Chapter 22: Boundless Phantoms

Wei Qisi paused for a moment, sighed, and said, “Then let them stay.” But he didn’t have many rooms in his house and was afraid there wouldn’t be enough space. He suggested waiting until we returned to the Liu family’s vegetable garden to discuss it further. I could see he was in a difficult spot: his home was chaotic, with only a single bed, and the place was small and dark—certainly not enough room for everyone. But as for me, I simply could not go back to my own hometown. Don’t be fooled by how normal Wang Ying seemed now; I still understood her true intentions. If we returned, Zhao Dongsheng, Li Jun, and the others would be doomed, and so would my second uncle and my mother. No matter what, I could not go back.

Given the circumstances, all we could do was take things one step at a time. Wang Ying needed my help, so I doubted she’d do anything to harm me.

At noon, we didn’t go straight back to the city. Instead, we went to the hospital to visit Shang Xiaoyun. Wei Qi even brought fresh flowers for her, and there was genuine concern in his eyes. I couldn’t shake the feeling that he had feelings for her.

After leaving the hospital, we went to the grave of Shang Xiaoyun’s husband. Wei Qi paid someone to fill in the tomb. He explained that if a grave was left open, vagrant spirits would move in, and once they did, they’d never leave, which could be a real problem for the villagers nearby. As the grave was being filled, he told me it was actually a very auspicious spot, but someone had cursed it by placing two paper effigies inside. Otherwise, Shang Xiaoyun’s family would have been blessed with great fortune.

I never understood much about feng shui, and I never believed in it before. But now I did. How could I not, after marrying a ghost bride?

On our way back from the cemetery, I received a call from Yu Fang. She asked where I was, and I told her honestly. She wanted to know if I’d be coming back that day, and if not, she’d ask me to spend the night with her. I told her I would be coming back and wouldn’t be able to keep her company. Not wanting her to worry, I told her the ghost had disappeared and she needn’t be afraid. This wasn’t a lie—Wei Qi had said that any ghost injured by the Three-foot Dragon Abyss sword would either dissipate or at least lose its power for some time; there was nothing to worry about.

Yu Fang said, “Alright then, next time you’re in town, come and see me.”

After hanging up, Wei Qi chuckled and told me I was lucky with women. If I hadn’t married Wang Ying, I could have pursued Yu Fang. But I didn’t take his words to heart. Yu Fang and I were as different as black earth and white clouds. She only called me to keep her company, and by “company” she really meant “bodyguard”—there was nothing romantic about it.

By the time we got back to the hotel, it was already afternoon. After saying goodbye to Ye Zi and Long Yu, Wei Qi, Wang Ying, and I went to the bus station together. Wang Ying, the ghost girl, wore a large hat and scarf with a flowing white dress and stockings, looking almost like an Arab woman. But as she walked down the street, swaying with every step, she drew plenty of stares.

I couldn’t help but wonder: if our fellow passengers knew she was a corpse-possessing ghost, would they dare stay on the bus?

It was nearly dark by the time the three of us returned to Wei’s family vegetable garden village.

When we got to Wei Qi’s house, he and I both instinctively checked the icebox in the room. Of course, it was empty. Wei Qi asked what we should do—should he tidy up the single room on the west side for us, or should we stay at his second uncle’s house? His uncle had passed away last year, leaving three vacant rooms.

Naturally, I didn’t want to be alone with Wang Ying, so I said we could make do here, arrange a spot for Wang Ying, and I’d squeeze in with Wei Qi.

But Wang Ying stopped me. She smiled at Wei Qi and said, “Uncle Qi, thank you! The two of us will just stay at your second uncle’s house.” She looped her arm through mine affectionately, making me terribly uncomfortable.

Wei Qi agreed and led us to a courtyard on the west side of his property. Honestly, his second uncle’s house was much nicer than his own—the rooms, the beds, everything.

But I was still reluctant to stay alone with Wang Ying. Holding her hand, I said, “Darling, is it alright if you sleep here by yourself?”

“What’s wrong? Why won’t you stay with me?” Wang Ying pouted.

“Of course I’d love to, but I have things to discuss with Uncle Qi,” I said, trying to sound serious.

“Alright, go ahead. But you’d better not run off and leave me here. If you do, I’ll go straight to your family’s house… and you know what’ll happen then.” She was making the bed as she spoke.

Hearing that she didn’t insist on me sleeping with her, I felt as if a great burden had been lifted. “How could I ever abandon such a beautiful wife?” I said, and dashed out the door.

Back at Wei Qi’s house, he looked at me in surprise. “What’s going on? Why are you back?”

“Uncle Qi, let me sleep here tonight. I’m terrified of that ghost girl!” That was the honest truth. I was genuinely scared. The memory of that husky still made my heart race. Even though it was Shang Xiaoyun’s husband who tore the dog apart, since they shared the same body, I couldn’t help but feel it was Wang Ying herself.

“No way! You’ve married her; you have to stay with her. Think about it—she’s a ghost. If she slips out at night and goes into a neighbor’s house, what then?” Wei Qi said sternly.

After hearing that, I realized how serious it was. If she did go into a neighbor’s house, she could scare them to death. But even so, I really didn’t want to be with her. She was stunningly beautiful, but she was still a ghost—a corpse, not a living person. If she were alive and had such a figure, I’d be the first to join her.

“Dachuan, go on. Since we’re in this business, we can’t just think of ourselves. We have to take responsibility. Besides, ghosts aren’t that scary,” Wei Qi said, pushing me out the door.

It wasn’t that Wei Qi was heartless; he had no choice. The worst that could happen if I stayed with Wang Ying was… well, you know. But if I didn’t, and she slipped out and hurt someone, that would be far worse. So I returned.

When Wang Ying opened the door, she threw her arms around me in delight. “I knew it! You wouldn’t leave me here all alone. It’s getting late, and I’ve already made the bed. Let’s sleep.”

She led me into the bedroom, and I saw that the bed was made up with fresh bedding—clean and neat, nothing like what an old man would’ve used. It looked more like a wedding bed.

“Where did you get this?” I asked, pointing at the bedding.

“Hehe! I borrowed it. It looks unused,” she replied proudly.

“Who’d you borrow it from?” I pressed.

“Don’t worry about it. Just check my back for me, will you? I feel uncomfortable around my shoulder blades,” she said, twisting her neck to change the subject.

“What’s wrong?” I gently lifted her dress and, at the spot where her bra clasp was, found a pale gash. A ghost isn’t human—even though she was a ghost and corpse in one, it was still different from a soul in a living body. The bra hook had cut her skin, but she hadn’t felt it. The wound looked eerie; being a corpse, there was no blood, just a scar. I told her the truth.

Wang Ying pursed her lips, then handed me a needle and thread. “Husband, please sew it up for me.”

I didn’t take the needle. “How can I? It’ll look terrible, and I don’t even know how!”

“Stop dithering—you’re a grown man. I can’t reach it myself! Just do your best,” she said, a little annoyed. Seeing her unhappy, I reluctantly took the needle and thread.

“Sew boldly; it won’t hurt me anyway,” Wang Ying grinned.

I had no choice but to steel myself and begin. She really did treat me like her husband, showing no reservation at all. In a few quick motions, she slipped off her dress, leaving only her bra and panties, then reached behind her back to undo the bra as well.

Her back was exquisite—if it weren’t for that gash, it would’ve been perfect. Even as a corpse, she was breat