Chapter 30

【What happened?】

【It seems like the little one covered the young man’s ears with his hands and said, “Dad said, I’m sorry”?】

【The young man’s emotional breakdown caught me off guard, but it really looked so heartbreaking.】

【An adult’s breakdown happens in an instant. “I don’t have a dad anymore,” hearing that is really painful.】

The landlady didn’t know why her son suddenly became so emotional, but she clearly remembered that when her late husband was alive, he used to call their son Ze Ze, though he hadn’t called him that in a long time.

She always thought her son had blamed his father for over thirty years, but she never realized he felt this way deep down.

The landlady lowered her head, covering her mouth, tears glistening in her eyes: “If only you had told Dad earlier, you two… sigh.”

Qin Bing, unsure of what had happened, gently patted the landlady’s back to comfort her: “Sometimes, certain words aren’t easy to say.”

Xiao Ze leaned against the altar, half-kneeling on the ground, silent.

“That’s right,” the landlady said softly, looking at her son’s back. “These two have never been close since childhood. His dad was always busy making money, rarely at home. Every time the child wanted to see him when he was young, he was always busy. There wasn’t much communication between them. As the child grew up, when father and son met, they didn’t know what to say to each other.”

“When Xiao Ze was little, he used to draw his parents in art class, but later he stopped drawing his dad. My husband never attended his parent-teacher meetings either, and…” the landlady continued, “Xiao Ze always felt like his dad had abandoned him.”

Perhaps because no one had spoken about these things in years, and now that her husband was gone, the landlady didn’t mind who was in front of her. She held onto Qin Bing, choking up as she spoke: “But his dad was a man of few words, clumsy and inarticulate. Every time he came home and tried to talk to the child, it ended in frustration. Boys have tempers too, and as he grew older, there was less and less to say.”

“But what father would ever be his child’s enemy?”

“Get up,” the old man’s ghost tried to pull his child up, but his hand passed right through him. He had no choice but to squat in front of his son. “Dad knows now, good child.”

He spoke solemnly: “When you start your own family and have children, don’t be a father like me.”

But Xiao Ze couldn’t hear him now.

“Little Deity,” the old man’s ghost said to Little Qi Wu, “Can you make the uncle stop crying?”

The landlady, being the old man’s wife, also walked up to her son: “You never shed a tear even when you got into fights, but now, a man in his thirties, crying like this.”

Little Qi Wu stood beside Xiao Ze, thought for a moment, and then looked up, saying: “This is the uncle’s dad.”

Everyone was stunned: “What?”

Little Qi Wu didn’t immediately comfort the uncle. Instead, she said: “He’s Dad’s child, so he can cry in front of Dad.”

“The uncle only has one dad.”

The landlady’s lips trembled, her nose tingling with emotion. She turned her head away, unable to speak.

The old man’s ghost was also unusually silent, just staring at his son. After a long while, he finally said: “Cry all you need. From now on, it’s your turn to be a dad.”

【I understand now, it’s quite heartbreaking.】

【”A child who wishes to care for his parents but they are no longer there.” It’s too late to say anything now, but this is the reality for many families.】

Seeing that it was about time, Su Wen summoned the local Impermanence Envoys. When they arrived, the old man’s ghost was still staring at his son, lost in thought.

Little Qi Wu stepped forward, tiptoed, and took down the apple that Uncle had peeled earlier, handing it to the uncle who was burying his head: “Uncle, have an apple.”

Her voice was soft and soothing: “Grandpa also wanted to peel an apple for you.”

Xiao Ze slowly looked up, his hand trembling slightly as he took the apple. Little Qi Wu placed the apple in his palm, her small hand holding his thumb with just the right warmth: “Uncle, when you become a dad in the future, you need to learn to tell your child that you love them.”

Hearing this, Xiao Ze raised his eyes, opened his mouth but no sound came out.

Little Qi Wu hugged him: “Now that you don’t have a dad anymore, Uncle, you need to grow up.”

In Little Qi Wu’s heart, no matter who it is, if they make a mistake and need to learn, it means they need to grow up.

Seeing White Impermanence waiting nearby, she softly said: “Say goodbye to Dad.”

