Chapter 111: Sit in a Row and Enjoy the Fruit.
"From what I've heard, this Wen Qin isn't the type who'd befriend someone simply if they asked, 'Can you be my friend?'"
The new foot bath had arrived. Sitting comfortably in his living room, Chi Shen enjoyed a warm soak while speaking to Ji Xing Chen. He had decided to indulge in life's comforts, so a foot bath to enhance the coziness of winter was a must-have, regardless of whether he needed it or not. Owning it brought him joy.
Meanwhile, the ghost face, who had hoped to jump into the foot bath before Chi Shen beat him to it, twisted his ghostly features and said, "Ordinary people wouldn't immediately become friends just because you asked, 'Can you be my friend?' Someone who would is definitely suspicious; if they're not selling tea, they're probably pitching a money-making scheme."
Ji Xing Chen, surrounded by a pile of documents, looked up, adjusting his glasses which glinted coldly. "If Chi Shen asked you to be his friend, would you refuse?"
Imagining this scenario, Ghost Face felt a chill running through his long-vanished body. He whispered, "No... it's not that I wouldn't, but I wouldn't dare."
Bai Wan, who was engrossed in her drama on her tablet, chimed in, "Exactly."
Ghost Face murmured even softer, "That's not asking for friendship! It's more like asking for death!"
"Moreover, he might very well be your uncle or father. We should show some respect to the elderly," Chi Shen said, reaching for a sofa cushion to further relax while soaking his feet.
Ji Xing Chen added, "A background check might be in order first."
Chi Shen nodded in agreement, "Once we've understood the elder's preferences, we can prepare a suitable gift for our visit."
Gazing at the water in the foot bath, Ghost Face mused, "I have a feeling you both mean different things."
As they conversed, the red-clothed female ghost sneakily emerged from under the coffee table, dragging a package, seemingly trying to escape unnoticed.
But another ghost was watching her closely.
Huang Ling Ling, with a sinister expression, grabbed the newly grown bones of the red-clothed female ghost. "What are you up to?"
The red-clothed female ghost kept crawling forward, seemingly confused about why she hadn't made any progress. Realizing she was caught by Huang Ling Ling, she twisted her neck at an impossible angle, lunging at Huang Ling Ling with her teeth.
In pain, Huang Ling Ling released her grip and shouted accusingly, "This ghost is stealing!"
Chi Shen, still soaking his feet, could only offer verbal intervention, "Daughter, you should get along with your friends. No fighting!"
Furious, Huang Ling Ling tried to grab the package that the red-clothed female ghost was dragging, but the latter hid it underneath her belly immediately.
Only a segment of bone was visible at her belly's position, making her attempt to hide the parcel futile. At first glance, everyone could see the package.
"What's this?" Chi Shen inquired, certain he hadn't purchased anything recently.
The lady in red quickly stuffed the parcel back beneath her skeletal abdomen, gazing innocently at Chi Shen with her bloodshot, pale eyes.
Gui Lian was the first to approach. As he touched the package, he remarked, "It smells so... Wait, it stinks!"
Huang Lingling noticed as well. With a swift motion, she yanked the package from beneath the red-clothed ghost's skeletal frame, hoisting it up and accusingly saying, "She tried to hide this dangerous item, but I found it!"
Her expression shifted slightly as she spoke, seemingly wanting to keep the package for herself. However, sensing something amiss, her face went through a series of changes before she tossed the package away.
Chi Shen caught it effortlessly, glimpsing the shipping label. "Sent by Bai Xi Ming?" he read aloud.
Every ghost turned their attention to him, even Ji Xing Chen adjusted his glasses to get a better look at the package.
Chi Shen examined the package with intrigue. Oddly, its contents emitted a smell revolting to humans but delightful to fierce spirits.
Bai Wan handed scissors to Chi Shen, who leisurely began to unwrap the package, revealing a beautifully boxed gift and a letter.
Chi Shen opened the letter first, attracting a few curious ghosts. After a brief glance, Huang Lingling scoffed, "Couldn't they just say it face to face? What's all this written here?"
The lady in red began to read, "Not long ago, Xiu Yun and Bai Ran, despite my warnings, caused you much trouble..."
