Chapter 69: The Shadow Ghost (1) part 1
The dappled shadows under the banyan tree in front of the joss paper store shifted lazily with the passing sun. During this period, aside from eating, sleeping, and playing games, Lin Nan spent his time sitting in a chair, watching the shop and soaking up the sun. His vitality improved with each passing day.
By the time his complexion had regained its healthy glow and he had put on some weight, the start of the school semester was finally approaching. He sought out Jiang Si and reluctantly bid his farewell.
“You’re finally starting school.” Jiang Si breathed a sigh of relief the moment he heard the news. “That’s wonderful. Congratulations, congratulations.”
“Brother Jiang—” Lin Nan’s gaze was resentful. “What student actually wants school to start? At my school, the food is terrible, the dorms are uncomfortable, and the classmates are a bunch of eccentrics. I must have had a brain cramp to think this was a good thing.”
He propped his chin on the counter with his arms, looking like he had lost all hope in life. “You only realize after starting university that ‘normal’ is the highest compliment you can give someone.”
“You’ll only understand what true cruelty is once you enter society. When you’re earning a salary of a few thousand yuan and still being manipulated by your boss, you’ll miss your student days.” As a former corporate slave, Jiang Si couldn’t empathize with his youthful melancholy. He took out his phone and sent him a large red envelope.
“I’ve transferred your wages for the help you provided during this time. Go have a nice meal and then head home to pack your bags.”
Lin Nan was about to mention that Jiang Si had sent far too much money when he caught sight of a luxury car parking outside out of the corner of his eye. He couldn’t resist whispering some advice into Jiang Si’s ear. “Brother Jiang, don’t you think that guy is a bit too much? A grown man, acting all clingy and sentimental all day long. He’s so persistent; he doesn’t give you any personal space at all.”
“You’ve only been back from Ning City for a few days, and he’s already chased you here. He even comes to see you every single day, interrupting your normal working hours.”
“If it were me, I definitely wouldn’t act like that.”
Jiang Si didn’t even look up from the ledger in his hands. “Mm, you won’t have the opportunity.”
“…” Lin Nan’s face flushed as he tried to explain. At that moment, the wind chimes jingled, and the man Lin Nan had been talking about walked inside.
Seeing the “target” arrive, Lin Nan instinctively withdrew his hands from the counter and stood up straight. He looked at Jiang Si, trying to pull his attention away. “Brother Jiang, I’m leaving the day after tomorrow. Are you sure there isn’t anything else you want to say to me?”
“I’ll be gone for half a year!” Lin Nan hinted frantically.
Jiang Si remained as calm as ever. “I wish you a smooth journey and success in your studies.”
“…” Like a piece of sun-dried grass, Lin Nan wilted. He bowed his head and let out a long, melancholy sigh. “Fine, I’m leaving then.”
“Mm-hmm, be careful on your way out.” Before Jiang Si could even finish his sentence, Lin Nan, who was immersed in his own thoughts, tripped over thin air the moment he stepped forward.
With a heavy thud, he fell flat on the floor.
This finally earned him a look of surprise from Jiang Si. “Are you okay? Watch where you’re walking.”
“Indeed.” Hai Di reached out to pull him up. “The floor is quite cold; don’t catch a chill.”
Lin Nan insisted he was fine as he scrambled up, glaring at the hypocritical smile on Hai Di’s face. He cursed inwardly; he had clearly been tripped by that guy, yet the man was acting like a Good Samaritan now.
His words earlier had been too mild. Damn it, this guy was a total master of schemes.
But honest advice is hard to swallow, and Jiang Si simply wasn’t listening.
Lin Nan slapped away Hai Di’s hand, which had only extended about ten centimeters, and gave Jiang Si a look of deep heartbreak. Since he had no evidence, he couldn’t say it directly in front of Hai Di. He could only manage a poignant farewell. “Brother Jiang, please take care of yourself.”
Then, he left, looking back three times with every step.
“Is he alright?” Jiang Si was bewildered. Why did Lin Nan suddenly seem so fired up after a fall?
He truly couldn’t understand the logic of today’s youth.
“I don’t know.” Hai Di had no desire to discuss outsiders. Retracting his gaze, he looked at what Jiang Si was holding. “Sorting out the ledgers?”
“Yeah.” Jiang Si sighed. “Don’t I still have to report taxes? Fortunately, there hasn’t been much business since we opened, otherwise, I’d have to hire a professional accountant to balance the books.”
At this point, he looked toward the car outside the door. “Haven’t you been busy with inspections lately? How do you have time to come find me?”
“No matter how busy I am, I can always find time to see you.” Hai Di was just stopping by; he had to rush off to a cocktail party shortly. His assistant had already headed there.
Jiang Si smiled at him despite his busy work. “Well, that’s quite unlucky. I have a guest coming in a bit; we already have an appointment.”
“It’s fine, I’ll be leaving soon.” Seeing that Jiang Si had lowered his head to focus on work again after just a few words, Hai Di consciously shut his mouth to let him work in peace.
The person who had an appointment with Jiang Si was none other than Mr. Sun, the man who had caused a scene in the shop last time. Over the phone, he claimed a business partner was encountering some trouble and hoped Jiang Si could spare some time to meet and talk.
Seeing his sincere attitude, Jiang Si had agreed.
Unexpectedly, he waited nearly the entire morning. It wasn’t until close to the afternoon that the other party finally arrived.
Mr. Sun’s full name was Sun Yu. He was in his early thirties and dressed in the style of a social elite. When Jiang Si last saw him, he was covered in designer brands, but this time he was dressed very casually, wearing only a jacket as he rushed in. He looked as if a ghost were chasing him.
Even more striking than his behavior was the person following him. This person was wearing a black hooded robe—goodness knows where they bought it—wrapping them from head to toe so tightly that not even their eyes were visible.
“…Boss Jiang—” Sun Yu breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Jiang Si, clutching his chest as he panted heavily.
“Thank goodness you’re still here.”
Jiang Si strolled out from behind the counter, looking the two of them up and down. “What’s going on with you two?”
If he hadn’t recognized Sun Yu, he would have thought some masked person had burst in to rob the place.
“Haha, well.” Sun Yu looked a bit embarrassed. He glanced at his companion and gave Jiang Si a bitter smile. “It’s a long story. My friend has run into some big trouble this time.”
Jiang Si crossed his arms over his chest and lazily arched an eyebrow. “You know this is a funeral supplies shop, right? Is your friend about to die and looking to prepare for the aftermath?”
“…” Terrified his companion would get angry, Sun Yu looked at him nervously. Seeing no reaction, he could only push through. “Though that sounds a bit harsh, it’s not far from the truth. His situation is indeed not great.”
“Quite rare.” Jiang Si chuckled. “Ask him what kind of house he likes; I can make anything. It’s better to settle on it now so I can burn it for him later. Cremation is the trend now, so I don’t sell coffins here.”
His words were essentially telling the person to hurry up and die so he could earn their money.
His tone and meaning were far from friendly, leaving Sun Yu speechless. After stammering for a long while, he finally said, “It’s not like that. He hasn’t reached that point yet. We’re here today to ask you to take a look and see if there’s a glimmer of hope.”
“This isn’t a hospital. Surely you can tell?” Jiang Si countered.
“I can.”
The man wrapped in the black robe spoke first. He reached out a pale, weak hand and slightly tilted his hood back, revealing half a face that was so gaunt it was nearly a skull.
He was incredibly thin; there was almost no flesh on his face, making his eyes, which weren’t large to begin with, look like two buttons pinned onto his face, completely out of place.
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