Chapter 077: Lack of Martial Virtue.
During rush hour, the main arteries of Harbor City were jam-packed. It wasn't uncommon for a 500-meter stretch to take half an hour. Upon Xu Xiuyin's refusal to detour, the driver mentally prepared himself for at least an hour's delay. Having served the Bai family for long, he knew better than to question or clarify, simply following the employer's instructions.
Abruptly, the screeching of brakes pierced the air. Glancing aside, he saw a truck burst from a side street, veering sharply into the guardrails before it could enter the main road.
The deafening crash echoed. Xu Xiuyin's car, which was slowly cruising in the rightmost lane due to the earlier congestion and detour consideration, got sideswiped by the swerving truck. A forceful jolt tossed Xu Xiuyin, but she had luckily fastened her seatbelt earlier due to her unease; otherwise, she might've been thrown out.
Xu Xiuyin held onto her seat, gazing in the direction of the truck. Her side of the car was severely damaged, glass shards scattered everywhere, some even cutting her hands. Had they changed lanes, a direct collision would have been inevitable - and catastrophic.
Though the driver remained unscathed, given that the main impact was at the rear, he swiftly turned to Xu Xiuyin, voice tinged with fear, "Ms. Xu, are you alright?"
She didn’t respond, her gaze fixed on the crashed truck.
The truck driver, seeming just as shocked by the aftermath, wore a look of pure terror and confusion. To Xu Xiuyin, however, a pale ghostly figure in the truck's cabin was glaring at her, eyes filled with intense resentment.
Something had marked her.
Was it Chi Shen's doing?
Doubt crept into Xu Xiuyin's mind. The Bai family, although frequently targeted by supernatural entities, rarely encountered accidents because any threats were swiftly dealt with. Today, right after Chi Shen's eerie words, the accident happened. Could it be connected to him?
After all, he could communicate with spirits from the old mansion. Luring one or two vengeful spirits to harm them wouldn't be out of the question.
But why would he target his biological mother?
"Ms. Xu, what should we do now?"
The driver's voice pulled her back from her thoughts. Still in shock, her trembling eyes slowly refocused. "Help me out, call for backup, and tell them something's got its eyes on me."
"Yes, yes!" The driver, grasping the gravity of "being watched," cast a wary glance at the truck, but saw nothing.
Xu Xiuyin followed his gaze, noticing the ghostly figure had vanished.
Meanwhile, Chi Shen had alighted from the subway, checking his phone to locate Hong An Trade.
Hong An Trade was where Ji Xingchen worked before his demise. According to Ji's memories, after university, he joined Hong An Trade and remained there until his death—or rather, until his memories as a living person faded.
Yet Ji Xingchen's last memories are all vague. His memories of Hong'an Trade date back to some two or three years ago. As to the exact time, he's uncertain. When Chi Shen accessed his memories, he too couldn't pinpoint the exact time, hence he could only estimate it to be two or three years prior.
This area is close to the outskirts of Harbor City and is a business district near the port. Many international companies are situated here. It was now the peak of evening rush hour, with the subway station bustling with commuters. However, as he left the subway station and walked a short distance, the surroundings became quieter.
There aren't many entertainment facilities in this vicinity, so it's usually not very lively except on workdays.
Strolling leisurely, Chi Shen said to Ji Xingchen, "It seems like they really want me to return to the Bai family."
Ji Xingchen, who had been silent, responded from within the shadow, "Indeed."
Chi Shen continued while following the GPS, "It's odd. When Bai Ran was still around, they didn’t want me back."
Ji Xingchen speculated, "My guess is that they're interested in your abilities."
Pondering, Chi Shen said, "That's plausible. But their urgency strikes me as odd. It's intriguing. And if I were to directly ask them, they certainly wouldn’t disclose their true motives."
Ji Xingchen stated, "If their reasons were ordinary, they would've told you directly and invited you back."
"True," Chi Shen lamented, "I wanted to inquire in a peaceful manner."
