Zong Yuan stayed in the room for more than an hour before walking out.
Ayu had finished his meal and was discussing arrangements with him. “Although it’s almost sunset, bringing so many people into the city might cause a disturbance. I’ve already told Lao Liu to bring people over quietly at night.”
Zong Yuan nodded, “How is the Zhou Mansion now?”
Ayu spoke softly, “When I came back, I saw many servants carrying bundles and running out through the back door. I heard that Old Master Zhou had returned to his room early, and he called many people to wait inside and outside the house, fearing that something might happen.”
“As for Young Master Zhou Fang, it is said that he wanted to go to a temple outside to hide, but Old Master Zhou rejected it. Not only that, but Old Master Zhou also angrily scolded him. In my opinion, it’s normal to go out and hide after such strange things have happened.”
Ayu shared all the information he gathered with Zong Yuan. Zong Yuan sneered, “He’s probably just trying to prolong his life.”
—
Zhou Taixing was sitting in the room, his face dark, and his body couldn’t stop trembling slightly. If anyone made a sound in the room, it would send shivers down his spine.
Second Madam1This is Second Aunt knocked on the door and entered. She also had a pale face. She and Zhou Taixing locked eyes and said directly, “So many strange things happened these days, how could they gather together like this? It’s obvious who did it. Only one person has died recently, and today is the seventh day. We buried him somewhere; now let’s dig him out and burn him!”
Zhou Taixing’s eyes lit up, “Why didn’t I think of that? We should burn him!”
A fierce glint flashed in his chaotic eyes, “Just bury him in the same place. It’s really weird to be causing trouble even after death. Such disrespectful and unfilial descendants! Deserved to be cursed and punished!”
Second Madam spoke a few words to him, feeling somewhat relieved, and walked out. Qing Ning followed her silently. Second Madam muttered to herself, “It’s almost over, it’s almost over. As long as he is burned…”
Qing Ning’s face turned cold. He wanted to target Second Madam’s neck, but he was unwilling to let her die so easily. As for his own corpse… he thought of that man. For some reason, he always felt that as long as that man was there, others couldn’t do anything to his corpse.
Second Madam didn’t notice Qing Ning’s unusual expression. She solved her big problem and couldn’t help but rest on the bed, instructing Qing Ning to light incense for her before sleep, “Use the old incense.”
Qing Ning lit the incense, looked at her sleeping face, and sneered coldly.
—
Just as Zong Yuan had just embraced the awakened Zhou Ning, noisy voices erupted outside. Ayu and his group observed with solemn expressions near the courtyard gate. Someone outside spoke, “We apologize for the inadequate hospitality. Our master suddenly remembered that the Feng Shui of this courtyard was not right. Please, Young Master Zong, step aside and let us make some corrections.”
Zong Yuan’s eyes darkened, and he walked quickly, saying in a deep voice, “What’s wrong with the Feng Shui? Why wasn’t I informed?”
Not many dared to drive him away. The leading steward could only try to persuade him, “Young Master, please don’t make it difficult for us. We are just following orders.”
Ayu had someone climb the wall to take a look. Zong Yuan spoke with a slightly eased tone, “I don’t want to trouble you either. I’m just curious about where this bad Feng Shui is.”
The person who climbed the wall came down gracefully and whispered, “Young Master, there are nearly twenty people, and they all have axes and shovels in their hands.”
The steward remained silent for a while, offering a vague explanation, “It’s just that there are some bad things planted here.”
Fortunately, it wasn’t too early, and there was still some time until dark.
Ayu turned around and was almost scared by Zong Yuan’s expression. “Y-Young Master, what’s wrong with you?”
Why did he look like he was furious and wanted to kill someone…
Upon Ayu’s call, Zong Yuan regained his composure. He turned back to his room, made a gesture to Ayu and the others, and raised his voice, “Open the door.”
The steward led this group of people inside. While trying to drive people away on both sides, he mumbled an explanation, “Young Master, please move aside first. Our group of rough people would be committing a great sin in your presence.”
Awu nodded, “Okay, we’ll tidy up. You guys do what you need to do.”
Although the steward agreed, he still watched their movements. The twenty-odd people didn’t know what to do, so they had to stare at these people like the steward did.
They saw the eldest son of the Zong family walking out, holding a person wrapped in a quilt in his arms.
