Grocery Store No.514

In Guangde Tea House, Ling Hua'an used cow tears to let Ma Donghai see Ma Xiaohan's ghost, and told him that Ma Xiaohan died under suspicious circumstances.

"Currently, it’s unclear whether it’s due to medical malpractice or something else. You will need to apply for a forensic autopsy to determine the exact cause of death, but I’m sure Ma Xiaohan definitely did not die a natural death.”

“But ever since Hanhan was admitted to the hospital, we had been constantly keeping watch over him. Plus, he’s just an eight year old child. No matter how much I mull over it, I really can’t think of anyone who would want to kill him.” Ma Donghai felt infinitely sad that he couldn’t even give Ma Xiaohan a hug, even though he was right in front of him.

“Mr. Ma, Xiaohan is indeed just a child and he would not have incurred any grudges with other people, but besides his identity as an individual, he also has another identity. That is, he is your son. It’s possible that you had unintentionally incurred someone’s resentment, and they decided to take it out on Xiaohan.” Ling Hua’an paused, then continued, “Of course, this is just a guess. We will have to wait for the police’s investigation to find out what exactly happened. Although the culprits must have destroyed whatever traces they had left on the body, it would still be best for Mr. Ma to request for an autopsy as soon as possible.”

Ma Xiaohan looked at Ma Donghai and said, “Dad, Uncle Ling said that I can go to reincarnate and start a new life once we find out the truth. I can have a healthy body and won’t need to take so much medicine anymore. Dad, I want to be healthy.”

Other children dreamed of becoming scientists or teachers, but Ma Xiaohan’s dream was to be healthy, which made the listeners feel upset.

Ma Donghai’s tears welled up again, and he said, “Okay, okay, dad will definitely help fulfill your wish!”

Ma Xiaohan stretched out his hand to wipe away Ma Donghai’s tears, but his hand passed through his father’s face. He quickly withdrew his hand and hid it behind his back, “Thank you, dad. Dad, don’t cry.”

Ma Donghair wiped away his tears and looked towards Ling Hua’an, “Mr. Ling, thank you for your willingness to help us. I will head to the hospital in a while, then to the police station. No matter who it is, I will make sure the person who murdered Hanhan is found.”

“There’s no need to thank me. Xiaohan and I have reached an agreement prior to this. I’m just doing what I need to do. Mr. Ma, there’s no time to lose. Who knows if something unexpected will crop up. It’s best if you hurry.”

Ma Donghai looked in Ma Xiaohan’s direction, reluctant to part with his son, “Mr. Ling, can I still see Hanhan in the future?”

“Xiaohand will stay with me until he is reincarnated. You can come see me anytime if you want to see him, Mr. Ma.” Ling Hua’an paused and continued, “Mr. Ma, good deeds will be rewarded while evil will be punished. This is the cycle of karma. One will inevitably be punished for their misdeeds. If you have done something wrong, promptly make up for it. Be absolutely sure to not let it lead to a major mistake, otherwise retribution will befall you.”

Ma Donghair stared at Ling Hua’an in a daze. He inwardly felt a lot more reverence for him in his heart, and said, “Thank you for reminding me, Mr. Ling. I will definitely do more good deeds in the future to accumulate blessings for my family.”

Ma Donghai didn’t stay any longer and left Guangde Tea House, making a beeline for the hospital opposite the tea house.

As soon as Ma Donghai left, Jiang Chengyan pushed the door open and walked in, “Hua’an, leave the rest to me. I’ll take you back to rest.”

Ling Hua’an didn’t try to be brave anymore. He had truly reached his limit now and felt severe pain coming from the wound to the point his forehead was covered with cold sweat. When he got home, Jiang Chengyan helped him to the bed, and ordered him not to go anywhere except to go to the bathroom. Ling Hua’an really pushed himself too much today. He knew he was at fault, so he just lay down obediently.

Jiang Chengyan turned around and went to the kitchen to make lunch. Ma Xiaohan blinked his big eyes and looked at Ling Hua’an, his voice tinged with envy, "I really envy you for having such a good friend."