Xiao Ze’s gaze was fixed on the apple in his hand. After a long while, he finally took a bite. In a place he couldn’t see, the other half of the apple had been bitten by the old grandpa ghost.

“Dad, I never said goodbye to you,” Xiao Ze said, “From now on, I’ll learn to walk this path alone.”

“Don’t worry about me.”

With that, he straightened up, tears in his eyes, and solemnly kowtowed three times in front of the memorial portrait.

Seeing this, Impermanence stepped forward: “Lord Yama, Judge, I’ll take them away now.”

The old grandpa ghost, hearing this title, looked in surprise at the young man and the child beside him: “Are you really gods?”

Little Qi Wu smiled and nodded: “Ben Wang is a Ghost and God.”

Su Wen slightly raised his eyes: “This is Lord Yama.”

It turned out to be a child.

The old grandpa ghost didn’t find it strange that Lord Yama was a child. At his age, he had seen everything and nothing was surprising anymore. He just realized, no wonder, no wonder this child was so insightful.

He took one last look at his son and his wife, and said with a sense of relief: “It’s time to go. In this life, how can one not have regrets? It’s enough, it’s enough.”

“Thank you, Lord Yama,” he nodded gently, “Lord Yama, your merit is immeasurable.”

Little Qi Wu also politely said: “Thank you, Grandpa. May your journey be smooth.”

Impermanence then looked at the little ghost hiding nearby: “My Lords, what about this one…”

“I won’t go! Gods, don’t take me away!” The little ghost hid in the corner and said, “Sister, I want to go see Director Mom with you!”

Little Qi Wu had heard what the little ghost said earlier. Although she didn’t know who Director Mom was, she could pass on a message. This sister was a good person.

Impermanence glanced at the little ghost and said: “This little ghost didn’t die here. We need to take him back to where he died.”

Su Wen didn’t make it difficult for Impermanence: “Take this one first.”

“Yes, Lord.”

The old grandpa ghost didn’t linger. He didn’t even look back as he left, his steps quick, just like every time he left home in the past. He was afraid he would linger again.

It was as if a gust of wind had suddenly swept through the living room. Xiao Ze and his mother seemed to sense something and turned their heads towards the window at the same time. Outside was the boundless night, and the lively music of square dance could be heard.

They seemed to really see that familiar figure gradually leaving.

Xiao Ze had seen his father’s back countless times, each time with different emotions.

When he was a child, he would always stand at the door and ask, “Dad, when will you come back?”

“I’ll be back soon,” his father would reply, glancing back at him. “Ze Ze, be good.”

Then he would leave without looking back.

He wanted to say that although he used to blame his father, every time his father left, he would always look forward to his return. It was true in the past, and it still is now.

But this time.

His father would never come back.

After the matter was settled, Su Wen walked up and said, “Qi Wu, shall we go home?”

Little Qi Wu nodded obediently, “Okay.”

Xiao Ze, who had been kneeling on the ground, stood up at this moment, “Thank you.”

The landlord was also very grateful. Although no ritual had been performed, it had unexpectedly allowed his son to voice the burden he had carried for so many years, “Thank you. Let me see you off.”

“No need,” Su Wen shook his head. “It’s what we should do. Thank you for your hospitality.”

Qin Bing said, “You should rest at home. I’ll see them off. We haven’t thanked them for today’s events yet.”

The little ghost hid in the corner, full of anticipation, and Little Qi Wu didn’t refuse.

Seeing that his son’s emotions hadn’t yet settled, the landlord glanced back, “Then I’ll trouble you. We’ll definitely go to the temple to offer incense in a couple of days.”

Hearing about the incense offering, Little Qi Wu was delighted, “Okay!”

【Ah, today’s live stream is about to end. I’m so reluctant to see it go.】

【Every time I watch this live stream, it feels like I’ve watched a very long movie.】

【I hope everyone in the live stream can cherish the people around them while they’re still here. There’s nothing closer to you than your parents.】

【Learn to say ‘I love you’ to your family.】

Meanwhile, Qin Bing escorted Su Wen and Little Qi Wu downstairs, “Thank you so much for today.”

“You’re welcome, sister,” Little Qi Wu said. “Qi Wu thanks you for the milk.”

The little ghost followed from a distance, anxiously calling out, “God, God, can you help me?”

Little Qi Wu replied, “I will help you.”

