Chapter 083: Infuriated!
Chi Shen didn't respond immediately. Instead, he casually took a napkin from the table, wiping away some stains. In such a bustling and cramped restaurant, the staff couldn't always tend to every table's needs.
The man watched him, waiting. After a brief pause without any response from Chi Shen, the man continued, "It's a vengeful spirit. I was paid to shield a family and exorcise...eliminate him. Before he vanished, he cursed my entire family to meet tragic ends."
"I didn't take it seriously. Curses from ghosts typically work only when they're still around. Once they're gone, their curses should dissipate. Moreover, I usually carry talismans to ward off evil spirits; curses don't usually affect me significantly."
"However, after that day, I realized things were different."
"First, my daughter had a fever. The doctor claimed it was a mere cold, so I thought little of it. But she slept an entire day before regaining consciousness. Does a common cold make one sleep that long?"
The man's voice was hushed, just loud enough for Chi Shen to hear amid the noise of the eatery. No one in the restaurant seemed to care about their conversation.
"I found signs on her that some malicious entity had been present," the man continued. "I took her home and performed an exorcism. After that, her cold vanished, so I brushed it off."
"Then, a few days later, while out shopping, a flowerpot fell and struck my wife's head. She survived but suffered a concussion."
Pausing, the man ran a hand across his face, "I inspected the protective amulet she had with her—it was shattered. Had it not been for that amulet, the outcome might have been worse."
"I sensed something was amiss and suspected someone was targeting me. I relocated my wife and daughter for their safety. On another day, when I was preparing to go out—a routine involves checking our belongings—I discovered my protective talisman had turned to ashes."
"The revenge-seeking ghost's curse had taken effect."
"Now, I can directly see the curse lingering on my wife and daughter. All because of me."
As he spoke, their dinner arrived. Chi Shen took out disposable chopsticks from their holder and handed them to the man, "So, what do you want from me?"
The man accepted the chopsticks, placing them beside his bowl, "You recognized the curse on me. What else can you do?"
Chi Shen smiled lightly, "What's your guess?"
After a brief silence, the man said, "I can pay you. Can you save my wife and daughter?"
Chi Shen shook his head, abruptly changing the topic, "Why are you involved with the Bai family?"
The man glanced discerningly at Chi Shen, then said, "From the moment I was born, I've been in the Bai family. Both my deceased parents served the Bai family. I never had a choice."
"Do your child and wife have any connections with the Bai family?" Chi Shen inquired further.
The man quickly denied, "No, they are just ordinary people. They don't know what I do, only that I work late often."
"Let me be clear," Chi Shen began, snapping apart a pair of disposable chopsticks, and fixing his gaze on the man, "Your curse has mutated. Now, not only does it ruin your luck, putting you and your family in constant danger, it's deeply rooted in you. Every time you unjustly kill a ghost, your curse deepens."
The man scoffed coldly, "Even if I start doing good deeds now, I can't change anything."
Chi Shen observed him, "But you can't break away from the Bai family because you rely on them to alleviate the pain from the curse. Suffering from a curse that ensures a painful end must be unbearable. The dark curse has blossomed in your heart, leaving you in daily agonizing pain."
The man's gaze turned menacing, and a palpable tension enveloped the small dining table.
"I can genuinely help you," Chi Shen suddenly remarked. His smile was gentle. Though discussing matters of another realm, his every gesture in the small eatery seemed grounded and harmonious, as if he were just an ordinary man among the masses.
However, the middle-aged man was far from pacified. He stared intently at Chi Shen, seemingly gauging the worth of his words.
"How much do you want?" the middle-aged man finally asked after a moment.
"I don't want money," Chi Shen slowly shook his head, "I'm a good person. I enjoy helping others, but I also hope they can assist me in return."
The middle-aged man never shifted his gaze. At this moment, he felt he was not talking to a young man fresh to the world but someone seasoned by life and death, someone who has journeyed through realms of countless spirits.
"I..." the middle-aged man began, seemingly hesitant.
Chi Shen smiled gently, "Take your time to consider."
"My name is Wei Zhuo," the middle-aged man said, "If there's anything you need, just call on me."
Chi Shen grinned, "If we're friends, then we can communicate easily. I'd like to know a bit about the Bai family. It shouldn't be too hard for you, right?"
