Chapter 107
The ghost guards, glancing at Wu Heng, bowed to Shi Xuan. ‘Your Majesty, we’ll be at the underworld baths. Excuse us.’
Even ghosts perspired. They felt… slightly unclean, usually not a big deal, but Yama’s… partner was here.
Wu Heng, still slightly disoriented, watching them hurry towards the baths, remarked, “I didn’t expect the underworld’s ghost guards to be so… hygiene-conscious.”
Medical professionals were usually quite particular about cleanliness.
‘You’re the reason they’re hygiene-conscious,‘ Shi Xuan said, his hand gently massaging the back of Wu Heng’s head. ‘Headache?‘
Wu Heng didn’t quite understand. He was the reason? When did he ever say anything about hygiene in the underworld?
“A bit… a little lower, that finger, yes, press there, it helps with headaches,” he instructed, Shi Xuan’s touch, surprisingly gentle, the cool tips of his fingers against his scalp, feeling the pulse beneath, his head tilting involuntarily, a pleasant sensation.
Then a soft kiss on his hair.
Wu Heng, sighing contentedly, feeling slightly better, “What did you mean earlier?”
Shi Xuan didn’t elaborate. ‘Something from a long time ago, you wouldn’t remember, just… forget it.’
Wu Heng looked at him, a memory stirring. He had only been to the underworld once and complained about its… environment, As they walked along the muddy path – the Yellow Spring Road – ghosts in shackles repairing it under the watchful eyes of the Yin messengers, Wu Heng thought, the underworld wasn’t so bad now, trees and plants lining the path, although grayish-black, still an improvement, less dreary, less terrifying, he noticed a wooden structure in the distance, a sign above the entrance, “Chengde Medical Clinic”, its exterior remarkably similar to his clinic, white lanterns swaying eerily in the Yin wind, and as they entered, even the interior was almost identical, a few ghosts waiting patiently outside, their voices excited,
‘So glad it’s reopened, been closed for months,’ they said, and inside, Wu Heng saw a paper effigy of an apprentice, its movements stiff and mechanical, its face pale, its lips a bright red.
Wu Heng instantly understood, “This… has been here since ancient times, hasn’t it? My grandfather is the current… owner,” of their clinic,
Inheritance, that’s why his grandfather, a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, also knew about shamanic arts, how to use herbs and medicine for exorcism, he had even been recruited for that vaccine project, become a key contributor, Old Doctor Wu, running his clinic in Nan Nuo during the day, occasionally opening its underworld counterpart at night,
You Jin, with his weaker constitution, probably couldn’t even enter the underworld, so they had a paper effigy, although not as intelligent as a ghost, it could still understand simple instructions, he then remembered that fitness coach Guo Jiang, rushing towards what he thought was Chengde Medical Clinic, it was the Hungry Ghost Festival, and the veil between worlds sometimes thinned, during certain times, at certain places, perhaps not a hallucination at all, but a genuine encounter with the paper effigy apprentice at the underworld Chengde Medical Clinic, buying ginger, he looked at the King of Hell beside him, millennia ago, a fleeting visit to his realm, leaving an imprint, now, with his grandfather nearing his end, You Jin not skilled enough, “Is this… an invitation to take over? To officially… run the underworld Chengde Medical Clinic?”
After all, he, being a living person, not a Live Impermanence, traveling here wasn’t proper. Except for emergencies, like today, when he sensed Shi Xuan’s sadness. Yama would calmly deal with souls, unmoved by emotions, but not Shi Xuan, his mortal self, only eighteen, his pain and grief, Wu Heng would always be there,
‘There’s another way,‘ Shi Xuan said, and Wu Heng, seeing the serious look in his eyes, his heart suddenly pounding, heard him say, ‘I’ll carry you into the underworld in a grand procession, eight palanquin bearers, a grand wedding.’
The working ghosts nearby: ‘?’
What was that?
A ghost whispered, ‘Is that Yama’s… husband? Should we… applaud?‘
Another ghost said hesitantly, ‘Could it be that… Yama wants to retire? And Doctor Wu is the new King of Hell?‘
Wu Heng’s face burned, his blush spreading through him like wildfire, a sudden jolt to his senses, they had just finished their exams, on their way to becoming university students!
‘Xiao Heng? Why are you two on a date here?‘ Old Doctor Wu came downstairs from his room. So many beautiful places in the human world, why the underworld, how strange, after Wu Heng and Shi Xuan left, they all flocked to Old Doctor Wu, asking, ‘Old Doctor, I heard that your grandson is marrying the King of Hell!’
