Everyone burst into laughter. Chief Stone and Justin Huang walked over.
"Here, Ethan. This is what I promised you."
Chief Stone handed me a bulging kraft paper bag. I quickly spoke up, returning Rachel Lan's money. She took out her share without hesitation and counted it back to herself. Justin Huang widened his eyes, staring at the cash.
"When I'm feeling better, I'll treat you to a nice meal."
"You said it, Ethan."
After a while, Wayne Harris treated my wounds. Chief Stone borrowed a large van for us, and suddenly, all the ghosts piled in.
This time, only John Chou, Yuna Ji, Samantha Simons, Wayne Harris, and Rose Harper came. Watching them squeeze together in the back, Yuna Ji crawled over and sat on my lap.
"Can't you all just fly back yourselves?"
"Come on, Ethan, it's broad daylight. Flying back would be bad for our health. Let's just take the van—it's on the way anyway."
Rachel Lan kept rolling her eyes at me. I looked awkwardly at Yuna Ji, who stubbornly refused to get off my lap.
The car drove straight toward my apartment. Huang Jun went directly back to the Ghost Burial Squad with Shi Jian. With his massive two-meter frame and that terrifying face, he'd scare anyone on the street, so Shi Jian arranged a van to transport him.
"Ethan Zhang, look, I heard the products at that cosmetics shop are pretty good. Can you buy me some?"
I turned to look at Rose Harper and sighed. Instantly, everyone in the car—ghosts and humans alike—burst out laughing, even John Chou. They were all thoroughly amused.
"What's so funny? What's there to laugh at? Back in the day, I was the star at the Dreamland BBQ. Plenty of big shots lined up just to see me for a minute, and most of them never got the chance."
"Alright, alright, I'll buy you some when I have time."
Rose Harper hummed a cheerful little tune. All of us looked like we couldn't take it—she was painfully tone-deaf.
By the time we got back to the apartment building, it was already past six in the evening. We grabbed some food on the way; none of us had eaten properly lately.
Just as we stepped into the apartment building, I heard bursts of laughter. Glancing over, I saw Susan Li, Sandra Yu, and Sophie Su sitting in front of the computer, watching a TV show.
"What are you doing here?"
"Ethan Zhang, you're so slow! I've been here for days already."
Then I noticed a figure—Julian Chu—busy near those black six-petaled flowers, dressed like a gardener, his face smeared with dirt, gloved hands working.
"How are things going?"
John Chou floated over immediately. Julian Chu sighed.
"Ah, you have no idea. This is a great place, full of earth energy, but these flowers are tough to grow—especially the ones you asked for. They need that beast..."
John Chou shot Julian Chu a sharp look, and Julian quickly shut his mouth.
"Bottom line: it's hard work."
"I don't care how hard it is. Just make sure you get it done. If you don't, I won't be so nice."
"Alright, alright, I get it. I'm new here, a captive, but the land isn't bad. I'll do my best."
John Chou smiled and patted Julian Chu on the shoulder.
"That's the spirit. You always loved gardening. Now you get to be a full-time gardener."
I let out a sigh, feeling like Julian Chu was just being used as John Chou's lackey. The rest of the yard's residents were no different—John Chou lorded over all, ordering the ghosts around as he pleased.
I remembered that spending too much time with ghosts could cause yin energy to seep into your body. Maybe I'd be fine, but what about Susan Li?
"You should head home, right? Everything's settled, and this place is crawling with ghosts. Aren't you scared?"
Susan Li waved her hand dismissively.
"Move aside, Ethan Zhang. This show is getting good." As she spoke, Yuna Ji joined them, her eyes glued to the screen.
"Ethan, this is John Chou's ghost domain. The yin energy is thick, but it won't hurt anyone. John Chou's in control. You can't see it, but I can see everything clearly. Don't worry."
Wei Hua said, and I gave a noncommittal 'oh,' ready to get to work.
"Oh, you're back, Ethan. I steamed some pork buns for you."
Evan Zhao's face was streaked with kitchen soot as he looked at me. I couldn't help but laugh.
"I want some."
Rachel Lan immediately perked up, her interest obvious.
At that moment, I looked up at the second floor—Room 208. Inside, Uncle Mo's body was still lying there. Wei Hua had been looking after him all this time. I hesitated, wondering if I should say something.
