Chapter 065: Those Days of Youth.
Li Xul's uncharacteristic response didn't surprise Chi Shen. Having experienced being drowned and soaked in a bathtub by a ghost, Chi Shen thought Li Xul being dragged into the bathroom by the red-clad female ghost was rather expected.
Chi Shen slowly followed Li Xul into the bathroom. The tub was already filled to the brim with water, as if it had been awaiting something—or perhaps, during the ghost's absence, in the fleeting moments of Li Xul's nightly rest, he would lie in this bathtub, imagining it was his deceased girlfriend holding him under.
What on earth had transpired?
Under Gui Lian's guidance, the red-clad female ghost joyfully pressed Li Xul into the bathtub. Chi Shen had specifically instructed her not to show her face or speak, allowing only her long hair to be visible. So, although she was gleeful, she didn't laugh aloud, instead communicating with Gui Lian through gestures.
Against this oddly cheerful backdrop, Chi Shen surveyed the bathroom.
It felt frozen in time. A lipstick mark accidentally brushed a towel; couple-themed mouthwash cups sat on a shelf, and by the sink lay a razor and some affordable skincare products.
Ordinary yet filled with traces of a lived-in life. Witnessing these, Chi Shen could envision a bickering yet loving young couple.
However, there was no trace of the present-day cultural magnate, Li Xul, in that young man.
As the red-clad female ghost submerged Li Xul for the third time, the rain outside began to lessen. Looking out of the bathroom window, Chi Shen saw the once wailing face of the storm cloud dissipating.
Yet sunlight still eluded this world. The tearful visages merely transformed back into the overcast sky. While the rain had ceased, the gloomy clouds continued to shroud the world, restoring its somber ambiance.
Chi Shen gazed out of the window, lost in thought.
It appeared that the immense emotional apparition in the sky was none other than Li Xu himself. Just how much pent-up emotion did it take to manifest such a creature?
In all respects, Li Xu is truly extraordinary.
Seeing that the rain had ceased, Chi Shen deduced that the redemption of Li Xu was nearly complete. He signaled to the two ghosts, allowing the ghostly face to open a passage and depart from this realm.
Not much time had passed in reality. When Chi Shen emerged, Li Xu was still unconscious. He lifted up the ghostly face and the lady in red with one hand each, and gently closed the door to Li Xu's office.
Ma Caijin looked at Chi Shen, appearing somewhat worried, "It's been three days since we submitted that proposal, hasn't he given any feedback?"
Chi Shen shook his head.
Growing anxious, Ma Caijin stood up, "Well, I'll go and ask then."
Chi Shen stopped him, "He's asleep."
Ma Caijin reluctantly gave up, "No wonder you came out so quickly. If the boss is asleep, let's let him rest a while longer."
Inside Li Xu's office, he lay on his office chair. A little girl slowly pressed a button on the side of the chair, reclining it flat. A woman in a floral dress gently cradled Li Xu's head, easing it downwards.
A dark figure emerged from his shadow, squatting nearby and gazing at Li Xu's face.
Li Xu's previously furrowed brows now relaxed. His once tormented expression softened considerably, and he appeared to be sleeping peacefully.
Having resolved the boss's troubles, Chi Shen resumed his daily pastime — playing horror games and browsing local paranormal forums.
The post about the haunted construction site had a new update: bones were discovered at the site. However, someone later added that they were pig bones, not human, even if they appeared to be so.
"Things seem quite unrestful," thought Chi Shen as he browsed other posts.
As the eventful day neared its end and Chi Shen pondered where to eat, Li Xu emerged from his office, looking much better. Though not exactly glowing, he no longer looked as if he needed urgent medical attention.
He approached Chi Shen and said, "Thank you for today. How about drinks after work? My treat."
Ma Caijin looked over, "What did you two do behind my back?"
"Care to join us, old Ma?" Li Xu mustered a smile, "Chi Shen tried hypnosis on me today. It worked wonders. I fell asleep in an instant and had a pleasant dream."
Upon hearing the invitation, Ma Caijin immediately brightened, "What dream? Did you achieve a little goal?"
Li Xu smiled and shook his head, "I dreamt that my girlfriend came back."
He then glanced at the time, "Let's knock off early today. We can find a place to eat now. BBQ? Hot pot?"
"You should go." Ji Xingchen's voice suddenly echoed from behind Chi Shen.
Chi Shen laughed. In the past, he would have declined such a seemingly pointless after-work gathering, but today there were matters he wanted to clarify.
