Fortunately, the Ghost Emperor didn’t have a huge appetite. She ate slowly and deliberately, so Zhong Cheng only needed to eat faster to stay ahead and scoop all the tasty dishes into his own bowl.
*If I eat quick enough, you can’t catch up. Hehe.*
Setting down his chopsticks, Zhong Cheng patted his belly—a roundness reminiscent of a four-month pregnancy bump—with deep satisfaction.
*Full. So full.*
After overeating, he needed a short rest before moving; otherwise, an upset stomach was almost guaranteed.
Sitting quietly in the restaurant, sipping tea and unwinding, he felt like an old man savoring life and pondering its truths.
The Ghost Emperor pulled out her Sony LT26 and dove into Fruit Ninja with focused intensity, killing time.
Whipping out her phone at the slightest pause—textbook modern youth behavior.
*Have some respect for the ghost archetype, please.*
“Where’d you get that phone? And you actually know how to use it?” Zhong Cheng asked, curiosity piqued.
“You don’t think this wife is illiterate, completely clueless about modern things, do you?” The Ghost Emperor lifted her eyes slightly toward Zhong Cheng, then returned her gaze to the screen.
“But… you’re a ghost. You’ve been holed up on the mountain all this time,” Zhong Cheng countered.
“Even ghosts must keep up with the times, or get left behind. Bao Hua Village has electricity and running water now—villagers all use phones. How could this wife fall behind?” she replied without glancing up.
Zhong Cheng fell speechless.
*Get this straight: you’re a ghost, not human! You’re wrecking your own character design—zero distinct personality. In any character-driven game, you’d get axed instantly.*
*Only a trash game designer would pull this.*
*A ghost being this ambitious? Makes me feel kinda ashamed. Lately I’ve been lazy—skipping class, no certs, glued to my phone, gaming all night… total loser energy.*
“As for the phone,” the Ghost Emperor added, “a little ghost under me found it and offered it up. I visit Bao Hua Village sometimes, watched villagers use phones, and learned.”
*So… human or ghost? A ghost leading the tech curve… really okay?*
She kept swiping rapidly with two fingers in Fruit Ninja, her score climbing steadily.
*Back to that emotionless gaming-robot mode again.*
*Is Fruit Ninja *that* fun? How is she not bored yet?*
*Wish I could teach her Honor of Kings, Arena of Valor, Miracle MU—show her how trash this game is and wipe that smug look off her face.*
*But her decade-old phone would probably lag to death.*
*He swallowed the urge to show off his gaming skills.*
“We’re in town now. Any plans? Somewhere you want to go?” Zhong Cheng asked.
“What do you mean by that, husband?” The Ghost Emperor narrowed her eyes.
“Exactly what it sounds like. Rarely in town—surely there’s somewhere you’re curious about? It’s human nature… though as a ghost, maybe you wouldn’t get it,” Zhong Cheng said earnestly.
*He remembered how she’d stared at the bus station entrance earlier—like a country dweller utterly bewildered by the city’s glitter. First time in the city? She *must* have places she wants to see.*
*All pretense.*
*Truth was, Zhong Cheng desperately hoped she did—anything to shake her off.*
*She said she just wanted to be with him, but this “deep love” felt suffocating.*
*Married? Shared the ceremonial wine? Technically husband and wife. But they’d met fewer times than fingers on one hand. Still strangers… no, a strange ghost.*
*Even a whirlwind marriage shouldn’t whirl *this* fast.*
*Family background, income, job, criminal records, ancestors’ trades, hometown…*
*He knew none of it. This marriage was recklessly rushed.*
*And humans and ghosts? No future.*
*Like stories in Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio—how many cross-species couples ever found happiness?*
*Centuries ago, Master Pu Songling showed clearly: different species, cultures, beliefs… rarely blend.*
*Breakup was inevitable.*
*Better sooner than later. Short pain beats long suffering.*
*At least he wouldn’t end up her emergency snack—suck, suck, suck.*
*He wanted to lay it bare: no future, impossible. End this doomed bond now.*
*I walk my path of the living; you walk your path of the dead. No ties.*
*She’d flirt with her beauty—stir the fire, never put it out. Zero real payoff. Classic manipulative move.*
*Maybe fools a player. But Zhong Cheng? A genuinely straight-laced guy? Nah.*
*Unless she lets things get physical, it’s all empty talk—emotional manipulation!*
*…Okay, maybe he’d rambled too much.*
*He just needed to vent. Who stays calm when wronged?*
*Zhong Cheng truly didn’t want her trailing him. She seemed harmless… but who knew?*
*How many kind-faced people commit horrors? Let alone a ghost.*
*Sweet when happy, green-faced with fangs when angry—who could handle that?*
*Those not of our kind harbor different intentions.*
*In a packed city, if she snapped… who could possibly control it?*
*Smartest move: get far away before it happens.*
*Zhong Cheng didn’t believe for a second she followed him here with good intentions.*
*Even promises? Untrustworthy. “A woman’s words are lies”—and she’s literally a ghost. Doubly so.*
*No surprise she’s full of ghostly lies.*
*If he guessed right, she came for more yang energy. Standard ghost procedure.*
*He didn’t want his future littered with drained corpses.*
*Worst fear? Being the next one drained.*
“Truly… nowhere you want to go?” Zhong Cheng pressed.
“Husband… trying to ditch this wife?” The Ghost Emperor’s eyes narrowed slightly.
*Sharp. Hard to fool. Annoying.*
“Nonsense. You’re overthinking,” Zhong Cheng said, forcing confidence to hide his nerves.
“On the bus, this wife already said: wherever husband goes, this wife follows,” she stated calmly.
*Guess I’m just too outstanding. Devastatingly handsome. Why else would a ghost be so smitten?*
*Truly a man burdened by charm.*
*Sure—I don’t smoke, drink, fight, perm my hair, or roam at night. Max: all-nighter at the internet cafe.*
*Life’s upright. Never mess with relationships (no chance anyway). But deep down? Total loser.*
*Beneath this golden-foil handsome exterior lies rotten cotton.*
*I’m no match for the Ghost Emperor.*
“Oh—and stop calling this wife ‘you.’ This wife has a name: Li Yanwei,” she said.
*Li Yanwei?*
*Unexpectedly elegant. Not scary at all.*
“Li Yanwei…” Zhong Cheng tested the name.
“If you like, you may also call me ‘wife’,” she added.
“No need. We’re not that close yet. I’m… conservative,” Zhong Cheng said firmly.
The Ghost Emperor let out a faint cold laugh, ignored him, and returned to Fruit Ninja.
“I’m heading to the restroom. Wait here. I’ll be back… and buy you some oranges,” Zhong Cheng said.
“Mm.” She nodded absently.
Zhong Cheng stood, stepped out of the restaurant.
Spotted the restroom sign quickly, followed it.
Moments later.
He exited, crumpled the paper towel, tossed it into the bin.
Didn’t turn back. Walked straight toward the bus stop.
Multiple buses lined the platform.
After a quick scan, he found his ride.
Boarded, scanned the QR code with his phone, paid, and settled into the last row.
Two minutes later, the bus pulled away on schedule.
