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Madam He trembled all over. “Xuanxuan, are you sure the one you saw was really Grandpa?”
Huang Wenxuan nodded and then shook his head. “I can’t say; it’s a secret between me and Grandpa.”
Madam He pounded her thigh. “That old man turned into a ghost and came to harm Xuanxuan. Why didn’t he come to find me?”
She looked at Lin Xi. “Master, you see this…”
“It’s nothing.”
Lin Xi explained, “Before the age of three, a child’s soul and body haven’t fully merged, and their innate yang energy is weak, making them more likely to see things adults can’t, such as ghosts.”
“It’s a normal phenomenon; you don’t need to worry.”
Madam He sighed in relief.
Lin Xi waved her hand. “Come here.”
Huang Wenxuan obediently ran over. “Sister, Grandpa said he’s going to leave again. When will he come back?”
Lin Xi rubbed his head. “Grandpa will come back tonight.”
Huang Wenxuan was overjoyed. “Yay! I want to play hide and seek with Grandpa!”
Madam He stood to the side, her expression complicated.
Before her husband passed away, he adored Xuanxuan.
During that time, he didn’t play cards, chess, or go fishing; he spent every day revolving around Xuanxuan.
Changing diapers, feeding, making complementary food, wiping his bottom, he did everything personally.
His greatest joy each day was to make Xuanxuan laugh.
Unfortunately, Xuanxuan was only over a year old when her husband was diagnosed with lung cancer and passed away.
Madam He’s eyes moistened. “Master, my husband is now a ghost. He caused Xuanxuan to have a fever for several days. I want to ask why he came to find Xuanxuan?”
Lin Xi stood up. “Let’s go to your house.”
Madam He was delighted. “Master, I’ve wanted to invite you over for a long time.”
Lin Xi smiled. “No need to be so polite.”
Madam He was an old acquaintance, often sharing sunflower seeds with her.
The three of them walked back home.
Madam He opened the door. “Please, Master. After my husband passed, I’ve been living here alone with Xuanxuan.”
Lin Xi looked around.
It was an old-style courtyard house, with flowers and plants in front.
Her gaze fell on Huang Wenxuan. “Xuanxuan, what time does Grandpa come to play games with you every day?”
Huang Wenxuan blinked. “When I go to sleep.”
Madam He added, “Xuanxuan goes to bed at nine o’clock every night.”
Lin Xi said calmly, “It’s still early; we’ll wait until it’s dark.”
“Okay.” Madam He had no objections. “Master, it’s just time for dinner. I’ll make you a bowl of noodles.”
Lin Xi touched her belly. “Thank you.”
Madam He made a pot of Beijing Zhajiang Noodles, and Lin Xi picked up her chopsticks to taste.
The cucumber was crisp, the noodles chewy, especially the sauce, fragrant yet sweet, and sweet yet salty, leaving a lasting flavor.
Before she knew it, she had eaten three bowls.
Lin Xi set down her bowl and chopsticks, laughing a little embarrassedly. “I’ve eaten too much.”
Madam He smiled. “As the saying goes, being able to eat is a blessing. Master is a blessed person. Would you like another bowl?”
“No, no.” Lin Xi stretched.
Huang Wenxuan turned on the TV. “Sister, what cartoon do you like to watch?”
Lin Xi replied, “Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf.”
“Wow, I also like Lazy Goat.”
Huang Wenxuan skillfully clicked the remote.
The two sat together on the sofa, watching TV, and Lin Xi casually asked, “Has Gray Wolf eaten any sheep?”
Huang Wenxuan pondered her question seriously. “Gray Wolf and the sheep are good friends. He wouldn’t eat his friends.”
Lin Xi nodded. “That makes sense.”
Madam He watched the two, a big smile on her face.
Master usually seemed so capable, but she was still young. At this moment, she looked like a girl full of childlike innocence.
Time passed, and Huang Wenxuan yawned. “Grandma, sister, it’s time to sleep.”
Madam He picked him up and walked into the bedroom.
Lin Xi followed behind, turning off the lights.
The room was pitch black, and Madam He felt a little nervous.
She understood that the ghost was her husband, but thinking about seeing him made her feel afraid.
Suddenly, Huang Wenxuan yelled excitedly, “Grandpa, Grandpa is here!”
Madam He looked around anxiously. “Where? I can’t see him!”
At that moment, Lin Xi stood face to face with a shadow.
