Chapter 61: The Next Unexpected Encounter Part 1

Another day dawned, and it was Monday.

Chen Ji had packed his things early that morning. He tucked the System Cat away and prepared to head out. Today would be a busy one: he needed to go to town first to handle the vehicle transfer, grab lunch outside, and make it back up the mountain before evening, since the seafood he’d ordered was due to arrive that day.

Of all things in heaven and earth, nothing mattered more than seafood. After splurging for once, Chen Ji wasn’t about to miss out—not unless he had no choice. If it weren’t for his appointment to transfer ownership of that bread van with its previous owner, Chen Ji might have just lounged at home all day, skipped breakfast and lunch, and feasted come evening!

There was no helping it. Getting a proper seafood meal deep in these remote mountains was next to impossible.

The White Tiger crouched at the doorway. Chen Ji rubbed his head. “Xiangxiang, want to come down the mountain with me for some fun? Stick close to my side, and no one will see you… or you can stay home and watch the place if you’d rather.”

The White Tiger hesitated for a moment before shaking his head.

Chen Ji knew he suffered from a bit of social anxiety, so he didn’t push. With a wave, he set off.

For some reason, the trip to Shangyang Village felt exceptionally short today. Chen Ji checked his phone and saw that barely over an hour had passed—probably because he’d grown familiar with the route. Or maybe living up in the mountains had toned his body, leaving him light as a swallow?

The System Cat had no comment.

Chen Ji entered the village. His van was parked in the square at the village entrance, just as expected. Every household in Shangyang Village had a patch of land out front, plenty of space for parking. Chen Ji was the only one without his own plot, so he’d simply left it there.

The first person he ran into was Uncle Wang, who was shouldering two stalks of sugarcane bound with red cord. They locked eyes and both froze for a second before Uncle Wang broke into a grin. “Xiao Chen, what brings you down the mountain today? Eaten yet? If not, come have a bite at Uncle’s place!”

“I’ve eaten, thanks, Uncle Wang,” Chen Ji replied at once. “Heading to town for some business. What’s this you’re carrying?”

“Aw.” Uncle Wang waved it off. “You forget? We talked before about throwing a feast for Second Grandpa Huang once Xiao Wang got better. His folks and him all got discharged from the hospital yesterday—didn’t make it home until the wee hours. Figured today counts, so we’re doing it today!”

Chen Ji’s smile faded. No one could feel warmly toward a guy who called him “brother” to his face but “bitch” behind his back. He nodded. “Got it. I’ll head out then.”

They were all adults who’d lived for decades—how could Uncle Wang miss the shift in Chen Ji’s expression? He thought to himself that they needed to get Xiao Wang back on his feet soon and ship him off to work in the city. A few years of hustling there to set up a home, then bring his parents along. Problem solved.

Chen Ji reached the square at the village head. His van was right where he’d left it, untouched. He nodded to himself in relief. Truth be told, he’d half-feared finding a pitch-black ghostly face staring back when he opened the door.

He wasn’t fearless, after all.

The drive to town took about two hours. Chen Ji arrived at eight-thirty, scarfed down some breakfast, and headed to the used car lot just as the owner was unlocking the gates. The man blinked in surprise at the sight of him, then forced a smile. “Bro, you’re here! Come on, let’s go get that transfer sorted.”

A big yellow dog burst from the shop, barking furiously at Chen Ji. The owner gave it a half-hearted kick. “Quit your yapping! Scram!”

The dog dodged aside but kept barking at Chen Ji, as if ready to lunge if he took another step forward.

Chen Ji glanced sideways at the beast. Its barks cut off abruptly in its throat. With a whimper, tail tucked, it fled. Only then did Chen Ji smile at the owner. “All good.”

The used car dealer’s hands shook a little. He glanced nervously in the direction the dog had fled before Chen Ji’s reminder jolted him. Snatching up his briefcase and phone, he said, “Sure, sure. I’ll send you the location—meet you there?”

Chen Ji raised an eyebrow. “No need to make it complicated, bro. Hop in my van. I’ll drop you back after. Easier than driving two cars.”

“Uh… that’s too kind, bro. You’re the buyer—can’t have you chauffeuring me around.” The owner chuckled awkwardly. “I’ve got other business after. I’ll take my own ride.”

Chen Ji smiled. “I’ll drive you. Consider me your chauffeur for the day, old bro.”

“No, no need…” The owner’s smile strained.

Chen Ji’s voice cooled, his smile vanishing. “What, you think my van’s too dirty? That’s why you won’t ride in it?”

The owner’s face froze.

But in that moment, Chen Ji laughed. “No big deal. Just… maybe steer clear of cars like this in the future. This one’s ghost got cleared out late—if it’d been someone else, you’d probably have to buy it back yourself.”

The owner’s shock was plain, swiftly turning to embarrassment and guilt. “I… bro, I’m really sorry. It was a moment of madness—I had no idea it was haunted! How about this: I’ll refund your money, and the van’s yours free and clear?”

