Lou Xiaoxiao looked up at her mother, her eyes sharp.
"Why would you let him undertake such a dangerous mission!"
The first techniques humans learned were taught by ghost envoys.
Used for self-defense.
Through generations of human development, it evolved to its current state.
Baidi City was famous not only because humans and ghosts coexisted.
But also because they took on missions.
From surrounding villages, even the more distant imperial city…
Whenever a strange event occurred, the first people everyone thought of were those from Baidi City.
According to the information Lou Xiaoxiao had obtained, Lou Yangzi had an accident this time because he went ghost-catching.
"Eh..."
After lighting the candle in her hand, Lou Mu let out a soft "eh."
She turned to look at Lou Xiaoxiao, the new generation genius of the Lou family, who had led the Lou family to become the foremost family in Baidi City.
"He actually didn't tell you?"
Lou Mu covered her mouth with her hand and chuckled softly.
...
Lou Xiaoxiao frowned. This woman was truly so sarcastic.
Lou Mu chuckled for a good while before saying with a schadenfreude-like expression:
"Years ago, when he gave me the formation you had newly researched, I told him to take you under his wing."
"As long as it brings enough benefits to the Lou family, even if the aptitude is mediocre, one is qualified to inherit the Lou family."
"As a mother, even if there's a sliver of a chance, I have to let him try."
But Lou Yangzi refused.
There were two paths laid out before him: one, to take Lou Xiaoxiao under his wing and present the new formation to the Lou family elders in his own name.
Two, Lou Mu would tear up this new formation.
And Lou Yangzi chose a third path.
"He actually thought he could do it, fufuu..."
Lou Mu covered her mouth and laughed. "With his capabilities, no matter how hard he tries, he won't gain the attention of the higher-ups."
"However, since it was his son's one and only request, how could a mother refuse..."
Who knew she had such a foolish son.
They say fools have their own luck.
Lou Mu raised her eyes, her every move elegant and beautiful.
But it exuded an unignorable oppressive aura.
"So Lou Xiaoxiao, is your brother's sacrifice worth it for you?"
The young girl, radiating a cool demeanor, stood stunned.
The scene from years ago, when her brother snatched her first creation, flashed before her eyes.
The words Lou Yangzi had spoken seemed to have happened just yesterday.
'What's yours, no one can take away!'
'I'll provide the materials, you just do it.'
'I'm a direct descendant of the Lou family, I must know more than you. Wait for me, I'll go find relevant information for you.'
'...'
She had thought he had gained freedom,
But she never imagined she was the one who had personally shackled him.
Lou Xiaoxiao looked at the elegant Lou Mu, suddenly feeling a chill run through her body, trembling uncontrollably.
"..."
Without absolute power, they would never have true freedom.
They would always be dispensable pawns, evaluated for their worth.
...
...
"Huh... so that's how it was."
In the King of Hell's Palace.
Lou Yangzi stood on the River of Stars, looking somewhat bewildered, yet also enlightened.
Accompanying this was a slight ache in his heart.
In his memory,
He had indeed visited his mother and promised to work hard and compete for the inheritance.
But that seemed... because his mother said that the illegitimate son she disliked couldn't inherit (?).
Otherwise, their lives wouldn't be easy.
Later, he did have an accident during a mission. Fortunately, Brother Sixi intervened, saving his soul from harm.
But after he became a ghost and woke up again...
What did he do after waking up?
When he hadn't thought about it carefully before, these things had passed by vaguely.
But now, upon careful consideration, there were indeed many things that didn't add up.
For example, why did he suddenly start searching for information everywhere, and why did the Lou family suddenly become the foremost family in the city's creation?
And...
Through the memories he was now recalling, Lou Yangzi finally realized what his lost memories were about.
—It was about Lou Xiaoxiao.
Anything related to her seemed to have disappeared, just like the broken River of Stars before.
And now,
As the River of Stars beneath his feet was filled in, those memories gradually returned, as if finding their owner.
What happened in the end?
Mysteries arose in Lou Yangzi's mind.
This time, without the need for the terrifying voice to remind him, he actively strode forward.
Reviewing the memory scenes on both sides of the River of Stars.
...
"How does it feel to be a ghost?"
In the tea house opposite the Lou family,
Que Sixi, while eating the exquisite dim sum on the table, glanced at Lou Yangzi in front of him.
Lou Yangzi looked at the tea on the table, his expression subtle.
"...It's just like that?"
It seemed no different from when he was human.
Que Sixi nodded. "What are your plans now?"
He didn't ask why the other party took on the mission. As long as the other party didn't mention it, he was too lazy to ask.
After all, between great families, it was like those opera stages and storybooks.
Intricate and complex.
Lou Yangzi thought for a moment. "Just loaf around and wait to die?"
He shrugged, smiling self-deprecatingly. "It seems I'm not cut out to be a family head."
As for Lou Xiaoxiao... she should be able to handle things on her own now?
Que Sixi finished the dim sum in his hand in a few bites, wiping the crumbs from the corner of his mouth. "That's good too."
"Eating, drinking, and having fun are great fortunes in a ghost's life."
As he spoke, the two ghosts exchanged a glance.
There was a sense of tacit understanding, as if they shared the same aspirations.
After finishing the dim sum, the two ghosts bid farewell for the time being.
However, before parting, Lou Yangzi suddenly became curious. "Brother Sixi, if I may be so bold to ask..."
"How did your wife get pregnant?"
Que Sixi frowned and pondered for a moment. "Originally, this matter involves secrets, but since you asked, I'll tell you..."
"Come closer."
Lou Yangzi, still retaining his human habits, instinctively held his breath and leaned his ear closer.
Que Sixi: "This, well... the secret is very simple. Strike early, hesitation leads to defeat!"
After saying that, he left with a hearty laugh.
Leaving Lou Yangzi half-bewildered, half-understanding.
Outside the tea house, the street was bustling with humans and ghosts.
Sunlight bathed Baidi City, half in the light, half hidden in the shadows.
Lou Yangzi stood in the middle of the street, bathed in sunlight.
He looked up at the scorching sun, squinting instinctively.
...After becoming a ghost, there were still some differences.
...
As soon as he returned to the Lou family, he saw a slender figure leaning by the door.
The girl had flowing hair, a slender build, and the nascent curves of a young girl.
Dressed in a simple yet sharp light blue long dress.
She exuded a cool aura.
Seeing him, the girl looked up, her delicate eyebrows carrying a hint of arrogance.
"Where have you been?"
Lou Yangzi: "I went for a walk, to thank Brother Sixi for his help."
The girl hummed, "You should indeed thank him."
...？
Lou Yangzi looked at her in surprise. This time, no sharp words?
Did the sun rise from the west?
While marveling, he saw the girl straighten up and walk towards him.
Finally stopping in front of him, her cool eyes fixed directly on him.
After a moment of silence, she said, "Can you be my contracted ghost?"
"Hmm..."
Lou Yangzi was stunned for two seconds before he understood.
He became even more bewildered ⊙▃⊙.
"Huh?"
...