Daily Life of a Villain at Work [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 78

Chapter 78: My Sixth Day as a Malignant Spirit~

Using the data Wen Xiao Liu had gathered, it took Wen Qingyun three hours to reach her university, thousands of miles away.

According to the records, her life before death seemed quite successful. Her name was all over the official school website. From her freshman to junior years, she had consistently won national scholarships and held titles like “Triple-A Student” and “Outstanding Student Union Officer.”

Finding the school didn’t restore more of her memories, but it did confirm one thing: the university knew absolutely nothing about her disappearance.

Following the student registry, Wen Qingyun easily made it to her dormitory. The building had been renovated a few years ago, and she had been lucky enough to be assigned to a newly refurbished four-person suite. Judging by the specialized books on the shelves, she and her roommates were from different majors, which explained why they went their separate ways during the job-hunting season.

None of her roommates returned to sleep that night. They were likely busy with internships or had already moved out, waiting only for the graduation ceremony on the 17th. This was good news for Wen Qingyun; it allowed her to rummage through her belongings undisturbed.

In a drawer, she found an old phone. The photos and records inside painted a picture of a happy life. Based on the five hundred or so photos of her with her mother, she had been a very well-loved child.

Should I reveal myself to Mom? Tell her I’ve become a powerful spirit who can stay in this world? Or should I visit her in a dream, claim there was an accident, and help her move on?

Wen Qingyun fell into deep thought. The glossy photos didn’t trigger specific memories of their time together, but she had a gut feeling that her mother was special—that being near her might unlock something unexpected.

…

Using the metadata from the photos and the guidance of her “Black Orb,” Wen Qingyun arrived at a self-built housing area in the peri-urban zone just before sunset.

At 5:40 PM, the streets were crowded with commuters. With a single glance, Wen Qingyun spotted her mother among the bustling crowd, carrying a cloth grocery bag. Her nose crinkled and a lump formed in her throat. She hadn’t recovered her memories, but the biological urge of a living human surged within her. She wanted to run over and bury her face in her mother’s embrace.

As she drew closer, fragments of memory etched into her soul began to surface.

She had only her mother. She never knew who her father was, but it hadn’t mattered. Her mother had raised her so well she felt like the luckiest child alive. Even when classmates bullied her for not having a father, she had retorted with confidence: “So what? Even with a dad, you don’t get half the love I do!”

During her four years away at university, she had shared every detail of her life with her mother. During this final semester of thesis defenses and job hunting, her mother hadn’t messaged her much, knowing she was busy, but she always replied within three minutes whenever Wen Qingyun reached out.

This overwhelming love made Wen Qingyun feel a profound sense of grief—and a renewed hatred for those who had forcibly separated her from this life. If the law doesn’t sentence them to death, I will.

Before she could interact with her mother, the phone in her pocket buzzed. She only had two contacts: Chu Yu and Wen Xiao Liu.

Chu Yu: It’s almost sunset. Where are you? I’m bringing the delivery.

Wen Qingyun: Room 909 [Hotel Name]. My person is there. Just give it to her.

Chu Yu: You aren’t there? Where did you go?

Wen Qingyun: Do I need to report my itinerary to you?

Chu Yu: Are you sure it’s your ‘person’?

Wen Qingyun: Strictly speaking, it’s my ghost. Giving it to her is giving it to me. Whatever you do to her, you do to me.

Chu Yu: My blood isn’t something ordinary spirits can touch. I’ll give it to her, but if she uses it without permission and something happens, I’m not responsible.

Wen Qingyun: Just seal it well. She’s a ghost I value highly. If she gets hurt because of you, I’ll blame you.

Chu Yu looked at the unreasonable message and sighed. She didn’t have time to argue; the sun was halfway below the horizon. She didn’t want to break the agreement again—lest she get bitten a second time. She instinctively touched her neck, her gaze turning complex.

