Sister Sun was truly about to be infuriated by her underachieving son. Having poor grades was one thing, but his terrible attitude toward studying was another—he had actually copied someone else’s work!
“Xiao Ran’s grades are excellent. Couldn’t you just ask him for advice? Instead, you copied his homework. It seems you’re asking for a beating!”
Once they got home, she would definitely teach this naughty child a lesson.
However, Jiang Ran’s grades were indeed outstanding. Since kindergarten, he had always been at the top of his class, and after entering elementary school, he consistently ranked first in city-wide standardized exams. Hong Jie and her husband couldn’t have been prouder.
It was precisely because their son was so exceptional that Hong Jie and her husband were utterly devastated after losing him.
Xiao Sheng pouted, “I just can’t learn it. Maybe my IQ is low… I heard IQ is inherited from the mother…”
“You little rascal!” Sister Sun immediately covered his mouth, not letting him continue. If he said any more, she would lose face in front of Xiao Fu!
Xi Mufu found it amusing but pretended not to hear anything.
“By the way, how did you manage to see Xiao Ran?” Sister Sun awkwardly changed the subject.
Logically speaking, her son was already over ten years old and shouldn’t be able to see supernatural entities as easily as infants could.
Xiao Sheng replied, “I’m not sure either. I just remember one day after breakfast, I went out to play and saw Xiao Ran pacing back and forth in front of his family’s shop. So, I went up to say hello to him.”
Sister Sun: “…”
Xi Mufu: “…”
This child’s heart was truly carefree.
Xi Mufu carefully examined Xiao Sheng’s Life Palace and said, “It might be because the fireworks and firecrackers during the New Year were too loud. He was frightened the night before, and the next day, his soul was somewhat unstable, which allowed him to see wraiths.”
Sister Sun recalled, “That’s right, that’s right! I remember a few days before the New Year, the shop next to mine set off firecrackers. My son happened to be passing by and was so scared his face turned pale. It took him a long time to recover. Later, when I saw his complexion return to normal and he seemed energetic, I didn’t think much of it. So, he was still affected after all.”
“I had a nightmare that night,” Xiao Sheng looked up and told Sister Sun. “I dreamed that you were sick, Mom, and I kept crying… Mom, I love you. Please don’t get sick…”
Sister Sun’s lips parted slightly.
Who could understand this feeling? One moment, she was embarrassed by her child, and the next, she was moved to tears.
“You little rascal,” Sister Sun repeated the same words, but her tone had shifted to one of affection.
Xi Mufu watched silently, thinking to herself that this was probably the joy and happiness of raising a child.
“Then why was Xiao Ran lingering in front of his family’s shop?” Sister Sun asked Xi Mufu curiously after her moment of emotion. “He passed away during the summer vacation. Logically, he should have gone to the Underworld long ago.”
Xi Mufu turned to look at Jiang Ran.
Jiang Ran scratched his head, “I’m not sure either. Maybe it’s because I didn’t want to leave my parents, and it turned into an obsession.”
His soul would consistently appear in front of his family’s shop and downstairs in their residential complex. He only wanted to see his parents, but for some reason, he hadn’t seen them even once in the past six months.
Sister Sun sighed, “After you passed away, your parents were deeply affected and have been unwilling to see anyone. They probably rarely go out.”
Jiang Ran’s expression was filled with melancholy, “If only I hadn’t gone for a walk by the river…”
Then he wouldn’t have fallen into the river, and his parents wouldn’t be grieving.
Sister Sun looked at him with deep sympathy, reaching out to pat his head through the air before turning to Xi Mufu with a troubled expression. “Xiao Fu, do you have a way to get Xiao Ran out without hurting him?”
Having watched Jiang Ran grow up, she couldn’t bear to see such a good child’s soul scattered to the winds. Yet she also needed to save her own son, so she could only turn to Xi Mufu, hoping she had a solution that would satisfy both needs.
