Chapter 81 [VIP]

The surrounding temperature fluctuated with the kid's words, eventually settling within a range that was still acceptable to the skin.

Seeing that the other person was in a good mood, Jiang Zhuochen stretched his raised hand forward slightly. "Want some?"

The little devil tilted his head, revealing an extremely creepy smile, raised one hand, and slowly moved it towards Jiang Zhuochen. "I want it! I want it! Brother, you've owed me candy for so many days!"

She pouted, sounding a little aggrieved, and said, "You have to bring me different candies every day from now on, otherwise... I'll make them have nightmares every day until they go crazy!"

"Children shouldn't speak so rudely." Relying on someone's support, Jiang Zhuochen remained completely unfazed. "Also, if you're going to laugh, laugh properly. Who taught you to grin like that? It's not cute at all."

The boy stopped in his tracks, his smile fading as if he were trying to understand what Jiang Zhuochen had said. After a moment, he spoke softly, "No one taught me. I learned it because I saw you all doing it this way."

"Ouch..." Chen Sheng clutched his chest, letting out a pitying sigh. Even the sinister little devil in front of him seemed kind and approachable, with thick eyebrows and big eyes.

"You adults are so mean." The little brat tilted his head, licking the lollipop in his hand, his dark eyes darting around. "You used to push me into the cold water, and now you don't even bring me candy when you ask me to come out to play. I hate you guys."

The atmosphere, which had eased a little, became heavy again. The top floor was eerily quiet, and all Jiang Zhuochen could hear were Chen Sheng and Wu Duo's suddenly heavier breathing.

"No, these pupils are even scarier than that ghost baby I nursed..." Wu Duo whimpered, afraid the little ghost would hear him. "I'm going to have nightmares too..."

"Brother, my candy is almost gone." The little devil waved the lollipop that was almost completely gone, his voice not trying to be quiet, but carrying a chillingly innocent quality. "When are you going to give me your candy?"

"Come here, and I'll give it to you," Jiang Zhuochen coaxed patiently.

The little devil quickly finished his lollipop, flicked the stick and disappeared into the mist. He wiped his chubby little hands on his clothes and excitedly ran towards Jiang Zhuochen.

Just as the little ghost was a meter away from him, Jiang Zhuochen produced two yellow talismans in his hand. With a flick of his fingers, the talismans landed on the left and right sides of the little ghost, and a golden talisman array appeared on the ground.

The little devil's body was suspended in the air. His happy expression vanished, his pure black pupils widened in shock, and he asked in a confused and incredulous voice, "Brother, are you going to lie to me too?"

Just as the incantation for the deceased was about to be uttered, Jiang Zhuochen paused for a moment upon hearing the question, which was met with no resistance but only disappointment and sadness. He felt a strange pang of pity.

Seizing the moment of pause, the imp bared his fangs. He waved his ghostly energy to dispel the talisman, then enveloped the three of them completely.

Chen Sheng and Wu Duo were startled by the sudden turn of events and cried out in alarm. They looked around and all they could see was darkness. The surging ghostly energy, full of malice, slid over their skin inch by inch.

This is much more exciting than watching from the sidelines last time.

The light of the rune array was suppressed, and the imp drew a circle with his finger, carving out a separate space. The surrounding scenery completely changed, leaving only endless darkness.

"I don't want any more candy." The kid's voice was flat, lacking much anger at being deceived, as if he were already used to it. "I want you all to stay and keep me company!"

Jiang Zhuochen frowned. What did this mean? Was there so much resentment in this world? How could even a child absorb such powerful energy?

He stared at the smooth, flat space without a single wrinkle, feeling somewhat helpless, unsure of where to begin.

The two people next to him were swaying, clutching their foreheads, their eyes slowly beginning to glaze over.

The little devil sniffed, "I'm going to eat you all one by one, and leave your bodies here to play with me for the rest of your lives."

Jiang Zhuochen turned around and slapped the two souls that had just emerged back into his body. Just as he was about to deal with the little devil, a crisp sound suddenly pierced through the isolated space and reached everyone's ears.

Ding-a-ling, ding-a-ling.

The moment the ringing stopped, the entire space crumbled away as easily as dust. Fresh air rushed into his nostrils, and a glint flashed in Jiang Zhuochen's eyes.

Master has arrived.

