Chapter 060: The Paragon of a Devoted Wife and Loving Mother!
After work, Chi Shen usually spent his time with friends. He was aware of Bai Wan's past — she had lived in an era when societal constraints were strict on unmarried women. In fact, as a maiden, she had never once stepped out of the old mansion.
Even after becoming a vengeful spirit, she remained confined to the mansion. Essentially, Bai Wan had not set foot outside the house, alive or dead.
Now, as Chi Shen guided her out of the mansion, though her face was obscured by a red veil, he could sense her exhilaration from the moment they stepped outside.
Ji Xingchen had noticed this earlier. When Chi Shen first attempted to hand out candy origami, Ji Xingchen had mentioned that Bai Wan would be intrigued by modern items. Chi Shen believed him. So, how could he pass up the wonderful opportunity that Halloween presented? It was a rare chance for his spectral friends to openly interact with the living. He was determined to take them out, especially to stroll around with his little sister.
Ji Xingchen was even more familiar with this world than Chi Shen, so the Halloween outing was entrusted to him. Ji Xingchen had no objections.
The next morning, Chi Shen left for an appointment with Xu Xiuyin.
Xu Xiuyin was his biological mother. However, they had only spent a few hours together. It struck Chi Shen as somewhat amusing. During his time in Hong City, Xu Xiuyin had only invited him for a meal once and had not visited him since, but she would call to inquire about his dietary preferences.
It was as if she, in her role as a mother, had always been concerned about him, fulfilling her maternal duties.
Xu Xiuyin had chosen an upscale restaurant with a traditional, elegant decor. As Chi Shen entered, passing ornamental rockeries and water features, he calmly headed toward Xu Xiuyin's table.
Their previous meetups had been at average eateries. Now, at this fancy place, Chi Shen wondered if she was showing extra regard or if there was an ulterior motive.
The recent shifts in the Bai family seemed not to have affected Xu Xiuyin. She still appeared gentle and approachable. Spotting Chi Shen approaching, she greeted him with a smile, "Come over here, dear. I've already ordered, but please check the menu to see if you like the choices. The crab these days is exceptional..."
Without even glancing at the menu Xu Xiuyin extended, Chi Shen cut straight to the chase, "What's the occasion?"
"I'm just worried about you, wanted to see how you've been," Xu Xiuyin responded with a steady smile, her tone gentle. "Your father mentioned you've moved out of the old mansion. How are you adjusting to the new place?"
Chi Shen simply nodded, choosing not to speak. He felt that Xu Xiuyin could probably carry on this conversation by herself.
Though Guoran Chishen remained silent, Xiu Yun Xu was the first to express her concern and worry. She then pleaded with Chishen to be understanding of Shi Ming Bai, emphasizing that he carries the weight of the entire Bai family on his shoulders. He couldn't just make decisions on a whim, and Shi Ming Bai genuinely values his own son.
Up to this point, everything seemed normal to Chishen, well within his expectations. However, as he listened further, he began to sense something was amiss.
Xiu Yun Xu hoped that he could forgive Ran Bai, explaining that Ran was merely lost for a moment. Now that Chishen was living well and had made many friends in the old mansion, it showed that Ran truly had his best interests at heart. She hoped Chishen could persuade Xiangyang Lu to provide a letter of pardon for Ran, ensuring a lighter sentence.
In conventional legal systems, a letter of pardon from the victim's family might lead to a reduced sentence. The Bai family could surely manage this. However, considering the involvement of the special security bureau and the fact that Xiangyang Lu has turned into a vengeful ghost, the letter should come directly from the victim. This posed a challenge as the Bai family currently couldn't communicate with the ghost of Xiangyang Lu, let alone seek forgiveness. That's why Xiu Yun Xu came to Chishen for help.
Chishen initially wanted to let Xiu Yun Xu continue, but he couldn't hold back any longer. He looked at her with a perplexed expression, asking, "Does Shi Ming Bai know about this?"
"He's your father," Xiu Yun Xu said, pausing to take a sip of water, "Of course he knows I'm meeting you."
"No," Chishen corrected her, "I meant about seeking a pardon for Ran from Xiangyang Lu."
Xiu Yun Xu, in the midst of drinking, choked on her water. Her elegant demeanor momentarily disrupted, she quickly wiped down the table, saying, "After all, he's your brother. You should care for him. Have you forgotten our mother's words?"
"So, Shi Ming Bai doesn't know then." Chishen pointed out her omission. From Xiu Yun Xu's words, he deduced she came with an agenda, likely aiming for a reconciliation and hoping he would return to the Bai family. His newfound ghostly friends at the old mansion and their departure had significantly increased his worth.
