I hitched a ride on a villager’s tricycle to Qingyang Town and took the taxi to the town’s only repair shop.

The car was in a serious condition; the engine had problems!

By the time the car was fixed, it was already dark.

I bought some paper money and returned to Wangjia Village, intending to burn some as a thank you to Pan Mudan for her help last night.

When I arrived, I parked the car by the roadside.

Carrying the cash, I once again came to Pan Mudan’s grave.

“Sis Mudan, I’ve come to see you!”

“I hope everything is going well for you on the other side, that in your next life you’ll be born into a good family and marry into one too!”

As I spoke, I lit a cigarette.

I burned a whole bag of paper money until there was nothing left!

…

By the time I got back to the city, it was already nine o’clock at night.

I drove to Old Zhou’s herbal medicine shop, hoping to confirm with him whether my body had truly recovered.

After examining me, Old Zhou was amazed and kept asking how I had managed to expel the Ghost Qi.

I refused to say a word.

Because Sis Mudan had instructed me.

Our matter, I couldn’t tell anyone!

Old Zhou even proposed to exchange the secret for ten Vigor Pills!

Of course, I flatly refused.

In the following days, I drove during the day and rested at night, living a simple yet fulfilling life.

In the blink of an eye, it was the fifteenth day of the lunar month.

This day was the Ghost Festival, also known as the Hungry Ghost Festival.

That night, I drove to Fangshan Cemetery.

Seven days ago, Sun Jiao and I had made an agreement.

If I was still alive, I would come here tonight to meet her.

Sun Jiao said she would take me to a place.

But she didn’t specify where or what for, and I didn’t ask at the time because I didn’t expect to live this long!

Once I arrived at the destination, Sun Jiao soon appeared.

Seeing me, she seemed surprised: “I didn’t expect you to still be alive!”

She paused, then added, “Even less so, that you would come!”

I asked, “Miss Sun, where are we going?”

Sun Jiao asked, “Did you drive here?”

I nodded.

Sun Jiao said, “Then get in the car, I’ll direct you!”

“Alright!”

Sun Jiao was clearly dressed up for the evening.

Wearing a brand-new OL suit and makeup on her face.

She was already beautiful, but dressed up, she was even more dazzling!

I drove with Sun Jiao, leaving the city and heading into the countryside.

After about an hour’s drive.

A stone bridge appeared ahead.

On this side of the stone bridge, the moon shone brightly and stars were sparse.

But on the other side of the bridge, a thick fog obscured the road, even with the headlights on.

“We’re almost there after crossing the bridge!”

Sun Jiao looked a bit nervous and fiddled with her clothes.

I couldn’t help but ask, “Miss Sun, where exactly are we going? What for?”

Sun Jiao asked, “Are you scared?”

“A little!”

I said, “More curious, actually!”

Sun Jiao said, “The person we’re going to meet is the most formidable figure within hundreds of miles, people call her Granny Zheng!”

“Granny Zheng…”

I said, “Is she like your ghost leader?”

“Something like that!”

Sun Jiao’s face was full of admiration.

I said, “So… you’re here to pay respects?”

“Yes!”

Sun Jiao said, “If I can get to know Granny Zheng, then creatures like the Archaeopteryx won’t dare to harass me anymore! Even the sorcerers from across the river would think twice before making a move!”

I was puzzled, “Why bring me along?”

Sun Jiao said, “Today is Granny Zheng’s 300th death anniversary. I heard that every year on her birthday, she takes a male concubine!”

“Ah?”

Hearing this, I was shocked and stuttered, “You… you’re offering me to Granny Zheng?”

Sun Jiao smiled sweetly, “What else?”

“Damn!”

I slammed on the brakes and stopped the car.

Granny Zheng!

Three hundred years old!

This was a threat to my life!

A woman at thirty is like a wolf, at forty a tiger, at fifty she sits in the dust, at sixty she sucks mice through the wall!

At three hundred, she’d dry me up like a pump!

Seeing me scared like this, Sun Jiao said, “But you don’t have to worry too much, Granny Zheng has lived for three hundred years, she’s seen all kinds of men! You might hope to be chosen, but Granny Zheng might not even fancy you!”

I said, “Then why bring me here?”

Sun Jiao said, “Bringing you is to show my sincerity, and also…” She suddenly stopped talking.

I pressed, “And also what?”

Sun Jiao glanced at me and said, “You’re quite good-looking, and… that aspect is not bad either!”

“Hm?”

I frowned, “Is that a compliment or an insult?”

“Take it as a compliment!”

Sun Jiao said, “To be able to last an hour with a female ghost, you’re really something!” She blushed after saying that.

Seeing Sun Jiao’s shy look, I couldn’t help but feel moved.

The last time I took advantage of her came back to my mind.

That incident had lingered in my thoughts for a long time.

The only downside was that Sun Jiao was immobilized by the ghost-suppressing talisman at the time, it felt like dealing with an inflatable doll!

If only I could have another chance…

I took a deep breath and asked, “Are you sure Granny Zheng won’t choose me?”

Sun Jiao said, “I can’t be certain of that!”

I asked again, “What if I’m chosen?”

“Not too clear…”

Sun Jiao shook her head blankly, “It’s also my first time meeting Granny Zheng! Maybe being chosen is an opportunity for you!”

“Damn!”

I said, “Is it too late to back out now?”

“No way!”

Sun Jiao held onto me with a wary face, as if afraid I’d run away, “If you back out now, where would I find a replacement?”

Although Sun Jiao seemed frail, she was still a ghost.

If she really got angry, it would only take a minute to end me!

I was already on the thief’s ship, it was indeed too late to run.

All I could do now was pray that I wouldn’t be chosen by that old lady later!

I sighed and started the car again, “Lead the way!”

After crossing the bridge and traveling another ten miles or so, a large ancient building in the style of the Ming and Qing dynasties appeared.

The plaque above the door bore the large characters “Zheng Mansion.”

Guests were coming and going at the entrance, a constant stream.

Some arrived by car like Sun Jiao and me.

Others came in sedan chairs.

I parked the car and got out with Sun Jiao.

As I got out, I bent down and secretly grabbed a handful of dirt, smearing it on my face to make myself look more disheveled.

However, this little trick didn’t escape Sun Jiao’s keen eye.

She took out a tissue and gently wiped my cheeks, smiling, “You look handsome like this!”

I grimaced, “If Granny Zheng were one-tenth as good-looking as you, I’d accept my fate!”

Sun Jiao said, “Keep quiet after we go in, I heard there are quite a few big shots there!”

I was curious, “What kind of big shots?”

“Like that one!”

Sun Jiao pointed casually.

I followed the direction of her finger.

I saw a yellow-furred old fox descending from a large eight-bearer sedan chair.

The old fox walked upright on two legs like a human.

Wearing reading glasses and leaning on a cane.

I must say, he did have a bit of an old scholar’s air about him!