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墨書 Inktalez
Jun Chong got up from the sofa and moved closer to me. I took a few steps back to maintain my distance, holding Tian Yuan tightly in my arms. "I told you not to bully small animals. Even though it's a fox, it's my pet now, and I won't allow you to hurt it. Look, it's terrified."
Jun Chong frowned, his gaze darkening as he scrutinized Tian Yuan for a moment. "Let it go. Why are you holding it after just washing it clean?"
Tian Yuan curled up against me, trembling, its eyes filled with mist as if it were about to cry. My heart broke at the sight, and I refused to let go. "Not until you promise not to bully it."
Jun Chong stared at me for a long time before finally slumping back onto the sofa. He patted the space beside him, beckoning me over. "Fine, I won't bully it—" he began, but then opened his eyes wide and glared at me. "When have I ever bullied it?"
"But you were so fierce with it just now! What else would you call that?" I stubbornly remained seated on another sofa, placing Tian Yuan on my lap and stroking its soft fur, feeling quite comfortable.
"That's because it came back from outside smelling of death."
"Ah? Smelling of death!" I shivered. "Is there another Zombie?"
"It's not a Zombie; it's the stench of decaying human flesh," Jun Chong said, frowning. "I've smelled this odor since I returned yesterday. What has been happening in the neighborhood lately?"
"The day after Rong Xiaoxiao died, which was yesterday, something happened downstairs from her apartment. Aunt Xia's daughter, Xia Yu, jumped from upstairs and died. It wasn't a big deal at first, but Xia Yu looked like she was in her prime suddenly transformed into an old woman in her seventies or eighties. I don't know about the autopsy report, but Aunt Xia is certain that was her daughter. I also saw a Red Skull on her forehead, just like the one on Rong Xiaoxiao."
Jun Chong remained silent, his arms crossed over his chest as he rested his chin on one hand, seemingly deep in thought. I continued speaking.
"I heard that both Xia Yu and Rong Xiaoxiao took a certain diet pill in the past few months and lost weight successfully. I remember asking Rong Xiaoxiao what kind of diet pill it was; she said it was still under development and only close friends would know about it. Both Rong Xiaoxiao and Xia Yu lived in this neighborhood and were neighbors; they had both struggled with being overweight before their successful weight loss. I think they must have taken the same medication. I'm not too familiar with Xia Yu's personality, but I know that Rong Xiaoxiao was quite introverted yet very kind-hearted. However, I've heard that ever since she lost weight successfully, her personality changed significantly."
At this point, I felt a bit thirsty and was about to get some water when Tao Wu handed me a cup of water with a shy smile. "Thank you, Tao Wu," I said as I accepted it.
After taking a sip of water, I concluded, "So I'm guessing their deaths are related to that diet pill. What do you think?"
I looked up at Jun Chong; he was leaning back on the sofa with a smile playing at the corners of his mouth and a pleasant expression on his face. "My Wife is very clever."
He reached out to pinch my cheek and pulled me into his embrace. I felt Tian Yuan shiver again; unable to escape Jun Chong's hold, I had no choice but to let Tian Yuan down. Jun Chong raised an eyebrow and continued speaking, "But there's one thing that puzzles me."
"What puzzles you?"
"This neighborhood is too clean."
"Isn't cleanliness a good thing? Dad chose this place because the property environment is said to be excellent, and living here is comfortable."
Jun Chong shook his head. "What I mean by cleanliness isn't just surface-level. In any place where people live, like these apartment complexes, there are bound to be a few wandering souls. But since we arrived here, I haven't sensed a single spirit. Tao Wu told me that night when Rong Xiaoxiao attacked you, she only heard Rong Xiaoxiao scream before disappearing on her own. And yesterday, when Xia Yu died, Tao Wu didn't see her spirit floating either. I didn't notice anything when I came back. This kind of cleanliness is too unusual."
"Huh?" I felt a chill run down my spine and instinctively moved closer to him, looking up and asking, "What could cause that? Did a priest exorcise all the ghosts here? Or is it the Ghost Messenger?"
"Neither," Jun Chong replied, still shaking his head. His thick, delicate eyelashes cast a slight shadow beneath his eyelids. "Although there's no ghostly presence, there is a mournful wail of spirits and the stench of decay heading towards death."
I frowned slightly, glancing at Tian Yuan before looking back at Jun Chong. "So that's why you said Tian Yuan was tainted with the stench of corpses?" Jun Chong nodded. I asked again, "Then where did Tian Yuan go?"
"I was just about to ask that when you interrupted me," Jun Chong replied coolly. I chuckled lightly, "I didn't mean to!"
"Alright, even if you ask, it won't be able to tell you." Suddenly, Jun Chong stood up and princess-carried me. "It has been sealed by someone and can't speak or take human form. But foxes are naturally sensitive; once night falls tonight, we'll go take a look."
"But aren't you supposed to be looking for the location?"
Jun Chong looked down at me with a gentle gaze and smiled slightly. "In front of my wife, everything else is trivial."
I grinned widely, feeling very happy.