The three made it downstairs before the elevator rush. Ma Caijin remarked, "Finally, for once, I'm able to match your pace when leaving work!"
Chi Shen responded nonchalantly, "Congratulations."
As they walked, the group chatted. Under Ma Caijin's curious gaze, Li Xu elaborated on how Chi Shen had hypnotized him, the events in his dream, and how soundly he slept.
"Can you dream of specific people? Is that even possible?" Ma Caijin inquired.
Li Xu replied, "I believe he can do it."
Chi Shen commented, "Old-fashioned method. Whether one can dream of someone or not depends on fate."
Ma Caijin, driven by curiosity, asked, "Did you grow up in the countryside? I heard they have many of those traditional methods there! Or did you do research?"
"Something like that," Chi Shen admitted.
"You could charge for your hypnosis. Perhaps you'd earn a lot. Even if not dreaming of loved ones, how about a desired future? I've been having trouble sleeping lately. Can you make me dream of a wealthy future, with luxury cars, fine wines, and a grand mansion? The mansion must be set against mountains and overlooking the sea, and for the car..." Ma Caijin spotted a luxurious car downstairs and pointed, "That one!"
Just then, a person wearing white gloves, evidently a driver, descended from the said luxury vehicle and headed straight towards them.
Immediately embarrassed, Ma Caijin retracted his hand.
Chi Shen gave the scene a fleeting glance, seemingly indifferent. However, the driver approached and stopped in front of the trio. Ma Caijin even courteously made way in advance.
The driver addressed them, "Young Master Chi Shen, the master requests your presence. Please accompany me back."
Both Ma Caijin and Li Xu were visibly taken aback, then exchanged a glance that read: no wonder you insist on leaving work at five every day; you're rich!
"I don't know you. Excuse me." Chi Shen coolly sidestepped the driver, looking back at the two stunned men, "Aren't we going for drinks?"
The duo snapped back to reality, catching up with Chi Shen, their eyes filled with intense curiosity.
The driver stepped forward, offering courteously, "Young Master Chi Shen, if you wish to go for drinks, I can take you there."
Chi Shen glanced at the driver with half-lidded eyes, "Just the next corner. You can leave after."
The driver seemed to want to say something else, but Chi Shen reached into his pocket and produced a card with a menacing face, which glared ominously at the driver.
Upon seeing that face, the driver swallowed whatever he was about to say and refrained from further following.
Ma Caijin's curiosity was at its peak, "Your family is so wealthy that you even have a personal driver?"
Chi Shen sighed in exasperation, "It's obviously a prank. Who really uses titles like 'young master' and 'old master' anymore?"
Ma Caijin pondered, "True that. 'Master Ma'... sounds quite adolescent!"
Li Xu remained slightly confused but chose not to probe further.
"Maybe there's a hidden camera nearby, capturing everything to post on a short video platform to gain views. Perhaps they targeted you because you're handsome," Ma Caijin deduced on behalf of Chi Shen.
This theory seemed to enlighten Li Xu, who nodded in agreement, "Makes sense. They earn their living this way. Only wonder which video account it is."
Watching the two game planners concoct an entire narrative, Chi Shen felt reassured that joining a gaming company was the right choice. In another setting, he might not have been able to deflect as easily.
The driver watched the trio walk away for a moment before pulling out his phone to make a call.
"Yes, he declined to get in."
On the other end was Bai Ximing's voice, who had gradually overcome his aversion to phones. At that moment, he was glaring coldly at Xu Xiuyun while on the call.
"Continue picking him up after work for the next three days. If he still refuses, then so be it," Bai Ximing's voice had a chilly edge before he hung up.
Xu Xiuyun remained silent by his side.
Bai Ximing didn't rebuke her but his cold stare made her feel as if she was plunged into an ice pit. He had clearly come to know about her conversation with Chi Shen.
After hanging up with the driver, Bai Ximing took a deep breath and dialed another number, "Has the damage at the old mansion been fully assessed?"
"Yes, everything's accounted for... However, two more went missing today."
Bai Ximing inquired in a frosty tone, "What happened?"
The person on the other end, seemingly intimidated by Bai Ximing's demeanor, stammered, "The second elder took them."
"Ah, just make a note of it; you don't need to inform me."
"I thought I should mention that today he took away..."
Bai Ximing lost interest in hearing more and, feeling somewhat weary, ended the call.
After Chi Shen left the old mansion, they surprisingly found that many of the ghosts within had vanished, including the formidable Bai Wan. Though this meant they could freely move about the mansion if they steered clear of the Zombie King residing near Chi Shen's room, the ghosts weren't raised for nothing.