‘And Old Doctor, should I give more since it’s a celebration? I’m not very rich in the underworld.’
Old Wu was bewildered, “Marriage? They’re only eighteen, engaged at most! Did you mishear?”
Ghosts had all sorts of problems, bad hearing was common.
They all nodded in sudden understanding. Engaged! Not married! Let’s spread the word.
The college entrance exam results came out quickly, and that night, Wu Heng heard the sound of celebratory firecrackers from the Zhou family’s house, their home surrounded by the admissions committees of several prestigious universities, especially Tsinghua and Peking University, all vying for Zhou Yi.
His dream had finally come true. The Zhou family’s ancestral hall’s main gate would be opened for him, he couldn’t believe it.
Wu Heng’s scores were good. Exceptionally good, even, for a self-taught social examinee.
He had no doubts, no hesitation, his university of choice: Beijing Medical University. His interest in modern medicine growing.
Shi Xuan, rejecting both Tsinghua and Peking University, chose Beijing University of Science and Technology, their campuses adjacent.
He Yunxiao and Li Hao’s scores were decent as well. Their diligent efforts during their final semester paying off.
After submitting their university applications, their high school organized a celebratory banquet for their graduating class. Wu Heng, as an auditor, received an invitation.
Out of their uniforms, in their own clothes, they looked like… adults.
Wu Heng, admiring the selection of pastries, especially the chocolate-covered doughnuts, took some, and as he sat at a secluded table, waiting for Shi Xuan, He Yunxiao and his friends rushed over.
“Doctor Wu, enjoying the snacks?” Li Hao snatched a strawberry shortcake, “Everyone is bolder now, several even confessed to Shi Xuan.”
Seriously, because they befriended Shi Xuan? Their classmates thought he wasn’t so scary anymore?
Perhaps after getting to know Doctor Wu and all the supernatural events happening elsewhere, Shi Xuan seemed less frightening. And now, even more eligible with his father’s inheritance.
Wu Heng, taking back the cake, “They didn’t… mention me? Not good enough?”
He Yunxiao and his friends knew his relationship with Shi Xuan and, their voices low, “We were afraid it wouldn’t be fair to you… such an ordinary high school graduate.”
Li Hao, sighing dramatically, “Shi Xuan is considered exceptional, but to be with Doctor Wu, well…”
Wu Heng, knowing they were unaware of his true identity, changed the subject. “Any thoughts about your graduation trip?”
Wang Dong, pouting, “Nothing interesting. We’ve been everywhere. And now with the whole organ harvesting thing, it’s too dangerous.”
Wu Heng: “Dream tonight, and you might get invitations to a three-day, two-night tour in the underworld, the government acknowledging your efforts during the New Year’s Eve ghost attacks.”
They froze, then their faces lit up. They’ve been everywhere, but the underworld? That was a story to tell for life!
The underworld had tourist attractions now? How exciting!
Li Hao, “Is Shi Xuan going too?”
He wasn’t in Nan Nuo that night, had he missed his chance at earning merits?
Wu Heng, putting down his half-eaten cake and walking out, “Yes, all the time,”
As he reached the courtyard, he saw a pretty girl talking to Shi Xuan under a large tree.
“Thank you, but I have a boyfriend,”
She followed Shi Xuan’s gaze and saw Wu Heng walking towards them, a faint smile on his face.
“Doctor… Doctor Wu?” Her voice was filled with excitement.
The unattainable male god, here?!
Wu Heng, before Shi Xuan could even respond, beating him to the introduction, “Yes,” he would never hide his relationship, Shi Xuan was someone to be proud of, the girl, instantly forgetting her reason for being there, exclaimed excitedly, “Congratulations! May you be happy forever!”
So, Shi Xuan and Doctor Wu were a couple! That made him even more impressive in the eyes of her friends.
Beaming, she rushed off to share the news.
Wu Heng looked slightly puzzled. “Strange, Li Hao and his friends received confessions. Why not me?”
Those older ladies, overly enthusiastic, asking for autographs, declaring their love, he felt like a celebrity, Shi Xuan pulled him behind the tree, his aura creating an invisible barrier, then leaned in, their noses touching, “My confession is enough,”
His lips, cold and soft against Wu Heng’s, the sweet taste of strawberries, a warmth spreading, his arms now around his waist, the heat through his thin clothes, his soft moans in his ear, his hand on Wu Heng’s, sliding down, a gentle bite on his neck, and his voice, husky with desire, “Wu Heng, I want to…”
