CH 3

In the following week, Ye Feng didn’t take any ghost hunting requests and helped Lu Yingjiu set up the office.

In this era, “exorcism” was not a secret. A considerable number of people know about the existence of ghost exorcists, but only a few have actually come into contact with them. The probability of bumping into a ghost was even really low, and it basically only existed in the story from a neighboring aunt.

Very few supernatural offices would start business in an open and upright manner–it’s not out of the question, but it was really inconvenient.

For these kinds of obscure and mysterious things, people’s views wouldn’t particularly adapt so quickly. Moreover, most people wouldn’t want this kind of thing next to their home. They’re afraid because they don’t understand. It’s just human nature. Therefore, they would need a cover. Some were disguised as convenience stores, some were disguised as bookstores, all kinds of strange things. They had offices, but the source for customers was unstable. Lu Yingjiu had a friend who found that a fake convenience store could make more money than direct ghost hunting, therefore he changed his career immediately.

A signboard was hung outside: “Lu Ying Pub”  with the logo of a white and black cat sticking its head out of a beer mug. The interior of the house was fairly simple, with bar counters, wine cabinets, tables and chairs and decorations. A talisman paper was pasted on the door of the back room, and all kinds of exorcism utensils and notes were also found inside.

Ye Feng said: “Why did you think of opening a pub?”

“Actually, I don’t want to, I have no interest in wine at all.” Lu Yingjiu said, “But I want to relax and unwind a little bit, also don’t you think Lu Ying Bar is a great name?” 

Ye Feng: “…..”

Ye Feng added, “You don’t even have a bottle of wine, let alone a bartender. What if there are really guests?”

“There won’t be any customers.” Lu Yingjiu said casually, “Look at this shabby place, there are no people passing by, therefore, there is no publicity, besides, the store itself looked crude.Think about it from a different person’s perspective, will you really come to this crude store? Anyway, I won’t, and the store almost looks like a money laundering place.”

Ye Feng: “…..it’s always necessary to have a disguise.” He stood up and said, “Go around and buy some bottles. You can put them on the shelf at most. Besides, I want to drink too.”

Ye Feng drove, and Lu Yingjiu sat in the co-pilot. Ye Feng drove slowly, and Lu Yingjiu was also slowly making his way to dreamland. In summer, the temperature was high, and the air conditioner in the car was whistling only to barely suppress the heat. If one touched the glass window, one could still feel the heat from the outside. While waiting for the red light, Lu Yingjiu subconsciously rubbed the pendant of the longevity lock.

It was still so cold, and the mountains and seas carved were still magnificent. Lu Yingjiu stroked the lines with his fingertips. He remembered every details and curves clearly, and he probably would never forget it in his life.

When they got there, they went to a convenience store and nearby supermarket to buy a few bottles of cheap wine. After buying, they took the bags and found a Japanese ramen shop nearby.

The store was not big, the lights were warm and yellow, and a few office workers were holed up in the corner looking fatigued. Ye Feng ordered tonkotsu ramen. The thickly sliced ​​pork had the aroma of the soup, and the bamboo shoots were very crisp. Lu Yingjiu ordered pork omelette rice, which was a golden brown color.

When eating, Ye Feng was devouring his, while Lu Yingjiu took his slowly–he was actually not that interested in the food, and was only eating enough to fill his stomach. 

Lu Yingjiu: “I seem to have forgotten to buy eggs and milk.”

“Would you like to go back to the supermarket?”

“Forget it, I can just buy it tomorrow. “

“Okay.” Ye Feng said, then hesitated for a few seconds, “The day after tomorrow, I’ll probably have to go back to accept some requests.”

When he said this, he was a little guilty. Lu Yingjiu’s office was short of people……to be precise, there was no one, only Lu Yingjiu, a bare commander, although this commander was equivalent to ten exorcists. However, with their friendship, he should have just joined Lu Yingjiu already.

But the Green Lantern Association was the number one in the supernatural world, with a wide network of contacts, a lot of good commissions, and extremely handsome rewards. An ordinary ghost exorcist like him was, in a sense, also a member of the social beings, and he had to pay off the mortgage while losing his hair. He despised the current Green Lantern Association today, but he did not have the freedom of Lu Yingjiu to leave freely.

For the past few days, he had been thinking about how he should answer if Lu Yingjiu asks him if he wanted to stay in the office.

Lu Yingjiu picked up a piece of pork and said, “Hm. You can just go tomorrow. There’s nothing that I need help with.” He smiled, “Thanks for these days.”

“You’re still talking like that between the two of us?”

Ye Feng also smiled. He didn’t know if he was relieved or a little disappointed.

After eating the crispy takoyaki, Ye Feng said, “Let me treat you to this meal.”

“Why?” 

Lu Yingjiu looked at him and Ye Feng raised his beer mug, “To wish you good luck in opening the business.”

***

On the way back, when Lu Yingjiu opened the car window, the night wind instantly poured in. The foot bath hall below the pub was open, with bright lights, and a circle of flickering lights next to the price list. Lu Yingjiu and Ye Feng carried the wine to the second floor, and all were placed on the wine cabinet in a neat row.