The two, now out of danger, rubbed their arms and stomped their feet, then hugged each other in celebration.

"Thank goodness, that scared me to death."

"I thought I was going to die here, but I'm back, I'm back!"

After chattering away, Chen Sheng curiously moved closer to Jiang Zhuochen and followed his gaze forward.

"Brother Jiang, what are you looking at?" There was clearly nothing in front of us.

So Chen Sheng looked up and saw that the little devil who had just been clamoring to eat them all was now immobilized by an invisible force, unable to move, and could only grumble in dissatisfaction.

"You can't scare me now, you brat."

Jiang Zhuochen withdrew his gaze and began to draw another array, preparing for a swift victory.

The light grew stronger with each incantation. The little demon in the air, realizing it couldn't break free of the restraints, resignedly closed its eyes, its eyelashes trembling slightly.

"Brother, are you sending me away?"

Jiang Zhuochen met his gaze, but his mouth continued moving.

"But I stayed put and didn't bother you guys at all. You were the ones who insisted on looking for me..." The little guy choked up as he spoke. "I'm so bored, brother... I just want someone to play with me..."

"I don't want the candy anymore, and I don't want you to stay with me anymore. Can you let me go?"

She's still just a little kid whose teeth haven't even fully grown in yet. If she were still alive, she would be the apple of her family's eye at this age. Why would she need to cry so sadly and beg for help in such a humble manner?

"Isn't it good to be born into a good family?" Jiang Zhuochen asked. "You'll have family to protect you, and someone to play with in the future."

"Adults... are scary..." the little ghost murmured. "They'll hit me, they'll throw me into the water, I don't want adults. Brother, I don't want to be reincarnated..."

"Them?" Jiang Zhuochen was speechless.

From the child's fragmented words, he roughly understood that if he hadn't never had a good day in his previous life, suffering inhuman torment every day and unable to resist, why would he even resist reincarnation? He wasn't even willing to give his new family a chance.

“Brother, I haven’t hurt anyone. Not even them,” the child stammered, “they were the ones who insisted on calling me out, but they didn’t give me candy like in the song, so I, I went to them.”

“Then you are a good child.” Jiang Zhuochen put him down and advised, “That’s why you should be reincarnated. In your next life, many people will love you.”

The little imp lowered his head, then looked up and smiled after a moment. "Brother, can you play with me for a few days? I'll leave when I'm done playing, okay?"

Jiang Zhuochen was in a dilemma. He glanced in a certain direction and bit his lower lip.

Humans and ghosts are on different paths. He is still a cultivator. Would his master agree to him bringing a ghost back with him?

The change came so suddenly that the two people behind Jiang Zhuochen were stunned, and then looked at each other in bewilderment.

Huh? Raising a ghost? And you're going to play with it? That's going to be the death of you!

Wu Duo tugged at Jiang Zhuochen's sleeve, trembling, "Jiang, Brother Jiang, you're not really considering it, are you?"

Jiang Zhuochen ignored the commotion behind him and squatted down to be at eye level with the little devil: "Then if you can cure the nightmares of those three older brothers, I'll play with you."

The little devil immediately perked up, "Okay!"

...

Once the curfew time for the No. 1 Middle School is over, even on holidays, no one is allowed to enter or leave through the main gate.

Under the guidance of the other two, Jiang Zhuochen climbed over the wall and walked a short distance after landing. A familiar black car was parked under a tree ahead.

The night air was chilly, and Jiang Zhuochen shivered. As he opened the car door, he quickly and furtively glanced at Xu Xing before casually sitting in the passenger seat.

He rubbed his nose, which was red from the cold, and asked in a muffled voice, "Master, why aren't you going back to rest yet?"

"Since I couldn't wait for him to come home, I had no choice but to come and check on him." Xu Xing took in his every move and turned up the heat a bit. "Did you forget what you promised me?"

“I haven’t forgotten,” Jiang Zhuochen said in a low voice, his hands tucked into his pockets. “It’s just that waiting for him to come out wasted a little time.”

"Resolved?"

"It should be resolved," Jiang Zhuochen said tactfully.

"Your solution is to keep him by your side?" Xu Xing glanced at where he kept his Qiankun bag, his tone slightly helpless: "Do you know that if this were in Wangxian Valley, your uncles would probably not be able to keep you here."

