Zhang Chen looked at the little fellow, dirty and disheveled, and could not help but laugh. It had been a long time since he had laughed.
The boy stuffed the Food Box into Zhang Chen's hands, then looked him up and down before asking curiously, "Why are you here? Aren't you afraid of ghosts?"
"Ghosts?" A strange look appeared on Zhang Chen's face. If there really were ghosts in this world, they would never dare appear before him.
"I heard the eunuchs outside say that terrifying, savage ghosts are hidden in here. Everyone who enters this place gets swallowed whole by those ghosts." The Third Prince made a face as if gulping someone down in one bite.
Zhang Chen smiled. "There are ghosts here. I'm waiting here to catch them. Don't come again in the future, or the ghosts might swallow you."
The Third Prince immediately felt a chill run down his spine. "There really are ghosts?"
Zhang Chen nodded solemnly. "Not only are there ghosts, but they are vicious ones."
The Third Prince's little face went pale with fright. Without another word, he turned on his heel and fled in a panic through the bamboo grove the way he had come.
Watching the Third Prince flee in terror, Zhang Chen's eyes held a faint smile. He returned to his reclining chair and opened the Food Box in his hand. It was filled with exquisite pastries, though he had long since eaten his fill of such things.
Still, Zhang Chen picked up a pastry and leisurely put it into his mouth. Day after day passed, and every now and then, the Third Prince would sneak in every few days, bringing Zhang Chen pastries and dishes from outside, adding a little amusement to his monotonous days.
Another month passed.
Zhang Guan