It didn't take much to figure out that this was tied to Chi Shen. Bai Ximing had never imagined Chi Shen capable of such feats, but after much contemplation, he didn't dare to openly confront him.
"What were you thinking, speaking to him about Bai Ran!" The more Bai Ximing pondered, the more irritated he became, venting his frustration at Xu Xiuyun.
Xu Xiuyun stayed silent, tears forming in her eyes. Although she was nearing 50, her tearful appearance still carried a touch of innocence and vulnerability.
Bai Ximing glanced at her, but didn't engage further, sinking into the couch with evident annoyance.
Every ghost in the old mansion was registered, and Bai Ximing wasn't the only one responsible for sending them there. Explaining their disappearance to others wouldn't be easy.
Chi Shen, Li Xu, and Ma Caijin headed out for some grilled meat. After a few beers, the mood lightened up. Chi Shen turned to Li Xu, asking, "Have you seen a psychologist about your insomnia?"
Li Xu shook his head, "I did initially. The doctor told me to move on from the past, but how can I? I can't forget."
Chi Shen, assessing Li Xu's state and recalling the overwhelming emotional ghost, felt that if Li Xu doesn't let go, the entity nurtured by Li Xu's emotions might unleash havoc upon half the city.
Thankfully, for now, that spirit was sealed within Li Xu's dreams and should remain contained as long as Li Xu remained stable.
A couple of drinks in, Li Xu shed his authoritative demeanor. Being only a few years older than Chi Shen and Ma Caijin, perhaps having lacked someone to confide in for a while, he began sharing about his girlfriend.
From their budding romance in college to their journey
Beyond the campus
Into the professional world, their once sweet memories turned bitter on one fateful day.
Li Xu, slightly intoxicated, spoke of the night when his girlfriend hadn't come home for a long time. Later, he received a call from the police saying she had accidentally fallen into the water and drowned.
"I didn't pick her up that night, I was busy with a presentation for the next day's meeting. She was chased to the river's edge by two men and fell in."
Li Xu's voice was soft and lingering, as though he had recounted this many times. Even in retelling, there was no evident sorrow, merely a recitation of a past he had envisioned.
"I wish I were there."
Chapter 065: Those Days of Youth.
Li Xul's uncharacteristic response didn't surprise Chi Shen. Having experienced being drowned and soaked in a bathtub by a ghost, Chi Shen thought Li Xul being dragged into the bathroom by the red-clad female ghost was rather expected.
Chi Shen slowly followed Li Xul into the bathroom. The tub was already filled to the brim with water, as if it had been awaiting something—or perhaps, during the ghost's absence, in the fleeting moments of Li Xul's nightly rest, he would lie in this bathtub, imagining it was his deceased girlfriend holding him under.
What on earth had transpired?
Under Gui Lian's guidance, the red-clad female ghost joyfully pressed Li Xul into the bathtub. Chi Shen had specifically instructed her not to show her face or speak, allowing only her long hair to be visible. So, although she was gleeful, she didn't laugh aloud, instead communicating with Gui Lian through gestures.
Against this oddly cheerful backdrop, Chi Shen surveyed the bathroom.
It felt frozen in time. A lipstick mark accidentally brushed a towel; couple-themed mouthwash cups sat on a shelf, and by the sink lay a razor and some affordable skincare products.
Ordinary yet filled with traces of a lived-in life. Witnessing these, Chi Shen could envision a bickering yet loving young couple.
However, there was no trace of the present-day cultural magnate, Li Xul, in that young man.
As the red-clad female ghost submerged Li Xul for the third time, the rain outside began to lessen. Looking out of the bathroom window, Chi Shen saw the once wailing face of the storm cloud dissipating.
Yet sunlight still eluded this world. The tearful visages merely transformed back into the overcast sky. While the rain had ceased, the gloomy clouds continued to shroud the world, restoring its somber ambiance.
Chi Shen gazed out of the window, lost in thought.
It appeared that the immense emotional apparition in the sky was none other than Li Xu himself. Just how much pent-up emotion did it take to manifest such a creature?
In all respects, Li Xu is truly extraordinary.
Seeing that the rain had ceased, Chi Shen deduced that the redemption of Li Xu was nearly complete. He signaled to the two ghosts, allowing the ghostly face to open a passage and depart from this realm.
Not much time had passed in reality. When Chi Shen emerged, Li Xu was still unconscious. He lifted up the ghostly face and the lady in red with one hand each, and gently closed the door to Li Xu's office.
