Chapter 008: Seeking employment, a ghost might have more experience than me.
Dawn's first light tinted the sky. Chi Shen yawned, casting a languid glance at Yuan Yiping.
Was it him?
Yuan Yiping quickly dismissed the notion.
Although the Bai family's affairs were closely guarded secrets, as a member of the Yuan family, he had heard bits and pieces about Chi Shen. Knowing the man was shunned by the Bai family for lacking innate abilities, Yuan Yiping was certain Chi Shen couldn't be behind pinning the ghost to the pillar.
Yet, this Chi Shen seemed different from what he had imagined.
According to the unwritten code of the underworld despised by Yuan Yiping, individuals like them wouldn't call the police when faced with supernatural occurrences. Instead, they'd handle it themselves or seek someone to deal with it.
With Chi Shen having one foot in this world already, his choice to call the police suggests he must have been truly frightened.
Yuan had initially expected to encounter a panicked young man and even had a plan ready for emotional support. Yet, to his surprise, Chi Shen appeared remarkably composed.
Having grown up in the Bai family, Lu Xiangyang was no stranger to ghosts and the dead. Despite this familiarity, the gruesome sight of He Chao made him nearly pass out. Yet, this estranged member of the Bai family acted as if nothing was amiss.
For now, he's still too vulnerable.
That's what Yuan Yiping thought.
If he could survive within the Bai family, he would certainly achieve great things in the future. It's a shame he lacks innate talent.
A hint of regret flashed in Yuan Yiping's eyes.
Chi Shen thought Yuan Yiping might have something to say, but Yuan only gave him a glance, implying everything was fine.
Slowly turning around, Chi Shen headed towards his room, feeling exhausted.
"Wait." Yuan Yiping suddenly spoke up, halting him. "Where are you going?"
If Chi Shen faced any danger, Yuan Yiping could offer help. It was too perilous for a lone ordinary person to live in this haunted house.
"Going to sleep," Chi Shen replied lazily as he looked back, "Is there anything else you need me to assist with in the investigation?"
He had already completed the on-site record while Mr. He was mourning earlier.
"Leave your number," Yuan Yiping approached him, "If you're in danger, contact me directly. It'll be faster than calling the police."
Chi Shen nodded and exchanged numbers with Yuan Yiping.
"You might want to consider moving out," Yuan Yiping advised kindly after saving the number, "It's not safe here."
At this, Chi Shen smirked and glanced at Lu Xiangyang who was sneaking peeks at him, "I quite like it here. I've grown accustomed to it and have many friends for company."
Lu Xiangyang immediately recoiled, avoiding Chi Shen's gaze.
Who could possibly be here? And which friends were accompanying him? Yuan Yiping sighed inwardly, attributing it to the young man's bravado. He reminded him to be cautious and then left with his colleagues to retrieve He Chao's remains. Even though the circumstances were clear, they still needed to take the remains for further analysis to ensure no details were overlooked before closing the case.
Beside them, Elder He raised his head, narrowing his eyes as he watched Chi Shen's retreating figure.
Why was his grandson dead, yet this man was unharmed?
Chi Shen finally lay down on the bed. Although the bed was hard and the room permeated with a musty dampness, he didn’t mind. Any place where he could get a good night’s sleep was a good place to him.
He had initially planned to greet all the new "friends" in the mansion, telling them not to disturb his rest, and then retire for the night.
But... life is full of surprises.
Chi Shen had experienced many unexpected events, and he wasn’t particularly concerned about this minor one.
It was just that the information he received from Lu Xiangyang seemed odd.
Chi Shen didn't really do anything to Lu Xiangyang. He simply brought him to He Chao's corpse, and the pale-faced young man spilled everything.
Both He Chao and Lu Xiangyang were acting on Bai Ran's orders to find him in the old mansion. The plan was to ensure Chi Shen didn't die too quickly and let the spirits of the mansion torment him further.
He Chao had been to this mansion before and was aware of its contents, so he led the way with Lu Xiangyang following.