The steward was puzzled, “This, what is…”
Zong Yuan, with a gentle expression, dropped a kiss on the person’s head wrapped in the quilt in his arms, “Coming to the Zhou residence this time can be considered fortuitous, wouldn’t you agree? Otherwise, how could I have encountered him?”
Her2The steward mistook it as her? The steward couldn’t tell who it was. All he could see was that the person in his arms seemed to be shy and turned his head away. The steward chuckled, “Which young lady from which courtyard is this?”
Zong Yuan smiled, “He’s shy; I won’t reveal it now. I will explain to Master Zhou later.”
The steward watched him openly carry the person out. He teased the people behind him, “Not just any maid, he has caught a high-profile one.”
The steward closed the door. “Let’s begin, starting with that tree over there.”
He kindly said, “Our master said that there’s a thief buried here who has committed many crimes in the county. Burying him here wasted a whole courtyard. Let’s dig him out and burn him, ensuring that the thief won’t rest in peace. It can be considered a good deed for the people.”
“Great!”
—
Zong Yuan walked in the middle, leading the way. The one at the forefront was the guide. Others didn’t know what he was carrying, but how could Ayu not know? At this moment, he looked at Zong Yuan with a horrified expression, vividly recalling the “kiss” from before, “Y-Young Master?!”
Zong Yuan held the person in his arms securely, the protective posture resembling a precious treasure in the palm, completely unlike a dead person who should be devoid of any sensations.
Zong Yuan glanced at them, “Making a fuss over nothing.”
Ayu and the others: “…” Is it them overreacting, or is it your absurd behavior, ah ah ah!
Zong Yuan tightened his embrace on the person in his arms, not bothering to look at them, and continued to walk forward. It was now dusk, and he still shielded the setting sun with his back, blocking it thoroughly.
The person leading the way at the front exclaimed in surprise, “Miss Qing Ning?”
Indeed, it was Qing Ning, who had just come out of Second Aunt’s room. He looked at Zong Yuan’s group and seemed visibly stunned for a moment. His gaze lingered on the person in Zong Yuan’s arms for a few seconds. Awkwardly pulling up the corners of his mouth, he said, “Where are you guys going?”
The person in the lead replied, “The steward asked me to lead the way to the southern courtyard.”
Qing Ning nodded silently for a few seconds. “I’ll lead the way; you go and attend to your business.”
“Okay.”
Ayu and the others still remembered their young master’s actions towards this maid, and their expressions turned bitter. What kind of situation was this? The eldest young master, who had no interest in romantic affairs, met the maid he had flirted with in the morning while holding the one he had kissed on top of the head. Well.
As they expected, Qing Ning occasionally turned her head to look at Zong Yuan. She was not good at discreetly peeking, and everyone around noticed it.
Suddenly, Zong Yuan spoke up, “The little miss is called Qing Ning, right?”
Qing-Zhou Jin-Ning: “…” Even if he knew that Qing Ning was not him, he was still worried that Zong Yuan might misunderstand. He explained hastily, anxious and somewhat flustered, “M-My, my nickname is Xiao Ya.”
“Oh,” Zong Yuan responded indifferently.
His attitude was indeed cold. Even though Zhou Jin knew that Zong Yuan was unaware that Qing Ning was now possessed by him, he couldn’t help but frown unconsciously. When he saw Zong Yuan holding his lifeless body tightly, a hint of a smile appeared again, “Who is Young Master Zong holding in his arms?”
When Zong Yuan hadn’t encountered him earlier, his face still softened. Now, he said with a cold expression, “Someone unlikable.”
Ayu and the others looked at their young master with judgmental eyes.
Qing Ning halted, a dark expression in his eyes. “Unlikable?”
Zong Yuan sneered, “At least, I don’t like him.”
Qing Ning’s fingers tightened, and Zong Yuan scolded, “Qing Ning, lead the way!”
Strange! A strange atmosphere!
Qing Ning suppressed the redness in his eyes, silently leading the way. Zong Yuan stared at his figure, the back of the hand holding Zhou Jin’s body showing prominent veins. Even so, he controlled his strength, afraid of injuring Zhou Jin’s body.
For a moment, there was no sound.
Ayu wanted to lighten the mood, suppressing the goosebumps and suggesting to Zong Yuan, “Young Master, should I take over?”
Zong Yuan’s face darkened, “Get lost—”
Before he could finish his sentence, Qing Ning, in a fit of anger, interrupted, “No!”
Ayu: “???”
