Around 8 p.m.
After respectfully seeing Yan He off, Zhuang Xuan sat on the sofa, lost in thought. He sampled the tea again. This West Lake Longjing, even Yan He had praised its aroma. It must be something extraordinary.
Inspired, Zhuang Xuan carefully stored the unwrapped tea cake, planning to use it for entertaining future important guests.
Meanwhile, Mu Bai followed Yan He back to the villa. He floated through the rooms, checking that there was no sign of other ghosts before finally relaxing.
Once satisfied, he went immediately to inspect his new target, who had been recently frightened and anxious.
The new target sat calmly on the sofa, far more composed than the frowning, worried version Mu Bai had seen at the neighboring villa.
Mu Bai exhaled in relief. He crossed his legs and sat with the new target, thinking: he had to make sure his food source remained secure. If other ghosts got to Yan He first, he’d be back to starving days.
After Mu Bai returned to the villa, it seemed lively again. The robotic vacuum hummed busily across the floor, the TV played the latest movie, and a stack of manga sat on the coffee table.
Only now, there was also a water ghost in the large fish tank.
Mu Bai floated over. “You really aren’t going to soak in the pool next door?”
The water ghost, expressionless, stared coldly from the tank. “No.”
He was determined to stay, observing carefully for any flaw in that bird’s actions.
Mu Bai took advantage of Yan He being in the shower to retrieve a water algae-cleaning tool from beside the fish tank. He scooped around in the water, preventing the decorations from tangling with the water ghost.
Afterward, Mu Bai placed the tool aside and solemnly reminded the water ghost, “Don’t scare him… if he loses sleep tonight, I won’t get my food.”
The water ghost, expressionless, blew two bubbles to indicate he understood.
Mu Bai relaxed and floated to the sofa, turning on the TV.
Half an hour later, Yan He emerged from the misty bathroom, drying his hair as he walked toward the living room.
The lights were set to movie mode, warm and soft. The vacuum hummed along, and the little ghost hugged a pillow, engrossed in the movie, occasionally smiling along with the plot.
Yan He’s usually cold black eyes softened slightly until he noticed the water ghost perched on the fish tank, staring at him.
Yan He: “…”
The water ghost, face still expressionless, eyes wide as saucers, fixedly stared.
Yan He calmly set down his towel, telling himself not to make sudden movements lest he frighten the little ghost watching TV.
All night, the water ghost continued staring at the man in the living room, yet gained nothing.
Yan He seemed completely oblivious to ghosts, following his usual routine: blow-drying his hair, reading, watching TV, and finally retiring to the bedroom.
Even when the little ghost slacked off, yawning and slipping behind him, Yan He’s expression didn’t change.
Throughout the house, the water ghost dashed across the ceiling, climbed the chandelier, and created chaos yet Yan He remained seated on the sofa, reading calmly, unfazed.
The water ghost stared at the mischievous little ghost, then at the man on the sofa, now doubting his own instincts.
This bird who feared darkness truly could not see ghosts, otherwise, he couldn’t be so composed.
Later in the night, after the little ghost had eaten and drunk enough, he floated out of the bedroom and tapped on the fish tank. The water ghost climbed out silently and followed him.
Mu Bai patted his shoulder, comforting him, “I know you’re worried about me, but if he could actually see me, he wouldn’t have gone so long without reacting. I came here to absorb his spiritual energy, his essence. There’s no reason he’d let me stay.”
Mu Bai laughed at his own words and continued, “It’s not as if he’s some lovesick scholar from an old tale, feeding a ghost with his body every night, right?”
In those folktales, the scholar always fell willingly for a beautiful female ghost, letting her drain his life force bit by bit, heart and soul devoted to her.
But he? He was no alluring spirit, no seductress with a voice that could ensnare men.
There was no way anyone would willingly offer themselves up to be fed upon by him.
The water ghost said nothing for a while. It was the little ghost beside him who finally asked, “Are you going back to soak in the fish tank tomorrow?”
The water ghost’s expression didn’t change. “No.”
His tone was flat, almost sulky, “His water stinks! I’m not soaking in his tank anymore. I’ll go to the one next door.”
Mu Bai fell silent. “…”
The next night, a full moon hung high above, pale and round, casting soft silver light over the quiet neighborhood.
Both floors of the villa were brightly lit.
The television in the living room was running commercials, there were still more than ten minutes before the drama that the little ghost watched every night would start.
But the little ghost himself was nowhere to be seen. He had disappeared somewhere upstairs, likely tucked away in some corner.
A man sat on the sofa, dressed casually in loose home clothes. He was flipping through a book when the sound of the doorbell broke the stillness.
