Chapter 26: Delusional Parasitosis

The doll was crudely made, with a large head and small body, sitting cross-legged. Its head featured a small topknot, and its smile was eerie, making anyone who looked at it feel uncomfortable all over.

Lin Miao had said it was a Kumanthong. These were very popular in Southeast Asia, and many Chinese people, even celebrities, would specifically invite them back to worship.

According to online rumors, Kumanthong were initially created by virtuous monks to help deliver wandering spirits unable to reincarnate. They would use materials like incense ash and rice from the temple to mold a doll shape and infuse it with the spirit.

They would chant scriptures day and night to eliminate sins, and once merits were fulfilled, the spirit would enter reincarnation.

This was originally a good deed.

Later, it was exploited by people with ulterior motives. To satisfy buyers’ desires for quick wish fulfillment, they deliberately used dark materials such as corpse oil, soil from graves, and children’s remains to create very sinister dolls, forcing the spirits to remain in the statues and work for the worshippers.

In essence, it was raising a ghost child.

Moreover, news reports had covered stories of stolen children’s remains being dug up from graves. This was because some people were making Kumanthong to sell, which was absolutely insane.

“Do you know Lin Miao? Where did you get this doll?” I asked the male employee lying on the ground.

He groaned in pain, saying he didn’t know any Lin Miao at all, and that he had no idea who put the doll in his car.

About ten days ago, the male employee went to the West District for a blind date, but the woman wasn’t interested in him. He was already in a bad mood because the blind date failed, and the sudden appearance of a creepy, ugly doll in his car made him even angrier.

So, he angrily tried to throw the doll away, but his hand was cut by the doll’s rough barbs, and blood stained the doll.

He recoiled as if electrocuted, and immediately a child’s voice came into his mind, saying it could help him win back the blind date he just had.

The male employee thought he was hallucinating, so he casually replied. As a result, in less than half an hour, the woman sent a message saying she was willing to date him or something, and the next day they ended up in bed.

Seeing the doll’s efficacy, the male employee’s desires swelled. He begged the little ghost to help him succeed in his career, squeeze out his competitors, and gain the boss’s appreciation.

So, he reached a cooperation with the little ghost. Not only did he feed the little ghost his own blood every day, but he also brought the little ghost to the company to absorb vitality.

“Buddy, is there something wrong with your brain? Not only did you squeeze out your competitors, but you almost ruined the company, and you’re about to lose your job,” Brother Yuan chuckled.

The male employee turned his head and smiled smugly, “A big company is already poaching me…”

Before he could finish speaking, a rustling sound of footsteps and a voice as cold as ice came from the dimly lit corridor.

“So, you leaked the original code…”

Turning back towards the sound, a man in a black shirt and black dress pants stood at the wide office door.

His hair was short and neat, his figure slender. His sleeves were casually rolled up, revealing strong forearms, and the top two buttons of his shirt were undone, revealing a hint of casualness amidst the restraint.

The man crossed his arms, his eyes gloomy, staring at us intently.

And Assistant Fang, who had been uneasy and constantly wiping sweat, stood not far from him, winking at us.

Without introduction, this ice-cold handsome guy must be Young Master Jiang, Jiang Song, the one Assistant Fang described as being like a Shura when angered?

“You were invited by that old geezer…exorcists?” Jiang Song’s scrutiny and vigilance were obvious, his expression appearing even more somber due to the dim light.

“Yeah, your old man invited us. We’ve already cleaned things up, so it’s too late to get angry,” Brother Yuan replied lightly, deflecting the tension.

“Ask your good employee for the specifics.”

Assistant Fang nodded obsequiously and stepped forward to smooth things over, “Yes, yes, yes, we’ll handle the rest ourselves. Thank you, masters. I’ll see you out.”

I pulled Wen Ye and prepared to retreat with Brother Yuan. As we approached the door, Jiang Song sneered, “That old geezer is putting on a real show, playing the thief crying ‘Stop thief’.”

Brother Yuan smiled politely and mockingly, “Young Master Jiang, we outsiders aren’t interested in any grievances between you and your father, nor do we have the mood to act in your father-son drama. We’re just here to do a job for the money, and now we’re going back.”

Then he took out a business card from his pocket, “Figure out who the thief is before making a judgment, otherwise you’ll create bad karma with your words and diminish your own blessings.”

Jiang Song didn’t take Brother Yuan’s business card, glanced at me and Wen Ye, and scoffed, “The employee was secretly arranged by him, and the exorcists were also hired by that old man. Stealing company secrets while pretending to get rid of harm for me…if you’re going to put on a show, do it properly. Are exorcists these days so naive…stupid?”

I was so angry that my hair stood on end, and I glared at him and shouted, “Do you have delusional parasitosis or are you deaf! Your dad’s measly money isn’t enough to hire us to come here and put on a show! Who do you think you are! Does the whole world revolve around you and your father! The one who’s truly naive and stupid is you, so self-righteous!”

“One million isn’t enough to hire you?” Jiang Song glanced at me with a look of disdain, the corners of his mouth curving into a sneer.

O…one million?

Does Brother Yuan’s agency charge that much?

My momentum waned, and I looked at Brother Yuan guiltily: He wouldn’t really have taken his father’s money and deliberately put on a show for him, would he?

That’s not right! Wen Ye did catch the little ghost, we didn’t act out any show. I was almost had my neck slit, so the one who should be acting is the male employee lying on the ground.

Wen Ye was very impatient and nudged my arm to leave. I glared at Jiang Song again and quickly followed.

Brother Yuan lightly waved the business card and forcefully stuffed it into his hand, “You’re welcome to come to our place for inspection. A one-million-dollar retainer fee is just our agency’s starting price.”

Assistant Fang followed us apologetically, constantly explaining and apologizing, saying that Jiang Song had suddenly returned and he couldn’t stop him, and begging us not to take it to heart.

He also said that Jiang Song’s personality was just like that, that he had no ill intentions, but was just too wary of strangers, blah, blah, blah.

“Alright, alright, no need to explain. We’ve seen all kinds of people in our line of work, and your Young Master Jiang is considered high-quality. Since the matter has been resolved, our engagement is over,” Brother Yuan opened the car, and Wen Ye and I got in.

“Please don’t be angry. You can’t afford to offend you exorcists,” Assistant Fang rubbed his hands. “Our company’s affairs…”

Brother Yuan started the car and said to Assistant Fang through the car window, “The little ghost has been dealt with cleanly. If you don’t believe me, go ask that male employee.”

Assistant Fang’s face blossomed with a smile, “Yes, yes…safe travels to the three masters, and we’ll cooperate again next time!”

“Cooperate, your mother’s bazi!” Brother Yuan closed the car window and cursed softly.

I pursed my lips, trying hard to hold back my laughter, and looked at Wen Ye, who had closed his eyes to rest as soon as he got in the car.

Why does he fall asleep as soon as he gets in the car?

Brother Yuan met my gaze in the rearview mirror and explained with a smile, “The little fox gets a bit carsick. Canine animals, you know, their inner ear system isn’t fully developed.”

Pfft… So that’s why.

Wen Ye opened his eyes slightly, “If you don’t speak, no one will think you’re mute.”

Seeing his slightly furrowed brows, I asked him, tilting my head, “Do you want to lie down? It might be more comfortable.”