The ghostly face, sensing an appropriate moment to interject, eagerly remarked, "By 'peaceful', do you mean in the same 'amicable' way you approached Bai Ran?"
Chi Shen smiled and nodded, "I believe it's a form of communication everyone can accept."
Ghostly face retorted, "…They'll never reveal the truth with that approach!"
Still smiling, Chi Shen said, "Which is why we need a different strategy."
Ji Xingchen remained silent, seemingly contemplating alternative methods.
It was the ghostly face that interjected, "I have a feeling this 'different strategy' won’t be a pleasant one."
"I'm a good person. Rest assured, I won't resort to any extreme measures," Chi Shen assured with a smile.
The ghostly face... responded sarcastically, "Sure, I totally believe that!"
In the midst of their casual conversation, Chi Shen had located the building housing Hong'an Trade. As a major company, Hong'an Trade occupied an entire building. Although not tall, the structure was quite expansive.
Standing outside, Chi Shen looked up and asked Ji Xingchen, "This is the place, right?"
Ji Xingchen emerged from Chi Shen's shadow, gazing up at the bold characters spelling out "Hong'an Trade." He affirmed, "This is the place."
His expression remained calm, devoid of the joy of recognizing a familiar place from his memories. Even though this location might be linked to his death, it was the last place he remembered after all.
"Nothing seems amiss," Chi Shen observed, looking at the building. There wasn't a hint of spectral energy throughout; and if there were ordinary spirits without detectable energy, they likely wouldn't harm humans much.
"My memories of this place are quite mundane," Ji Xingchen commented, "Just regular work, nothing out of the ordinary."
"Let's go in and check," Chi Shen proposed, heading towards the Hong'an Trade Building.
From Ji Xingchen's memories, Chi Shen knew that security at the Hong'an Building wasn't strict. He wandered around all accessible areas, asking Ji Xingchen if he recognized them. Ji Xingchen acknowledged some places and not others, but it was evident he had worked there; otherwise, he wouldn't feel familiarity, and the place wouldn't appear in his memories.
Some arrangements remained as Chi Shen saw in Ji Xingchen's memories. Even the security guard at the company's entrance hadn't changed. Chi Shen's wandering inevitably caught the security guard's attention.
The guard approached Chi Shen suspiciously, asking his business there. Probably, he suspected Chi Shen of corporate espionage.
"I'm looking for someone, do you know Ji Xingchen?" Chi Shen's voice was filled with earnestness and emotion. "He once aided me, saved my life even, giving me a second chance. I only knew his name and his company. Today, after saving enough for the trip, I finally made it to Harbor City to personally thank my benefactor. If not for him, I might not have even graduated."
Initially skeptical, the guard was moved by Chi Shen's heartfelt plea. Tears welled in his eyes as he gripped Chi Shen's hands, "Wait here, young man. I'll check with the front desk for you. We'll find your savior!"
"Thank you so much! 'Ji' as in the seasons, and 'Xingchen' as in stars descending after the moon," Chi Shen expressed his gratitude even more earnestly.
"'Ji' from the seasons, and 'Xingchen' as stars after the moon's descent," the guard repeated, murmuring to himself as he walked away, "Ji Xingchen, Ji Xingchen... Do we have someone by that name here?"
Watching the guard head towards the front desk, Chi Shen's expression of genuine gratitude slowly faded as he whispered, "I remember you knew this guard."
Standing beside him, Ji Xingchen observed the departing guard, a figure from his time at Hong'an Trade, a kind-hearted man known to many employees. Indeed, Ji Xingchen knew him and could even recall his name.
"His name is Zhou Botao; we all call him Brother Zhou," Ji Xingchen mentioned, his demeanor calm, unshaken by the fact that Zhou didn't recognize him.
The guard returned shortly, expressing his concern to Chi Shen after confirming with the front desk that there was no Ji Xingchen. The worry on his face seemed even more genuine than Chi Shen's acted one, indicating he genuinely cared.