Yan He paused, set down his book, and walked over to the video intercom. On the monitor appeared a gentle, elegant face, Yan Shu. Beside her stood her husband, holding several large gift boxes. From the speaker came a soft, childish voice
“Uncle Xiaohe!”
Yan He pressed the switch and opened the electronic gate.
At the doorway stood Yan Shu and her family of three. She looked far better than she had before, her complexion healthy again, her demeanor graceful and warm. Smiling softly, she said, “Xiaohe, I hope we’re not disturbing you?”
Their son, little Yan Ning, looked genuinely happy. “Uncle Xiaohe, I missed you so much!”
Yan He reached out, gently ruffling the child’s hair, “You’re not disturbing me.”
Yan Shu smiled, her tone filled with warmth. She explained that after Ningning’s spirit had been restored last time, neither she nor her husband had properly thanked Yan He for his help.
Knowing that he was busy with work and rarely attended social gatherings, they had chosen a quiet evening to come personally and show their gratitude.
Yan He glanced at the middle-aged man standing beside her, still holding those heavy boxes, and then gestured for them to come inside. “It was a small matter,” he said evenly. “You really didn’t need to make a special trip.”
Yan Shu lightly scolded, “How could you say that? You’ve turned down our invitation to join us for Mid-Autumn dinner several times already.”
“You stay home alone so often, it’s too quiet here.”
Before she could finish, she stopped abruptly at the threshold.
She had been to Yan He’s villa several times in the past, and she remembered clearly how lifeless it used to feel.
He had always been a quiet person, his home spotless and perfectly arranged, yet the silence in it had a weight of its own, cold, heavy, and airless, the kind of stillness that pressed on the chest.
But now… it was different.
The living room was bathed in the soft glow of warm light. The huge flat-screen TV filled the air with a low, familiar sound.
Several round, adorable cushions were scattered across the sofa, and a small robot vacuum hummed busily across the floor. On the coffee table lay a few open comic books.
Even the fish tank had changed. Once filled with expensive, solemn koi, it now held bright, lively little fish that darted to and fro in flashes of color.
The windows were open, and the small lamps along the garden path outside glowed a faint golden yellow. The curtains, pale and light, swayed gently with the breeze, carrying the delicate sound of wind chimes from somewhere outside.
The whole house felt alive, as though another person were living there.
Yan Shu blinked in surprise. She looked at Yan He, who was calmly pouring tea, completely at ease in this newfound warmth.
She couldn’t help smiling, her voice carrying a hint of teasing joy. “Xiaohe, are you living with someone now? Maybe they’re a bit shy and didn’t want to come down to meet us?”
Yan He’s tone was mild. “There’s no one living with me.”
Inwardly, he added silently, but there is a little ghost who stays with me.
Hearing his answer, Yan Shu’s expression dimmed slightly. She sighed softly. “No one? That’s strange… the living room feels much livelier than before.”
Yan He gave the room a glance. “It is a little livelier.”
Yan Shu smiled again, her voice gentle, “That’s a good thing. A bit of noise and warmth never hurt. It’s not good to live in silence all the time.”
She hesitated for a moment before continuing. “Oh, and don’t take what your brother-in-law said last time to heart. He’s been abroad since middle school, he’s never believed in things like spirits or superstition.”
Her husband flushed, clearly embarrassed. “Yes, last time I spoke out of turn. I was anxious and said some harsh things…”
Yan He poured the tea, the wooden beads around his wrist glinting faintly through the rising steam. His voice was calm and distant. “It’s fine.”
At that moment, a small, clear voice piped up, “Uncle Xiaohe, I need to go to the bathroom.”
Yan Shu chuckled, patting her son’s shoulder, “Go ahead, but don’t wander around.”
The boy nodded obediently and trotted off toward the bathroom.
A few minutes later,
The bathroom door creaked open. The child stepped inside, only to freeze mid-step as his eyes widened in surprise.
He had seen that silhouette before and without hesitation, he ran forward excitedly.
Mu Bai, who had just been preparing to sneak downstairs to watch TV, was startled by the sudden, high-pitched voice that burst out behind him.
“Uncle!”
Mu Bai whipped around sharply and nearly dropped his soul in shock.
It was the little boy who had gone off to reincarnate not long ago, now running toward him with pure delight.
Mu Bai stared, “What the?!”
Did reincarnation make people grow this fast nowadays?!
The boy threw himself forward, trying to hug Mu Bai’s leg like before but his arms passed straight through him, meeting only empty air.
He stood there, bewildered, staring up at the ghost. The ghost, in turn, looked equally confused.