Ye Feng spared himself, opened a can and drank it. Lu Yingjiu sat next to him and focused on an APP on his mobile phone.

The app was called “Two Faced Buddha”, and the icon was a half-crying, half-smiling mask. Clicking on it, it would bring you to an ordinary forum page, all of which were related to supernatural beings. 

[I’ll tell you about my horror night at the police academy back then.]

[Asking everyone! Did I bump into a ghost!]

[Can a peach wooden sword ward off evil? I just hit the grade director with it, and I need an explanation urgently.]

On the surface ,”Two Faced Buddha” was a very popular supernatural forum, and countless people have posted their own bizarre experiences in it. But this APP was created for ghost exorcists. People with a keen sense could naturally judge whether there were really ghosts and ghosts when they saw these supernatural posts. In addition to this, countless exorcists were also exchanging information and accepting requests using this.

“What have you been watching at the moment?” Ye Feng took a sip of beer, “Is there a request you want to take?”

“I’m not looking at any requests.” Lu Yingjiu said, “The APP launched its live broadcast function three months ago. It’s a separate panel from the forum.” 

Ye Feng felt that it was rare. “So you can watch this kind of thing too.” 

Lu Yingjiu: “I’m thinking of doing a live broadcast as well.”

“What live broadcast? You want to film your cat while it’s eating? Oh, don’t say it, it must be very promising to engage in eating live, and a lot of people will come to see your face.”

Ye Feng touched his chin, “So, you’re really not thinking about debuting.”

“Setting that aside, I can’t even sing and dance, if they dare to let me on a stage, I would only tell them ghost stories one by one.” Lu Yingjiu said, “What I’m considering is a supernatural live broadcast.”

Ye Feng: “?”

Lu Yingjiu opened a live broadcast room and said “I’ve been watching different supernatural live broadcasts these days, some are just making money, and some are even our peers.”

On the screen, the anchor was exploring an old house. The curtains automatically moved without wind, and the wooden door also made a loud creaking sound, while the barrage on the screen kept floating past. Ye Feng saw that at the end of the stairs in the attic stood a ghost in white.

[Brothers, put “fear” on the public screen!] 

[Ah, ah, anchor, say a few more words quickly.] 

[This ghost is much more fierce than I have ever seen!] 

[Brothers, put “fear” on the public screen!]

(t/n Brothers, put “fear” on the public screen!- literally everyone typing “fear” in the comments to block the screen of a live broadcast)

“Supernatural live broadcasting has just emerged, but now it’s attracting traffic and is on a period of explosive growth. It was very wise for “Two Faced Buddha” to expand its business in this way.” Lu Yingjiu continued, “I don’t really want to go live, but on many occasions, I pondered, what if I just be a “Supernatural Explorer Anchor”, which is much more convenient than a “Ghost Exorcist”. “

All he wanted was an identity and it doesn’t matter whether it’s live or not.

If one said that he could exorcise ghosts, he would be directly driven away by people as a liar. But an anchor was different. It was normal to inquire about and investigate supernatural events for traffic, and it was easier to pry open others’ mouths. A small office like his had no reputation and needed such an identity even more.

Ye Feng thought about it for a while and said, “I think it’s reasonable, you can try it. In case you do it on a whim, you can actually do a live broadcast once or twice, just so you can promote your office. But applying for a live broadcast room is a problem, after all, you and the “Two-faced Buddha….Many people are from the association, and I don’t know if a normal application will work… Hey, wait! It’s Tang Baishan who is in charge of this.” His eyes light up, “Doesn’t he owe you a favor? It can definitely be done.”

Lu Yingjiu: “Not necessarily.”

“Why not. If it weren’t for you, how could he live up to this day? If you really want to do it, we can make an appointment with him.” Ye Feng became more and more excited, “Listen to me, I’ll go with you tomorrow.” 

Whatever he said, he didn’t let Lu Yingjiu refuse.

****

Afterwards. they cleaned up the garbage.

Ye Feng put on his shoes and was ready to go home.

“Give me all the trash, and I’ll put them downstairs along the way.” Lu Yingjiu handed him two bags of trash. Ye Feng opened the door and suddenly exclaimed.

“What’s wrong?” Lu Yingjiu asked.

Ye Feng: “Did you just buy egg and milk? They have been delivered.”

“I didn’t.”

“There are eggs and two cartons of milk at the door. Let me see….whole fat and skimmed milk, both are good brands. Did you buy it and forgot? Oh wait, there is still a box!” Ye Feng bent down and looked, “It seems to be a thermos. It’s not a coincidence, isn’t your thermos broken?”

“Maybe a neighbor bought it and was delivered to the wrong house.” Lu Yingjiu walked to the door and glanced at the package.

Ye Feng muttered loudly, “How can there be such a coincidence? You mentioned it while we were having dinner, and then this was delivered, along with the thermos you wanted to buy. You must have forgotten it yourself. I will bring it in for you first.”

Lu Yingjiu frowned slightly. “I really didn’t buy it.”