Xi Mufu, being new to the Xuanmen, genuinely didn’t know how to extract a wraith without harming it. Just then, Zhang San Elder reminded her from behind, “Try to see if you can control the Gong De on your body.”
When Xi Mufu had rushed out to meet Sister Sun earlier, not only had Ji Jiu followed, but both elders and Shan Qu had also come along quietly, observing how Xi Mufu handled the situation. It was only when she encountered this difficulty that they offered guidance.
Xi Mufu’s comprehension was exceptional; she instantly grasped Zhang San Elder’s meaning. If she could control the Golden Light of Merit, she could avoid harming Jiang Ran’s wraith. Immediately, she focused her spirit and energy, attempting to adjust and control her merit.
Gradually, a golden halo enveloped her, and soon her entire body was bathed in golden light.
Sister Sun stared in awe, exclaiming involuntarily, “Xiao Fu, you look just like a piece of gold now!”
Xi Mufu: “…”
She quite liked gold, so she took Sister Sun’s comment as a compliment.
Then, concentrating her mind, she tried to use the merit to slowly wrap around Xiao Sheng’s soul, protecting him. However, the golden light inevitably touched Jiang Ran’s wraith.
“Do you feel any discomfort? Does it feel like you’re burning all over?” she asked Jiang Ran.
Jiang Ran shook his head. “I feel a bit warm, but it doesn’t hurt.”
That was good!
Realizing she had nearly mastered the technique, Xi Mufu continued using the merit to protect Xiao Sheng while gradually pushing Jiang Ran’s soul out.
Sister Sun could see strands of golden light shining from Xi Mufu onto her son, finding it utterly miraculous. Having long heard the townsfolk praise Xi Mufu highly, she trusted her completely. Especially now, witnessing Xi Mufu’s actions, she was convinced Xi Mufu was a true master. Thus, she calmed down entirely, waiting quietly for Xi Mufu to rescue both her son and Jiang Ran.
After about ten minutes, Jiang Ran finally left Xiao Sheng’s body, with both children’s souls unharmed. It was crucial to note that if Xiao Sheng’s soul had been damaged, he could have turned intellectually impaired. Fortunately, Xi Mufu had been extremely careful to avoid injuring either child.
“Done.” Fine beads of sweat appeared on Xi Mufu’s forehead. After all, it was her first time using the Golden Light of Merit on such a scale, and she felt physically exhausted.
She suddenly thought how fortunate it was that Grandpa Ma Yong had given her so much merit yesterday; otherwise, she definitely wouldn’t have been able to complete such a difficult soul separation.
“Xiao Fu, thank you! You’ve worked hard!” Sister Sun hugged her son tightly, expressing her gratitude to Xi Mufu.
She could tell Xi Mufu had given her all to save her son. Although the golden light around Xi Mufu was gradually fading, returning her to an ordinary appearance, Xi Mufu’s image in her mind remained undiminished. She had already begun to worship Xi Mufu as a Half-Immortal.
Xi Mufu waved her hand dismissively.
Sister Sun paused, her eyes darting toward her son as she asked in a low voice, “Is Xiao Ran still here?”
Xiao Sheng nodded.
After a few seconds of silence, Sister Sun looked at Xi Mufu and said, “That child Xiao Ran is quite pitiful… I wonder if it’s possible to send him for reincarnation?”
She had actually considered letting Xiao Ran visit his parents, but she worried that since Hong Jie and her husband hadn’t yet moved past their grief, and Xiao Ran would eventually have to go to the Underworld for reincarnation anyway, his appearing only to disappear again would surely deepen their sorrow. With this thought, she didn’t dare bring it up.
Hearing this, her son objected excitedly: “I don’t want Xiao Ran to be reincarnated! Can’t Xiao Ran stay? I want him to help me with my homework…” Catching his mother’s murderous glare, he quickly and cleverly amended, “I mean, I want Xiao Ran to tutor me!”
Sister Sun: “…”
Xi Mufu: “…”
Admittedly, though this kid’s grades were poor, his mind was quite sharp.