Lu Chu and 7 lived in a mid-to-high-end residential area, where most residents were somewhat affluent, making any investigation difficult.
This matter ultimately didn’t need to be handled by Lu Chu and his companion.
Firstly, Lu Chu had just discovered the unique abilities he and 7 possessed and needed to validate his theories through paranormal events. Secondly, the event occurred close to Lu Chu, and they couldn’t find anyone more skilled or capable to handle it, so they decided to investigate themselves.
Moreover, the presence of lingering resentment in the neighborhood, evident by the crying that intensified as Lu Chu approached, suggested it was attempting to get his attention. Leaving this negative energy unchecked could eventually lead to serious incidents.
The resentment not only affected the person it clung to but also those nearby, triggering various abnormal events.
In the few months Lu Chu had lived in the community, there hadn’t been any recent homicides or unresolved cases, indicating that the ghost’s influence wasn’t yet severe, possibly due to its weak powers.
With this in mind, Lu Chu turned to 7: “What did you feel about the woman we just saw?”
7 responded, “The dark energy around her is very strong.” That was all he could see.
Lu Chu nodded, “Correct. The dark aura around her is almost spilling over. If my guess is right, the crying spirit is attached to her.”
He glanced at the door of apartment 602, then told 7, “I have some more guesses. Let’s discuss them back home.”
“Alright.”
—
Back at home, Lu Chu walked into the study and stood in front of the bookshelf.
The books on the shelf were collected by him and 7 after they discovered their unique traits. Most were about local legends and paranormal stories, thinking they might come in handy. Little did they know the time would come so soon.
After scanning the bookshelf for a moment, Lu Chu pulled out a book, “Got it.”
“What did you find?”
Lu Chu asked 7, “When you looked at that woman earlier, did you notice anything besides the dark energy around her?”
7 thought for a moment and shook his head, “No.”
Lu Chu continued, “I noticed the source of the dark energy around her — it’s coming from her abdomen.”
“Her abdomen?”
“Yes, the origin of the dark energy is in her abdomen, spreading throughout her body. So—” Lu Chu paused, raised the book in his hand, placed it on the desk, and opened it to a specific page, pointing for 7 to see, “I suspect the source of the dark energy and the crying is this.”
7 followed his finger and saw the words “spirit of an unborn child.”
7 read aloud, “Spirit of an unborn child.”
“Yes, exactly,” Lu Chu continued, “Theoretically, a child who dies before birth is called an ‘unborn spirit’.”
Recalling the woman’s condition, 7 agreed, “If the dark energy is concentrated in her abdomen, it could indeed be caused by an unborn spirit.”
“To confirm, we would need to investigate if the woman had an intentional abortion or an accidental miscarriage, but that would invade her privacy,” Lu Chu noted.
Such personal matters, unlike the number of family members or place of origin, are usually known only by the person involved. Lu Chu was merely speculating, and thorough investigation would require the woman’s cooperation.
“I also suspect she didn’t just lose one child,” Lu Chu continued his analysis, “If it were only one, the spirit might linger but would eventually move on. However, if the same spirit repeatedly attempts reincarnation but is prevented each time, it accumulates resentment and becomes malevolent. Another possibility is the mother repeatedly getting pregnant but not giving birth, causing multiple unborn spirits’ resentments to accumulate into a malevolent spirit.”
7 put the book back and asked, “Can we be certain of the unborn spirit’s impact on her?”
Lu Chu shook his head, “Not yet, but in my opinion, the accumulated dark energy in her abdomen might make her look weary, but it doesn’t seem to harm her significantly in the short term.”
“Then let’s eat and rest first,” 7 suggested, “You’re tired.”
Lu Chu smiled, “Alright, let’s set this aside and rest together.”
As they discussed, their well-behaved dog, Luo Bo, barked twice, wagging its tongue.
Lu Chu bent down to pat its head, “You’ll get your share of food too.”
—
The next day, Lu Chu’s phone rang loudly at around five in the morning.
Having grown accustomed to the peaceful environment, Lu Chu no longer had his previous alertness. When the phone rang, he slowly sat up, eyes half-closed in a sleepy daze. His hair was soft and slightly tousled from sleep, despite his generally good sleeping posture.
In contrast, 7 woke up almost instantly, his eyes sharp. Instead of immediately checking the phone, he gently pressed down Lu Chu’s tousled hair, kissed him lightly on the lips.
The phone continued ringing. Their dog, Luo Bo, hearing the noise, thought his owners were still asleep and went to answer the phone. He quietly opened the door but stopped when he saw 7 kissing Lu Chu. Silently, Luo Bo closed the door again.
Only a faint “click” was heard as the door shut.
Luo Bo returned to his room, gazed at the distant view from the balcony, then curled up in his bed and dozed off.
Finally, the phone stopped ringing, replaced by urgent knocking and doorbell ringing.
The strict management of the community, including night guards and access control, meant that visitors usually informed residents in advance. At this hour, the knockers were either neighbors or intruders.
Fully awake now, Lu Chu saw 7 picking up the phone to check who had called.
Hmm.
The intruders were identified.
Lu Chu also checked the missed call and smiled, “I’ll get the door.”
7 stopped him, “I’ll go.”
After buttoning his shirt, covering his muscular body, he walked to the living room.
Lu Chu followed him.
The knocking continued. 7 grabbed the door handle, ready to open it. Hearing the footsteps and handle turning, the people outside stopped knocking and ringing the bell.
Opening the door, they saw Yuan Kejie and Luo Qi, each with luggage.
Yuan Kejie looked excited, while Luo Qi, wearing a mask, maintained her usual disdainful expression.
As soon as the door opened, Yuan Kejie excitedly began, “Lu Ch—”
But seeing 7, she froze, “B-Boss… G-Good morning…”
She edged closer to Luo Qi, nervously glancing at Lu Chu’s messy hair, “You guys… weren’t awake yet?”
Luo Qi: “I told you to come later.”
Yuan Kejie: “…”
After a moment of silence, she whined, “Qi Qi, you should have stopped me more forcefully…”
Luo Qi rolled her eyes and walked in.
Lu Chu smiled, “Come in.”
Luo Qi sat on the sofa, “We came to see if you needed any help and to compare notes on how we’ve adjusted after leaving ‘the Bureau’.”
“Alright, we’ll discuss later,” Lu Chu said, heading to the kitchen, “Let me fix some breakfast. You haven’t eaten, right?”
“No, not yet.”
“Good, it won’t take long. Please wait.”
7 brought Luo Bo out, fed him, then joined Lu Chu in the kitchen.
Watching the kitchen, Yuan Kejie sighed, “Just like an old couple, sleeping soundly.”
Luo Qi gave her a side-eye, “Are you saying I keep you awake?”
“No!” Yuan Kejie raised her hands in surrender, “Qi Qi, don’t scare me. You should act more like a normal teenage girl, not so cold and v—”
Luo Qi: “Violent what?”
Yuan Kejie sighed, smiling as she patted Luo Qi’s head, “Never mind, you’re fine as you are. We’re all normal. No need to change.”