Wei Zhuo's eyes twitched slightly, and he replied, "It won't be."
Chi Shen pondered, "I'd like a list."
Wei Zhuo questioned, "What kind of list?"
Chi Shen: "A list of everyone. Whoever you think you can get information on. I want to know what this family, which I almost rejoined, is truly up to."
Wei Zhuo glanced at the food on the table, despite its inviting appearance and aroma, it didn’t captivate him. Quickly raising his head, he said, "I can do that, but first, you need to help me lift this curse."
Chi Shen shook his head: "Like I said, it seems you haven't grasped the situation. It's you who's seeking my help now."
Veins throbbed slightly on Wei Zhuo's forehead: "How do I know you're actually capable?"
Chi Shen smiled faintly: "You have no other options."
After a long silence, Wei Zhuo finally nodded: "Alright, I need some time."
Chi Shen didn't press further, but looked at the dish in front of him: "Eat up. It's getting cold."
Wei Zhuo glanced at him and then picked up the disposable chopsticks that Chi Shen had handed him earlier, removing the mask he'd been wearing.
As he did, the collar of his jacket slid down slightly, revealing a thin scar on his neck. Quickly, he adjusted his collar, concealing everything below his chin, and started eating.
Chi Shen was right; he truly had no other choices.
He had done so much for the Bai family, believing they would assist him in return. But that had been overly optimistic.
When he first approached Bai Ximing about his curse, Bai promised to help lift it. However, it was merely a verbal assurance, never actualized.
Every time he approached Bai Ximing, he was told that preparations to lift the curse were extensive and the time wasn't right. He was asked to wait. And wait he did, through his daughter and wife's hospitalizations, but to no avail.
In one aspect, Chi Shen was mistaken. Every day, Wei Zhuo endured excruciating pain from the curse, but the Bai family never offered any relief. He still worked for them, solely because they were his last hope for salvation.
His patience was wearing thin. He had considered turning himself into the Special Security Bureau. While such a move would surely end his life, he wasn't certain they could lift the curse.
Indeed, he doubted Bai Ximing's reluctance stemmed from incapability. And if Bai Ximing couldn't help, how could the lesser-known Special Security Bureau in Hong Kong?
He didn't trust the bureau.
Plus, if the bureau failed and Bai Ximing found out about his betrayal, his family would undoubtedly be in peril.
Approaching the bureau wasn't an option.
Until he met Chi Shen, that is, who seemed like a potential lifeline.
Wei Zhuo ate quickly, treating the meal as if it were a mission to be completed. After wolfing it down, he put his mask back on, appearing ready to leave. Yet, he paused to ask: "Do you wish to take revenge on the Bai family?"
Chi Shen shook his head: "You're overthinking it. I'm just a little upset, that's all."
Wei Zhuo looked puzzled: "Angry?"
He was present during the incident with Bai Ran, and even when falsely accused, he hadn't shown a hint of anger. Now, with the Bai family not directly harming him, why would he be angry?
Chi Shen didn't elaborate. Wei Zhuo gave Chi Shen a glance, settled the bill at the counter, and left discreetly.
Chi Shen leisurely finished his meal. Indeed, this small eatery had a delightful taste, reminiscent of homemade dishes. He even considered buying a cookbook for Ji Xingchen, so he could taste these dishes at home.
As for why he wouldn't learn himself, the roles were clear: he earned the living outside, while tasks like cooking naturally fell to Ji Xingchen.
As for the anger he mentioned to Wei Zhuo...
If it weren't for the Bai family, many would not suffer as they do now. At the very least, the headless ghost and the woman and child residing in his home could have found solace sooner.
Chi Shen had also inquired Ji Xingchen about their rental contract. Once he learned the truth, it was clear to him that the ones demanding 200,000 from their landlord were from the Bai family.
This ancient family that walked between the realms of the living and the dead had not upheld their responsibilities, even exploiting these restless spirits for profit.
Although he had become so strong that he could remain unmoved witnessing others' agonies, it didn't mean he couldn't be touched.
Those painful memories of deaths – memories trapped in closets, cabinets, and toilets – affected him. He wouldn't mourn, but he could indeed get angry.
"I'm heading home," Chi Shen announced, devoid of his usual smile this time.
