Round One (08)

Si Jiu could tell what was troubling this little fool. Should she say it’s no wonder, being raised by Shen Huai? Truly, he was just as soft-hearted as his uncle.

“If I don’t cause trouble, and you don’t tell on me—would that be alright?” Shen Yu bit his lip.

“I just want to see a bit more of this beautiful world. I’ve been trapped in that mirror for so, so long, all alone.”

Staring into those eyes, as if filled with a thousand stars, Shen Yu found himself unable to say “no.” And then, to make matters worse, she tilted her head.

He was utterly defenseless.

Flustered, Shen Yu turned on his heel. “You better not be lying to me!” he called out, nearly fleeing as he dashed out the door.

Si Jiu was speechless.

Didn’t your uncle ever warn you that beautiful women are the best liars?

Tsk! Honestly, how did you grow up to be this sweet?

...

Shen Yu, still in a state of panic and confusion, prepared breakfast.

He was afraid that the beautiful ghostly lady might be lying to him and harm his uncle, but he was just as afraid that she was telling the truth, and that if his uncle found out he’d lied, he’d end up hurting her instead.

Torn between fear and guilt, Shen Yu was a bundle of nerves as he brought breakfast over. Luckily, his uncle seemed to be in a bad mood today and dismissed him after telling him to leave the meal at the door.

Feeling as though he’d been granted amnesty, Shen Yu made his escape at once.

There was a twinge of guilt at having deceived his uncle, but when he saw Si Jiu again, he couldn’t help but feel a little happy.

In the end, with this tangled mess of emotions, he took the jade box containing the bronze mirror and went down the mountain.

At first, Si Jiu dared not leave the bronze mirror, but eventually, unable to resist, she secretly slipped an arm out of the box.

Truthfully, seeing a box sprout an arm while holding it in one’s arms is a terrifying sight.

Especially since Shen Yu was sitting in a taxi at the time.

What if someone saw?

He nervously stole a glance at the driver, but thankfully, the man gave no reaction.

Shen Yu gently patted the box, signaling for Si Jiu to be careful.

Unexpectedly, Si Jiu, realizing she wasn’t afraid of sunlight after all, simply emerged from the box.

Since the box was in Shen Yu’s arms, she ended up sitting directly on his lap.

Even though she had no physical weight… still… Shen Yu’s face instantly flushed crimson.

Si Jiu also felt a tiny bit awkward.

To her, Shen Yu was still just a kid.

In the blink of an eye, she slid over to sit properly at his side and turned her attention to the passing scenery.

Yet, the city outside didn’t look all that different from those of a century ago.

It seemed technology hadn’t advanced as much as she’d expected.

Could it be that the main storyline had veered so far into the supernatural that it had affected the world’s progress?

Si Jiu pondered this thoughtfully.

Once Shen Yu confirmed that no one else could see Si Jiu, he finally relaxed.

Thus, a boy and a ghost, carrying their antique, arrived at their destination. Old Mr. Ge came out to greet them personally and treated Shen Yu—this young boy—with not the slightest condescension; in fact, there was a hint of respect.

Undoubtedly, all for Shen Huai’s sake.

This allowed Si Jiu to further appreciate Shen Huai’s influence and standing in these circles.

Honestly… he seemed to be doing quite well.

The protagonist is indeed the protagonist. Truly a child of destiny, excelling even when crossing into another field.

Why did this fill her with such inexplicable pride?

...

They were treated to fine food and drink while Old Mr. Ge personally set to work repairing the mirror. However he did it, three hours later the bronze mirror was returned, its surface as smooth as new, with no trace of a crack.

“Thank you for your trouble,” Shen Yu said politely.

Old Mr. Ge waved his hands repeatedly. “Not at all, not at all. I owe Mr. Shen a great debt—this was nothing.”

A look of pride crept onto Shen Yu’s face.

After a few more polite exchanges, Old Mr. Ge added, “Give my regards to Mr. Shen for me. And if you ever need anything, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

“All right.”

“Shall I have a car take you home?”

Shen Yu quickly declined. “No, no, my uncle has his rules.”

Old Mr. Ge didn’t insist. “Then take care on your way.”

“Thank you. No need to see me out—goodbye.”

He stopped in his tracks, smiling and waving. “Goodbye.”

Si Jiu clicked her tongue. “The little fool is quite polite, after all.”

Shen Yu blushed. “I told you not to call me that.”

“Then how about ‘sweetie’?”

“Why?”

“Well… back when I was alive, if someone was a bit naïve, we’d say, ‘You’re just too sweet.’”

“…You better call me ‘little fool’ instead.”

Si Jiu burst out laughing.