Chapter 134

Chapter 134

Chen Zui’s hands gripped Le Ziyou’s waist, so slender and flat his fingers could meet in the middle when gripping it from both sides.

Le Ziyou had no muscle tone; a waist like this would definitely show its shape clearly.

Chen Zui’s focus wasn’t on his waist, though. Instead, he slowly lowered his head, getting so close that their noses were almost touching. He inhaled deeply from Le Ziyou, and Le Ziyou’s crimson lips parted slightly as a faint golden mist-like substance—his yang energy—was drawn out by Chen Zui.

The yang energy flowed through Chen Zui’s nostrils into his lungs, the rush of pleasure made him tilt his head back slightly, his sharp eyes narrowing. He couldn’t even describe how good it felt.

If he had to compare, it was better than jerking off.

The scene was eerie: the sleeping man, trapped in sleep paralysis, knew nothing, while a male ghost crouched over him, slowly sucking out his yang energy. Under the bed, another male ghost lay passed out.

Even Chen Zui’s pale, ghostly face showed a glow of desire from the pleasure.

Ao Tian spoke up to remind him, "Don’t suck too much; you’ll kill him."

It had kept its visual sensors off—after all, the mission target slept in the nude. As Chen Zui’s good partner, it was a very principled system and would never look at its partner’s wife.

As his yang energy was drained, Le Ziyou’s body involuntarily arched upward, his slender waist tensing and lifting, only to be pressed down by Chen Zui, unable to move, like a helpless plaything.

Chen Zui’s thumb traced circles around his navel.

At the same time, he slowly returned the sucked-out yang energy. Although losing a little yang energy wouldn’t harm a young man like Le Ziyou—at most, he’d feel a bit tired—Chen Zui had no use for it anyway. He wasn’t some fierce ghost that cultivated by devouring humans.

He just wanted a top-tier, lung-filling high.

Only then did Le Ziyou relax, his tense waist going slack as he continued to struggle against sleep paralysis, uttering restless murmurs.

Chen Zui sucked his yang energy a few more times.

He’d had his fill.

—

Morning

After a night of sleep paralysis, Le Ziyou suddenly jerked one foot down violently. His eyes, which had been unable to open, suddenly flew wide open, his pupils quivering.

His breathing quickened.

For a moment, he couldn’t tell if he had truly woken up or not.

It took a while for his breathing to steady. Le Ziyou tiredly pushed himself up with his arms, feeling as though he had almost clawed his eyes out trying to force them awake. It had been agony.

He yawned, tears gathering in the corners of his eyes. Combined with his messy bedhead, he looked disheveled and pitiable.

As he got out of bed, he noticed red marks on both sides of his waist and touched them in confusion.

What are these?

One on each side, quite symmetrical.

Did I bump into something?

Le Ziyou didn’t pay it much mind. While washing up, he looked at himself in the mirror and thought his face looked pale. He cupped his chin, examining it from side to side, and noticed dark circles under his eyes.

"Sigh…" He sighed. "After 25, you really do age fast."

Yesterday was his 25th birthday, and today he already looked older.

After getting ready, he headed out. Pausing at the entrance, he squinted into the bright sunlight outside, frowning and squinting as he stepped out. Surprisingly, it wasn’t as scorching as he expected; it was even a bit cool.

He looked up at the sun but didn’t see the black umbrella shielding him from above.

Ao Tian was secretly delighted. Although Chen Zui had lost his memories, taking care of his wife had become a habit. Hehehe. Otherwise, given Chen Zui’s personality, why would he be so considerate toward a mission target he had just encountered?

Unless it was to increase favorability points, but clearly, he wouldn’t get any from this. Yet he did it so naturally anyway.

Le Ziyou went to the hospital. He was familiar with everyone there, and as soon as he showed up, people greeted him warmly. A nurse briefed him on his grandmother’s condition.

"Okay, I understand. Thanks, Sister Dan."

Le Ziyou went to the hospital room. Auntie Zhang, the caregiver, was feeding his grandmother. The old lady spotted him immediately and broke into a wide smile. He walked over and took the bowl from Auntie Zhang. "Auntie Zhang, I’ll take over."

Auntie Zhang made room for him. "The old lady was just talking about you, and here you are."

Le Ziyou scooped up some congee with a spoon, blew on it, and fed it to his grandmother, who was watching him intently. "Were you talking about my embarrassing childhood stories again, Grandma? You’re embarrassing your grandson~"

The old lady laughed, and Auntie Zhang joined in.

Grandma took a bite of the congee. "My dear, you’ve lost weight."

She reached out to touch Le Ziyou’s face, her expression full of concern.