…

Wen Qingyun, invisible, followed her mother into the house and watched her cook. After covering the pot, Mother Wen took out her phone, opened WeChat, and refreshed the pinned chat repeatedly. No new messages. She scrolled through old chats, a small smile appearing on her face.

“Job hunting must be so hard; she hasn’t even posted to her Moments lately,” Mother Wen muttered, wiping the stove over and over.

When the rice cooker finished its countdown, Mother Wen sat alone at the table to eat. Wen Qingyun sat beside her, silent. She didn’t know how to tell her mother the cruel truth. Even if she was “alive” in a sense, she could never go back to being the daughter her mother didn’t have to worry about.

Buzz— Buzz—

The phone on the table vibrated. The caller ID showed a number ending in 110 (Police). Wen Qingyun’s eyes darkened.

“Hello?” Mother Wen answered tentatively. As she listened, her grip on her chopsticks tightened.

“The last time we spoke was ten days ago… Qingyun is busy with jobs, she’s about to graduate… Missing? How could she be missing? She’s at school, in the dorms!”

“You’re lying! My child is fine! You’re a scammer, right? Trying to trick me for money?”

“I don’t believe you! My daughter told me scammers love pretending to be the police!”

“I won’t look at the videos! You can fake uniforms and IDs! My child is fine, she’s just busy!”

Mother Wen’s hand shook so violently she dropped her chopsticks. She hung up and stared at the floor, refusing to accept it. After a long silence, she sent two “normal” messages to her daughter:

How is the job search? Do you have time for a video call?

It’s okay if you’re busy, just message me when you’re done.

She stared at the screen, waiting for a reply. Wen Qingyun sat right next to her, invisible. Time passed. The food went cold. The room grew dark, lit only by the blinding glare of the phone screen set to maximum brightness.

Mother Wen took a deep breath and tried to call her daughter. Once. Twice. Three times…

Platter—

Tears hit the cold tiles. Mother Wen didn’t stop. She dialed over and over, even when there was a knock at the door from people claiming to be local officers. It’s a lie. It’s all a lie. I haven’t heard from her for a few days.

Wen Qingyun waited until the local police left a contact card and gave up for the night. She walked out of the apartment, moved to the hallway, and manifested her form.

Knock— Knock-knock— Knock-knock-knock—

It was a specific rhythmic knock she always used. Mother Wen’s head snapped up.

“Mom, I’m home! I forgot my keys, open up!” Wen Qingyun’s voice rang out.

Mother Wen scrambled to the door, the chair screeching against the tile. She didn’t even turn on the lights; she just threw the door open.

There stood Wen Qingyun, taller than her mother. In the dim hallway, her features were slightly blurred, but a mother knows her child. She lunged forward and hugged her. Even the icy-cold temperature of her skin didn’t make her hesitate. It’s June, but the weather can be cold. She must have been standing in the wind too long.

“Mom, I’m hungry. Is there anything to eat?” Wen Qingyun patted her mother’s back.

“Yes! I’ll make it right now, I just bought groceries today!” Mother Wen laughed through her tears.

Wen Qingyun walked in and flipped the light switch. Mother Wen froze for a split second, seeing her daughter’s unnaturally pale skin, but then forced a smile. “I’ll go cook. Wait for me?”

“Okay,” Wen Qingyun sat on the sofa. “By the way, Mom, my phone was stolen a few days ago. I got a new number for safety. I’ll add you, just accept it.”

Mother Wen nodded frantically. She chose to ignore every logical inconsistency. What did the cold skin or the lack of a heartbeat matter? Her daughter was home.

Within no time, a large plate of Guo Bao Rou (Crispy Sweet and Sour Pork) was on the table. Wen Qingyun ate the meal—which tasted even better than it looked—to make her mother happy. She noticed her mother, while washing dishes, looked back at her every single minute, terrified she would vanish.

“Mom, I want to sleep with you tonight, okay?”