Five minutes later, the bathroom was filled with the silence of two beings, one human, one ghost, simply staring at each other.
Mu Bai finally broke the silence. “So you’re saying you weren’t a hungry ghost after all? Last time, you’d just… gotten lost from your own body?”
Yan Ning nodded vigorously, eyes wide and earnest.
Mu Bai began to piece things together. So that was it. The child had been frail, his soul had slipped out of his body. What he’d seen before wasn’t some wandering spirit, but a living soul.
Yan Ning looked up at him, voice soft and pitiful. “Uncle… I missed you so much.”
Mu Bai scratched his head awkwardly, “Don’t call me uncle.”
“I’m not like you,” he said with a crooked grin. “I’m a ghost. Been dead for hundreds of years. I’m really not your uncle.”
The boy blinked once, then his eyes lit up, “Then… brother.”
Mu Bai couldn’t help laughing. Teasingly, he asked, “Do your parents know you go around calling strangers family?”
The child giggled, showing his small tiger teeth. “They know! Not just my mom and dad, Uncle Xiaohe knows too!”
“Uncle Xiaohe even said… ”
He stopped halfway through the sentence, abruptly covering his mouth with both hands, eyes wide.
He suddenly remembered what Uncle Xiaohe had told him in the car last time:
If he ever met this “big brother” again, he mustn’t tell him that Uncle Xiaohe could also see him.
Otherwise, the big brother might get scared and run away.
Little Yan Ning didn’t really understand why, but he didn’t want to frighten the person in front of him, so he clamped his mouth shut tightly and refused to speak another word.
Mu Bai, however, grew tense. “Uncle Xiaohe?” he asked cautiously.
“The person downstairs named Yan He, he’s your uncle?”
Yan Ning nodded.
Mu Bai swallowed hard. “Can you promise me something?”
The boy looked up at him with clear eyes.
Mu Bai said softly, “From now on… don’t tell your Uncle Xiaohe that you can see me, okay?”
Yan Ning blinked in confusion.
Why did both his brother and his Uncle Xiaohe ask him for the same thing?
Still, he nodded earnestly. “Okay. I won’t tell Uncle Xiaohe about you anymore.”
Mu Bai breathed a sigh of relief. He quickly made up an excuse. “I’m afraid if you tell him, he’ll get scared.”
Yan Ning scratched his head, puzzled.
Mu Bai added solemnly, “Your Uncle Xiaohe is timid, he’s scared of ghosts.”
The boy’s eyes rounded, “Really?”
He seemed to think for a moment, then murmured, “Uncle Xiaohe told me that when he was little, he also got lost once, just like me.”
“Mom said Uncle Xiaohe was gone for a very, very long time. They almost couldn’t get him back.”
Mu Bai froze for a second, then suddenly understood what “lost” meant.
Yan He… had lost his soul as a child. He’d nearly never made it back. No wonder he feared ghosts so much.
Mu Bai’s expression softened, something complicated flickering behind his eyes.
Then he heard the boy say with a bright smile, “But it’s okay, I met you, brother.”
Mu Bai was startled.
He couldn’t help but think, ten or so years ago, when Yan He had been that lost little boy, was he like this one too? Wandering, frightened, starving, hiding in cardboard boxes and trash bins, bullied by other spirits?
Has that child ever met someone like him?
If not, then how had Yan He, all alone, found his way back home?
The thought made Mu Bai’s chest tighten with a strange, wordless ache.
Just then, someone knocked on the bathroom door.
A deep voice came from outside. “Ningning?”
“Are you still in there?”
Mu Bai immediately tensed. He held a finger to his lips and pointed at himself, shaking his head firmly.
Yan Ning nodded quickly. Then he turned toward the door and called out loudly, “I’m here!”
“Uncle Xiaohe, I’m using the bathroom. I’ll be out soon!”
Mu Bai exhaled in relief. He whispered, “You’ve been in here a while. If you don’t go out soon, they’ll start worrying.”
The boy hesitated, reluctant. “Then… will I see you again next time?”
He dug through his pockets and took out several small packets of snacks, holding them out carefully. “I saved lots of treats for you.”
“Last time, you gave me yummy things, but I didn’t get to give you anything.”
Mu Bai looked at the child’s handful of snacks and coughed, pretending to sound mysterious, “Oh, I’ve already had those before.”
“I eat much better things now than what you have there.”
As expected, the boy’s eyes widened with curiosity, “Really? What do you eat every day?”
Mu Bai said inwardly, Your uncle’s spiritual energy. Fresh, rich, delicious.
