"If you wish to avoid any mishaps, I suggest you vacate these premises immediately. The ghostly infant seems to have taken an interest in Wang Shanshan. Moreover, this entity is growing stronger. The last time I encountered it, it couldn't harness the Ghost Realm, but now it's on the verge of mastering it. What it may become next is anyone's guess."
"I have a feeling that once it reaches full maturity, the level of terror it can inflict is incalculable."
Upon returning to Wang Bin's home, Yang Jian wasted no time in delivering this warning.
"Are you... human or ghost?" Wang Bin asked with a tinge of dread.
Yang Jian replied, "I'm not certain. Perhaps I am both, or neither. My own nature is unclear to me. But isn't that enough to save your lives? Besides, this doesn't seem like the time to discuss such matters."
"Right, right, right. Let's leave. I'll pack up our belongings," Wang Bin said, snapping back to reality.
"Is it dead? Will it not return?" Wang Haiyan, still shaken, inquired fearfully.
"No, it's not dead. There's a high likelihood it will be back," Yang Jian stated.
Wang Haiyan became agitated. "What? Then why didn't you kill that thing? We hired you to deal with that ghostly creature. Now you've let it go, what are we supposed to do? If you can't kill it, we won't pay you. Who's to say you didn't intentionally let it escape?"
"Although I am a classmate of Wang Shanshan, personal favors are one thing, and business is another. From your tone, it sounds like you intend to renege on our agreement?" Yang Jian looked at her and said.
"Do you expect to be paid without resolving the issue? Do you think half a million is so easily earned?" Wang Haiyan retorted.
Yang Jian said earnestly, "Madam, you are mistaken. It's not half a million, but one million."
"Who said it was one million? I distinctly heard my husband mention that you asked for half a million," Wang Haiyan insisted.
Rubbing his temples, Yang Jian sat down on the sofa and sighed, "This is quite a headache. I like to adhere to principles—what should be, should be. If you insist on arguing, I have no recourse. I haven't read many books, and I lack social experience. I can't win an argument with seasoned individuals like you. In that case, consider my services today a free favor out of regard for Wang Shanshan."
He then added, "By the way, Mrs. Wang, what type of flowers do you usually prefer?"
"Jasmine. Why do you ask?" Wang Haiyan responded.
Yang Jian said, "Next time there's an opportunity to visit the graves, I'll bring some for you. If you encounter that ghostly creature again, perhaps you should handle it yourself. With your eloquence, I'm sure you can persuade the ghostly infant to spare your lives. I'm leaving now and hope you'll be able to leave this building shortly."
With that, he made to get up and leave.
He was curious to see whether Wang Shanshan's mother valued money over life.
He didn't have the time or energy to engage in a verbal duel here.
Seeing Yang Jian about to leave, Wang Haiyan's expression changed immediately. She hurriedly smiled and said, "This classmate, wait, wait, what are you doing? Can't we discuss this matter calmly? Don't be angry, I apologize on behalf of my aunt. Besides, you and Shanshan are classmates; isn't it right that you help each other? Shanshan has been thinking about you these past few days."
"Being classmates is correct, and mutual assistance is also right. I just helped your family, and now I am poor and down on my luck. Shouldn't you help me out with one million then? We can't have me talking about personal bonds while you discuss business, and then when I talk business, you switch to personal bonds. It puts me, the vulnerable party, at a disadvantage no matter what, while you wealthy ones reap all the benefits."
"So, I've become a bit wiser. Not a penny less than one million will do," Yang Jian said very seriously.
He was already being very restrained, considering the situation.
Wang Haiyan looked quite embarrassed. Of course, she understood that Yang Jian was referring to the last time he had escorted her daughter home, and she had dismissed him with a mere two hundred yuan.
Yang Jian said, "You don't need to get overly familiar, Mrs. Wang. Although I am a classmate of Wang Shanshan, I've only met you two or three times. So, it's better for us to maintain a pure monetary relationship. You pay, I help—that's fair. You buy life with money, and I earn money by risking my life. That's fair too."
