Chapter 12
Behind the villa were several mountains, perpetually shrouded in mist, where vegetation grew luxuriantly. Without someone to guide you, this place would be quite difficult to find.
Following Wu Duo's directions, Xu walked further in. There were rustling footsteps all around, but he couldn't find that familiar figure or voice.
Just as he was preparing to send more people, a few leaves fell in front of him. He subconsciously looked up and vaguely saw something in the green.
The tree in front of him was twenty or thirty meters tall; if it weren't for its leaves, he might not have even looked up. But when he did, his heart nearly jumped out of his chest.
The thing held on for a while and then moved, revealing its head. Xu Xing was so angry at the person's reckless behavior that his face turned dark.
Jiang Zhuochen, having found nothing at the top, was about to climb down the tree when he clearly noticed the people below. As he descended, he called out to Xu Xing, "What are you doing here?"
"Are you tired of living?" Seeing Jiang Zhuochen still climbing down, the already thin branches were shaking violently as he pulled, as if they were about to break at any moment. He stopped him, saying, "Stand there and don't move. I'll have someone get a rescue air cushion."
Jiang Zhuochen waved his hand dismissively. Climbing trees and touching the river was nothing new to him. "This is nothing. I can get down in three minutes."
Xu Xing watched him descend slowly, his feet unconsciously stepping under the tree to wait.
Jiang Zhuochen obediently placed one foot on a tree branch. If there hadn't been people around, he could have landed in a couple of jumps, instead of taking so long.
When he reached the branch with only three or four meters left, he caught a glimpse of Xu Xing's worried expression. With a puzzled look on Xu Xing's face, he turned his foot down onto the trunk and sat down.
He hugged the tree, unable to suppress the upward curve of his lips, even the corners of his eyes gleaming with a hint of mischief, his voice drawn out slowly, "I'm so tired, Xu Xing, do you want to catch me?"
Xu Xing felt a surge of anger rising in his chest. "You dare to jump down?!"
Under Xu Xing's threat, Jiang Zhuochen immediately let go. He couldn't explain it, but he instinctively felt that the people below would catch him.
Xu Xing darted forward and pulled Jiang Zhuochen into his arms a second before he landed. Jiang Zhuochen chuckled and peeked out from Xu Xing's embrace.
Xu Xing gripped his forearm, his face darkening as he checked him over to make sure he wasn't injured before letting go. "Do you even know what it's like to climb such a tall tree?"
"Don't worry, I won't fall." Jiang Zhuochen leaned closer, flashing a big smile at Xu Xing's displeased face, forcing Xu Xing to sigh helplessly, unable to get angry. "Why did you come over?"
"I went back for dinner and didn't see you, so here you came." Xu Xing's tone softened. "Why did you climb so high?"
"I want to see the layout here."
"What did you figure out?"
"No." Jiang Zhuochen pouted. He had wasted his energy; it wasn't high enough.
He followed Xu Xing's footprints back, idly facing away from him, when suddenly an idea struck him. He stepped forward and walked alongside Xu Xing, tentatively asking, "Do you have a way for me to quickly survey the terrain here?"
As the saying goes, it's better to rely on others than on yourself. If you can't do it yourself, why don't you just find someone who can to help you?
“I can call a helicopter for you,” Xu Xing added, “but it will have to wait until tomorrow.”
"No problem." Anyway, it's not urgent.
When the two returned to the villa, Wu Chengjun had already prepared a table of dishes to welcome them back.
After dinner, Wu Chengjun and Xu Xing chatted about business. Since Xu Xing knew Jiang Zhuochen, Wu Chengjun knew he couldn't hide it from Xu Xing and briefly told him about his experience.
Xu Xing didn't talk much; he was already being very polite by responding occasionally.
The melody drifted to Jiang Zhuochen's ears on the wind, and he realized that the other party had almost finished talking.
Propping his head up, he waited for Xu Xing to approach him. He raised his eyes and said first, "I'm not going back."
As expected, Xu Xing disagreed, "The helicopter hasn't arrived yet, what are you doing here?"
