Chapter Sixty: Boss Le

Boss Le hummed a tune as he tidied the pet cages in his shop.

All the stray cats Shengyao had caught had already found owners. The puppies reserved by nearby residents had also been sold. The cages were empty once again—but they wouldn’t stay empty for long. Boss Le had already received several new orders from the neighborhood.

His business mainly served local residents: most days, he bathed and groomed pets, occasionally selling pet supplies for emergencies. Orders for live pets were rare. These past few days, though, he was riding the wave left by Shengyao’s batch of stray cats. Seeing those adorable kittens had stirred something in the hearts of nearby residents; unable to adopt the strays themselves, they wanted to buy pet cats to keep at home.

Boss Le had already hung a sign at the door announcing he’d be closed for the afternoon, as he planned to visit the cattery to select kittens. He’d even called Shengyao to invite him along.

Thinking of Shengyao, Boss Le frowned.

A figure passed by the shop’s entrance. The steps were sluggish, the back hunched, both arms dangling like limp noodles.

Boss Le looked up and caught sight of a somewhat familiar profile.

The figure had already walked past the pet shop.

Boss Le hurried out and called, “Miss Kong!”

She took two more steps before stopping and slowly turned around.

Kong Yajie’s face was pale, dark circles beneath her eyes, her gaze bloodshot. She seemed to have slept poorly for ages or perhaps was ill, her body frail.

Boss Le was startled. He lowered his voice and carefully asked, “Are you alright, Miss Kong? Ah, I saw Uncle Zhang last time—he told me about you… uh, are you okay? Is that stalker still bothering you?” As he spoke, indignation flared in his voice; he looked around, searching for any suspicious figures. “Don’t worry! If that guy shows up again—”

“No…”

“What?” Boss Le halted his search and looked at Kong Yajie in surprise.

She lowered her eyes. “It’s not… not a stalker…”

Her voice was barely audible, her body swaying.

Boss Le quickly moved forward, supporting her arm. “Are you alright? Shall I call an ambulance? Or phone your boyfriend or your parents to pick you up?”

Kong Yajie shook her head, her long hair slipping onto her face.

Boss Le had no choice but to help her inside the pet shop, settle her in a seat, and pour her a glass of water.

“Have some water. You look like you haven’t rested in a long time. Are you feeling unwell?” Boss Le asked with concern, fishing his phone from his pocket. “I know a doctor—I can ask him for you.”

Kong Yajie took a sip of water and shook her head. “No need.” She glanced at the empty pet cages. “Have you… sold all your pets?”

“Yes. I’m heading to the cattery this afternoon to pick out kittens. Are you thinking of keeping a pet?” Boss Le asked.

Kong Yajie stared at the cages for a long while, then suddenly asked, “I heard… there’s a saying that children and animals are sensitive, that they can see… see those things… Is it true?”

Boss Le was taken aback, then chuckled. “There’s no such thing as ghosts in this world! Is that what’s troubling you? Last time, it really was a stalker. Remember that young man you met? He caught him! Don’t let your imagination run wild—it was just a bad person. Now that he’s caught, it’s over. Ah—last time Shengyao was too soft-hearted, he’s always a bit indecisive. Don’t worry, if that guy shows up again, I’ll drag him straight to the police station!”

He peered out the door as he spoke.

Kong Yajie was silent for a moment before saying, “You might have misunderstood. I misunderstood too…”

“Hm?” Boss Le withdrew his head.

“I… that thing appeared in my home…” Kong Yajie set down the water bottle, smiling bitterly. “That thing appeared in my home. It’s not a stalker… That thing… My husband can’t see it, no one else can… It’s just in the house. Ah, it shows up elsewhere too, but mostly at home… It’s there, in my home…”

She lowered her head.

Plop!

Tears fell onto the floor.

Boss Le was at a loss. He hurriedly tore off a tissue and handed it to her, opening his mouth but unsure how to comfort her.

He scratched his head vigorously. “Miss Kong, I don’t believe in any of that. I’ve never encountered a ghost in my life. If it’s something else… maybe you’re mistaken. You say it’s in your home? Do you have neighbors who stay up late, dancing at home? Or could it be bats, birds…”

Kong Yajie shook her head, her hair swinging.

“No. I haven’t heard anything, haven’t… seen anything…”

Boss Le’s gaze grew strange as he looked at her.

