Volume One, Chapter Seven: There’s a Ghost on Tuan Tuan

Hmph, if it weren’t for her helping the Yang family, given their situation, finding Tuan Tuan would have been nearly impossible!

Xiao Mei chuckled to herself, a cold and eerie smile curling on her lips.

Everyone says they're afraid of ghosts, claiming that spirits are the most terrifying things in the world.

Yet little do they know, the human heart is the most unfathomable and dreadful force of all!

Having exerted all her strength to help Tuan Tuan find her family, Xiao Mei was now somewhat weak, her soul flickering as if on the verge of vanishing forever.

“Tuan Tuan, thank you for helping me find my family. But how did you find my brother?” Tuan Tuan asked Xiao Mei gratefully. If not for her, she wouldn’t know when she’d ever see her family again.

This... is a secret that must not be revealed!

If those foolish humans overheard, suspicion could take root in their hearts, leading them to think Tuan Tuan might be unclean and refuse to take her home.

Xiao Mei had lived through countless lonely years, with only Tuan Tuan’s warmth comforting her heart. She wanted to repay her kindness but chose not to answer the question.

Tuan Tuan did not press further; happily, she turned to face her five brothers and, smiling sweetly, asked, “Big brothers, aren’t you going to greet Xiao Mei?”

The brothers froze.

Little sister, forget about greetings—they can’t handle it.

The brothers were men of science; they never imagined they would one day encounter a spirit.

It’s said that children are more likely to see ghosts—could Tuan Tuan truly possess such an ability?

Yang Chengze took a deep breath and felt a sudden chill, as if a ghostly presence stood before him.

He was right—Xiao Mei was staring intently at his handsome face. When Yang Chengze stepped forward, he passed right through her ethereal body.

Crouching before Tuan Tuan, he looked into her moist, bright eyes and gently asked, “Tuan Tuan, this good friend you mentioned, does she live here?”

Without hesitation, Tuan Tuan nodded. “Goudan and the others don’t want to be friends with me; they call me a bastard, so I don’t want to play with them.”

She pointed to the nearby graves and said in a soft, childish voice, “Xiao Mei is my good friend. She doesn’t bully me and even tells me where to find fruit to eat.”

Them?

The brothers caught the key detail—there were other spirits in the mountains?

Tuan Tuan’s little friends were everywhere in the hills?

Zhao Guihua and Gou Dashan abused the children, often leaving Tuan Tuan hungry. Being too young to cook, she relied on the spirits to guide her to wild fruit to stave off hunger.

Originally, the spirits intended to frighten Zhao and Gou and even deliberately entered their dreams to make them treat Tuan Tuan better.

But these two villains were anything but normal!

They saw Tuan Tuan as a filthy thing and beat her even more cruelly. Yet as they depended on her to earn money, they restrained themselves just enough.

Once again, Xiao Mei saw that the malice of the human heart was far scarier than any ghost.

Seeing her brothers’ fearful expressions, Tuan Tuan felt sad. “Big brothers, don’t you like Xiao Mei?”

She wanted to introduce her good friend to them, but why did they dislike such a kind spirit?

The brothers were speechless.

Little sister, it’s not that we dislike Xiao Mei—it’s just no one can like a ghost!

Yang Junjie swallowed nervously and leaned close to Tuan Tuan, whispering, “Little sister, what does this ghost look like?”

His curiosity was overwhelming!

“She’s very pretty, with hair so long, and her eyes are as big as my little hand,” Tuan Tuan replied.

The brothers were horrified.

Little sister, you call that pretty?

That’s terrifying!

Yang Boyu ground his teeth and lowered his voice to scold his younger brother, “JunJie, you old rascal, why did you make Tuan Tuan describe her? Wasn’t that scary enough already?”

They were utterly exasperated with him.

True to his dominant nature, Yang Chengze composed himself swiftly and carefully placed the offerings he had brought before the graves.

Afterward, he called to his brothers, “Come, let us bow to Tuan Tuan’s friend and thank her for taking care of her all this time.”

The brothers felt even more sorrowful knowing Tuan Tuan was accompanied by a spirit. If not for her strong fate, an ordinary child might have been terrified to madness.

After three bows, Xiao Mei felt her form growing more solid.

Could it be that accepting gratitude from others allowed her to regain strength?

Would that mean she could now seek revenge?

For centuries, she had been trapped here. If not for Tuan Tuan inadvertently breaking the seal, she would never have seen the light of day again!

Xiao Mei’s gaze turned toward Tuan Tuan. Was all of this connected to the little one?

A thrill of delight surged through her!

If she could keep doing good deeds, accepting others’ gratitude, and even consuming lingering grudges, perhaps she could indeed avenge herself!

“Tuan Tuan, if you go back, take me with you. If you leave, I’ll be the only lonely spirit left behind. It’s so hard... boo hoo hoo...”

With these words, Xiao Mei produced a handkerchief from nowhere and performed the classic crying ghost act.

Tuan Tuan hurried to comfort her, just about to speak when she realized she could only communicate with Xiao Mei through her mind: “Xiao Mei, come home with me. But didn’t you say you can’t leave Xiao Xi Valley?”

If she couldn’t leave, how could she come?

The ghost ceased crying instantly. Of course, she had a plan!

“Tuan Tuan, do you remember the pendant you found on the mountain?”

Tuan Tuan nodded eagerly. It was a leaf-shaped pendant she had kept and worn ever since finding it.

Xiao Mei explained, “If you agree, I can attach myself to the leaf pendant. That way, I can go with you back to the Yang family. If anyone bullies you, I can protect you. But you mustn’t tell anyone about my existence—this is our secret, okay?”

Tuan Tuan thought of how scared her brothers were of Xiao Mei. If they feared her so much, wouldn’t others be even more afraid?

It was best not to tell anyone to avoid panic.

The leaf pendant still lay in Tuan Tuan’s pocket—a simple, unremarkable item with no value.

Her brothers had no idea that Xiao Mei had already possessed the pendant and was about to accompany them back to the Yang family.

Beneath the shade, countless spirits watched the five Yang brothers.

“Hopefully, these brothers will treat Tuan Tuan well. If not, I’ll make sure some people’s souls are torn apart!”

“Count me in! Anyone who dares bully Tuan Tuan is crossing me!”

“Big Boss left with Tuan Tuan. I wonder if she’ll succeed in her revenge. Does she not care if she loses her ghostly life?”

“What do you know? Don’t speculate about the Big Boss. Besides, don’t you know that Tuan Tuan is...”

Yang Qixiu felt the chilling air all around him. He noticed Tuan Tuan standing silently, and the eerie atmosphere thickened. He shivered and walked directly toward her, gently taking her small hand.

“Tuan Tuan, has your friend left?”

Suddenly, the oppressive coldness lessened considerably. Had Xiao Mei departed?

Remembering the promise to Xiao Mei, Tuan Tuan obediently nodded, “Xiao Mei isn’t here anymore.”

Everyone exhaled in relief. Finally, she was gone!

But just then, Tuan Tuan pointed around and said sweetly, “There are other friends watching us too.”

The five brothers were horrified.

This is the end of us!

All around, spirits hovered?