“I don’t care, I have to catch the last bus.” Ye Feng put the things inside, “If you are worried, keep it and ask your neighbors tomorrow.”

Ye Feng took the garbage and left.

Lu Yingjiu looked out the window and saw him getting on a bus.

He put the eggs and milk in the refrigerator, put the box in the corner, and thought of going out and asking the neighbors tomorrow. But this was indeed such a coincidence, the things he lacked were suddenly sent to his doorstep.

****

Tang Baishan used to be the operator of the “Red Fox Live”, but now he transferred to work at the “Two-faced Buddha” and was in charge of the live broadcast section.

He ran into a ghost before and it was so vicious that he couldn’t sleep at night and almost lost his life, however, the Green Lantern Association helped him solve it.

The task was very arduous, and it was Lu Yingjiu who came forward at that time—fortunately it was him. He was bold and careful, and he was not afraid of death. He captured the ghost and exorcise it until nothing was left in his home, otherwise Tang Baishan would have to lose half of his life even if he didn’t die.

Tang Baishan once said that Lu Yingjiu was his great benefactor. Therefore Ye Feng felt that he would definitely help Lu Yingjiu. At least, before today.

****

In the office, Tang Baishan took a sip from the coffee cup, pondering something, “I’m really in charge of the live broadcast…”

Ye Feng asked: “Are there any other problems?”

Tang Baishan put down the cup and leaned forward. “In fact, the live broadcast has only been launched for less than three months. “Two-faced Buddha” has no relevant grounding before, and many mechanisms are in the trial operation stage and need to be adjusted. If Mr. Lu is here on behalf of the Green Lantern Association, then of course there is no problem. But you see now, your office has just been established, and you haven’t even accepted any tasks…”

Ye Feng said: “It just opened, but don’t you also need more anchors?”

Tang Baishan smiled and said: “It’s not like that. After all, our platform is of a special nature, and the quality must be strictly controlled, otherwise I will also be held accountable. In this way, Mr. Lu should apply first, and I will try my best to review it for you as soon as possible, but there’s really no guarantee of success.”

This attitude made it clear that he did not want to help.

Ye Feng wanted to speak but Lu Yingjiu interrupted him and smiled. “Okay.” He stood up, “Let’s go back to the office first.” 

“Oh, okay, okay.” 

Tang Baishan also stood up and sent them to the door, “Mr. Lu, I’m really sorry.”

Outside the office, the sun shone brightly.

Ye Feng muttered, “This person is unreliable. He said it so firmly at the time, and now he is unwilling to help with this trivial matter.” 

“Leave it be.” Lu Yingjiu added, “We can’t force him.” However, Ye Feng was still very angry. 

When the taxi came, Ye Feng said, “Then I’d better go to the meeting first.”

“Okay.”

When Lu Yingjiu arrived downstairs of the office, and when he entered the room, he remembered yesterday’s milk and eggs.

There were not many people who could be called “neighbors” in this neighborhood. There were only these three businesses next to his, the foot spa, real estate developers and a dental clinic, all of which were open now. Lu Yingjiu went to ask them one by one.

The beautiful receptionist of the foot spa: “We specify that express deliveries cannot be delivered to the store. Compared with this, can I add this handsome young man on WeChat?” 

The bald uncle of the real estate developers: “How could I buy this kind of thing?” 

The young man in the clinic: “It’s not me, Sir, but do you want to apply for a card?”

In short, nobody claimed that it was theirs.

Lu Yingjiu went back, opened the refrigerator and looked again.

The production dates of the eggs and milk were not that long ago, and the quality was fresh, but there was no receipt, even if it was sealed, he was not assured. He also didn’t unpack the thermos, but left it in the corner.

He thought: Otherwise, let’s let it stay for a few more days, and maybe I can find the buyer.

****

In the office, Tang Baishan was talking on the phone with a smile on his face.

“Yes, yes, he’s gone now. I’ll follow up on his application later, I won’t let him pass.”

“What kind of malicious suppression? If I offended you, I would have already stopped. I have already explained this to the staff. With me here, he definitely won’t get to live stream here.”

“Don’t worry, rest assured, his office won’t be able to operate.”

Hanging up the phone, Tang Baishan let out a long sigh.

It was getting late, and the surrounding staff had already left. He tidied up the office, locked the door with the lights still on, and noticed that the elevator was broken when he reached the corridor. 

This is the 19th floor, how annoying. He cursed in a low voice and walked towards the end to the stairs.

The lights in the corridor were also broken, it was pitch black, and nothing could be seen clearly. He illuminated it with his mobile phone and walked down slowly, inexplicably feeling that the stairs were deep and terrifying, as if they would never end.

One minute, two minutes, five minutes…..

The sounds of his empty footsteps echoed. Because he lacked exercise, his breathing gradually became heavier, and he tugged at his tie irritably. 

Why hasn’t he arrived yet? Is this staircase that long?

After turning to another floor, Tang Baishan stood still, panting and shining the light of his mobile phone upwards. “19th Floor” was still written on the top of the emergency door.