(Just realized a chapter was missing! It was chapter 60, but it's been replaced. I suggest you start reading from chapter 60 again (sighs))
--
He stopped the female ghost's movements. She instinctively wanted to retaliate, but upon hearing those words, she fell into deep thought.
It seems he's recalling events from eighty years ago.
Jiang Nuo straightened the long-legged stool from the ground, ready to listen to the story.
He was dressed in an elegant outfit befitting a young master from the Republican era. At that moment, he was leaning against the wall with his long legs crossed and his elbows propped up as he listened to the story.
If the storyteller weren't a female ghost, it would truly feel like she stepped out of a painting or calligraphy.
The female ghost was such a spoilsport.
Xu Jin thought to herself.
Cui Ming, who overheard her muttering, thought, "..."
No, at a time like this, you're still worrying about style and effect? You deserve to be a boss.
"I was originally the best embroiderer in Suzhou City, and also a very famous designer in this area..."
The woman in the cheongsam actually began to tell her old stories, her tone mournful and plaintive, as if she were weeping.
"He came from Beijing to the south to do business, specifically in the clothing industry. He made a point of getting to know me, and we became acquainted. Shortly after we started dating, I began designing cheongsams exclusively for him."
"He said that if his business grew big, he would marry me in a grand and glorious way... But... but less than a year later! He showed his true colors!"
At this point, the woman in the cheongsam turned around and stared fiercely at Shao Hui, as if trying to find the shadow of her former boss in him to bear some of her hatred.
After all these years, she really hates him to the core.
"He ran off with all my design drafts and then got together with Yinghong, the innkeeper's daughter!! No matter how hard I try to find him, it's no use. Nobody knows we were ever in a relationship, and even when I put a notice in the newspaper, nobody pays any attention to me!"
"He became a promising young designer, the owner of Winter at Dusk's clothing store, but I was ostracized, a pariah! He even killed me in the end! All because he was afraid I would reveal this secret! Why! Why did I have to suffer so much!"
Shao Hui, nearly terrified by her imposing presence, stammered, "..."
He really wants to know too!
Why are you asking him?
In the end, the woman in the cheongsam began to shed tears of blood again, slowly stroking the white silk ribbon around her neck.
"I can't wait for him to come back. Even after I die, he will tear off a wisp of my soul and put it into the Spirit-Suppressing Stone to protect the Shao Family's wealth for generations... I won't even be able to reincarnate. I can only be trapped in this inn for all eternity."
Excuse me.
Jiang Nuo suddenly reached out her hand, listening to the story with great enthusiasm, asking questions whenever she didn't understand.
What kind of novel thing is the Spirit-Suppressing Stone?
He had never heard of it before.
The woman in the cheongsam tore at her lips; blood and tears blurred her face, making her appear ready to go berserk and kill.
" Spirit-Suppressing Stone can store the souls of humans, using the living soul as a guide to protect people's safety or bring wealth and prosperity to their homes..."
The woman in the cheongsam lifted her scalp to show him her empty body.
"Look, I have nothing left... Taking my soul wasn't enough for him, he also wants to use my body to suppress this inn..."
Jiang Nuo hissed, "Poor girl."
"I support you in exhuming the boss's body and whipping it."
He wholeheartedly agreed.
Shao Hui: "... Wait!"
"We can't desecrate a corpse! What if something goes wrong?"
One ghost is bad enough!
Xu Jin suddenly stood up. Perhaps out of empathy for her fellow woman, she felt less fear after hearing the story.
"If... you'd like, I'll spread this story, Winter at Dusk and name the brand after you."
"May I ask what your name is?"
Xu Jin's words made the woman in the cheongsam fall into deep thought.
It seemed like she hadn't heard anyone call her name in a long time.
"My name is... Du Juan, the Du Juan that blooms all over the Du Juan."
After Du Juan spoke, much of her resentment dissipated.
She subconsciously looked upstairs, seemingly struggling with something.
A streak of light flashed by.
Du Juan looked down in surprise, following the beam of light that had almost scorched her to look at Jiang Nuo, who smiled and raised an eyebrow slightly, as if issuing a warning.
"... Fine, as long as you keep your word, I won't kill you."
Xu Jin breathed a sigh of relief. "Ms. Du Juan, thank you."
Du Juan forced a chilling smile, slowly disappearing into the painting, her figure vanishing into the hall.
The inn returned to its quiet state.
Everyone's legs went weak and they collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath. Shao Hui was completely paralyzed, still yelling that he wanted someone to exorcise the ghost.
Panting, Cui Ming said to Jiang Nuo, "It's the first time I've seen you catch a ghost, it's quite a novel experience."
Jiang Nuo chuckled, "There'll be another chance tomorrow."
Cui Ming: "???"
What does this mean?! Didn't this Du Juan already promise not to harm humans anymore?!
Could there be other ghosts in this inn?!
The thought of this possibility sent a shiver down Cui Ming's spine.
Filming can no longer continue in this condition, but fortunately it's almost dark, so filming tomorrow won't be delayed too much.
Xu Jin arranged for the two artists and their staff to rest at the inn, as the rooms had been prepared in advance.
Throughout the entire process, Xu Jin was the one filming the related events, and Shao Hui still hadn't recovered from his fear.
Fortunately, Xu Jin was already very familiar with his cowardly nature, and she didn't expect him to be very responsible anyway.
--
night.
Cui Ming refused to sleep alone and insisted on sleeping on the floor in Jiang Nuo's room.
Jiang Nuo was uncomfortable with someone breathing in the room; it was even more unbearable than having a ghost in the room. Unable to stand it any longer, she shoved a talisman into Cui Ming's hand.
"If you encounter a ghost, just throw it away. Goodnight, Brother Cui Brother Cui, sweet dreams."
Bang.
The door was slammed shut.
Jiang Nuo secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
That was close! I almost ended up sleeping with Brother Cui.
He glanced around the room, noticing nothing amiss, then stuck two talismans on the doorframe and went to sleep.
Filming was exhausting.
It's more tiring than dealing with ghosts.
This money is really hard to earn.
Jiang Nuo had her eyes closed but was still lost in thought.
midnight.
The ceiling started making a thumping sound, as if someone was stomping on it backwards.
Jiang Nuo turned over, completely unaffected, and even slept more soundly.
Ring ring.
The old-fashioned landline phone in the room rang, sounding particularly eerie in the dark room.
Jiang Nuo sat up groggily, half of her body still on the bed, and stretched out her hand to reach for something.
"Hello."
After a buzzing sound of electricity, a Cui Ming voice came from inside.
" Jiang Nuo! Jiang Nuo, please save me! There's a ghost! There's a ghost in my room!"
Jiang Nuo didn't even open her eyes, having already read the random reply.
"Mmm, don't eat it, ghosts don't taste good."
" Jiang Nuo! What are you saying! I'm so scared, please come and save me!"
His voice even cracked during the last sentence, and anyone could hear the fear in it.
Jiang Nuo still didn't react, scratched his head, and leaned against the headboard to continue dozing off.
"Don't be afraid. What are you, a ghost, afraid of? You spineless coward."
The phone rang and hung up with a snap.