Round One (11)

Shen Huai had fallen ill.

His vitality was severely depleted, and his spirit worn thin; after spending a night lying in that cold, damp room, how could he not succumb to illness?

Shen Yu seemed to have anticipated this. Early the next morning, he brought hot porridge and medicine.

It was a bit shameful to admit. He was concerned not only for his uncle, but also for that beautiful ghostly woman.

Yet Shen Huai never permitted him to enter the room.

He assumed it was because of Miss Tang’s presence.

But that was only part of the reason.

The room was inscribed with a formation; the yin energy there was heavy, and ordinary people would suffer greatly from contact.

Unable to enter, Shen Yu had no way to learn how the beautiful ghost woman was faring. He watched as his uncle took the items and closed the door, but he didn’t leave—he lingered outside for a long time.

Shen Huai understood perfectly. When Shen Yu had subtly asked whether the mirror was behaving strangely, he already knew—Shen Yu had interacted with the spirit in the mirror.

He was never good at hiding his thoughts.

At noon, Shen Huai emerged from his room, neatly dressed; aside from his pale complexion, he showed no signs of exhaustion.

He joined Shen Yu for lunch, informing him that he had pressing matters to attend to and would be away for two days, asking him to look after the house.

This had never happened before.

Whether leaving him alone at home, or not staying overnight himself—it was unprecedented.

“What’s so urgent? Let me go with you, so I can help out.”

“No need. I’m at ease only if you stay here.”

Shen Huai’s words were law. Shen Yu dared not insist further.

“My room—don’t go in,” Shen Huai reminded him before leaving.

Wasn’t this a long-standing rule?

Shen Yu found it odd, but obediently agreed.

Shen Huai departed.

Shen Yu was restless for quite a while, unable to resist running to the outside of Shen Huai’s room, poking his head around the window like a lizard.

He heard nothing.

Unable to help himself, he gently tapped the window, “Hey… um… are you there?”

Silence.

Was the soundproofing really that good?

He pressed his ear against the window, straining to listen.

“What are you trying to hear?” A chilly, shadowy presence pooled at his ear.

“Shh… can’t hear anything,” Shen Yu whispered. “Don’t distract me.”

Si Jiu watched this little fool, arms crossed, with resignation.

After a full minute, Shen Yu suddenly sprang up, whipping his head around to look at Si Jiu, “You, you, you…”

“Me, me, me?”

“Uh…”

Si Jiu: “Huh?”

Shen Yu thought he must have been utterly foolish just now. No—he was still utterly foolish.

“Cough… nothing, just passing by,” Shen Yu turned and walked away.

It seemed the beautiful ghost woman was fine. That was good.

Si Jiu drifted behind him, smiling, “Worried about me?”

Shen Yu kept his head down, ignoring her.

“Came all the way here just to check on me?”

Still no response.

Si Jiu, mischievous, saw a small step up ahead. She reached out and poked his shoulder, deliberately crying out, “Ah!”

She knew she couldn’t touch him; the cry was just to startle him.

But unexpectedly, her finger made contact, and he stumbled, landing hard on his backside.

Si Jiu: “…”

Shen Yu was stunned, “You… you touched me just now.”

“Yes. I did.” Si Jiu raised her hand, examining her pale fingers—they were much more solid than yesterday.

Could it be because the yin energy in the room was especially ‘active’ last night?

“You seem more real now,” Shen Yu said, genuinely happy for her.

He lacked practical experience, but his theoretical knowledge was extensive.

The more solid a spirit’s form, the more stable it was. For the beautiful ghost woman, this was a good thing.

This little fool’s backside was bruised, yet he rejoiced for the culprit.

Si Jiu almost felt embarrassed to ‘bully’ him further.

“Get up—doesn’t the floor feel cold?”

“Uh… oh.” Shen Yu rubbed his backside, stood up, and smiled foolishly at Si Jiu.

Those pure, cheerful souls always uplift those around them.

Si Jiu felt a touch of happiness herself. “Come on, let me show you something fun.”

“Huh?” Shen Yu replied.

“Come on.” Si Jiu grabbed his hand—the sensation of ‘walking on solid ground’ was wonderful.

Their figures vanished into the main building.

Shen Huai’s silhouette slowly appeared in the spot where they had just stood, his gaze heavy as he watched them leave.