Ji Fuyao
The 5:30 bus had only a few passengers. The minibus swayed slowly and was not very clean inside. The villagers rushing to the city were all carrying large and small bags. There were even a few chickens in a bag of urea. This made Wen Xiaofeng on Wen Ya's shoulder not seem so strange.
Si Mucheng had a different idea. He thought to himself, "I never would have guessed that there would be a ghost inside this perfectly good minibus!"
For example, right now, Zhang Wei is standing in the middle of the aisle with a droopy face, and his spirit body sways as the vehicle bumps around.
Si Mucheng was already familiar with the situation after a few tries. Moreover, thanks to Wen Ya's illusion magic, Zhang Wei no longer looked terrifying and could be seen as an honest man in his previous life. Si Mucheng loved to tease honest people, so he spoke to Zhang Wei in a low voice all the way, inquiring about his past life.
No one spoke in the car, but it was an old vehicle, and the national highway was difficult to travel on. It had been bumpy for many years, and the car rattled and clanged. Even though Si Mucheng was talking the whole time, the noise made it seem less abrupt.
Within an hour's drive, Si Mucheng had thoroughly investigated Zhang Wei's situation.
But these things have to be put aside for now; they are facing another problem.
It would take another two hours by high-speed rail to get to Qicheng. Si Mucheng had already bought the tickets. Although Wen Xiaofeng had a name, she couldn't be brought into the high-speed rail station.
Si Mucheng glanced at Wen Ya's expression, unsure if she knew about the fact that animals couldn't pass through security, and cautiously began to advise, "Master, chickens... Wen Xiaofeng doesn't seem to be able to take the high-speed rail..."
“I know.” Wen Ya glanced at him, her eyes unreadable. “Although I’m from the countryside, I’m not a savage. I’ve been to school and live in a civilized society. I know all the rules.”
Upon hearing this, Si Mucheng could only scratch his head and remain silent.
He had previously heard that Wen Ya traveled extensively, and the image that came to mind was of her performing shamanistic rituals in remote mountains and forests. He had assumed she had never traveled far, but now he realized how narrow-minded he had been. He glanced at Wen Xiaofeng again, finding its chaotic colors quite jarring. He then asked, "Since Wen Xiaofeng can't take the high-speed rail, how will we bring it along?"
"Don't worry," Wen Ya patted the chick, "you don't need to worry about it."
Wen Ya said not to worry about it, and she really didn't. Si Mucheng had noticed Wen Xiaofeng was missing before entering the station, and he was worried when going through security, fearing that Wen Ya's method was to hide the chicken in her luggage bag. The two of them didn't have much luggage, especially Wen Ya. Si Mucheng had never seen a girl pack all her things in just one duffel bag; he had packed a whole large suitcase.
Fortunately, the security check went smoothly, but even after getting on the bus, he still hadn't seen Wen Xiaofeng. Si Mucheng, still looking around from his seat, whispered to Wen Ya, "Seriously, where did you hide Wen Xiaofeng?" How could the security check not have detected her?
Wen Ya sighed helplessly, "Just leave it alone. It will naturally appear when we get there."
Since she had said that, Si Mucheng had no choice but to suppress his curiosity, his gaze drawn back to Zhang Wei hanging above. Summer vacation wasn't over yet, and the train was packed with people coming and going. Not wanting to be passed around, "he" simply hung himself from the ceiling. There was someone below him, his toes dangling precariously, brushing against the person's head. Perhaps sensing something, the passenger would occasionally scratch his head and look up curiously.
Si Mucheng, who could see everything clearly, couldn't help but chuckle. It was truly an eye-opener to see a ghost riding a high-speed train.
Wen Ya knew what he was laughing about, but she didn't quite understand him, even though she had been terrified just moments before. It's clear that humans are indeed visual creatures; as long as something looks alright, even knowing it's a ghost won't frighten them.
Si Mucheng laughed for a while, then remembered the important matter and quickly whispered to Wen Ya what he had learned from Zhang Wei.
It turns out that Zhang Wei worked for a game company in Qicheng before his death. He was a golden phoenix that flew out of the mountains, the pride of the entire village; he was the only college graduate in several generations. However, even a golden egg from the mountain valley is nothing more than a pearl dropped into the ocean when it comes to a bustling metropolis. The pearl is real, but there are too many treasures in the ocean; one pearl is simply not enough.
Zhang Wei was hardworking but lacked natural talent; his greatest strength was diligence. However, to establish himself in this city, one needed far more than just hard work. He had worked diligently at the game company for several years, and the game he was in charge of was finally about to be launched, but he died before he could see his hard work come to fruition.
Wen Ya only heard the gist of it. She didn't really care about a ghost's past life. As a soul-sending person, all she ever did was help ghosts resolve their obsessions and send "them" into the cycle of reincarnation. Everyone suffers, and knowing too much is no good.
But she didn't understand why Si Mucheng liked to inquire about these things so much, creating so many unnecessary entanglements.
In life, obsessions are formed by one shackle after another.
The train sped along, and two hours passed in the blink of an eye. They arrived in Qicheng before lunchtime.
Seeing the familiar city scenery, Si Mucheng felt a strange sense of relief. He led Wen Ya home with practiced ease.
Si Mucheng's home is in the west of the city, in a very nice neighborhood. When the taxi arrived, Wen Ya got out and realized that Si Mucheng's home seemed to be even better off than she had imagined.
It was a detached villa with a garden in front, clearly well-maintained. Si Mucheng led her inside with great interest, but Wen Ya lowered her eyes, no longer looking around, lest she be impolite.
