Chapter 29: Wife’s Little Lamb

He Sui didn’t initially believe in such things, but looking at the shattered jade, a series of uncontrollable chills ran down his spine. He couldn’t be bothered to stay angry at Tan Xueci anymore; he hurriedly summoned his driver to take him home.

Back in the parking lot, Tan Xueci’s heart was also racing. His fingers were becoming cold and numb. The man’s dark eyes were devoid of life, radiating a sense of dread that could only be described as ghostly.

He Xunye had “jumped out” at him many times before, giving him quite a few scares, but this was the first time Tan Xueci felt a genuine impulse to flee.

It was like the instinct to run from a real monster.

Tan Xueci’s body didn’t feel quite so hot anymore. He couldn’t help but press his legs together, his soft thighs rubbing against each other.

He realized belatedly that He Xunye’s constant touching throughout the evening had caused a physical reaction in him.

Although he still didn’t understand the purpose of the “meaningless mating behavior” between men, he couldn’t control his body. Being held in the man’s arms and stroked made him feel restless and uncomfortable.

But this kind of desire could be directed at anyone—even someone he didn’t like. It could be a simple physical transaction like the one between He Sui and his lovers. He just shouldn’t feel this way toward an evil spirit.

Tan Xueci’s lowered lashes trembled. His pale cheeks seemed to give off a faint chill, making him look as if he were freezing.

He was shaking.

He didn’t stop until He Xunye took his hand. The man leaned in and whispered, “Is Baby afraid of me?”

Tan Xueci swallowed and looked up cautiously. He Xunye’s dark peach-blossom eyes were curved, still appearing gentle and deeply affectionate, though they couldn’t hide a hint of dejection—as if he were hurt that his “boyfriend” had started fearing him right after meeting an ex.

“Do you still prefer him?” He Xunye cradled his wife’s icy small hand in his palm. The tall man leaned down, lowering his head to kiss the back of Tan Xueci’s hand. His cold lips pressed against the skin. Then, looking up from below, he gazed at Tan Xueci and asked, “Should I divorce you then, and send you back to find him?”

He spoke as if he would truly do it if Tan Xueci agreed.

Despite his fear moments ago, having someone kiss the back of his hand in such a humble, submissive posture made Tan Xueci’s ears turn red uncontrollably. He hurriedly said, “N-No… I’m not going.”

He had liked He Sui once, but that was in the past. He certainly couldn’t bear to abandon his husband to go back to He Sui.

His husband would be heartbroken.

Even if He Xunye was dead, and even if this was just a dream, he wouldn’t look for He Sui upon waking.

If he could spend a whole lifetime with He Xunye in this dream like this, then they would be a real couple.

Maybe when he died and finally met the real He Xunye, he could ask him if he remembered that they had loved each other for a lifetime.

“Is that so?” A hint of a smile seemed to hide in He Xunye’s dark eyes. “I thought Baby didn’t want me anymore.”

He made it sound as if he would simply leave if Tan Xueci didn’t want him.

Tan Xueci still felt a strange lingering fear. Every word He Xunye spoke was gentle, placing himself in a low position, yet listening to them made one’s back turn cold, as if being haunted by a powerful wraith.

But he didn’t have the luxury to overthink. He was afraid He Xunye was angry with him. He didn’t understand why he always managed to make people angry when he was in a relationship; He Sui used to get angry at him all the time too.

Tan Xueci was so anxious that beads of sweat appeared on his pale nose. He didn’t know how to coax a man; no one had ever taught him.

His brain worked at high speed, and he suddenly remembered the time He Sui told him to take off his clothes in the car and sit on his lap.

Taking off his clothes was out of the question… Tan Xueci stole a glance at He Xunye, his face flushing. He picked at the seam of his trousers for a few moments before finally summoning the courage to pull at He Xunye, trying to climb onto the man’s lap.

But he had never done this before. There were things in the way between the passenger and driver seats. He couldn’t get over easily, which made him increasingly frantic.

What if Hubby gets angry and abandons me?

He hadn’t considered this problem before, but the sudden thought of loneliness and panic nearly swallowed him whole.

He would truly die.

Watching him scramble like a kitten, He Xunye didn’t know what he was trying to do, but he reached out, pulled him over, and placed him on his lap so they were sitting face-to-face.

