“Thank you for the flowers.”
In the car, Yun Mojiu lowered her head to smell the roses in her hand.
“They’re very fragrant.”
“I’m glad you like them. I hope I didn’t startle you,” Xiao Junhe said lazily, leaning back in his seat with a faint smile curling his lips.
“You went out of your way to support me, how could that be startling? If anything, I should be the one thanking you.”
Earlier, Jian An had not only delivered flowers but also made a deliberate speech. If Yun Mojiu hadn’t realized Xiao Junhe had come specifically to back her up and provoke Xie Jingling, she might as well have thrown her brain away.
It wasn’t hard to understand why Xiao Junhe had shown up.
After all, she had restored his ability to walk, and in the future, she might even become his lifesaver.
He had been at the hospital that day and knew today marked her official divorce from Xie Jingling. So, it wasn’t surprising that he’d come out of gratitude.
Still, it was thoughtful of him.
Yun Mojiu decided she’d give him a discount in the future.
Xiao Junhe’s lips curved slightly. “Miss Yun is very perceptive.”
After a pause, he added, “It’s almost noon. Would you like to have lunch together?”
“…Sure.”
After a moment’s thought, Yun Mojiu agreed.
Her family wasn’t home today anyway, so eating out was fine.
Besides, he had just helped her. It would be impolite to leave without any acknowledgment.
The car soon arrived at a Sichuan restaurant.
“I heard this place is quite famous, so I thought we could try it. I hope you can handle spicy food, Miss Yun?”
Yun Mojiu nodded. “I can. I actually really like Sichuan cuisine.”
Both Yun Changhong and Du Qing were originally from Jincheng and had only moved to the capital for university.
So, their family had grown up accustomed to Sichuan flavors.
“Good. I was worried it might not suit your taste,” Xiao Junhe said, his brow lifting slightly.
Jian An, sitting in the front, silently scoffed: What do you mean, ‘worried’? You had me dig up all the details beforehand, you knew Miss Yun loves Sichuan food and specifically picked this place!
Yun Mojiu and Xiao Junhe got out of the car and walked toward the restaurant.
The establishment was housed in an antique building by the street, elegantly decorated with a grand atmosphere. A pair of imposing stone lions stood guard at the entrance, a clear sign of the owner’s refined taste.
But…
There was actually a… ghost inside!
And not just any ghost, one dressed in a gray robe, looking every bit like an ancient scholar!
As soon as the two entered, the ghost floated over.
“Wow, why does this man have such strong imperial aura? His fate is incredible, so envious! Why don’t I have that?”
“These two are so good-looking too! Heaven has been way too kind to them! Ugh, I’m so jealous!”
It circled around them, muttering incessantly.
Yun Mojiu gave it a faint glance.
“Huh? You can see me?”
Noticing her look, the ghost immediately floated right in front of her and waved a hand.
Yun Mojiu stared straight ahead, ignoring it.
“Oh… guess not.”
The ghost sighed in disappointment.
“It’s been so many years. Other than that hanged ghost with the crooked neck and Ahua next door, no one else has been able to see me. Ah, ‘lonely bones lie restless at night, while crickets chirp in endless plight’…”
Hearing this, Yun Mojiu’s lips twitched slightly.
The two entered a private dining room.
Xiao Junhe pulled out a chair for Yun Mojiu before taking his seat across from her.
“Wait, don’t-”
Before Yun Mojiu could finish, Xiao Junhe had already sat down right on top of the ghost.
Yun Mojiu: “…”
Well, it was too late now.
“Tsk tsk, how rude! Doesn’t he know men should keep proper distance from each other?”
The ghost instantly floated away in agitation.
Xiao Junhe carried an aura of purple energy, making it impossible for ordinary spirits to approach him.
But this ghost had cultivated for over a thousand years.
So even after touching Xiao Junhe, it wasn’t much affected.
“Don’t what?”
Seeing Yun Mojiu hesitate, Xiao Junhe looked puzzled.
Yun Mojiu fell silent for a moment before deciding not to say anything.
Xiao Junhe probably wouldn’t want to know what had just happened to him.
“Nothing. I was just wondering if there’s a menu. I’m a bit hungry and wanted to see what dishes they have.”
Though Xiao Junhe sensed that wasn’t what Yun Mojiu had originally meant to say, he didn’t press further.
He handed her the menu.
Yun Mojiu ordered a few of her favorite dishes before passing it back to Xiao Junhe.
“See if there’s anything else you’d like?”
Xiao Junhe added a few more dishes.
While waiting for the food, Yun Mojiu and Xiao Junhe took a stroll in the courtyard.
The garden was lush with blooming flowers, featuring a small fountain where elegant rockeries stood amidst lively fish darting playfully in the pond.
“Shut up!”
Yun Mojiu suddenly snapped.
She couldn’t stand the ghost beside her chattering nonstop, admiring how vibrant the flowers were, envying the birds flying freely in the sky, then seething with jealousy over some man’s eight-pack abs…
Honestly, even a blade of grass by the roadside would trigger his envy.
It made her want to stuff his mouth shut!
Her outburst left both the man and the ghost stunned.
Xiao Junhe looked innocent.
He… hadn’t said anything, had he?
Meanwhile, the ghost grew excited.
It floated right up to Yun Mojiu, pointing at itself with a tilted head, eagerly asking, “Are you talking to me? You can see me, right?!”
“Follow me.”
Without another word, Yun Mojiu turned and walked straight back to their private room.
The ghost eagerly trailed after her.
Xiao Junhe, utterly confused, obediently followed as well.
Once inside, Yun Mojiu pulled out a talisman and flung it at the ghost.
Instantly, the ghost’s form materialized.
Xiao Junhe, who had just stepped in: “?!”
Staring at the sudden appearance of an ancient-dressed figure in the room, his eyes flickered in shock.
“This is…?”
“Hello! I’m Gu Ling! I’m a ghost, but don’t be scared, I’m a good ghost! I won’t hurt anyone. Though, wow, you’re so handsome! So enviable… And your legs are so long! What did you eat growing up? Ugh, so jealous.”
Overjoyed that someone could finally see and talk to him, the ghost rambled excitedly in introduction.
Xiao Junhe’s lips twitched slightly.
This ghost… talked way too much.
“Why linger in the mortal realm instead of moving on?”
Yun Mojiu leisurely settled into her chair, lifting her teacup for a sip.
Gu Ling sighed deeply.
“You think I don’t want to? But I can’t leave this place.”
“How did you die?” Yun Mojiu pressed.
Gu Ling shook his head. “I don’t know. I just went to sleep and woke up like this. If I try to wander too far, I get pulled right back here.”
He spread his hands helplessly.
“Tell me, why am I the only one like this?”
He floated up idly, conjuring two streams of dark mist to form a swing, then began swaying on it by himself.
“Ah, how I envy you all, being able to go wherever you want. It’s truly maddening. I wish I could wander around too.”
Just then, a waiter walked in carrying dishes.
But the moment he looked up, he saw Gu Ling swaying back and forth in midair.
Instantly, his face turned pale with terror.
His mouth fell open as he let out a horrified scream.
“AAAAAHHHHH! A GHOST! AAAAAHHHHH!”