Ma Caijin looked at Chi Shen, appearing somewhat worried, "It's been three days since we submitted that proposal, hasn't he given any feedback?"
Chi Shen shook his head.
Growing anxious, Ma Caijin stood up, "Well, I'll go and ask then."
Chi Shen stopped him, "He's asleep."
Ma Caijin reluctantly gave up, "No wonder you came out so quickly. If the boss is asleep, let's let him rest a while longer."
Inside Li Xu's office, he lay on his office chair. A little girl slowly pressed a button on the side of the chair, reclining it flat. A woman in a floral dress gently cradled Li Xu's head, easing it downwards.
A dark figure emerged from his shadow, squatting nearby and gazing at Li Xu's face.
Li Xu's previously furrowed brows now relaxed. His once tormented expression softened considerably, and he appeared to be sleeping peacefully.
Having resolved the boss's troubles, Chi Shen resumed his daily pastime — playing horror games and browsing local paranormal forums.
The post about the haunted construction site had a new update: bones were discovered at the site. However, someone later added that they were pig bones, not human, even if they appeared to be so.
"Things seem quite unrestful," thought Chi Shen as he browsed other posts.
As the eventful day neared its end and Chi Shen pondered where to eat, Li Xu emerged from his office, looking much better. Though not exactly glowing, he no longer looked as if he needed urgent medical attention.
He approached Chi Shen and said, "Thank you for today. How about drinks after work? My treat."
Ma Caijin looked over, "What did you two do behind my back?"
"Care to join us, old Ma?" Li Xu mustered a smile, "Chi Shen tried hypnosis on me today. It worked wonders. I fell asleep in an instant and had a pleasant dream."
Upon hearing the invitation, Ma Caijin immediately brightened, "What dream? Did you achieve a little goal?"
Li Xu smiled and shook his head, "I dreamt that my girlfriend came back."
He then glanced at the time, "Let's knock off early today. We can find a place to eat now. BBQ? Hot pot?"
"You should go." Ji Xingchen's voice suddenly echoed from behind Chi Shen.
Chi Shen laughed. In the past, he would have declined such a seemingly pointless after-work gathering, but today there were matters he wanted to clarify.
The three made it downstairs before the elevator rush. Ma Caijin remarked, "Finally, for once, I'm able to match your pace when leaving work!"
Chi Shen responded nonchalantly, "Congratulations."
As they walked, the group chatted. Under Ma Caijin's curious gaze, Li Xu elaborated on how Chi Shen had hypnotized him, the events in his dream, and how soundly he slept.
"Can you dream of specific people? Is that even possible?" Ma Caijin inquired.
Li Xu replied, "I believe he can do it."
Chi Shen commented, "Old-fashioned method. Whether one can dream of someone or not depends on fate."
Ma Caijin, driven by curiosity, asked, "Did you grow up in the countryside? I heard they have many of those traditional methods there! Or did you do research?"
"Something like that," Chi Shen admitted.
"You could charge for your hypnosis. Perhaps you'd earn a lot. Even if not dreaming of loved ones, how about a desired future? I've been having trouble sleeping lately. Can you make me dream of a wealthy future, with luxury cars, fine wines, and a grand mansion? The mansion must be set against mountains and overlooking the sea, and for the car..." Ma Caijin spotted a luxurious car downstairs and pointed, "That one!"
Just then, a person wearing white gloves, evidently a driver, descended from the said luxury vehicle and headed straight towards them.
Immediately embarrassed, Ma Caijin retracted his hand.
Chi Shen gave the scene a fleeting glance, seemingly indifferent. However, the driver approached and stopped in front of the trio. Ma Caijin even courteously made way in advance.
The driver addressed them, "Young Master Chi Shen, the master requests your presence. Please accompany me back."
Both Ma Caijin and Li Xu were visibly taken aback, then exchanged a glance that read: no wonder you insist on leaving work at five every day; you're rich!
"I don't know you. Excuse me." Chi Shen coolly sidestepped the driver, looking back at the two stunned men, "Aren't we going for drinks?"
The duo snapped back to reality, catching up with Chi Shen, their eyes filled with intense curiosity.
The driver stepped forward, offering courteously, "Young Master Chi Shen, if you wish to go for drinks, I can take you there."
Chi Shen glanced at the driver with half-lidded eyes, "Just the next corner. You can leave after."
The driver seemed to want to say something else, but Chi Shen reached into his pocket and produced a card with a menacing face, which glared ominously at the driver.