Chi Shen thanked the guard, saying he'd double-check the details. He then inquired about the guard's name, wanting to remember the name of the kind soul who helped him.
"Ha, it was nothing, just doing my job," the guard laughed heartily, "I'm Zhou Botao, but you can call me Brother Zhou. If you ever come back looking for someone, just find me."
"Thank you, Brother Zhou. I'll go back and confirm the name and address of my benefactor," Chi Shen thanked Zhou Botao and left the Hong'an Trade Building.
Once outside, the area felt more desolate. Fewer people were leaving work, and Chi Shen, chatting with two ghosts, didn't seem out of place.
"You're so smooth," the first ghost remarked, "Were you some social genius in your past life?"
Earlier, when he was caught snooping in the company, he had felt like crawling into a hole. Yet, Chi Shen managed to brush off the awkwardness, shifting from defense to offense, asking directly about Ji Xingchen.
"You'll get used to it after a few times. It's no big deal," Chi Shen remarked with composure.
Gui Lian raised an eyebrow, "Sounds like you've done this many times before?"
Chi Shen nonchalantly replied, "Somewhat."
Gui Lian pressed, "What does 'somewhat' mean?!"
This time, Chi Shen ignored him and looked at his own shadow. With the streetlight behind him, his shadow was cast directly in front of him.
"They don't remember you," Chi Shen said.
His shadow shifted slightly, and Ji Xing Chen spoke, "I don't know why, but I did work here."
Chi Shen chuckled, "I believe you. But with this lead gone cold, if we want to uncover how you died, we first need to understand who you were. Did you perhaps go to high school somewhere else? Maybe we should check there?"
Ji Xing Chen replied, "Finish what you're here for first."
Chi Shen nodded, "Alright."
He continued gazing at his shadow.
It was undeniable that Ji Xing Chen had surprised him. Under such circumstances, Chi Shen expected Ji Xing Chen to panic, doubt himself, or even the world. But he didn’t. He remained as calm and composed as ever.
He was truly a formidable person.
In the city district of Hong Cheng, at a major intersection, sirens blared amidst the chaos. There had been a traffic accident.
The traffic police quickly accounted for the injured. Only a few had minor injuries. The truck driver had managed to swerve in time, slamming the brakes and crashing into the guardrail, avoiding a major collision with slower-moving vehicles.
Xu Xiu Yin stood on the sidewalk beside the truck, blood still dripping from a wound on her hand. While the police urged her to seek medical attention, she remained unmoved, declining every offer.
"I'm waiting for someone to pick me up. I don't need any help," Xu Xiu Yin, seemingly in shock from the accident, distanced herself from the crowd and even the officers.
Given that Xu Xiu Yin appeared affluent, stepping out of a luxury car, people dismissed her behavior as a quirk of the wealthy. They tried to persuade her but eventually gave up when she remained adamant.
The Bai family's arrival was delayed. By the time they showed up, the accident scene was almost cleared. Xu Xiu Yin briefly explained the situation to them and anxiously searched the crowd for a phantom figure she'd seen in the truck's cabin. But she couldn't spot it anymore.
The man who came to pick up Xu Xiu Yin was in his forties. In the deep autumn chill, he wore a puffer jacket, zipped up entirely, wrapping his neck and everything below tightly. After listening to what Xu Xiu Yin had said, he neither responded nor sought the ghostly figure. He simply opened the door of his minivan and commanded coldly, "Get in."
Still shaken, Xu Xiu Yin found a moment of clarity upon hearing the man's voice. She cast a disdainful glance at the minivan, "Is this vehicle safe?"
"Rest assured," the man sneered, "It's safer than your Benz."
Reluctantly boarding the vehicle, Xu Xiu Yin voiced her displeasure, "Why did you come to pick me up? Are there no others in the Bai family?"
The man simply replied, "I was the closest."
