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He Xuan silently gazed at his surroundings, his black robes and long hair fluttering in the evening breeze.
Finding Qi Rong’s motel, if scraps bound together dared be called that way, hadn’t been difficult, especially as it was the only establishment in a radius of forty kilometers.
When Hua Cheng had randomly called him, He Xuan had expected the worst. That was how he learned, through Hua Cheng, that the annoying Green ghost lantern had found the amazing hobby of cooking humans in his inn’s kitchen, and Xie Lian had started to worry greatly about the lives of travelers. Hua Cheng, being too busy spoiling his darling god, had thus made Qi Rong’s cannibalistic behaviours He Xuan’s problem.
And as a man crippling in debt, the latter had no choice, but to accept the mission.
The building seemed as if it had been built carelessly and was about to fall down at any opportunity. The poorly maintained sign “Qi Rong’s inn” welcomed the guests, and the ugly drawing of Qi Rong’s face next to the calligraphy sent shivers down He Xuan’s spine.
Were people really stupid as to not expect horrible deaths when entering?!
He Xuan passed the threshold, his thick black boots making the wood painfully crack beneath him.
The small front desk stood on the right corner while the rest was filled with tables and people gulping down dishes. After a glanced at what poorly resembled a porridge, He Xuan couldn’t hide the disgust written on his face.
He walked to the front desk, his face dark, ready to quickly seal Qi Rong in a pot and leave as quickly as possible to go back to his fishes.
A small figure hopped on a stool and smiled at him behind the counter.
“Hello! 3 gold coins per night or 5 with breakfast included,” said the small child.
He Xuan was speechless.
The child seemed surprisingly well fed and healthy and not at all concerned to have embarked on customer services at the age of six at best.
“I’m not here the rent a room” answered Black Water. “I would like to talk to the owner of the establishment”
The child eyes widened.
“You want to talk to my dad?”
He Xuan frowned, seeing no resemblance between this child and the excentric madman.
“Is your dad named Qi Rong?”
The child looked down in embarrassment.
“I don’t know…he always tells me to call him the Great master of all ghost kings. And he doesn’t answer to the name he had before…”
What kind of stupid nickname is that?!
“That is the man I am looking for. Where is he now?” He Xuan asked coldly.
Just as he finished his sentence, a ruckus came from behind him. Dishes fell hardly to the floor and a man started shouting.
“What nonsense! Do you really think I’m going to pay that much for a shitty meal!? It’s not worth more than a penny!”
The other one laughed maniacally.
“What do you know of gastronomy! You’re a fucking dog merchant! And the prices are written in the fucking menu! Why don’t you learn how to read!”
He Xuan silently turned around, taking in the scene of the two men trying to beat each other off at the which one would look the stupidest game. The first one was tall, muscular, and ready for a fight. The second one was, well, the madman Qi Rong.
The people at the tables nearby quickly withdrew away, preferring to watch the scene from a safer distance.
“You’re a liar! This isn’t the same menu as before! The prices were a quarter of what’s written there!”
“Maybe you should check your eyesight old man! I’m banishing you from my inn! And you too” he said, randomly pointing at the crowd, “and you! You, you, and you! All watchers, you all love this place, but when I get mistreated not one of you come the help me! Dogs! You are all dogs!”
He Xuan had heard enough. He opened the jar and walked behind Qi Rong while he was busy shouting at all his clients.
“Time to sleep now”
Qi Rong didn’t have time to answer before he was sucked in the jar, reduce to a green light in the small jade pot. He Xuan made sure the pot was perfectly sealed and sent it to paradise manor.
The crowd of clients looked him up and down with complicated expressions on their faces.
“The inn is out of business, take your things and leave” Black water said bluntly, the feeling of ball eyes on him very unpleasant.
The people started gossiping amongst each other, and He Xuan could not have cared less if they didn’t start shouting at him.
“WHAT?!”
“This inn can’t go out of business!”
A woman grabbed He Xuan’s sleeve.
“Where will we go during our travels?!”
He stared blankly at the question.
“That sounds like something you will have to figure out” he answered, getting out of her clutches.
“You can’t leave us like this!”
“Yes, the owner was crazy, but this is the only place in the region!”
“A slap in the face would’ve suffice, you didn’t have to kill him!”
“And what if the food tastes weird and the rooms are overpriced! We’re not going to sleep in the streets!”
He Xuan’s ears were buzzling, and his patience came to an end.
“This owner of yours put human flesh in your food and had the habit of drinking blood out of wine jars! If you want to end up like his past victims, then be my guest!” he snapped.
“What business doesn’t do some shady stuff! Even the emperor himself doesn’t have unsullied hands!” said a man.
The crowd became angrier and more desperate as they shouted amongst each other.
“Everyone, please!” said a gentle voice who had risen up on one of the tables. “This gentleman was simply trying to protect you all. I’m sure we can find a way to keep the inn in business.” The person anxiously fanned themselves. “Please bring your tone down, I don’t think we should harass this man-”
“Why don’t you take care of the inn?”
“Yeah, I’ve seen you hang around the streets nearby for a few weeks now. Aren’t you a beggar?”
The person fanned themselves at a quicker pace.
“W-what?! I mean, yes, I live in the street, but that does not mean-”
Someone tapped him on the back.
“Well we’ve got the perfect job for you! Get out of the streets and start working! A youth like you must have energy to put into this!”
He Xuan narrowed his eyes, the face covered in dirt seemingly familiar. Maybe it was the incessant fanning who made his brain worked or the innocence behind those blue eyes procured by a pampered life.
His blood ran cold.
“Why don’t you help him” said one of the clients in He Xuan’s direction.
“No” he answered frostily, murderous intent leaking from every pore of his body.
“You’re the one who caused all this! You should at least help repay the damage you’ve made!” answered the oblivious client, his life barely holding by a threat.
“Hahaha, please people, don’t force this man into more trouble, I can handle it by myself.”
“With some care, you could get a good fortune out of this place” advice a woman to Shi Qingxuan. “You could finally by some proper clothes and get out of the streets. An opportunity like that doesn’t show up everyday.”
He Xuan stopped in his track, an idea growing in his mind.
“Fortune, you said” he asked.
The lady smiled at him.
“There’s no competitor nearby, and this is a common area for all merchants. With some good works, this could pay off any debt!”
“And how long would it take?”
The woman shrugged.
“Maybe a few months, a year at best.”
Black water did not wish to stay in this place, and even less face his fated nemesis every day.
But he had been drowning in debts for centuries, and this might just be his way out of being Crimson rain’s diligent servant. He could already see it, laying in the sand with the fishes swimming nearby, not a care in the world and finally getting some well-deserved vacation. A few months of sacrifice for an eternity of peace and tranquility.
“I’ll help,” he said, avoiding Shi Qingxuan’s face of surprise and terror. “I’ve got some debt I ought to repay.”
The ex-Wind master fanned himself hard enough to cause a storm as sweat profusely dripped down his back.
Well, this was going to be interesting.
________
He Xuan tore the “Qi Rong’s inn” wooden sign from the storefront ready to throw it in the trash without a second glance. Just looking at the ugly drawing made him want to punch the sign out of existence.
