On the television, a variety show featuring the popular singer Jia Xiaoyu singing and dancing was playing.
No one else could see it.
In Shen Wangshu’s line of sight, a bloodied and mangled ghost was lying sprawled on top of the television, giving off a rather Sadako-like vibe.
Ever since the day she first met Gu Shaohua, this thing had been following Gu Shaohua around.
Except now, it had switched to following her instead.
Shen Wangshu withdrew her gaze.
Gu Shaohua was already seated in the living room, waiting for them.
Liu Ce still had dirt from digging stuck to his clothes, and because he had been sweating, there was a bit of an odor on him.
He ran a hand through his hair, secretly regretting that he hadn’t showered before driving Shen Wangshu back.
“Liu Ce, Wangshu.” Gu Shaohua greeted them.
A servant brought Liu Ce a cup of tea and Shen Wangshu a glass of milk.
Such a subtle touch of thoughtfulness made Shen Wangshu blink.
She cupped the warm milk in both hands and took a sip. The warmth reached her throat, and she squinted her eyes in comfort.
Gu Shaohua glanced at Liu Ce. “You go ahead and explain.”
Liu Ce cleared his throat. “Here’s the thing—Tao Ke came from a single-parent family.”
The moment Tao Ke’s name was mentioned, the ghost sprawled on the television instantly drifted over and pressed itself against Gu Shaohua’s side.
Gu Shaohua felt a chill on the back of her neck and reached up to rub it.
Liu Ce continued, “Five years after Tao Ke was bullied into jumping to her death, her mother also died in a car accident.”
Gu Shaohua let out a sigh of lament.
Who would have thought that a small bracelet could unravel the tragedy of an entire family?
Liu Ce said, “After Tao Ke’s suicide, her mother never reported any missing belongings, so no one knew Tao Ke’s bracelet had been stolen. Not to mention, ten years have passed—and given Tao Ke’s family’s financial situation back then, they couldn’t have afforded an antique like this.”
“But it is mine. It’s something my father left me.”
Tao Ke’s voice was hoarse, still retaining the state she was in at the moment of death.
Her eyeballs had fallen out, her mouth was crooked, and brain matter was smeared across her face.
This terrifying scene was visible only to Shen Wangshu.
However, after her death, she had been swept into the otherworld, where she had witnessed far more horrifying sights.
Compared to that, Tao Ke’s current appearance was, to Shen Wangshu, almost cute in its horror.
On the television, after Jia Xiaoyu finished singing a song, her cheeks flushed red as she thanked the camera.
When the host asked how she managed to stay so lively and cheerful ever since her debut, even when attacked by haters, Jia Xiaoyu smiled and said, “Because I have parents who love me! As their only daughter, they’ve given me all the love they have.”
At that, Shen Wangshu watched Tao Ke lunge at the television again.
Too bad there was a screen in the way.
Seeing that Shen Wangshu had been silent the whole time, Gu Shaohua spoke up. “Wangshu, what’s wrong?”
Shen Wangshu pointed at Jia Xiaoyu on the TV. “This person isn’t an only child. Her fate shows she has siblings—and they’re only three months apart.”
Gu Shaohua had been away as an exchange student back then, but Liu Ce hadn’t.
Liu Ce looked utterly baffled. “Don’t tell me Tao Ke and Jia Xiaoyu were sisters?”
High school was too far in the past. From what he remembered, Tao Ke was a quiet, reserved classmate, while Jia Xiaoyu ran with a little clique in class.
It wasn’t until after Tao Ke’s suicide that it came out she had been bullied by Jia Xiaoyu’s group.
But with Jia Xiaoyu’s transfer to another school, the matter was suppressed by the administration, and it eventually faded into nothing.
Shen Wangshu gave an enigmatic smile. “Officer, if you’re asking me, I wouldn’t know either. It’s not like I can see the future.”
Liu Ce: “…”
Gu Shaohua took Shen Wangshu’s hand. “Oh, this is supposed to be something you two investigate. Why are you asking Wangshu? She’s not in good health—don’t pile questions on her. Wangshu, have you eaten dinner yet?”
Shen Wangshu nodded. “I have, but I could eat a bit more.”
“Perfect, I had the kitchen save you a nutritious meal.” Gu Shaohua waved her hand at Liu Ce. “I won’t see you out.”
Liu Ce: “…”
He hadn’t even been there ten minutes!
Once it was just Gu Shaohua and Shen Wangshu, Gu Shaohua could no longer hold back.
“Wangshu, just tell me straight—what did you divine?”
Shen Wangshu smiled. “Miss Gu, you’re giving me too much credit. But you might want to catch Jia Xiaoyu’s livestream at eight tonight. Maybe you’ll find the answer you’re looking for.”
At eight o’clock sharp.
Shen Wangshu washed herself clean and sat down in front of her computer.
A hairdryer hovered above her head, blowing her hair dry.
She registered an account for herself, changed her display name, and opened Jia Xiaoyu’s livestream room.
Ever since tossing the bracelet away, Jia Xiaoyu had stopped having nightmares, and her energy and spirits had improved considerably.
She sat in her livestream room, playfully charming her fans.
“I’m going to start filming next week, so I won’t be able to spend time with you guys on such a fixed schedule anymore.”
“I really like this role, and I hope you’ll like it too when the time comes.”
“Oh, my assistant is here with my dinner!”
Jia Xiaoyu sat in her livestream room and opened up her dinner—it was all vegetables, not a trace of meat to be seen.
Fans were heartbroken.
A knock sounded at Shen Wangshu’s door.
Without looking up, she said, “Come in.”
Gu Lingyun pushed the door open and saw a hairdryer floating in mid-air. He took a deep breath and closed the door again.
When he opened it once more, Shen Wangshu was holding the hairdryer normally, drying her hair.
His face dark as ink, he walked in and tossed a jacket in front of Shen Wangshu.
“I’ve brought my brother’s jacket for you. Now, about my money troubles—what do I need to do to get you to lift this curse on me?”
Even though Gu Qingyan hadn’t worn this jacket in years, it still carried traces of his spiritual providence.
Shen Wangshu put it on without a second thought, wrapping herself in the great one’s spiritual providence, which brought a bit more color to her face.
She bit open her finger and flicked a drop of blood onto Gu Lingyun’s eyelid.
Gu Lingyun shrieked, “Ah! What did you do to me?”
Then he heard a strange, hoarse voice in the room.
The voice was also eerily ethereal.
It said, “You look like a demon that’s sucked up all the vital essence.”
Gu Lingyun followed the sound and saw, in the corner of the room, something that looked like a corpse.
He rubbed his eyes, making sure he wasn’t hallucinating.
Then that thing darted in front of him.
Baring a bloody, gaping mouth, it said, “You! Can! See! Me!”
Gu Lingyun: “AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH…”
The scream seemed to pierce the night sky.
But as a servant passed by the door, not a sound could be heard.
Shen Wangshu had cast a silencing spell on Gu Lingyun. He could only stare in terror, his eyes wide, unable to utter a word.
Jia Xiaoyu had reached the daily live-stream connection segment.
She connected to Shen Wangshu’s stream.
Jia Xiaoyu spoke up, “Hey, this fan named Xuanyue, why is your stream screen black? Didn’t you turn on your camera?”
Gu Lingyun watched as Shen Wangshu’s mouth opened and closed, clearly producing a male voice.
Shen Wangshu said, “Jia Xiaoyu, you shouldn’t deceive your fans. You’re not an only child—you have an older sister, three months older than you. You were jealous of her, bullied her, and drove her to attempt suicide.”