Suddenly, I saw Tina Yu float in from outside, her face clouded with resentment. She walked over slowly—I realized I hadn't seen her much lately.
"You're back. Where did you go?"
"None of your business," Tina Yu muttered, heading to her room.
"Tina, come watch TV with us!"
Sophie Su called out, but Tina Yu didn't even turn her head as she entered her room.
That girl never gets close to the ghosts here. She spends most of her time lost in thought. Looks like she's suffering from some serious emotional trauma.
A shrill beeping sounded. I picked up the phone and blinked—was this number right? Thirteen fours. I answered.
"Your delivery's here, Ethan Zhang. Could you come out and get it?"
I hesitated, confused, and walked out of the yard. Dusk was falling. In the distance, I saw a silver-gray car parked on the road. As I approached, I gasped—it was a paper-mâché car.
A burly ghost stepped down from the van, carrying a coffin.
"What are you doing?"
"Huh? We're just delivering what you ordered. Please sign here."
I stared at the huge, pitch-black coffin. The ghost moved it with ease and handed me a receipt for my signature.
"I didn't order anything. Are you sure you have the right address?"
"It's for you," the ghost deliveryman said, showing me the receipt. My name, address, and phone number were all correct.
I had no choice but to sign. The ghost deliveryman opened the coffin, and I stepped back in shock. Inside were the bodies of Helen Chen and Richard Li.
"By the way, we also offer urn-making services—only $988, satisfaction guaranteed."
After I signed, the deliveryman reached out, asking for payment. Startled, I quickly pulled out a wad of cash.
"Mr. Zhang, this money is for the living. If you give it to me, how am I supposed to report back? I've got a family to feed."
The ghost deliveryman looked genuinely upset. Suddenly, I remembered the paper shop outside my house and rushed over, asking the owner to open the shutter for me. I went in and grabbed a stack of hell bank notes.
The spirit money looked just like regular cash. I counted out three bills and handed them to the ghost deliveryman. The total delivery fee was 289. He quickly gave me change—a colorful stack of bills, just like in the living world, except they had the King of Hell's face on them.
Holding the spirit money felt strange. I wanted to throw it away, but then thought better of it—tomorrow, I might mysteriously lose money again. I tucked it away instead.
But the coffin was so big I couldn't move it myself. I had to ask the ghost deliveryman to help carry it inside.
"Oh, Ethan Zhang, I can't go in there. Too many big shots inside. You'll have to figure it out yourself—I'm not brave enough."
The ghost deliveryman handed me a business card: Express Delivery Company, with a contact number—thirteen fours. He hopped into the paper car and sped off. I noticed a BXW logo and couldn't help but smile.
With no other choice, I went back to the yard and asked Richard Li to help me carry the coffin inside.
"Mr. Zhang, could you do us a favor? We've been dead so long—just cremate our bodies and put us in urns."
"Let me finish dinner first. Take a good look at your bodies—you don't want any regrets."
Richard Li stared at me, then nodded and smiled.
A table full of delicious dishes was ready. Rachel Lan, Susan Li, and I sat down—only the three of us could eat. The other ghosts were busy with their own affairs.
"What's wrong, Ethan? You can't eat?" Rachel Lan had just finished two buns and was still wolfing down more.
"Hey, Rachel, you shouldn't eat this stuff. Your face is still hurt—what if it doesn't heal?"
Susan Li immediately chimed in with a reminder.
At that moment, I was still struggling inside—should I tell Rachel Lan about her father?
Finally, after dinner, I spoke softly.
"I'll wait for you at Room 208. Come up later—I have something important to tell you."
Susan Li smiled at us as I headed straight up to the apartment building.
After a while, Rachel Lan finished cleaning up and came to the door of Room 208. I looked at her grimly.
"What's inside?"
"Your father is in there."
Suddenly, Rachel Lan's face changed. She kicked open the door and rushed in.
"You old bastard, get out here! You left me all these years. Today, you're going to explain everything!"
I hurried after her. Rachel Lan stood frozen in front of Uncle Mo.
"It's like this—Uncle Mo did it to save me, that's why..."
Rachel Lan broke down in tears, sobbing uncontrollably. I stood quietly by, watching her.
Then I began to tell Rachel Lan everything—why things had ended up this way. As she listened, tears streamed down her face, her body trembling.