“Don’t you think we should find a replacement first-“
The wind master watched helplessly as the poor sign broke in two.
I suppose people will just have to guess this is a bed & breakfast now! Shi Qingxuan sighed helplessly.
Black water’s penetrating eyes made Shi Qingxuan’s heart practically run off in fear.
“I-I’m mean it was just a suggestion” he backtracked, hiding half of his face behind his fan, as if it could magically protect him.
He Xuan’s dark gaze felt like a bucket of cold water had been poured down Shi Qingxuan’s body. He didn’t know how to act with his ex-best friend, and he couldn’t help but be a little scared.
“Use one of the pieces and repaint on it” he pointed at the one with Qi Rong’s face “Not this one” he said coldly.
Don’t you think you’re being a little bit too much of a cheapskate? thought Wind master. However, he didn’t contradict the other and fished out the old sign from the trash. He made his way inside, trying to be as small as possible while passing next to He Xuan. The other did not so much as acknowledge his presence, busy calculating the weekly expenses for the food. Unlike what Black water had thought, inns were much more complicated to take care of than it seemed and no matter how hard he tried to cut the budget, it seemed there always was something more to by.
He Xuan let out a frustrated sign and snapped his fingers. No more than a few seconds later, a small red koi fish swimming, or rather flying, in the air came at lighting speed toward him.
“Master, master!” cried happily the small fish swimming around He Xuan like a small puppy in need of attention.
The ghost caught the fish between two fingers, the crease between his brows deepening.
“Shut up Peanut, I didn’t call you to play around and annoy me.”
Peanut had been recently assigned the position of Prime fish consultant, following the traces of his father, and although he was efficient, he tended to forget about proper etiquette. After the reminder, he straightened his fins and flew elegantly in front of his master.
“This servant is happy to help this master in his assigned task-”
“I need you to work for customer services” the ghost answered blatantly, going back to his expenses chart.
The fish’s googly eyes stared at him in bewilderment.
“Master!” he squealed, “I mean it in the nicest way possible, but have you lost your mind!?”
“Peanut”
“This lowly servant has misspoken; I beg this master to forgive this humble one. However, I truly believe it is out of my competences” he explained, his fins gesticulating greatly in the air.
He Xuan put down the sheet, a vicious grin hung on his lips.
“One more fish is one less employee I need to pay which is more money to get out of this hellhole. You will put a smile on your face and serve the customers like your life depends on it, have I made myself clear?”
Peanut gulped hard.
“Y-yes! Right away!”
The koi fish flew inside the inn, fearing his master might soon become a greedy corporate monster.
________
The freshly painted new “Bed&Breakfast” sign slowly dried in a corner while Shi Qingxuan was elbow deep in the tribes and tribulations of cooking. He had basically been shoved into the kitchen by the angry customers. His clothes, brown and ragged, were hidden behind a white apron, sleeves rolled up to his shoulders, and his brown hair was put up in a high bun. It was already almost eleven o’clock and the customers were more than angry as they had yet to receive their promised breakfast. He had tried to calmly tame their heated demeanor, and even offered a refund! But the customers wouldn’t have it: they stayed sat at their tables, cursing Shi Qingxuan, his ancestors, and his unborn children while still waiting for their breakfast.
With all the time they’ve lost cursing, they could’ve walked to the next town and find another restaurant!
Alas, the Wind master had plastered a smile on his face and had gone to the kitchen. He truly had scarcely cooked in his life: during his youth, maids had served his meals on golden plates, and now that he was a beggar, he had simply eaten whatever was tossed to him or found on the ground.
The congee steamed in the pot, slightly overcooked, but not inedible. He tossed a few random spices in it, giving the meal a yellowish colour.
Oops, maybe that wasn’t right.
He was still considering adding another ingredient to the congee, when something tugged his clothes. He looked down to see a small round face with teary eyes sniffing against his legs.
“Ha-have you seen my d-dad?” cried the child.
Shi Qingxuan’s gaze softened, and he leaned down.
“You’re Guzi aren’t you? Your dad’s busy right now so I’ll take care of the inn while he’s gone. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of you until he comes back, okay?”
Guzi sniffed loudly.
“B-but I saw the evil mister p-put him in a jar”
Shi Qingxuan took the child in his arms and softly patted his head.
“Yes, he’s busy in the jar. It’s a very special jar and you dad has to…hum…thoroughly clean it!”
He took a spoonful of the congee and put it the child’s mouth.
“Here, that’ll help you. My mom always said that warm meals soothe the soul.”
Guzi ate the food in silence, tears still clinging to his cheeks.
“Is it good?” asked Shi Qingxuan.
“It’s…okay”
A laughter came out of the Wind master before he could stop it.
“I know I know, it’s not amazing, but that’s what we’re working with for now. Your dad barely stocked any ingredients.”
Not only did he have terrible taste in meat, but he also had terrible taste in seasonings!
Soon enough, all the dishes were brought out on the buffet tables to the grunting of the customers. Overcooked congee, a plate of fruits, osmanthus jelly, steamed bun filled with vegetables, egg soup and an assortment of tea welcomed the hungry customers.
“We apologize for the delay; we hope this breakfast will be to your liking” spoke Shi Qingxuan, watching people grab the food with eager chopsticks.
He received a strong pat on his back that almost sent his soul flying out of his body.
“Hey kid, it’s not too bad! You should quit the job and become the housewife of some rich merchant!”
The Wind master didn’t know if he should smile or cry in a corner.
“Hahaha, I would definitely be a horrible housewife, and no rich merchant would take a liking to me.”
He Xuan took this exact moment to enter the hall, the expense sheet still in his hands. Upon hearing such a preposterous conversation, his knuckle went white and his grip on the sheet became deadly.
Absolutely preposterous, what if he gives us a bad review for speaking of such inappropriate things?!
“Hmph” he said, turning is back to the main dining hall.
He went behind the front desk where Peanut seemed to have grown a few grey scales. He Xuan had enchanted the small koi fish as to appear human to normal customers and it seemed they hadn’t gone easy on him.
“Master, these people are irrational! These two customers wanted different rooms with a shared bathroom, but we have no such rooms! They threw a fit and called me an ugly bastard!” the fish sniffed “I’m not ugly and I’m from a respectable family!”
He Xuan narrowed his eyes.
“I could end your misery by serving you in tomorrow’s breakfast”
The fish gasped.
“Master have mercy, this poor fish is begging you-“
“Then stop complaining” he answered, growing impatient.
A clang resonated on the front desk as a bowl was delicately put there. He Xuan looked up to Shi Qingxuan quickly withdrawing his hands from the steaming bowl.
“I thought you might…hum…be hungry so I brought you some food.”
Now that he was saying it aloud, Shi Qingxuan felt stupid.
The bowl was filled with scorching hot soup, not a fan favourite it seemed, and two meatbuns had been placed on the rims of the bowl as to not fall on the soup.
He Xuan glanced over the food.
“I’m not.”
Shi Qingxuan’s face flushed from embarrassment.
“Oh, well, I’ll leave it there just in case you want some later on.”
He smiled weakly then left He Xuan and Peanut to their endeavors.
“Since master is not hungry, I’ll eat it for him!”