But his prior visit to the mansion had been a brief one in the company of adults; he hadn’t directly encountered any of the spirits. Yet such a person dared to assure Bai Ran that he could handle the task competently.
Chi Shen had made sure to lock the mansion's front door before paying a visit to his "friends". However, He Chao had stolen his grandfather's key and even found a way to break the mansion's protective spells, allowing them entry.
The entrance to the Bai family mansion was actually protected by a spell to prevent ordinary people from approaching. Chi Shen had gained entry only with the gatekeeper's permission.
Hearing all this, Chi Shen thought these people went to great lengths and were quite determined in their plot against him.
Chi Shen wasn’t surprised that two such weak individuals would venture into this haunted house in the dead of night.
When he empathized with the shrouded young ghost, he had already learned the answer.
He Chao did possess some skills. Initially underestimating the shrouded boy led to him losing an arm and an eye. Later, while hiding, he almost managed to counterattack the boy. However, the shrouded boy was a centuries-old spirit, and He Chao, having lost an eye and arm, naturally stood no chance.
Chi Shen pulled a talisman from his pocket, followed by a triangular cloth pouch with the character “白” (Bai) written on it.
These were the tools He Chao and Lu Xiangyang relied upon to enter the old mansion.
With a wave of his hand, the talisman spontaneously combusted, turning to ashes that settled on the ground. Chi Shen casually tossed the cloth pouch beside the bed before closing his eyes.
Bai Ran...
The Bai family...
He realized that he no longer cared about Bai Ran's intentions to kill him.
After all, the list of people who wanted him dead was extensive. Among them were those he personally returned to the real world. Bai Ran barely made the list.
However, Bai Ran's reaction was peculiar. The Bai family had disowned Chi Shen, and he posed no threat to Bai Ran's status. Bai Ran's attempt on his life seemed more like the desperate act of a cornered animal.
……
Chi Shen was jolted awake in the afternoon by a clattering noise in his room.
Rubbing his throbbing temples, he saw the ghost in the red dress rummaging through his things. She dumped out the contents of a drawer and triumphantly picked up a pair of scissors.
Chi Shen then watched her gleefully toss the scissors into the trash bin before resuming her chaotic search.
Chi Shen: "..."
Never mind. Mortals can't comprehend the joys of a ghost. Glancing at the time, it was 2 pm. It was time to get up. He had other pressing matters to attend to.
Yesterday, he re-evaluated his situation before entering the deadly game and confronted a grave reality.
He was broke.
Even though his foster parents stopped supporting him after he came of age, he managed to get through college on part-time jobs, scholarships, and grants. He even saved up a bit by graduation. After securing a job at a reputable company, he had a five-figure savings by the time he learned he was the true heir of the Bai family.
However, on his first day in the city where the Bai family resided, he accidentally hit an old man with his bike, wiping out his savings in compensation. Now, he had only a few hundred yuan to his name.
Moreover, wishing to return to the Bai family, he had resigned from his job, which was in a different city.
Looking back, the accident seemed rather suspicious. Regardless, the crux of the matter was that he no longer planned to return to the Bai family; he needed to find a job.
Chi Shen washed his face, nibbled on some biscuits from his suitcase, and started browsing job listings on his phone.
He had previously worked at a large corporation and had done well there. With such experience, he should easily find another job... Wait, what was his previous job again?
After pondering for a moment, it came to him: Oh, he was a software developer.
Did he still remember how to code?
Staring blankly, Chi Shen sat still for three minutes. Oh, he couldn't be a software developer anymore.
It's not really his fault. In the death game, the concept of time was nebulous. Even though he tried hard to remember, he could only vaguely recall living through decades, possibly even over a century. Forgetting some unused knowledge over such an extended period is only natural.
What job could he possibly do now?
Chi Shen rested his chin on one hand as he browsed on his phone. Could he find a job that matches his previous profession?
——
Inside Lu Xiangyang's room.