Xu Xiu Yin was about to continue, "Was that ghost, by any chance, Chi Shen…"
"It's a minor issue left from a previous project. It'll be resolved soon," he cut her off.
As the man took the driver's seat and floored the accelerator, entering a narrow alley, Xu Xiu Yin, not yet settled, was jolted and hit her head. She wanted to lash out but then thought better of it considering her image. She decided to have a word with Bai Xi Ming later about this man's lack of courtesy.
Holding onto the minivan seat, she recalled a similar incident from the past when Bai Ran had come to pick her up. He'd treated her wounds and consoled her, reassuringly whispering, "Don't be afraid, Mom. I'm here, and I'll protect you." It was touching, especially since Bai Ran had only just come of age then.
With that memory, worry overtook Xu Xiu Yin again. She had believed they had two more years of mother-son bonding left, but now with Bai Ran suddenly incarcerated, she needed a plan to keep him close.
Chi Shen was already back home, discussing matters with Ji Xing Chen right outside his apartment.
To say "outside his apartment" wasn't entirely accurate. Every time Chi Shen approached, the door would automatically open. To avoid unnecessary attention, he now stood outside the elevator conversing with Ji Xing Chen.
Chi Shen shared, "Once the case at the Hongbei construction site is closed, I intend to exorcise the headless ghost with Li Xu."
Ji Xing Chen simply responded, "Hmm."
Chi Shen continued, "Which means I need to learn the methods of exorcism."
Ji Xing Chen repeated, "Hmm."
Chi Shen admitted, "I haven't successfully exorcised a single ghost yet. Well, excluding the physical ones."
Ji Xing Chen echoed, "Hmm."
Chi Shen resolved, "I think I need to give it another serious try. I should succeed in exorcising at least one ghost."
At this, Gui Lian couldn't contain himself. Tearing off from Chi Shen's clothing, he burst out, "I've been trying so hard! Day and night, every single day! Not being exorcised isn't my fault! There's definitely something wrong with your method! So, you can't keep adding—"
Chi Shen looked at him and simply said, "Indeed."
"—My learning capacity, you need to change... wait?" Gui Lian suddenly halted his lament of sorrow, his pale face contorting as if seeing a mirage, "You're not coming up with some new method to torture me, are you?"
"I've given up on you," Chi Shen declared calmly, "With so many ghosts at home, I've decided to switch to another."
"Good... yay?" Gui Lian wanted to be relieved, but the statement seemed like an indictment, as if saying: since you're not academically inclined and can't make it to a top-tier college, why not drop out and labor at a construction site? At least strive for a vocational school! Why this sudden abandonment?
As Gui Lian grappled with the sudden turn of events, Chi Shen's attention had already shifted to his own shadow, "So, I need a little favor from you."
After hearing Chi Shen's words, Ji Xing Chen emerged from the shadow, adjusting his glasses, "No problem."
Having discussed their plans, Chi Shen approached the entrance to his home.
The door opened automatically as Chi Shen stepped in and closed behind him just as autonomously.
The Red-Clothed Female Ghost was the first to greet him. Hanging from the chandelier, she craned her neck to inspect Chi Shen's empty hands, showing a hint of disappointment but still exclaiming, "Welcome home!"
Those four words were taught to her by Ji Xing Chen.
Bai Wan, holding her memorial tablet, appeared at the entrance. Without words, her welcoming gesture was evident: she had stood by the door awaiting Chi Shen's return and opened the door for him.
Chi Shen remarked evenly, "I'm back."
The Red-Clothed Female Ghost suddenly paused, carefully eyeing Chi Shen's shadow and exclaiming in puzzlement, "It's gone! It's disappeared!"
Even Bai Wan, with her face veiled under a red bridal hood, appeared to be observing Chi Shen's shadow. She tilted her head in confusion, seemingly wanting to inquire but remained silent.
Chi Shen headed straight to the kitchen, touching the bridge of his nose and addressing the cabinet, "I have a matter to discuss with you."