Before he could reach the bowl, Black water snapped his fin away.
“I’m not hungry, but that doesn’t mean someone else can eat it.” He took the bowl in his hands, impassive to the heat, “Go back to your work before I put you in the soup.”
________
The day had been exhausting and it was past twelve when all the customers were nicely set in their room. Shi Qingxuan sat on the floor, barely able to keep his eyes open, and Peanut swam languidly next to him. The only thing stopping them for sleeping was the rhythmic sound of He Xuan’s booths circling the room with his brows furrowed.
“How is it that we’ve only made a profit of seventy gold coins today.” He threw the sheet on the floor. “I can’t believe that lady scammed me! This place doesn’t make shit money!”
The wind master yawned discreetly.
“I mean, it’s only the first day” reassured Shi Qingxuan. “I’m sure we’ll get better over time; you shouldn’t be so worried.”
The stare he received made the wind master shut up.
“Tsk. The less profit we make, the longer I have to stay in this hellhole, of course I’m worried” he sighed.
Shi Qingxuan’s heart stinged at the words. He obviously should have been expecting He Xuan to have no desire to see his face ever again. His fate had been forever altered, and if the roles were reverse, Shi Qingxuan wasn’t sure he would have the place in his heart to forgive either.
And yet, it still hurt, like a hundred needles pressed their sharp tips against his heart.
“Haha, right, I should’ve been more considerate” he said, an apologetic smile plastered on his face.
The words left a sour taste in his mouth, but he swallowed it and kept his composure in place.
An awkward silence stretched between them, neither daring to break it. The thin thread of unspoken memories shattered as a scream resonated down the second floor all the way to the hall where they were. Shi Qingxuan’s bones quivered from the gut-wrenching sound.
Peanut flew into a frenzy in the air before them.
“Master! I sense unknown evil energy! There’s an intruder!”
He Xuan grabbed the fish between his thumb and index, eyes glimmering darkly at the staircase.
“I know,” he answered frostily.
He marched to the staircase, darkness enveloping his body like a cloak. A shiver ran down Shi Qingxuan’s spine at the sight. He recognized those angry eyes, dark like the deep see, violent tides crashing behind them. He had seemed so delicate the first time Shi Qingxuan had seen him, with pearl skin that could rip at the tiniest cut. And yet, behind those delicate features, hid a storm of wrath he didn’t dare image the greatness of.
Shi Qingxuan promptly followed after him, unconsciously fanning He Xuan’s back, as if it would disperse the anger from boiling his veins raw. He Xuan stole a quick glance at the fan behind him, but quickly focused back on his task.
They silently made their way up the stairs and walked to the room one the very far right where the wails of the woman could still be heard.
“Are you a dog! Stop biting my husband!” she screamed.
“Peanut, can you tell what type of ghost this is?” asked Shi Qhingxuan.
“It seems to be a wrath. It should be no trouble for my master to get rid of them!”
“Tsk” said He Xuan, opening the door “you should never underestimate an opponent” he murmured.
When the opening was just big enough for his body to pass, He Xuan flew into the room. He latched onto the intruder, his sharp nails digging into the soft flesh of their neck.
The woman let out another scream of fright at the newcomer and slapped him in the face hard enough to make He Xuan and his prey fall on the floor in a loud thud.
Shi Qingxuan and Peanut looked astonished at the scene before them, hesitating between helping or watching the scene unfold like a trashy tv show.
“Are you also here to eat my husband?! You should be ashamed of yourself!”
“Are you stupid?” he snarled.
The lady slapped him another time, leaving a red mark on both of his cheeks.
“Obviously not, he’s defenseless, he wouldn’t put up a fight even if he could!”
Shi Qingxuan’s eyes wandered to the back wall of the room where the man was trying to become one with the tapestry, a bite marks visible on his forearm. His body shook and the wind master wasn’t sure the man wouldn’t throw up at any moment.
The woman, taller and stronger than her husband, looked with disdain at the two ghosts on the ground.
“But I will. So you either get out right now or I’m asking for a refund and leaving!”
He Xuan’s nails drove deeper in the ghost’s neck.
“If I lose a single gold coin because of you, I’ll make sure to eviscerate your ashes” he whispered fiercely against the other’s ear.
The ghost tried to escape but was kept in position under He Xuan’s iron grip.
“Hey, you’re no fun, where’s the owner?” they asked. “He’d always let me have one every month.”
He Xuan held the other’s ugly face so that their blue eyes would meet his strikingly black ones.
“I’m the owner now, and you’ll follow my rules. Clear?”
Although they were already dead, the ghost felt like the life drained out of their body for the second time.
“Y-yes, I-I’ll go eat your competition in-instead.”
A cold grin stretched Black water’s lips.
“Good, that’s an excellent idea.”
He freed the ghost, and they wasted no time to flee by the open window.
“Apologies madam” apologized Shi Qingxuan, “we hope you will still find this establishment to be a reputable place and will not take to heart this little incident”
The lady sent him a cold glare, grabbed her luggage and her husband, and walked out of the room.
“Inadmissible, unforgivable, the worst place I’ve ever stayed in thirty-five years! The beds are uncomfortable, there aren’t enough towels in the bathroom, and your food is bland!”
Sweat gathered on Shi Qingxuan’s forehead.
“Haha, I’ll be sure to tell our cook”
The woman was taller than Shi Qingxuan and he truly felt like she could snap him in half if she wished to.
She dragged her things out with her, and they watched helplessly as she walked out of the inn, swearing to never come back.
He Xuan, a supreme ghost king who had won against thousands of ghosts at Mount Tonglu, thought that perhaps, customer service was the one task that truly was too hard for him.
Shi Qingxuan bent down and reached for He Xuan’s cheek, stopping himself just before the tip of his finger brushed the others skin. He quickly retraced his hand and sighed.
“I could find some ointment for your cheeks if you want.”
He Xuan rose to his face and sent him a strange look.
“Do you believe me to be so weak?”
Shi Qingxuan gulped hard.
“No! Obviously not! That’s not what I meant! It just seemed it hurt, and I thought, well-”
“I’m a ghost king, even if she wanted to, she couldn’t have truly hurt me,” he said, “and I’ve endured much worse, you should know as much.”
Shi Qingxuan looked down; gaze fixed on his powerless, too human hands. They had used to be smooth as a god, but now they were bumpy and covered in scars and scratches that would take weeks to heal.
What did he know of power anymore?
“Right. Sorry for that” he answered expressionless.
He Xuan frowned, confused by his downcast posture, but didn’t press the matter.
“Room twelve is free, if you want to sleep there tonight,” He Xuan finally said.
The other looked up.
“What about you?”
“I’m a ghost, remember? Besides, I’ll make sure no other ghost come bothering us tonight.”
Shi Qingxuan forced a small smile.
“Thank you for that. If you need it, you could always take this room, even though it’s quite the mess.”
The other didn’t answer, and the pair made their way out of the room. Shi Qingxuan walked forward and stole a few glances at He Xuan going down the stairs.
The other did not look back.
Ming-xiong, I fear the scraps of you I see in him are going to tear me apart.
________
He Xuan carefully inspected the bags of rice piled in front of him under the scrutinizing gaze of the vendor.
