The Days I Spent With A Ghost

Of course, Le Xi did not purchase the umbrella he mentioned. She wouldn’t be able to afford one even if she worked herself to death! But, she didn’t mind buying another novel or two since she also enjoyed reading.

When she came home, the ghost eagerly began to read one of the novels she bought. He was so engrossed in the story that he didn’t even realize Le Xi had dragged her bed to the other side of the wall. 

Come to think of it, although the ghost was rather bad-tempered, he was still relatively easy to please. She didn’t need to prepare meals for him. All she needed to do was clean the umbrella from time to time. Although she would complain about his occasional antics, she was still grateful that he was there. After her Master’s death, she had been living by herself. Although most of the time, she wouldn’t feel lonely, as time passed, she began to wish that there was someone she could talk to. 

Besides, the ghost seemed to be highly educated when he was still alive. Apart from reading, he would also pass the time by writing poems and practicing calligraphy art. Le Xi did not understand much about the poems he wrote, but she could tell his paintings were extraordinary. As his brush danced across the paper, strokes of ink would slowly morph into vivid landscape portraits and he would always be fully engrossed in a painting until it was done. Without his sarcastic and haughty voice ordering her around, he was back to the gentlemanly ghost that Le Xi first met, with his handsome and gentlemanly appearance that could’ve been the talk of the town. 

But, Le Xi would never tell him about her honest thoughts. 

He was already narcissistic enough. If she really told him everything, she could barely imagine how conceited he would be. 

“Come to think of it, since you are a young woman, are you not afraid of living here alone?” The ghost who was finally done with his painting lifted the paper to admire his work with a satisfied smile. 

“I got used to it. This is where my Master used to live, why would I be scared? Besides, it’s better to live somewhere peaceful.” 

Le Xi explained that her Master’s house was located on the outskirts of a town and her Master was once the most famous physician across the entire province. Although she didn’t learn much medical knowledge from her Master, she could still fend for herself by picking herbs from the mountains once every season and selling them to the other physicians in the province. Throughout the year, there were only a few times when Le Xi needed to head into town, so she doesn’t have many acquaintances. 

“Is that how you and your Master spent your days when she was still alive?” 

Le Xi pondered for a moment before answering, “I guess…two or more patients would come knocking at the door in the past.” 

“That sounds infinitely boring.”

“No, it’s not…”

“And yet the lady says no.” The ghost arched a brow at her and scoffed. “Since I’m in a good mood today, why don’t I bring you out to have some fun?”

Was there anything weirder than having fun with a ghost? Le Xi thought. 

Regardless, Le Xi was already in town with the bamboo umbrella in her hand, whereas the ghost excitedly introduced her to the various places of interest in the town, such as the best shops to visit to purchase books and paintings, and the best dishes in the town’s largest restaurant. From the way he could describe each place with detail as though he was more familiar with the area than her, she almost doubted that he was merely faking his amnesia. 

“Why would I lie about that? I could recall certain things better, that is all.” The ghost defended himself.

“Things that mostly revolve around having fun?”

“I am accompanying you on a nice day outside! Can’t you at least show some respect?”

“…Fine.”

In the restaurant, Le Xi’s eyes lit up upon seeing the dishes that were being served. The ghost was telling the truth, this restaurant truly had the best dishes in town!

The ghost leaned back comfortably as he watched Le Xi eating her food. Within a moment, a hint of nostalgia flashed through his eyes and his voice became softer. “If you like, I could even accompany you to visit the nearby towns.”

Le Xi noticed his expression and thought, What was he thinking about just now?

Then, she inwardly scolded herself for being a busybody, ignoring the inscrutable emotion that was growing in her chest. 

Biting her lip, she asked, “Don’t you…don’t you wish to know who you really are?”

“Hmmm.” The ghost stared at the ceiling. 

Le Xi paused for a moment, then said in a determined tone, “If you were buried somewhere in that graveyard where I first met you…perhaps I could help…” 

That graveyard was relatively small since not many people were buried there, much less someone like him who was probably a rich young master in his past life. 

“Huh?” The ghost stiffened briefly before lowering his head. His voice was almost inaudible. “Actually, I am not really interested in my past life…I’m not sure why, but I get the feeling that it wasn’t a fond memory that I would like to look back on. ..”

It was the first time Le Xi had seen such a helpless expression on the ghost’s face. So, she put on a smile and looked straight into his eyes. “Don’t worry. No matter what you did in the past, I won’t hate you.”

Silence filled the air for a few moments. 

Then, the ghost silently shifted his gaze elsewhere. “I’m not worried that you would hate me.” 

“Huh?”

“… I was merely worried that if I died an unsightly death, it would just be utterly embarrassing.” 

Le Xi fell silent. 

“Hey, hey, hey! Don’t leave just yet! I was joking! Don’t take it seriously!”