Ye Chuan coughed for a good while after hearing Wang Yanran casually throw out a figure of one million. He studied the dead-serious expression on the young woman's face, his mind racing with calculations.
How the hell is this girl so loaded? She didn’t even blink at tossing out a million like it was pocket change.
Are you messing with me?
But Wang Yanran didn’t seem to be joking. Maybe he’d just been poor for too long—the idea of someone paying a million for a video felt utterly absurd to him.
Noticing Ye Chuan’s prolonged silence and coughing, Wang Yanran quickly clarified, "Senior, do you want ten million instead? I don’t have that much liquid cash on hand right now, but I could gather it in a few days."
"No, no, a million’s fine. More than enough," Ye Chuan coughed again, not wanting her to go through the trouble of gathering more money. Who knew what kind of complications might pop up in those few days?
What if this woman got killed by that guy again? Or changed her mind halfway?
Money in hand was the only real security. Taking more would just invite unnecessary trouble.
Putting on a composed front, he said, "Transfer me the million, and I’ll send you the video."
"Deal!"
Wang Yanran had no issue with the price. After all, Ye Chuan had saved her life, and the video contained crucial evidence. A million was more than reasonable.
"Send it to this account." After adding Wang Yanran as a contact, Ye Chuan shared his bank details.
Ever since the "Myriad Realms" app appeared on his phone, his bank transactions seemed shielded from scrutiny—no investigations, no matter how large the sums.
When the million hit his account, Ye Chuan’s heart pounded wildly.
This trip had been beyond worth it. Not only had he gained a cowardly ghost tenant, but he’d also scored a cool million for free.
[Account balance has reached the specified threshold. Myriad Realms APP now unlocks Alchemy and Medicine Crafting functions.]
A pop-up notification on his phone made him pause.
Huh?
Alchemy? Medicine Crafting?
What bizarre new features was this app rolling out now? Could he start brewing his own Tiger Strength Pills?
"Senior, did you receive the money?" Wang Yanran asked, noticing his distracted stare at the screen.
"Oh, yeah. Got it." Ye Chuan snapped back to reality and forwarded the video to her. "Alright, Miss Wang, till we meet again."
He then gave Lan Xiaoke’s ghostly backside a light kick. "Come on, coward. Let’s go home."
"I can’t leave," Lan Xiaoke whined, rubbing her spectral rear.
If she could’ve left, she would’ve done so ages ago. Ever since choking to death, Lan Xiaoke had been bound to the fifth floor, wandering aimlessly every night.
"She’s a low-tier earthbound spirit—what people call a ‘lingering ghost.’ Sudden deaths with unresolved grudges often trap souls like hers," Wang Yanran explained.
Lan Xiaoke nodded vigorously, like a chick pecking at rice.
"So how do I take her with me?" Ye Chuan asked.
"Resolve her lingering regret, and she can either reincarnate or leave this place." Wang Yanran turned to Lan Xiaoke. "What’s something you still wish for?"
Lan Xiaoke blurted out, "I—I want to log into my game account!"
The answer left both Ye Chuan and Wang Yanran speechless.
"Seriously? Other ghosts usually want revenge or to see their loved ones. What kind of ghost are you?" Ye Chuan stared at her incredulously.
A gamer ghost?
Did this shut-in die mid-raid?
"You don’t understand! I looted an item worth tens of thousands! But I died before I could sell it!" Lan Xiaoke flailed her translucent arms in frustration. "I barely had any allowance, and just when I was about to strike it rich—BAM! Dead!"
Ye Chuan suddenly sympathized.
Dying right before cashing in on a windfall? Yeah, that’d leave anyone resentful.
But what kind of in-game item was worth that much?
After getting the game’s name from Lan Xiaoke, Ye Chuan frowned. "That sounds familiar..."
He pulled out his phone and searched.
"Discontinued twenty years ago?" The moment the words left his mouth, Lan Xiaoke froze.
She floated closer, eyes bulging. "WHAT?!!"
Confirming the truth on his screen, her spirit seemed to age decades in an instant. Collapsing like a deflated balloon, she wailed,
"My fortune... gone?"
Ye Chuan gave her a sidelong glance. "What year were you born?"
"1988."
Ye Chuan: "..."
So you’ve been dead for over two decades.
"I don’t wanna ‘live’ anymore," Lan Xiaoke muttered.
"You’re already dead."
"Waaah—" Her wails intensified, bloody tears nearly splashing onto Ye Chuan.
Sorrow. Absolute despair.
"With her regret resolved, she’s free to leave now," Wang Yanran observed as Lan Xiaoke sniffled pathetically.
Hearing this, Lan Xiaoke perked up. She drifted to the window and tentatively reached outside.
Previously, an invisible force would’ve yanked her back, but this time—nothing. She hovered beyond the window frame, eyes sparkling. "I’m free?!!"
"Now will you come home with me?" Ye Chuan asked as she cartwheeled through the air.
Lan Xiaoke’s expression turned sly. "Heh, no way!"
"FREEDOM!!" With that, she spun around to flee—
Only for crimson light to erupt from the classroom. Chains of energy shot through the window, wrapping around her and hauling her back inside!
"Eeek?!!"
Struggling proved useless against the glowing restraints.
Meeting Ye Chuan and Wang Yanran’s deadpan stares, she forced a sweet smile. "Uh, just kidding?"
Without changing expression, Ye Chuan glanced at Wang Yanran.
"You got any more of those lightning talismans? A few shocks should straighten her out."
Wang Yanran nodded—she had plenty.
"NOOOOOO!!!!" Lan Xiaoke’s head shook like a rattle drum.
But Ye Chuan was only teasing. Seeing Lan Xiaoke’s already pale face go ghostlier, Wang Yanran handed him a Spirit Subduing Talisman instead. "This will let you command minor ghosts."
"Not bad." As Ye Chuan ignited the talisman, a slender chain materialized around Lan Xiaoke’s neck like a collar.
"A single thought from you can reduce her to ashes," Wang Yanran added matter-of-factly, ignoring Lan Xiaoke’s withering glare.
I’m doomed.
Now I’m someone’s ghost slave.
At this moment, Lan Xiaoke’s heart truly died—again.