Le Ziyou smiled sweetly and obediently, leaning his cheek into her palm. "I haven’t lost weight. I’m just more toned now. I had puppy fat before~"

Grandma stroked his face. "Eat more. My dear isn’t fat."

Auntie Zhang, who was peeling an apple, added earnestly, "Kid, you really can’t lose any more weight. You don’t need to diet, okay? Health is the most important."

She handed the peeled apple to Le Ziyou. "If you don’t eat heartily while you’re young and have a good appetite, your taste buds will weaken when you’re old, and nothing will taste good. Eat!"

Le Ziyou really wasn’t dieting—what did he have to lose? Maybe he just hadn’t been eating regularly lately.

Chen Zui watched the harmonious scene, his gaze settling on the gray-haired old lady on the sickbed. She was not long for this world. Then he looked at Le Ziyou, who could even cheer up the old lady while munching on an apple.

Birth, aging, sickness, death—human fate is predetermined.

Le Ziyou spent the whole day there. He was usually busy earning money and didn’t have much time to spend with his grandmother, so he made sure to visit whenever he could. Before leaving, he paid a five-figure hospital bill.

Chen Zui didn’t do anything to him today.

After returning home, Le Ziyou went about his usual routine.

Xu Shuhuai under the bed had woken up, but Chen Zui was not about to let him out. After all, once Le Ziyou got home, he drew the curtains, took a shower, and then wandered around naked, his little bird on full display.

—

With no work on hand, Le Ziyou set up a fortune-telling stall under the overpass the next day. Two men, taken by his looks, pretended to come for a reading.

He conned fifty from one and a hundred from the other.

He gave them both fake contact information.

After making 150 yuan, he packed up and headed home. The hallway was pitch-black—looked like the light was completely broken.

He took out his phone, turned on the flashlight, and carefully made his way up the steps, keeping an eye on the steps.

Turning at the stair landing, turning—and turning again.

After climbing for what felt like ages, Le Ziyou stopped and raised his phone to shine its light on the doorplate beside him.

3-2

His brows furrowed.

How could he only be on the third floor?

He had turned at least eight times.

Puzzled, Le Ziyou continued climbing and smoothly reached the fourth floor.

His slight worry eased—he must have miscounted.

He kept climbing. One more turn and he’d reach the fifth floor, his home right by the staircase.

Thinking this, he quickened his pace, taking one step after another after another…

Endless steps.

Le Ziyou stopped, his face fell. Ahead of him, just five steps remained to reach the fifth floor. He shone his phone light forward, took another step up while staring intently, holding his breath—yet there were still five steps ahead!

No change!

He took a step back, and there were still five steps ahead!

Something was wrong.

Was he dreaming? Or what?

Le Ziyou’s mind reeled. Suddenly, he broke into a frantic run upward, as if trying to catch the stairs off guard and dash past them.

The echo of his footsteps filled the stairwell, each sound amplifying his panic.

As he ran, his foot slipped. Le Ziyou grabbed the handrail to steady himself, bending over and panting heavily, sweat dripping down.

Damn it, after running so long straight, he was still on the stairs!

Le Ziyou pressed his dry lips together and slowly raised his phone to shine upward.

Hesitantly, he looked.

Everything around was pitch black, only the flashlight's narrow beam illuminating the first step, the second step…

Up to the fifth step.

Le Ziyou stared fixedly at these five steps he couldn’t climb.

Suddenly, a shadow appeared on the steps.

His pupils shrank in terror. He whipped his head around to look behind him, but there was nothing—only darkness.

His grip on the handrail tightened until the veins bulged, keeping him from collapsing to the ground.

Goosebumps covered his body, a clear sign of his fear.

Summoning his courage, Le Ziyou stiffly turned his head back, though he didn’t dare look directly. He babbled chaotically, "Taishang Laojun, by the divine decree, I don’t care what you are, get away from me… Amitabha…"

After steeling himself for a while, he dared to look back at the five steps.

The shadow was still there, turning slowly from its side profile toward him, moving stiffly and jerkily.

He quickly turned his head away again. "Fuck!"

It was a head! From the shoulders up!

Trembling, he fumbled in his backpack. Since he’d been fortune-telling that day, he’d brought a few protective talismans. He threw them all out in a panic.

"Go away, I’m telling you, I’m a Taoist priest. Be careful, or I’ll capture you."

"I’ll give you three seconds. If you don’t leave…"

"3!"

As soon as he finished counting, he turned and dashed downstairs.

If you won’t leave, I will!

If I can’t go up, can’t I go down?