Lin Xi yawned. “You finally came. Why aren’t you staying in the underworld?”
“You can see me!” Grandpa Huang stared at her warily. “Who are you? What are you doing in my house?”
Before Lin Xi could speak, Huang Wenxuan jumped off the bed and ran to her, saying in his baby voice, “Grandpa, this sister is a good person.”
Grandpa Huang’s tone softened. “Xuanxuan, adults are talking; you should go to sleep.”
Huang Wenxuan shook his head. “No, I want to play games with Grandpa.”
Madam He came over and shouted at the air, “Old man, she’s the Master I invited. You must not be rude to her.”
Lin Xi patted her shoulder. “Wrong direction; he’s over here.”
Madam He felt a bit embarrassed. “Old man, did you hear that?”
Grandpa Huang turned his back, grumbling, “You actually invited a Master to capture me after fifty years of marriage!”
Madam He couldn’t see or hear him.
“Master, what did the old man say?”
Lin Xi used her hand to draw a talisman on her forehead.
“In ten hours, you’ll be able to see ghosts.”
Madam He’s vision suddenly changed, and a dark figure stood in front of her.
She was startled. “Old man?!”
Grandpa Huang quickly responded, “Ah, it’s me.”
Seeing her husband, who she hadn’t seen in a year, appeared before her, Madam He couldn’t help but cry.
Grandpa Huang cried too.
Huang Wenxuan looked left and right. “Why are Grandpa and Grandma crying?”
Lin Xi stroked his head. “Grandpa and Grandma are very happy.”
Huang Wenxuan raised his hands. “I’m also happy! Grandpa can play games with me again!”
Madam He wiped her eyes. “Old man, you’re dead, so why did you become a ghost and come home to harm Xuanxuan?”
Grandpa Huang widened his eyes. “I didn’t harm Xuanxuan. Xuanxuan is my grandson; I wouldn’t harm him.”
Madam He said impatiently, “Xuanxuan’s fever was all because of you.”
Lin Xi explained, “Children have little yang energy. When you’re near him, yin energy constantly enters his body. This will be bad for his health over time.”
“So that’s how it is…”
Grandpa Huang slapped himself. “Xuanxuan, I’m sorry.”
He sighed. “I missed Xuanxuan so much. Taking advantage of the Ghost Festival, I secretly ran home to see Xuanxuan, but I couldn’t find my way back to the underworld.”
Madam He looked at Lin Xi. “Master, the old man is so muddleheaded. What should we do?”
Lin Xi said calmly, “Sending you back to the underworld is simple. Take your time to talk.”
Madam He and Grandpa Huang looked at each other reluctantly.
Madam He spoke first. “Old man, you go. In a few years, I’ll go down to be with you.”
“Don’t talk nonsense,” Grandpa Huang cried.
Huang Wenxuan tugged at his clothes. “Grandpa, don’t cry. I’ll play games with you.”
Grandpa Huang gently comforted him. “Okay, okay, Xuanxuan, go to sleep. Grandpa will play games with you tomorrow.”
Tomorrow, he wouldn’t be able to see Xuanxuan anymore.
Lin Xi walked towards the door and pushed it open.
“It’s not a big deal to wait a night; you two play.”
“Thank you, Master.”
Grandpa Huang turned around, a faint smile on his face, just like usual. “Xuanxuan, Grandpa will play hide-and-seek with you.”
“Okay.” Huang Wenxuan covered his eyes. “I’ll be the ghost; Grandpa, you hide quickly.”
“30, 29, 28…”
Grandpa Huang’s eyes welled up; scenes from their past flashed in his mind.
He held back his tears. “Xuanxuan, Grandpa is hidden.”
Huang Wenxuan lowered his hands, revealing his wide eyes.
“Grandpa, I’m coming to catch you!”
“Ha, Grandpa caught you! Your turn to be the ghost.”
“Okay, okay, Grandpa will be the ghost.”
The two played for two hours. Huang Wenxuan fell asleep hiding in the closet.
Grandpa Huang rubbed his head.
“Xuanxuan, goodbye.”
Lin Xi opened the ghost gate and sent Grandpa Huang away.
She returned to Di Jing Garden at 1 AM.
A few lights were on in the courtyard. She was about to enter when the door opened from inside, revealing Fu Jingyao’s cold face.
The man looked down at her. “You’re back.”