Chapter 077: Lack of Martial Virtue.
During rush hour, the main arteries of Harbor City were jam-packed. It wasn't uncommon for a 500-meter stretch to take half an hour. Upon Xu Xiuyin's refusal to detour, the driver mentally prepared himself for at least an hour's delay. Having served the Bai family for long, he knew better than to question or clarify, simply following the employer's instructions.
Abruptly, the screeching of brakes pierced the air. Glancing aside, he saw a truck burst from a side street, veering sharply into the guardrails before it could enter the main road.
The deafening crash echoed. Xu Xiuyin's car, which was slowly cruising in the rightmost lane due to the earlier congestion and detour consideration, got sideswiped by the swerving truck. A forceful jolt tossed Xu Xiuyin, but she had luckily fastened her seatbelt earlier due to her unease; otherwise, she might've been thrown out.
Xu Xiuyin held onto her seat, gazing in the direction of the truck. Her side of the car was severely damaged, glass shards scattered everywhere, some even cutting her hands. Had they changed lanes, a direct collision would have been inevitable - and catastrophic.
Though the driver remained unscathed, given that the main impact was at the rear, he swiftly turned to Xu Xiuyin, voice tinged with fear, "Ms. Xu, are you alright?"
She didn’t respond, her gaze fixed on the crashed truck.
The truck driver, seeming just as shocked by the aftermath, wore a look of pure terror and confusion. To Xu Xiuyin, however, a pale ghostly figure in the truck's cabin was glaring at her, eyes filled with intense resentment.
Something had marked her.
Was it Chi Shen's doing?
Doubt crept into Xu Xiuyin's mind. The Bai family, although frequently targeted by supernatural entities, rarely encountered accidents because any threats were swiftly dealt with. Today, right after Chi Shen's eerie words, the accident happened. Could it be connected to him?
After all, he could communicate with spirits from the old mansion. Luring one or two vengeful spirits to harm them wouldn't be out of the question.
But why would he target his biological mother?
"Ms. Xu, what should we do now?"
The driver's voice pulled her back from her thoughts. Still in shock, her trembling eyes slowly refocused. "Help me out, call for backup, and tell them something's got its eyes on me."
"Yes, yes!" The driver, grasping the gravity of "being watched," cast a wary glance at the truck, but saw nothing.
Xu Xiuyin followed his gaze, noticing the ghostly figure had vanished.
Meanwhile, Chi Shen had alighted from the subway, checking his phone to locate Hong An Trade.
Hong An Trade was where Ji Xingchen worked before his demise. According to Ji's memories, after university, he joined Hong An Trade and remained there until his death—or rather, until his memories as a living person faded.
Yet Ji Xingchen's last memories are all vague. His memories of Hong'an Trade date back to some two or three years ago. As to the exact time, he's uncertain. When Chi Shen accessed his memories, he too couldn't pinpoint the exact time, hence he could only estimate it to be two or three years prior.
This area is close to the outskirts of Harbor City and is a business district near the port. Many international companies are situated here. It was now the peak of evening rush hour, with the subway station bustling with commuters. However, as he left the subway station and walked a short distance, the surroundings became quieter.
There aren't many entertainment facilities in this vicinity, so it's usually not very lively except on workdays.
Strolling leisurely, Chi Shen said to Ji Xingchen, "It seems like they really want me to return to the Bai family."
Ji Xingchen, who had been silent, responded from within the shadow, "Indeed."
Chi Shen continued while following the GPS, "It's odd. When Bai Ran was still around, they didn’t want me back."
Ji Xingchen speculated, "My guess is that they're interested in your abilities."
Pondering, Chi Shen said, "That's plausible. But their urgency strikes me as odd. It's intriguing. And if I were to directly ask them, they certainly wouldn’t disclose their true motives."
Ji Xingchen stated, "If their reasons were ordinary, they would've told you directly and invited you back."
"True," Chi Shen lamented, "I wanted to inquire in a peaceful manner."
