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墨書 Inktalez
My Tenant is a Female Ghost
As Bai Zhuo was lost in thought, Elder Ge woke up, bringing a slight improvement to his gloomy mood. However, despite waking, Elder Ge's condition did not seem optimistic. By the time he received a call from Ge Shui Lian, it was already evening.
"Master, you’re awake!"
Elder Ge lay on the hospital bed, looking as if he had aged ten years compared to before. He attempted to sit up weakly, saying, "Oh, Bai Zhuo..." Seeing this, Ge Shui Lian hurried over to support him and scolded, "Master, why are you trying to get up? Bai Zhuo, why did it take you so long to arrive?"
Only then did Bai Zhuo notice that the room was filled with people of all ages—some curious, some disdainful, and many scrutinizing. Aside from Yun Chu, he recognized none of them.
Among them was a slightly older middle-aged man sitting next to Elder Ge who stood up and said, "You must be Bai Zhuo, Shui Lian's junior brother?"
Bai Zhuo looked over at the man. He was of average height and somewhat plump. The resemblance to Elder Ge was striking; Bai Zhuo was certain this man must be Ge Shui Lian's uncle. Bai Zhuo nodded in acknowledgment. "Yes, I am Bai Zhuo. It's a pleasure to meet all of you."
At that moment, a fashionable woman adorned in gold and silver spoke up. "Uncle, what era are we in? Why are you still clinging to your old profession and taking on disciples? Ever since Aquatic passed away, hasn’t our family suffered enough? Uncle..."
"Child!"
"Shuihua! I’m not wrong; everything is because of those Yin-Yang Techniques that led to Aquatic’s demise..."
"He Ya! How dare you!" Ge Shuihua was her brother and held a position of authority; his shout made He Ya shrink back, no longer daring to retort.
Ge Shui Lian turned to He Ya and said, "Auntie, my father told me that his death is not anyone's fault or due to any circumstance. If he could start over, he would still choose to be a Yin-Yang Master. I didn’t understand before and disliked the profession like you do, but now I finally comprehend my father's feelings. Please don’t be angry."
Upon hearing the main subject speak, He Ya immediately deflated and sat quietly sulking.
Elder Ge coughed a few times and said, "Alright, everyone quiet down. Our Ge Family has passed down the Yin-Yang tradition for generations; it cannot simply end here. Aquatic had bestowed upon others but was too careless with his secrets and faced retribution... His early passing is indeed a pity."
Ge Shui Lian helped Ge Zhongxiang up, placing a pillow behind him. Elder Ge waved at Bai Zhuo and said, "Bai Zhuo, come here." Bai Zhuo obediently walked over and called out, "Master."
"Bai Zhuo, can you guess what is weighing on my mind the most right now?"
Bai Zhuo's heart tightened; it felt as if his master was delivering a final message. He hurriedly shook his head, saying, "I don’t know, I don’t know. Master, you should just go and take care of it yourself. I'm afraid it will turn into a last wish."
Elder Ge felt both angry and amused upon hearing this. He scolded, "You little brat! I won't die just to be angered by you! Listen carefully! Cough cough..."
"Ah, Master, please don’t get angry. I’ll just listen honestly."
"You little brat, it's not bragging if I say that I am quite a famous Yin Yang Master in the Jiangnan region. I have a rough idea of how much time I have left... cough cough," Elder Ge coughed several times. "That night, I heard the general situation from Zhong Bo. That thing sealed inside you is temporarily safe. After a while, you need to find Meng Po, understand?"
"Yes, understood, Master."
"And also, you need to thank yourself for this. Without you, Meng Po wouldn't see tomorrow's sun along with Zhong Bo; there would still be a filthy thing harming the world."
Bai Zhuo shook his head. "That's not true; I'm not a match for that thing at all. It was too powerful; I fainted just from one glance."
"Haha, I know. You and the Aquatic from back then are both gifted in your own ways; you two are quite similar." Elder Ge's eyes showed a hint of nostalgia. "If only Aquatic had half of your cunning back then, he wouldn't have died so early."
"Uh... Master, are you praising me?"
"Haha, of course I'm praising you... cough cough..." As Elder Ge laughed, he suddenly began to cough violently, spitting out a large pool of black blood onto the pristine white sheets. The seven or eight people in the room became tense.
"Dad!" "Father!" "Uncle!"
“Master! Master! Are you alright? Quick, call a doctor!”