But aloud, he only said seriously, “You wouldn’t understand. You’ll know when you grow up.”
The boy nodded solemnly, even though he clearly didn’t understand a word.
He still looked happy, after all, the brother who once scavenged trash with him was now eating something so “amazing” every day.
The ghost and the child leaned close together, whispering back and forth for a while longer.
Finally, after promising again and again that he would never tell anyone he could see ghosts, Yan Ning reluctantly opened the bathroom door, taking one last look back before stepping out.
He cleared his throat and said, “Uncle, I’m done.”
Yan He replied with a soft “Mm.” He took the boy’s hand and led him downstairs.
As they descended, he asked quietly, “Did you see that big brother?”
Yan Ning pressed his lips together, suddenly serious. Feeling the weight of a great secret, he shook his head vigorously. “I don’t know! I don’t know anything!”
He looked like a little secret agent under interrogation, firm, unyielding, full of purpose.
Yan He: “…”
He had only meant to ask whether the ghost had talked about him, nothing more.
When they reached the living room, Yan Shu glanced over, a bit worried. “Ningning, what took you so long?”
The boy threw himself into her arms. “Sorry, Mommy.”
Yan Shu chuckled, brushing her hand through his soft hair. “Silly boy, what are you apologizing for?”
As the family sat together on the sofa chatting, Yan He got up and went to the kitchen to prepare some fruit for the guests.
He opened the refrigerator, took out a few easy to cut fruits, and washed them carefully under the running tap.
At some point, the little ghost had drifted into the kitchen too. Seeing the unfamiliar people in the living room, he seemed a bit wary and chose instead to hide quietly here, keeping him company.
Yan He thought back to what Yan Shu had said earlier, “Maybe the person upstairs is just shy and doesn’t want to come down to meet us.”
He thought to himself, Yes… a little shy, and a little afraid of strangers.
The small ghost sat on the countertop, legs swinging, watching him slice the fruit.
When Yan He carried the fruit tray back to the living room, the little ghost followed along behind him, floating silently like a shadow.
Half an hour later, the polite conversation drew to a close. Yan He walked the family to the door to see them off.
Yan Shu, wrapped in her shawl, smiled at him and said, “It’s alright, no need to see us off. We were the ones disturbing you tonight. This year, I hope you’ll spend the Mid-Autumn Festival with us.”
Yan He nodded, watching the family of three approach the black Bentley.
Before getting in, the family waved at him. Young Yan Ning waved with all his might, almost bouncing as he shouted, “Bye-bye, Uncle Xiaohe!”
“.. Bye”
Yan He waved back at the door. The little ghost, still lying atop Yan He’s head, also waved vigorously, bidding farewell to the boy.
Yan Shu laughed softly as she buckled the almost-jumping child into the car seat. Before leaving, she glanced back at the lone figure standing at the door, letting out a quiet sigh. “Uncle Xiaohe is still alone, isn’t he…”
Seeing Yan He alone at the doorway, after witnessing the lively family just moments ago, inevitably stirred a pang of sympathy.
But little Yan Ning, sitting in his car seat, turned to the door, noticing the ghost lying atop Yan He’s head waving, and shook his head, muttering in his childish voice, “He’s not alone, he’s not alone…”
Yan Shu tapped his nose, smiling. “And how do you know your Uncle Xiaohe isn’t alone?”
The boy’s lips curled into a sly grin. “I just know…”
Of course, he had to keep this secret for both his brother and Uncle Xiaohe. Not even his mother would know.
The boy rubbed his eyes, pretending to be sleepy, but a hidden excitement danced in his chest.
Watching the black Bentley slowly drive away, Yan He had just closed the door when he noticed the little ghost slumped on the sofa, looking as though he had just hosted the family of three himself.
A faint smile curved Yan He’s lips. He tidied up the fruit on the coffee table and recalled the reminder from Yan Shu’s husband earlier about changes in their overseas business partners’ executive team. Deciding to check the documents, he walked into his study.
The little ghost had stayed behind in the living room, likely reading comics, and hadn’t followed him into the study.
Yan He opened his laptop, printed some files, and bent over to study the documents.
Time slipped by silently. Outside, the summer night suddenly stirred; the wind floated through, setting the wind chimes to tinkle and sway.
The little ghost, playing downstairs, mistook the sound for Yan He adjusting the wind chimes before bed. He floated up toward the bedroom but found no one there.
He drifted around for a moment before finally spotting Yan He in the study, still bent over the documents.
Seeming tired from his own play, the little ghost propped his chin on his hands and gazed at Yan He with no intention of sleeping. After a yawn, he eventually laid his head on the desk and fell asleep.