He scrambled downward. Suddenly, all the lights that had been out flickered on. The abrupt brightness made Le Ziyou cover his head and face, shrinking into the corner between someone’s door and the wall.

"Don’t kill me!"

"I’m a fake Taoist priest, I’ve never killed a ghost!"

His voice grew hoarse from shouting. He curled into a ball, trembling like a frightened little mouse.

The door across from him opened, and the homeowner peeked out, spotting that crumpled figure.

"Hey, what’s wrong with you?"

Hearing a human voice, Le Ziyou finally raised his head, revealing teary eyes.

He met the homeowner’s gaze.

Homeowner: "Are you okay?"

Le Ziyou stared at him without blinking. It was someone he’d seen around. He pursed his lips, holding back tears, and stood up, dusting himself off.

"I’m fine."

His voice trembled slightly.

The homeowner looked him over but didn’t say anything else, starting to close the door.

Le Ziyou: "Wait!"

The homeowner turned to him. Le Ziyou walked over somewhat awkwardly, hesitating. "Um… could you please walk me upstairs? I live on the fifth floor."

His face, pale from fear, now flushed red.

The homeowner looked at this tall young man, recalling they’d passed each other on the stairs before. Confirming he was a resident, he agreed.

Le Ziyou breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you."

This time, he made it up to the fifth floor without a hitch, and Le Ziyou finally made it home.

Exhausted both physically and mentally, he slumped into a chair, clutching a pillow, lost in thought.

What had just happened?

Could there really be ghosts in this world?

Just as this thought crossed his mind, a hand belonging to Xu Shuhuai emerged from under the bed, reaching out. Before it could touch Le Ziyou's leg, Chen Zui stamped down on it.

Grinding it under his heel.

The other's fingers curled inward in agony.

Le Ziyou recalled the shadow he had seen—it looked like a man.

A male ghost?

What would a male ghost want with him?

"Shit!"

"Am I really attracting both men and male ghosts now..."

Feeling frustrated and resigned, Le Ziyou went over to the wall and gathered some of his belongings, piling them near the doorway to prevent any ghosts from following him inside.

Even while showering, he stayed on edge. Unfortunately, there was no hot water; otherwise, a warm bath might have helped him relax.

Le Ziyou kept going over what had happened on the staircase in his mind. Unable to sleep, he tossed and turned, too afraid to turn off the lights. His eyes darted around, checking every nook and cranny of the room.

Suddenly, he felt a hand clamp around his waist.

Le Ziyou looked down but saw nothing. Yet, he distinctly felt someone touching him.

And the hand went straight to his chest!

He nearly jumped, but it felt as if something was holding him down, pinning him in place.

A sleep paralysis demon again?

But no, he was wide awake!

He clearly saw his nipples stiffening.

What?!

A horny ghost?!

The next moment, his neck was suddenly gripped tightly, and a choking feeling seized him.

Choked by the neck, Le Ziyou instinctively struggled but found himself completely pinned in place. Every bone in his body strained, yet it was useless.

The hand gripping him was immensely powerful, feeling as though it could crush his windpipe with ease.

At first, he felt relieved that it wasn't a horny ghost, but now he wished it were. Nothing was more important than staying alive; he had to survive and earn money.

His face turned red, spells of lightheadedness hit him, and spit dribbled from the corner of his mouth.

He looked completely undone.

Chen Zui glanced at Le Ziyou’s stiffened excitement. This could mean the other was a hardcore masochist, or it could be due to oxygen deprivation or acid buildup from suffocation, causing abnormal arousal.

Chen Zui released his grip on Le Ziyou's neck. The moment Le Ziyou regained the ability to breathe, Chen Zui flicked his little friend. The rush of cheating death, the intense stimulation, gulping down air desperately, and the sudden touch at that very moment—

Caused Le Ziyou to curl up, coughing and dry heaving, releasing all the built-up stress he had accumulated recently.

He almost pitched forward onto the floor.

His face was slick with tears and spit, his body and the floor were a mess. He coughed so violently it seemed his slender body might break apart, appearing pitiful. But Chen Zui's gaze lingered on his flushed, tearful eyes.

He cried so prettily.

It took a while for Le Ziyou's body to return to normal. He barely registered that he had almost been strangled and had even come. Anxiously, he dressed as quickly as possible, threw on his backpack, and prepared to leave.

But as he gripped the door handle, he couldn't help but recall what had happened in the hallway.

Was it really safe outside?

Could he escape?

Chen Zui sat on the only chair in the room, his long legs elegantly crossed, watching with cool indifference as Le Ziyou stood frozen at the door.

Le Ziyou: Where would I go if I leave?

To Mi Jin's place? But what if I drag some nasty thing along?