As he entered, someone came downstairs and was surprised to see Si Mucheng: "Xiao Cheng is back? Didn't Madam say she would stay there for another month?"
Si Mucheng smiled, called out "Aunt Chen", and explained, "I had something to take care of, so I came back for a visit."
After saying that, he turned back to Wen Ya and introduced her: "This is Aunt Chen. She has been taking care of me at home since I was a child."
Aunt Chen then noticed that there was someone following him, a pretty young girl, and she was taken aback. Just then, Si Mucheng dragged his luggage into the room and greeted Wen Ya, "Please sit down, are you tired? Would you like to wash your face?"
Aunt Chen snapped out of her daze and smiled, "Xiao Cheng brought his friends back! Have some fruit first, I'll go cook now!"
After Aunt Chen went to the kitchen, Wen Ya spoke up: "I've already taken you home. I'll be dealing with that ghost a little later, so you don't need to come with me."
Upon hearing this, Si Mucheng exclaimed in shock, "What are you saying! I'm going to follow you! I'm your little brother! If I don't follow you, who will I follow? Don't even think about getting rid of me and going alone... Um, send the soul away!"
Wen Ya was completely exasperated: "Don't be unreasonable. I never agreed to let you be my follower. Besides, delivering souls is my mission, not yours. Don't follow me."
"What are you saying! The fact that I can see all this is fate! I don't care, you're not getting rid of me!"
Wen Ya wanted to say something more, but Aunt Chen heard Si Mucheng raise his voice and thought they were arguing. She quickly came out of the kitchen, looked around, and saw that Si Mucheng's face was full of dissatisfaction. She repeatedly advised, "What's wrong? Xiao Cheng, talk it out. Don't bully the girl."
Si Mucheng looked aggrieved; how could he dare to bully her!
Seeing this, Wen Ya stopped talking; she wasn't very good at handling conflicts with people.
Si Mucheng was very unhappy with her trying to get rid of him, so he sat down on the other side of the sofa, sulking and not saying a word. After thinking for a moment, he took out his phone and sent a message to his cousin Qin Yu. He had left in a hurry and was worried about Hu Lele, so he sent Qin Yu a red envelope, asking him to buy her something and visit her when he had time.
He didn't speak, and Wen Ya didn't speak either, so the atmosphere remained silent.
Even so, Wen Ya didn't feel anything was wrong. She sat there as if in meditation, as steady as an old monk, but Si Mucheng was different. He sat on pins and needles, constantly stealing glances at Wen Ya, racking his brains to find another topic to talk about.
However, this situation did not last long. Aunt Chen was quick and efficient, and soon she had prepared lunch.
There were three dishes and a soup on the table, all home-style dishes. Aunt Chen greeted Wen Ya with a smile: "I didn't prepare anything at home, please don't mind. I'll show you my skills again tonight."
Wen Ya nodded and said earnestly, "I'm sorry to bother you."
Si Mucheng's family seemed very hospitable. Wen Ya had never liked having much contact with people before, and she had no intention of getting involved with Si Mucheng's family again and again. To express her gratitude, she could only eat her fill.
Seeing that Wen Ya was eating with relish, Aunt Chen felt a surge of affection and kept piling food onto Wen Ya's plate. As Wen Ya's bowl became piled high with food, Si Mucheng, remembering the last time she had overeaten, couldn't help but say, "Aunt Chen, please stop piling food on her plate. She can't eat it all."
Aunt Chen gave him a reproachful look: "Why can't you eat? She hasn't even said anything yet. Young girls should eat properly, especially since Xiaoya is so thin!"
Si Mucheng had no choice but to plead, "Then please don't keep putting food on her plate. Leave some for me too. We haven't seen each other in so long, you can't be biased!"
These words made Aunt Chen laugh, her eyes crinkling: "Alright, alright, you can have it, you can have it. Why are you still fighting over food?"
This time, Si Mucheng had learned his lesson and kept a close eye on Wen Ya's condition. Seeing that her expression was more solemn than usual, he simply took her bowl and ushered her off the table. Aunt Chen was confused, but seeing Wen Ya silently put down her chopsticks, she suddenly understood. She smiled at Si Mucheng; the silly boy had finally shown some compassion.
After finishing her meal, just as Wen Ya was about to say goodbye, Si Mucheng, as if anticipating what she was about to say, quickly spoke up first, "Shall we go and take a look at Zhang Wei's former company now?"
Wen Ya was interrupted by him; it wouldn't be a good time to continue, especially since she had come to Qicheng to resolve the matter of that ghost. She nodded; it was better to do things sooner rather than later. A ghost lingering in the mortal realm due to its obsession was ultimately not a good thing.
Seeing Wen Ya deep in thought, Si Mucheng breathed a sigh of relief and began to offer suggestions: "Why don't we call Zhang Wei in? I know where his company is."
Wen Ya shook her head: "No, it's not a good idea. Ghosts entering the sect are not auspicious."
Si Mucheng laughed: "You guys are particular about this?"
Wen Ya gave him a disapproving look: "There should be some taboos." She paused, then added, "I'll ask him about it later."
Upon hearing this, Si Mucheng scoffed, "You're asking me!"
Zhang Wei told him that before he died, the game was already planned to be launched, the design proposal had been approved, and he had stayed up for several nights in a row, hoping that his first game would be released. But he never got to see it, and it hasn't been until now. So his obsession took shape, and he was unwilling to let go.
"How long has he been waiting?" Wen Ya asked.
Si Mucheng thought for a moment: "It's been almost a year."
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