Chapter 083: Infuriated!
Chi Shen didn't respond immediately. Instead, he casually took a napkin from the table, wiping away some stains. In such a bustling and cramped restaurant, the staff couldn't always tend to every table's needs.
The man watched him, waiting. After a brief pause without any response from Chi Shen, the man continued, "It's a vengeful spirit. I was paid to shield a family and exorcise...eliminate him. Before he vanished, he cursed my entire family to meet tragic ends."
"I didn't take it seriously. Curses from ghosts typically work only when they're still around. Once they're gone, their curses should dissipate. Moreover, I usually carry talismans to ward off evil spirits; curses don't usually affect me significantly."
"However, after that day, I realized things were different."
"First, my daughter had a fever. The doctor claimed it was a mere cold, so I thought little of it. But she slept an entire day before regaining consciousness. Does a common cold make one sleep that long?"
The man's voice was hushed, just loud enough for Chi Shen to hear amid the noise of the eatery. No one in the restaurant seemed to care about their conversation.
"I found signs on her that some malicious entity had been present," the man continued. "I took her home and performed an exorcism. After that, her cold vanished, so I brushed it off."
"Then, a few days later, while out shopping, a flowerpot fell and struck my wife's head. She survived but suffered a concussion."
Pausing, the man ran a hand across his face, "I inspected the protective amulet she had with her—it was shattered. Had it not been for that amulet, the outcome might have been worse."
"I sensed something was amiss and suspected someone was targeting me. I relocated my wife and daughter for their safety. On another day, when I was preparing to go out—a routine involves checking our belongings—I discovered my protective talisman had turned to ashes."
"The revenge-seeking ghost's curse had taken effect."
"Now, I can directly see the curse lingering on my wife and daughter. All because of me."
As he spoke, their dinner arrived. Chi Shen took out disposable chopsticks from their holder and handed them to the man, "So, what do you want from me?"
The man accepted the chopsticks, placing them beside his bowl, "You recognized the curse on me. What else can you do?"
Chi Shen smiled lightly, "What's your guess?"
After a brief silence, the man said, "I can pay you. Can you save my wife and daughter?"
Chi Shen shook his head, abruptly changing the topic, "Why are you involved with the Bai family?"
The man glanced discerningly at Chi Shen, then said, "From the moment I was born, I've been in the Bai family. Both my deceased parents served the Bai family. I never had a choice."
"Do your child and wife have any connections with the Bai family?" Chi Shen inquired further.
The man quickly denied, "No, they are just ordinary people. They don't know what I do, only that I work late often."
"Let me be clear," Chi Shen began, snapping apart a pair of disposable chopsticks, and fixing his gaze on the man, "Your curse has mutated. Now, not only does it ruin your luck, putting you and your family in constant danger, it's deeply rooted in you. Every time you unjustly kill a ghost, your curse deepens."
The man scoffed coldly, "Even if I start doing good deeds now, I can't change anything."
Chi Shen observed him, "But you can't break away from the Bai family because you rely on them to alleviate the pain from the curse. Suffering from a curse that ensures a painful end must be unbearable. The dark curse has blossomed in your heart, leaving you in daily agonizing pain."
The man's gaze turned menacing, and a palpable tension enveloped the small dining table.
"I can genuinely help you," Chi Shen suddenly remarked. His smile was gentle. Though discussing matters of another realm, his every gesture in the small eatery seemed grounded and harmonious, as if he were just an ordinary man among the masses.
However, the middle-aged man was far from pacified. He stared intently at Chi Shen, seemingly gauging the worth of his words.
"How much do you want?" the middle-aged man finally asked after a moment.
"I don't want money," Chi Shen slowly shook his head, "I'm a good person. I enjoy helping others, but I also hope they can assist me in return."
The middle-aged man never shifted his gaze. At this moment, he felt he was not talking to a young man fresh to the world but someone seasoned by life and death, someone who has journeyed through realms of countless spirits.
"I..." the middle-aged man began, seemingly hesitant.
Chi Shen smiled gently, "Take your time to consider."
"My name is Wei Zhuo," the middle-aged man said, "If there's anything you need, just call on me."
Chi Shen grinned, "If we're friends, then we can communicate easily. I'd like to know a bit about the Bai family. It shouldn't be too hard for you, right?"