Here, he had almost no defenses; it didn’t take long before he was sound asleep.
Yan He couldn’t help but chuckle. He didn’t understand why a ghost could get tired.
Smiling faintly, he returned to his documents, but after a while, he realized he couldn’t focus. He set the papers aside and instead watched the little ghost sleep.
Looking at the peaceful child, Yan He remembered what Yan Shu had said tonight:
“These sofa cushions don’t look like your style.”
Indeed, they weren’t. Soft, round, plush, completely unlike Yan He’s usual upright, restrained posture that would never accommodate such fluffy things.
But the little ghost often snuggled with the cushions left behind by Yan Zhang in the storage room, and seemed to genuinely enjoy them.
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ChaptersChapter 1 · New TargetChapter 2 · Pervert Little Ghost?Chapter 3 · Little one is MischievousChapter 4 · New MountChapter 5 · Fake Master?Chapter 6 · Blanket StolenChapter 7 · A presentChapter 8 · Rhino HornChapter 9 · Clinging like body PillowChapter 9 · Meeting Old FriendChapter 11 · Just like ChildChapter 12 · New AddictionsChapter 13 · Jinxed StarChapter 14 · Creeping out the old IdiotChapter 14 · Creeping out the old IdiotChapter 15 · New Set of ClothesChapter 16 · Big Wife, Little WifeChapter 17 · Chapter SE 17: Raising as A SonChapter 18 · Another Ghost?!Chapter 19 · Scared away the Evil ghostChapter 20 · NingNing’s SoulChapter 20 · Chapter SE 20: NingNing’s SoulChapter 21 · Green TeaChapter 22 · VisitChapter 23 · Turned into DollChapter 24 · Reunited with Yan HeChapter 25 · I’m UglyChapter 26 · I will stomp youChapter 27 · Ghost AgainChapter 28 · Looking for new HostChapter 29 · Just a BiteChapter 30 · Chapter SE 30: BurnChapter 31 · Trapped Again!Chapter 32 · Call me Lord Official….Chapter 33 · I devote myself to you completely…Chapter 34 · Husband or son?Chapter 35 · Ghost sleep during Day time….Chapter 36 · You could buy more than four thousand sticksChapter 37 · Gu TingChapter 38 · Looks familiarChapter 39 · You’re sleeping with my ancestor?!Chapter 40 · Great great great great GrandsonChapter 41 · We can afford itChapter 42 · HotpotChapter 43 · New StoryChapter 44 · Past Memories…Chapter 45 · Kidnapping Ancestor!Chapter 46 · Copy Buddhist scripturesChapter 47 · Ancestor Flew away…Chapter 48 · Xiao He might not be spending his birthday aloneChapter 49 · May everything go as you wishChapter 50 · I lied…Chapter 51 · Young Master turned into half humanChapter 52 · LettersChapter 53 · Lord OxChapter 54 · Male… destined love???Chapter 55 · A kindred spiritChapter 56 · Chapter SE 56: I like YouChapter 57 · Yan ZhangChapter 58 · Is two hours a bit too short?Chapter 59 · Going down the middle is indeed the correct choiceChapter 60 · Excel spreadsheetsChapter 61 · He had forgotten to tell A’Sheng.Chapter 62 · The person he disliked most had become the young mistress?Chapter 63 · Rip him to shredsChapter 64 · I was wrongChapter 65 · Lord Mu is very happyChapter 66 · I’m about to get marriedChapter 67 · I want to go on a date with youChapter 68 · You’d probably overturn the entire underworldChapter 69 · Head tableChapter 70 · It was meChapter 71 · Junior King of HellChapter 72 · His wife is a little ghost who lies on the bedChapter 73 · Chen LanChapter 74 · Sister in LawChapter 75 · Chapter SE 75: Pick up my boyfriend from workChapter 75 · Extra 1Chapter 76 · Can you still talkChapter 77 · Aren’t you going to ask about yourselfChapter 77 · Extra 3Chapter 77 · Extra 2Chapter 78 · How many ordinary little spirits dare fall in love with the Yan King?Chapter 78 · Extra 4Chapter 79 · I never realized that the bird man’s status was so high… Yan KingChapter 79 · Extra 5Chapter 80 · I’ve ridden on the little Yan King’s headChapter 80 · Extra 6Chapter 81 · Is… this very important?Chapter 81 · Extra 7Chapter 82 · Young master… will you marry me?Chapter 82 · Extra 8Chapter 83 · He’s just a stubborn little old manChapter 84 · End of Main StoryChapter 93 · Extra 9Chapter 94 · Extra 10