Tan Xueci immediately threw his arms around He Xunye’s neck. Before the spirit could speak, he hurriedly planted a kiss on the ghost’s face. It was a bit loud. He dazed for a moment, his cheeks turning as red as little tomatoes, but he still gripped He Xunye’s tie and whispered tentatively, “Hubby, please don’t be angry anymore.”

He Xunye didn’t really hear what he was saying. His wife’s soft bottom was pressing against his legs, shifting restlessly. His lips were soft as he showered the ghost’s face with kisses. Seeing no reaction, the kisses moved from the tip of his nose to the corner of his mouth.

Tan Xueci really was a crybaby. He began whimpering to He Xunye about how He Sui had scolded him before.

Actually, he didn’t even feel that wronged—just confused as to why He Sui was angry. But he just liked lying on He Xunye’s chest and letting his tears fall, because He Xunye would wipe them away for him.

“He… can’t have children,” Tan Xueci said in a small voice, his eyes red as he looked up. “And he’s still angry, Hubby.”

He was rambling, and He Xunye only caught the part about the man being unable to have children. The ghost’s large, cold hand pressed down on his head.

“He can’t produce them because he’s useless.”

A man who can’t even produce a child is useless at home.

Tan Xueci: “…”

Tan Xueci had never witnessed such blatant favoritism. It was as if even if he complained that He Sui couldn’t catch all the ghosts and beat them to death, He Xunye would still say it was because He Sui was useless.

In short, it was always He Sui’s fault for being “useless.”

He blinked, wanting to say something, but ultimately kept his mouth shut.

He had finally managed to coax him; saying another word might make his husband angry again.

He Xunye drove him back to the production hotel. It was already past 1:00 AM. Tan Xueci was so exhausted he fell asleep before he could even say goodnight.

When he woke up the next day, he was a bit dazed. Catching sight of the spirit tablet next to him, he couldn’t help but lean his face against it.

He hesitated for a moment before sending a message to Lu Qi.

Tan Xueci: Brother Lu, did you take me back to the hotel last night? [Confused Lamb.jpg]

Lu Qi was probably still groggy. A manager’s life was deathly busy; even with only two artists, he was exhausted.

Lu Qi: Huh? I guess so. Don’t I take you back every day?

Just as I thought.

Tan Xueci smacked his lips. Such delicious food only existed in dreams—and such a good husband did too.

He figured that once Lu Qi dropped him off, he had just fallen asleep.

“I’m sorry, Mr. He.” Tan Xueci put down his phone and hugged his legs, resting his chin on his knees. He felt a bit ashamed as he looked at the tablet and whispered with red ears, “I’ve turned bad.”

It was one thing to dream of He Xunye being his husband—after all, they were married in a ghost wedding—but now he was even dreaming of He Xunye taking him on dates and him sitting on the man’s lap and kissing him.

Even if they didn’t kiss on the lips.

With a thud, Tan Xueci collapsed back onto the bed. He pulled the ears of his plush lamb over to cover his eyes and half of his burning face. He couldn’t face He Xunye’s spirit tablet.

He figured he must have seen the man’s funeral photo, thought he was handsome, and started having wild thoughts.

He even dreamed of He Xunye holding a maid outfit. It was probably just himself who wanted to wear it—maybe he was a little pervert who bought a skirt that didn’t even cover his bottom and then blamed it on Mr. He.

The more Tan Xueci thought about it, the more guilty he felt. He got up and respectfully lit a stick of incense for He Xunye before slinking out.

He didn’t see the dark shadow that remained standing behind him the entire time, silently watching him bow and offer incense.

Tan Xueci stayed with the crew for a few days. His eldest brother’s wedding was approaching. His pale cheeks had thinned, and he had bitten his nails until they bled. He was a bundle of anxiety.

The wedding was set for the 6th, the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival, which also happened to be his birthday.

His horoscope was “Pure Yin,” and his destiny carried a very heavy ghostly aura. Every year on his birthday, he saw more ghosts than people. Even if he stayed at home, he wouldn’t see a single living person.

Once, when Nanny Zhang was bringing him food, Tan Xueci reached out to take it and saw that she had no whites in her eyes—they were pure black. She had suddenly looked at him and started laughing.

