Zhou Xin was about to pull off Ji Tong’s blanket – this was the seventh time she’d called her to get up.

After bidding farewell to He Feng last night, Ji Tong had been lost in thought for a long time, tossing and turning in the latter half of the night, unable to fall asleep.

In the early morning, Ji Tong brushed her teeth listlessly with swollen eyes while Zhou Xin bustled about, nagging intermittently and urging her to move faster.

Breakfast was pumpkin porridge and pan-fried buns. Just because Ji Tong had casually mentioned yesterday that she wanted steamed buns from Jinghua Long, Zhou Xin had gotten up early and run three kilometers to buy them.

Lacking sleep, Ji Tong felt dizzy and had no appetite. She only ate one bun and drank a few sips of porridge before heading to school. Seeing her pale complexion, Zhou Xin was worried and nagged all the way in the car. Even when Ji Tong entered the school gate, she shouted, “Eat more at lunch! If you feel unwell, ask for leave and come home!”

Ji Tong wasn’t late, arriving just in time. Gan Ting was sitting with her legs crossed, eating bread. Seeing Ji Tong approach, she quickly uncrossed her legs, “You’re so late today – I’ve been waiting forever!”

“I overslept.”

“Didn’t sleep well? Your eyes are all red.”

“It was fine, just went to bed late.” Ji Tong took out test papers and books from her backpack one by one, arranging them neatly.

After finishing her bread, Gan Ting licked her fingers and took a half-box of milk, gulping down two mouthfuls, “Quick, quick, quick, let me copy your test papers.”

Ji Tong was too lazy to search and directly handed her a stack of papers, “I did them in a hurry, there might be many mistakes.”

“No problem, still better than mine.” Gan Ting took out her blank test papers and began copying.

“You should still—” Ji Tong swallowed the rest of her sentence, withdrew her gaze, and found her English book, randomly opening to a page. Among the dense words, she happened to see it. Ji Tong softly read it aloud, “Ghost.”

“What are you smiling about?” Gan Ting wrote furiously while glancing at her sideways, “Your expression is quite interesting. Something going on with Li Qu? Or have you set your sights on some little classmate? Want me to play matchmaker?”

Ji Tong seemed unaware of her own smile. She raised her hand to pinch her cheeks, controlling her expression, “No.”

“Even if there was, you’d hide it from me.” Gan Ting snorted, “Not loyal.”

Ji Tong suddenly asked her, “Do you believe in past lives?”

Gan Ting buried her head in copying test papers and chuckled lightly, “I do.”

Ji Tong perked up with interest, but then heard her say, “In my past life, I was a wealthy Shanghai heiress who studied abroad in Paris. Countless young men fell at my feet, and with one smile, all of Shanghai went crazy for me.”

“…”

Gan Ting glanced up at her briefly, her eyes curved like crescent moons with laughter, “I tested it on a website. Want to try it?”

“No.” Ji Tong continued reading her book, but after barely two lines, she asked again, “Do you believe in ghosts?”

“I do.”

Ji Tong’s interest returned.

“There’s one right behind you.”

Ji Tong actually turned around to look.

Gan Ting burst into laughter, “How can you be so naive? You’re too easy to fool! I say there’s a ghost and you believe it! Where would ghosts come from in broad daylight? Haha.”

“…” There was nothing more to discuss. Ji Tong sighed inwardly, “Hurry up and write.”

“Help me keep watch – tell me if the teacher comes.”

“Okay.”

…

Ji Tong didn’t see He Feng all day. To get a good rank in the monthly exam, she buried herself in studying, not even sparing the ten-minute breaks. She had too many questions she wanted to ask him – she had to win this bet.

He Feng had vanished. At first, Ji Tong thought he was just staying away to avoid affecting her studies, but even after the exams ended, no matter how she called for him, He Feng didn’t appear.

Ji Tong grew worried, afraid he had left without saying goodbye like last time, or that he’d encountered trouble at work as a patrol officer.

There was still one day of class before the holiday, with normal evening study hall.

Ji Tong couldn’t focus on studying, her heart set on going home. The more anxious she became, the longer time seemed to drag. She practically counted the minutes, wishing she could rush home immediately.

But when she got home, He Feng still didn’t appear.

Ji Tong lay sprawled on her desk, boredly spinning her pen, listening to the tick-tock of the clock, unable to do a single problem.

…

The next day, results for two subjects came out. The scores were ideal, but she couldn’t feel happy at all. On one hand, she’d pushed herself too hard the past few days and was exhausted. On the other hand, He Feng was missing, and having no one to share her joy with made her mood even worse.