Ling Hua’an smiled and said, "I will put you in the bell from here on out. You can't come out except when you are on duty. Do you understand?"

"Bell? What bell? How do I get in?" Ma Xiaohan asked, filled with curiosity.

Ling Hua’an took out a bell from the drawer of the bedside table and silently recited the spell. The next second, Ma Xiaohan disappeared before his eyes and was sucked into the bell.

"Woah! Where am I? Is this place inside that little bell? How did you do it?"

Ling Hua'an ignored Ma Xiaohan's successive questions and lightly tapped the bell, then the room fell silent instantly. He massaged the space between his brows, closed his eyes and rested.

Jiang Chengyan had cooked two steaming bowls of tomato and egg noodles, and brought them to the bedroom only to find that Ling Hua’an was already asleep. He hesitated for a moment, but decided to wake him up in the end when he thought of Ling Hua’an’s stomach problems.

Jiang Chengyan reached out to touch Ling Hua’an’s pale face and called out, his tone greatly distressed, “Hua’an, wake up. Eat something before going to sleep.”

Ling Hua’an wearily opened his eyes. Although he only saw darkness in front of him, he could clearly feel the warmth of the person beside him. He put his arms around Jiang Chenyan’s neck and said, “Captain Jiang, I want a kiss.”

Jiang Chenyan was dazed when he saw Ling Hua’an acting spoiled. It was a rare sight to see. The corners of his mouth could not help but rise, and for the first time ever kissed Ling Hua’an’s lips without blushing.

After a long time, the two separated. When Ling Hua’an felt little Jiang Chengyan’s enthusiasm, he couldn’t help himself from letting out a small chuckle and said, “Captain Jiang is so responsive. Aren’t you afraid Ma Xiaohan will see?”

Jiang Chengyan immediately froze when he heard Ling Hua’an. He subconsciously looked around and said in a dangerous tone, “Hua’an, you’d better tell me that there are only the two of us in this bedroom.”

“If it’s not, what does Captain Jiang plan to do to me?” The smile in Ling Hua’an’s eyes gradually grew deeper.

Jiang Chengyan viciously uttered a threat, “If there is a third person in this room, I will stay in the guest room for the next month.”

Ling Hua’an exclaimed, leaving no room for argument, “You can stay in the guest room, but it must be with me. Otherwise, Captain Jiang is not allowed to go anywhere!”

“Why are you so bossy!” Although Jiang Chengyan complained on the outside, a sweet feeling engulfed his heart.

“It is what it is. It’s not the first time Captain Jiang has seen it.” Ling Hua’an said it as if it was a matter of course.

“Now that you’re awake, hurry up and eat the noodles. Keep playing and it won’t taste good anymore.” Jiang Chengyan already knew that there was no one else in the room. Otherwise he wouldn’t have put his hand into his clothes. The things he said earlier were just the result of him cooperating with Ling Hua’an. The two of them had a unique taste.

“Oh no, my chest hurts and I can’t lift my hands. I have no other choice but to bother Captain Jiang to feed me.” Ling Hua’an, who had been holding onto Jiang Chengyan earlier to take advantage of him, suddenly became weak.

Jiang Chengyan couldn’t stop himself from laughing when he saw this. It was extremely rare to see Ling Hua’an acting like this. Jiang Chengyan had to admit that he really liked it, but cooperated by pretending to be very unwilling, “Fine, I’ll feed you.”

Ling Hua’an laughed aloud at the sight of this and said, “Captain Jiang, you really need to improve your acting skills. I don’t even need to see to tell how fake it was.”

“You speak as if your acting skills are any better. Alright, that’s enough. Hurry up and eat.”

The two couldn’t help laughing together. This warm feeling left them yearning for more, as it made their not-so-beautiful lives a little more vivid.

On the 17th of March 3021, Zhang Mian came knocking on their door just as Ling Hua’an finished his breakfast. He simply tidied up and followed as Zhang Mian led the way. Half an hour later, he arrived at the entrance of the Yan family’s hotel.