However, the Bai family currently wouldn't dare confront him directly, whether out of respect for his ghostly companions or the law and order upheld by the special security bureau. Hence, they sought a more subtle approach.
Mentioning Ran now seemed an ill-advised move. Ran wanted him dead, and now they expected him to let go based on a fleeting lapse in judgment? Moreover, Ran's situation required Xiangyang Lu's forgiveness, not his.
Chishen felt that Shi Ming Bai, being who he is, would never bring up such a matter. It was Xiu Yun Xu's own initiative.
Xiu Yun Xu's forced smile began to falter, becoming stiff on her face.
"Do you know Xing Chen Ji?" Chishen didn't bother with further pleasantries and went straight to his main purpose.
As he spoke, Chishen displayed a photo of Xing Chen Ji No.2 on his phone. Under certain conditions, a photo of Xing Chen Ji could be taken, though always blurry and semi-transparent, making it unsuitable for identification.
Regaining her composure, Xiu Yun Xu looked at Chishen's phone, then shook her head, "I've never heard of the name Xing Chen Ji, but..."
Examining the phone, she slightly furrowed her brows, "He looks familiar, like I've seen him somewhere."
"He's also connected to the Bai family," Chishen replied with a smirk.
Xiu Yun Xu tried to say something, hoping to ease the tension, but Chishen's smile sent chills down her spine.
This was the same smile he wore in the Bai mansion when he looked at Ran.
Just as the mood was getting tense, the waiter arrived with the next dish. Attempting to lighten the atmosphere, he chirped, "These are matsutake mushrooms freshly flown in from Yunnan this morning..."
Chi Shen rose from his seat, saying with a smile, "I apologize, but a friend is waiting for me. I must take my leave."
"Chi Shen!" Xu Xiuyin stood up anxiously, trying to stop him. "Stay for the meal before you go."
But he didn't acknowledge her plea.
Growing more desperate, Xu Xiuyin implored, "If you talk to Lu Xiangyang for me, I promise you can return to the Bai family by tomorrow!"
Stopping in his tracks, Chi Shen turned to glance at her, "Then let him remain locked away. Forever."
Chapter 060: The Paragon of a Devoted Wife and Loving Mother!
After work, Chi Shen usually spent his time with friends. He was aware of Bai Wan's past — she had lived in an era when societal constraints were strict on unmarried women. In fact, as a maiden, she had never once stepped out of the old mansion.
Even after becoming a vengeful spirit, she remained confined to the mansion. Essentially, Bai Wan had not set foot outside the house, alive or dead.
Now, as Chi Shen guided her out of the mansion, though her face was obscured by a red veil, he could sense her exhilaration from the moment they stepped outside.
Ji Xingchen had noticed this earlier. When Chi Shen first attempted to hand out candy origami, Ji Xingchen had mentioned that Bai Wan would be intrigued by modern items. Chi Shen believed him. So, how could he pass up the wonderful opportunity that Halloween presented? It was a rare chance for his spectral friends to openly interact with the living. He was determined to take them out, especially to stroll around with his little sister.
Ji Xingchen was even more familiar with this world than Chi Shen, so the Halloween outing was entrusted to him. Ji Xingchen had no objections.
The next morning, Chi Shen left for an appointment with Xu Xiuyin.
Xu Xiuyin was his biological mother. However, they had only spent a few hours together. It struck Chi Shen as somewhat amusing. During his time in Hong City, Xu Xiuyin had only invited him for a meal once and had not visited him since, but she would call to inquire about his dietary preferences.
It was as if she, in her role as a mother, had always been concerned about him, fulfilling her maternal duties.
Xu Xiuyin had chosen an upscale restaurant with a traditional, elegant decor. As Chi Shen entered, passing ornamental rockeries and water features, he calmly headed toward Xu Xiuyin's table.
Their previous meetups had been at average eateries. Now, at this fancy place, Chi Shen wondered if she was showing extra regard or if there was an ulterior motive.
The recent shifts in the Bai family seemed not to have affected Xu Xiuyin. She still appeared gentle and approachable. Spotting Chi Shen approaching, she greeted him with a smile, "Come over here, dear. I've already ordered, but please check the menu to see if you like the choices. The crab these days is exceptional..."
Without even glancing at the menu Xu Xiuyin extended, Chi Shen cut straight to the chase, "What's the occasion?"
