"So tell me, for you men, besides wanting a woman's body, what does love mean in your eyes?"
I looked around in surprise. We were in the Soulbound Inn. Howard Zhang sat beside Sophie Sun, grinning.
"It's joy and sorrow."
Howard Zhang said this. Sophie Sun laughed, then shook her head.
"There's no such thing as eternal love, Howard Zhang. It all goes bad in the end. I once loved a man, but in the end, that love turned into endless hatred."
Sophie Sun's eyes flashed with a vicious glint, but Howard Zhang didn't seem to care. He pointed to his own shoulder.
"The man you loved probably didn't have broad shoulders, did he? I'm different—my shoulders are broad. You can lean on them anytime."
I stared at the light in Howard Zhang's eyes. It wasn't like his usual joking manner—he was serious. Though I never believed in love at first sight, I understood it deeply. Maybe when I first met Rachel Lan, I had already fallen completely in love with her.
"Enough with the sweet talk. Come on up. After tonight, we'll go our separate ways. Come on."
As Sophie Sun spoke, she slid her pale thigh out from under the blanket, but Howard Zhang just shook his head.
"Be my girlfriend."
Sophie Sun giggled. Howard Zhang walked over step by step and sat at the edge of the bed. I finally understood why, after all those terrifying experiences at the Soulbound Inn, and after Howard Zhang did such a crazy thing—sleeping with Sophie Sun—he was still happy the next day.
"Hey, Howard Zhang, if you want romance, go find someone else. We're the same, just looking for a little fun. Hurry up."
Sophie Sun said, lifting the blanket. Howard Zhang gave a bitter smile.
"Once, I loved a girl named Susan Li, but we parted on bad terms. Back then, I really wanted to be with her, but we just couldn't understand each other. Some misunderstandings drove us apart in the end."
"I don't want to hear your sob story. You men love using these tales to fool girls. I don't buy it. Hurry up, we don't have much time—dawn's coming."
Sophie Sun grew impatient, urging him again and again. But Howard Zhang still didn't move closer.
"I'm not joking with you, Miss Sophie Sun. I don't know why, but feelings are strange like that. The first moment I saw you, I fell in love. Please believe me."
Then Sophie Sun, completely naked, got up and slowly walked toward Howard Zhang, wrapping her arms around him.
"Love or not, let the bed decide, Howard Zhang. Come on."
Heh, your wife is pretty cute, Howard Zhang.
Chijue said, grabbing Susan Li. Howard Zhang immediately rushed over, ready to fight. Chanjue pulled Tanjue aside with one hand.
Howard Zhang, you'd better calm down. Sit down—we want to talk. There's a Green Ghost guarding outside, and we don't want to fight.
Wuyun said this, and his three disciples took positions in three directions, then sat down, pressed their palms together, and closed their eyes. Susan Li was still shaken, and Howard Zhang pulled her down beside him, comforting her, his eyes glaring angrily at Wuyun.
To be honest, Howard Zhang, Sophie Sun is in our hands. If you want her, you'll have to go find my master yourself.
As soon as Wuyun spoke, I saw doubt in Susan Li's eyes. Howard Zhang gave an awkward smile, and Susan Li seemed to see something in his eyes.
Howard Zhang, who is Sophie Sun?
Susan, go upstairs for now. When this is all over, I'll tell you everything. Trust me—it's fine.
Howard Zhang said this. Susan Li, though scared, went upstairs. At that moment, Howard Zhang seemed to realize something.
Don't call Qingyuan, Susan.
Susan Li clutched her phone, looking miserable. But in the end, she nodded, her eyes shimmering with tears.
I suppose you know about Sophie Sun, Howard Zhang. When she was alive, she hopelessly fell in love with a man, and in the end, she pushed him off a mountain, making it look like an accident. Tragic, isn't it?
Shut the hell up.
Howard Zhang roared.
Tell me, where is your master?
At that moment, I saw Tunjiu take out a straw doll and teach Howard Zhang something, telling him how to enter the Ghostrealm and find the Ghost Worm Monk.
The karmic obstacles inside you have erupted. You should be able to feel it, Howard Zhang. If you don't want to die, go find my master.
Wuyun said this. Howard Zhang clenched his fists, and then Wuyun and the others left. Only Howard Zhang remained, sitting quietly on the sofa, chain-smoking. Susan Li sat nearby, silent, waiting for him to speak.
Sophie Sun is a female ghost.
Howard Zhang finally spoke. Susan Li leaned against him, gently embracing him.
Can you tell me about it, Howard Zhang? I saw in your eyes the panic and longing when you heard her name. After we parted, you really did fall in love with someone else, didn't you?
Howard Zhang didn't say anything, just nodded, then began to speak, telling Susan Li everything.
Howard Zhang and Susan Li talked all night. After hearing everything, Susan Li looked hesitant, full of jealousy but didn't argue with Howard Zhang. She seemed to understand what he wanted to do, but didn't want him to do it. She was deeply conflicted.
Don't stop me, Susan, I...
I won't stop you, Howard Zhang. That's just the kind of man you are. Once you've made up your mind, no one can stop you. But... it hurts, Howard Zhang. I don't want...
Howard Zhang stood up and placed a hand on Susan Li's cheek.
Silly, it'll be fine. You saw me at Universal Temple these past two years, Susan—I haven't been messing around. I'll handle this myself.
Over the next two or three days, Howard Zhang looked worse and worse, and Susan Li noticed. I saw her constantly checking her phone, my number on the screen. Several times she wanted to call me but hesitated, and Howard Zhang stopped her a few times.
Gradually, Howard Zhang began to cough up black blood. Susan Li panicked. Howard Zhang, following Wuyun's instructions, had successfully opened the way to the Ghostrealm.
Me and you...
On the bed, a pitch-black hole appeared. Susan Li wanted to go over, but Howard Zhang stopped her.
Susan, wait here for me to come back. Especially my cousin—don't say anything to him, please. Don't say anything. I'll take care of it all.
Howard Zhang said this, then jumped into the black hole and vanished. Susan Li stared blankly for a long time, then collapsed to the ground, sobbing and crying out again and again.
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