Why is this maid so agitated about it? I’m just offering to carry the body of the third young master of the Zhou family. What’s her excitement?
Zong Yuan swallowed the words he just said, and with a smile, he told Ayu, “Well, then, you better be ready to carry him.”
Although he seemed to imply handing over the person in his arms to Ayu, his arm didn’t loosen a bit.
Qing Ning’s hair began to stand on end, and he stared intently at Zong Yuan. “No! It’s not allowed.”
Zong Yuan stepped closer, disdainfully curling his lips, “Why not?”
Facing him directly, Qing Ning’s expression was frightening, eyes reddened, like a trapped beast. “No, not allowed.”
Zong Yuan withdrew his smile, looking at him with a stern face, his expression indifferent. “I have no personal connection to the person in my arms. Why can’t I hand him over to someone else?”
Zhou Jin felt a deep pain in his heart as he looked at his lifeless body. “No personal connection?”
Zong Yuan’s hand tightly gripped the layers of sheets, reminding himself repeatedly that he needed to make him realize his importance to continue maintaining this cold facade. “Exactly, I have never met him during his lifetime. Why should there be any emotional connection between us?”
Qing Ning’s voice was hoarse. “But after his death—”
“Nonsense!” Zong Yuan had never been so enraged. His expression contorted, anger causing veins to bulge on his neck. Through gritted teeth, he questioned, “After death? Who the hell can guarantee that he’ll turn into a ghost after death? Just because he didn’t know me during his lifetime, doesn’t mean he’ll recognize me after death! Who the hell can guarantee that?”
Ayu and the others had never seen him like this before—his anger was overwhelming and oppressive.
Furious, almost as if he couldn’t hold back from striking someone, but in reality, he stood there, containing his rage.
Zhou Jin’s expression was dazed. He wanted to say, ‘You’re lying. You clearly know me. You kissed me. You met me.’ But if he didn’t become a ghost, would he completely miss the chance to be with him?
Not allowed…
Seeing him bow his head in silence, Zong Yuan sneered, a sarcastic tone in his words, whether directed at himself or Zhou Jin, it was unclear. “Where do you get the confidence that you’ll definitely become a ghost? Where do you get the confidence that I’ll definitely meet you?”
Enduring the heartache, Zong Yuan continued, stabbing a metaphorical knife into both Zhou Jin’s and his own heart, “See, you’re dead, and I can’t bring you back to life. How can we be together?”
Everyone around him had their mouths wide open.
What is the young master saying?!
What is he telling Qing Ning? What about being together?!
Zong Yuan didn’t say it explicitly, but 0046 understood. He was resenting himself.
Even if he knew nothing, even if he had set out for the Zhou residence the same day 0046 issued the mission, he was still angry with himself.
When people are in love, regardless of gender or the nature of their relationship, there is a natural instinct to protect their loved ones.
Wanting to protect one’s lover is a common sentiment for both men and women.
However, Zong Yuan could only wait for the ghost of Zhou Jin to appear on his own.
He didn’t know what his lover had been through. Even when he arrived at the Zhou residence with joy at the prospect of seeing him, he was filled with self-loathing.
Everyone noticed Qing Ning shaking his head nervously. He reached out to grab Zong Yuan’s arm, “We can be together, we can be together…”
Zong Yuan took a step back, his expression unreadable. “Miss Qing Ning, please behave yourself.”
Qing Ning stubbornly took a step forward with him. “I’m not Qing Ning. We can be together. I can become a living person.”
Zong Yuan pinched his chin. “What about kissing and hugging?”
He looked puzzled.
Zong Yuan stared into Qing Ning’s eyes, observing the soul beneath the feminine gaze. “The ones I kissed and embraced were other people’s bodies. Does that not bother you?”
Zhou Jin, hidden beneath Qing Ning, gazed gloomily at Zong Yuan. How could this be? Even if it was just Zong Yuan touching a part of this body, he found it unbearable.
It’s not allowed.
Qing Ning lowered his head slowly. “I will take you… to the courtyard.”
Zong Yuan let him go, watching him lead the way.
Awu and the others stared in bewilderment, unsure how to react.
Zong Yuan said, “Let’s go.”
He had his subordinates walk in front, and he walked at the back. His expression softened, a remarkable maturity now replacing his once domineering demeanor.
Unable to resist any longer, 0046 spoke up, “I have a solution…”
Zong Yuan paused. “What?”
