Yu Sen made a small, drawn-out sound, feeling a bit nervous inside. Seeing Si Xuanyang’s stance, he was unsure—was he planning to kill someone in broad daylight?

Although this place wasn’t a lawful society, it was hard to tell who was human and who was a ghost around here. If they offended everyone, it wouldn’t end well.

He gently tugged at the chain around Si Xuanyang’s waist.

The furious demon immediately understood his thoughts and squeezed his hand in reassurance, raising an eyebrow coldly at the catwoman and elf, “Think carefully, other than your limbs, what else useful can you leave us?”

Hearing this, the catwoman’s already pale face froze for a moment, her round pupils quivered rapidly in panic for a few seconds, her lips trembling as she opened and closed her mouth, almost about to cry.

Maybe it was the influence of his outfit, but Yu Sen felt his heart soften, looking at her pitiful appearance, he felt uncomfortable and turned his face away, biting his lip in reluctance.

Seeing his pale complexion and bloodless lips, Si Xuanyang’s gaze darkened slightly. Turning back to the catwoman and elf, his look became more impatient and disgusted. Just as he was about to wave them away, the catwoman suddenly shouted in excitement.

“I thought of it! Sir, I thought of it!”

Yu Sen was startled by her sharp voice, furrowing his brow as he looked over.

the catwoman let go of the crying child in her arms and took out two dark gold cards from her pocket.

“Since you and the lady aren’t residents here, you must need this.”

What a ridiculous title!

The princess who was called ‘the lady’ was extremely displeased, rolling his eyes to the sky, but couldn’t say a word. His frustration was stuck in his throat, unable to be expressed.

“Whimper…”

The sound was soft, with a tinge of grievance, making it heart-wrenching to hear.

Si Xuanyang wrapped an arm around his princess’s equally soft waist, unable to suppress a smile on his cold face.

He suddenly thought, a mute princess had a different kind of charm.

Somehow… a bit… cute?

“Whimper!”—What are you laughing at?

Yu Sen glared at him.

“Sorry, my lady… uh, no, no, my princess…” Si Xuanyang stifled a laugh as he pulled him into his embrace, “Please bear with it for now. Once I figure out what this is, I’ll make it up to you, okay?”

“Whimper…” The genuinely cute little princess drooped his head, dejected.

The demon’s heart melted into a soft cotton candy, and the frost in his eyes and face melted away, replaced by a dazzling, starry smile. He nodded to the catwoman, “Tell me what this is.”

The catwoman was momentarily stunned by his warm smile, her face flushing slightly as she lowered her head in embarrassment. Staring at the dark gold cards in her hands, she cleared her throat and said, “These are passes for the ghost parade held on Halloween night.”

“Pass?” Si Nan lowered his head in surprise to take a look. “You need a pass to participate in the parade? So strict? What happens if you don’t have this thing when you join the parade?”

The cards looked quite firm, but upon closer inspection, you could see a sheen of water flowing on their surface. They were thin and lightly held between the catwoman’s two fingers, with some small characters written on them.

The catwoman explained, “The cards have the holder’s name engraved on them. Only those with the cards can join the Ghost Parade. If you go out on Halloween night without them, your identity will automatically be considered as ghost food, and the consequences will be tragic.”

Tsk! Food, huh? That’s scary… Yu Sen shivered and whimpered as he leaned on Si Xuanyang’s shoulder, looking more like a cat than the catwoman.

Si Xuanyang gently stroked his back and asked the catwoman, “Are these two cards with your names on them? If that’s the case, they’re already claimed. Will they still work if we take them?”

“They will, they will…” the catwoman nodded repeatedly. “When the card is given to someone else, the name on it changes. However, if it’s stolen or taken by force, the name won’t change.”

“I see, quite smart.”

Si Xuanyang stared at the two cards for a moment, then took them from the catwoman’s hand. The cool cards felt like water, and the light swirled around the name on them. In the blink of an eye, they changed to the name “Si Xuanyang.”

He handed one card to Yu Sen, and the name on it instantly became Yu Sen’s.

“How do people usually get these cards?” he asked.

They had obtained two cards, but Si Nan and Luo Yu still needed them.

The catwoman, much calmer now, slowly explained, “It’s like winning the lottery or treasure hunting, no fixed pattern. Some are found inside cookie bags at convenience stores, some in the pumpkin lanterns in people’s yards. You can also go door-to-door asking for candy before midnight. Some homeowners might slip a card in with the candy, but they might also give you something else.”

“Something else? What else?” Si Nan asked curiously.

“What do you think? It’s Halloween,” the catwoman smiled slightly. “Some nasty pranks, like blades or poison—things that clowns can’t handle. You’d better not try this method, but this gentleman here might be okay.”