Kong Yajie, head bowed, didn’t notice his changing expression. She clasped her hands, her body trembling. “I haven’t seen or heard anything, but I know… it’s there… it’s watching me… I’m sure, sure it’s terrifying… I can’t say how, but I know, I know it’s not an illusion! My husband doesn’t believe me! At my parents’ place, I’m fine! In my old rental, I was fine! Only sometimes… sometimes I feel it… at work, after work, at home… with my husband… not always, just suddenly… suddenly that chill… my body goes stiff, I can’t move, breathing is hard, all I can hear is my heartbeat…”

She began to sob, her voice trembling. Tears fell, pooling on the floor.

“They say I have marriage anxiety. I thought… I thought it was because of a friend, that I felt guilty subconsciously… But it’s not! I realized… that feeling isn’t just in my mind! There’s definitely something… something I can’t see… It’s nearby…”

Kong Yajie chanted nervously, biting her nails, her trembling growing more violent.

Boss Le suddenly placed his hand on her shoulder.

She nearly jumped out of her chair, but Boss Le held her back firmly.

“Have you seen a doctor?” Boss Le looked into her eyes seriously.

Kong Yajie stared blankly for a few seconds before nodding.

“What department? What did the doctor say?”

“My husband took me to a psychiatrist. He said I’m too tense… asked if I’ve been under stress. Maybe I don’t feel it, but… I changed jobs recently, I’m getting married… Maybe that’s it. But… but… that thing—there really is something!” Kong Yajie clutched his arm.

“Did you do any other tests? If your feeling is so real and it’s not psychological, maybe it’s something else… Maybe you’re ill.”

Kong Yajie shook her head. “I had a physical last month…”

“Do you have allergies? A new environment could trigger an allergic reaction.” Boss Le asked carefully.

Kong Yajie lowered her eyes, thinking slowly.

“Did you ever have allergies? Have you considered these possibilities?” Boss Le let go and handed her a fresh tissue. “Some people suddenly develop allergies. Things they weren’t allergic to as children, they react to as adults. I’ve had customers like that—raised cats, dogs, rabbits as kids, but years later, when they start keeping pets again, they discover they’re allergic to fur. Some are allergic to hay, cat litter, but switching brands solves it. When they have allergic reactions, they cough and sneeze nonstop…”

Kong Yajie smiled bitterly, wiping away her tears. “No. I’ve never had an allergic reaction. At first I thought I was being stalked, that some creep was after me. I told my husband several times, he checked and found no one… Later I thought he was right, that it was stress, anxiety, pre-marital jitters, new job, new life…”

She repeated what she’d said before, sinking back into her despondent state.

Boss Le thought for a moment, then added, “Some people get skin itching, swelling. Some feel short of breath, chest tightness, rapid heartbeat…”

Kong Yajie’s gaze grew unfocused, then suddenly sharpened as she turned to Boss Le.

“Did you think of something?” he asked.

Kong Yajie hesitated. “The place I live now—my husband bought it long ago. He studied abroad, then worked overseas for two years. After returning, he and I looked for a house together, paid the down payment… But at the time I was busy with work, so was he. The house sat empty for ages. It’s a second-hand house, the previous owner left things we haven’t sorted… Back then, I lived in a rental, traveled for work a lot. He stayed in the company dorm, often working overtime, sometimes sleeping at the office… We only finished renovating last year. I changed jobs, had more time; his workload eased up. We registered our marriage, then finished the renovations together.”

She bit her lip. “I started feeling off from the moment we moved in… After the renovation, we aired it out for months, only moved in at the start of the year. At first, I just felt a bit uncomfortable in the new house, not so intense. Now… But my husband feels nothing.”

“Maybe you’re allergic to something in the house. Did you have the place tested after renovations?” Boss Le brightened.

Kong Yajie shook her head.

“Here’s what we’ll do… I know someone who lives in this neighborhood, just across the street from your parents’ place. You know that complex?” Boss Le asked.

Kong Yajie nodded.

“He does interior design, and quality testing as well. He’s fully equipped. I’ll give you his number, you can contact him… Actually, give me your address and phone, I’ll talk to him for you. If you go directly, you’ll have to queue at his company. They’re pretty busy with renovations right now. I’ll give you a heads-up.”

Kong Yajie’s eyes lit up. “Will that help?”

“It’s better than how you’re feeling now, isn’t it? Allergies are annoying… You should also go to the hospital for a checkup, get some allergy medicine if needed,” Boss Le said. He paused for a moment, then added, “I know a doctor… I’ll ask him for you.”

“Thank you so much!” Kong Yajie said excitedly, gripping Boss Le’s hand and shaking it vigorously.

Boss Le smiled. “Just give me your contact info. I’ll talk to him today. He might be able to come test your house this weekend.”

Kong Yajie nodded repeatedly, thanking him with renewed gratitude.