“Master” murmured Peanut, “we’ve already been here for quite some time, you have to make a choice.”
“Mmmmm, they’re too expensive.”
Peanut wanted to cry.
“It’s the third shop, Master! We don’t have any more options!”
The vendor’s face grew red.
“Are you going to buy or not?! You’re scaring the other clients off!”
“If this fish may, I suggest Master take the biggest bags as they have a better price versus quantity deal.”
He Xuan slowly nodded.
“Yes, I suppose you are right.”
Peanut finally felt his muscles release the tension they’d built up over the hour of shopping he’d done with his Master.
May the Great Fish be blessed for freeing me of my torment, he cried internally.
He quickly put a few bags into He Xuan’s hands, paid the vendor while profusely apologizing, and coaxed his Master into going back to the inn.
“This fish will take care of the groceries from now on, Master.”
He Xuan waved dismissively, the three bags of rice secured in his bamboo backpack.
“No need, I quite like this task. I believe I should do it more often.”
As the Prime fish consort, Peanut needed to take care of his Master’s wellbeing, sometimes without this very Master’s knowledge. His fish brain had come to the conclusion that every vendor hating them would not improve his Master’s good life, and he thus had to keep the unfortunate event from happening at all cost.
“Master is so great at everything he does; he should not waste his time doing such mundane tasks! This humble one wishes to take care of it so Master can use his time fulfilling greater deeds!”
Black water eyed him.
“Are you trying to escape customer service?”
“No! Master, this one love customer services!”
He Xuan snatched Peanut.
“I dislike lies and liars even more. What I said yesterday is still valid, I will fry you if you displease me.”
The fish gulped hard.
“This fish apologies for his arrogance and will not reproduce this mistake.”
He looked down pitifully, tears clinging to his googly eyes. He was not a suicidal fish, and although his Master had never truly fried one of his own, he didn’t wish to be the first one to find out. His father had taught him that their Master was not unreasonable, most of the time, and wouldn’t kill him on a whim if he expressed regret.
And with a face so adorable, how could anyone resist him?!
He Xuan scrunched his noise and let the fish go.
“Whatever” he grumbled “but you’ll work twice as hard to pay for your mistake.”
“Of course, Master!”
Truly, Peanut’s act was embarrassingly over the top. From a young age, he had learnt that shame had to be thrown out the window when it allowed one to have a good life. His brothers and sisters had refused the job for this exact reason, but pride led to so much in a koi fish’s life. The deep ocean was scary, and the bone fishes terrorized him. To act like a trembling maiden was a small price to pay, really!
In less than an incense time, they were back to the entrance of the inn. Shi Qingxuan was at the front, admiring the brand-new sign he had put up. His lettering of “Bed&Breakfast” was flowery and silky smooth, the characters flowing gracefully between one another.
He turned back when he heard the other two approach and a bright smile lit his face, only accentuated by the scorching sun.
So…bright, thought He Xuan.
Shi Qingxuan’s spirit was high. A good night of sleep at put him back on track, and he was optimistic that he could face any quests thrown at him throughout the day.
“Isn’t it much better?” he asked joyfully.
He Xuan stared at the sign, taking in every brush stroke.
Shi Qingxuan’s stress rose up as time stretched and the other still left him answerless.
“Do you…not like it?” he asked hesitantly.
He Xuan’s gaze fluttered to the Wind master.
“No. I believe it’s much better than the previous one.”
Shi Qingxuan let out a sight of relief.
In the bright sunlight, He Xuan’s deep black eyes revealed to be more of a brownish color, sweetening his gaze ever so slightly. The Wind master had never realized it before, perhaps because Ming Yi always clung to dark corners with a platter of food to busy himself.
He Xuan had brought the rice just in time for Shi Qingxuan’s daily morning cooking. Peanut, not daring to enter the kitchen by hope of self-preservation, flew to the reception to greet and help customers.
He brought his bags to the kitchen and emptied their content on the counter.
Shi Qingxuan’s brows shut upward.
“Is that…all?” he asked hesitantly.
He Xuan opened the first bag and emptied it in a big bowl “Are you missing something?”
“No! It’s just… you had been gone for so long, I thought…”
He Xuan stared at him blankly.
“I made sure to buy the least expensive ones.”
Of course you did, thought Shi Qingxuan.
“I believe I did it in a timely manner,” he continued, pouring cold water into the bowl, “good things take time and patience.”
And He Xuan knew a thing or two about patience. He was a meticulous man who had spent years carving his way through the heavens to finally get what he wanted.
A small fire cackled alive and Shi Qingxuan carefully placed a pot on top.
“Good things take time, yet you seem pretty eager to make money out of this business” he teased.
He Xuan drained the water from the washed rice, his knuckles tightly gripping the bowl.
“That’s different,” he answered.
Shi Qingxuan’s smile didn’t falter.
“Of course, it is different,” he took the bowl from He Xuan’s hands “speaking of which, yesterday’s event got me thinking.”
He Xuan watched him intently.
“I think we should broaden our target audience,” he looked up from the pot and quickly withdrew his gaze when he stumbled on He Xuan’s deep eyes fixed on him, “by, hum, welcoming ghosts as well.”
Black water raised an eyebrow.
“Don’t you think that would cause more trouble?”
“Well, yes, but I’m sure we can convince them not to cause too much trouble, or at the very least not eat anyone.
“Coercion would probably work” he murmured to himself.
Shi Qingxuan’s face went white, and he stirred the congee pot more fiercely.
“Hahaha, that would definitely traumatize the clients” he replied, sweat gathering on his forehead.
He Xuan couldn’t find it in himself to give a single fuck.
“They should be scared shitless into giving me all their money instead of being annoying.”
Shi Qingxuan didn’t answer, but instead poured him a bowl of the hot congee, topped with sliced fruits.
He Xuan took the bowl and stared at the food, his shoulders tensing. The steam rose and tickled the tip of his nose. His hands were starting to hurt from the heat, yet he didn’t move a single muscle.
He didn’t like this. His carelessness had suddenly hit him like a truck, and he was now ready to forge back the iron walls he had put around himself. He didn’t like how remorse clawed at his flesh instead of anger spilling out from his mouth.
He wanted to go back to his house and never step foot out again.
“Are you…not hungry?” asked Shi Qingxuan doubtfully.
He Xuan snapped out of it.
“No.”
Shi Qingxuan finished preparing the second dish, steamed pork dumplings, and carefully placed a few on top of the congee.
“I said I’m not hungry” repeated He Xuan.
“I know. But you might be later.”
“I don’t need to eat.”
“I know.”
“Then why are you giving me this?!”
“Because I know you like pork dumplings, and also that you only eat congee when it’s steaming hot, so eat it before I have to reheat it” snapped back Shi Qingxuan.
He Xuan blinked once, then twice, then a third time, his lips shut into a thin line. The bowl cracked under his deathly grip and the food slumped to the floor at his feet. Veins propped up on his forehead and he left the room in a swoop, grumbling an “I have to go” so muddled the other one wasn’t sure he hadn’t dreamt it.