Since returning from the old Bai mansion, Lu Xiangyang had been in a deep slumber. Several groups of people had come by, from both the Bai and He families, but he remained unconscious.
By the afternoon, Lu Xiangyang jolted awake from a nightmare, drenched in cold sweat. Instinctively, he glanced around.
He then noticed a glass of water being handed to him. Following the hand, his anxiety ebbed away.
Bai Ran was the one offering him the water.
Bai Ran sat beside his bed, gazing at him with concern. Gently, he asked, "How do you feel?"
His warm tone made Lu Xiangyang, drenched in cold sweat, feel a sense of warmth. Gratefully accepting the water, he gulped it down and then said, "I'm sorry, Young Master. We couldn't accomplish what you asked of us."
Bai Ran waved dismissively, indicating it was alright, and asked, "Chi Shen's still alive?"
At the mention of that name, Lu Xiangyang shrank back, covering his head with his hands in fear. He stammered, "He's... he's still alive. And he said... he said..."
"What did he say?" Bai Ran grasped Lu Xiangyang's hand, gazing intently into his eyes.
Fear filled Lu Xiangyang's eyes as he whispered, "He said he's been enjoying his stay, surrounded by many friends."
Bai Ran looked taken aback, his face alternating between shades of paleness. He asked again, "Did he truly say that?"
Lu Xiangyang didn't dare to meet his gaze, merely nodding vigorously, "Yes, yes, he did!"
——
After losing his professional skills, Chi Shen came to a sobering realization.
Currently, he felt more at ease interacting with ghosts than with living people.
After wandering on the brink of death and amid the haunts of ghosts for over a century, could he truly resume a normal job?
Chi Shen believed there might still be a chance to save him.
So he grabbed the red-dressed specter darting about the room and posed a question: "Are there any spirits here who died recently and had prior work experience — perhaps, a white-collar worker kind of ghost?"
The red-clad ghost froze when he grabbed her. She covered her mouth with one hand, contemplated upon hearing Chi Shen's inquiry, and then solemnly nodded: "Yes."
Chapter 008: Seeking employment, a ghost might have more experience than me.
Dawn's first light tinted the sky. Chi Shen yawned, casting a languid glance at Yuan Yiping.
Was it him?
Yuan Yiping quickly dismissed the notion.
Although the Bai family's affairs were closely guarded secrets, as a member of the Yuan family, he had heard bits and pieces about Chi Shen. Knowing the man was shunned by the Bai family for lacking innate abilities, Yuan Yiping was certain Chi Shen couldn't be behind pinning the ghost to the pillar.
Yet, this Chi Shen seemed different from what he had imagined.
According to the unwritten code of the underworld despised by Yuan Yiping, individuals like them wouldn't call the police when faced with supernatural occurrences. Instead, they'd handle it themselves or seek someone to deal with it.
With Chi Shen having one foot in this world already, his choice to call the police suggests he must have been truly frightened.
Yuan had initially expected to encounter a panicked young man and even had a plan ready for emotional support. Yet, to his surprise, Chi Shen appeared remarkably composed.
Having grown up in the Bai family, Lu Xiangyang was no stranger to ghosts and the dead. Despite this familiarity, the gruesome sight of He Chao made him nearly pass out. Yet, this estranged member of the Bai family acted as if nothing was amiss.
For now, he's still too vulnerable.
That's what Yuan Yiping thought.
If he could survive within the Bai family, he would certainly achieve great things in the future. It's a shame he lacks innate talent.
A hint of regret flashed in Yuan Yiping's eyes.
Chi Shen thought Yuan Yiping might have something to say, but Yuan only gave him a glance, implying everything was fine.
Slowly turning around, Chi Shen headed towards his room, feeling exhausted.
"Wait." Yuan Yiping suddenly spoke up, halting him. "Where are you going?"
If Chi Shen faced any danger, Yuan Yiping could offer help. It was too perilous for a lone ordinary person to live in this haunted house.
"Going to sleep," Chi Shen replied lazily as he looked back, "Is there anything else you need me to assist with in the investigation?"