0046 quickly explained, “Headquarters has a solution.”
It added, “There must be one.”
Zong Yuan fell silent for a moment. “Thanks, 0046. It doesn’t matter anymore. If he can only be a ghost, I’ll accompany him until he dissipates or until I die. If he can become human… I just hope to pamper him well.”
0046 also fell into silence. “Then why did you say those words?”
Zong Yuan responded, “I have to ensure he stays.”
He felt uneasy; he would also feel uneasy. In just a few worlds, if there were more dangerous situations in the future, he hoped he could subconsciously do everything possible to survive.
—
The steward led a considerable number of people to dig in the courtyard of Zhou Ning’s residence. Zhou Taixing had subtly hinted to the steward about a spot near the locust tree.
Next to the large locust tree, numerous pits had been dug.
Despite digging many deep holes, they found nothing. The steward, staring at the mess on the ground, felt a chill in his heart. Could the corpse have moved on its own?
He tossed aside a piece of tree bark with his tool. “Hey!”
His scalp tingled. What was this thing? How could there be flowing blood under the tree?
The steward staggered back a few steps. “Quick, quick, cut down this tree!”
His subordinates looked around, wearing troubled expressions. “Steward, this is a locust tree. Locust trees attract ghosts. If we cut it down and get something dirty on us…”
Helpless, the steward had to run to report to Master Zhou. Zhou Taixing, whose expression had relaxed, froze. “Gone?!”
The steward still felt a chilling sensation. “Could the corpse have come out by itself?”
Zhou Taixing’s heart jumped. Suddenly, cries of alarm echoed outside, and people shouted, “Second Aunt! Second Aunt is dead!”
The second Aunt is dead!
Zhou Taixing turned pale, fear creeping into his heart. “So fast, so fast, another one is dead!”
Oh, right, today is the seventh day since Zhou Jin’s death… Zhou Jin has come for revenge!
Second Aunt scratched herself to death, her body covered in numerous blisters, densely packed, disgustingly repulsive. The sensation of itching from these blisters woke her up, and the irresistible urge to scratch, breaking each blister, caused the liquid inside to scald her skin. In the end, she died a painful death under her own sharp red nails.
The most beautiful and self-obsessed Second Aunt met her demise at the ugliest and most repulsive moment.
Those who could escape from Zhou Mansion had already fled. The innocent ones naturally escaped effortlessly, while those with guilty consciences had to repeatedly flee the mansion only to reappear inside.
Zhou Taixing desperately called for people to guard his room, and the steward lit a candle. “Master, it’s getting dark.”
Zhou Taixing looked over and saw the steward with a sinister face, smiling maliciously at him. Zhou Taixing’s heart skipped a beat. He grabbed a vase and smashed it towards the steward, blood spurting from the steward’s head, and he fell down in shock. “Master…” he uttered weakly before collapsing.
Zhou Taixing panicked and ran out of the room.
From the onset of darkness, Zhou Mansion became Zhou Jin’s realm.
The door of the small courtyard closed when Qing Ning left. Zong Yuan and the others listened to the cries and howls outside, fear and unease rising within. Someone suggested again, “Young Master, let’s escape!”
Zong Yuan still held the person in his arms, gesturing towards the door. “It’s safest here.”
Someone couldn’t comprehend. “Why? Is there anywhere safe in Zhou Mansion?”
Zong Yuan unconsciously lifted his chin, indicating outside the door. “He won’t naturally make this place unsafe.”
They unintentionally glanced at the person in the Young Master’s arms, revealing expressions of toothache in unison.
The most dangerous thing was in this courtyard, being held by the Young Master. No one knew where the Young Master got his confidence.
However, Zong Yuan was right. Even if the outside world turned into a hellish scene, the people in the courtyard were not in the slightest danger.
The sounds from outside became a familiar backdrop, and a few people felt a bit drowsy. Zong Yuan signaled them to take Zhou Ning back to their rooms to sleep, while he remained in the courtyard.
Time passed second by second. The outside howls gradually ceased, and the moon, obscured by clouds, slowly emerged. The quiet courtyard suddenly heard a knocking sound. Zong Yuan looked at the wooden door, feeling a sense of relief. “Come in.”
The door opened silently, and then closed silently. There was nothing in the courtyard, but Zong Yuan knew he had entered.