She hugged her dad’s neck, her little face furrowed in thought, “Dad, how should we remind sister?”

Su Wen chuckled, “Aren’t you the Little Divine Calculator?”

Little Qi Wu, “That’s from learning from Dad. Oh! Right!”

But Su Wen didn’t immediately let her tell Qin Bing. Instead, he said, “Lord, as a deity of the Underworld, you don’t actually have to concern yourself with these matters.”

“Without you, they would continue with their lives.”

“But,” Little Qi Wu nuzzled his neck, “if Qi Wu helps them, they’ll be better off.”

“Judge Dad, didn’t you and Grandma Meng Po say that the King of Hell protects all living beings?”

“They are living beings,” Little Qi Wu said earnestly. “Qi Wu is still young and doesn’t know much.”

“But Qi Wu hopes to make everyone a little better,” she struggled to find the right words, “just, a little better.”

Su Wen slowed his pace, his gaze falling on the face of the Little King of Hell. Her eyes had always been clear since the day she was born.

Su Wen recalled the first time he saw the Little King of Hell in swaddling clothes.

She was the hope of all the Ghosts and Gods in the Underworld, but it was undeniable that when they saw the Little King of Hell was just a baby, all the Ghosts and Gods were disappointed, and he was no exception. He even felt that the persistence of the past thousand years seemed meaningless, with no future in sight.

At that time, he was undeniably furious.

But the moment Little Yan Wang opened her eyes, all the Ghosts and Gods fell silent.

Those were eyes that the Ghosts and Gods had never seen before—pure, untainted by even a speck of dust.

It was as if one could truly glimpse an infinite future within them.

And now, her eyes remained the same, and he still saw an even more distant future within them.

Su Wen’s lips curved slightly as he softly said, “Alright.”

“Then, Lord, you can proceed as you wish.”

He thought to himself that perhaps sometimes, he was not as capable as Little Yan Wang.

He had spent many years underground, influenced by the Evil Aura of evil spirits. What he saw might not be the same world that Little Yan Wang saw.

Qin Bing didn’t hear the two beside her speaking, nor did she rashly interrupt. Now, she truly held great respect for both of them.

Suddenly, she heard Little Qi Wu’s soft voice in her ear: “Sister.”

Qin Bing: “Hmm?”

Little Qi Wu opened her beautiful eyes wide: “Qi Wu is a divine fortune-teller, did you know that?”

Qin Bing smiled: “Of course, I know.”

Then Little Qi Wu covered her mouth with her small hand and whispered: “Then Qi Wu will tell your fortune, okay?”

“Alright.”

[How can she just start fortune-telling so casually? Shouldn’t there be some kind of ritual or something?]

Just as Little Qi Wu was about to speak, Su Wen seemed to remember something and suddenly looked at the camera: “Qi Wu.”

“Dad?”

“The live stream is about to end. Say goodbye to everyone first.”

Little Qi Wu had to pause what she was about to say and turned to the camera: “Goodnight, everyone! See you tomorrow!”

[Wuwuwu, I must stay until the very last second!]

[Su Wen, why did you interrupt Zai Zai? I could have heard her fortune-telling!]

[Su Wen rarely interrupts Zai Zai when she speaks. I suspect he did it on purpose!]

[You haven’t checked the time at all. How do you know it’s time to end?]

[Ah, goodnight, goodnight.]

The live stream ended quickly. When Wang Yang turned off the camera, he heard Su Wen say: “Now you can speak.”

Wang Yang: “…”

So it really was on purpose!

Impressive, he even timed it so precisely.

Is there anything you can’t say during the live stream? What big things haven’t you done already?

Out of curiosity, Wang Yang dawdled, not in a hurry to leave.

Now that the live stream was over, Little Qi Wu’s voice was a bit louder as she said to Qin Bing: “Director Mom is sick.”

Qin Bing suddenly stopped in her tracks, looking at her in disbelief: “What?!”

The little ghost beside her nodded frantically: “Yes! Director Mom is sick! Sister, go back and check on her!”

Little Qi Wu: “Sister, you can go back and check on her.”

Qin Bing was a bit flustered: “But I just talked to Director Mom on the phone a few days ago, and she said she was fine…”

Her voice trailed off as she murmured: “It’s been a long time since she video-called me.”