Jiang Zhuochen pointed to the closed door of the inner room, "Naturally, we need to observe that old man. Is there anything else?"
He also remembered to find out if the ghost's magic really would be weakened by Xu Xing.
"What's wrong?"
"I'm scared. Why don't you stay and keep me company?"
Jiang Zhuochen spoke softly and gently, and with that unwavering, burning gaze, even if it was a lie, Xu Xing was somewhat overwhelmed.
This person is just as adept at acting cute as they are at throwing a tantrum, as if they've done it countless times before.
Xu Xing didn't respond for a moment, and Jiang Zhuochen thought the other party was unwilling. He took the hand that was supporting his head down and placed it on the other hand in front of him, and looked away.
"If you're busy, go back. Don't waste your time coming all this way just because you're worried about whether I've eaten or not."
Xu Xing had a headache; he didn't know who had spoiled him like this. "There's nothing else to do today, you can stay here."
"Oh," Jiang Zhuochen replied in a low voice, but his expression brightened.
Xu Xing watched this unfold, and for some reason, Jiang Zhuochen's childlike demeanor calmed him down.
Unlike the bright lights of the city, the countryside becomes exceptionally quiet at night, with only the insects tirelessly flapping their wings under the streetlights in front of the houses.
In this atmosphere, Jiang Zhuochen gently knocked on Xu Xing's door, smiling broadly as the other opened it.
"Let's go on an adventure."
"Aren't you very capable?" Xu Xing teased him. "Why don't you go yourself?"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Zhuochen frowned and said miserably, "Didn't I tell you during the day that I'm scared? That old lady is really fierce to me. What if I can't beat her?"
Xu Xing didn't believe it.
Jiang Zhuochen stared straight at him, her voice low: "So, are you going or not?"
…
In the end, Xu Xing was pulled away by Jiang Zhuochen.
The two arrived at the old man's room. Jiang Zhuochen raised his hand and knocked, but there was no response. He knocked again, but still no response.
OK.
"Wait here for me, I'm going to find someone."
Wu Duo was engrossed in playing a game with Chen Sheng in his room when there was a knock on the door. The person knocking seemed impatient, knocking faster and faster, as if demanding his life.
Wu Duo clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction. He had just opened the door when a figure pulled him out and inexplicably made him stand in front of his grandmother's door.
"Brother Jiang, what are you doing?" He realized what was happening and instantly became excited. "Are you here to exorcise a ghost? I'll help you."
He showed no concern for his grandmother's safety, only excitement about the paranormal events; this was very unfilial.
"Talk to your grandma and ask her to open the door and let us in."
"Leave it to me," Wu Duo said, patting his chest.
Wu Duo raised his hand to knock on the door, then leaned in and called out, "Grandma, Grandma, are you asleep?"
Everyone held their breath, and after a while, they heard a voice from inside. Wu Duo persisted, "Grandma, it's me! Can you open the door?"
This time the wait was even longer, but thankfully the footsteps grew clearer. The old man opened the door, revealing half his body; the room was dimly lit. "Still not asleep so late?"
Upon receiving instructions, Wu Duo pressed down on the door frame and squeezed inside. The door opened wide, and Jiang Zhuochen took the opportunity to pull Xu Xing into the room as well.
The old woman stared at Jiang Zhuochen without saying a word. Wu Duo quickly stepped between the two and chatted happily with his grandmother.
Jiang Zhuochen felt no discomfort whatsoever. His gaze swept across the room, noticing a child's clothes still being knitted under the dim oil lamp by the bed. Just as he was about to walk over, the old man's expression immediately changed.
"What brings you here so late? If not, don't disturb an old woman's sleep."
Jiang Zhuochen stopped, his tone casual. "I didn't hear that you've had a new baby recently. Why do you want to make clothes, Grandma?"
"Old people can't stay idle," the old man replied curtly. "Anyway, once it's finished, it'll be wearable someday."
"Since that's the case, why not make one for your grandson? There's no need to wait." Jiang Zhuochen said with a smile. "Or have you done something wrong and are now making amends?"