To a hotel? But that would cost money.

After wrestling with it for a long time, he finally released the handle and turned back, surveying the cramped, one-room apartment: "Are... are you still here? What do you want? As long as you don't hurt me, I'll do anything for you!"

Chen Zui crossed his legs the other way but did not respond.

Le Ziyou: "Did you die unjustly or something? If you want revenge, tell me who your enemy is, and I'll do my best to help you get revenge."

As the saying goes, better you than me. Of course, it was preferable for someone else to die rather than himself.

Le Ziyou tightened his grip on the backpack strap, his eyes darting around. "I'm a good person; I've never done anything bad. I don't think there's any grudge between us. Please let me go."

He muttered incessantly but received no response.

His mouth grew dry from talking. After enduring for a while, he pressed against the wall, moved away from the door, went to the fridge, grabbed a bottle of water, and scuttled sideways back to the door.

He went from standing to squatting, and finally sat directly on the floor.

Eventually, he ran out of words and fell silent. His eyelids grew heavy, and in the early hours of the morning, he hugged his backpack and fell asleep leaning against the door. Under the light, the tear stains on his face made him look like a tear-streaked mess.

Chen Zui: "How pathetic."

Ao Tian said nothing. Ao Tian felt sorry for Chen Zui. Ao Tian turned and went to get reparations for Chen Zui.

——

By daytime, Le Ziyou felt it should be safer. He hurried into the bathroom, cleaned up as quickly as possible, and bolted out the door in a hurry.

Chen Zui did not follow him. Instead, he dragged Xu Shuhuai out from under the bed.

This time, Xu Shuhuai did not scowl at him hatefully. Perhaps he had finally realized that such behavior was useless, and he truly did not want to remain crammed under the bed forever.

Chen Zui: "Do you know any other powerful ghosts?"

Xu Shuhuai realized what Chen Zui intended to do. He stared at Chen Zui—that handsome face was truly deceptive. Who would have thought he'd be such a battle junkie?

He nodded slightly.

Chen Zui gestured with his hand, and the *ghost qi* blocking Xu Shuhuai’s mouth retreated.

Although Xu Shuhuai was a ghost, he still felt a phantom ache in his jaw. "I'll tell you, but you have to let me go."

Chen Zui: "No can do."

He refused without a shred of remorse.

Xu Shuhuai had never met someone so unreasonable. If Chen Zui was asking him, shouldn't he be negotiating terms?

Chen Zui: "Actually, I could ask any ghost about this. You're not special."

Hearing this, Xu Shuhuai thought, *So I should be grateful he even asked me?*

Chen Zui: "But I'm not entirely unreasonable. Tell me, and I won't block your mouth again."

Only then did Xu Shuhuai understand—it wasn't that there were no terms, but that the terms were set by this man, and what he offered was pretty much worthless.

But Xu Shuhuai wasn't foolish. He remembered why this man was targeting him.

Xu Shuhuai: "I'll give up on Le Ziyou."

After becoming a ghost, their eyes no longer revealed emotional changes, so the regret in Chen Zui’s eyes didn't show. He regretted that Xu Shuhuai had missed the first chance he'd given him.

And he had no intention of giving him a second chance.

The decision of whether to give up on Le Ziyou lay with Chen Zui—he liked to keep control in his own hands. It wasn't about whether Xu Shuhuai would give up on Le Ziyou, but whether Chen Zui would allow him the opportunity.

A wad of *ghost qi* shot toward Xu Shuhuai’s mouth again.

Xu Shuhuai jerked back: "I'll talk!"

—

Chen Zui, holding a black umbrella, floated toward the address provided by Xu Shuhuai.

It was a cemetery.

Although it was daytime when Chen Zui arrived, a few ghosts were still drifting about. They picked up the offerings they had received and flew toward a shadowy figure under a tree.

That figure had a green face and fangs, looking quite formidable. He was sitting on the back of another ghost, who knelt on the ground with hands supporting him, acting as his seat. The ghost being used as a chair appeared to be an elderly man.

Nearby, a little ghost fanned him, while female ghosts danced and male ghosts clowned around for his amusement. The ghosts who had brought offerings knelt respectfully, presenting them with both hands.

The remaining ghosts stood in two rows, heads bowed as if being punished, motionless.

Perhaps they didn't dare move.

It was like peasants under a tyrant's rule.

Ao Tian: "The world of ghosts has no laws—it's an even crueler world."

Chen Zui’s appearance drew the attention of these ghosts.

The green-faced, fanged ghost king, Wang Zhi, discarded the offering he had just brought to his mouth. No new burials had taken place here in the past two days, so the man before him must be a wandering ghost from elsewhere.