Qin Bing couldn’t care less now and anxiously asked Little Qi Wu: “Then does Qi Wu know how serious Director Mom’s illness is?”

The little ghost shook her head: “I don’t know. Director Mom has been staying in her room, and we can’t go in to see her, nor can we enter.”

So Little Qi Wu also shook her head: “I don’t know.”

Then she looked puzzled: “Aren’t you a ghost? How come you can’t enter?”

The little ghost looked confused: “I don’t know. I, along with the other little brothers and sisters, can’t enter, and we can’t leave the orphanage either.”

Su Wen suddenly spoke up, “How did you get out?”

The little ghost thought back and said, “That day, the grandma came to the orphanage to see Director Mom. The grandma had a light around her, and I really wanted to get close to her.”

“The grandma asked Director Mom if she would come to the north city to see Brother Qin Feng, but Director Mom said she was sick and couldn’t come. I really wanted to go, so I followed the grandma out.”

A light around her?

Su Wen recalled the first time he saw the little ghost when the families of the firefighters came to the Temple of the King of Hell. Those martyrs would bring blessings to their families and were also deeply protected by the nation’s fortune.

A naive little ghost like this would be easily attracted.

At the same time, many evil paths couldn’t get close.

It seems this little ghost found a loophole.

Ghosts can’t just come and go from the orphanage… and it hasn’t gone for reincarnation, so perhaps it’s not that simple.

Qin Bing was a bit worried. Whether it was true or not, she should go back and check, so she said, “Thank you, I will go back and see!”

Su Wen paused for a moment. Finally, he spoke up, “Don’t go back alone.”

Qin Bing was startled, “What?”

“Bring a friend,” Su Wen said, “It’s not safe to go alone.”

Little Qi Wu didn’t understand why Dad said that, but since Dad said it, there must be a reason, so she also nodded, “Yes, yes, sister, be careful!”

Qin Bing, “Okay, okay.”

“Thank you for the reminder.”

Little Qi Wu shook her head, “You’re welcome.”

She was a bit tired today and couldn’t help but yawn. Su Wen saw this and picked her up, “We’ll head back first.”

“Okay, be careful on the way.”

Little Qi Wu looked at the little ghost, “What about you?”

The little ghost shook its head, “I’ll stay with sister and go back with her.”

But it immediately assured, “I won’t get close to her!”

Little Qi Wu, “Okay, remember to reincarnate, the Impermanence Envoys will come for you!”

On the way home, Little Qi Wu couldn’t hold on and fell asleep, but Su Wen was still thinking about that little ghost.

Now he was also an external member of the special management department. No matter what, he should do some work, otherwise he would feel sorry for those appliances.

Thinking of this, Su Wen opened his phone and sent a message to Lin Dingqi, “Is the Wuting County Love Orphanage under your jurisdiction?”

Lin Dingqi seemed to live in his phone and quickly replied, “Yes, Lord, our work covers the whole country. Is there a problem?”

Su Wen briefly explained the situation. After a while, Lin Dingqi replied, “If that’s the case, it is indeed a bit strange. We will arrange for staff to go there as soon as possible.”

“Thank you for your hard work, Lord, considering the unit’s work so late at night.”

Su Wen followed suit, “Serving the people.”

Meanwhile, Qin Bing, who had returned home, couldn’t wait any longer and quickly called the orphanage.

It took a long time for the call to be answered, and it was still Director Mom’s voice.

“Bing Bing, is something wrong so late?”

It sounded like there was no problem. Qin Bing tried to steady her voice and asked, “Nothing much, how is your health recently, Mom?”

“Very good,” Director Mom said, “But you, your brother just left, you need to take care of your own health.”

“Okay,” Qin Bing tried to ask, “My leave hasn’t expired yet, Mom, I want to come back and see you all.”

There was a moment of silence on the other end before the voice replied, “I haven’t had much time recently. The children have started school one after another. Come back after some time.”

“That’s true,” Qin Bing forced a smile, “I understand. Mom, don’t overwork yourself.”

As she spoke, she felt a bit puzzled, “Mom, where’s Jiang Jiang? Why hasn’t he been calling me lately?”