The person in his arms suddenly moved. Zhou Jin grabbed the fabric of Zong Yuan’s clothes on his chest, slowly opening his eyes. The moonlight cast starlight in his light-colored eyes. Zong Yuan maintained his indifferent expression and gently kissed his eyes.
Zhou Jin, gentle as if he hadn’t just returned from seeking revenge, stubbornly said, “We can be together.”
Zong Yuan finally showed a helpless expression. He asked softly, “Do you blame me for not protecting you in this lifetime?”
His words were peculiar, but Zhou Jin understood. It was as if they had known each other for generations. He replied confidently, “We can always meet.”
Zong Yuan let out a long sigh and obediently kissed his pale lips.
0046 was anxious, “Mission, mission!”
This time, the mission was to explore the secrets of Zhou Mansion.
He had initially wondered about the secrets of Zhou Mansion, but now he roughly knew that the biggest secret of Zhou Mansion was Zhou Jin himself.
Zhou Jin loved the feeling of this intimate contact. His eyes lit up, and he affectionately called, “Zong Yuan…”
Zong Yuan continued to kiss him on the corners of his mouth, nose bridge, and forehead. “How did you die?” he asked.
Zhou Jin touched his cheek, “My death is naturally related to killing these people.”
As a meticulous and cautious prostitute, Third Aunt had been favored by Old Master Zhou for some time. She was close to Second Aunt, and they even considered themselves sisters. Third Aunt persuaded Old Master Zhou to visit Second Aunt frequently. Later, they became sisters in the truest sense. However, things changed when Zhou Jin was born, and later when Zhou Ning was born…
Second Aunt’s slandering, the instigation by Madam Wang against her, and Old Master Zhou’s silent stance—ultimately drove Third Aunt to death.
Second Aunt hid Third Aunt’s corpse under Madam Wang’s bed. Madam Wang enraged, ruthlessly dealt with Third Aunt’s body. After handling the corpse, she continued her fury, using Third Aunt’s remains to demand Zhou Jin to beg for her forgiveness. Zhou Jin was forcibly punished by several strong men and thrown into the water. Zhou Jin still remembered Madam Wang’s malicious words, “Just like his mother, both are shameless. Your mother seduced my son, so I’ll make sure you have a miserable death.”
Half-dead, Zhou Jin was pulled out of the water by Second Aunt. Seeing his complete lack of resistance, Second Aunt, hiding her dark side, strangled him and poured out all her hidden venomous jealousy. Then she threw Zhou Jin back into the water.
All of this, Zhou Taixing knew.
The thunder roared loudly, but the raindrops were sparse. Zhou Taixing only had to move his mouth a bit and bury Zhou Jin in his and Zhou Ning’s courtyard, and he felt like he was doing something kind.
Zhou Jin’s narration was concise, skipping over many details. As he casually spoke, Zong Yuan already began to feel distressed. However, Zhou Jin smiled lightly, “Fortunately…”
Fortunately, he turned into a ghost.
After Zhou Jin shared these events, 0046 had already declared the mission completed. It urgently transmitted the information to headquarters, inquiring about how to resolve this situation. Unexpectedly, headquarters responded quickly this time, providing a definite answer: Zhou Jin would not dissipate in the short term.
What about the long term?
After 0046 urgently sent another question regarding this matter, headquarters replied, “When humans and ghosts are together, humans always have to pay some price.”
Upon hearing this from 0046, Zong Yuan pondered and asked Zhou Jin, “How is your current strength?”
After successfully avenging, Zhou Jin had dissipated some resentment. Logically, after settling a great vengeance, he should have dissipated as well. However, for some stubborn reason, he felt almost no change at the moment. “I’m fine,” he replied.
Taking advantage of the moonlight, Zong Yuan carried him to the bedroom. He then asked 0046 in his mind, “If he’s well-supplemented, can he come out during the day?”
0046 replied, “Should be able to. After all, the aversion to sunlight is only due to resentment, which is now gone.”
Looking up at Zong Yuan, Zhou Jin questioned, “What’s going on?”
Zong Yuan opened the bedroom door and said, “If you endure the night, I’ll take good care of you.”
As for the cost mentioned by headquarters, well, in which world did he pay less?
He would supplement him for several nights and then travel with him to explore the vast lands.
Spoil him to the heavens.
Author’s note:
Farewell, Jin Jin! In the next world, a super handsome doctor (seme) and a domineering CEO (uke) who everyone around falls in love with!
