Chapter 154: Chapter 154
First reader...
This reason was quite reasonable.
Mr. Xia couldn't even see, yet persisted in writing books, showing how much he loved writing and how much he yearned for others to like and acknowledge his writing.
Under these circumstances, she suddenly appeared, becoming the first reader of his book, silently following updates every night. He must have been very touched by this, which is why he lit such precious incense for her every night...
This was indeed very reasonable.
But the problem was that the early parts of the book were fine, but later... later...
Chi Yu froze, then her soul form slowly began to turn red.
The atmosphere in the room suddenly became a bit ambiguous.
Xia Zhi smiled and said: "I've already sent that book to Liyue Publishing House to sign a contract. The editor said it will be printed by the end of next month. I'll give you a signed copy of the new book then."
Chi Yu lowered her head, speaking softly: "Okay, thank you, Mr. Xia."
She thought, she'd have to hide that book well when it came out, couldn't let Hu Tao accidentally discover it, or her image as a senior would surely be ruined.
"Miss Chi Yu, have some osmanthus cakes."
"Oh, alright."
"How's the taste?"
"Delicious! Mr. Xia's cooking is really good!"
"Thank you for the praise. If you like them, please have more."
The tea was sweet and refreshing, the osmanthus cakes soft and fragrant, a perfect combination.
Chi Yu ate the last piece of osmanthus cake, drank the remaining tea, and said with satisfaction: "Thank you for your hospitality, Mr. Xia! It's getting late, I should go back now and not disturb your rest."
"I'll make an extra portion of breakfast tomorrow morning, would Miss Chi Yu like to come eat?"
Chi Yu hesitated for a second, then nodded in agreement.
"Alright."
She said goodnight and phased through the wall back to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
Xia Zhi looked at the incense still quietly burning in the burner and smiled, shaking his head.
Miss Chi Yu didn't even think about the incense anymore; it seems she preferred delicious food over incense.
This way, he could save some calming incense in the future.
Long life, long life...
Like Miss Chi Yu, having no physical form, unable to taste flavors, eventually even losing consciousness and memories to time's erosion - there really wasn't anything good about it.
Xia Zhi cleaned up the plates and teapot, then went to bed.
The next morning, Zhu Zi bought some fresh chicken legs and wings from the market.
It was Thursday, time to make fried chicken.
Qiqi had already come to the shop and changed clothes, possibly because she had gotten them dirty while gathering herbs in the mountains last night.
Breakfast was century egg and lean meat porridge. Considering Qiqi and Chi Yu were joining, Xia Zhi cooked two extra cups of rice, making a full pot.
To go with it were youtiao, freshly fried dough sticks, golden and crispy outside, fluffy and soft inside, with an enticing aroma.
Xia Zhi "looked" at Zhu Zi who was eagerly standing behind the stove and smiled.
"Zhu Zi, go get five big bowls, help me scoop the porridge."
"Okay! Eh? Boss, there are four of us, shouldn't it be four bowls?"
"Another friend is coming to eat with us."
"Oh!"
Xia Zhi walked to the wall and gently knocked a few times.
Zhu Zi and Shenhe watched curiously.
Qiqi blinked, seeming to realize something.
Moments later, a beautiful big sister phased through the wall, smiling and greeting everyone: "Good morning, Mr. Xia, Qiqi, and you two ladies."
Qiqi nodded, responding softly: "Good morning, Sister Chi Yu."
Zhu Zi looked dazed, as if seeing something incredible.
Shenhe's gaze focused slightly, looking her up and down.
Xia Zhi introduced to his two employees: "This is Miss Chi Yu, she lives next door at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. As you can see, her identity is special - she's a ghost."
"A ghost!"
"Don't be afraid, Zhu Zi. Miss Chi Yu doesn't eat people."
"Then what does she eat?"
"The same as us - century egg and lean meat porridge with youtiao."
"Oh..."
Zhu Zi watched with a strange expression as Miss Chi Yu picked up a bowl of porridge, tasted it, and showed that familiar expression of 'wow what is this it's so delicious' enjoyment.
She felt her previous image of ghosts completely shattered.
"Alright, don't just stand there, everyone go eat your porridge. And the youtiao - they're not as good when cold."
"Okay!"
Since the shop wasn't open yet, they didn't need to worry about customers. Chi Yu also came to the front hall, sitting at the table eating breakfast with everyone.
This was something she hadn't experienced in a long time.
Of course, that wasn't important.
What was important was that she could taste food again.
She bit her spoon, glancing at Xia Zhi.
After returning last night, she had specially gone to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's library and found the old family genealogy.
She studied it carefully all night and finally found several clan members whose whereabouts were unknown.
She thought Xia Zhi might be descended from one of those clan members.
Because Xia Zhi could touch her, this constitution was similar to the Hu family's special constitution.
But it wasn't certain.
Because in all these years, the Hu family had never had anyone with the ability to make food edible for ghosts.
So Xia Zhi more likely had a different special constitution.
A constitution more powerful than the Hu family's special constitution.
Chi Yu bit into a crispy, delicious youtiao, thinking about the boundary.
After people die, if they still have unfulfilled wishes, they wander endlessly in the boundary realm.
One of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's duties was to fulfill these lingering souls' wishes and help them pass on peacefully.
But some wishes were very difficult to fulfill.
In the era when Chi Yu was alive, plagues, wars, and famines had ravaged the land.
Back then, she was also the Director of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor and had seen many pitiful hunger ghosts. They were trapped in the boundary realm, their only wish being to eat their fill one more time.
But such a simple wish, she was powerless to fulfill.
At most, she could only bring them some incense imbued with wish power.
They could only gradually fade away in endless regret.
Chi Yu sighed inwardly, thinking if only she had had Mr. Xia's ability back then.
Oh right...
The Hu family's special constitution could be passed down through bloodlines.
She wondered if Mr. Xia's special constitution could be passed down through bloodlines too.
If it could...
As Chi Yu thought about this, she fell into contemplation.
Zhu Zi reminded her from the side: "Miss Chi Yu, eat quickly, it's not as good when cold."
Chi Yu came back to her senses, nodding: "Oh, alright."
Mm, Hu Tao isn't young anymore... When her grandfather passed, he entrusted me to take good care of her. As an elder, I should indeed consider her marriage prospects...
After all, they're both young people, and neighbors too, they could get to know each other better first.
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