Volume One, Chapter Twelve: The Envy Ghost

"Thank you for the flowers."

In the car, Yun Mojio lowered her head and inhaled the scent of the rose in her hand.

"They smell wonderful."

"As long as you like them. I hope I wasn't being presumptuous."

Xiao Junhe leaned languidly against the seatback, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

"You went out of your way to support me today—how could that be presumptuous? If anything, I should be the one thanking you."

Earlier, with Jian An both delivering flowers and saying all that she did, if Yun Mojio couldn't guess that Xiao Junhe had come specifically to back her up and annoy Xie Jingling, then she might as well not bother having a brain.

She could understand why Xiao Junhe had shown up. After all, she had helped him regain his ability to walk; she might even end up saving his life in the future. He'd been there at the hospital that day, so he knew today was the day she and Xie Jingling would be officially divorced. It wasn't surprising that he would come to show his gratitude.

Still, it was thoughtful of him. Yun Mojio decided she'd give him a discount from now on.

Xiao Junhe's lips curved lightly. "Miss Yun is very perceptive."

After a brief pause, he added, "It's almost noon. Would you like to have lunch together?"

"...Alright."

After a moment's thought, Yun Mojio agreed. There was no one at home today anyway, so eating out would be just as well. Besides, since he'd helped her just now, it wouldn't be polite to leave without any gesture in return.

The car drove straight to a Sichuan restaurant.

"I've heard this place is quite famous," Xiao Junhe said. "I thought we could give it a try. Do you eat spicy food?"

Yun Mojio nodded. "I do. In fact, I really enjoy Sichuan cuisine."

Both Yun Changhong and Du Qing were originally from Jincheng, only moving to the capital for university, so the family had grown accustomed to eating Sichuan dishes since she was a child.

"That's good; I was afraid it might not suit your taste," Xiao Junhe replied, his brows lifting slightly.

Sitting in the front seat, Jian An silently complained: What does he mean by 'not sure'? He had her look up all this information in advance! He knew Miss Yun loved Sichuan cuisine and specifically picked this restaurant for her!

Yun Mojio and Xiao Junhe got out of the car together and walked toward the restaurant.

The establishment was housed in an old mansion by the street, elegantly and grandly decorated. At the entrance stood a majestic pair of stone lions—a clear sign the owner had refined taste.

Only... there was a ghost inside.

And not just any ghost—a floating figure dressed in a gray long robe, looking every bit like an ancient soul.

As soon as they entered, the ghost drifted over.

"Wow, why does this man have such a strong aura of purple-gold? His fortune is incredible—so enviable. Why don't I have that? And both of them are so good-looking! Heaven has favored them too much. I'm so jealous!"

He circled them, chattering incessantly.

Yun Mojio cast him a faint glance.

"Eh? You can see me?"

Noticing her gaze, the ghost floated in front of Yun Mojio, waving his hand curiously.

Yun Mojio kept her eyes straight ahead.

"So you can't see me after all," the ghost said, somewhat disappointed. "All these years, apart from that crooked-necked hanging ghost and Flower next door, no one else has been able to see me. Sigh, the lonely bones have trouble sleeping at night, the insects all sing their plaintive songs..."

Hearing this, Yun Mojio's lips twitched slightly.

They soon reached a private room.

After pulling out a chair for Yun Mojio, Xiao Junhe took his seat across from her.

"Wait, don't..."

But before Yun Mojio could finish, Xiao Junhe had already sat down—right on top of the ghost.

Yun Mojio: ...

Well, it was too late now.

"Oh dear, how rude! Doesn't he know that men shouldn't get so close?!" the ghost cried, fluttering out in a flurry of indignation.

Xiao Junhe carried an aura that repelled ordinary spirits, but this ghost had cultivated for over a thousand years, so even sitting through Xiao Junhe's presence didn't bother him much.

"Don't what?"

Xiao Junhe looked puzzled as Yun Mojio hesitated.

Yun Mojio paused, ultimately deciding to stay silent. Xiao Junhe probably wouldn't want to know what she had just witnessed.

"It's nothing," she said. "I was going to ask if you had a menu. I'm a bit hungry and wanted to see what dishes are on offer."

Although Xiao Junhe suspected that wasn't what she'd meant to say, he didn't press further and handed her the menu.

Yun Mojio ordered a few of her favorite dishes, then passed the menu to Xiao Junhe.

"See if there's anything else you'd like?"

Xiao Junhe added a few more selections.

While waiting for the food, the two took a stroll in the courtyard. The garden was bursting with flowers; there was a small fountain, a miniature rockery, and the pond below teemed with lively fish. The whole place was full of vitality.

"Shut up!"

Suddenly, Yun Mojio spoke out.

She simply couldn't take it anymore—the ghost had been mumbling non-stop beside her: envying the flowers' bright colors, the birds' freedom in the sky, even the man with eight-pack abs... In short, he found something to envy in everything, down to the grass by the roadside. It made one want to stuff something in his mouth just to silence him.

Her outburst stunned both man and ghost.

Xiao Junhe looked innocent. He... hadn't said anything, had he?

But the ghost was ecstatic.

He floated up to Yun Mojio, pointing at himself, head cocked in excitement. "Are you talking to me? You're talking to me, aren't you?!"

"Come with me," Yun Mojio said, turning and heading back to their private room.

The ghost followed at once, thrilled beyond belief.

Xiao Junhe was completely at a loss, but obediently followed along.

Back in the room, Yun Mojio pulled out a talisman and tossed it at the ghost. The ghost's form instantly became visible.

Xiao Junhe, just about to enter, halted in shock at the sight of a figure from ancient times suddenly appearing in the room.

"What is...?"

"Hello there! My name is Gu Ling! I'm a ghost, but don't be afraid—I'm a good ghost, I won't harm anyone. But honestly, you're so handsome—so enviable. And those long legs—what did you eat growing up, to end up like that? I'm so jealous!"

Now that someone could see and talk to him, the ghost could hardly contain his excitement, introducing himself in a flurry.

Xiao Junhe's lips twitched. This ghost... was awfully talkative.

"Why linger in the mortal world? Why not reincarnate?" Yun Mojio asked, settling into a chair and sipping her tea.

Gu Ling sighed deeply.

"You think I don't want to? But I simply can't leave this place."

"How did you die?" Yun Mojio asked again.

Gu Ling shook his head. "I don't know. I just went to sleep, and when I woke up, I was like this. Whenever I try to leave, I'm pulled right back here."

He spread his hands in helplessness.

"Why is it only me?"

Bored, he floated up, conjured two wisps of black smoke into a swing, and began swinging himself.

"Ah, I envy you all so much—able to go wherever you please. It's truly galling. I wish I could wander about too."

Just then, a waiter entered with their dishes. Looking up, he caught sight of Gu Ling floating in midair.

Instantly, the waiter was struck with terror. His mouth fell open, and a piercing scream tore through the air.

"Ahhh! A ghost!"