The little ghost, who had been listening to his sister’s phone call, stood up excitedly upon hearing his name, but could only watch his sister from afar, “Sister, Jiang Jiang is here!”

But Qin Bing couldn’t hear him.

After a long pause, Director Mom finally said, “Jiang Jiang hasn’t been feeling well these past couple of days. He went to bed early.”

Qin Bing replied, “Alright then.”

It was understandable if Mom was tired, but Jiang Jiang was different. Even if she was busy and didn’t call him, Jiang Jiang would always find time to call her every week, especially when he was sick—he was the most clingy then.

It was really strange.

Recalling Su Wen’s warning not to go back alone because it wasn’t safe, Qin Bing’s limbs stiffened. She tried to steady herself, “Then Mom, you should rest early too. I’ll hang up now.”

“Okay,” Director Mom quickly hung up after saying that.

But Qin Bing remained motionless for a long time.

Something was really off. Director Mom always wanted to see her, always wanted her to come back every weekend when she had time. But now, she wasn’t making video calls and was even telling her not to come back.

Without a second thought, she immediately booked a ticket back to the orphanage.

The next day, during the kindergarten’s exercise break, Little Qi Wu followed the teacher’s movements obediently but couldn’t help thinking about the square dance she had seen the day before.

During the break, she ran up to the teacher and politely asked, “Teacher, do you know how to do square dance?”

In her eyes, the teacher seemed to know everything.

But the teacher had just graduated and was still very young, so she shook her head, “Teacher doesn’t know how. Little Qi Wu, doing the kindergarten’s morning exercises is also good for your health.”

Little Qi Wu shook her head, “Qi Wu doesn’t want to exercise for health.”

The teacher asked, “Then what is it for?”

Little Qi Wu thought to herself, because she wanted the ghosts in The Underworld to be happy. They weren’t children, so they probably didn’t need to do children’s morning exercises.

Feeling a bit disappointed at not learning square dance, Little Qi Wu was surprised when Mengmeng quietly climbed onto her bed during the afternoon nap.

Mengmeng whispered, “Qi Wu, I know how to do square dance.”

The two little ones spoke in hushed tones to avoid disturbing the other children. Little Qi Wu’s eyes sparkled as she asked, “Really?”

“Yes,” Mengmeng replied. “Grandma used to take me to dance, and now I can dance too.”

Oh, right! Many grandmas are dancing square dance!

Little Qi Wu asked, “Can you teach me?”

“Of course!”

[Is it because she saw the square dance yesterday that she wants to dance today?]

[Kids without grandparents don’t know how to dance square dance, so true, haha.]

[Is square dance any different from morning exercises? Both are for physical fitness. Why is Qi Wu so obsessed with square dance?]

After class, Mengmeng took Little Qi Wu to the spacious area at the back of the classroom. Mengmeng even asked the teacher to play some music.

As long as the children’s requests weren’t excessive, the kindergarten teachers were happy to oblige, especially something as simple as playing a song.

Soon, the classic square dance music filled the classroom.

“The vast horizon is my love~”

Little Qi Wu stood beside Mengmeng and noticed that many other kids seemed to know how to dance square dance, having learned it from their grandparents. This made her even more convinced that the ghosts in the Underworld would enjoy it, so she learned with great enthusiasm.

Thus, the entire class energetically danced square dance during the break, even more seriously than during morning exercises, and with a variety of moves.

[So adorable, my goodness! If the square were filled with these kids, I’d go every day!]

[After watching the kids eat, now I’m watching them dance square dance, but I’m actually enjoying it.]

[Cloud dancing, so relaxing, haha.]

Even after school, the square dance music was still playing in Little Qi Wu’s head.

When Su Wen picked her up, he heard her humming the tune, even while holding her milk bottle. The melody sounded familiar.

He asked, “What did Qi Wu learn today?”

Little Qi Wu let go of the bottle’s nipple and said, “Mengmeng taught Qi Wu square dance!”

Su Wen: “…Square dance?”

No wonder the tune sounded familiar.

Little Qi Wu nodded: “Dad, Qi Wu learned a little bit, and it was so much fun! Can we teach it to everyone when we get back?”

The image of thousands of ghosts in the Underworld dancing square dance flashed through Su Wen’s mind, and he felt like he was suffocating.

