Oh no! I'm surrounded by female ghosts!

Beijing, a traditional courtyard house.

This is where Yu Mengnian usually lives.

The entire courtyard exudes a cool, aloof, and otherworldly aura.

As you push open the door, the first thing you hear is the tinkling of the small silver bell on the door knocker.

Upon entering, there is a bluestone screen wall with bamboo planted on the side.

Go further in, and you'll reach the main courtyard.

The ground was paved with bluestone slabs, and in the middle was a white jade fish tank with a few white lotus flowers floating in it and a few small fish swimming around.

In the southwest corner of the main courtyard stands a vigorous and upright ginkgo tree.

"Mengnian, is this where you live?"

Su Ming looked on with curiosity.

Outside the gate, there was a bustling noise, but as soon as you stepped into the courtyard, the world fell silent, with only the rustling of bamboo leaves and the sound of small fish swishing their tails.

This place must have been protected by a barrier set up by Yu Mengnian.

She wasn't used to crowded places, but she longed for them.

This is her biggest contradiction.

It's like she lacks emotional connection, yet yearns for it.

People tend to want what they lack the most.

"You'll be staying in that room from now on." Yu Mengnian pointed to the west wing.

Su Ming's eyes lit up, and he pushed open the door with a smile.

The interior furnishings were quite simple.

The bookshelves against the wall are filled with Taoist classics and miscellaneous novels.

Several antique ornaments were placed on the wooden table by the window.

From the incense burner in the very center, a wisp of sandalwood incense rises gently, its aroma instantly calming the mind.

There are no superfluous decorations, yet it exudes Yu Mengnian's unique cool elegance.

"Let's go to the supermarket to buy some things first, and then we'll pack up when we get back."

The two walked out of the courtyard house and merged into the flow of people in the alley, strolling slowly toward the supermarket like ordinary people.

Su Ming couldn't help but tease, "You're quite down-to-earth."

"I always thought you would live in some Taoist temple in the mountains."

This was the first time he had truly entered Yu Mengnian's life.

"I lived in Zhongnan Mountain for a while before," Yu Mengnian answered truthfully. "I haven't lived there since."

"Chen Zhiwei said that if I continued to live here, I would truly become a monster who doesn't eat the food of the mortal world."

"So, she chose this courtyard for me."

Speaking of Chen Zhiwei, Su Ming glanced around and sure enough, he saw two furtive figures following behind him.

Don't think about it.

One is Zhou Zhengyang, and the other is Chen Zhiwei.

Besides them, there were probably many other handlers disguised as ordinary people around.

After all, the person in front of him was Yu Mengnian.

Upon entering the supermarket, the two headed straight for the home textiles section.

Yu Mengnian picked up a set of light blue four-piece bed sheets and asked.

Do you like this bed?

Su Ming naturally had no objections.

Let alone light blue, he could accept even pink if Yu Mengnian chose it.

However, he still lowered his voice and asked softly, "Can I sleep with you tonight?"

"I'm naturally timid, especially afraid of ghosts."

Yu Mengnian glanced at him without saying a word, which was the greatest tacit consent.

She put the single four-piece bedding set back on the shelf, turned around and picked up a double bed sheet set, her movements swift and efficient.

After settling the bill.

Su Ming happily followed behind Yu Mengnian, carrying two large bags of things.

The smile on her face was impossible to hide.

Chen Zhiwei and Zhou Zhengyang, who were following behind, looked at the double bed sheet in Su Ming's hand with expressions as if the sky was about to fall.

Seeing that Su Ming and Yu Mengnian were preparing to go home, Chen Zhiwei finally couldn't hold back any longer.

She rushed forward and blocked the courtyard gate with her arms outstretched: "Niannian, you're not going to live with him, are you?"

"This person's origins are unknown, and his identity is suspicious."

"You're so naive, you'll definitely be fooled by him."

Su Ming, who was standing next to him, almost burst out laughing.

Chen Zhiwei is really outspoken.

Yu Mengnian's answer was also very direct: "He is my Daoist partner."

With another wave of his hand, Chen Zhiwei appeared three meters away.

She could only watch helplessly as Yu Mengnian led Su Ming into the courtyard house.

The red wooden door creaked shut, completely blocking her view.

"Niannian, you can't do this to me."

"We've known each other for so many years, how long have you and he known each other?"

Chen Zhiwei rushed to the courtyard gate and pounded on the door panel.

It’s over.

Chen Zhiwei's face turned ashen; she had been turned away.

No one can enter her house without Yu Mengnian's permission.

At this moment, all Chen Zhiwei could do was knock on the door: "Niannian, open the door, let's talk."

Her expression and tone were exactly like those of a girl dumped by a scumbag.

Zhou Zhengyang helplessly rubbed his forehead.

There was nothing he could do.

On the other side, Su Ming enthusiastically made the bed, then turned around and stared intently at Yu Mengnian, asking, "Which side are you sleeping on tonight?"

Yu Mengnian was silent for a moment, then softly uttered two words: "Outside."

As a result, Su Ming couldn't sleep tonight.

He lay in bed, eyes open, looking at Yu Mengnian in the courtyard through the open window.

So when she said "outside," she really meant outside.

"She must have entered a dream world to cultivate."

Su Ming's gaze remained fixed on Yu Mengnian, unwilling to look away for a long time.

The moonlight shone on her, coating her with a silvery glow, making her look like a celestial maiden descending from heaven, almost unreal in her beauty.

That feeling left Su Ming with extremely complex emotions.

The most indifferent and heartless person gave him a home to stay in and a rare warmth.

