After the ghost-hunting master descended the mountain, his fame spread throughout the capital.

Xie Jinchen didn't immediately let go of her hand. Instead, he helped her sit up and said calmly, "We tricked Wang Dazhuang away and then walked in openly and honestly."

Jiang Dusheng: "..."

Before she could react, Xie Jinchen suddenly spoke again, his voice even lower than before, his gaze fixed intently on her:

"Jiang Dusheng, I'm sorry." He paused, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly. "That night, I shouldn't have said those hurtful things."

His gaze didn't waver; instead, he stared intently into her eyes, as if trying to make sure she had heard every word.

"I should have known that you were never firmly chosen by the Jiang family, which is why you cherish the people and ghosts who are included in your circle."

His voice softened, revealing a analytical quality that strangely didn't feel offensive: "Even knowing there are dangers ahead, even if reason tells you to weigh the pros and cons, you wouldn't easily abandon me to face them alone."

"It's not because you're stupid, nor because you need the aura of the Purple Fiend within me, but because deep down, you don't want to become like the Jiang family, weighing everything, scheming at every turn, and placing feelings and human nature on a scale, right?"

Jiang Dusheng lowered his eyes, his long eyelashes casting a light shadow beneath them, concealing any emotions that might be revealed.

She pursed her lips, her jawline tightened slightly, and remained silent.

But deep down, it felt like something had gently bumped into me.

That's why she said she hates...being around smart people the most.

Especially those who seem aloof and taciturn, but actually possess astonishing insight, always able to see through all the pretenses and excuses of others.

Xie Jinchen looked at her turned face and tightly pursed lips. He held her hand tightly, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the back of her hand, as if to soothe her.

"I'm sorry, I was wrong." His voice was low and slightly hoarse, with a pleading tone, like a feather brushing against my eardrum, "...So, Jiang Dusheng, please don't ignore me."

Xie Jinchen's tone and choice of words were so different from his usual image that Jiang Dusheng felt a slight burning sensation on the back of his hand as Xie Jinchen rubbed it, and his ears also inexplicably felt hot.

She couldn't help but raise her other hand and rub her inexplicably itchy earlobe, trying to dispel the strange feeling.

She tried to pull her hand back, but Xie Jinchen seemed to have expected it. Instead of loosening his grip, he tightened his hold slightly.

Jiang Dusheng was at a loss because of the strange atmosphere. His heart felt like it was holding a sparrow that was fluttering wildly. For a moment, he didn't know what to say to break the deadlock that made his heart race.

Just then, out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of a paper figure crouching furtively against the crack in the door, seemingly eavesdropping and peeping.

"Wang Dazhuang! Get your ass in here!"

Jiang Dusheng immediately found a target to distract him, shouted loudly, and at the same time struggled hard, this time Xie Jinchen let go.

The door was pushed open, and Wang Dazhuang awkwardly shuffled in, forcing an innocent yet fawning smile onto his face.

Behind him followed the female ghost who had been waiting quietly.

As soon as Wang Dazhuang entered, he pointed at Xie Jinchen, his face full of accusation, "Young Master Xie! This is really unfair of you!"

"You clearly promised me that you wouldn't come in and disturb the master's rest, and you even said you had official business to attend to! This... this... a gentleman's word is as good as his bond!"

He tried to use exaggerated words to cover up the fact that he had been tempted by the delicious food and run away.

However, Xie Jinchen's gaze bypassed Wang Dazhuang and landed directly on the female ghost behind him.

He frowned slightly, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, and blurted out:

"Ruan Guyan?"

Upon hearing the sound, the female ghost also abruptly looked up at Xie Jinchen, her illusory ghostly body trembling slightly, equally surprised, "Young Master Xie...?"

Then, incredulously, he asked, "You...can see me?"

Seeing this, Jiang Dusheng raised an eyebrow, his gaze shifting between Xie Jinchen and the female ghost. "You know each other?"

Seeing this, Wang Dazhuang immediately rushed to Jiang Dusheng's side and said mysteriously in what he thought was a very soft voice:

"Master! Judging from this, could this Miss Ruan be the confidante that Prince Xie, who died young, could never forget?!"

As he spoke, he subtly pointed at Xie Jinchen with his finger.

Xie Jinchen looked at Wang Dazhuang, who had a face similar to Shi Qinglian's and was standing so close to Jiang Dusheng, saying nonsensical things. He felt that the paper face was becoming more and more irritating, and the coldness in his eyes became even more intense.

He directly interrupted Wang Dazhuang's increasingly outrageous speculations, turned to Jiang Dusheng, and explained calmly:

"This is Miss Ruan Guyan. I learned my craft at her maternal grandfather's house when I was young."

"Two months ago, I heard that Miss Ruan had passed away. I never expected that her spirit would still linger in the world."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Dusheng nodded, his gaze returning to Ruan Guyan.

"Miss Ruan, what is your obsession?"