Tan Xueci had cried out in terror, which was heard by Mr. Tan, resulting in another beating.

Of course, according to Dr. Xie, it was a psychological suggestion he imposed on himself. Because he believed his Yin energy was heavy, he would encounter more ghosts on that day.

Whatever the reason, Tan Xueci was terrified.

When he saw He Xunye that evening, he immediately clung to the man’s arm and said expectantly, “Hubby, can you come with me to my big brother’s wedding?”

The wedding banquet was being held at night. He was truly afraid to go out that evening.

“Sure,” He Xunye agreed.

Tan Xueci always liked to hug his arm against his chest. His hoodie wasn’t particularly thick, so the sensation of rubbing against something was quite obvious.

It’s probably rubbed red.

How pitiable.

“Baby,” the evil spirit lowered his head and teased him, “Hold on a little tighter. Weren’t you afraid?”

Tan Xueci looked up blankly but obediently squeezed tighter. “O-Okay.”

He held onto He Xunye’s arm tightly and didn’t let go until they reached the entrance of the brightly lit hotel.

This hotel was a property of the Tan family. The waiter recognized Tan Xueci and let him in without an invitation.

The Tan family was considered a minor wealthy family, and their business had been booming recently with their real estate selling well. The banquet hall was filled with elegant guests moving about.

Tan Yanning was holding Mrs. Tan’s arm, accompanying her to meet several wealthy ladies in their circle. Mrs. Tan intended to find a marriage partner for Tan Yanning, and these ladies all had daughters.

Mrs. Tan’s name was Gao Ying. The Gao family ran a pharmaceutical business and had been a prominent family in Beijing. After her father passed away, only she and her mother remained. Due to poor management, their situation had become somewhat stagnant.

Mr. Tan had come from a poor, remote area. When he was in high school, Gao Ying’s father had visited his school for charity and had once sponsored him. When he came to Beijing for university, he met Gao Ying and learned her father had passed away and that she was struggling. He often helped her and her mother manage their family business.

The two naturally came together. Over the years, if nothing else, their affection for each other was obvious to everyone.

They were a famously loving couple.

Gao Ying had been smiling while talking to the wealthy ladies, but when she turned and saw Tan Xueci, her face darkened instantly.

She frowned at Tan Yanning. “A-Yan, did you call him here again?”

Just as Tan Yanning was about to speak, Mr. Tan walked over and comforted his wife in a low voice. “Don’t blame A-Yan. I called him.”

“Chongchuan,” Gao Ying frowned. “Why did you call him? What if he affects the wedding?”

Mr. Tan’s name was Tan Chongchuan. He signaled for Tan Yanning to go for a walk by himself, then placed a gentle arm around his wife’s shoulders. “It won’t come to that. I’ve had the master perform a reading; nothing will happen with Shangli tonight. Don’t be so tense.”

“But…”

“He didn’t die after marrying into the He family anyway,” Mr. Tan said, lowering his head. “I heard the He family even gave him all of He Xunye’s inheritance. We haven’t done anything wrong to him; didn’t we find him a good family? He should repay us.”

“You mean…” Gao Ying looked displeased. “We should get a bit closer to him and have him say a few good words for us to the He family?”

Tan Chongchuan patted her shoulder.

Gao Ying still didn’t approve, but since her husband had said so, she ultimately didn’t say anything more. However, when she walked up to Tan Xueci, she scolded him coldly: “Stay in your place tonight and don’t cause trouble at your brother’s wedding.”

Tan Xueci lowered his head. Returning home felt like a heavy weight being placed on him again. His pale face dimmed significantly as he murmured his agreement.

Gao Ying grew irritated seeing his submissive manner. She ignored him and left with Tan Chongchuan as the wedding ceremony was about to begin.

Tan Xueci’s face was puckered. He Xunye had disappeared after they entered; his husband always vanished in crowded places.

He found a corner to eat and looked up at Tan Shangli and his wife. The two looked like a well-matched couple.

Tan Xueci had heard that his elder brother had gone for a checkup at the hospital and there was nothing wrong with his body, but for some reason, they hadn’t been able to have children.

“He won’t have children,” He Xunye said, appearing behind him at some unknown time.

