The Pipa ghost froze for a moment, then slowly raised its head.
It saw that the human it had planned to scare was laughing heartily.
The cane in her hand kept striking the ground, making a steady "thok, thok, thok" sound.
It tilted its head, puzzled.
It was a little bewildered by the situation.
The old woman dabbed at the tears at the corners of her eyes. After catching her breath, she said, "Oh, dear, I really am getting old. I can't even handle a little laughter anymore."
Her voice held a touch of sentiment, along with a lingering trace of amusement.
She looked at the Pipa ghost. "Are you a street performer?"
"Why did you choose an old woman like me for your act?"
The Pipa ghost: ...
It silently stuffed its eyeball back into its socket, then blinked.
What was going on?
Could this human... see it?
"But—"
The old woman straightened the clothes she had wrinkled while laughing. Slowly and carefully, she smoothed each crease, her expression gentle and calm. "Thank you for your performance."
"It was wonderful."
Perhaps remembering the ghostly face from earlier, the smile in her eyes deepened. "I haven't laughed like that in a long time."
"Everyone worries about my health and tells me not to get too worked up."
"Whenever I want to do anything, those people rush over like it's the end of the world."
"I'm already this old, but they still manage me like I'm a child."
"I don't have any freedom."
The old woman complained, but the corners of her mouth stayed faintly lifted.
The old woman's rambling finally made the Pipa ghost understand.
So this human really could see it.
She had also seen its ghostly face just now.
But the old woman was smiling.