He had already completed the on-site record while Mr. He was mourning earlier.
"Leave your number," Yuan Yiping approached him, "If you're in danger, contact me directly. It'll be faster than calling the police."
Chi Shen nodded and exchanged numbers with Yuan Yiping.
"You might want to consider moving out," Yuan Yiping advised kindly after saving the number, "It's not safe here."
At this, Chi Shen smirked and glanced at Lu Xiangyang who was sneaking peeks at him, "I quite like it here. I've grown accustomed to it and have many friends for company."
Lu Xiangyang immediately recoiled, avoiding Chi Shen's gaze.
Who could possibly be here? And which friends were accompanying him? Yuan Yiping sighed inwardly, attributing it to the young man's bravado. He reminded him to be cautious and then left with his colleagues to retrieve He Chao's remains. Even though the circumstances were clear, they still needed to take the remains for further analysis to ensure no details were overlooked before closing the case.
Beside them, Elder He raised his head, narrowing his eyes as he watched Chi Shen's retreating figure.
Why was his grandson dead, yet this man was unharmed?
Chi Shen finally lay down on the bed. Although the bed was hard and the room permeated with a musty dampness, he didn’t mind. Any place where he could get a good night’s sleep was a good place to him.
He had initially planned to greet all the new "friends" in the mansion, telling them not to disturb his rest, and then retire for the night.
But... life is full of surprises.
Chi Shen had experienced many unexpected events, and he wasn’t particularly concerned about this minor one.
It was just that the information he received from Lu Xiangyang seemed odd.
Chi Shen didn't really do anything to Lu Xiangyang. He simply brought him to He Chao's corpse, and the pale-faced young man spilled everything.
Both He Chao and Lu Xiangyang were acting on Bai Ran's orders to find him in the old mansion. The plan was to ensure Chi Shen didn't die too quickly and let the spirits of the mansion torment him further.
He Chao had been to this mansion before and was aware of its contents, so he led the way with Lu Xiangyang following.
But his prior visit to the mansion had been a brief one in the company of adults; he hadn’t directly encountered any of the spirits. Yet such a person dared to assure Bai Ran that he could handle the task competently.
Chi Shen had made sure to lock the mansion's front door before paying a visit to his "friends". However, He Chao had stolen his grandfather's key and even found a way to break the mansion's protective spells, allowing them entry.
The entrance to the Bai family mansion was actually protected by a spell to prevent ordinary people from approaching. Chi Shen had gained entry only with the gatekeeper's permission.
Hearing all this, Chi Shen thought these people went to great lengths and were quite determined in their plot against him.
Chi Shen wasn’t surprised that two such weak individuals would venture into this haunted house in the dead of night.
When he empathized with the shrouded young ghost, he had already learned the answer.
He Chao did possess some skills. Initially underestimating the shrouded boy led to him losing an arm and an eye. Later, while hiding, he almost managed to counterattack the boy. However, the shrouded boy was a centuries-old spirit, and He Chao, having lost an eye and arm, naturally stood no chance.
Chi Shen pulled a talisman from his pocket, followed by a triangular cloth pouch with the character “白” (Bai) written on it.
These were the tools He Chao and Lu Xiangyang relied upon to enter the old mansion.
With a wave of his hand, the talisman spontaneously combusted, turning to ashes that settled on the ground. Chi Shen casually tossed the cloth pouch beside the bed before closing his eyes.
Bai Ran...
The Bai family...
He realized that he no longer cared about Bai Ran's intentions to kill him.
After all, the list of people who wanted him dead was extensive. Among them were those he personally returned to the real world. Bai Ran barely made the list.
However, Bai Ran's reaction was peculiar. The Bai family had disowned Chi Shen, and he posed no threat to Bai Ran's status. Bai Ran's attempt on his life seemed more like the desperate act of a cornered animal.
……
Chi Shen was jolted awake in the afternoon by a clattering noise in his room.