She was listless all day.

In the evening, the dismissal bell rang, and cheers echoed throughout the building.

Holiday time.

Zhou Xin didn’t come to pick up Ji Tong, so she walked home dejectedly by herself.

He Feng stood waiting for her under a plane tree.

The moment Ji Tong spotted him, she stopped in her tracks, then pretended not to see him and walked past.

He Feng said nothing, silently following behind.

When Ji Tong couldn’t get an explanation from him, her mood grew even more sullen. Finally unable to contain herself, she turned around and demanded, “Where did you go?”

“Some official business.”

“You could have at least told me.”

“It happened suddenly – I didn’t have time to come over. But I already gave orders that the area around you would be safe, with no ghosts bothering you.”

“I’m not afraid of being bothered by anything. I mainly… I…” Ji Tong was so flustered she became incoherent, “I was worried about you, and afraid you’d suddenly disappear again like last time. What if something happened to you, if you encountered some evil ghost, if your superiors gave you trouble, or if they made you reincarnate – where would I go to find you?”

He Feng couldn’t help but smile, “Don’t worry, that won’t happen.”

When he smiled, Ji Tong immediately stopped being angry. She puffed out her cheeks, still harboring a bit of resentment, turned around and walked away, deliberately saying, “Stop following me.”

She had just climbed two steps when He Feng blocked her path, “I’m sorry, I should have told you beforehand.”

Ji Tong turned her face away, “Move aside.”

“There won’t be a next time.”

“Compensate me.”

He Feng paused, “How?”

“Come watch a movie with me.” Ji Tong’s expression immediately changed, “A film just came out recently that I’ve been wanting to see.”

“When?”

“Tomorrow. It’s National Day holiday, I finished my exams today, so I can rest and go out to relax.”

“How did you do?”

“Results for two subjects came out – not bad. I won’t tell you yet though. I’ll wait until all the results are out.”

“Mm.”

“So will you go see the movie?”

“Alright.”

“You can’t go back on your word or rush me to come home and do homework.”

“Alright.”

Ji Tong smiled smugly, “Then let’s go home.”

…

Grandmother was sorting vegetables in the house. Hearing the commotion, she called, “Tongtong’s back? Why so early today?”

“Tomorrow’s a holiday.”

“Are you hungry? Dinner will be ready in a bit. There’s milk and cookies on the table – have some to tide you over.”

Ji Tong took the milk back to her room and closed the door tightly before daring to speak, “Now we can talk.”

He Feng instantly appeared beside her, hands behind his back, looking at the milk in her hands, “Drink that, then study. Since you’re going out to play tomorrow, study more today.”

“…” Ji Tong frowned, “We’re about to have dinner.”

“It’s not ready yet. Study for half an hour.”

“Let’s chat first, then study after dinner.”

He Feng remained silent.

“Please?” She looked at him expectantly, “I just finished exams yesterday – I’m so tired.”

He Feng surrendered, “Five minutes.”

“Okay.” Ji Tong opened the milk, drinking while looking at him, “What were you doing these past few days?”

“Catching an evil ghost.”

“Was it dangerous?”

“Not too bad, just a bit cunning, which delayed things.”

“What evil did it commit?”

“Killed someone.”

“So it has to be sent to hell?”

“Yes.”

“Do you often catch these kinds of ghosts?”

“Yes.”

“Are there any particularly powerful, hard-to-catch ones?”

“Yes, I encountered one two years ago and chased it for over a month.”

“I saw something white wrapped around your waist before, but it’s not there now?”

“That’s called a white whip.”

“I heard from Meng Yuan that it’s a very powerful weapon.”

“What else did she tell you?”

“Nothing else – her mouth is so tight, she won’t say anything.” Ji Tong took a sip of milk and licked her lower lip, “Can I see your white whip?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“It has too much malevolent energy – it’s bad for you.”

“It’s fine, I’ll just look once.”

“No.”

“Just one look.”

“You have half a minute left.”

“…” Ji Tong gave up, “Do you have anything to do tonight?”

“I can be free.”

“Can you stay a bit later?” Ji Tong deliberately emphasized, “To accompany my studying.”

“Alright.”

“Can you—”

“Time’s up.” He Feng said seriously, “Time to study.”

“Fine, so strict.”

“You must be punctual. When you agree to something, you must follow through.”

Ji Tong smiled at him, “You’re so different from how I remember you.”

He Feng was silent for a moment, “I was young and foolish then.”

