"Don't push yourself. Cochlear implant surgery is no small expense for any ordinary family." The old woman gave a warm smile. She didn't seem to believe what Chen Ge was saying.
Judging by his appearance alone, Chen Ge really didn't look the part of an entrepreneur. A worn-out backpack, plain clothes, zero sense of style in his outfit — the most valuable thing on him was probably the Skull Crusher carved with crimson patterns sitting inside that backpack.
"Don't worry." Chen Ge opened the comic book. "Grandma, follow me for now. If you want to see Jiang Ming in the future, I'll take you to find him again. That boy may have a hearing deficiency, but it seems he might be able to hear the sounds of another world. I can't guarantee he'll still have that ability after the cochlear implant surgery, so during the time leading up to the operation, you should spend as much time with him as possible."
"Thank you, young man." The old woman stepped into the comic book. At the same time, the black phone in Chen Ge's pocket suddenly vibrated.
Chen Ge took out the phone and swiped the screen. There were two unread text messages.
"Four-star trial mission Nether Embryo completed one-ninth. Nether Embryo's hearing has suffered severe damage. Lucky favored one of the Red Robe, your time is running out!"
"Lucky favored one of the Red Robe, congratulations on accumulating one hundred blessings from vengeful ghosts or obsessions! You have obtained the title of Vow Fulfiller!"
"Vow Fulfiller (True redemption is not victory after slaughter, but the ability to find the power of life and the peace of heart amid suffering): While holding this title, helping a vengeful ghost or residual spirit fulfill their wish will cause their favorability toward you to surge and will also dispel some of their malevolent energy."
"I got a new title? When was I blessed by so many people? Could it be the students from the psychic school and Muyang High School?" Titles were permanent — they would keep exerting their effects. Chen Ge sometimes suspected that his constant encounters with paranormal incidents were very likely connected to the favor of the vengeful ghost title he had received long ago.
Putting away the black phone, Chen Ge told Jiang Ming to get some sleep, then walked out of the room.
"The clay figurine engraved with Jiang Ming still hasn't been found. It's probably on Jiang Jiuyang. That thing is useful to Zhang Ya — I need to figure out a way to get my hands on it."
Leaving Jiang Ming's home, Chen Ge took off his gloves and shoe covers, ran out of the building entrance, evaded all the surveillance cameras, and headed back the way he had come.
After climbing out of the residential complex, Chen Ge glanced back. "The cameras didn't catch me, and I left no fingerprints or shoe prints. Even if Jiang Ming lets something slip, it doesn't matter — they'll never find any evidence."
Pulling out his own phone, Chen Ge brazenly placed a video call to Jiang Ming, who still hadn't returned home.
The call connected. In the video, Jiang Ming was driving his own car, his face looking terrible. "Chen Ge? Our relationship isn't exactly close enough for late-night video calls, is it?"
"I'm right outside your complex. There are some things I'd like to have a proper talk with you about."
"It's past one in the morning and you're camping outside my complex to ambush me? Have you lost your mind?" Jiang Ming's mood seemed to be exceptionally foul.
"What goes around comes around. I wanted to tell you earlier today — by placing that shrine in the haunted house, you attracted obsessions and residual spirits. The first people they'd go after are the ones who set up the shrine." Chen Ge spoke with earnest gravity. "You've already been marked. Something is hiding in your shadow, and it followed you home."
"Save the scare tactics."
"I'm trying to save your life."
The video disconnected — Jiang Ming had hung up in annoyance.
Looking at the dark screen, Chen Ge wasn't worried in the slightest. He simply stood at the gate of the complex and waited for Jiang Ming. There was still one last loophole in the trap he had set: Tongtong, who was still inside Jiang Ming's phone.