"Yes, yes, yes, that is indeed fair, but classmate, we have given you the money, but you must also find a way to solve this problem for us, right? Why doesn't this entity bother other families and only targets ours?" Wang Haiyan asked.
Yang Jian said, "It's not after you; it's after Wang Shanshan. I wanted to mention it when we were at school, but there are things more terrifying than this ghostly infant within the school's grounds, so I didn't bring it up."
"I believe it's due to the two palm prints on Wang Shanshan's neck. She was attacked once by the ghostly infant at school, and I saved her that time. However, the ghostly infant must have marked her, which is why it's come back to attack her again."
"Of course, that's just my speculation. I will need to consult with someone to know for sure."
Wang Haiyan asked, "Can it be resolved?"
"I'll tell you after you pay," Yang Jian said, looking at her.
"Ding..."
Suddenly, at that moment, his phone received a text message.
The message indicated that he had received a deposit of one million yuan.
"?"
At that moment, Wang Bin came out of the room and said, "Classmate, I've already paid you the money. I hope you can take more care of Shanshan's situation. If you have any other requirements, feel free to mention them. Our family will not refuse if it's within our capabilities."
Yang Jian smiled and said, "Uncle Wang, you are indeed straightforward. It's clear you are a successful person, decisive and trustworthy... But how did you get my bank account number?"
"I work at a credit company. Out of professional habit, I took a photo of a document with my phone during a parents' meeting at school."
"No wonder Wang Shanshan's seat is always next to those from well-off families. As for someone poor like me, I can only sit far away. Uncle Wang, you've been quite strategic behind the scenes."
Yang Jian spoke, somewhat admiring Wang Bin.
He was already laying out connections for Wang Shanshan since high school.
Wang Bin gave a sheepish smile and didn't elaborate.
It wasn't just his idea; it was a spontaneous initiative from several well-off parents, and he was just part of it.
"Alright, it's about time to go," Yang Jian said, checking the time.
There was less than a minute left of the Ghost Realm.
Soon, they all left the community and quickly drove away in a car.
During the journey, because the Ghost Realm was still active, they didn't encounter the ghostly infant.
It seemed that within the Ghost Realm, other ghosts couldn't find them.
This was crucial information, Yang Jian noted to himself.
"Yang Jian, I... I'm sorry," Wang Shanshan said softly in the car, regaining some composure and tugging at Yang Jian's hand.
"There's no need to apologize. I came here for the money," Yang Jian replied.
"Thank you," Wang Shanshan responded with gratitude.
Wang Bin, who was driving, asked, "Where should we go now?"
"Anywhere is fine, as long as it's far away from that community. Even if that thing comes looking, it will take some time," Yang Jian said.
"Could we get rid of that ghostly creature if we went abroad?" Wang Haiyan asked.
Yang Jian said, "What if we can't escape it? And are there no supernatural events abroad? In fact, supernatural events abroad are more severe than those at home. There are no specialized individuals to handle such incidents there; one can only hire people. So, dealing with such a matter abroad starts at several million US dollars. Uncle Wang, you can inquire about it if you don't believe me. I wasn't lying to you on the phone."
"What about the handprint on Shanshan's neck... can you resolve it?" Wang Haiyan asked politely, no longer daring to lose her temper.
The money had already been paid. If Yang Jian got angry and walked away, what would happen to her family?
Yang Jian thought for a moment and said, "I can only try to find out. If this issue can't be resolved, then I'm out of options. Wang Shanshan may just have to leave it to fate."
He then took out his satellite phone and called the operator, Liu Xiaoyu.
Using Wang Shanshan's situation as an opportunity, he could also gain more knowledge about malevolent spirits, which would be helpful for his future endeavors.
Soon, Liu Xiaoyu answered the call.
"Yang Jian, is that you?"
"Yes, it's me," Yang Jian said. "Are you operators available 24/7? I can reach you no matter when I call?"
"We provide one-on-one service. Each ghost tamer has a dedicated operator. I am your exclusive operator, and aside from liaising with you, I don't perform any other tasks," Liu Xiaoyu stated in a formal tone.
"Alright, let's not delve into that topic. I'm facing a bit of a predicament now. Let me brief you on the situation, and perhaps you can offer some advice."