She carefully glanced at the stern and aloof demon in front of her.

“Clowns?” Si Xuanyang looked at Si Nan’s outfit and moved his arm, sensing something unusual. “Speaking of which, do the clothes give us corresponding abilities?”

“You don’t know? Yet you seem so familiar with casting spells…” the catwoman muttered suspiciously, shaking her head. “Not everyone can gain powers. It only happens if the person and their costume are extremely well-matched.”

Si Nan nodded in understanding. “That balances things out in my mind. I’m so handsome and dashing, being a clown doesn’t suit me at all, so it’s normal not to have any powers.”

“……”

“Alright, we’ll accept these then.” Si Xuanyang toyed with the pass in his hand and nodded slightly at the catwoman. His gaze turned cold when he looked at the still-sniffling kid beside her. “Take him away. If this magic isn’t lifted in two days…”

“…I will definitely find you.”

After all, a mother can sense the magic cast on her child. He himself could also feel when he had done something to someone. This child had been bound by his magic vines all over, so if Si Xuanyang wanted, he could find him at any time.

A flash of anger and shame crossed the catwoman’s face as she stared at him and firmly said, “Rest assured, I haven’t lied.”

With that, she hugged the child, bowed slightly to them, and turned to leave.

…

Si Xuanyang watched her walk away, then retracted his gaze, raised his index finger, and lightly brushed Yu Sen’s face, chilled by the cold wind, teasingly asking, “Cold?”

“Whimper!”

“Oh, I forgot. The princess can’t talk now.” The demon’s face showed a look of sudden realization.

“Whimper!!!” —Bullshit! You didn’t forget! You did it on purpose!

Yu Sen nearly ground his teeth to dust, his pale cheek tinged with a light blush, like faint cherry blossoms against the snow—pure and soft.

Si Xuanyang burst into laughter, pulled him tightly into his arms, and teased, “Oh, my little princess looks so pretty. I just want to sit on you and squish you…”

“Whimper Whimper Whimper Whimper!”

“Damn, I was wrong, I was wrong… Don’t bite me, please—! What are you trying to say? I can’t understand…”

“Whimper!”

Bullshit you can’t understand! Stop pretending! Your face is about to crack from laughing!

Bastard! Jerk!

Yu Sen forcefully pushed him away, furious. After taking a deep breath, he accidentally choked on the cold wind, causing him to cough uncontrollably, clutching his chest in discomfort.

“Cough cough cough cough—!”

Even his coughing was muted by the spell, doing nothing to ease the burning sensation in his chest or the itch in his throat, causing tears to well up in the corners of his eyes.

Si Xuanyang’s expression changed instantly. With a serious face, he pulled Yu Sen into his arms, letting him breathe slowly against the warmth of his neck while gently patting his back to help him catch his breath.

“Baby, don’t rush, take it slow… Breathe in, breathe out, don’t panic…”

“Cough cough… Uh…”

“That’s right, I’m an idiot, I admit it.”

Yu Sen: “…”

See? He claims he can’t understand, but he clearly gets it better than anyone else!

“Whimper!” Yu Sen nudged him; the chains on the demon were digging into his skin.

“Lean on me a bit longer, you’re still unsteady.” Si Xuanyang openly held him on the street and signaled to Si Nan and Luo Yu, “Let’s split up. It’s only the first day, so there’s still a good chance to find passes. Let’s grab them before too many people know about this. If possible, avoid using the trick-or-treating method at night.”

“Alright,” Si Nan nodded, greeting Yu Sen. “Is everything okay, Yu Ge? Then we’re leaving?”

“Whimper!”

“Ugh, really enough. Everything sounds like you’re whining. Luo Yu, let’s go…” Si Nan muttered as he walked away.

“Whimper, Whimper, Whimper!”

“Okay, okay, I got it. Si Nan is also a big fool, that’s an absolute fact. I’m a witness,” Si Xunyang continued to calm him down without changing his pace.

“Eh…”

“Still coughing? How about resting back in the room? It’s too cold out here for you.” Si Xunyang’s eyebrows furrowed with concern, his warm hand holding Yu Sen’s thin, cold fingers with a gentle touch. He dared not exert any pressure, feeling a sharp pain in his heart.

Yu Sen shook his head vigorously against his neck.

What a joke. This demon would dare to cuddle and kiss in the street filled with people and ghosts. Once they get back to the room, wouldn’t he go wild and kiss him all over?

How could that be called resting?!

Seeing his expression, Si Xunyang sighed with a smile. “Let’s try the convenience store ahead to see if they have a pass. There’s apple candy right outside, you wanted that, right? I’ll buy it for you.”

“Whimper~~”

^[1]Author’s Note:

The Demon to others: One punch.

To Yu Sen: So cute, I want to sit on him and squish him to death.