“Of course! I have a new latex pillow, it’s very comfortable,” Mother Wen said, acting as if everything was normal.

In the bedroom, Wen Qingyun realized her mother was holding her hand tight, even as she pretended to be asleep. Every time Wen Qingyun shifted slightly, she could feel her mother’s heart rate spike.

“Mom, I’ll probably stay like this… and stay with you until you’re old,” Wen Qingyun whispered. “Will you leave me one day?”

“Never,” Mother Wen opened her eyes, gripping her hand. “No matter what you become, I will never leave you. Tell me if you need anything.”

“I do need one thing,” Wen Qingyun turned to face her. “If the police come tomorrow, I want you to cooperate. Don’t ask for compensation. Just demand that the people who hurt me face justice.”

Mother Wen hesitated. “What are you talking about? You’re right here. Those people weren’t police, they were scammers.”

“They might be scammers, but they are also police,” Wen Qingyun smiled, wiping a tear from her mother’s face. “I burned my… body. You won’t be mad at me, right?”

“I’m very powerful now, Mom. Neither Taoists nor monks can hurt me. In fact, a Taoist is paying me a salary to help her.”

“Really?”

“Look.” Wen Qingyun showed her the banking app. “The balance is over four million yuan. The Taoist gave it to me.”

Mother Wen still didn’t let go of her hand. “Then what can I do for you?”

“Nothing. Just remember I’ll always be with you.”

…

Back at the hotel, Wen Xiao Liu handed Wen Qingyun a small wooden box. “Boss, the Taoist named Chu Yu gave this to me. I didn’t touch it.”

Inside were three jade bottles.

“How is the online situation?” Wen Qingyun asked.

“They’ve suppressed large-scale discussion, but people are still sharing it. They can’t block it completely,” Xiao Liu said. “Also… some trouble happened in this hotel while you were gone.”

“Oh?”

“Two girls found hidden cameras in their room. They called the hotel, got into an argument with the staff, and were taken away by the police for ‘investigation.’ They aren’t back yet.”

Hidden cameras? Wen Qingyun knew how this usually ended—it would be swept under the rug.

“Boss, I can find everyone involved through the network,” Xiao Liu said. “I can get their names, IDs, and exact locations.”

“How long?”

“Less than twenty-four hours.”

“Find them. And record their birth dates and times (Ba Zi),” Wen Qingyun ordered.

If a ghost could find them in a day, the state apparatus could do it in an hour. They just chose not to because it wasn’t “worth the effort.” Wen Qingyun expected nothing from them.

Just then, Chu Yu arrived. She looked surprised to see Wen Qingyun. “You’re back?”

“Why? Did you want to avoid me?” Wen Qingyun smirked.

Chu Yu ignored Wen Xiao Liu and placed six bottles of blood on the table. “This is for today and tomorrow.”

Wen Qingyun drank one immediately. Sensing the sweet aroma, Wen Xiao Liu looked on instinctively.

“Want a taste?” Wen Qingyun smiled.

“She can’t drink my blood,” Chu Yu said, frowning.

“Let’s see.” Wen Qingyun beckoned Xiao Liu over. She dipped her finger in the bottle and touched Xiao Liu’s palm.

Hiss— Xiao Liu gasped as her palm began to dissolve at the mere touch. Wen Qingyun immediately used her own power to mend the ghost’s form.

“I told you,” Chu Yu said coolly. “My blood is poison to average spirits.”

“Then why can I drink it?”

“I don’t know.”

Wen Qingyun drank the remaining five bottles in front of her. “Tastes great. As a thank you, I have a gift for you.”

Xiao Liu handed over a USB drive containing the names of the hidden camera ring.

“Since you’re following the rules, I’ll give you… five days. If you don’t handle this, I’ll do it myself.” Wen Qingyun leaned in with a dangerous smile. “I just learned a new spell today. I can drain the life essence of many people at once for my own use.”