Vоlume 1, Chарtеr 2: Ghоst Lоrd, Don’t Eat Ме!
The birthdаy banquеt wаs nоt уеt оver, but thе еntirе Fu familу had bеen stirred intо а cоmmotiоn.
Оn thе terrасe, а grоuр оf реоplе chаttеd away, eithеr moсking her аs а “fооl” or bursting into fits оf giggles and lаughtеr.
Вut Jiаng Xining wаs nevеr one tо еndurе humiliаtiоn. In just a fеw strides, she rushed fоrwаrd аnd, undеr thе astonished gаzеs оf the сrowd, snаtched thе раinting аnd threw it to thе grоund. She barеd her teеth fiеrсеly аt еveryone. “I’m not a foоl!”
“I hatе уоu аll!” Аfter sаying this, she dashеd awаy, hеr foоtsteps pattering.
This sudden dash was no small matter. Whether they were sober or drunk and stumbling, everyone was jolted awake and thrown into a panic.
“Jiao Jiao!”
Fu Jinghao was the first to change his expression, immediately taking off after her.
The others hurriedly followed, their drunkenness now a cause for alarm. If she went to complain, the consequences would be dire.
The night was as dark as ink, and guests swarmed like a tide. Jiang Xining was very familiar with the Fu estate, and like a little mudfish, she vanished from sight in an instant.
When the commotion reached the main hall, Old Master Fu was chatting with the Jiang family.
“Old Jiang, the two children are getting along very well. You can rest assured.”
Old Master Fu beamed with a smile. “When Jiaojiao marries into our family, it’ll be just like her own home. I’ll personally oversee the engagement banquet to ensure Jiaojiao isn’t slighted in any way.”
Jiang Zongyao was actually very reluctant to part with his little granddaughter, but since Jiaojiao was willing, he, as an old man, had no choice but to let go, no matter how unwilling he was.
“Jinghao is so outstanding at such a young age. Of course, I have no reason to worry. However…”
Jiang Xinjuan, sitting nearby, calmly interjected, “Uncle, you know our family has only this one precious treasure. Jiaojiao suffered a lot in her childhood, so her marriage must be one she is satisfied with for us to feel at ease.”
The woman, with her dark brows and red lips, casually draped a suit jacket over her shoulders and wore a pair of thin gold-rimmed glasses. Even in the presence of so many elders, her presence was not the least bit diminished.
Jiang Lin and his wife were far away abroad, and Jiang Zongyao was elderly. Nowadays, the authority within the Jiang Group rested entirely with Jiang Xinjuan.
This gave her far more weight than Fu Jinghao, who still had to answer to a group of elders above him.
“Young Master Fu treats Jiaojiao decently enough on ordinary days, barely passing in my book.”
Jiang Xinjuan smiled amiably, speaking with an air of nonchalance. “But if he ever changes his heart in the future and starts fooling around outside, don’t blame me for disregarding our years of friendship.”
Mother Fu leaned close to Jiang Xinjuan and chided gently, “Jun’er, what kind of talk is this? Jinghao wouldn’t dare do such a thing.”
“He’s never even held a girl’s hand. He’s clean.”
Jiang Xinjuan raised an eyebrow.
“Let’s hope so.”
Father Fu, listening nearby, grew visibly displeased. A foolish, simple-minded girl actually had the nerve to pick faults with his son?
If it weren’t for the Jiang family backing her, where would she get the face?
Though he thought this way and looked down on the Jiang family’s practice of letting a woman hold power, Father Fu’s outward demeanor was impeccable as he spoke with a cheerful smile.
Suddenly, the butler hurried in from outside.
“Master, something’s wrong…”
Old Master Fu remained as steady as a mountain, his voice low. “What is it?”
Jiang Zongyao and Jiang Xinjuan both turned their gazes toward the butler. The butler was anxious inside but couldn’t show it too obviously. He could only lean in and whisper softly to Old Master Fu.
In just a moment, Old Master Fu abruptly stood up, his expression turning extremely grim.
