Chapter 81: Hex part 1
Tong Yong’s hand, which was gripping the amulet necklace, trembled in fear. He used too much force and actually snapped the entire necklace off. The prayer beads on the black cord scattered and clattered across the floor, rolling in every direction. One came to a stop at Jiang Si’s feet.
He leaned down to pick it up and turned the black bead between his fingers. “Scared?”
“You’re joking, right?” Tong Yong hurriedly picked up the amulet first, cradling it like a treasure as he wiped and blew on it. He looked at Jiang Si, trying to read the expression on his face. “How is that possible? I don’t feel a thing.”
“Weren’t you asking how to see ghosts?” Jiang Si said. “Since there’s one right here, consider this an extra bonus from me.”
Tong Yong felt an inexplicable surge of nervousness. His palms became damp as he gripped the amulet. He watched as Jiang Si approached with a relaxed gait and stopped half a step away.
“Look into my eyes,” Jiang Si said.
Tong Yong instinctively complied. Those light-colored eyes stared straight back at him without blinking, clearly reflecting his own figure. Aside from that, there seemed to be nothing else.
Suddenly, he heard Jiang Si snap his fingers. Then, he actually saw a small child straddling his neck and shoulders.
“This—” Tong Yong was shocked. In the next moment, he watched as Jiang Si reached out and plucked the child into his own hand.
It was an infant about a year old, completely naked. As Jiang Si held it by the scruff of its neck in mid-air, it didn’t even struggle. Its skin was the same color as its pitch-black eyes, and it stared directly at Tong Yong. “Ee-ya!”
The little ghost opened its mouth, revealing two rows of sharp, pearly-white teeth, as if it were delighted that Tong Yong could finally see it.
“Fuck!” Suddenly faced with such a massive shock, even Tong Yong, a self-important and refined international director, couldn’t help but swear.
“This… it… where did it come from?”
The wind chime tinkled. Someone pushed the door open. A gust of wind blew in through the crack, making Tong Yong flinch again as he let out a cry of alarm.
“What’s going on?” Wang Zhao was completely bewildered, unable to grasp the situation.
Jiang Si remained composed, while Director Tong looked terrified.
Wang Zhao was inwardly puzzled. Is this right?
“It’s nothing.” Jiang Si snapped his fingers again, and everything strange before Tong Yong’s eyes vanished. Looking at Jiang Si’s hand now, there was nothing but air.
“Is this for real? Should I come back in a bit?” Wang Zhao looked hesitantly at Tong Yong. At this moment, Tong Yong felt that the more people there were, the more ‘human vitality’ there was, and he was desperate for him to stay. He hurriedly kept him there.
“Director Tong, you’ve seen it clearly now, haven’t you?” Jiang Si gestured with a slight lift of his chin. “Are you satisfied?”
“…” Tong Yong asked stiffly, “What exactly is that thing? Why is it following me?”
Jiang Si found it strange. “You invited this Guman Tong yourself; do I really need to explain it? ” As he spoke, he handed over the prayer bead. “Sir, if you’re curious about the metaphysical, you can’t just be like Lord Ye who claimed to love dragons but was terrified when he saw a real one. Since you tried it, you have to follow their rules. You invited the Guman Tong but didn’t provide offerings at home; who else would it follow if not you?”
“Are you saying… it’s been following me ever since I returned from State D?” Tong Yong swallowed with difficulty.
“Pretty much,” Jiang Si said. “This Guman Tong is a decent one; it hasn’t done anything wicked. Just find a place to provide offerings for it and it’ll be fine. It will protect you.”
“Right, right.” Tong Yong nodded. “Is there anything else I should be careful about?”
This was the way it was going…
The atmosphere was already set, and Jiang Si felt that if he didn’t take the opportunity to sell something, he would be doing the question a disservice. He asked, “Would you like to pick a few things to take back? The paper crafts and incense are all handmade; the Guman Tong should like this kind of incense.”
Wang Zhao watched with his own eyes as his idol was talked into buying a large bag of goods by his friend, finally pulling out his phone to pay the bill without hesitation.
As Tong Yong was about to leave with his bags, he remembered his original purpose and made a sincere invitation once more. “Will you really not consider collaborating with me? I truly admire your abilities.”
Jiang Si didn’t hesitate. “No need.”
“Then what about as a technical consultant? Our crew needs someone knowledgeable in the metaphysical to join us. You wouldn’t need to stay with the crew for long.”
Jiang Si was about to speak when Wang Zhao clapped a hand over his mouth. He smiled and said, “We’ll think it over. Director Tong, what’s the latest date we can give you an answer?”
“We leave in two months; anytime before then is fine.” Tong Yong nodded. “I hope you’ll give it some serious thought.”
After he left, Jiang Si pulled Wang Zhao’s hand away. “The answer will be a ‘no’ eventually; what is there to think about?”
Wang Zhao looked pained. “Do you have any idea how many people want to work with him? You’re not treasuring this opportunity at all. It wouldn’t hurt to just go and take a look. I heard his current crew is all set—it’s an S-level blockbuster. Even just having your name on it would be a brilliant addition to your resume.”
Jiang Si was indifferent. “I’m not looking for a job; why would I need a resume?”
“Sigh, true.” Wang Zhao was so envious he nearly cried. “We really are different now. You’re a boss yourself; I really miss the days when we were both just corporate slaves.”
“…” Jiang Si said curiously, “Maybe you should write a few more scripts and find a crew to collaborate with.”
“Forget it.” Wang Zhao’s face changed instantly. “I still prefer just lying around.”
He knew it—no corporate slave actually enjoys working.
Jiang Si had nothing to do, so he chatted with him for a while. Once it reached noon, he couldn’t wait to pack up and close the shop to go get lunch.
“We can just order takeout; it’s so convenient.” Wang Zhao fumbled with his phone, searching for good restaurants nearby. Jiang Si suddenly laughed and waved toward the door. “Forget takeout; I’ll treat you to a meal.”
“Oho, Boss Jiang is being generous?” Wang Zhao was suspicious. The shop door was pushed open. He was about to say they were closed for lunch when he saw a man at least 190cm tall walk in familiarly. He was quite good-looking.
Based on Wang Zhao’s vast experience with people, this was definitely a handsome, wealthy guy.
The handsome guy walked straight in and took his friend’s hand?
“Let me introduce you.” Jiang Si was a little proud of his new relationship status. “This is my partner.”
“???” Wang Zhao stared with eyes wide as if he’d seen a ghost. “Holy shit, have you been possessed by something?”
“Get lost. I’m not joking; he really is my partner,” Jiang Si scolded with a smile.
“You’re actually in a relationship.” Wang Zhao found the fact that Jiang Si was in a relationship even harder to accept than the fact that he was gay. He said with deep sorrow, “We agreed to be single dogs together; how could you leave me all alone?”
“Keep dreaming; who agreed to that?” Jiang Si scoffed. “Finding a partner is easy.”
The man who had been single for twenty-five years spoke with such arrogance that the only other two people in the room couldn’t help but stare.
“Your life really is looking up,” Wang Zhao said, feigning a wipe of a tear. “I’m going to fleece you for a big meal today to make up for my wounded heart.”
Hai Di reached out a hand. “My name is Hai Di. A pleasure.”
“A pleasure, a pleasure.” Wang Zhao was a bit overwhelmed and shook his hand. Just as he withdrew it, he paused and asked again, “What did you say your name was?”
“Hai Di.”
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