Emotions screamed for murder; reason nailed him in place.
What right do you have to be mad?
Lin Yuan asked himself: Where does this possessive urge come from?
Why resent now?
He’s not yours. Not your lover. Not even properly colleagues. You have no right to question.
Right—colleagues!
Lin Yuan latched onto that excuse, opening his phone to message Shen Leyuan: [You kept a male ghost. Reported to Hao Mingrui?]
But he froze before sending.
No—he’d promised not to spy. This was self-sabotage.
That night, only Lin Yao slept soundly.
At breakfast, even the little dog was listless, like a stone finally dropped on his own foot. Knowing Mr. Ghost was leaving soon, Shen Leyuan was utterly wilted.
“Mr. Lin.”
He asked, “Tomorrow’s the last day of National Day holiday. Can I leave tonight?”
Lin Yuan lowered his gaze. “Do as you like.”
Little Deer pouted unhappily, whining loudly, “Can’t you stay one more night? Little Deer wants extra evening study!”
Lin Yao chimed in, “Teacher needs rest. You wanna work him to death?”
Shen Leyuan looked left to Little Deer, promising, “Tomorrow Teacher’s going out. Photos for you.”
Then right to Lin Yao: “See you at school.”
At that, Lin Yuan looked up.
The youth smiled, but that smile wasn’t for him. Nor were those soft words.
School ended early that afternoon. Shen Leyuan left in a rush.
Little Deer stared at his back, innocent smile turning to doubt and suspicion. Habitually, he turned to Lin Yao beside him. “Brother, has Teacher been close to anyone lately? He seems… like…”
Lin Yao glanced over. “Like what?”
Little Deer hesitated. “Like… he’s rushing to meet someone important.”
He froze after saying it, panic and fury surging: “Did the teacher give someone else a chance? Who is he going to see? He won’t tutor Little Deer at night—is it to meet some other man?!”
“Don’t put it so harshly,” Lin Yao said.
A moment later, he added, “Don’t assume someone’s gender. What if it’s some other woman?”
Little Deer puffed up like a pufferfish with rage right there on the spot.
Lin Yao edged away from him in disgust, thinking, Idiots are just idiots. He doesn’t even consider that if the teacher really had another man or woman, he wouldn’t still be keeping Little Deer’s chance open.
But Shen Leyuan really was off to meet another man.
According to Mr. Ghost, he had at most three days left before leaving.
Three days—fleeting as a blink.
Not only did Shen Leyuan leave the Lin Family Villa early, but he also took two days off from school, planning to travel with Mr. Ghost and overwrite the pain of parting with beautiful memories.
The little dog in his arms was unusually lively today, but Shen Leyuan paid it no mind.
His heart brimmed with regret. Why didn’t I make more time for Mr. Ghost before? Why didn’t we go out more? Why didn’t I even ask what he likes?
There were so many things he wanted to do, so many words he wanted to say, but with the other party about to vanish, they all lost meaning.
On the flip side, there was nothing left to hold back for.
In a secluded corner of the Botanical Garden, Shen Leyuan tilted his face up and offered his first proactive kiss. Though he saw nothing, he kept his eyes wide open, and they gradually flushed pink.
He was a dull person, slow to notice others’ affection.
Yet he was also keenly perceptive, having long sensed the trust he placed in Mr. Ghost. It might not quite reach love, but it was enough to tempt him into a fleeting romance.
Doomed from the start—perfect for him.
The waist and abdomen in his palms felt firm and scorching. The touch on his lips was soft and moist. He only meant to press close, a light taste and nothing more.
But Huo Tingfeng wouldn’t allow it.
When the person you love, face flushed, asks if you can kiss… even a saint couldn’t resist. He was just a mortal—kissing wasn’t enough; he wanted to take him to bed.
Taking advantage of the fact that the other couldn’t hear or see, he slapped himself hard several times, forcing himself to soften before leaning in confidently. His large hands gripped the young man’s waist as he kissed him deeply.
Emotions threatened to explode in his chest, but the kiss remained tender.
Tender enough to make him want to cry.
What surged in his heart wasn’t joy, but fear.
Huo Tingfeng, you idiot, you fool. You outsmarted yourself. You could’ve confessed at the start, but no—you hid it for that scrap of pride. Now look: when he kisses you, who is he thinking of?
You’re done for, Huo Tingfeng. He’ll hate you to death.
Restraining the urge to devour Shen Leyuan whole, he kissed even more carefully, wetting and reddening those lips before tentatively flicking his tongue against the seam.
Shen Leyuan’s lashes trembled. He wasn’t sure if he should respond.
This is my first time doing this. Isn’t it too fast?
As if sensing his hesitation, Mr. Ghost didn’t press further. He even pulled back a little, giving him space to breathe.
Shen Leyuan’s heart softened. If there were enough time, he might have hesitated, dawdled, even backed out. If they had a future, he’d weigh if he could accept the worst outcome.