“Maybe square dance isn’t suitable for so many… people to dance.”

Little Qi Wu shook her head and corrected him: “How could that be? Mengmeng said the more people dance, the more fun it is.”

She drew a big circle with her hands: “So many people!”

She was already looking forward to it, though she was a bit worried about not being able to teach the ghosts well.

Her eyes turned to Judge Dad. Dad was so smart; if he learned, he’d surely pick it up faster than her.

As soon as they got home, Little Qi Wu eagerly put down her backpack and pulled Judge Dad into the yard: “Dad! Qi Wu will teach you first!”

Su Wen: “…”

“Qi Wu,” he tried to negotiate, “Dad isn’t suitable.”

“Dad is suitable,” Little Qi Wu insisted. “Dad is the most suitable. Dancing will make Dad even happier.”

[Suitable! Make him dance! I’d pay for a membership!]

[Qi Wu is such a good kid. I’m already getting excited.]

[Su Wen’s personality—he’s not even getting angry?!]

Su Wen couldn’t get angry, and he didn’t dare to. He felt that after living for millions of years, this was the first time he found the life of a Ghost and God so challenging.

Little Qi Wu was still enthusiastically saying, “Dad, let’s use the phone to find the song first!”

“What song?”

Little Qi Wu tilted her head and thought for a moment, then began to hum, “Mmm mmm mmm sky mmm mmm my love, mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm flower mmm bloom.”

Su Wen: “?”

He asked uncertainly, “What?”

What he heard yesterday shouldn’t have been sung like this.

“Qi Wu doesn’t remember the name, but Qi Wu can hum it.” Little Qi Wu hummed again with “mmm mmm mmm,” and finally gave up, “Dad, let’s Baidu it.”

Su Wen pressed his forehead, feeling somewhat relieved, “Baidu probably won’t find it.”

Little Qi Wu was disappointed, “Really?”

Seeing her eyes droop, looking pitiful, Su Wen felt a bit reluctant. He seemed to remember some of it, but saying it out loud would mean he had to learn it.

A fork in the road of his Ghosts and Gods career.

“Qi Wu thought it could make everyone a little happier,” Little Qi Wu’s voice became much softer, “But Qi Wu doesn’t even remember the name.”

Su Wen’s breath paused for a moment, and he finally couldn’t hold back, “We can search.”

Little Qi Wu immediately looked up, her eyes bright, “Dad is amazing!”

Su Wen sighed silently.

Forget it, it should be fine, she’s the Little King of Hell after all.

Ghosts and Gods can’t see it.

Thinking this way, he managed to put down a little bit of his burden and played the song based on the lyrics he remembered.

The Little King of Hell was indeed happy, “Dad, follow me and dance!”

Su Wen expressionlessly replied, “…Okay.”

The livestream’s popularity soared to unprecedented heights. In the video, Little Qi Wu danced earnestly, while Su Wen raised his hands and feet, his expression as if he wished he could die on the spot.

[I’m dying of laughter, Su Wen, where’s your soul!]

[Forced to perform, hahaha.]

[The persona you worked so hard to build is now in shambles.]

[Su Wen: This life will be over soon.]

[Su Wen: Do you see how much it resembles the past?]

[Holy crap! Guys, stop laughing, look at the door!! A beauty! A great beauty!!!]

[Oh my, where did this fairy come from, ahhh! She actually came with  Kong Lin ! Holy crap!]

Outside the Temple of the King of Hell,  Kong Lin  and Jin Wen stood at the door, dumbfounded as they watched the soulless Su Wen in the courtyard.

The cold-faced Judge?

Jin Wen was about to speak when  Kong Lin  stopped her, “Don’t make a sound.”

“Use the Mystic Seal to let the Emperor see.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Su Wen’s movements in the courtyard immediately stopped, and he suddenly turned his head, his gaze dark and cold.

Jin Wen: “…”

 Kong Lin  showed no remorse, “…Sorry, I forgot you could hear.”

Su Wen expressionlessly said, “Get lost.”

Jin Wen couldn’t help but laugh, “We didn’t see anything.”

Little Qi Wu also stopped upon hearing the voice. Seeing the people outside, she immediately forgot about dancing and happily shouted, “Jinwen Granny!!”

[???]

[Granny??????]