Wei Zhuo's eyes twitched slightly, and he replied, "It won't be."
Chi Shen pondered, "I'd like a list."
Wei Zhuo questioned, "What kind of list?"
Chi Shen: "A list of everyone. Whoever you think you can get information on. I want to know what this family, which I almost rejoined, is truly up to."
Wei Zhuo glanced at the food on the table, despite its inviting appearance and aroma, it didn’t captivate him. Quickly raising his head, he said, "I can do that, but first, you need to help me lift this curse."
Chi Shen shook his head: "Like I said, it seems you haven't grasped the situation. It's you who's seeking my help now."
Veins throbbed slightly on Wei Zhuo's forehead: "How do I know you're actually capable?"
Chi Shen smiled faintly: "You have no other options."
After a long silence, Wei Zhuo finally nodded: "Alright, I need some time."
Chi Shen didn't press further, but looked at the dish in front of him: "Eat up. It's getting cold."
Wei Zhuo glanced at him and then picked up the disposable chopsticks that Chi Shen had handed him earlier, removing the mask he'd been wearing.
As he did, the collar of his jacket slid down slightly, revealing a thin scar on his neck. Quickly, he adjusted his collar, concealing everything below his chin, and started eating.
Chi Shen was right; he truly had no other choices.
He had done so much for the Bai family, believing they would assist him in return. But that had been overly optimistic.
When he first approached Bai Ximing about his curse, Bai promised to help lift it. However, it was merely a verbal assurance, never actualized.
Every time he approached Bai Ximing, he was told that preparations to lift the curse were extensive and the time wasn't right. He was asked to wait. And wait he did, through his daughter and wife's hospitalizations, but to no avail.
In one aspect, Chi Shen was mistaken. Every day, Wei Zhuo endured excruciating pain from the curse, but the Bai family never offered any relief. He still worked for them, solely because they were his last hope for salvation.
His patience was wearing thin. He had considered turning himself into the Special Security Bureau. While such a move would surely end his life, he wasn't certain they could lift the curse.
Indeed, he doubted Bai Ximing's reluctance stemmed from incapability. And if Bai Ximing couldn't help, how could the lesser-known Special Security Bureau in Hong Kong?
He didn't trust the bureau.
Plus, if the bureau failed and Bai Ximing found out about his betrayal, his family would undoubtedly be in peril.
Approaching the bureau wasn't an option.
Until he met Chi Shen, that is, who seemed like a potential lifeline.
Wei Zhuo ate quickly, treating the meal as if it were a mission to be completed. After wolfing it down, he put his mask back on, appearing ready to leave. Yet, he paused to ask: "Do you wish to take revenge on the Bai family?"
Chi Shen shook his head: "You're overthinking it. I'm just a little upset, that's all."
Wei Zhuo looked puzzled: "Angry?"
He was present during the incident with Bai Ran, and even when falsely accused, he hadn't shown a hint of anger. Now, with the Bai family not directly harming him, why would he be angry?
Chi Shen didn't elaborate. Wei Zhuo gave Chi Shen a glance, settled the bill at the counter, and left discreetly.
Chi Shen leisurely finished his meal. Indeed, this small eatery had a delightful taste, reminiscent of homemade dishes. He even considered buying a cookbook for Ji Xingchen, so he could taste these dishes at home.
As for why he wouldn't learn himself, the roles were clear: he earned the living outside, while tasks like cooking naturally fell to Ji Xingchen.
As for the anger he mentioned to Wei Zhuo...
If it weren't for the Bai family, many would not suffer as they do now. At the very least, the headless ghost and the woman and child residing in his home could have found solace sooner.
Chi Shen had also inquired Ji Xingchen about their rental contract. Once he learned the truth, it was clear to him that the ones demanding 200,000 from their landlord were from the Bai family.
This ancient family that walked between the realms of the living and the dead had not upheld their responsibilities, even exploiting these restless spirits for profit.
Although he had become so strong that he could remain unmoved witnessing others' agonies, it didn't mean he couldn't be touched.
Those painful memories of deaths – memories trapped in closets, cabinets, and toilets – affected him. He wouldn't mourn, but he could indeed get angry.
"I'm heading home," Chi Shen announced, devoid of his usual smile this time.