Ji Tong sighed and took out test papers, looking dejected, “I’ll study now.”

He Feng looked down at her and suddenly felt a bit soft-hearted. After all, she was only seventeen – was he being too harsh? “A’Zhi.”

Ji Tong looked up at him, “Mm?”

“I’ll chat with you for another five minutes.”

Ji Tong’s surprise was tinged with disbelief.

“The last five minutes.”

“Okay!”

…

He Feng didn’t go far, wandering nearby all night.

At dawn, the ghosts scattered to dark places. He also went to rest in a grove.

Meng Yuan found him, darting around the area and calling loudly and softly, “Big brother… brother… big brother.”

“Didn’t you say you never wanted to see me again?” He Feng opened his eyes and glanced at her sideways, “Not angry anymore?”

Meng Yuan hung upside down from a tree with a resentful expression, “Who dares to be angry with you?”

“What’s the matter?”

“Nothing much.”

“Then why are you looking for me?”

“Can’t I look for you when there’s nothing wrong?” Meng Yuan snorted lightly, “I’m so bored I want to reincarnate.”

“Perfect, I’ll go to the Tenth Hall and get you a spot.”

“Hey, hey, hey, I’m just joking. Who wants to reincarnate? I don’t want to be human.”

He Feng waved his hand to right her, “Stand properly.”

Meng Yuan pouted, “You even manage this – you have an occupational disease.”

“Hasn’t that boy been looking for you lately?”

“Which boy?” Meng Yuan thought for a moment, “Oh, that little brat? He can’t run as fast as me – I lost him.”

“Handle it yourself. If you really can’t solve it, find me.”

“What can’t be solved? My ghost age is older than yours, little ghost.”

“So what if you’re older? You still can’t withstand one slap from me.”

“That was before. Now you have two nails in your body – I’m not afraid of you.” Meng Yuan laughed disdainfully, “Who knows who’s more powerful now.”

“I’ve mostly recovered. You can try if you want.”

Meng Yuan shook her head and changed the subject, “What are you doing here?”

“Waiting for this afternoon to go out and play with A’Zhi.”

“Hmph, I should report you to Shiyi Dian for abusing your authority and pestering young girls.”

“Go ahead.”

“…” Meng Yuan flew away in a flash, “Talking to you is even more boring. I’d rather go watch gambling.”

…

He Feng rested briefly, then wandered around the area some more before going to Ji Tong’s house in the afternoon. He had promised to accompany her to see a movie today.

Zhou Xin was off work today, a rare occurrence. Hearing Ji Tong say she was going out with classmates, she tied up her hair and wanted to come along, “I’ll drive you. Wait a moment.”

“No need, I’ll take the bus. I’m leaving now.” Afraid she’d follow, Ji Tong quickly bounded down the stairs.

He Feng waited in the shade by the roadside, two meters away from her. Ji Tong smiled and ran toward him, “Let’s go.”

Ji Tong got on the bus and sat in the back row, asking in a low voice, “I didn’t see you this morning. Where did you go?”

“Wandered around nearby and disciplined an old ghost.”

“Old ghost?”

“Wanted some money to buy a new walking stick, so he possessed his daughter-in-law and tormented her for several days.”

“Then what?”

“Nothing then. I dragged him out and punched him twice.”

“…” Ji Tong was shocked.

He Feng looked at her, “Light punches, didn’t hurt.”

“Did he get money to buy the walking stick?”

“No.”

“So pitiful.”

“If he possessed you, you wouldn’t think he was pitiful.”

“Then you try possessing me.” Ji Tong glanced at him sideways, “Let me experience it.”

“Your small body couldn’t handle me.”

“Not necessarily. Won’t know until we try.”

“No need to try – there’s no doubt about it.”

Ji Tong was quiet for a while, “Actually, I’m often possessed because of my constitution.”

He Feng stared ahead, his voice much deeper, “With me here, that won’t happen anymore.”

…

They arrived early – there were still twenty minutes before the show.

Ji Tong looked at the claw machine not far away, “I want to play that.”

“Go ahead.”

Ji Tong liked a small white dog. She tried eight times, but it kept falling in mid-air, “I’m not playing anymore.”

Seeing her dejection, He Feng said, “Try once more.”

Ji Tong inserted two game tokens, focusing intently on the claw. She pressed the descent button and waited quietly. The claw loosened again, and just as the little white dog was about to fall, He Feng applied a bit of force to make it float in mid-air, following the claw into the prize chute.

“I got it!” Ji Tong happily bent down to retrieve the doll, holding it up for him to see, “Look, doesn’t it look like Bai Ge!”

