"Dad, don't leave me." The little boy ran over, tugging at Howard Zhang's sleeve. We were blocked by the little girl.
The little girl gave a wicked smile, extending her hand and beckoning.
"Brother, come over quickly. Don't you want to be reborn?"
The little boy hesitated, staring blankly at Howard Zhang.
"Little sister, why don't you come with your uncle and your dad?"
But the little girl just clutched her stomach and began to laugh.
"Uncle, stop lying to us. If we go back, my brother and I will only starve. That lady already told me—never trust what humans say."
I walked over. Even though the little girl blocked us, in the Shadow Realm, she shouldn't be able to do much.
"If you don't trust humans, do you really want to trust ghosts? That female ghost is just using you. I'm your uncle Ethan, I won't lie to you. Come here."
I reached out my hand. The little girl hesitated, and I turned my head.
Howard Zhang walked over, clearly afraid.
"Howard, look closely. They're your children. You're their father, Howard!" I shouted. Howard Zhang stopped trembling, pulled the little boy close, squatted down in front of the girl, and hugged both children.
The little girl nodded. At least one problem was solved. Now, every ghost's attention was on John Chou. The banquet hall was in chaos.
"Brother, try to find a way out first."
A voice echoed in my mind. I looked over gratefully. John Chou was dodging and fighting in the middle of a group of ghosts, looking in bad shape. He'd said before—even if he couldn't use his powers, he wouldn't die.
The four of us circled around the courtyard. The sedan chair was right at the gate. If we could get past it and find an opening, we could escape.
With a bang, several tables were overturned. A few ghosts were sent flying by John Chou. Madam Violet hovered in the air, grinning wickedly, as if toying with us.
"Oh, you're pretty tough. I'll play with you a little longer!"
As she spoke, a ghostly green light flared around Madam Violet. Suddenly, a violent wind swept through, and the ghosts below scattered.
"Madam Violet is angry! Everybody, get out of the way!"