“No... no need, cough cough...” Elder Ge said, “It’s just some stagnant blood. Look at how worried you all are. It’s good to vomit it out; this way, I can live a few more years. Bai Zhuo,”
“Yes, Master.”
Elder Ge first took Bai Zhuo's hand, then grasped Ge Shui Lian's hand, placing their hands together. “Right now, the one I’m most worried about is Shui Lian. My eldest son Shuihua is useless; he hasn’t given me any grandchildren yet. My son Aquatic died young and didn’t have the fortune to enjoy life. And others may not know, but we understand that ever since Aquatic left us, our Ge Family has been in decline, both in the Yin Yang Realm and in business. Shui Lian is my only granddaughter and the only Yin Yang Master in our Ge Family.”
Upon hearing this, Bai Zhuo felt an ominous premonition. Sure enough, Elder Ge tightly held both Bai Zhuo and Ge Shui Lian’s hands together. “Bai Zhuo, even though you are an outsider, I still want to entrust Shui Lian to you and pass on the Yin Yang bloodline of the Ge Family to you! Are you willing?”
Bai Zhuo felt troubled inside as he looked at the weary Elder Ge. The words “I’m not willing” were stuck in his throat, just like with Ge Shui Lian.
Not receiving a response from Bai Zhuo, Elder Ge chuckled lightly. “Are you still concerned about whether or not to come to our door? Hehe, Bai Zhuo, don’t worry about it; I won’t force you on this matter. Nothing can be perfect; whether or not you come depends on your willingness.”
Bai Zhuo and Ge Shui Lian exchanged glances, thinking that Elder Ge had come to terms with it. They smiled happily. “I... I understand... Master.”
Elder Ge finally heard Bai Zhuo's response and looked pleased, his face gaining a bit of luster. “Bai Zhuo, I know what you’ve been thinking before, but ask yourself honestly—my Lian’er has beauty and figure; while she may not be from a wealthy family, she is certainly from a respectable household. At least she has an uncle who is a high official. Now that Shui Lian agrees, how could she possibly be unworthy of you?”
Ge Shui Lian agrees? Bai Zhuo glanced at Ge Shui Lian, who was looking down, making it hard to read her expression. Her aunt He Ya asked in surprise, “What? Is there really someone who doesn’t like our Lian Lian? That’s absurd! I think you look quite ordinary; there’s nothing remarkable about you!”
“Uh...” Bai Zhuo was left speechless after being scolded by He Ya. Ge Shui Lian raised her head and said, “Auntie, this matter is between him and me; you don’t need to worry about it.”
He Ya was furious. “Lian Lian, I’m trying to help you here! How can you treat your aunt like this... Ugh! You’re driving me crazy!” Saying this, He Ya shot a glance at Bai Zhuo with a cold huff before picking up her handbag and leaving.
The room fell silent for a moment before Bai Zhuo spoke up. “I know that just now... Auntie was also concerned for Shui Lian. This isn’t about whether I agree or not; it’s just...”
"Bai Zhuo!" Ge Shui Lian suddenly grasped his hand tightly and called out. Bai Zhuo looked at her in confusion; tears glistened at the corners of Ge Shui Lian's eyes, and her gaze was heavy with sorrow, even tinged with a hint of pleading. Before Bai Zhuo could say anything further, he swallowed his words.
Bai Zhuo fell silent as the relatives in the room quietly watched him. Ge Shui Lian's hand was soft and warm, a stark contrast to Elder Ge's hand. Elder Ge's palm rested on Bai Zhuo's hand, and he could feel the thick calluses on Elder Ge's palm.
He looked up and suddenly met Elder Ge's slightly clouded gaze. Bai Zhuo forced a smile and said, "Alright... Grandpa... I'll take care of Shui Lian."
"Ha ha, good, good, good..." Elder Ge's hand gradually fell, his eyes losing their luster.
Beep...
"Grandpa!" "Dad!" "Dad!" "..."
Elder Ge was gone.
It seemed that Bai Zhuo's promise to marry Ge Shui Lian was the reason he left with a peaceful smile.
During the funeral, both Ge Shui Lian and Bai Zhuo witnessed Yin Chai guiding Elder Ge's spirit away.
At the gravesite, Ge Shui Lian cried heavily on Bai Zhuo's shoulder. She had no father and had regarded Elder Ge as both grandfather and father. She felt she had never done anything to make Elder Ge happy, and regret consumed her.
