Chapter 2: A Good Woman

Monster? Ghost? Hallucination?

Yang Shifei’s face was filled with stunned disbelief.

Aside from its wuxia elements, did this world truly have some supernatural powers as well, and he had just happened to run into them?

He abruptly looked back, only to discover that the Luo Residence maid who had led him here had already vanished without a trace.

“…”

The dim courtyard was silent. Only strands of night wind drifted past.

Cold sweat instantly seeped across Yang Shifei’s back, and goosebumps rose all over his body.

It really was a ghost?!

She had deliberately brought him here so the female ghost inside could devour him completely?

Damn it, a honey trap!

Yang Shifei wiped the cold sweat from his face, clutched his pounding chest, and carefully retreated step by step.

If he was supposed to fight several female ghosts alone, then at least give him a few cheats first!

Where was his ding?!

Ding already!

Yang Shifei’s face turned pale as he slowly approached the path he had come from, wanting to quietly leave this “haunted courtyard” without alerting the other party.

He didn’t dare turn and run now. He was afraid that the moment he turned around, some terrifying evil spirit would suddenly pounce from behind and drag him back into the room by force. So compared to screaming and shouting in panic, honestly backing away might be a little safer, even if… it was only psychological comfort.

Creak.

The half-closed door was suddenly opened.

Looking at the unfamiliar maid who appeared, Yang Shifei’s body abruptly froze, and he nearly turned and bolted in terror.

Who wouldn’t be scared stiff in a haunted house?!

“…”

For a moment, the two sides faced each other in silence.

The young maid standing before the door stared at Yang Shifei and frowned slightly.

Yang Shifei didn’t even dare blink too much, afraid she would suddenly fly at him with a whoosh, hug him, and start gnawing wildly.

Even if she did have a rather beautiful and delicate face.

If that face split open into a bloody maw in the next second, who the hell would still care about looks?

“You are a descendant of the Niu family?”

The young maid suddenly spoke, her tone icy.

Yang Shifei’s entire body was tense, ready at any moment to dodge and flee for his life.

After a long silence, he finally squeezed out a reply.

“No.”

“Forget it. Whether you are or not doesn’t matter.”

The maid sighed helplessly, then turned back toward the room and said, “Miss, this man is holding the marriage contract you signed back then.”

Not long after she finished speaking, a graceful figure slowly walked out under the glow of candlelight.

Yang Shifei forcibly steadied himself and compelled himself not to show fear. He focused his gaze on the black-haired woman stepping out of the room.

She wore an exquisitely luxurious embroidered ruqun, which wrapped around her graceful figure. Her long skirt swayed as she moved, her bearing dignified and elegant.

Her black hair danced gently in the wind, and her clear, delicate jade-like face seemed to glow beneath the moonlight. Her lips were vivid, her eyes cold, as though she could see straight through a person’s heart with a single glance.

Yang Shifei had no mind to admire her breathtaking beauty. He instinctively glanced at the top of her head.

There were no tooth-like tears or cracks.

Had she deliberately disguised herself to look like a normal person again?

“Young Master.”

The black-haired girl suddenly spoke, her expression indifferent. “Have you come at the Niu family’s request to fulfill the agreement?”

Yang Shifei quickly snapped back to his senses and clasped his hands, pretending to be calm.

“I lost my memory and wandered outside before the Niu family kindly took me in. Auntie Niu saw that I had yet to marry, so she handed the marriage contract over to me. Out of curiosity, I set off to come and take a look. But this visit is indeed presumptuous, and I hope you will forgive me.”

His heartbeat quickened as he continued, “I know full well that this trip is reckless. This should have been a marriage arrangement between the Luo family and the Niu family, and has nothing to do with an outsider like me. But I truly could not refuse Auntie Niu’s enthusiastic recommendation… If Miss Luo feels displeased, I will return this marriage contract to Niu Village and disturb you no further.”

Yang Shifei was sweating all over as he spoke.

He had nearly forgotten his lines!

As for right now, no matter how much these two women resembled heavenly immortals, he only wanted to get away from this cursed place as quickly as possible.

Once he escaped back to Niu Village, he would also have to warn Auntie Niu’s family never to come looking for the Luo family again.

“No need.”

But unexpectedly, the black-haired girl waved a hand.

“Since the Niu family handed this marriage contract to you, that proves your character is trustworthy. Besides, I also have the right to choose for myself.”

She glanced at the luggage dropped on the ground and gestured to the side. “You must be tired from the journey. Why not stay here for the night? Tomorrow morning, we can sit down and have a proper talk.”

