Chapter Ten: Living with a Female Ghost

Before the semester started, I carried my suitcase around looking for rental information. Eventually, I found a two-bedroom apartment not far from the school and decided to rent it. The annual rent was 5,000 yuan. With my annual living expenses budgeted at 10,000 yuan, after rent, I was left with 5,000 yuan. It seemed I had to earn money myself; otherwise, I would starve this year! Everything in the room was ready; I just needed to move in.

The landlady led the way. “Do you have a companion with you?”

“Yes.”

She looked into my evasive eyes and smiled mysteriously. “A girlfriend, huh? You young people, always like that… Hehe!”

After showing me around, she left.

“This is our little home—two rooms. Which one do you want?” I asked politely.

“That one,” she replied timidly, pointing to one of the rooms.

I moved my bedding and belongings from school into the apartment. In the afternoon, I went out to buy some groceries and also picked out three sets of clothes for Huang Ying. Then, gathering my courage, I went into a lingerie shop and bought two sets of underwear! The total came to about 800 yuan. After that, only a bit over 4,000 yuan remained on my card.

Back at home, Huang Ying opened the door. I handed her the clothes. “These are for you. Try them on!” She really didn’t look right in those old-fashioned dresses.

She took the clothes into the bedroom, and soon after, she came out. As I expected, her face was flushed because of the underwear! She chose a blue T-shirt and a pair of jeans. I didn’t dare buy anything too revealing—she wouldn’t wear that anyway.

She was already quite beautiful, but now she looked even more stunning. Except for her somewhat ethereal form, she surpassed any celebrity in looks.

“Thank you,” Huang Ying said softly, looking down. Then she noticed the food on the table and quickly said, “I’ll cook.” I gaped, secretly admiring her perfect figure.

I had to say it again: women of the past were truly better—graceful in the parlor, skillful in the kitchen.

When the meal was ready, Huang Ying sat beside me watching me eat. She didn’t need to eat herself. Ever since her grandmother passed away in the countryside, she had been taking care of me and my grandfather. For over a month, she hadn’t eaten a single meal.

Because she existed as a spirit, she wouldn’t vanish without food, but to grow stronger, she needed to replenish her soul.

“Not bad!” I gave a thumbs-up. “Much better than restaurant food!”

I shoveled food into my mouth, then hesitantly asked, “You don’t eat? Aren’t you hungry?”

“I don’t feel hunger.”

“Lucky you. I’m starting to wish I were a ghost!”

She chuckled but said nothing. From her expression, I could tell being a ghost wasn’t as wonderful as it seemed.

After the meal, I obediently sat aside like a gentleman because she wouldn’t let me wash the dishes.

My immediate priority was to find a job that wouldn’t interfere with my studies but could earn money.

But such luck didn’t exist. To make money, I had to work, and I could only choose between money and study.

Then a sudden idea struck me: why not write novels online?

Without hesitation, I chose a website called “Black Rock” among many others because their benefits were better.

Writing novels was an emerging profession. “Black Rock” would pay you as long as you signed a contract and wrote 3,000 words daily, which suited me perfectly.

So I set up my computer, registered, and started posting. I uploaded some of my previous works. As soon as I reached 30,000 words, an editor contacted me for a contract.

That very day, I sent the contract to the company and started writing that night. There were many female protagonists, but I decided to add Huang Ying into the story!

With the job settled, it was late. I talked with Huang Ying for a while, then let her rest. She needed good rest to maintain her condition.

After she went to sleep, I prepared to do the same. Tomorrow was registration day at school.

That night, I had a dream. An old woman kept following me wherever I went.

The next morning, Huang Ying had already prepared breakfast. As usual, I ate while she watched, I played while she washed the dishes.

Registration at school was quick; it took only an hour. On the way back, I bought several hats and masks, planning to take Huang Ying out for a bit.

Given her current state, she would be noticed immediately if she went out without disguise. Only special makeup could conceal her presence.

Back at our “home,” I said, “I’m taking you out. Do you want to go?”

She hesitated, wanting to go but knowing it wasn’t appropriate given her condition.

I smiled, “Come on, I have a trick. No one will recognize you.”

I handed her the mask and hat, then helped her get dressed. In the end, only her eyes were visible. To most people, she looked like any ordinary person. If that failed, there were sunglasses sold outside!

Fully disguised, I took Huang Ying out.

She looked around like a newborn, everything was new to her.

Our first stop was the amusement park.

She stared at all the strange and wonderful things, her gaze finally resting on the roller coaster.

I noticed her eyes and tugged at her sleeve, “Come on, I’ll take you to play.”

I wanted to hold her hand, but I couldn’t touch her!

I took her to the ticket window, bought two tickets, then led her to the roller coaster and sat down.

After a few minutes, the roller coaster started moving. Initially, it was a straight track—not very thrilling. I knew the excitement was coming later.

Sure enough, a curved track appeared, followed by a loop.

The entire car flipped over. Huang Ying closed her eyes tightly in fear and grabbed my shirt.

Unlike others who screamed loudly, she kept her eyes shut the whole time. I looked at her—she was adorable, scared yet silent.

After a few minutes, the ride stopped. She quickly let go of my shirt and said, “Sorry, I…”

“Hahaha…” I laughed holding my stomach, “I didn’t expect you to be afraid of this…”

I never imagined a ghostly lady would be scared of a roller coaster.

Huang Ying gave me a rare, plaintive look.

It was too precious—I quickly took out my phone to capture it.

“Alright, how about we try that?” I pointed to the Ferris wheel.

Without hesitation, she shook her head.

“Then how about that?” I pointed to the drop tower.

This time she shook even faster!

We played until four in the afternoon and then prepared to go home.

To get back to our rented apartment, we had to walk through a narrow alley flanked by buildings.

I didn’t have a car, so we walked. Life was like a book filled with countless stories.

For example, right now, two hooligans blocked our way ahead.

“Hey, little brother, why are you passing through here?” one sneered, waving a spring-loaded knife.

On TV, such scenes usually meant trouble—either thugs or robbers.

Huang Ying didn’t know what was happening but guessed it wasn’t good.

“Little brother, money’s tight for us lately. How about you lend us some cash?” one thug said.

The other focused on Huang Ying because her figure was truly impressive.

“Little lady, why are you still wearing a mask? Take it off so the brothers can see. We’ll take you dancing!” He stepped forward.

“Get lost!” As a man, I couldn’t tolerate anyone insulting the woman by my side.

“Huang Ying, step back.” I rubbed my palms, ready to show them why my fists were red.

“Hey, punk, get lost or we’ll castrate you!” they threatened.

I was about to fight when Huang Ying’s hand passed through me. Then she smoothly removed her mask and hat, staring fiercely at the thugs.

“You…” They were so frightened they swallowed their words.

After two seconds of silence, a scream erupted from both of them.

“Ghosts!”

Then came the sound of sprinting footsteps.

Watching them flee, Huang Ying and I exchanged smiles. Having such a super nanny and bodyguard, I could die without regrets—Barack Obama didn’t get this treatment!