A cold ghostly breath brushed against the back of Tan Xueci’s neck, startling him. He turned around and whispered, “W-Why?”

He Xunye didn’t answer. The evil spirit’s detached and cold dark eyes were swallowed by the darkness. He could see black aura swirling around Tan Shangli—he was burdened with karmic debts. Even if he had a child, it would only be a ghost infant.

Mrs. Tan was desperate for a grandchild; there were many peanuts and longans scattered around the wedding to wish the couple a speedy birth.

He Xunye peeled a longan and pressed his cold fingertip against Tan Xueci’s lips, stuffing the fruit into his mouth.

Tan Xueci’s eyes widened. He Xunye poked his bulging cheek, and the ghost smiled and asked him, “Baby, didn’t you want a child too? When shall we have one?”

Tan Xueci was stunned. How… how were they supposed to have one?

“We’ll only know if we try,” He Xunye lowered his eyes. It was as if a dark and greedy ghostly flame licked over Tan Xueci’s beautiful cheek. He pursed his lips and said, “Maybe we can have one too.”

Tan Xueci was shocked by He Xunye’s suggestion. His brain stalled, and he barely spoke for the rest of the wedding. He simply ate whatever He Xunye fed him.

By the time the wedding ended, his stomach was round again.

The master Tan Chongchuan had hired might have actually been capable. The wedding went smoothly. Tan Chongchuan and Gao Ying saw the guests out before heading toward the hotel entrance.

Tan Xueci secretly held his husband’s hand and followed them.

Once outside the hotel, Tan Chongchuan looked at Tan Xueci and instructed: “Be sensible now that you’re with the He family. You’re an adult now; you should learn to help manage the family business and not be so reckless. This hotel is planning to become a chain; remember to mention it to Old Mr. He.”

He was very blunt, fearing Tan Xueci wouldn’t understand otherwise.

Tan Xueci didn’t speak. Tan Chongchuan frowned and looked up, only to see a smile on Tan Xueci’s pale, beautiful face.

The corners of his lips were slightly upturned, and his shoulders, which were usually hunched in fear, were now relaxed. He had a cold and noble aura. Tan Chongchuan froze and asked hesitantly, “You…”

“Father, I understand,” Tan Xueci’s thin red lips parted. With a dark and cold ghostly aura, he said politely, “I will speak to my father when I return.”

Tan Chongchuan: “…”

Gao Ying let out a panicked scream and burrowed into Tan Chongchuan’s arms. The two immediately clung to each other.

It was clearly the same person and the same face, yet it was inexplicably terrifying, as if they were being watched by something unclean.

Tan Chongchuan was also breaking out in a cold sweat.

What kind of thing is calling me ‘Father’?

“Mother,” Tan Xueci turned his head. His dark eyes looked at Gao Ying, and his voice was cool as he requested, “Can you stop scolding Xiao Xue?”

Gao Ying was so scared she didn’t dare lift her head. She hid in her husband’s arms, her whole body trembling and going limp.

“If you continue,” it said, “I will be angry.”

Tan Shangli and Tan Yanning had been taking care of the wedding’s aftermath. Hearing Mrs. Tan’s scream, they immediately came out of the banquet hall.

A cold autumn wind blew, making their spines turn cold for some reason. Tan Yanning supported Mrs. Tan and asked worriedly, “What’s wrong, Mother?”

Tan Chongchuan and Gao Ying didn’t dare speak. But when they looked up again, Tan Xueci had that pale and helpless face once more, as if they had just seen something wrong.

“Second Brother,” Tan Yanning said with some guilt upon seeing Tan Xueci, “I’ve been wanting to apologize for what happened with the He family, but haven’t had the chance. I was ill those few days, and by the time I recovered, I learned you had already married that Mr. He in my place. How have you been? Have you been mistreated in the He family?”

Tan Xueci glanced at him, pursed his lips, and shook his head. When dealing with Tan Yanning, the more he said, the more mistakes he would make; it was better not to speak at all.

“Oh right,” Tan Yanning smiled. He was tall and thin with a very refined face and rimless glasses, radiating a refined and noble air. He said gently to Tan Xueci: “Second Brother, happy birthday. I received the birthday gift you gave me.”