But they had no future—only three days.
So he kissed back, exhaling a sweetness between their lips and teeth that could drown Huo Tingfeng.
You’re really done for.
Huo Tingfeng realized this tragic fact once more.
The little dog circled at their feet. Outside, it barely barked, just licked its owner’s pant leg. Ignored, it settled down and fell asleep in the summer shade.
It was a perfect stand-in.
He hadn’t noticed it wasn’t his Huihui.
Good.
Huo Tingfeng kissed as if devouring a last meal before execution, thinking amid the embrace: Give me three days… no, one day. Just let me love him for one day.
Tomorrow, I’ll confess. I’ll tell him everything.
A few un-wiped tears fell onto Shen Leyuan’s face, stinging his heart with ache and sourness. When the kiss ended, he nestled against Mr. Ghost’s chest and softly asked what Mr. Ghost wanted to do.
He wants to, but he doesn’t deserve to.
Huo Tingfeng cried harder, thinking, How could he like me? Why now, of all times? How could he fall for a worthless wild ghost like me?
He thought Shen Leyuan was oblivious.
But he was just as oblivious himself.
When Shen Leyuan spun tales of their future, he’d only felt awkward, never realizing the depth of trust. When Shen Leyuan used his hand as a pen, he’d chalked it up to the young man’s gentleness, blind to how they’d long crossed the line.
These small moments coalesced into an untimely love for Huo Tingfeng—but perfectly timed for Shen Leyuan.
Mr. Ghost belonged to him, and only him.
Mr. Ghost said he didn’t want to go anywhere; he just wanted to stay by Shen Leyuan’s side.
【I’m sorry,】 he said.
Shen Leyuan replied it was fine: “It’s not your fault.”
But Huo Tingfeng knew they meant different things. He was beyond forgiveness.
The surveillance software on Shen Leyuan’s phone was another unforgivable sin.
Lin Yuan listened quietly to their love.
Sometimes it was lively over there, sometimes a solo performance, sometimes silent save for faint breaths that grew heavier, accompanied by a soft hum.
Would they get a room?
Lin Yuan didn’t know.
A long string of truths sat in the input bar. One tap, and that pair of wild lovebirds would split instantly—maybe even turn love to hate.
But Lin Yuan said nothing, deleting it word by word.
The young man would be heartbroken knowing the truth.
Besides, hate was too intense an emotion. He didn’t want the young man feeling that fiercely toward anyone, didn’t want anyone leaving any mark on his heart for any reason.
He told himself: Shen Leyuan is reserved in love; he wouldn’t jump into bed right after confirming things.
Then vicious killing intent surged: Reserved my ass!
Huo Tingfeng said their souls connected—no pesky clothes in the way.
When they kiss, will he feel his erection?
Lin Yuan tormented himself imagining their details—the young man’s lips, eyes, waist, hips.
He’d seen them, so the fantasies came easily.
Meanwhile, Huo Tingfeng felt none of the pleasure Lin Yuan envied.
Or rather, the more intimate they grew, the more terrified he became—like licking honey from the blade’s edge, each taste drawing blood.
He didn’t fear the pain.
He feared the blade falling on Shen Leyuan.
Maybe just stop.
A voice urged him: Don’t say anything. Pretend “Mr. Chu” dies in three days. No more such person in the world. Go back to being Huo Tingfeng.
Bury this memory. Never speak of it again.
But another voice whispered: What if he recognizes you?
The first voice replied: He hasn’t noticed the change in Huihui.
Right. He hadn’t.
But he once picked Huihui out of a hundred dogs. He could spot you in a glance someday—unless you never see him again, there’s no hiding it.
Can you do that?
Huo Tingfeng answered inwardly: I can’t.
Tell him now, or in a day, in three days—or never.
Every path felt like a dead end.
Shen Leyuan, meanwhile, was in high spirits. He went to the amusement park with Mr. Ghost, hit the haunted house.
Mr. Ghost guided him, pointing out staff hideouts, holding his hand as they dashed about, the real “ghost” scaring the fake ones.
Then roller coasters, pirate ships—everything for screaming, venting.
Evening came; they checked into a nearby hotel.
They did nothing but cuddle—Huo Tingfeng holding him while he searched nearby attractions on his phone for tomorrow’s itinerary.
“It’s a shame Mr. Chu can’t eat anything…”
he murmured softly.
Just then, a WeChat notification popped up.
The neighborhood cop said: “Sorry for the misunderstanding last time. Bro Chu just transferred wards. Want to visit him?”
Mr. Ghost’s body stiffened like stone, clamping a hand over his eyes.
Shen Leyuan stared at the phone, unblinking.
This time, he didn’t close his eyes.
“So…” His voice was soft, ethereal: “The disappearance… it was fake, wasn’t it?”
Huo Tingfeng was struck by massive panic, gripping his hand tight: 【I am】
The man pulled away coolly. “No need.”
“I don’t want to know.”
