I wrestled with the thought for a day and, as night fell, I washed the dishes and told my brother I needed to go buy something.

My brother was playing King of Glory. Hearing I was going out, he looked up and said, “Little ancestor, you’ve been bumping into ghosts every time you go out recently. Better not to go. Tell me what you need, I’ll buy it for you.”

“I’m just going to the pharmacy at the street corner,” I confessed.

My brother, quick on the uptake, immediately asked, “Buying condoms?”

…I picked up a compass, ready to throw it at him.

“Hahaha, I’m just guessing. Did I guess right?”

“No!”

“Then what are you buying? You’re already carrying a spirit fetus, what do you need condoms for? Besides, condoms for humans can’t be used by ghosts, you’d have to go to a specialized store in the Yinshan Ghost Market.”

My eyes widened, “What kind of specialized store? They sell that sort of thing?!”

“Of course, you think we’re the only ones in this business? There are plenty of people dealing with stuff from the underworld. I’ll pick some up for you next time I go.”

He spoke nonchalantly, but I was thunderstruck.

So, this circle has so many unbelievable things, live humans acting as underworld envoys, and even markets specifically for trading ghostly goods, including condoms for ghosts!

I whispered to the sales assistant at the pharmacy that I wanted to buy a pregnancy test, and she immediately handed me a box, “Who uses test papers these days? Use a pregnancy test pen, it’s convenient, quick, and hygienic.”

Her voice was so loud, I hurriedly scanned to pay.

Back home, after taking a shower, I followed the instructions and took the test back to my room to wait for the result.

My brother shouted from downstairs, “Xiao Qiao! Come down and take a call! Great-grandfather is looking for you!”

Great-grandfather? I was somewhat displeased with him. Although he is a good person and commands respect in managing our family, our family’s constant dealings with ghosts and spirits are also because of him.

Our old house’s cellar is essentially an ancient tomb he emptied. During the war-torn years, it sustained our family’s livelihood and helped us thrive.

Even today, over a hundred family members are involved in related trades, each indifferent to life and death, and emotionally detached.

Great-grandfather asked about my recent condition on the phone, including how I felt physically and if anything unusual was happening.

How could I discuss these things with him? I just said everything was fine.

He suddenly warned me, “I heard from Cheng Su that there have been several murder cases at the criminal police team these past few days. He’s in charge of the autopsies, and while officially they’re said to be sudden deaths, he says they’re related to evil arts. You two are young; be careful with what you take in and send out, and don’t touch those evil items.”

When Great-grandfather mentioned evil arts, I immediately thought of the thuggish bronze statue that Hou Shaowen had acquired, which a sorcerer said he needed. Jiang Qiyun also gave his verdict at that time: evil path.

I hurriedly told Great-grandfather about this, and his tone became very serious, “If that sorcerer knows that the bronze statue came from you, he will definitely come after you. Remember, never help him find goods, and don’t sell anything to him! Esoteric Buddhism and our Taoist practices do not mix! And this is evil magic, don’t get involved!”

“Yes,” I nodded, looking at my brother who pursed his lips and also responded.

After hanging up, I said to my brother, “Brother, I know you want to save money for Dad, but we should really avoid dealing with these sinister items… I’m quite scared.”

My brother is fearless, afraid of neither heaven nor earth, and he himself isn’t afraid, but hearing me say this, he nodded seriously, “Okay, if you’re scared, we won’t do it. We’ll just deal with antiques.”

I returned to my room and the moment I opened the door, I saw Jiang Qiyun standing by the desk, holding the pregnancy test pen and looking at it.

“Hey! Why are you messing with my things!” I blushed and walked over to snatch the pen, stealing a glance at it.

Bright red, two lines.

Definitely positive.

“What is this?” Jiang Qiyun asked seriously.

“It’s a… a pregnancy test…” I hurriedly tossed it into the trash. It’s only been half a month, and already my life is turned upside down.

What am I going to do…

I ruffled my hair in frustration, although I had agreed to this under Jiang Qiyun’s imposing presence.

But thinking about it now, it’s not easy; I need to plan ahead.

Jiang Qiyun saw me tapping on my phone and asked, “Why are you still testing? The ring showing a chi dragon is the best proof.”

“You just care about sowing seeds, of course, you have nothing to worry about!” I snapped back, “I have to calculate time off work, manage my leave from school! Do you think I can go to school with a big belly and let others point at my spine and mock me?”

The bed slightly sank beside me as his large hand squeezed my face, “What? Does carrying my child make you feel disgraced?”

I smiled, “How could that be? It’s an honor from the Lord of the Underworld; I should be grateful. But there are conventional norms in the world of the living, and I have to endure how others see me.”

Jiang Qiyun narrowed his eyes, a sign of his anger, but I was somewhat immune to it now.

》》》

The next day at school, Song Wei hugged me and whispered that her brother had reacted, and now their whole family was renting outside, planning to demolish their house, either to rebuild or sell the land.

I smiled, “It’s good that you’re a smart and obedient person.”

“Of course! I must listen to what a handsome guy and good friend say! Oh, Xiao Qiao, your boobs seem to have grown bigger, surely it’s the nourishment of love, haha! Ow!”

I smacked her on the back of her head, and she stuck out her tongue and suggested going shopping—no way! I was scared enough by that baby ghost last time; I’m not going.

When I got home, there was a flashy sports car parked in front of our shop. That guy Hou Shaowen had come again!

I hurried into the shop; my brother was speaking with him, “Hou Shao, I really don’t have the item you’re asking for, and I’m young, I don’t have special channels, I’m afraid I can’t help you.”

Hou Shaowen couldn’t hide his disappointment and politely excused himself after a few words.

“He’s definitely involved with that problematic sorcerer, asking him to come here again looking for genuine artifacts. This time he wanted an octagonal glazed bronze tower, which we really don’t have,” my brother shook his head.

I thought we were done with visitors for the day, but that night, our house was burglarized.

I was sleeping soundly when suddenly I felt a tightness around my waist, and my whole body was pulled back, hitting a cold, hard chest.

I was dazed and confused, Jiang Qiyun sleeping behind me?

He pinched my chin hard and said, “Wake up!”

“What… what’s going on…” I was totally bewildered.

“There’s a noise downstairs!” He flipped over and stood by the window looking down.

I reached for my phone to call my brother to be careful, but just as I picked it up, I heard noises from downstairs.

Jiang Qiyun opened the door ready to check, and I reminded him, “Don’t scare the thief to death, huh? If word gets out that our house is haunted, we won’t be able to do business anymore.”

From downstairs, my brother’s voice shouted, “Damn, to come steal from my house! I’ll break your third leg! Eh? Brother-in-law, you’re here? Good, I’ll kill him, and you help me clear it with the underworld!”

I couldn’t help but facepalm, my brother was too bold, actually calling Jiang Qiyun brother-in-law!

Who knew Jiang Qiyun would actually respond coolly with one word, “Okay.”