Tan Xueci froze. He had forgotten. He had ordered a birthday gift for Tan Yanning to be delivered to the house on his birthday: a plush lamb exactly like his own.

“A-Yan,” Gao Ying couldn’t help but speak coldly, “What did he give you?”

Tan Yanning supported Mrs. Tan and comforted her. “Mother, it’s nothing—just a little lamb.”

Gao Ying was clearly still shaken by what had happened and didn’t fly into a rage. She didn’t dare lose her temper with Tan Xueci either, but she still hissed under her breath: “Throw it away! Throw it away as soon as we get back! A-Yan, why are you so disobedient? Didn’t I tell you not to touch his things?!”

“Okay,” Tan Yanning said quickly. “I understand, Mother.”

He then gave Tan Xueci an apologetic look, indicating it wasn’t that he didn’t want to keep it, but that Mrs. Tan wouldn’t allow it.

He had originally planned to say more to make Mrs. Tan even angrier at Tan Xueci—perhaps she would even slap him. But he had indeed made her angry recently and was afraid of overdoing it and getting burned himself, so he stopped while he was ahead.

Mrs. Tan wanted her children to be refined and decent. She loathed childish things like plush lambs.

Furthermore, when the He family suddenly proposed the marriage alliance, Tan Yanning had been scared and couldn’t help but cry once. Mrs. Tan had been heartbroken at the time, but was a bit unhappy afterward.

She didn’t like her children being so fragile; what she wanted was a child who excelled in school and was always calm and rational.

She wouldn’t hit or scold Tan Yanning when she was angry with him, but her expression would be much colder than usual.

Tan Yanning was very afraid of Mrs. Tan’s cold face; it made him lose his sense of security. Although he was an adult and wouldn’t be returned like when he was a child, the fear remained the same.

Tan Xueci’s face was withered. He was a bit heartbroken; it had cost him five hundred yuan, only to be thrown away like that.

Mrs. Tan’s discipline over Tan Shangli wasn’t as strict, but her requirements for Tan Yanning were very high. Tan Yanning hadn’t had toys growing up. Tan Xueci had lost everything except that little lamb his mother had given him. He knew Tan Yanning wanted to steal that lamb too, but he couldn’t bear to give it away and held it in his arms every day.

Although Tan Yanning was always stealing his things, Tan Xueci was gentle and wasn’t angry with him. Instead, he had quietly ordered a custom-made lamb to give to Tan Yanning on his birthday.

That way they would each have one. He had thought at the time that A-Yan would like it.

Mrs. Tan seemed to find it uncomfortable even staying in the same place as Tan Xueci. She urged Mr. Tan and the others to leave, leaving Tan Xueci alone at the hotel entrance.

Tan Shangli drove his wife and parents home. Tan Yanning had to go back to school that night and had driven his own car.

The lamb Tan Xueci had given him was still sitting next to the driver’s seat. Tan Yanning looked at the little lamb with its head bowed. Behind his glasses, his expression gradually turned gloomy.

A “Cui” (慈) was embroidered on the lamb’s belly in crooked handwriting—Tan Xueci must have written it himself and had it embroidered.

Tan Yanning let out a cold, low laugh and started driving toward school.

The hotel was about a thirty-minute drive from the school. Logically, he should have arrived quickly, but for some reason—perhaps because it had been raining frequently lately—he felt the fog tonight was particularly thick.

The other cars were also driving very slowly, so Tan Yanning followed suit, creeping along bit by bit.

The white fog at night was flickering, eerie, and cold. He seemed to catch a glimpse of something crawling on the ground—like a person with twisted limbs dragging a bright red tongue.

Tan Yanning’s heart tightened instantly.

The first time he said he could see such things as a child, Mrs. Tan had immediately gotten him an amulet and found many monks, priests, and various masters to perform rituals.

Even in this car, Mr. Tan had spent a lot of money to buy many charms to ward off evil. In short, his life had been relatively peaceful over the years.

What’s going on tonight?

Maybe it’s because it’s my birthday.

Tan Yanning rubbed his brow and didn’t think more about it. As long as he got to school, it would be fine. His navigation had failed, but he knew the way, so it shouldn’t be a problem.

However, the further he drove, the colder his heart became. This didn’t seem to be the way to school at all. He was going in circles under an overpass. After driving for over half an hour, he passed the same intersection for the third time. Tan Yanning’s hands were icy, and he was breaking out in a clammy cold sweat.