The letter was lengthy, its essence being an apology for the trouble caused due to Bai's negligence, along with gifts as amends. Bai wasn't sure what Chi Shen needed but knew he had many ghostly wards, so sent gifts they might enjoy to aid Chi Shen.
Opening the gift box, Chi Shen was met with a pungent smell of blood. Yet inside, there were no bloody items, just objects stained with dried blood and some unidentifiable dried meat strips.
Upon looking up, he saw several eager ghosts gazing at him. Bai Wan turned her attention as well, while Ji Xing Chen, engrossed in his paperwork and spectacles, remained unbothered.
With a soft 'click', Chi Shen closed the box, catching the longing looks from the spirits. As he stowed the gift away, a hint of disappointment was evident in their eyes.
They desired it but wouldn't dare to snatch.
Chi Shen took out some ancient hairpins, yellowing veils, and bloodstained chalices from his collection. These items, emanating a heavy aura of death and darkness, were treasures he'd acquired from a deadly game, making them coveted supplements for ghosts.
Receiving these offerings, the ghosts' desire for the gift box lessened. Huang Lingling even turned her nose up, stating, "It's too foul."
Bai Wan chuckled nearby, and Gui Lian spat out disdainfully, "Anything from Bai Xi Ming isn't even fit for dogs!"
Chi Shen chuckled as he handed out the items. However, he noticed Ji Xingchen wasn't approaching. He was deeply engrossed in the pile of documents that would give Chi Shen a headache just glancing at them. After some thought, Chi Shen decided not to disturb him and maybe offer a small gift later.
After soaking his feet, Chi Shen approached Ji Xingchen, adopting the tone of a teacher inspecting homework, and asked, "How much more to go?"
Without raising his head, and resembling a student who's excelling at his assignments, Ji Xingchen moved one file to the side and reached for the next, saying, "Almost done, it can be completed by tonight."
"That's perfect, then. This can be turned in together." Chi Shen placed Bai Ximing's gift beside Ji Xingchen.
Ji Xingchen glanced at the gift box. For a moment, his gaze changed, showing a fleeting confusion and a suppressed fury.
Chi Shen patted Ji Xingchen, and as their eyes met, Ji Xingchen's clarity returned.
"It contains your blood," Chi Shen revealed.
Chapter 111: Sit in a Row and Enjoy the Fruit.
"From what I've heard, this Wen Qin isn't the type who'd befriend someone simply if they asked, 'Can you be my friend?'"
The new foot bath had arrived. Sitting comfortably in his living room, Chi Shen enjoyed a warm soak while speaking to Ji Xing Chen. He had decided to indulge in life's comforts, so a foot bath to enhance the coziness of winter was a must-have, regardless of whether he needed it or not. Owning it brought him joy.
Meanwhile, the ghost face, who had hoped to jump into the foot bath before Chi Shen beat him to it, twisted his ghostly features and said, "Ordinary people wouldn't immediately become friends just because you asked, 'Can you be my friend?' Someone who would is definitely suspicious; if they're not selling tea, they're probably pitching a money-making scheme."
Ji Xing Chen, surrounded by a pile of documents, looked up, adjusting his glasses which glinted coldly. "If Chi Shen asked you to be his friend, would you refuse?"
Imagining this scenario, Ghost Face felt a chill running through his long-vanished body. He whispered, "No... it's not that I wouldn't, but I wouldn't dare."
Bai Wan, who was engrossed in her drama on her tablet, chimed in, "Exactly."
Ghost Face murmured even softer, "That's not asking for friendship! It's more like asking for death!"
"Moreover, he might very well be your uncle or father. We should show some respect to the elderly," Chi Shen said, reaching for a sofa cushion to further relax while soaking his feet.
Ji Xing Chen added, "A background check might be in order first."
Chi Shen nodded in agreement, "Once we've understood the elder's preferences, we can prepare a suitable gift for our visit."
Gazing at the water in the foot bath, Ghost Face mused, "I have a feeling you both mean different things."
As they conversed, the red-clothed female ghost sneakily emerged from under the coffee table, dragging a package, seemingly trying to escape unnoticed.
But another ghost was watching her closely.
Huang Ling Ling, with a sinister expression, grabbed the newly grown bones of the red-clothed female ghost. "What are you up to?"
The red-clothed female ghost kept crawling forward, seemingly confused about why she hadn't made any progress. Realizing she was caught by Huang Ling Ling, she twisted her neck at an impossible angle, lunging at Huang Ling Ling with her teeth.
