The ghostly girl was as sharp as ever—Wu Long indeed hadn't harmed Feng Lan, treating her with reverence as if she were an ancestor.
His so-called "Wolong Daoist Hall," which sounded impressive, was just a shabby storefront in a quiet alley. When I arrived, Wu Long was busy flirting with two ostentatiously dressed female disciples. I had thought this guy might be a righteous and hot-blooded youth, but it turned out he was just another lecher.
When I explained why I came, Wu Long was surprisingly accommodating. He removed the sealing talisman from the cola bottle, allowing me to speak directly with Feng Lan.
Under the talisman's suppression, much of Feng Lan's hostility had dissipated. Though the bottle's opening was small, her ghostly face looked far less menacing than before.
"Zhang Shaoyu is dead," I informed her.
Feng Lan nodded lightly, her gaze calm. "That silk stocking didn't just torment his body; it tormented his soul. I'm guessing he hanged himself in the grove?"
"You guessed right," I confirmed.
"What about Yu Zixin?" Feng Lan's ghostly eyes rolled upward in inquiry.
I sighed bitterly. "She used dirty tricks again, driving a wedge between An Shengzhe and Xiao Xiang. Tomorrow, she's set to get engaged to him."
Feng Lan's expression immediately turned agitated. White, icy wisps of mist seeped from the bottle as her breathing quickened. "Why is An Shengzhe so foolish? Why would he believe that venomous woman? I can't let him be deceived. Let me out—I'll kill her!"
Judging by her tone, she still cared for An Shengzhe. I was speechless. How could such a vile man attract so much affection from both the living and the dead?
Life often lacks clear answers, just as it lacks absolutes of right and wrong. I couldn't help but smirk bitterly. Perhaps that scoundrel had some unique charm. Love doesn't need logic or justification—when you love, you simply love.
"Alright, I'll let you out. But you must promise me: only Yu Zixin, no one else," I said. Ironically, I was now the one granting her a request rather than the other way around. Life's absurdity was in full display.
"Fine. I'll only deal with her. An Shengzhe must not be deceived any longer."
After our discussion, I stepped outside with Wu Long and asked for his help to bring Feng Lan to the engagement venue. Wu Long initially hesitated, worried about the risks of associating with the An family. However, he eventually agreed, warning me to be cautious since several renowned masters of the occult were likely to attend the ceremony.
I scoffed at his cowardice, realizing I had overestimated him.
After leaving Wu Long, I returned to school to see Xiao Xiang. However, after waiting outside the girls' dorm for ages, Xiao Ying came out and said Xiao Xiang didn't want to see anyone. Xiao Ying delivered a particularly heartbreaking message: Xiao Xiang only loved An Shengzhe and urged me to give up on her completely.
I forced a smile and said to Xiao Ying, "Tell her that what belongs to her will soon be returned." Then, I turned and walked away.
Xiao Ying chased after me, asking what I meant. I didn't tell her about the plan involving Feng Lan, not wanting to drag anyone else into this mess. I simply smiled and claimed I had a way to make An Shengzhe see Yu Zixin for who she truly was.
Later that night, Xiao Ying kept trying to pry for details, but I stayed tight-lipped. Meanwhile, the ghostly girl mocked me relentlessly, questioning why I was doing so much for someone who clearly didn't care for me.
I claimed I was acting out of a sense of justice, not love. Calling myself "the righteous hero" only earned me a scolding—and a few bumps on the head, courtesy of the ghostly girl.
The next morning at ten, Wu Long picked me up, and we headed to the luxurious Ding Sheng International Hotel, where the engagement ceremony was being held. Along the way, Wu Long grew increasingly anxious. He reminded me that three highly skilled occult masters were among the guests. Carrying the cola bottle into the venue could expose us instantly.
The ghostly girl reassured me, suggesting a simple but effective plan: soak some tissues in a child's urine and wrap the bottle tightly. No matter how sharp their senses were, they wouldn't detect a ghost concealed in such a way.
Of course, I couldn't exactly urinate in front of Wu Long. I waited until we reached the hotel, rushed to the restroom, and discreetly prepared the tissues before returning to the entrance.
However, security at the hotel was tight. Each invitation allowed entry for only one person, and I was stopped at the door. Just as I was racking my brain for a solution, the sound of crisp high heels clicking against the floor caught my attention.
A soft, delicate hand slipped onto my arm.
"This is his invitation," a voice said from behind me.
The two stern-faced security guards suddenly froze, their eyes wide with shock. But they weren't looking at the invitation—they were staring at the person behind me. I turned, and my jaw dropped.
Standing there was an absolutely stunning woman in a luxurious black gown. Her long, flowing hair cascaded over her bare shoulders, exuding an aura of elegance and nobility. Her beautiful eyes shimmered like autumn water, and her smile was captivating.
For a moment, I was utterly spellbound.