Shi Qingxuan’s fingers reached unconsciously to the fan strapped at his waist, probably out of habit, but mostly out of comfort.
________
The sun had disappeared for some time when the Wind master fled the inn through a room’s window. Guzi had shown him his very small room, which could’ve been described as a large closet, and had happily let Shi Qingxuan sleep in there too. They were cramped, but the gesture had been too kind for Shi Qingxuan to refuse.
The small child had been sleeping soundlessly when a gust of wind burst into the room and a figure crawled through the opening.
Shi Qingxuan walked, the wind whipping his long strands of hair against his face. He frustratedly fanned his surroundings, but no matter how hard he tried, the wind only grew more vicious as he approached his destination.
The gates of Ghost city soon appeared in the distance. Mist enveloped him as he walked past the world of the living right into the one of the dead. Unlike the last time he entered the city, this time, he had no trouble blending in with the crowd. He looked no different than a wandering mortal wishing to bargain his life. Shi Qingxuan was practically insulted to be overlooked so easily.
Has my face structure changed?? My clothes are bland, but surely my face isn’t?!
He frantically searched through the vendor stalls barking their prices on each side of the road until he found a small hand mirror. He reached for it and examined his face carefully.
Thank the Heavens, he sighed, I really thought I had been transformed into some hideous monster!!
Shi Qingxuan could live with being judged or spat at by people, but he could not live with an ugly face.
The vendor looked him over.
“If you’re just here to look, scram off! I gotta pay rent!”
Customer or employee, Shi Qingxuan really was getting mistreated both ways.
“Apologies sir” he answered with a dry laugh, “I’ll be taking my leave”.
Shi Qingxuan quickly fled the market. He passed by the pleasure district, where he also got yelled at by Madams, up until he reached a broad street with a grand red building.
Well, might as well try his luck.
________
The casino was filled to the brim with people. Shouting came from every gambling table, a mix of victorious cries and angry screams. Shi Qingxuan made his way through the crowd, searching for one table specifically. It wasn’t too hard to find, only one had a bedazzlingly red sedan chair next to it, draped with crimson sheer curtains. The people gathered spoke amongst themselves, gossiping to their heart’s content.
“Our Lord has won again!”
“Of course he has, you stupid pig!”
“Only a madman would dare bet against him.”
“Against him?! Try against his husband, I heard he has terrible luck.”
Hua Cheng’s hand retracted and disappeared through the curtains. The ground trembled and the last person who had spoken shut his mouth. The Lord had been displeased.
“The Lord will put you into the next royal soup before you’ll have a chance to win” whispered someone. “I heard it from my cousin.”
“Everyone knows your cousin’s a liar.”
There was ruffling behind the curtains the staff Lady walked to the sedan chair. She lowered her head to listen, stopping an inches away from the sheer.
The staff Lady advanced towards the crowd, cup and dice in hand.
“Our Lord would like to play. Has anyone here something they would like to bet?”
Shi Qingxuan tried to measure his chances of winning. His luck wasn’t bad, even has a human that hadn’t changed, But Crimson rain sought flower’s luck was astronomical. At best, he could maybe get an equal number and still manage to get what he wants.
“I will play” he answered, before someone would take the place. “In case of winning, I would like Lord Hua-Chengzhu to put publicity of my business throughout Ghost city.”
A figure came out of the curtain, an awkward smile hung to its lips.
“San Lang isn’t the other playing, I am,” said Xie Lian “she also refers to me as a lord of Ghost city, even though I’m just a scrap god.”
He scratched the back of his head.
“I can still fulfill your wish! Truly, it would be no trouble at all!”
Shi Qingxuan smiled happily.
The odds were in his favor! There was no way he’d lose against Xie Lian!
He had experienced Xie Lian’s luck firsthand the first time they both went to Ghost city. If it wasn’t for Hua Cheng’s devotion, they’d never had gotten Lang Qanqiu back.
“Your Highness!” he walked to the opposite side of the table, facing Xie Lian “What would you like to bet? I don’t have much but a few years off of my life isn’t that bad.”
There was the sound of booth clanging loudly on the floor behind him. The silhouette towered him, the scent of saltwater enveloping Shi Qingxuan. He reached forward and placed a wailing fish on the gambling table.
“If he loses, take him” he said expressionless.
The wind master was speechless.
He Xuan didn’t like crowds, nor being reminded of his debt like a knife to his throat. Ghost city stenched of Hua Cheng’s omnipresent aura and entering it felt like being slapped by Crimson rain himself.
But he also did feel a little bad. And since Peanut was the one who had come bursting into the dining room in the middle of the night to assess the situation, he figured he would also be the one to complete the mission.
“A fish? How funny” perked up a condescending voice behind the curtain.
He Xuan’s aura darkened.
“His breed was personally cultivated by me” he nudged the fish on the table “and he can speak.”
Peanut stayed lifeless on the table, even when his master’s glare obliged him to speak up.
Hua Cheng scoffed.
“That thing doesn’t even look alive. Gege, you should ask for something more valuable.”
Xie Lian looked back tenderly at the chair.
“They’re not asking for much. I accept the bet.”
The staff Lady calmly walked to Shi Qingxuan and put the cup in his hands.
“Low or high?” she asked.
“High” he answered.
He shook the cup with all his might. If he had a nickel of spiritual energy left, he used it in this very moment.
Please please please, may the heavens be kind to me, please please please, I’ll never ask for anything again.
He Xuan looked down. Although Shi Qingxuan seemed confident, he could see the slight tremble of his fingers as he gripped the jade cup. The urge to put his hands against his, to steady him, rose like a tidal wave.
A shiver ran down his spine, and he looked away.
Shi Qingxuan lifted the cup and—
“Four” he breathed.
It could’ve been worse, right?
Xie Lian smiled at him and took the cup in his hands. He shook the dice and lifted the cup.
He laughed dejectedly.
“My luck truly is horrible, isn’t it?”
In his palm was a red dice with a singular black dot engraved on it.
The wind master felt all his muscles relax.
“Thank the heavens” he sighed.
Life suddenly struck Peanut, and he flew right behind his master’s sleeve.
“Go away.”
“Master is so smart! He knew we would win and didn’t truly put my life in danger.”
“I didn’t.”
Peanut fell silent.
After exchanging some few words, Shi Qingxuan waved Xie Lian goodbye. The wind master and black water made their way out in silence, their eyes catching the multiple posters hung throughout the streets.
“We can’t say he hasn’t respected his part of the deal. There’s so many of them it’s overwhelming!” cried Shi Qingxuan.
He Xuan frowned and ripped out one of them.
“What is Beefleaf?” he asked.
In bold letter was written “Beefleaf’s bed & breakfast for ghosts and humans” punctuated by a blue and black background.
“I’m leaf and you’re beef”
“Why am I beef?”
“Because you like to eat? I think?”
He Xuan looked down to him, his confused expression melting away the coldness of his features.
Shi Qingxuan chuckled.
“Bad publicity is still publicity. As long as people come, it doesn’t really matter, right? If you hate it, I can be beef, and you can be leaf.”
He Xuan put the poster in his sleeve and huffed.
“Don’t be stupid, that wouldn’t work” he mumbled.