In pain, Huang Ling Ling released her grip and shouted accusingly, "This ghost is stealing!"
Chi Shen, still soaking his feet, could only offer verbal intervention, "Daughter, you should get along with your friends. No fighting!"
Furious, Huang Ling Ling tried to grab the package that the red-clothed female ghost was dragging, but the latter hid it underneath her belly immediately.
Only a segment of bone was visible at her belly's position, making her attempt to hide the parcel futile. At first glance, everyone could see the package.
"What's this?" Chi Shen inquired, certain he hadn't purchased anything recently.
The lady in red quickly stuffed the parcel back beneath her skeletal abdomen, gazing innocently at Chi Shen with her bloodshot, pale eyes.
Gui Lian was the first to approach. As he touched the package, he remarked, "It smells so... Wait, it stinks!"
Huang Lingling noticed as well. With a swift motion, she yanked the package from beneath the red-clothed ghost's skeletal frame, hoisting it up and accusingly saying, "She tried to hide this dangerous item, but I found it!"
Her expression shifted slightly as she spoke, seemingly wanting to keep the package for herself. However, sensing something amiss, her face went through a series of changes before she tossed the package away.
Chi Shen caught it effortlessly, glimpsing the shipping label. "Sent by Bai Xi Ming?" he read aloud.
Every ghost turned their attention to him, even Ji Xing Chen adjusted his glasses to get a better look at the package.
Chi Shen examined the package with intrigue. Oddly, its contents emitted a smell revolting to humans but delightful to fierce spirits.
Bai Wan handed scissors to Chi Shen, who leisurely began to unwrap the package, revealing a beautifully boxed gift and a letter.
Chi Shen opened the letter first, attracting a few curious ghosts. After a brief glance, Huang Lingling scoffed, "Couldn't they just say it face to face? What's all this written here?"
The lady in red began to read, "Not long ago, Xiu Yun and Bai Ran, despite my warnings, caused you much trouble..."
The letter was lengthy, its essence being an apology for the trouble caused due to Bai's negligence, along with gifts as amends. Bai wasn't sure what Chi Shen needed but knew he had many ghostly wards, so sent gifts they might enjoy to aid Chi Shen.
Opening the gift box, Chi Shen was met with a pungent smell of blood. Yet inside, there were no bloody items, just objects stained with dried blood and some unidentifiable dried meat strips.
Upon looking up, he saw several eager ghosts gazing at him. Bai Wan turned her attention as well, while Ji Xing Chen, engrossed in his paperwork and spectacles, remained unbothered.
With a soft 'click', Chi Shen closed the box, catching the longing looks from the spirits. As he stowed the gift away, a hint of disappointment was evident in their eyes.
They desired it but wouldn't dare to snatch.
Chi Shen took out some ancient hairpins, yellowing veils, and bloodstained chalices from his collection. These items, emanating a heavy aura of death and darkness, were treasures he'd acquired from a deadly game, making them coveted supplements for ghosts.
Receiving these offerings, the ghosts' desire for the gift box lessened. Huang Lingling even turned her nose up, stating, "It's too foul."
Bai Wan chuckled nearby, and Gui Lian spat out disdainfully, "Anything from Bai Xi Ming isn't even fit for dogs!"
Chi Shen chuckled as he handed out the items. However, he noticed Ji Xingchen wasn't approaching. He was deeply engrossed in the pile of documents that would give Chi Shen a headache just glancing at them. After some thought, Chi Shen decided not to disturb him and maybe offer a small gift later.
After soaking his feet, Chi Shen approached Ji Xingchen, adopting the tone of a teacher inspecting homework, and asked, "How much more to go?"
Without raising his head, and resembling a student who's excelling at his assignments, Ji Xingchen moved one file to the side and reached for the next, saying, "Almost done, it can be completed by tonight."
"That's perfect, then. This can be turned in together." Chi Shen placed Bai Ximing's gift beside Ji Xingchen.
Ji Xingchen glanced at the gift box. For a moment, his gaze changed, showing a fleeting confusion and a suppressed fury.
Chi Shen patted Ji Xingchen, and as their eyes met, Ji Xingchen's clarity returned.
"It contains your blood," Chi Shen revealed.