The ghostly face, sensing an appropriate moment to interject, eagerly remarked, "By 'peaceful', do you mean in the same 'amicable' way you approached Bai Ran?"
Chi Shen smiled and nodded, "I believe it's a form of communication everyone can accept."
Ghostly face retorted, "…They'll never reveal the truth with that approach!"
Still smiling, Chi Shen said, "Which is why we need a different strategy."
Ji Xingchen remained silent, seemingly contemplating alternative methods.
It was the ghostly face that interjected, "I have a feeling this 'different strategy' won’t be a pleasant one."
"I'm a good person. Rest assured, I won't resort to any extreme measures," Chi Shen assured with a smile.
The ghostly face... responded sarcastically, "Sure, I totally believe that!"
In the midst of their casual conversation, Chi Shen had located the building housing Hong'an Trade. As a major company, Hong'an Trade occupied an entire building. Although not tall, the structure was quite expansive.
Standing outside, Chi Shen looked up and asked Ji Xingchen, "This is the place, right?"
Ji Xingchen emerged from Chi Shen's shadow, gazing up at the bold characters spelling out "Hong'an Trade." He affirmed, "This is the place."
His expression remained calm, devoid of the joy of recognizing a familiar place from his memories. Even though this location might be linked to his death, it was the last place he remembered after all.
"Nothing seems amiss," Chi Shen observed, looking at the building. There wasn't a hint of spectral energy throughout; and if there were ordinary spirits without detectable energy, they likely wouldn't harm humans much.
"My memories of this place are quite mundane," Ji Xingchen commented, "Just regular work, nothing out of the ordinary."
"Let's go in and check," Chi Shen proposed, heading towards the Hong'an Trade Building.
From Ji Xingchen's memories, Chi Shen knew that security at the Hong'an Building wasn't strict. He wandered around all accessible areas, asking Ji Xingchen if he recognized them. Ji Xingchen acknowledged some places and not others, but it was evident he had worked there; otherwise, he wouldn't feel familiarity, and the place wouldn't appear in his memories.
Some arrangements remained as Chi Shen saw in Ji Xingchen's memories. Even the security guard at the company's entrance hadn't changed. Chi Shen's wandering inevitably caught the security guard's attention.
The guard approached Chi Shen suspiciously, asking his business there. Probably, he suspected Chi Shen of corporate espionage.
"I'm looking for someone, do you know Ji Xingchen?" Chi Shen's voice was filled with earnestness and emotion. "He once aided me, saved my life even, giving me a second chance. I only knew his name and his company. Today, after saving enough for the trip, I finally made it to Harbor City to personally thank my benefactor. If not for him, I might not have even graduated."
Initially skeptical, the guard was moved by Chi Shen's heartfelt plea. Tears welled in his eyes as he gripped Chi Shen's hands, "Wait here, young man. I'll check with the front desk for you. We'll find your savior!"
"Thank you so much! 'Ji' as in the seasons, and 'Xingchen' as in stars descending after the moon," Chi Shen expressed his gratitude even more earnestly.
"'Ji' from the seasons, and 'Xingchen' as stars after the moon's descent," the guard repeated, murmuring to himself as he walked away, "Ji Xingchen, Ji Xingchen... Do we have someone by that name here?"
Watching the guard head towards the front desk, Chi Shen's expression of genuine gratitude slowly faded as he whispered, "I remember you knew this guard."
Standing beside him, Ji Xingchen observed the departing guard, a figure from his time at Hong'an Trade, a kind-hearted man known to many employees. Indeed, Ji Xingchen knew him and could even recall his name.
"His name is Zhou Botao; we all call him Brother Zhou," Ji Xingchen mentioned, his demeanor calm, unshaken by the fact that Zhou didn't recognize him.
The guard returned shortly, expressing his concern to Chi Shen after confirming with the front desk that there was no Ji Xingchen. The worry on his face seemed even more genuine than Chi Shen's acted one, indicating he genuinely cared.