“Ah, but I’m a man staying in a lady’s home…”

Bang!

The sudden loud noise made Yang Shifei’s shoulders jolt, and his heart nearly skipped a beat.

He quickly reacted. That was the sound of the Luo Residence gates closing… and even the door bar had been dropped into place!

“It seems my maid was being lazy and forgot to close the gate.”

The black-haired girl withdrew her gaze and said coldly, “Young Master, what do you think?”

This woman really was a damn female ghost!

Yang Shifei’s peripheral vision swept across the courtyard wall, and he smiled stiffly.

“Then I shall gratefully accept your kindness, Miss.”

Shit. The Luo Residence walls looked nearly three meters high. He couldn’t climb out.

For the first time, he hated himself for never exercising.

“Young Master, please follow me.”

The cold maid spoke and turned to lead the way.

Yang Shifei struggled inwardly for a long while. Seeing that these female ghosts didn’t seem to have any intention of harming him for the time being, he could only brace himself and follow.

Meanwhile, the black-haired girl merely stood silently at the entrance of the boudoir, her gaze deep and dark as an abyss.

But at the back of her head, the torn flesh was still slowly closing, until it sealed perfectly without leaving the slightest trace.

The next morning.

Yang Shifei wiped his face, then sat up in bed with dark circles under his eyes.

He had not slept the entire night, afraid that some ghost would knock on the door in the middle of the night. He had been prepared at every moment to play dead or flee for his life.

But the whole night had passed in complete silence. Forget horrifying phenomena that would make his hair stand on end—there hadn’t even been a trace of wind or movement.

It was as if he had spent the entire night waging a battle of wits against thin air. He was a little dazed.

“That’s not right.”

Although he had lain in bed recovering from his injuries for half a month, his eyes weren’t blurry. Surely he hadn’t seen something that abstract, right?

He still clearly remembered the scene of that scalp blooming like a flower.

Yang Shifei tiptoed over to the window and secretly peeked outside a few times, unable to stop muttering inwardly.

Was this female ghost playing hard to get?

But what would be the point?

If she really was a female ghost, she could have killed him the moment they met. Why drag things out until morning?

Even if she had some twisted hobby and wanted to scare him half to death before making a move, she should at least have come into the room to frighten him.

Or was it that female ghosts had no real combat power?

Just as Yang Shifei was utterly confused, a cold and delicate face suddenly appeared in the gap of the window.

“Young Master.”

Yang Shifei’s heart jolted, and he retreated two steps.

But he quickly regained his senses and realized Miss Luo was standing outside the window.

“It is me.”

The girl’s crisp, indifferent voice came from outside the window. “Since you are awake, why not come sit in the main hall first?”

Yang Shifei gritted his teeth and answered, “All right.”

Perhaps because he had spent the entire night lying in bed overthinking things, he had somehow gained a bit of courage now.

Since he had fallen into the hands of a female ghost, death was inevitable either way. He might as well at least die knowing the truth. Maybe if he spoke politely, he would still have a chance to escape.

A short while later, inside the main hall.

Yang Shifei sat upright somewhat nervously, silently staring at the black-haired girl across from him.

Unlike their hazy meeting last night, he could now see her soft, jade-like face more clearly. Just as Auntie Niu had said, she truly was a peerless beauty.

But he didn’t dare let his thoughts wander right now. He glanced around and saw no one in the large courtyard. The maids from last night had vanished as well. Only two cups of warm tea sat on the table.

After both parties had taken their seats earlier, they had chatted a little about his recent experiences in Niu Village.

And this woman’s reactions as she listened were flawless. She truly seemed no different from a sheltered noble young lady.

“I heard from Auntie Niu that you are from a wealthy family in the capital, Miss, but there don’t seem to be many servants in this residence?”

“I prefer peace and quiet in daily life.”

Miss Luo lifted her tea and took a small sip. “Too many people are noisy.”

Yang Shifei hesitated. “Then how do you view this marriage arrangement?”

“Young Master should understand the rules of so-called wealthy families.”

Miss Luo raised her eyes and looked at him, her beautiful gaze calm and unreadable. “I am already eighteen and still unmarried, so my maternal family has been urging me for a long time. But I am unwilling to marry the sons of influential families recommended by them.”

“…Miss, do you mean you want to find someone as a shield?”

Yang Shifei’s expression became subtle. “A fake marriage to deceive your family?”

