In an instant, both hands shot out, simultaneously covering Howard Zhang's mouth. Hugh Thompson glared fiercely at Howard, his raised voice making all our faces tense as we kept glancing around, terrified of being discovered.
But everything soon returned to calm. There was no sign of movement, and we all breathed a sigh of relief as we approached the house ahead.
"Miss Lan, Miss Lan."
Dalton Fang leaned against the window and called out. Then Miles Mao, holding a small flashlight, shone it inside. There was a small white bed, a vanity, and a set of red bridal clothes hanging up. There was no sign of Rachel Lan.
"What's going on? Damn, Taoist, your magic isn't working!"
Dalton Fang cursed. Miles Mao stood there awkwardly, and all of us looked inside in disbelief. Except for the blanket, which was turned over and showed signs of being moved, everything else in the room was untouched.
"I've already said my powers are limited. All I can tell is that Miss Lan was once in this room."
I was deeply anxious. It had taken so much effort to get here, yet there was no sign of Rachel Lan.
"Tiantian, Tiantian, where are you?" Howard called softly, straining his voice as he searched around.
"Howard, don't do that," I quickly walked over to stop him. After all, dawn was almost here.
"Rachel Lan isn't there!"
A woman's voice drifted over, coming from above us. Instantly, we all looked up at the roof of the room where Rachel Lan had stayed. There, on the edge of the rooftop, sat a female ghost, smiling sweetly, legs crossed, one hand supporting her chin.
The female ghost wore a sheer purple dress, her long black braid tied at her waist. She was barefoot, with two small bells around her ankles. Her sharp features radiated a certain charm, and she wore a gentle smile. There was no malice in her eyes.
"Wow, a beauty! Hehe, you just said Rachel Lan isn't here—so where is she?"
The ghost giggled, then suddenly flew down beside Howard. Her sheer dress brushed past his cheek.
"It smells so nice..." Howard murmured. We all caught a faint plum blossom fragrance—delicate, refreshing, and deeply soothing.
"You have quite a sweet mouth!"
The female ghost crossed her legs over Howard's, one foot touching the ground. She wrapped one arm around his neck, while the back of her other hand stroked his chin.
"So smooth... Hehe, beauty, what should I call you? My name is Howard Zhang."
The female ghost covered her mouth and laughed.