In reality, Yu Mengnian did not enter the dream world to cultivate.

She sat under the ginkgo tree with her eyes closed, but she couldn't calm down.

Having lived alone for so many years, she had long been accustomed to the solitude of being alone.

But now, there's suddenly someone else by my side.

This gave her a strange feeling, as if a seed was quietly sprouting.

But this feeling isn't unpleasant.

If I were to live with him, it wouldn't seem so hard to accept.

Su Ming was already asleep.

He slept exceptionally soundly and comfortably.

Even when Yu Mengnian walked to the bedside, he didn't notice at all and continued to sleep soundly.

She bent down and gently brushed away the stray hairs from Su Ming's forehead, as if talking to herself, or perhaps speaking to Su Ming.

Actually, I don't have a home either.

"I'm starting to lose sight of the difference between reality and dreams."

"But I will remember you."

"Su Ming".

"Whether or not I become your character to raise, I will remember you in every future timeline."

Two lonely people, two people who don't fit into the world, made a promise between dreams and reality that they would never forget each other.

That night, Yu Mengnian felt the warmth in her heart for the first time.

Those missing emotions desperately took root and sprouted, trying to fill the void in her heart.

The next morning.

When Su Ming woke up, he felt a faint fragrance lingering around his nose.

He opened his eyes and found himself alone in bed.

Turning to look out the window, Yu Mengnian was still sitting cross-legged under the ginkgo tree, her posture upright, as if she hadn't moved all night.

He scratched his head in confusion: "I have a feeling that I was hugging something sweet and soft last night."

"Was it a dream?"

Without much hesitation, he stretched and waved to Yu Mengnian as he opened the door: "Good morning."

Yu Mengnian slightly opened her eyes and nodded in response.

After washing up, Su Ming prepared to buy some breakfast.

But when he reached into his pocket, he realized that the money he had swindled yesterday was all gone.

He immediately looked at Yu Mengnian somewhat embarrassedly: "Could you lend me some money?"

"As you know, I'm from 2026, and I can't spend the money I had in 2020."

"I'll definitely pay you back later."

Yu Mengnian didn't say anything, but took out her phone and transferred some money to Su Ming.

The total is 475,862 yuan.

Su Ming stared at the transfer, completely stunned.

He knew.

Yu Mengnian's monthly salary is only 3500, which is the most basic income for an official processor.

Their real source of income is private.

But Yu Mengnian doesn't touch these things.

So she has been receiving the most basic salary all these years.

She would have to save up over 47 yuan for eleven years without eating, drinking, or spending a single penny.

This must be all her savings.

Seeing Su Ming standing there in a daze, she looked up and asked, "Isn't that enough?"

Su Ming nodded quickly: "That's enough, more than enough."

That's just the kind of person she is.

She doesn't say sweet words or act cute, but you can genuinely feel her sincerity.

Her feelings weren't expressed in words, but in actions.

Putting his phone back in his pocket, Su Ming smiled and asked, "What would you like to eat?"

Yu Mengnian had already reached a state of abstinence from grains at this time.

Hearing Su Ming's question, she thought for a moment and nodded, saying, "I'll eat whatever you buy."

"Okay."

However, when Su Ming jogged and pushed open the door...

But they found Chen Zhiwei squatting at the door with dark circles under her eyes and a pale face, looking extremely haggard.

Upon seeing Su Ming emerge, she rushed over, grabbed his leg, and began wailing, "Ah~ I don't want to live anymore!"

"I can't live like this anymore."

"What kind of spell did you cast on my Niannian?"

"I knocked on doors all night yesterday, my hands are all sore from knocking, but no one opened the door for me."

"What are you doing in there? Tell me now."

Zhou Zhengyang, who was not far away, was squatting under the utility pole, clearly having also been keeping watch all night.

After seeing Su Ming come out, he first glanced at the hidden handlers around him, but before he could get up, a cold gaze was fixed on him.

That gaze carried an intense killing intent.

If you dare to make a move, you will definitely die.

The person whose gaze was being directed at was, of course, Yu Mengnian; there was no need to even think about it.

Feeling that gaze, Zhou Zhengyang froze, his blood almost freezing, and his back was instantly soaked with cold sweat.

He had followed Yu Mengnian for so long.

At this moment, the mere thought of interrogating Su Ming had already triggered such intense killing intent from her.

That gaze made Zhou Zhengyang instantly understand.

No matter who that boy was or how strange his origins were, he couldn't move.

Not only him, but no one on Earth can be touched.

Yu Mengnian's eyes told him.

She protected this boy.

She would kill anyone who dared to make a move.

This deterrent is something no one dares to ignore or challenge.

That's the Achilles' heel of "God".

On the other side, Su Ming looked at Chen Zhiwei clinging to his leg and couldn't help but find it amusing.

Even if Chen Zhiwei doesn't come, he will still go to find her.

"Come on, let's go buy breakfast. I'll tell you all about it on the way."

So, Su Ming began to tell Chen Zhiwei the whole story.

After listening to Su Ming's words, Chen Zhiwei fell silent.

A moment later, she looked up and stared intently at Su Ming, asking frantically, "You said 2020 is Xu Qinghe's doomsday."

"Then go find Xu Qinghe, why are you looking for Niannian?"

"Su Ming, answer me."

After thinking about the question carefully, Su Ming said, "I will definitely look for Xu Qinghe."

"But I need to go home first before I can look for it."

Upon hearing this answer, Chen Zhiwei fell silent again, finally letting out a soft sigh: "That's true."

"You always have to go home eventually, and you always need a home."

"That's good."