As I stepped closer, I realized Howard Zhang was wearing a wig, dressed fashionably, and smiling.
"You're not going back? Won't that be a problem?"
Oh, those bald monks at the temple—my master and grandmaster never said anything to me, but those guys are always buzzing in my ears. Luckily, I found a chance to sneak out. Come on, Howard Zhang, let's grab a drink first. By the way, where's that ghost girl you took out?
I was taken aback—I hadn't expected Howard Zhang was still thinking about Yuna Ji.
"She’s reincarnated."
I said it casually, but Howard Zhang wasn’t happy. He sighed and patted my shoulder.
Howard Zhang, what do you take me for? I heard from Grandmaster she was a powerful ghost. It’s just that... I haven’t seen a woman in ages. Take me to meet her.
I sighed.
After that, we drove around and found a place to eat.
"Boss, fifty skewers of lamb, a dozen beers, and some chicken wings. Hurry up!"
I stared wide-eyed as Howard Zhang spoke, drooling as he did.
Howard Zhang, aren’t you a monk?
Hey, I'm not planning to go back this time. Want me to return? Ha, keep dreaming.
Just then, my cousin noticed a table full of women nearby. He shot me a look, then walked over with a grin and started chatting them up.
“Uncle Ethan, please talk to Dad for me.” Suddenly, I was so startled I fell to the ground. I turned around—it was Mark Zhang, my cousin’s son. How did he end up here too?
"Huh... how did you get out here too?"
"Uncle Ethan, it was that big monk who told me to follow Dad. He also said we need to find my sister."
I nodded, patting his head. Soon, the lamb skewers arrived, steaming hot and fragrant. My cousin came over, bringing five women from the other table.
"You’re so funny," one of the women complimented my cousin.
Then my cousin made a silly face, took off his wig, and patted his bald head, making the women laugh again.
I sighed. Why does my cousin never change?
We all ate together for a while, but my cousin just kept sighing.
"What’s wrong, cousin, you..."
"Sigh, where are all the pretty girls?"
"Aren’t these ones nice?"
My cousin shook his head. Not his type.
"Ethan, after we finish eating, take me to see Yuna Ji, okay?"
I nodded.
Suddenly, my cousin jumped up, hurriedly pulled out a wad of cash, and tossed it to me.
"Cousin, you pay the bill. I’m out of here."
With that, my cousin scooped Mark Zhang up into his arms.
"Good boy, Dad will buy you some candy later."
"Goodbye, Uncle Ethan."
Just as I was wondering, three monks suddenly stormed over, looking furious.
All at once, the three monks glared at me.
"Ethan Zhang!" one of them shouted, grabbing me and lifting me off the ground.
"Master, is something wrong?"
"Tell me, where did Chong Sheng go?"
"Huh? My cousin? I have no idea."
"Senior brother, don’t make trouble. Let’s go."
One of the monks behind him tried to calm things down, and then the three of them left, looking very annoyed.
After paying the bill, I went home. The courtyard was brightly lit. I saw Samantha Simons and Sandra Yu sitting under a cherry tree. At some point, a stone table had appeared, with a Go board set up; the two of them were playing.
"Where are those two?" I asked.
"Young Master Ethan, those two went to Basil Bertram’s house. They haven’t come back yet."
"Ah, lost again." Sandra Yu looked frustrated.
"Thank you for letting me win. I only won by half a point," Samantha Simons replied.
Just then, I suddenly slapped my forehead. I absolutely couldn’t let my cousin come in here.
I went back inside, wanting to sleep but afraid of having nightmares.
So I left the light on and took out my phone. It had been a long time since I’d called my parents.
After talking for a while, I hung up past midnight, feeling much better. Then I lay down.
I planned to go home in a few days and spend time with my parents—I hadn’t been back in months.
As I thought about it, tears began to flow. My parents are just ordinary workers—honest and simple all their lives. When I called, my father, Jack Zhang, immediately asked if something serious had happened.
I just said "mm" and didn’t explain. My father didn’t press me—he just quietly said one thing.
"Ethan, come home when you can. Your mom will make you something good to eat."
Feeling better, I wasn’t so scared anymore, and soon fell asleep.
"Help me, Ethan, help me and Tina!"
In a daze, I heard someone calling. I looked up—it was Tina Yu and Sophie Su, tied together. All around them, two golden beasts stared hungrily, and their figures were fading.
Sophie Su was crying, looking at me and calling out over and over.
I reached out, wanting to go to them, but couldn’t move. Then I realized—I was dreaming.
But I just couldn’t wake up.
"You two, just wait to fade away. With all that resentment, you’d be better off returning to dust—becoming part of nature. It’s far happier than suffering in the living world."
A childish voice. I looked over—it was a little girl, about fourteen or fifteen, with long, straight black hair and a cute, innocent face. She wore bangs, sky-blue shorts, a red T-shirt, and carried a cartoon backpack.
"Ethan, help us—help me and Tina!"
Sophie Su kept shouting.
I couldn’t move. Suddenly, the little girl turned her head.
"Who are you? What’s your connection to these two ghosts?"
I couldn’t make a sound. Suddenly, the girl pulled out a folding fan and smacked me in the face. It stung.
I woke up instantly, my cheek burning. I quickly covered my face and ran to the bathroom. Sure enough, there was a red mark.
"John Chou, where are you? Come out."
I checked the time—it was already past six. I called out.
I opened the door and shouted everywhere.
"Young Master Ethan, did something happen?"
I quickly told Samantha Simons about the dream.
"It seems Miss Su sent you a dream. The situation is urgent."
"John Chou is missing too. I still need to find out where Tina and the others are being held."
"That’s not hard, Young Master Ethan. I can figure something out."
Then we went to Tina Yu’s room. It was tidy, with her urn on the table. Samantha Simons placed her hand on the urn and closed her eyes.
"I know where she is, Young Master Ethan."
Originally, Samantha Simons wanted to float us there directly, but in broad daylight, it wouldn’t be good if anyone saw. So I decided to drive.
Samantha Simons had said before that Tina and the others could hold out for a few months, but now things were dangerous—Sophie Su had even sent me a dream.
I drove, following Samantha Simons’ directions.
Thinking about Tina Yu’s situation, my mind was a mess. She’d gone for revenge, but now, somehow, she was locked up.
Samantha Simons sat beside me, constantly pointing out the way. Suddenly, her body glowed faint green, her fancy dress vanished, and she was in a gray office outfit, glasses, and her long hair tied back—she looked every bit the professional woman.
I stared in surprise.
"Young Master Ethan, once you reach the level of a Social Ghost, you’re not afraid of sunlight anymore, and you can change your appearance—even hide your ghost aura and blend in like a human. Only skilled Taoist priests or monks, or other ghosts, can sense you. Remember this well. I’ll teach you more ways to spot ghosts in the future."
I responded with an "oh" and nodded.
We drove for quite a while. I grabbed a bite to eat—my cousin had given me some money last night, and I still had plenty left.
At ten o’clock, we parked at a lot next to Westcloud Road.
"Young Master Ethan, they’re both on this street."
I nodded and looked around—there were quite a few small loan companies. Honestly, they were just loan sharks.