Bai Zhuo gently patted Ge Shui Lian's back. "Master... Grandpa achieved so much in his lifetime, maintaining the order of the Yin Yang Realm without revealing secrets and helping countless others. He will surely find a good place or a decent job in the Underworld!"
Ge Shui Lian did not respond; she simply continued to cry.
Time passed, and Bai Zhuo's shoulder became soaked with her tears.
“Bai Zhuo.”
“Hmm?”
Ge Shui Lian pushed Bai Zhuo away and rubbed her eyes. “Grandfather said, there’s no need to be overly cautious. You don’t have to wait for him too long; let’s get engaged as soon as possible.”
Bai Zhuo remained silent, lost in thought. Ge Shui Lian continued, “The date is set for the tenth of next month.”
“So soon?” Bai Zhuo snapped back to reality, surprised. Ge Shui Lian chuckled lightly, gazing into the distance. “Surprised, huh? I was just as shocked. I had no mental preparation at all; it’s just been decided like this… I haven’t even been in a relationship yet; I don’t even know what love feels like.”
Bai Zhuo turned to look at Ge Shui Lian. She had just been crying, her eyes slightly puffy, but it couldn’t hide her youthful beauty. Being with Ge Shui Lian, no matter the time, seemed to radiate a sense of youthfulness. Perhaps being with her wouldn’t be such a bad choice.
However, some things were truly beyond his control, or perhaps he was just too indecisive.
He looked at Ge Shui Lian and said, “I made a promise with Miao Xiaoqi before.”
“Hmm? A promise? Are you still in touch with her?”
Bai Zhuo shook his head. “No, she doesn’t have a phone; I can’t contact her.”
“What was that promise?” Ge Shui Lian asked curiously, a bad feeling creeping into her heart.
Bai Zhuo fell silent for a moment. “Back then, I promised to wait for her for two years. If after two years she still remembered me when she turned eighteen, I would marry her.”
Slap! A solid slap landed on Bai Zhuo’s face, and the world seemed to fall silent for a moment as both of them were stunned. Ge Shui Lian stared blankly at her hands. She didn’t understand why, but when she heard about Bai Zhuo’s connection with Miao Xiaoqi, her hands instinctively rose up; she wanted to slap him, and that’s exactly what she did.
Why am I so angry? Why? Not only does he have ties with Yang Liu, but he also flirts with Miao Xiaoqi? What position does he place Sister Shirei in? And what about me? Wait… what does this have to do with me? It must be… it must be Miao Xiaoqi's fault! She’s only sixteen; it’s because he seduced a minor that I’m so angry! It has to be that way! Ge Shui Lian thought to herself, continuously trying to comfort her heart.
"I'm sorry, Shui Lian. I was too careless. I didn't realize how deep Qi's feelings for me were, and that she would even get emotionally attached to me..."
"White! If saying sorry actually meant something, what good would the police do? Qi is only sixteen! Sixteen, you beast!" Ge Shui Lian grabbed Bai Zhuo by the collar and shook him vigorously. Bai Zhuo quickly explained, "Ah, Shui Lian, please calm down. I... I made a promise to her, but... but I never touched her! At that time, I just thought she hadn't seen much of the world and could easily develop feelings for someone who was nice to her. I wanted to buy some time for her to forget me."
Hearing this, Ge Shui Lian finally calmed down and asked, "But what if two years later, Qi still can't forget you?"
"I... I didn't think that far back then..."
Ge Shui Lian pressed on, "What if two years later Qi really comes looking for you and finds out that I'm already married to you? What then?"
"I... I don't know..." Bai Zhuo sighed. "We'll just take it one step at a time."
"What about your Sister Shirei? Don't you like her? I heard from Yang Liu that you almost lost your life trying to save her. You must really care for her... No, you must love her, right?"
"..." Bai Zhuo furrowed his brow in frustration and shouted, "I don't know... I just don't know!" He pushed Ge Shui Lian away and turned to leave.
Ge Shui Lian watched Bai Zhuo's retreating figure, anger swelling within her. She shouted at his back, "What about your Yang Liu? Aren't you her boyfriend? You're about to get engaged to me, you jerk! Engaged!"
As she yelled this out, Bai Zhuo's silhouette gradually blurred in her vision. Unknowingly, tears began to well up in the corners of her eyes once again.
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