Chi Shen thanked the guard, saying he'd double-check the details. He then inquired about the guard's name, wanting to remember the name of the kind soul who helped him.
"Ha, it was nothing, just doing my job," the guard laughed heartily, "I'm Zhou Botao, but you can call me Brother Zhou. If you ever come back looking for someone, just find me."
"Thank you, Brother Zhou. I'll go back and confirm the name and address of my benefactor," Chi Shen thanked Zhou Botao and left the Hong'an Trade Building.
Once outside, the area felt more desolate. Fewer people were leaving work, and Chi Shen, chatting with two ghosts, didn't seem out of place.
"You're so smooth," the first ghost remarked, "Were you some social genius in your past life?"
Earlier, when he was caught snooping in the company, he had felt like crawling into a hole. Yet, Chi Shen managed to brush off the awkwardness, shifting from defense to offense, asking directly about Ji Xingchen.
"You'll get used to it after a few times. It's no big deal," Chi Shen remarked with composure.
Gui Lian raised an eyebrow, "Sounds like you've done this many times before?"
Chi Shen nonchalantly replied, "Somewhat."
Gui Lian pressed, "What does 'somewhat' mean?!"
This time, Chi Shen ignored him and looked at his own shadow. With the streetlight behind him, his shadow was cast directly in front of him.
"They don't remember you," Chi Shen said.
His shadow shifted slightly, and Ji Xing Chen spoke, "I don't know why, but I did work here."
Chi Shen chuckled, "I believe you. But with this lead gone cold, if we want to uncover how you died, we first need to understand who you were. Did you perhaps go to high school somewhere else? Maybe we should check there?"
Ji Xing Chen replied, "Finish what you're here for first."
Chi Shen nodded, "Alright."
He continued gazing at his shadow.
It was undeniable that Ji Xing Chen had surprised him. Under such circumstances, Chi Shen expected Ji Xing Chen to panic, doubt himself, or even the world. But he didn’t. He remained as calm and composed as ever.
He was truly a formidable person.
In the city district of Hong Cheng, at a major intersection, sirens blared amidst the chaos. There had been a traffic accident.
The traffic police quickly accounted for the injured. Only a few had minor injuries. The truck driver had managed to swerve in time, slamming the brakes and crashing into the guardrail, avoiding a major collision with slower-moving vehicles.
Xu Xiu Yin stood on the sidewalk beside the truck, blood still dripping from a wound on her hand. While the police urged her to seek medical attention, she remained unmoved, declining every offer.
"I'm waiting for someone to pick me up. I don't need any help," Xu Xiu Yin, seemingly in shock from the accident, distanced herself from the crowd and even the officers.
Given that Xu Xiu Yin appeared affluent, stepping out of a luxury car, people dismissed her behavior as a quirk of the wealthy. They tried to persuade her but eventually gave up when she remained adamant.
The Bai family's arrival was delayed. By the time they showed up, the accident scene was almost cleared. Xu Xiu Yin briefly explained the situation to them and anxiously searched the crowd for a phantom figure she'd seen in the truck's cabin. But she couldn't spot it anymore.
The man who came to pick up Xu Xiu Yin was in his forties. In the deep autumn chill, he wore a puffer jacket, zipped up entirely, wrapping his neck and everything below tightly. After listening to what Xu Xiu Yin had said, he neither responded nor sought the ghostly figure. He simply opened the door of his minivan and commanded coldly, "Get in."
Still shaken, Xu Xiu Yin found a moment of clarity upon hearing the man's voice. She cast a disdainful glance at the minivan, "Is this vehicle safe?"
"Rest assured," the man sneered, "It's safer than your Benz."
Reluctantly boarding the vehicle, Xu Xiu Yin voiced her displeasure, "Why did you come to pick me up? Are there no others in the Bai family?"
The man simply replied, "I was the closest."
