the station, the bus was just departing.

As Xiao Ye prepared to give chase, Ji Nanxing said, "Don't bother. The ghost's gone."

"Can you see where it went? Did it follow someone off?"

Ji Nanxing scanned the bustling commercial intersection. With this human traffic, any target could vanish instantly—the faint traces of Yin energy could disappear in an instant.

Having lost his target, Ji Nanxing didn't linger. He memorized the license plate and timestamp to check the Bureau's surveillance later. That male ghost's fixation on the girl might lead them back to it.

Xu Yan lugged her groceries toward her in-laws' home, her swollen belly leaving her winded after brief walks. Pausing to rest, she rubbed her five-month pregnancy with weary tenderness, her exhausted eyes still glowing with maternal warmth.

Resuming her journey, she approached the dilapidated old neighborhood where her in-laws lived—hardly ideal, but at least it was shelter.

Without property of her own, she'd rented until her pregnancy made landlords refuse her. With no alternatives, she'd turned to her in-laws—they wouldn't reject the last descendant of the Wang family growing in her womb, however reluctantly they might take her in.

She had tried not to think the worst of human nature, but reality proved even crueler.

Upon hearing her plea, her mother-in-law threw out the groceries and fruits she had brought, shoving her out the door as well: "Do you think we don’t know what you’re up to? Once you move in, you’ll never leave! Using our only grandson against us to bully a helpless old couple—you’re truly heartless! We have nothing but this tiny home, and even that you won’t spare. Are you trying to use that pregnancy to ruin us?!"

Xu Yan shook her head tearfully: "The landlord gave me a month to move out. I have no choice. This is A-Wei’s child, your grandson. You can’t just abandon me!"

This only enraged Wang Wei’s mother further: "Help you? How are we supposed to help you? Who’s going to help us?! We agreed—you’d have the child, and we’d pay you monthly support. But now, before it’s even born, you’re already trying to mooch off us! We’re old—are we supposed to wait on you like servants? Don’t you dare dream of it!"

Xu Yan: "A-Wei’s compensation money includes my share. Give me what’s rightfully mine!"

Wang Wei’s mother sneered, as if her suspicions were confirmed: "That’s my son’s compensation. Even if there’s a share, it belongs to his child. You give birth, and we’ll pay the support monthly. He was our only son, and now all we have left is what’s in your belly. If we give you the money, and you turn around and abort it, what then? Who will we have to rely on in our old age?"

Xu Yan was truly desperate. She had no job, no income, and almost no money left. Pregnant and unwelcome, she couldn’t even find work. Her in-laws’ refusal to help was like signing her death warrant.

She tried to beg once more, but the moment Wang Wei’s mother saw her attempting to step inside, she reached out to shove her away.

Invisible to both of them, a ghostly pale hand reached out, seizing the momentum of the push—and sent Xu Yan tumbling down the stairs.

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