He walked faster, leaving Shi Qingxuan a few meters behind. After a few minutes of his tantrum, he stopped and turned around.
“Are you hungry?” he asked suddenly.
“I-what?”
He Xuan lowered his gaze and turned back around.
“Nevermind, forget it.”
Shi Qingxuan was struck speechless.
What was that supposed to mean?
“Wait! He Xuan!”
He caught up to him, and his heart squeezed painfully in his chest.
“What is it?” asked the other coldly.
“I’m actually super hungry” he lied.
For a second, the cold mask slipped up.
“Oh?”
The blush on He Xuan’s face was so faint, perhaps it was simply a figment of imagination.
They walked to the food district and He Xuan bought two buns filled to the brim with meat and vegetables.
He held out both buns to Shi Qingxuan.
“There, your food.”
“Don’t you have one?” he asked.
He Xuan averted his gaze.
“You said you were really hungry, so you can have both. I’m not paying for another one; they’re too expensive.”
________
A month was all it took for a ghost king and a fallen god to acclimate themselves to the ways of running a bed and breakfast. After Shi Qingxuan had won the gamble, they saw their clientele triple overnight as their free rooms flooded with ghosts of all kinds.
Now, they barely had enough space for everyone and even had to refuse customers.
“As I said, sir, all our rooms are booked tonight. I would strongly advise to make a reservation beforehand next time you wish to sleep at our inn” declared Peanut.
“I’ve been coming here every few months for the past two years! What’s all this about?! Since when is this place booked full!”
Peanut’s smile stayed stuck in place.
“I understand your grievance, however, the fact is still the same, all rooms are booked tonight.”
“Then get some more rooms!”
It was hard to explain things to grown adults like they were a five years old child.
A dark figure approached from behind Peanut and put his hand on the fish’s shoulder.
“Let me handle that one” he said ominously.
“Yes, master!” he didn’t need to hear it twice and fled.
On the contrary of Peanut, He Xuan did not intend to smile idiotically at his customers.
“We are booked tonight” he said plainly, “if you do not have a reservation, then you should leave.”
“I’ve been a loyal customer for two years! Do something!”
“I fear making rooms appear out of thin air is out of my, and my staff’s competence” he answered deadpanned.
It was the middle of the afternoon, and they’d been running around everywhere trying to get everything done before seven. They still had many rooms to clean before the customers would arrive for the night, they needed to prepare some delicacies for the next breakfast, and they had to make sure all complaining customers were satisfied by the end of their stay. He had no time nor energy to spent on a man who could not understand simple facts.
He Xuan’s pointed the door.
“If you do not leave in the next minute, I will make you regret that decision.”
Although his tone held no threat, his eyes said otherwise.
When nothing else worked, coercion always did.
The man spat some more curses before finally taking his leave. As he passed the door to leave, Shi Qingxuan entered broom in hands. The man elbowed him, fumes almost coming out of his ears.
Shi Qingxuan’s hair was pulled up in a ponytail and his clothes were in a disarray with all the running he’d been doing all day.
“Ouch, what’s his deal?” he looked up to He Xuan and smiled “Is Peanut on break?”
Black water’s mood brightened, and he skirted around the counter. He stopped before Shi Qingxuan and took the broom in his hands.
“Peanut doesn’t take breaks.”
He gave a concerned look to Shi Qingxuan’s elbow.
“Does it hurt?” he asked.
Shi Qingxuan rolled his eyes.
“Of course not, I’m not made of glass. Instead of worrying, you should go clean room 76 and 204. The guests will arrive in an hour, and I’ve heard they made a mess”
He Xuan’s mood dropped again.
“If they’re a mess, then it’s better if the both of us go” He Xuan stated.
“Well, yes, but someone has to attend the front desk.”
“Peanut will” he assured.
They made their way to the first room and found that the rumours were at least slightly exaggerated. A family of ghosts had spent the last few days there, so it was to be expected to find some disarray.
They glanced at each other, then quickly separated the task. They had learnt to work well together, and they both were efficient at their respective tasks. They didn’t talk much, but Shi Qingxuan found the atmosphere to be pleasant. It was a calm, maybe reassuring sensation.
It took them thirty minutes before they passed on to the next room. That one, however, needed some thorough cleaning.
“Why is there so much evil energy?” asked Shi Qingxuan feeling the thick air sticking in his lungs, “Why does it smells so bad? Did they do some ritual in there?!”
He opened the window and inhaled the fresh air coming from outside.
“It’s unlikely; it smells fake. They probably bought an evil energy imitation perfume,” answered He Xuan.
He Xuan rummaged through the nightstand’s drawers and took out the perfume bottle.
“See, it smells to bad they’ve left it here.”
“Get that thing out! We can’t have the whole hotel stinking of fake evil energy!” cried Shi Qingxuan.
He Xuan popped open the lid and emptied the bottle in the bathroom sink. It was a good thing he needn’t to breathe, or he might’ve passed out from the smell.
After the perfume incident, they still had to clean the disarray that had overcome the room. They made the beds, vacuumed the carpets, and sprayed a whole bottle of unscented air freshener they’d bought at the market the week prior.
“I can’t believe we had to use the whole thing! At least now it’s more bearable” said Shi Qingxuan sitting at the edge of the bath and scrubbing intensely the white ivory surface.
“Tsk. Waste of money” grumbled He Xuan cleaning the floor tiles.
The Wind master looked down on the other, suddenly very aware of the beads of sweet falling from He Xuan’s forehead and his heavy breathing as he was crouched on the floor rubbing the tiles clean with a sponge.
He stopped himself before any inappropriate thoughts could cross his mind. Their relationship had improved, yes, but they were still nothing more than colleagues. He Xuan tolerated him for the sake of the business. It was only a matter of time before he would get all the money he needed and fled the inn. He would then be left alone fighting for his life with every room, breakfast and customers. Maybe he’d have to hire some employees if he didn’t want his hair to turn grey by the second year.
Shi Qingxuan sighed; already tired of all the work that was coming his way.
The room’s entry door opened.
They both stopped in their tracks and looked at each other.
“Fuck” whispered He Xuan.
He rose from the ground and was about to open the bathroom’s door when he froze. His whole body tensed, and veins bulged on his forehead.
“What’s wrong—” started Shi Qingxuan before he heard what was wrong.
On the other side of the door, they could hear the soft chuckles and sighing of a man and a woman who seemed ready to entangle themselves right now on the inn’s bed.
The bed creaked and they heard the sound of intense kissing and ragged breath.
Oh no oh no oh no oh no.
“Should we flee?” mouthed Shi Qingxuan silently.
“Yes” mouthed He Xuan back.
Just as they were ready to open the door and run for their lives the woman moaned loudly and both their blood drenched from their body.
They didn’t dare move a muscle, but also didn’t wish to hear a second longer. Shi Qingxuan was so uncomfortable he fixed his gaze to the floor.
“I’m hungry” said the man on the other side of the door, “we’ll need energy if we want to do this all night.”
He Xuan rolled his eyes.
His mood had rarely been worst.
They kissed a few more times before deciding on a restaurant and leaving. They’d been gone for a few minutes, but the pair still had yet to move. Shi Qingxuan was overheating and very aware of how his arm brushed against He Xuan’s. It wasn’t pleasant, and he desperately wished he could’ve ripped the heat out of his body.