“Those worthless fools! Go find her immediately! Search every corner of the Fu estate if you have to!”Jiang Zongyao swept his gaze over the group’s uneasy, flustered expressions, his hawk-like eyes seeing everything clearly. “Old Fu, what’s going on?”
At that moment, Jiang Xinjuan frowned slightly.
“Where’s Jiaojiao? Why hasn’t she come back yet?”
Old Master Fu suppressed his anger and truthfully recounted what had happened on the terrace earlier.
Of course, he polished some of the details, concluding with an assurance, “Jinghao has already taken people to search. Jiaojiao probably hasn’t gone far…”
Jiang Zongyao stood up, leaning on his cane, his gaze sharp. “Old Fu, Jiaojiao was kidnapped and lost once when she was a child. That pain still haunts our entire family. If anything happens to my granddaughter today, I will not let this rest!”
Old Master Fu assured him, “Old Jiang, don’t worry. I will absolutely give you an explanation for today’s matter!”
With that, he turned to the butler and said sternly, “You, go check the surveillance. Immediately mobilize everyone to search every corner thoroughly. Go, now!”
…
The entire Fu residence was thrown into an uproar, with everyone rushing around in the dark night, urgently searching.
If it were a normal person, there would be no need to worry—they wouldn’t get lost anyway.
But for someone with a mental disability, the Fu family’s old mansion, sprawling over hundreds of square meters with its winding paths, especially at night, was far too dangerous.
On a secluded path in the back garden.
Jiang Xining limped along, looking around blankly, two pools of tears welling up in her eyes despite herself.
Where was this?
Dou Dou’s friend was mean, and he didn’t even stand up for her. She was so angry she ran away without wanting to talk to him, but… as she looked at the unfamiliar surroundings, her already slow-witted mind grew even more confused. Where was this?
Her shoes were uncomfortable too. Jiang Xining kicked at them in annoyance but accidentally tripped and sprained her ankle—truly pitiful, innocent, and helpless.
Jiang Xining pouted her lips, feeling aggrieved as she found a worn-out bench to sit on, poking at her swollen ankle with her finger.
Hehe, it didn’t hurt. She couldn’t feel anything at all…
Her phone had also taken a tumble, its screen covered in a dense web of cracks. Jiang Xining shook it, then tapped it with her hand, but it remained completely unresponsive.
…What should she do?
If she didn’t return within an hour, her sister would definitely scold her.
Jiang Xining looked around, mustering her courage to call out, “Is anyone there?”
The late autumn night was bitterly cold. A gust of wind swept by, rustling the leaves overhead with a “shasha” sound, adding to the desolate atmosphere.
After calling out for a long time with no response, Jiang Xining rubbed her arms, covered in goosebumps from the cold, and was on the verge of tears. She would never run off recklessly again.
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed from the end of the path.
Jiang Xining perked up her ears, her voice full of hope. “Dou Dou, is that you?”
The approaching figure didn’t respond. Their footsteps paused slightly before slowly drawing closer.
Dry twigs on the ground were mercilessly crushed underfoot, emitting a cold, sharp sound.
A trace of barely noticeable panic crept into her heart. Jiang Xining suddenly remembered the TV show she watched last night—how terrifying ghosts liked to roam at night, specifically hunting people to eat.
Her heart raced. Frightened, she covered her mouth and quietly shrunk behind the bench.
The footsteps didn’t stop.
“G-ghost, Mr. Ghost, don’t eat me! I’m not tasty…” Her trembling voice carried a sob as she curled up, hugging her head, looking just like a lost, pitiful kitten.
Polished leather shoes stepped onto the ground, slowly approaching, finally stopping before the bench beside her.Jiang Xining’s eyes widened in terror, her heart pounding so hard it felt like it might leap out of her chest.
The next moment, a slender shoulder sank slightly as a warm, generously sized coat carrying a faint, subtle fragrance was gently draped over her, instantly enveloping her within its folds and driving away the chill without a trace.
“Scared of ghosts, yet you still hide in the corner.” A gentle, magnetic male voice sounded beside her ear.