Since we were going out at night, Jun Chong insisted that I take another nap. I felt as if I had dreamt again—of that blood-red tree, which seemed even more vibrant than the last time I saw it.
The Wind Sound rustled through the branches, scattering leaves that seeped through my fingertips; they slipped away without leaving a trace.
That small figure was still wrapped in the foliage, utterly quiet. Standing beneath the tree and looking up at it, I smiled softly. "Baby."
I thought it wouldn't speak; after standing for a while, I was about to turn away when suddenly a tender child's voice rang in my ears with a hint of sobbing. "Mommy, do you not want me anymore?"
I turned around and shook my head. "How could that be?"
"But Daddy doesn't want me; he wants to seal off my chance of being born. Mommy, baby misses you so much. Baby won't hurt you; Mommy, can you please keep baby? Baby doesn't want to lose Mommy."
Each cry pierced deep into my heart with the Wind Sound echoing around me. The repeated call of "Mommy" made my heart tremble uncontrollably as I hurried to comfort it. "Don't worry, baby. I've discussed it with your daddy; we will definitely find a way that works for both of us. So don't be sad; Mommy will never abandon you."
"Then, Mom, please don't do that with Dad anymore, or the baby—"
Before it could finish, I was shaken awake by Jun Chong. The baby's voice gradually faded from my mind, but I couldn't quite catch the rest of what was said. My heart felt slightly constricted and ached a bit.
Jun Chong reached out to wipe the thin sweat from my forehead and leaned down to gently kiss my brow. A refreshing sensation seeped from above and enveloped my body, invigorating me. My mind flickered as the dream began to dissipate.
"What just happened?"
"You had a nightmare. It's okay now; everything's fine." Jun Chong handed me my clothes to put on. "Eat something, and then we'll head out."
"Okay."
Tonight, the night was hazy, as if a layer of gauze covered the moon. I anxiously glanced at Tian Yuan, who looked even smaller in the darkness with its fluffy white body. Jun Chong held its leash as it scampered ahead on all fours.
I tugged at Jun Chong's hand. "Can’t I just carry it? That way we can walk too."
"Animals rely on their sense of smell to navigate. As a pet, it should act like one. Training it will be beneficial for you in the future, rather than you just taking care of it all day."
"…"
Tian Yuan's short legs kept running on the ground, leading us around the neighborhood for quite some time before finally stopping beneath an apartment building.
I looked up. "Building 44? The apartment where Rong Xiaoxiao and Xia Yu live."
"That's the one." Jun Chong frowned as he gazed up at the building shrouded in darkness. He pulled me close and pointed toward the roof. "Do you see that?"
A swirling mass of black mist coiled around the top, gradually spiraling downward. Each tendril of darkness was as thick as a thigh, resembling snakes coiling around several floors without descending. The sky above appeared darker than in other places.
I scratched my head. "How did I not notice this during the day?"
"That's demonic energy."
"Demonic?" I was startled. "Are you saying that those who deceive people into taking weight loss pills and kill them are actually demons? And that their souls disappearing afterward is also due to that demon?"
"Not excluded," Jun Chong said calmly. "This demon's power is not to be underestimated. Taking a step back is still a step forward. Since someone has died, there will surely be more to follow."
"Then we have to stop it! We can't let people die for nothing."
"Hmph!" Jun Chong scoffed, coldly retorting, "If it weren't for greed, how could even the souls of the dead fail to enter the underworld?"
"In this vast world, how many people are free from emotions and desires? It's human nature. We are human, not gods. We can't achieve a state of pure detachment. Just like I can't escape those four words. If it were me, would you save me?"
I admitted my tone was a bit excessive, but I wasn't angry at his disdain for humanity. This was human nature—something deeply rooted. What we could do was minimize the losses as much as possible.
Jun Chong lowered his gaze to me and said nothing further. I also fell silent, looking down at Tian Yuan by my feet before picking it up in my arms. I didn't know how long had passed when Jun Chong finally sighed and gently ruffled my hair.
"I know your heart is kind. Stopping something once doesn't mean you can stop it all. I'm also aware that if I refuse to intervene today, you'll surely resent me in your heart. But Anxin, there's one thing I hope you understand: Though I am a ghost and you are my wife, my wish is to reclaim my body and spend a lifetime with you in the mortal realm, not to have you risk yourself in this world."
I bit my lip tightly, holding Tian Yuan close without speaking. Regardless of whether Jun Chong had lost his memory or not, he had always disliked me getting involved in matters beyond humanity. I knew he wanted to protect me; living this way would ensure stability.
"Jun Chong, I understand your desire to protect me. But you've seen it—ever since I met you, these troubles haven't ceased. Even if I don't seek them out, they will come knocking at my door. Many things are destined by fate; we cannot change them. All we can do is move forward, even if it means shattering into pieces. As long as you're with me, I'm not afraid."
The large hand resting on my head stiffened slightly before sliding down to my face. He lowered his head to meet my gaze directly. "You don't regret it? You might really die."
"For this life with you, I'd willingly turn to ashes!"
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