When it became unbearable, and he was scared they’d come back and finish their business before he could get out, Shi Qingxuan turned the handle and opened the door.
He didn’t dare look at He Xuan whose mood was lower than the Pacific Ocean and fled the room.
His legs finally gave out and he fell on the corridor floor. His heart thud painfully in his chest and he squeezed the fabric covering it.
There was a thing Shi Qingxuan had never told anyone, and the love he’d harbored for his best friend for years. Yes, Ming-Xiong was his closest friend, and it was normal to feel some type of platonic love toward him, but what he’d felt had gone beyond any other friendship Shi Qingxuan had known. Maybe he’d been stupid, but at that very moment the feeling dawned on him like a bucket of ice-cold water.
The world spun, and his limbs trembled out of his control. There wasn’t enough air nor space. He felt like he would die here and there looking at the inevitable heartbreak laughing at his face. There was despair, to be unable to control his own emotions, and powerlessness facing the hurtful truth that the true Ming-Xiong would never reciprocate his feelings.
It shook Shi Qingxuan to his core to be so helpless. The only thing he could do was endure in silence. He’d already taken so much from He Xuan, he did not want to hurt him more then what had already been done.
Beads of sweat formed on his body, yet an uncontrollable chill ran down his spine. He wanted to collapse on the floor to stop the pain parkouring his soul and body.
Inevitably, his human body gave out and he fell into darkness.
________
Two strong arms delicately enveloped Shi Qingxuan’s limp body. Two fingers reached his neck and felt for his pulse. His body was then lifted up, his head resting on a strong chest. He was brought to the kitchen and laid on the cool tile. A wet towel drenched in cold water was placed on his forehead.
When Shi Qingxuan woke up, He Xuan was carelessly sat on a chair next to him, toying with some ribbon between his fingers. He barely looked up when the other sat up on the floor.
“I…?”
“Peanut found you and brought you here,” He Xuan answered before he could voice his question, “I was making sure you’d wake up before tomorrow’s shift.”
“Oh…yeah that makes sense? But how did he-”
“He used his spiritual energy. I was busy running the inn to realized something had happened.”
He tossed the ribbon back in his pocket.
“Don’t overwork yourself to the point of collapsing,” he added.
He Xuan rose from his chair, his posture iron straight. There might’ve been some weakness to his legs, like he’d sat on that chair for too long, but Shi Qingxuan was too preoccupied to see any of it.
“You can take your time, all the guests went to their room. I’ll see you tomorrow” he said distantly.
He was out of the kitchen before Shi Qingxuan managed to answer.
“See you tomor-” his voice died in his throat.
Shi Qingxuan laughed dejectedly.
“I should probably go thank Peanut” he thought aloud.
He felt a good amount better physically and seemed to be no longer run any fever. He rose from the ground and went in search of the fish.
He found its small body swimming mindlessly in the dinning room, and the scales under his eyes seemed they’d gone from red to black.
“You’re here!”
The fish startled out of his daze, his eyes rolling back into their orbit.
“The establishment is closed for the night!” the fish squealed helplessly.
Shi Qingxuan smiled and took the fish in his palms. Peanut blinked a few times then realized there were no customers and relaxed back.
“Thank you” said the human softly. “For what you’ve done. You’re the best fish I’ve ever encountered.”
The fish reeled in the compliment and swam happily in the air.
“It was quite difficult, but I managed! You can trust me!” he said proudly.
Shi Qingxuan patted the top of its head.
“I’m sure.”
“People asking for this and that, it’s not an easy job to run an inn.”
“I know”
“But my fish self can handle! I’m no ordinary fish, I worked hard to get here!”
The wind master laughed at the koi.
“Thank you for helping me, I truly wasn’t feeling well earlier on. I probably wouldn’t be back on my feet without your help. I’ll try repaying it to you!”
The fish looked at him in surprise, his googly eyes eyeing the human.
“What? I managed the inn alone all afternoon, Master is the one who brought you to the kitchens. I had to manage EVERYTHING while he waited for you to wake up!” the fish sniffed dramatically, “I do need compensation for the torture I was brought through.”
Shi Qingxuan didn’t know what to answer.
What did it mean? That, he dared not think of.
On that same night, after Shi Qingxuan had gone to bed with thoughts rambling in his head, He Xuan paced the first floor, hands tied behind his back.
“It is the worst outcome that could have possibly come out of this business” he said, his robes and hair swishing as he walked in circles.
“Master, it’s not so bad--”
“No, it is much worse than that. It is dreadful.”
“On the opposite! Wouldn’t it help flourish the business if you two were…you know…”
Voicing the thought aloud would definitely end Peanut in a stir fry.
“I’m not staying here, and neither are you. I’m only here to repay my debt. I’ll stay for another year and then we’ll be gone.”
“Master, if I may, you’ve already accumulated almost all the amount necessary to repay the debt,” he pulled out a piece of paper and with his fins sent it hovering He Xuan’s way, “you should be able to repay the interests by next week.”
He Xuan’s face blanched.
“Already?! That’s impossible, you must’ve forgotten something, we couldn’t have made that much money.”
“Master, we’ve been booked full for a month now, and I’ve personally increased the price per night due to high demand to help Master!”
Black water threw the paper on the ground.
“This isn’t my money, this is Shi Qingxuan’s”
“But I thought the profits were split equally…?”
“I’ve changed my mind. He gets 80% and I get 20%. See, I’m nowhere near paying off all of my debt. And put the prices back to their original ones!” he fumed.
Peanut wasn’t stupid, but his Master, sometimes, was.
________
“Did they…really give you that?” asked Shi Qingxuan hesitantly.
The chicken in He Xuan’s hands clucked loudly.
“Yes” he answered expressionlessly, “they wanted to thank me for the good services.”
Shi Qingxuan stared at the animal dumbfoundingly, and the chicken stared back.
“I mean…I suppose we can use it for eggs? But we’ll need to make an enclosure and buy some appropriate food.”
“I keep money in the back of the kitchen, you can take that one.”
What happened so mister evil corporate CEO who doesn’t spend any unnecessary money???
“Sure…just leave the chicken in the courtyard, it doesn’t seem like it wants to run around everywhere.”
He Xuan did take the chicken to the courtyard behind the inn and sighed in frustration at the feathers stuck on his clothes.
“Do not bother the customers” he said menacingly before leaving.
A few days had passed since Shi Qingxuan’s panic attack. They both acted normal in each other’s presence, but there was a fine thread of tension that seemed to link the both of them every time their paths crossed, which was very often. It was a small turmoil in their stomach; easy to forget or to put the blame on the last meal they’d eaten.
Shi Qingxuan hadn’t found the courage to ask He Xuan why he’d lied, perhaps because he was scared of the answer. He was scared to be disappointed by it.
Fortunately, it was pretty easy to occupy both their minds as they had to attend to more than a hundred customers everyday.
“You’ve improved a great deal, young lad! This stew is delicious!”
Shi Qingxuan smiled at the customer from the kitchens.
“I appreciate it greatly, thank you.”
