The Accomplice Ghost 01

Fang Zhiyi had a childhood friend by the name of Lin Zhou.

To Fang Zhiyi, Lin Zhou was a good friend. However, Lin's father had a violent temper, and young Lin Zhou was frequently beaten. Seeing this, Fang Zhiyi felt a sense of pity; he would often take the initiative to comfort him, sharing his snacks and toys. Over time, their bond grew stronger.

Lin Zhou claimed that Fang Zhiyi was the person who treated him best in the whole world. Hearing this made Fang Zhiyi bashful, but he secretly vowed to protect the frail and skinny Lin Zhou. To that end, Fang Zhiyi had taken the fall for Lin Zhou numerous times since elementary school.

For instance, there was the time after school when Lin Zhou was caught stealing a toy by the shop owner. Lin Zhou was on the verge of tears, but fortunately, he spotted Fang Zhiyi and called out loudly. Once Fang Zhiyi understood the situation, he took out his own pocket money and paid the owner.

However, the very next day, rumors spread through the school that Fang Zhiyi had instructed Lin Zhou to steal the item and only paid up because they were caught. The teacher even summoned Fang Zhiyi's parents over the matter. But Lin Zhou had begged Fang Zhiyi desperately, pleading that if his father found out, he would be beaten to death. Thinking of his friend, Fang Zhiyi remained silent. Luckily, Fang's father didn't get angry; he knew what kind of person his son was, so the matter eventually blew over.

What Fang Zhiyi didn't know was that the rumor had originated from Lin Zhou himself. Moreover, while Fang was being questioned in the office, Lin Zhou was innocently telling their classmates that it had nothing to do with him.

Fang Zhiyi came from a relatively good family. He kept his head down, studied hard, and secured a desirable job after graduation. Lin Zhou was different; he dropped out of school early, spent his time playing video games at home, and worked odd jobs when he ran out of money. Occasionally, he would treat Fang Zhiyi to street food. Whenever Fang Zhiyi advised him to find a proper job, Lin Zhou would simply smile and change the subject.

Seeing that Fang Zhiyi had received his salary, Lin Zhou tried to goad him into going out to "have some fun." But Fang Zhiyi was an honest man and never agreed. Although Lin Zhou was disappointed, he would immediately turn around and ask to borrow money from Fang Zhiyi. He called it borrowing, but he never paid it back.

"We're brothers; there's no need to be so formal between us."

Because the amounts weren't large, Fang Zhiyi didn't really mind. However, a subsequent incident left him not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

Lin Zhou had somehow picked up a gambling habit. After losing the little money he had, he tried to borrow from Fang Zhiyi. Fang Zhiyi wasn't exactly flush with cash either, and after Lin Zhou grumbled a few complaints, he set his sights on his own father.

"Dad, I've got great news! Fang Zhiyi's company has a fantastic project. If you invest ten thousand yuan, it'll triple in two months! He specially saved a spot for me; other people can't get in even if they want to!"

Lin's father was skeptical. "Is that true? That kid looks honest enough, he wouldn't scam us, would he?"

"How could he!" Lin Zhou's voice was full of certainty. "Would he cheat us out of this little bit of money? Besides, I already agreed with him that once we make a profit, I'll take you on a trip!"

But as soon as Lin Zhou got his hands on his father's life savings, he turned around and lost every penny gambling.

Upon returning home, he simply claimed the project had fallen through and the money was gone. Lin's father instantly flew into a rage.

Fang Zhiyi was at home on his day off when suddenly, there was a heavy pounding on his door.

He had barely opened the door when Lin's father charged in like a madman, grabbing him by the collar and spraying spittle all over his face. "You little bastard! You lied to my son saying an investment would make money! I gave you my life savings, and now you say the project is dead? Give me back my money! Or I'm not done with you!"