Rubbing his throbbing temples, he saw the ghost in the red dress rummaging through his things. She dumped out the contents of a drawer and triumphantly picked up a pair of scissors.
Chi Shen then watched her gleefully toss the scissors into the trash bin before resuming her chaotic search.
Chi Shen: "..."
Never mind. Mortals can't comprehend the joys of a ghost. Glancing at the time, it was 2 pm. It was time to get up. He had other pressing matters to attend to.
Yesterday, he re-evaluated his situation before entering the deadly game and confronted a grave reality.
He was broke.
Even though his foster parents stopped supporting him after he came of age, he managed to get through college on part-time jobs, scholarships, and grants. He even saved up a bit by graduation. After securing a job at a reputable company, he had a five-figure savings by the time he learned he was the true heir of the Bai family.
However, on his first day in the city where the Bai family resided, he accidentally hit an old man with his bike, wiping out his savings in compensation. Now, he had only a few hundred yuan to his name.
Moreover, wishing to return to the Bai family, he had resigned from his job, which was in a different city.
Looking back, the accident seemed rather suspicious. Regardless, the crux of the matter was that he no longer planned to return to the Bai family; he needed to find a job.
Chi Shen washed his face, nibbled on some biscuits from his suitcase, and started browsing job listings on his phone.
He had previously worked at a large corporation and had done well there. With such experience, he should easily find another job... Wait, what was his previous job again?
After pondering for a moment, it came to him: Oh, he was a software developer.
Did he still remember how to code?
Staring blankly, Chi Shen sat still for three minutes. Oh, he couldn't be a software developer anymore.
It's not really his fault. In the death game, the concept of time was nebulous. Even though he tried hard to remember, he could only vaguely recall living through decades, possibly even over a century. Forgetting some unused knowledge over such an extended period is only natural.
What job could he possibly do now?
Chi Shen rested his chin on one hand as he browsed on his phone. Could he find a job that matches his previous profession?
——
Inside Lu Xiangyang's room.
Since returning from the old Bai mansion, Lu Xiangyang had been in a deep slumber. Several groups of people had come by, from both the Bai and He families, but he remained unconscious.
By the afternoon, Lu Xiangyang jolted awake from a nightmare, drenched in cold sweat. Instinctively, he glanced around.
He then noticed a glass of water being handed to him. Following the hand, his anxiety ebbed away.
Bai Ran was the one offering him the water.
Bai Ran sat beside his bed, gazing at him with concern. Gently, he asked, "How do you feel?"
His warm tone made Lu Xiangyang, drenched in cold sweat, feel a sense of warmth. Gratefully accepting the water, he gulped it down and then said, "I'm sorry, Young Master. We couldn't accomplish what you asked of us."
Bai Ran waved dismissively, indicating it was alright, and asked, "Chi Shen's still alive?"
At the mention of that name, Lu Xiangyang shrank back, covering his head with his hands in fear. He stammered, "He's... he's still alive. And he said... he said..."
"What did he say?" Bai Ran grasped Lu Xiangyang's hand, gazing intently into his eyes.
Fear filled Lu Xiangyang's eyes as he whispered, "He said he's been enjoying his stay, surrounded by many friends."
Bai Ran looked taken aback, his face alternating between shades of paleness. He asked again, "Did he truly say that?"
Lu Xiangyang didn't dare to meet his gaze, merely nodding vigorously, "Yes, yes, he did!"
——
After losing his professional skills, Chi Shen came to a sobering realization.
Currently, he felt more at ease interacting with ghosts than with living people.
After wandering on the brink of death and amid the haunts of ghosts for over a century, could he truly resume a normal job?
Chi Shen believed there might still be a chance to save him.
So he grabbed the red-dressed specter darting about the room and posed a question: "Are there any spirits here who died recently and had prior work experience — perhaps, a white-collar worker kind of ghost?"
The red-clad ghost froze when he grabbed her. She covered her mouth with one hand, contemplated upon hearing Chi Shen's inquiry, and then solemnly nodded: "Yes."
