A gentle breeze lifted the gauze curtain behind Xie Ningwan.
Song Yaoyao clung tightly to Xie Ningwan and did not let go until he confirmed that the two ghosts behind them had not followed. Only then did he let out a sigh of relief.
The Toilet Ghosts, true to their name, could only stay in the bathroom and could not leave that area, just like how he could only stay by Xie Ningwan’s side.
For the rest of the time, Song Yaoyao decided to stay in the office and go nowhere else. He also did not dare to go to the pantry again.
Once he calmed down, he realized that his entire ghostly form was still hanging on Xie Ningwan. Feeling a bit undignified, he climbed down from Xie Ningwan and slipped to the side.
He floated around nonchalantly for a while, then slipped back.
He had to work harder to absorb more fortune and turn back into a human as soon as possible.
He had not gotten to eat cake today, so Song Yaoyao felt a bit regretful. When he followed Xie Ningwan home after work, he kept twisting his head to look toward the pantry.
·
On the third day, Song Yaoyao continued to “accompany” Xie Ningwan to the company.
Knowing that Xie Ningwan could neither see nor sense him, Song Yaoyao floated in front of Xie Ningwan, circled behind him, spun around him a few times, then lazily sprawled on Xie Ningwan’s back.
Except when Xie Ningwan went to the bathroom, Song Yaoyao stuck to him almost the entire day, feeling like he had become a spirit lurking behind.
When snack time came again, the assistant knocked as usual and brought in coffee. Song Yaoyao took the chance to slip out.
This time, he only waited at the pantry door and did not dare to go further inside.
He secretly thought that if he accidentally ran into those two Toilet Ghosts next time, he would say he was a spirit lurking behind or a possession ghost. That sounded much more impressive than a Toilet Ghost.
The pantry was empty, so Song Yaoyao floated in. After looking around to make sure it was safe, he stealthily opened the fridge.
Wow, besides the cake, there was cut fruit today!
Song Yaoyao’s eyes lit up, and like a hamster, he stuffed his cheeks until they bulged.
In the afternoon, Song Yaoyao sprawled on top of Xie Ningwan’s head all the way home.
In the car, he sat next to Xie Ningwan with their arms touching; when walking, he held Xie Ningwan’s hand; and once they got home and Xie Ningwan opened the door to change shoes, he climbed back onto Xie Ningwan’s head.
·
On the fourth day, Xie Ningwan went to the company, and Song Yaoyao grew bolder step by step. Yawning, he rode on Xie Ningwan’s neck, hugging Xie Ningwan’s head.
Tea break time.
After the assistant came to notify him, Xie Ningwan took a sip of coffee, paused his work, leaned back in his chair, and closed his eyes to rest.
His slender fingers tapped lightly on the armrest, as if waiting for something.
Sure enough, moments later, an invisible little shadow returned, carrying the full scent of cake.
Xie Ningwan opened his eyes and looked meaningfully at the office door.
Over the past few days, Xie Ningwan had thoroughly realized that this Little Ghost was especially clingy to him, sticking by his side at all times. At first, it only moved around the house, but lately, it followed him whether at home or at the company.
Xie Ningwan had always been aloof and kept others at a distance. His home, in particular, allowed no visitors except close friends and the housekeeper.
Yet this invisible, ethereal Little Ghost that had appeared out of nowhere had become an exception, one he had tolerated for so many days.
Xie Ningwan shook his head, unsure what spell he had fallen under.
On the way home from work, Xie Ningwan sat properly in the right rear seat, while Song Yaoyao took up most of the other space, sprawling crookedly with his head resting against Xie Ningwan’s arm.
Halfway there, Xie Ningwan suddenly said, “Help me contact a nearby dessert shop.”
Hearing the key words, Song Yaoyao sat up with a “whoosh,” perked up his ears, turned to look at Xie Ningwan, his eyes shining.
“Yes, President Xie,” the assistant said from the front passenger seat. “Do you want to acquire it?”
“No,” Xie Ningwan said. “Order a few small cakes to be delivered.”
What good day was it today? Song Yaoyao’s eyes sparkled as he looked at Xie Ningwan.
The assistant was very efficient. Not long after they got home, someone specially delivered the cakes. They also brought several boxes of ice cream and some snacks.
Xie Ningwan put the snacks in the living room storage cabinet and placed the ice cream boxes and small cakes in the fridge.
Song Yaoyao clung to his back and watched intently as he did all this.
Late at night.
A gentle breeze stirred, and the magnolia flowers outside the window swayed lightly, petals drifting down in spirals.
In one of the villas, a bedroom next to the study suddenly opened a crack silently, and a small shadow slipped out.
He paused at Xie Ningwan’s bedroom door for a moment. Confirming that there was only the sound of steady breathing and nothing else—Xie Ningwan had fallen asleep—he happily floated toward the stairs and all the way to the kitchen.
The fridge door in the kitchen opened gently.
He had observed carefully during the day: Xie Ningwan had not counted the ice cream or cakes. Taking one box secretly should go unnoticed, right?
Song Yaoyao swiped a box of ice cream, then flew back to his room with thief-like guilt. Because he flew too fast, he nearly crashed into the door.
Over the past couple of days, he had noticed that his strength was much greater than at the beginning, probably because he had been sticking close to Xie Ningwan lately.
Turning back into a human was just around the corner!
Song Yaoyao was secretly delighted as he carried the ice cream back to his room.
In the morning.
Xie Ningwan, who had gotten up to prepare breakfast, casually glanced at the lower layer of the fridge and, as expected, found that one box of ice cream from last night was missing.
The chocolate flavor, no less.
It could not resist eating one on the very first night. Xie Ningwan chuckled in amusement. Was it not afraid of being discovered?
After waking up, Song Yaoyao rubbed his eyes and got out of bed to find Xie Ningwan.
Xie Ningwan was in the kitchen, so he floated over habitually to stick to him and absorb fortune. Hanging on Xie Ningwan, he watched Xie Ningwan make breakfast.
Xie Ningwan planned to make sandwiches and opened the fresh-keeping layer of the fridge to take out two eggs.
Song Yaoyao watched carefully. Xie Ningwan did not pay extra attention to the ice cream when opening and closing the fridge; his expression remained as usual.
He truly had not been discovered.
Song Yaoyao relaxed and smugly sprawled on Xie Ningwan’s back, yawning lazily and exhaling.
A faint cool and gentle sensation landed on his shoulder and neck. Xie Ningwan’s hand paused slightly, unsure if it was an illusion.
He did not show it and continued with his actions.
For breakfast, Xie Ningwan made sandwiches and a serving of soup as usual. This time, however, he did not bring the soup to the table first but kept holding it in his hand, within his line of sight.
This way, the Little Ghost probably had no chance to strike.
Xie Ningwan held the bowl in one hand, brought it to his lips for a light sip, eyes downcast, but his attention on his surroundings, watching for the Little Ghost’s movements.
Nothing happened.
Had it really given up?
Xie Ningwan chuckled to himself, set down the bowl, and picked up the sandwich.
As he prepared to eat the sandwich, he realized that a slice of ham inside had disappeared at some point.
“……”