Fang Zhiyi was being choked and couldn't catch his breath. Just as he was about to explain, he saw Lin Zhou peeking out from behind his father, signaling him with his eyes. As the two men were separated, Lin Zhou whispered, "Zhiyi, just give him the money for now. My dad has a bad temper. I'll explain everything to you once he cools down."

Looking at Lin's father's flushed face, and then at Lin Zhou's "pleading" expression, Fang Zhiyi's heart softened. He withdrew the money and gave it to Lin's father. The old man took the cash and stormed out, cursing and swearing, slamming the door behind him. Lin Zhou, however, patted Fang Zhiyi on the shoulder and smiled, saying, "Thanks. Consider this money borrowed from you; I'll definitely pay it back later."

Staring at the door handle, which had been bent out of shape from the slam, Fang Zhiyi felt a twinge of discomfort in his heart for the first time. Yet, he still comforted himself with the thought that Lin Zhou must have had his reasons.

A few days later, hearing that Fang Zhiyi had bought a car, Lin Zhou immediately came over to offer congratulations, dropping hints until Fang Zhiyi treated him to a meal. After eating, he asked to borrow the car to take his father back to their hometown. Fang Zhiyi hesitated, but seeing that pleading look on Lin Zhou's face, his heart softened once more. He even filled the tank before handing over the keys.

However, when Lin Zhou returned the car, Fang Zhiyi was dumbfounded. One of the doors wouldn't close properly, and the other side had several deep scratches. Seeing his expression, Lin Zhou laughed awkwardly. "The roads in the countryside are rough; you don't mind, do you? With our relationship... how about I figure out a way to pay you a little something?" Although he said this, he knew very well that Fang Zhiyi wouldn't make him pay. After all, they were "good brothers," weren't they?

Looking at his damaged car, Fang Zhiyi felt a lump in his chest. Yet, he was too embarrassed to hold it against Lin Zhou. He simply smiled and paid out of his own pocket to send the car to the repair shop.

But back home, Lin Zhou's story changed yet again.

"Dad, Fang Zhiyi is so stingy. It was just a little scrape on the car, but he gave me such an attitude and demanded several thousand yuan in compensation! I had to give him all the money I just earned."

Lin's father was furious. "I told you long ago not to associate with that kid! He looks honest, but he's actually that kind of person!" He immediately ran to Fang Zhiyi's door and shouted a stream of abuse. Fang Zhiyi was out fixing his car, and his parents had gone back to their hometown. When Fang Zhiyi returned, neighbors told him that Lin's father had been there, cursing him for being "money-mad." Fang Zhiyi felt stifled and confused. He went to their house to ask what was going on, but Lin Zhou dragged him outside.

"You know how my dad is; it's not like you don't know him."

It wasn't that Fang Zhiyi didn't sense something was off, but every time Lin Zhou put on that pitiful act, he couldn't harden his heart enough to cut ties. That is, until that night when Lin Zhou, bruised and swollen, knocked on his door. Upon entering, he fell to his knees with a *thud*, weeping uncontrollably with snot and tears running down his face. "Zhiyi, I was wrong! I shouldn't have gone to play cards with those people. I lost a lot, and they said if I don't pay up, they'll break my legs! Save me, I'll never do it again!"

Looking at the injuries on his face, Fang Zhiyi's heart softened again. He first took Lin Zhou to the clinic at the entrance of the residential compound to get bandaged up, then withdrew three thousand yuan from his bank card and gave it to Lin Zhou. "Take this and pay back a portion of it first. Talk to them reasonably about the rest, and don't associate with those people anymore. They aren't good news."

Lin Zhou took the money and nodded repeatedly. "I know, Zhiyi. You really are my lifesaver. I promise to turn over a new leaf and repay you properly."

But Fang Zhiyi never imagined that his mercy would breed disaster. Lin Zhou didn't go to pay off the debt; instead, he returned to the card table, hoping to win it all back.

When he was cornered by the loan shark's thugs, Lin Zhou panicked completely.