As he looked upwards from where he was standing, Ling Hua’an could see wisps of resentment outlining the entire hotel. He couldn’t help frowning and turned to look at Zhang Mian, who was standing beside him, “Please ask everyone to leave the hotel.”

Zhang Mian was startled, then said with difficulty, “Mr. Ling, although the hotel isn’t exactly thriving, we still have guests. If we ask them to leave like this, it may damage the reputation of the hotel.”

“If the people inside don’t leave, they will die within two days. It’s up to you whether to vacate them or not.” Ling Hua’an did not have the time to give a thorough explanation to Zhang Mian and bluntly told him the consequences. He trusted that Zhang Mian would make the right decision.

When Zhang Mian caught sight of Ling Hua’an’s grave expression, his heart began to waver and he caved in, “Alright, we’ll do as Mr. Ling says.”

“Go. The sooner, the better. I’ll wait for you in the car.”

“Okay, I’ll take Mr. Ling back to the car.”

After sending Ling Hua’an back to the car, Zhang Mian called Yan Yu. After all, such a major event would definitely lead to a considerable impact. He, a mere assistant, needed to ask his boss for instructions in a situation like this.

Yan Yu merely replied, “Do whatever Mr, Ling tells you to do. There’s no need to ask for instructions.”

Once the boss had spoken, Zhang Mian no longer had any misgivings and gathered everyone in the hotel at lightning speed. All of the hotel’s guests received an invitation card that led to the guests vacating the hotel.

An hour later, Zhang Mian returned to the car and updated Ling Hua’an on the situation, “Mr. Ling, I have invited all the guests out of the hotel on the pretext of participating in the Yan family’s wine gathering. However, the wine gathering will conclude at 3 pm. We must resolve matters in the hotel as soon as possible.”

Ling Hua’an asked noncommittally, "Is there anyone else in the hotel?"

"There should be no one else. I have ordered all the employees to leave the hotel."

Ling Hua’an opened the door and got out of the car, then said, "Wait here. Don't go in."

"But, President Yan...."

Ling Hua’an interrupted Zhang Mian, "There is no room for negotiations."

Zhang Mian froze and stared blankly at Ling Hua’an’s back. He was in a daze for a moment and seemed to see an illusion. It was as if one of them was an Emperor high above the masses while the other was simply a minister prostrating on the ground.

Ling Hua’an took out the bell, silently chanted the spell and released Ma Xiaohan, “Xiaohan, you will be my eyes from now on. No matter what you see, don’t be afraid. I am here.”

Ma Xiaohan looked in the direction of the hotel and an ominous feeling assaulted his senses. He shivered and scooted over to Ling Hua’an, and asked, “Uncle, there seems to be something terrible in this building.”

“Don’t worry. He can’t hurt you with me here.”

Under Ma Xiaohan’s guidance, Ling Hua’an smoothly passed through the entrance of the hotel. The moment they stepped past the threshold of the entrance, the doors shut with a bang and locked themselves.

"There are... there are ghosts." Ma Xiaohan hid behind Ling Hua'an in fear.

Upon seeing this, Ling Hua'an laughed and said, "You're also a ghost, so what's there to be afraid of?"

“Oh? That’s right. I'm a ghost too." Ma Xiaohan stepped out from behind Ling Huaan again.

Suddenly, they heard a creak. It sounded like a mouse trying to chew on the floor. After that, there was a screech akin to a rusty machine working, which was exceptionally terrifying in a completely silent environment.

“Un… uncle, what’s that sound? Why is it so scary?”

Ling Hua’an ignored Ma Xiaohan and turned to look in the direction of the sound. A long-haired female ghost in a bright red dress was slowly approaching them in an extremely twisted posture. The crunching and creaking sounds were the sound of her joints moving.

“Un… uncle! Sh…she she she.. she crawling over!”

The movements of the female ghost were exceedingly slow. Her warped limbs pulled herself forwards bit by bit on the ground as her blood-red eyes stared straight at them. There was a strange sound coming from her throat, as if she was being strangled. It was a frightening sight to see in a hotel filled to the brim with resentment.