Hmph. This jerk of a brother has no idea how flustered his little sister is now that his girlfriend suddenly showed up.

Being seen in such a messy, casual state at home? So embarrassing. So shameful.

Plus, with nothing to talk about and facing such a stunning beauty, the whole vibe was awkward and tense.

Bro, don’t think scoring a gorgeous girlfriend gives you the right to show off. Your little sister isn’t jealous—and definitely not tsundere.

Your place in this family will always be beneath hers.

Zhong Cheng acted as if he hadn’t heard or seen his sister’s reaction. His gaze stayed locked on the Ghost Emperor, face growing paler by the second.

His legs turned to jelly, trembling uncontrollably until he finally collapsed to his knees.

“Bro, why are you kneeling?” Zhong Xi asked, bewildered.

“Perhaps he’s just overjoyed to see me,” the Ghost Emperor said with a cold smirk.

“Is that so?” Zhong Xi tilted her head, puzzled.

So extreme happiness makes people kneel? Good to know.

“W-why… How did you even get here…?” Zhong Cheng stammered.

“Husband, did you buy the oranges?” the Ghost Emperor asked coolly.

“No…” Zhong Cheng’s voice cracked.

“Never mind. I don’t particularly like oranges anyway. Here’s your forgotten backpack—take care of it. Don’t lose it again.” She patted the bag beside her.

“Okay…” Zhong Cheng replied meekly.

“You returned the backpack… So you can leave now, right…?” he asked cautiously.

“Heh. What do you think?” The Ghost Emperor’s smirk sharpened.

How was he supposed to answer that? He felt utterly helpless.

“I am your woman. I said I wouldn’t mind your humble home, yet you resist. If I hadn’t followed secretly, when would I ever meet your family?”

Her slightly pouting expression was strangely cute.

Zhong Cheng wasn’t fooled for a second—this was all damn acting.

He saw right through it.

No matter how radiant her smile looked, to him it was a devil’s grin—a monstrous beast baring fangs, ready to pounce.

Chills shot down his spine.

He trembled, straining to stand, but his legs refused. He stayed kneeling.

Right now, he resembled a chastised son-in-law forced to kneel on a washboard—stripped of all dignity.

What now?

How had she tracked him down after flying so far? Could she literally fly?!

He’d underestimated the Ghost Emperor’s reach. Finding him here… he felt utterly helpless.

Abandoning her at the bus station had clearly angered her—that cold smirk was proof.

He’d thought he’d escaped the nightmare. Wrong. It had only just begun.

What torment awaited next?

“Please leave… or I’ll call the police…” Zhong Cheng forced out the words, though he knew it was futile.

*Maybe she’ll play fair?*

“You truly wound my heart. After coming all this way, this is your attitude?” The Ghost Emperor narrowed her eyes.

“Exactly! You land a goddess like her and still complain? Bro, with your clueless vibe, you’ll never get a good wife—just get played by gold-diggers,” Zhong Xi huffed, exasperated.

*What nonsense is this trash sister spouting?* Sure, she spoiled and teased him daily—but did she not see the giant “DANGER” flashing above her head? Her hair had just been snipped again! *Your life’s in my hands, you know?*

Even a jerk sister was still his responsibility. He couldn’t let her get hurt.

“Xi, this isn’t your place. Stay quiet,” Zhong Cheng said firmly.

She kept muttering resentfully. He ignored her. *Adult business. Scram.*

“Are you truly trying to drive me away?” the Ghost Emperor asked, eyes narrowed.

“Yes. Plenty of good men exist. Don’t fixate on me. In the village, I might seem decent. In the city? Just a broke nobody. Please… let me go.”

Zhong Cheng pleaded with raw desperation, appealing to reason: *Countless better men await. Don’t sacrifice the whole forest for one tree.*

*If you crave warmth… try a hot bath. Or adult toys. Some even self-heat.*

Don’t ask how he knew—he’s a totally normal guy!

“Husband, what do you mean? Do you think I’m some loose woman? We’ve held the ceremony, shared the cup, slept together—we are true spouses. Say that again, and I *will* be angry. The consequences will be severe.”

“Accept your fate. Our bond won’t break until your death. Even as ghosts—we remain together. Unless your soul is utterly annihilated.” She smirked.

*No wonder—ancient mindset, wifely virtues, refusing to remarry.* He actually admired that purity amid today’s chaotic dating scene…

*But you’re not human! You’re a ghost! Skip the human customs!*

He knew voicing it would change nothing. Might makes right.

Was he truly doomed to accept this?

Zhong Xi, hearing it all, saw only profound love—“husband,” “wife,” vowing eternity even in the underworld. *Such devotion! A role model!* (Though wasted on her nobody brother. *Jerk.*)

“Husband, stop hesitating. Say it: Do you love me? Wish to be with me forever—even in the underworld?”

*Too deep. Suffocating.*

As Zhong Cheng scrambled for an escape—

The Ghost Emperor’s hand settled on Zhong Xi’s head. Her nails elongated, gleaming metallic-sharp.

A casual flick. Strands of hair drifted onto the sofa.

One light grab, and her head would be a smashed watermelon.

Blatant threat.

Unaware she was a hostage, Zhong Xi kept scolding him: “What a jerk!”

*Damn it—turn around! See the danger! Got it?!*

“Yes! I love you! I want forever with you—even in the underworld, never apart!” Zhong Cheng lied through his teeth.

“I knew it. My husband loves me—he’s just tsundere.” Her nails retracted; satisfaction softened her features.

*Without a hostage, I’d never say that!*

Zhong Cheng felt utterly helpless. Again bowing to tyranny.

Hope extinguished. No illusions left.

The greater the hope, the deeper the despair.

He’d never escape her grasp. Doomed to be her emergency snack.

She knew his address. His family. Where could he run?

Escape again? No second chance.

“I need a private word with your brother. Excuse us,” the Ghost Emperor said.

“Sure! I’ll lower the TV—promise not to disturb you,” Zhong Xi chirped sweetly.

*This trash sister only acts cute for outsiders. At home? Never helps, always scoffs. Only nice when borrowing allowance. Pah!*

Zhong Cheng and the Ghost Emperor stepped into his room.

Door closed. Silence fell.

The weakness in his legs had eased.

She scanned the space—like any girl visiting her boyfriend’s room for the first time.

Clean. Tidy. But painfully cramped.

To the Ghost Emperor, raised in the palace of the Ancient Shrine, it felt smaller than a cell. A chicken coop.

*Why do humans choose such tight spaces?*

Her gaze settled on Zhong Cheng—uneasy, trembling.

A bewitching yet icy smirk curved her lips.