Jiang Zhuochen sat up slightly. He knew that disciples of cultivation sects were strictly forbidden from associating with evil paths, but he didn't realize that being expelled from the sect was such a serious matter.

Isn't his skill only at 70%? How come he's still so perceptive?

His heart, which had been pounding in his throat, subsided halfway after he realized this wasn't their place. He smiled obediently, showing no concern whatsoever for Xu Xing.

"But this isn't Wangxian Valley, and there's no scary martial uncle here. Master won't punish me, right?"

Xu Xing pinched the tip of the nose that was coming closer, his expression not changing much, but upon closer inspection, one could detect a hint of protectiveness.

"Yes, I won't punish you."

Jiang Zhuochen was completely relieved.

"But when you get back, you must go to school and attend classes obediently."

"Huh?" Jiang Zhuochen exclaimed in disbelief, then protested, "Why?!"

Xu Xing tapped his fingers on the steering wheel and said slowly, "I'm afraid if you keep slacking off like this, you'll get sold out without even knowing it."

"With you here, who would dare?" Jiang Zhuochen said with a bitter face, climbing over to sit on the other's lap, wrapping his arms around his neck and facing him: "Master, I don't want to go to school!"

Xu Xing steadily supported him, encircling the boisterous man in his arms. His lips brushed against the other's temples before he held him tighter.

Jiang Zhuochen squinted, enjoying the embrace. The car's heater was kept at a comfortable temperature that made him feel relaxed. He rested his chin on the other's shoulder and dozed off for a while. Just as he was wondering if he should go back to sleep, Xu Xing slowly spoke up.

"no."

Jiang Zhuochen's drowsiness vanished instantly. He angrily tried to back away, refusing to let this person hug him. He pushed off with his legs and was about to stand up when he remembered that he was inside a car.

Just as he was about to crash into the roof of the car, a hand intervened even faster, pulling him back into someone's arms.

Xu Xing sighed, "Be good."

Jiang Zhuochen pursed his lips, his face puffed out in anger. He had done a good deed out of kindness, so how did he end up getting himself into trouble?

Back home, he ignored Xu Xing who was following behind him, quickly tidied himself up, threw himself onto the bed, wrapped himself in half of the quilt, and revealed a few proud, frizzy hairs on his head.

A muffled voice came through the down comforter: "I'm going to sleep now."

He was angry, so there was no goodnight kiss tonight!

After Xu Xing finished showering, he pulled the person out of the blanket. The person's face was flushed and eyes were tightly closed, so it was obvious without looking that the person was not asleep.

"Are you that angry?"

"You broke your promise!" Jiang Zhuochen suddenly opened his eyes and accused, "You said you wouldn't force me!"

That's the only sentence that's stuck in my head.

Xu Xing was amused by his angry look and teased, "You don't go to school, but you like being called a little illiterate?"

"So what if I'm illiterate?" Jiang Zhuochen said, head held high and chest puffed out, completely unconvinced. "Let me go, I want to sleep!"

How could he not let anyone touch him? Xu Xing didn't show it on his face, but he secretly increased the pressure on his hands.

"Fine." His helpless tone faded into the air. "I won't force you."

Jiang Zhuochen immediately stopped feeling awkward and happily snuggled into the other person's arms.

Xu Xing was impressed by his quick change of expression. Should he praise him for being flexible and adaptable, or did this ancestor just like to find ways to torment him?

"But there's one thing you have to promise me."

"Go ahead." It certainly won't be any unreasonable request.

"This will not happen again."

“Okay.” Jiang Zhuochen agreed without hesitation, and whispered in the other’s ear, “I know what you’re worried about. Master, I’m just lazy, I’m not stupid.”

Xu Xing chuckled, "Not stupid?"

Jiang Zhuochen's head started ringing with alarms, and he cupped the other person's face in his hands. "Not stupid!"

I'm not kissing you today.

Xu Xing caught the man's slipping waist, pinned him to the bed, and their eyes met as he gazed at him silently. "What did you just say?"

Jiang Zhuochen couldn't stand being stared at. It was just an ordinary goodnight kiss, something they did every day as long as they slept in the same bed. Why did he feel inexplicably embarrassed when he tried to explain it?

He half-closed his eyes and, before the heat reached his face, quickly kissed her.