"I'm just worried about you, wanted to see how you've been," Xu Xiuyin responded with a steady smile, her tone gentle. "Your father mentioned you've moved out of the old mansion. How are you adjusting to the new place?"
Chi Shen simply nodded, choosing not to speak. He felt that Xu Xiuyin could probably carry on this conversation by herself.
Though Guoran Chishen remained silent, Xiu Yun Xu was the first to express her concern and worry. She then pleaded with Chishen to be understanding of Shi Ming Bai, emphasizing that he carries the weight of the entire Bai family on his shoulders. He couldn't just make decisions on a whim, and Shi Ming Bai genuinely values his own son.
Up to this point, everything seemed normal to Chishen, well within his expectations. However, as he listened further, he began to sense something was amiss.
Xiu Yun Xu hoped that he could forgive Ran Bai, explaining that Ran was merely lost for a moment. Now that Chishen was living well and had made many friends in the old mansion, it showed that Ran truly had his best interests at heart. She hoped Chishen could persuade Xiangyang Lu to provide a letter of pardon for Ran, ensuring a lighter sentence.
In conventional legal systems, a letter of pardon from the victim's family might lead to a reduced sentence. The Bai family could surely manage this. However, considering the involvement of the special security bureau and the fact that Xiangyang Lu has turned into a vengeful ghost, the letter should come directly from the victim. This posed a challenge as the Bai family currently couldn't communicate with the ghost of Xiangyang Lu, let alone seek forgiveness. That's why Xiu Yun Xu came to Chishen for help.
Chishen initially wanted to let Xiu Yun Xu continue, but he couldn't hold back any longer. He looked at her with a perplexed expression, asking, "Does Shi Ming Bai know about this?"
"He's your father," Xiu Yun Xu said, pausing to take a sip of water, "Of course he knows I'm meeting you."
"No," Chishen corrected her, "I meant about seeking a pardon for Ran from Xiangyang Lu."
Xiu Yun Xu, in the midst of drinking, choked on her water. Her elegant demeanor momentarily disrupted, she quickly wiped down the table, saying, "After all, he's your brother. You should care for him. Have you forgotten our mother's words?"
"So, Shi Ming Bai doesn't know then." Chishen pointed out her omission. From Xiu Yun Xu's words, he deduced she came with an agenda, likely aiming for a reconciliation and hoping he would return to the Bai family. His newfound ghostly friends at the old mansion and their departure had significantly increased his worth.
However, the Bai family currently wouldn't dare confront him directly, whether out of respect for his ghostly companions or the law and order upheld by the special security bureau. Hence, they sought a more subtle approach.
Mentioning Ran now seemed an ill-advised move. Ran wanted him dead, and now they expected him to let go based on a fleeting lapse in judgment? Moreover, Ran's situation required Xiangyang Lu's forgiveness, not his.
Chishen felt that Shi Ming Bai, being who he is, would never bring up such a matter. It was Xiu Yun Xu's own initiative.
Xiu Yun Xu's forced smile began to falter, becoming stiff on her face.
"Do you know Xing Chen Ji?" Chishen didn't bother with further pleasantries and went straight to his main purpose.
As he spoke, Chishen displayed a photo of Xing Chen Ji No.2 on his phone. Under certain conditions, a photo of Xing Chen Ji could be taken, though always blurry and semi-transparent, making it unsuitable for identification.
Regaining her composure, Xiu Yun Xu looked at Chishen's phone, then shook her head, "I've never heard of the name Xing Chen Ji, but..."
Examining the phone, she slightly furrowed her brows, "He looks familiar, like I've seen him somewhere."
"He's also connected to the Bai family," Chishen replied with a smirk.
Xiu Yun Xu tried to say something, hoping to ease the tension, but Chishen's smile sent chills down her spine.
This was the same smile he wore in the Bai mansion when he looked at Ran.
Just as the mood was getting tense, the waiter arrived with the next dish. Attempting to lighten the atmosphere, he chirped, "These are matsutake mushrooms freshly flown in from Yunnan this morning..."
Chi Shen rose from his seat, saying with a smile, "I apologize, but a friend is waiting for me. I must take my leave."
"Chi Shen!" Xu Xiuyin stood up anxiously, trying to stop him. "Stay for the meal before you go."
But he didn't acknowledge her plea.
Growing more desperate, Xu Xiuyin implored, "If you talk to Lu Xiangyang for me, I promise you can return to the Bai family by tomorrow!"
Stopping in his tracks, Chi Shen turned to glance at her, "Then let him remain locked away. Forever."