He signaled to his lackey with a glance.

The lackey immediately swaggered over to Chen Zui, while the dancing female ghosts retreated to the sides.

Lackey: "Where are you from?"

Chen Zui pressed a button on the umbrella handle, closing the black umbrella, then swung it sharply at the lackey. The move stirred up the air, casting a ghostly aura over the cemetery.

Some mourners glanced around, quickening their pace.

The lackey was sent flying backward by Chen Zui’s strike, hurtling toward Wang Zhi, his form growing faint.

Wang Zhi realized the newcomer was trouble. With a wave of his hand, he knocked the lackey aside and rose from his makeshift chair. Clenching his fists and rolling his wrists, he charged at Chen Zui.

The flowing *ghost qi* lifted the hem of Chen Zui’s trench coat, which reached his calves. He swung the umbrella at Wang Zhi’s head. Wang Zhi raised an arm to block, but Chen Zui pressed the umbrella handle’s button, causing the black umbrella to open behind Wang Zhi’s head. With a forceful pull, the open umbrella caught Wang Zhi’s head, yanking him forward.

Wang Zhi was spun around like a top.

In Chen Zui’s hands, the umbrella became a formidable weapon, opening and closing at will, turning a fierce battle into a visually stunning spectacle.

So much so that the observing ghosts overlooked how brutal Chen Zui’s attacks were.

Chen Zui spun around, his long leg kicking Wang Zhi in the neck hard enough to twist it sideways. His foot hooked around Wang Zhi’s neck, driving him into the ground.

He closed the umbrella again, turning it into a sharp weapon, and stabbed downward at Wang Zhi’s head.

Once, twice.

Wang Zhi began to beg for mercy, but Chen Zui ignored him. Under his assault, Wang Zhi’s *ghost qi* grew increasingly faint until it faded away completely.

Only then did Chen Zui stop.

The gathered ghosts stared in shock at this male ghost who had come out of nowhere. He seemed even more violent than Wang Zhi. Would he take over this territory and continue to enslave them? Or…

Chen Zui glanced at the darkening skies. It was time to return.

He turned and left.

The ghosts stared blankly, not snapping out of their daze even after he disappeared. They hadn't yet realized that the tyrant who had enslaved them was gone for good.

—

Ao Tian: "You really love to fight."

Chen Zui felt that fighting ghosts had one advantage: it didn't get his clothes dirty. Hearing Ao Tian’s words, he smiled. "Because I'm not a good person."

Returning to Le Ziyou’s residence, however—

Chen Zui looked around the empty house. It was truly unexpected.

Ao Tian: "Oho~ You scared your wife away~"

It had to be said, Le Ziyou was a man of action. The only thing left in the entire house was the bound Xu Shuhuai. Though his expression didn't show it, Xu Shuhuai was secretly pleased.

Chen Zui twisted his wrist, and the *ghost qi* binding Xu Shuhuai stretched out like a leash, now held firmly in Chen Zui’s hand.

He led Xu Shuhuai away like that.

——

Le Ziyou tidied up his newly rented apartment. He figured nothing else should happen now.

The world is big, and there are so many people. Even if that ghost searched door to door, it would take several lifetimes' worth of searching to find him.

With that thought, he put his mind at ease.

He had rented this place in a hurry. It was a bit larger than the previous one and even had a small kitchen.

Le Ziyou made himself a spicy mala stir-fry, using hotpot base to fry all sorts of ingredients together—the flavor was pretty good. Paired with rice, he ate two bowls in one meal!

With a full stomach, he was exhausted after a long day.

He lay down and fell asleep in no time, though he kept the lights on—still a bit scared.

Chen Zui led Xu Shuhuai by the hand and walked in, kicking him under the bed.

He looked at Le Ziyou, sleeping soundly. Why did he sleep with clothes on tonight?

He gripped that slender waist, leaned down, and took a deep inhale.

It felt so good he almost moaned.

And once again, Le Ziyou was trapped in a nightmare—unable to open his eyes, move a finger, or cry for help.

Chen Zui sucked his yang energy over and over.

Only after satisfying himself did he return it to Le Ziyou, only this time he did so through a direct kiss.

Such soft lips.

The toothpaste he used must have been sweet orange flavored.

Because his ghost power was strong, Le Ziyou could feel somewhat of his touch, almost as if he were solid.

Chen Zui took his pleasure for most of the night before reluctantly ending the kiss and stopping the absorption of yang energy.

Looking at Le Ziyou, whose lips were swollen from his kisses, he even developed an appetite for him.

Chen Zui licked his lips.

"You can't escape now."