Eternal Beloved

Chapter 12

Its been a week since her little encounter with the Gao family. Zhilan appears to take Deming’s threat seriously as she literally went the other way around the moment their path cross. Not that it’s a bad thing, that woman scared the hell out of her. She can’t help but imagine the older woman incinerating her to ashes with only a look.

Deming’s schedule that mostly consist of him burrowing inside his quarter for most of the time helps as he rarely allows her to wander further than 10 meters from him. Over protectiveness aside, he is an easy guy to live with except for those few times he acted strangely around her. There was even a time when she thought their role switched considering the multiple times he helped her sorry ass.

Though she did kill for him to be a little less secretive and allowed her a little more freedom given the fact that he mostly works from home. Sticking to him 24/7 meant being coop up in the house, hours and hours of reading and surfing through the internet mindlessly that she even ended up in a dating site once out of boredom. Upon the sign-up page, she did consider filling in spirit and ghost hunter in the occupation’s column before getting caught by a very angry Deming, for whatever reason it is.

Her boredom wasn’t entirely his fault though as the Gao generally tend to avoid the public altogether, the fewer people know about them the better. The last thing they need is more rumours that already circling the mysterious family.

Most of the errands of the household run by the servants that already sworn to secrecy and to no surprise most of the servants aren’t entirely human in the first place. The very fact that makes her confused about the reason why they acted strangely around her. She’s not the first shadow around nor they are human to be intimidated by her, making her resemblance to Mingyu as the most probable reason.

If there is one person that treats her normally would be Elder Fan, except for those little glances that she often gave Yu Qi with an unreadable expression and that’s normal according to the Gao family’s standard. At certain time she looks like she wanted to talk but held back at the very last minutes, and tonight is one of those days.

She was half asleep when Deming dragged her out of the bed, throwing his night coat haphazardly on her before leading her to the main quarter. The main hall is filled with people, most wearing a sleepy look like her minus the pyjamas. Most of them dressing in heavy, sturdy clothing.

Zhilan circled around the room, distributing a piece of paper to everyone. Most leaves immediately upon receiving the paper, except for Wen Hou who headed to the kitchen, bothering the cooks to give him some foods, grumbling all along how he always landed with the worst place in a very loud voice. It wasn’t hard to imagine he do it on purpose. She was embarrassed to think that she was scared of him a week ago.  

As been expected, Zhilan straight away dismissing her as if she is invisible, tossing the paper in Deming’s hand and left. Ignoring the cold treatment, she skipped to Deming side to read what was written on it. What’s look like a paper is actually a map, with coordination and description scribbled on the bottom left of the paper.

“Maps?” she asked, looking up to Deming for an explanation.

“The hunting ground that we need to cover.”

“Is it a big case? Everyone is leaving,” she said, glancing around the empty room.

“It’s Yulanpenjie (hungry ghost festival), the busiest night of the year. Leave it to you to forget about the festival despite the fact that you’re a spirit.” someone intervenes before Deming had the chance to answered her. Sure enough, it’s Wen Hou, leaning against the door frame with a carton of milk in his hand.

Annoyed as she is, she had to admit he is quite right. It’s kinda ironic for her of all people to forget about the festival. That explains those strange ghost-related ads popping up when she’s browsing internet earlier.

“I’m sorry, it’s my fault for not reminding you before sleeping. Let’s get you to change and we’ll head out in ten minutes.” Deming apologizing as he towed her by her arm to leave the room, ignoring Wen Hou in the process.

She gasped in surprise when she almost slammed into elder Fan at the main entrance if not for Deming’s fast reflex to pull her away. Elder Fan, on the other hand, doesn’t seem to share her feeling as she remained calm, a gentle smile hung on her lips. The world could end but she’d always look composed.

“I’m sorry.” Yu Qi stammered, grabbing onto Deming’s coat that slipped off her shoulder, revealing the pyjamas underneath. Elder Fan stared at her exposed shoulder for a long moment before shaking her head.

“It’s okay,” she said, her eyes reverted back to Deming. She was surprised when the older woman patted her head softly, making the whole situation become awkward. “You two…be careful, okay.” Elder Fan said in hesitances, her dark eyes troubled.

Yu Qi barely manages to say her thank when Deming towed her away, his lips pressed into a thin line.

“That’s rude. Does it kill you to be a little polite.” she scolded, elbowing Deming softly in the ribs as they stumbled back to their quarters.

“With a face like mine, no one cares whether I’m polite or not. Don’t you know that sexy, rude boy is in trend.” Deming chirped back, flashing his infamous mischievous smile though it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. There’s were anger in his eyes. He never strikes her as hot-tempered but there’s always an unexplainable angriness in him whenever they talk about his family, which of course he never bother to elaborate.