Xu Xiu Yin was about to continue, "Was that ghost, by any chance, Chi Shen…"
"It's a minor issue left from a previous project. It'll be resolved soon," he cut her off.
As the man took the driver's seat and floored the accelerator, entering a narrow alley, Xu Xiu Yin, not yet settled, was jolted and hit her head. She wanted to lash out but then thought better of it considering her image. She decided to have a word with Bai Xi Ming later about this man's lack of courtesy.
Holding onto the minivan seat, she recalled a similar incident from the past when Bai Ran had come to pick her up. He'd treated her wounds and consoled her, reassuringly whispering, "Don't be afraid, Mom. I'm here, and I'll protect you." It was touching, especially since Bai Ran had only just come of age then.
With that memory, worry overtook Xu Xiu Yin again. She had believed they had two more years of mother-son bonding left, but now with Bai Ran suddenly incarcerated, she needed a plan to keep him close.
Chi Shen was already back home, discussing matters with Ji Xing Chen right outside his apartment.
To say "outside his apartment" wasn't entirely accurate. Every time Chi Shen approached, the door would automatically open. To avoid unnecessary attention, he now stood outside the elevator conversing with Ji Xing Chen.
Chi Shen shared, "Once the case at the Hongbei construction site is closed, I intend to exorcise the headless ghost with Li Xu."
Ji Xing Chen simply responded, "Hmm."
Chi Shen continued, "Which means I need to learn the methods of exorcism."
Ji Xing Chen repeated, "Hmm."
Chi Shen admitted, "I haven't successfully exorcised a single ghost yet. Well, excluding the physical ones."
Ji Xing Chen echoed, "Hmm."
Chi Shen resolved, "I think I need to give it another serious try. I should succeed in exorcising at least one ghost."
At this, Gui Lian couldn't contain himself. Tearing off from Chi Shen's clothing, he burst out, "I've been trying so hard! Day and night, every single day! Not being exorcised isn't my fault! There's definitely something wrong with your method! So, you can't keep adding—"
Chi Shen looked at him and simply said, "Indeed."
"—My learning capacity, you need to change... wait?" Gui Lian suddenly halted his lament of sorrow, his pale face contorting as if seeing a mirage, "You're not coming up with some new method to torture me, are you?"
"I've given up on you," Chi Shen declared calmly, "With so many ghosts at home, I've decided to switch to another."
"Good... yay?" Gui Lian wanted to be relieved, but the statement seemed like an indictment, as if saying: since you're not academically inclined and can't make it to a top-tier college, why not drop out and labor at a construction site? At least strive for a vocational school! Why this sudden abandonment?
As Gui Lian grappled with the sudden turn of events, Chi Shen's attention had already shifted to his own shadow, "So, I need a little favor from you."
After hearing Chi Shen's words, Ji Xing Chen emerged from the shadow, adjusting his glasses, "No problem."
Having discussed their plans, Chi Shen approached the entrance to his home.
The door opened automatically as Chi Shen stepped in and closed behind him just as autonomously.
The Red-Clothed Female Ghost was the first to greet him. Hanging from the chandelier, she craned her neck to inspect Chi Shen's empty hands, showing a hint of disappointment but still exclaiming, "Welcome home!"
Those four words were taught to her by Ji Xing Chen.
Bai Wan, holding her memorial tablet, appeared at the entrance. Without words, her welcoming gesture was evident: she had stood by the door awaiting Chi Shen's return and opened the door for him.
Chi Shen remarked evenly, "I'm back."
The Red-Clothed Female Ghost suddenly paused, carefully eyeing Chi Shen's shadow and exclaiming in puzzlement, "It's gone! It's disappeared!"
Even Bai Wan, with her face veiled under a red bridal hood, appeared to be observing Chi Shen's shadow. She tilted her head in confusion, seemingly wanting to inquire but remained silent.
Chi Shen headed straight to the kitchen, touching the bridge of his nose and addressing the cabinet, "I have a matter to discuss with you."