Passersby looked at her strangely for talking to thin air. Ji Tong quickly pulled back her hand, pretending nothing happened, and whispered, “Let’s talk when we get back.”

She had bought seats in the last row. The movie wasn’t very popular, but it was a holiday, so many seats were taken. Ji Tong bought two tickets – although He Feng wasn’t human, she couldn’t just let him float in mid-air.

Luckily, all the seats around Ji Tong were empty, so she could talk quietly with He Feng without worry.

The movie was an artistic romance film with subtle expression and a flat plot that only picked up slightly toward the end. Ji Tong didn’t absorb a single word. She kept glancing at He Feng beside her, seeing him stare at the screen unsmilingly like a statue, not even blinking.

Ji Tong rested her arm on the armrest, leaning slightly toward him, and deliberately coughed twice to get his attention.

But He Feng remained unmoved, showing no reaction whatsoever.

Ji Tong didn’t give up. She turned her head, covered her mouth, and said, “Is it good?”

“Good.”

“Have we watched movies before?”

“No.” He Feng looked at her, “Watch the movie properly – you keep getting distracted.”

“Oh.” Ji Tong sat up straight and looked ahead.

When the movie ended, He Feng didn’t say a word to her and went straight to the third row to talk with a young man. Only then did Ji Tong notice that the theater wasn’t just filled with people.

With many people around and two cleaning ladies standing in the aisle waiting for everyone to leave, Ji Tong didn’t dare go over to talk. She followed the crowd out of the theater.

She waited at the entrance for a while before He Feng came out.

“What were you talking about?”

“Nothing much. I saw his resentment was quite heavy and asked some questions.”

“What questions?”

He Feng smiled helplessly, “Your curiosity is quite something.”

“If you don’t want to say, forget it.” With people passing by, Ji Tong covered her mouth and cleared her throat twice, “Let’s go outside first.”

The two left the cinema and walked to a nearby small lake.

The wind was quite strong, blowing her bangs around wildly.

He Feng asked her, “Are you cold?”

“A little.”

Suddenly the wind stopped. Ji Tong looked at the fallen leaves at her feet in surprise, then looked up at him, “Did you make the wind stop?”

“Mm.”

“You have that ability too?”

“Not exactly proficient.”

“What else can you do?”

He Feng put his right hand behind his back and raised his left hand, palm up. He lifted it gently, and several fallen leaves began spinning in circles in front of her, as if dancing.

“Wow.” Ji Tong reached out to pick up a leaf, “Amazing.”

“Just a small trick.”

“Can you control rain?”

“No.”

“Snow?”

“No either.”

“Hail?”

He Feng laughed, “I’m just a ghost, not a deity.”

“Are there really deities?”

“Never seen any.”

“Right, if there really were, you’d probably be afraid and hide far away.” Ji Tong suddenly remembered, “Oh right, you still haven’t told me about that ghost in the movie theater.”

“Nothing unusual. The day he died, he had arranged to see a movie with his girlfriend but died in a car accident on the way. His obsession is too deep, so he often lingers in that theater.”

“Maybe he’s waiting for his girlfriend?”

“Perhaps. I didn’t ask much.”

“Did you make him leave?”

“No. Since he’s not causing harm, I have no authority to interfere.”

“It’s actually quite touching. You should help him. You could—” Ji Tong was speaking when a leaf smacked her forehead with a “thwap.”

He Feng let the leaves fall, his expression serious, “Mind your own business and take care of yourself.”

“You hit me.” Ji Tong rubbed her forehead, “Bullying me because I can’t touch you.”

He Feng fell silent.

The wind picked up again, rustling the leaves.

“Should we go home?”

“I want to sit for a while.”

He Feng also wanted to stay with her a bit longer.

Ji Tong sat on a bench, feet playing with an earth-colored leaf, hands toying with the little white dog she’d just caught, “By the way, what happened to Bai Ge later?”

“He died.” He Feng paused, “He was eaten.”

Ji Tong fell silent. She lowered her head, watching the leaf fall from between her feet, not knowing how to comfort him, “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked.”

“It’s in the past.” He Feng curved his lips, “Don’t think about it. Look forward.”

Ji Tong looked up to meet his gaze. Unable to withstand his direct stare, she quietly looked away and sighed softly, “I really want to see the underworld and your Shiyi Dian. It sounds quite interesting.”

“The human world is better.” He stood quietly beside her with his hands behind his back, looking at a couple embracing in the distance, “Being human is good.”

…