"No! No!" the old man roared angrily, grabbing Wu Duo's hand tightly. "Didn't I tell you not to associate with him? Why haven't you kicked him out yet?"
Wu Duo was in pain from the old woman's grip and couldn't pull his hand away. He was secretly surprised by how strong his grandmother was.
Jiang Zhuochen split the old man in two, pulled Wu Duo with one hand, and with the other hand threw out a talisman, which revealed the ghost baby on the old man's shoulder.
Just as Wu Duo was about to gasp in shock, Jiang Zhuochen shoved him forcefully toward the door, saying, "Let's go."
The candlelight in the oil lamp began to flicker, making the already dim room even darker. The old man's eyes were empty and he was unconscious, while the ghostly infant on his shoulder made a ticklish, teeth-grinding sound.
Xu Xing wasn't afraid, but just in case Jiang Zhuochen forgot about him, he still politely asked, "Do I need to leave?"
Jiang Zhuochen replied immediately without turning his head: "No, you have to stay and give me courage."
"Okay." Xu Xing stepped back to give them some space.
The ghostly aura quickly spread throughout the villa, turning it pitch black, except for the small room where one could still vaguely see.
The ghost baby controlled the old man and picked up a knitting needle to stab Jiang Zhuochen.
Jiang Zhuochen dodged to the side, and the fire talisman stuck to the steel needle. The rapidly igniting flames burned the steel needle, causing it to fall off.
The ghost infant let out a piercing scream, a sound that made Jiang Zhuochen frown. Seizing this momentary pause, the steel needle pierced Jiang Zhuochen's heart once more!
In a moment of desperation, Jiang Zhuochen released his spiritual power from the hand holding the talisman. In an instant, the light went out, and the talisman exploded between the human and the ghost.
After pulling the steel needle again and throwing the old man away, Jiang Zhuochen noticed that the ghost infant would intentionally avoid Xu Xing.
His eyes flashed, and he led the ghost baby toward Xu Xing.
Xu Xing stepped back to avoid the staggering old man, then raised an eyebrow and looked at Jiang Zhuochen.
"Hehe, I forgot you were over there."
The old man quickly stepped back a few paces, and without even glancing at Xu Xing, he attacked Jiang Zhuochen again.
Jiang Zhuochen struck again with his palm, and Xu Xing retreated to Jiang Zhuochen's side, his face calm.
"Have you had enough fun?"
The old man lost his balance and fell straight forward. The ghost baby cried out and manipulated its body to flip over and fall to the side.
The hems of their clothes fluttered in the wind, and the two of them paused, exchanging a glance to confirm that neither of them had misjudged the other.
The old man's belly was unusually smooth, just like a young man's.
He was momentarily stunned when the ghost infant pounced on him. Xu Xing pulled Jiang Zhuochen behind him, grabbed the ghost infant, and threw it. The ghost infant was suppressed and howled.
What are you doing!
Jiang Zhuochen rushed out from behind and grabbed Xu Xing's hand. Seeing that his palm was entangled with ghostly energy, a sense of guilt welled up in his heart.
The fire talisman burned a circle of ghostly energy in the vicinity. Jiang Zhuochen pulled Xu Xing out and immediately turned around to close the door.
The ghost baby inside angrily pounded on the door. After a while, the noise subsided along with the ghostly aura.
The surroundings were filled with light. The two turned around and were met with four eyes. The owner of the eyes was squatting in the corner.
Wu Duo couldn't help but exclaim, "Master, you truly are a master. You're amazing!"
Chen Sheng nudged Wu Duo on the shoulder, his face full of pride. "Now you believe me, right?"
Jiang Zhuochen's forehead twitched. "Didn't I tell you to go back? Why did you bring people with you?"
Chen Sheng said loudly, "We've never met before. Aduo came back and told me, so I came over."
"Go back now." Jiang Zhuochen clenched his fist. "If anyone dares to leak even a little bit of what happened today, don't blame me for being impolite."
The two made a shut-up and zipper gesture, then ran back home.
Jiang Zhuochen pursed her lips, lowered her head, and took Xu Xing's hand. "Let's go, I'll go back and help you with your treatment."
A note from the author:
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