A female ghost was actually worried about being pressured into marriage by her family. Was that for real?

“A fake marriage is not necessary.”

Miss Luo shook her head. “If I cannot find anyone suitable, I can simply travel far away and enjoy peace and quiet all the same. But if I truly find someone pleasing to the eye, or even someone I share mutual affection with, then settling the marriage would be good too. It would also spare me from making relations with my family too strained.”

Yang Shifei was completely baffled.

So she really wanted to take this chance to find a good husband?

“Have you found anyone over these past two years, Miss?”

“No one.”

“Uh… then do you plan to settle in Eastern City long term?”

“Yes.”

Miss Luo’s tone remained calm. “I quite like Eastern City’s customs and way of life. And after marriage, there would be no need for my husband to deal with my family. After all, the circles in the capital are far too chaotic. Eastern City is more relaxed. But if my future husband prefers somewhere else, I can move with him.”

Yang Shifei inhaled quietly, unable to help feeling moved.

He hadn’t expected that even female ghosts in this world could be so considerate, even thinking on behalf of a man marrying into the family.

“But what if the man only wants to make connections with the powerful and influential?”

“I would not marry such a man.”

Miss Luo lifted her lashes slightly. “How would that be any different from those sons of wealthy families?”

Yang Shifei laughed softly. “That’s true.”

His mood somehow relaxed a little, and he probed curiously, “If you do find a good husband, Miss, do you intend to live out an honest ‘lifetime’ with him?”

“If we can grow old together hand in hand, that would naturally be best.”

Miss Luo lightly pressed her pink lips together. “But I own a fabric shop and a restaurant in Eastern City, so I may not always have much free time. I would need the man to be more understanding. But if he dislikes that, I can also think of other ways to compromise. In the end, harmony in the family is most important.”

Yang Shifei: “…”

This female ghost was a kind-hearted little rich woman too.

“Ahem. I’ve asked you many questions, Miss, but I still don’t know what requirements you have for the man.”

“No matter how many requirements there are, seeing for oneself is better.”

Miss Luo tilted her head slightly. “Of course, the prerequisite is that he must be pleasing to the eye.”

It seemed she had made a tiny little cold joke.

“You’re right, Miss. Even if someone boasts to the heavens, once you start living together, they might reveal themselves as a beast. That isn’t uncommon either.”

Yang Shifei’s thoughts shifted, and he deliberately asked, “Might I ask whether I am pleasing to your eye, Miss?”

He was well aware of himself.

In an era with martial artists, he was just a pretty boy with no strength to even truss a chicken. He didn’t even have a diploma here, and he was neither scholar nor warrior.

Forget whether he had a house to settle in or a respectable job. He didn’t even have a few taels of silver in his pocket. He was truly poor and empty-handed.

With conditions like his in modern society, he feared no woman would want him even if he kept going on blind dates until forty. And in ancient times, he would probably be the type who could only casually find some household to scrape by with. How could some wealthy young lady ever take a liking to him?

If she tactfully rejected him here, he could take the chance to withdraw—

“You are fairly good.”

Miss Luo suddenly spoke, her expression calm. “If you do not mind, Young Master, you may stay here for now.”

Yang Shifei froze.

After going around in such a big circle, how had he still ended up being kept here?

He had neither power nor wealth, and he had not shown any lofty ambitions either. Could it really be just because of his face?

His thoughts raced as he considered how to politely decline, but as he thought and thought, he suddenly paused.

Wait. Something wasn’t right.

Yang Shifei stared at the stunningly beautiful girl sitting opposite him, somewhat dazed.

His thinking seemed to have gone down the wrong path.

This female ghost did not seem to have any intention of harming him. If she really wanted to harm him, why would she need to invent all these messy excuses? Last night, she could have sucked him dry in one bite.

Even if she truly was some vengeful ghost, not only did she have a fairy-like beautiful face, she also held property in her hands. She was a genuinely beautiful and wealthy woman. She even considered the man’s position in everything she said, spoke gently, and didn’t seem to have a willful temper…

What part of that was bad?

Yang Shifei’s heartbeat quickened slightly. He was drifting uncertainly in this foreign world, his life far from secure. Why not take a gamble?

“Forgive my presumptuous question… If we were to marry in the future, how much betrothal money would you require, Miss?”

“?”

Miss Luo tilted her head. “There’s no need. I have money.”

Yang Shifei’s eyes widened, and he abruptly clenched both fists inside his sleeves.

Why run away? He might as well give it a try!

[End of Chapter]