Shi Qingxuan had started offering a lunch menu after getting used to the breakfast routine. It wasn’t included in the price, but customers could order the dishes on the menu and get them delivered at their room. Lunch-time was always slower anyway, so he had no trouble performing some simple dishes.
the bamboo steamers. He pulled his cart filled with dumplings unto the next room, flavored mist rosing from the bamboo steamers.
His stomach grumbled loudly, and he promised himself to make another tray for his own hunger.
“Room 77, your food is here,” he said, knocking on the door.
Shi Qingxuan usually got yelled at most hours of the day, but he never did while delivering food. The customers were always happy and thanked him greatly. A warm meal could truly thaw the coldest heart!
He hummed to himself as his cart slowly emptied out. After his work, he made a dozen dumplings and went to the courtyard.
“Chicken! I’ve got food for you!”
With his chopsticks, he took one of the dumplings and threw it on the ground at the chicken’s feet. The animal looked at it, and Shi Qingxuan seemed to see concern in its gaze.
“Don’t worry; there’s only vegetables in these.”
Shi Qingxuan bit hungrily on the dumplings and stuffed himself full. It was such a pretty day, neither too hot or cold, and he wished he could’ve taken a nap right there.
“Gotta go back to work! See ya!” he said to the chicken.
He was about to cross the backdoor, when an unsuspecting hand grabbed his shoulder painfully.
“I don’t think so”
Shi Qingxuan couldn’t move his body, but he was able to turn his head just enough to find that the chicken had disappeared and instead was a malevolent spirit with a chicken-like head staring right at him.
“Please take me after my shift! I have rooms to clean! Just wait a few hours and then I’ll come back!” he cried.
The spirit did not let him go.
“I’ve heard you make quite some bucks. Give it to me.”
Shi Qingxuan swallowed hard.
“Is this a robbery?”
“You could call it that.”
Well, they indeed had accumulated quite some money, but it wasn’t like he knew where all of it was! There were some in the kitchen and in the register at the front desk, but He Xuan managed most of it!
“Will you let me go afterward?” he asked.
“If there’s enough.”
He let go of his shoulder but stayed close to Shi Qingxuan as they both entered the inn. Looming in the chicken-like ghost’s hand was a ball of evil energy that would definitely his reduce Shi Qingxuan’s human body to a wisp if it were to hit him.
He opened one of the kitchen’s cabinets and took out the hidden stash of money. There were a few hundreds, but he wasn’t sure that would satisfy the spirit.
“Is that…enough?”
He should’ve been more stressed since he was being coerced into giving his hard-earned money, but to him it felt no different that any impossible requests from his customers.
“That’s all you’ve got?!”
Shi Qingxuan searched his pockets and took out a few more bills.
“There? I don’t know where most of the money is…sorry?”
The spirit cursed under his breath.
“Is this a joke!”
“No! We need the money in the register for the day, but I can give you the rest tonight?”
The ball of evil qi grew in the spirit’s hand and before Shi Qingxuan could react the ball was thrown right toward him.
The impact never reached him, however, and he looked down to a small fish who had thrown himself in front of Shi Qingxuan.
The fish fell on the ground, lifelessly.
“Peanut!” screamed Shi Qingxuan, crouching to the floor and taking the small fish in his hands. The evil spirit said something then disappeared with black smoke, but Shi Qingxuan paid it no mind.
“Are you alright?!” he asked, “should I go fetch He Xuan??”
The fish difficulty raised one of his fins, gesturing to the other to get closer. Shi Qingxuan leaned his ear next to the fish and Peanut spoke in a broken voice.
“I might…die”
“WHAT?!”
“I see…my life…flashing before…my eyes” he said dramatically.
“No, we’ll find a way to save you—”
The fish put his fin on the human’s mouth to shush him.
“I have only…one regret in this life”
One tear fell down his eye.
“Listen to this venerable one. Life is…too short to keep…one’s love for themselves. You…must speak…of any adoration…in…your…heart”
Shi Qingxuan felt like he was watching a soap opera.
“I—”
The fish shushed Shi Qingxuan again.
“I wasn’t…finished. My Master…loves you very much…but never will he…speak of it…you must…act…before it is…too late…”
The strength left the fish’s body, and he stopped moving.
“Peanut?! Wake up!”
Shi Qingxuan nudged him multiple times, but the fish did not move a muscle.
Peanut in hand, he ran to the main hall.
“Is there a doctor!?” he asked to the customers.
“What is going on?” asked He Xuan walking toward him.
“Your fish is dying!”
“How? That shouldn’t even be possible.”
“I don’t know! There was a robbery and then he got hit and now he isn’t moving!”
He put the seemingly dead fish on a table.
“I’ll bring him to see a specialist in Ghost city” said He Xuan.
Soon, three fishes of different sizes and colors entered the inn and flew to He Xuan.
“Raspberry, Noodles, and Pancake; report to me before the end of the day.”
The fishes took Peanut’s body and flew out of the inn.
Shi Qingxuan thought back on Peanut’s words. The fish wasn’t wrong, but the delivery was a bit over the top.
Maybe it was his sign from the universe to act upon his feelings? As a human, his lifespan was significantly shortened.
But he’d never confessed his love to anyone! People had confessed theirs to him, which was to be expected with his good looks, but he’d never done it himself! Furthermore, there was nothing he could promise He Xuan. A tranquil life? Diamonds and gold? Children? He could give none!
“Ming-Xiong, I—”
He froze in terror.
Oh no, he’d fucked up.
I GIVE UP! He cried helplessly.
“What is it” responded He Xuan, unfazed.
He must’ve felt Shi Qingxuan’s intense gaze on his cheek, because he turned his head to look down on Shi Qingxuan. Their height difference wasn’t much, but if he were to lean a little bit closer his lips would’ve brushed against Shi Qingxuan’s nose.
“I…hum…”
Fuck all heavens and hells, he just had to rip it out of his throat, and never say a word again.
“I would like to be co-owner with you for the rest of my life!”
He Xuan’s eyes widened.
“What?”
“I don’t want money or fame, I want to manage this inn with you until my hair goes all gray and my bones are too tired to move! It’s stupid, I know, and I understand you might want to go back to your palace, but I’ve gotten endeared of this place and, well, you. Please run this business with me for forever!”
“Are you…proposing to me?”
He Xuan really did feel like his hand was being asked in marriage.
Shi Qingxuan’s face blanched then became red as a beet.
“That’s not…what am I even saying…I’m so bad at this…”
The ghost of a smile creeped up on He Xuan’s lips. He leaned, just like he’d imagined, and gave a chaste kiss to Shi Qingxuan’s nose.
“It sounds like quite a nice fate.” He Xuan said.
________
Peanut took out a radiant pearl from a small pouch tied on his body.
“Never say a word of this to anyone,” Peanut threatened.
The chicken-like ghost took the pearl and accepted it after carefully inspecting it.
“You do pay high, they weren’t lying!” the ghost said.
“My duty is to make my Master happy, one way or another.”
The chicken ghost chuckled.
“Playing the matchmaker now, aren’t you? You know, I’ve been searching for a wife.”
“No way! I’ve got a job already!” he said, flying away.
THE END