Chapter 81: In This Life, You’re Mine Alive, and by My Side as a Ghost When You’re Dead

Chapter 81: In this life, you're mine; in death, you'll be my ghost

Song Jiang was barely conscious; he only knew that his wrists hurt badly, as if something had tied his hands together.

Then someone scooped him up and ran out.

Who was it?

In this world of the book, he had no family, no one to rely on; would anyone be so good to him?

Actually, apart from the itching, nothing else was wrong with him; if only someone would scratch him.

Song Jiang tried hard to open his eyes to see the person, only to catch a glimpse of a smooth jawline and Adam's apple.

Higher up were thin lips pressed together, looking displeased and a little anxious.

He couldn't help stretching out his bound hands to touch the corner of the person's mouth, smoothing it until the frown disappeared.

Huh? Why does this guy look exactly like the CEO?

...

...

The pain was unbearable, and his consciousness gradually faded.

Song Jiang didn't remember how long he had been unconscious; when he opened his eyes again, he saw a stark white ceiling.

Oh my god.

Did he take a vacation all the way to heaven?

Song Jiang stared blankly at the ceiling, reached out to pinch himself, thinking that if it hurt, he wouldn't be in heaven.

However, the pain never came—someone caught his hand.

"Are you trying to hurt yourself, Steward Song?"

"..."

Wait, why is that annoying voice in heaven too?

He's in heaven, and the CEO still won't leave him alone?

No way!

"President Fu, I..." Song Jiang turned his head stiffly. He was about to say "What a coincidence, you're in heaven too?" but when he saw Fu Zhichen's appearance, he paused and said in confusion, "President Fu, what's wrong with you?"

Fu Zhichen's face showed undeniable exhaustion, his dark eyes were bloodshot, and stubble on his chin had sprouted like spring bamboo shoots, sticking out everywhere.

If one had to compare, the CEO used to be a meticulous, refined upper-class gentleman.

Now he looked like the shabby uncle next door, dressed extremely casually with a bit of a slob vibe.

Seeing him awake, Fu Zhichen seemed to let out a sigh of relief, but then his face darkened as he looked at him, as if he was about to snap any second.

Song Jiang met Fu Zhichen's gaze, unconsciously blinked, and he was freaking out inside.

He quickly racked his brain for three seconds; he hadn't done anything to cross the CEO's bottom line recently, right?

He just took a day off yesterday, went to a bar, and didn't answer the CEO's call in time. The CEO wouldn't yell at him over something so trivial, would he?

"Steward Song."

Song Jiang silently chanted in his head, "Don't scold me, don't scold me, don't scold me..."

When he heard Fu Zhichen call him, his voice was as firm as a vow, and he answered loudly, "I'm here!"

But Fu Zhichen suddenly fell silent, placed his big hand on Song Jiang's forehead without asking.

The forehead-touching gesture... that's weird. He didn't feel sick; he shouldn't have a fever.

If having his wages docked was his Achilles' heel, then Fu Zhichen's next words sucked out his soul.

"Steward Song, you're too disobedient. From now on, all your vacation days are canceled."

OK, his soul had been repossessed by capitalism; now only his shell remained lying on the bed.

Heaven! Someone take this CEO away. Grinding his workers like this—won't he face karma?

Fu Zhichen's hand then moved to the tip of his nose and gave it a punishing pinch.

The CEO wasn't trying to suffocate him and inherit his estate, was he?

Thinking of this, Song Jiang's eyes widened a bit; he tried to slap Fu Zhichen's hand away, but forgot that his hands were already pinned down by Fu Zhichen.

He shook his head around a few times, but Fu Zhichen's hand still showed no sign of letting go.

Song Jiang had no choice but to play the sympathy card; his almond eyes quickly welled up, and his long lashes fluttered up and down.

What he wanted to convey was: seeing how pitiful he was, can't you let me off? And while you're at it, give me back my vacation days!

But Fu Zhichen completely ignored him, said in a stern voice, "Steward Song, this is non-negotiable."

With that, he let Song Jiang go entirely.

The steward's face was bright red, either from anger or from still being sick.

He glared at him fiercely, as if gearing up for some big move, his chest rising and falling rapidly. Then he suddenly blurted out,

"President Fu, can you hand me my phone?"

"Steward Song, how dare you order me around?"

What the hell—he could see his phone right next to Fu Zhichen's hand. What's the big deal if he just handed it over?!

"Steward Song, you just woke up; I suggest you don't stare at screens for too long."

Fu Zhichen's tone was hard to read, as if he was looking out for him.

The CEO's suggestion was great, but he didn't want to hear it.

Song Jiang said nothing, trying to vent his dissatisfaction through silence.

Maybe Fu Zhichen sensed his anger, and in the end, he handed him the phone.

Holding the phone, Song Jiang leaned back like a thief, furtively glancing at Fu Zhichen.

He swiped up and down on the screen, then looked at Fu Zhichen again and said in a weak, tentative voice.

Song Jiang's question sounded inexplicable to Fu Zhichen. He frowned slightly, then replied, "No."

Good, Song Jiang thought with secret glee. Without it, he could totally report this heartless capitalist!

Song Jiang tapped in the number and was about to hit the green button when it hit Fu Zhichen what he was plotting.

"Steward Song, let me remind you: the highest-ranking official in this place goes by Fu."

Screw this...

You serious? Can't be playing me like this.

Song Jiang was so pissed he almost dropped his phone.

So the big boss has all the pull around here, huh?

Song Jiang took a solid three minutes to let that sink in, then flopped back onto the bed, yanking the covers over his head.

Right, this has to be a dream. This is heaven, not real life. When I wake up from this nap, I'll be back to normal.

Song Jiang squeezed his eyes shut, telling himself, "It's fine, it's fine."

"Steward Song, I barely managed to snatch you back from the grip of death, and now you wanna throw yourself back in?"

With that, he reached out to pull at his blanket corner. "So dumb, let it down."

Nope. He was gonna use his savings to buy the world's priciest block of tofu.

Then he'd smash into it and die with honor.

Fu Zhichen was clearly ticked off. "Steward Song, if you don't listen up, I'll deduct all your wages."

Great, now even the tofu money's being taken by this capitalist. What's the point in even living?

Song Jiang poked his head out. "President Fu, I quit. Just let me go."

"Steward Song, don't even think about it. The contract clearly states the companionship duty." Fu Zhichen crossed his arms, fully displaying his superior authority.

"In this life, you're mine alive, and in death, you'll be my ghost by my side. Understood?"

No.

That crap contract really locked him in for life???

How is this any different from a sell-your-soul contract?

He sold himself to the big boss? That's game over.

Song Jiang extended his pale hand from under the covers. "President Fu, where's the contract? I want to see it."

Fu Zhichen gave it a light pat and said, "It's in the third drawer of the nightstand in the bedroom. When you're better, you'll come home with me and see it."

"…"

Home...? He said it so naturally, like it was their place together?

"You hungry? Aunt Wang made you some porridge."

Hearing that, Song Jiang's stomach started growling, and soon there came a rumbling sound.

"President Fu, I want meat."

Fu Zhichen snapped, "Steward Song, don't even think about it."

"You know why you're lying here?"

Song Jiang shook his head.

He only knew that his body was very itchy and he wanted to scratch.

"Seafood with alcohol, severe allergic reaction." Fu Zhichen took the medical record from the table and spread it out in front of Song Jiang.

Pointing at the most prominent bold black text on it, "Steward Song, you can't even take care of yourself. How are you supposed to be my steward and take care of me?"

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