Chapter 61: Aunt Xia’s Dilemma

Aunt Xia approached the sleeping youth, puzzled by his peaceful slumber.

Does even a ghost need sleep? She marveled at his peculiarity, how he feared nothing, not even sunlight, living like a normal person.

This is why Aunt Xia never suspected he was a ghost, though she’d never admit she was too dense to notice. Looking at his face, she grew increasingly irritated and concocted a mischievous plan.

She took a strand of her hair and rubbed it across his face. To her surprise, he remained unresponsive. Bored, she started to rise, but a hand slipped around her waist, pulling her down.

The youth opened his eyes, a hint of crimson in their depths, giving him an air of noble intrigue. ‘Aunt Xia, is it time to play?’ Bai Hao’s smile was both teasing and knowing, causing Aunt Xia to blush with embarrassment.

‘You… were you awake all along?’ ‘No, I never slept,’ he replied, his voice laced with amusement. ‘I’m a ghost, Aunt Xia. Do you think I need sleep?’ Aunt Xia was taken aback.

‘But you were lying there for so long…’ Bai Hao chuckled, his fingers gently teasing her ear. ‘I told you, I was meditating, recovering my energy.

In this state, I’m aware of everything, including your hair on my face.’ Aunt Xia blushed even deeper, her face flushing red. She playfully hit his chest. ‘You always tease me…’ Bai Hao grinned, inhaling her intoxicating scent.

‘I should have acted sooner, knowing how well you’d behave once tamed.’ Aunt Xia, feeling his breath, tried to move, but he held her firmly. ‘Aunt Xia, stay with me a little longer.’

Without a word, she lay in his embrace, unable to resist. They shared a moment of silent tranquility. Eventually, Bai Hao spoke. ‘Aunt Xia, have I ever told you how I died?’

Aunt Xia was startled, her curiosity piqued. ‘Your uncle…’ Bai Hao nodded, his voice heavy with emotion. ‘He killed me. He killed my parents.

My father was a remarkable man, successful at a young age. My mother was as beautiful as you. We had a perfect family. But he made a mistake, hiring my uncle, White Xing.

He had no talent but immense ambition, and my father trusted him implicitly.’ Bai Hao’s voice grew intense. ‘You can guess the rest. He framed my parents, leading to their brutal death, and seized control of the company.

I didn’t know until the night of their funeral, when I overheard White Xing’s monologue. I was furious, driven by a desire for revenge, and he shot me dead.’

Aunt Xia’s heart ached with a mix of sympathy and resentment. ‘So, you became a ghost?’ Bai Hao nodded, revealing a deeper secret. ‘And recently, I discovered an even greater mystery about myself.’

Aunt Xia hesitated, her lips moving but no words escaping. ‘Then why not seek revenge sooner?’ Bai Hao sighed. ‘His jade pendant is strange. Every time I try to kill him, I fail.

That day, I tried again, but he was wise, hiring a powerful sorcerer. We both were injured, and the sorcerer claimed to have defeated me, earning a hefty reward.’ Aunt Xia nodded, understanding the sorcerer’s deception.

Bai Hao playfully pinched her cheek. ‘Any more questions, Aunt Xia? I might not answer them after today.’ Aunt Xia’s expression fell. ‘If… if you ever tire of me, will you let me go?’

Bai Hao’s answer was firm. ‘I refuse to answer that.’ Aunt Xia pleaded. ‘Why?’ Bai Hao lifted her chin, his lips brushing hers. ‘Because, I will never lose interest in you, Aunt Xia.’ Her heart sank, realizing her fate.

***

The days that followed, Bai Hao settled into Aunt Xia’s home, never leaving her side, his tormenting presence constant. When Xia Wei was around, he vanished, reappearing as soon as she left.

For Aunt Xia, this was no liberation, preferable even to the wine cellar. At least there, she had peace, free from the youth’s hidden pranks and her daughter’s discovery.

Aunt Xia felt a mix of despair and longing, questioning if this was the price of freedom. One day, remembering her own powers, she logged into TNS, finding a message from the Old Charlatan.

He needed her help urgently, recalling a troublesome task involving a haunted village. Aunt Xia, guilt-ridden from missing their previous meeting, agreed.

At their next meeting, Aunt Xia approached the youth, nervously. ‘Honey, can I talk to you?’ Bai Hao, always eager, pulled her onto his lap. ‘What is it, Aunt Xia?’ She hesitated, her resolve wavering. ‘A friend needs help, can I…’ Bai Hao’s brow arched.

‘A friend? Male or female?’ Aunt Xia stumbled. ‘M-male.’ ‘No.’ Aunt Xia’s eyes flashed with frustration. ‘Female, I mean female!’ Bai Hao’s eyes narrowed.

‘Even if she’s not, what if she’s a lesbian?’ Aunt Xia, exasperated, confessed. ‘He’s an old man.’ Bai Hao’s eyes glinted dangerously. ‘An old man? Even worse, what if he’s lecherous?’

Aunt Xia, defeated, knew she was trapped, remembering the countless bottles of wine she had to brew. But she had her pride. Bai Hao, seeing her pout, sighed.

‘Fine, go.’ Aunt Xia’s face lit up. ‘Really?’ Bai Hao nodded, his hand wandering. Aunt Xia, flustered, tried to maintain her composure. ‘Honey, come with me?’

Bai Hao, amused, agreed. ‘I’ll come, but you’ll have to pay the price.’ Aunt Xia’s lips trembled, her eyes filled with a mix of desire and fear. ‘I’m your wife, protecting me is your duty.’

She blushed, realizing her words. Bai Hao, surprised, wondered if his influence was deeper than he thought. ‘Aunt Xia, say you’re my wife a hundred times, and I’ll go with you.’ Aunt Xia’s eyes narrowed, her heart conflicted. She dreaded the thought of loving him, of being controlled by him.

She feared losing herself completely, a fate worse than death.