He saw what looked like a man holding a black umbrella by the side of the road. The man was in a cold, well-tailored black suit. The color of the suit was a deep, dense black, like oppressive funeral clothes. Despite the thick fog, one could tell the man was likely tall and handsome, but for some reason, the scene was inexplicably terrifying.

Tan Yanning swallowed, trying to remain calm, and drove past the man.

Nothing happened.

Tan Yanning breathed a small sigh of relief.

He continued driving. This time, there finally seemed to be no “ghost wall.” He drove onto another road, but the smell of incense and paper ash grew stronger. He even saw several paper figures carrying a wedding palanquin past. The night was dark, and the palanquin curtain was accidentally blown open a bit by the wind. The bride wore a red veil, and only her cold, white, beautiful chin could be seen.

Tan Yanning felt the temperature in the car was constantly dropping. His breath was coming out in cold, white mist.

He continued driving. At the next intersection, an old woman was squatting by the road burning paper money, crying as she did so.

Tan Yanning hadn’t dared look again, but the person’s face was strikingly familiar. The more he looked, the more she resembled an elderly Mrs. Tan.

Tan Yanning couldn’t help but slow down. His throat was dry as he asked: “Who are you burning paper for?”

“For my son, Tan Yanning,” Mrs. Tan looked at him and began to sob. “My son died such a tragic death.”

Next to her fire were two very small paper figures. Their eyes and noses were roughly drawn, and their red mouths were curved as if they were smiling. Tan Yanning’s name was written on the paper figures’ bellies.

One “Tan Yanning” was wet with her tears and had crumpled into a ball of pulp. The other “Tan Yanning” was accidentally caught by the fire from the paper money and began to burn upward from its legs.

Tan Yanning was horrified. He had a very bad premonition and couldn’t help but open the car window and shout, “Put it out! Put it out!”

But Mrs. Tan seemed not to hear. She just sobbed, saying: “My son died such a tragic death. Has anyone seen my son? A-Yan, Mommy’s A-Yan…”

Tan Yanning tried desperately to stop her, but Mrs. Tan seemed unable to hear anything he said. He took both hands off the steering wheel and reached out to pull her. Suddenly, the white light from a nearby car’s headlights flashed.

There was a loud bang. The car seemed to have slammed into something. He was thrown forward and then jerked back by his seatbelt. His head felt hot and wet with blood flowing down, and even his vision began to blur.

Then, in the thick black fog, he heard the slow tap, tap of leather shoes approaching. The person closed their umbrella, black water snaking down, and lightly tapped on the other car window.

Tan Yanning looked up and saw a man in a black suit. The fog was getting thicker, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t see the man’s face. He could only see the man’s extremely pale lower face and those excessively crimson lips.

“My wife’s little lamb was left in your car,” the man’s rosy lips curved upward. He spoke politely, but his aura was inexplicably cold. He said: “Can you give it back to me?”

Tan Xueci was still heartbroken over his little lamb and was still waiting by the hotel entrance. Perhaps A-Yan had already thrown it away; he wanted to check the trash cans. But before he could, there was a loud bang from the intersection.

He was startled and burrowed into He Xunye’s arms, calling out, “Hubby, Hubby.”

“Hubby is here.” The ghost’s eyes were dark and lusterless as he looked toward the sound. However, his hands were not polite at all as he accepted his wife’s embrace.

Tan Xueci clutched He Xunye’s sleeve nervously. Once the noise stopped, he poked his head out from He Xunye’s arms and asked in a small, embarrassed voice: “Hubby, did you just possess me?”

He’d been able to hear himself talking to his parents just now, but it seemed he’d lost control. His body had been heavy and cold, as if a chilling spirit had entered him.

So that’s what ghost possession is like.

Tan Xueci thought for a while and then shook his head. No, no. My husband isn’t a ghost. I wouldn’t date a ghost. What I hate most in this life is a dead ghost.

He Xunye paused. He placed his palm on Tan Xueci’s slightly bulging belly from dinner and rubbed it. His movements were wicked and suggestive, but his tone was a gentle negotiation as he asked: “What’s wrong? You won’t let Hubby come in?”