Chen Ji shook his head. “No need. It’s nothing serious.”

“See you at the Vehicle Management Office at nine-thirty?”

The owner nodded vigorously and hurried to his car.

The System Cat lounged on Chen Ji’s shoulder. [Why not take the money?]

Chen Ji shot back. [I didn’t kill that ghost. It won’t come after me—so who do you think it’ll haunt?]

The System Cat: [……? You hold grudges that hard?]

[If he’d been upfront, I might’ve bought it anyway.] Worst case, he’d reimburse Daoist Qingjing somehow—and things were no different now. Chen Ji fired off a quick text to Daoist Qingjing, warning him to swing by the used car lot now and then. Then he headed inside to handle the transfer.

These days, they had agents for everything. Chen Ji handed over his documents to the dealer and settled into the waiting hall. He even ordered a coconut latte—something he hadn’t had in ages. By the time he finished it and wrapped up a few rounds of mobile games, it was all done.

Chen Ji said goodbye to the owner outside the Vehicle Management Office and was about to get in his van when someone called out. “Chen Ji?”

He didn’t turn right away. He fought the instinct hard. The voice called again, footsteps hurrying closer. Chen Ji let his keys slip from his fingers to the ground. As he bent to pick them up, he stole a glance at the newcomer.

It was a colleague… well, more like a junior on his team. Zhao Chengying. The kid was still young—barely twenty-two. He’d graduated early from a top school; Chen Ji had seen his degree. Finance major, bizarrely working as a programmer at an internet firm.

Maybe he had connections with the boss? Either way, he’d been a quick study and sharp as a tack.

Zhao Chengying jogged over, his smile brighter than the sun. Panting, he pulled up in front of Chen Ji. “Brother Chen! What are you doing here?”

Chen Ji offered a polite, courteous smile. “That’s what I should be asking you.”

The guy screamed old money—at the very least, someone pulling six figures who drove a McLaren 600LT to a ten-grand-a-month job wasn’t hurting for cash. Him showing up in S City? Not weird. But this rundown little town? Very odd.

Zhao Chengying scratched his head, his handsome features twisting into a grimace. “Don’t ask. Came with a buddy to have fun, but our ride crapped out nearby. So here I am, buying a new one and getting it registered.”

A bit strange, but Chen Ji didn’t pretend to understand the whims of rich kids. “That sucks.”

“Forget that!” Zhao Chengying grinned again. “Brother Chen, seriously—what brings you here? You ghosted after quitting! No one knew where you went. We all miss you!”

Before Chen Ji could respond, Zhao’s eyes lit up. “Hey? Is that the cat? Xiao Ba, right? Man, you’ve gotten so chubby!”

The System Cat had poked its head out to say hello—after all, this kid had bought it plenty of canned food and cat treats. But hearing himself called fat? It hissed at Zhao Chengying. His outstretched hand froze midair; he sheepishly pulled it back without petting. “Still such a fierce little guy…”

Chen Ji chuckled. “It hates being called fat. And you say it every single time you see it.”

Zhao Chengying clasped his hands together in apology, looking genuinely remorseful as he addressed the cat. “Sorry, Xiao Ba! Brother was wrong. I won’t call you fat again—how could a cute kitty like you be fat? You’re just solid!”

The System Cat grumbled but meowed cooperatively for his sake. Zhao scooped it up into a hug, clearly over the moon.

Chen Ji watched cat hair—white and yellow tufts—shed all over what looked like an expensive black sweatshirt. He didn’t have the heart to point it out. “My hometown’s nearby. Just in town for some daily necessities.”

Zhao blinked. “Hometown? Whereabouts?”

Chen Ji had never been a fan of people who kept prying. “Not far.”

Zhao opened his mouth to press further when an off-road vehicle pulled up nearby. Its plates were flashy—some custom job Chen Ji didn’t recognize—but the whole thing screamed “one scrape and you’re broke for life.” The window rolled down, revealing a young face.

The driver whistled at Chen Ji and Zhao Chengying. “Chengying, what’re you dawdling for?”

Zhao glanced back. “Ran into a friend.”

Seeing this, Chen Ji reached out. “Hand over Xiao Ba. I was just about to head out. Next time we bump into each other, we can grab a meal.”

Zhao’s eyes sparkled. “For real? Awesome! When?”

Any adult could tell it was just politeness, but Zhao took it at face value. Chen Ji couldn’t help smiling a little as he teased, “Whenever Young Master Zhao has time.”

Zhao nodded eagerly. “Anytime! …You busy? How about today? We’re stuck here anyway, and we don’t know the area. Got any good eats to recommend?”

Chen Ji paused. “…Haidilao?”

Zhao’s friend snorted with laughter.

Zhao blinked. Chen Ji’s eyes crinkled. “Haidilao here’s not bad. There’s also a couple decent Japanese spots—if you guys can stomach it. I’ll WeChat you the info. Take your friends.”