Upon seeing that face, the driver swallowed whatever he was about to say and refrained from further following.
Ma Caijin's curiosity was at its peak, "Your family is so wealthy that you even have a personal driver?"
Chi Shen sighed in exasperation, "It's obviously a prank. Who really uses titles like 'young master' and 'old master' anymore?"
Ma Caijin pondered, "True that. 'Master Ma'... sounds quite adolescent!"
Li Xu remained slightly confused but chose not to probe further.
"Maybe there's a hidden camera nearby, capturing everything to post on a short video platform to gain views. Perhaps they targeted you because you're handsome," Ma Caijin deduced on behalf of Chi Shen.
This theory seemed to enlighten Li Xu, who nodded in agreement, "Makes sense. They earn their living this way. Only wonder which video account it is."
Watching the two game planners concoct an entire narrative, Chi Shen felt reassured that joining a gaming company was the right choice. In another setting, he might not have been able to deflect as easily.
The driver watched the trio walk away for a moment before pulling out his phone to make a call.
"Yes, he declined to get in."
On the other end was Bai Ximing's voice, who had gradually overcome his aversion to phones. At that moment, he was glaring coldly at Xu Xiuyun while on the call.
"Continue picking him up after work for the next three days. If he still refuses, then so be it," Bai Ximing's voice had a chilly edge before he hung up.
Xu Xiuyun remained silent by his side.
Bai Ximing didn't rebuke her but his cold stare made her feel as if she was plunged into an ice pit. He had clearly come to know about her conversation with Chi Shen.
After hanging up with the driver, Bai Ximing took a deep breath and dialed another number, "Has the damage at the old mansion been fully assessed?"
"Yes, everything's accounted for... However, two more went missing today."
Bai Ximing inquired in a frosty tone, "What happened?"
The person on the other end, seemingly intimidated by Bai Ximing's demeanor, stammered, "The second elder took them."
"Ah, just make a note of it; you don't need to inform me."
"I thought I should mention that today he took away..."
Bai Ximing lost interest in hearing more and, feeling somewhat weary, ended the call.
After Chi Shen left the old mansion, they surprisingly found that many of the ghosts within had vanished, including the formidable Bai Wan. Though this meant they could freely move about the mansion if they steered clear of the Zombie King residing near Chi Shen's room, the ghosts weren't raised for nothing.
It didn't take much to figure out that this was tied to Chi Shen. Bai Ximing had never imagined Chi Shen capable of such feats, but after much contemplation, he didn't dare to openly confront him.
"What were you thinking, speaking to him about Bai Ran!" The more Bai Ximing pondered, the more irritated he became, venting his frustration at Xu Xiuyun.
Xu Xiuyun stayed silent, tears forming in her eyes. Although she was nearing 50, her tearful appearance still carried a touch of innocence and vulnerability.
Bai Ximing glanced at her, but didn't engage further, sinking into the couch with evident annoyance.
Every ghost in the old mansion was registered, and Bai Ximing wasn't the only one responsible for sending them there. Explaining their disappearance to others wouldn't be easy.
Chi Shen, Li Xu, and Ma Caijin headed out for some grilled meat. After a few beers, the mood lightened up. Chi Shen turned to Li Xu, asking, "Have you seen a psychologist about your insomnia?"
Li Xu shook his head, "I did initially. The doctor told me to move on from the past, but how can I? I can't forget."
Chi Shen, assessing Li Xu's state and recalling the overwhelming emotional ghost, felt that if Li Xu doesn't let go, the entity nurtured by Li Xu's emotions might unleash havoc upon half the city.
Thankfully, for now, that spirit was sealed within Li Xu's dreams and should remain contained as long as Li Xu remained stable.
A couple of drinks in, Li Xu shed his authoritative demeanor. Being only a few years older than Chi Shen and Ma Caijin, perhaps having lacked someone to confide in for a while, he began sharing about his girlfriend.
From their budding romance in college to their journey
Beyond the campus
Into the professional world, their once sweet memories turned bitter on one fateful day.
Li Xu, slightly intoxicated, spoke of the night when his girlfriend hadn't come home for a long time. Later, he received a call from the police saying she had accidentally fallen into the water and drowned.
"I didn't pick her up that night, I was busy with a presentation for the next day's meeting. She was chased to the river's edge by two men and fell in."
Li Xu's voice was soft and lingering, as though he had recounted this many times. Even in retelling, there was no evident sorrow, merely a recitation of a past he had envisioned.
"I wish I were there."
