The Beauty with Terrible Luck Falls in Love with a Ghost - Chapter 4

Ning Dongbang drove her through twists and turns, then straight for a long stretch, finally arriving at the destination half an hour later.

Though described as desolate, it wasn’t entirely devoid of human presence. After all, this was City S, where every inch of land was precious. Residential areas still surrounded the location within a kilometer radius, and basic amenities like restaurants and supermarkets were available.

For some inexplicable reason, however, this particular patch of land stood empty and uninhabited, overgrown with weeds as if isolated from the world, giving it an air of desolation.

“We’re here.” Ning Dongbang said, stepping out of the car and moving to the passenger side to open the door for Zuo Lihua.

Not far behind them stood a milky-white European-style villa, half-hidden by dense trees. Its dark, vacant windows resembled eyes, silently watching them.

Zuo Lihua was still wearing a bohemian-style maxi dress. A breeze blew from the direction of the villa, carrying a faint chill that made the flowers on her skirt sway and raised goosebumps on her delicate calves.

Ning Dongbang’s neatly styled hair was slightly ruffled by the wind.

For some reason, neither of them spoke for a moment. Their gazes drifted past the black car, fixing on the villa in the distance.

The dark green foliage in front of the villa rustled gently, as if greeting them.

After a few seconds, Ning Dongbang seemed to snap out of his reverie. “It’s quite beautiful, isn’t it?”

Zuo Lihua lowered her eyes. “Let’s go.”

Scattered, withered weeds dotted the path. Ning Dongbang and Zuo Lihua walked one behind the other as he enthusiastically introduced the villa.

“This villa was built during the Republican era. Later, the owner moved abroad to settle down, and the place was left vacant. A few years ago, a wealthy man took a liking to it, intending to invest in a film, so he bought the entire property and renovated the interior. For some unknown reason, the project was eventually abandoned.”

“Later, the wealthy man went bankrupt, and the villa was auctioned off. My friend bought it. You can stay here for now. I’ll have someone tidy up the yard later, it’s quite spacious. You could even grow some vegetables in your spare time…”

Zuo Lihua responded softly. As they spoke, they reached the front of the villa.

A mottled iron gate hung with a lock the size of a palm. The intricate and exquisite patterns on it were still faintly visible, a testament to the former owner’s wealth.

Ning Dongbang rummaged through his bag and finally produced a single large key. He turned it in the lock a few times, and with a sharp “click,” the lock opened.

Zuo Lihua was slightly surprised. Despite the lock’s aged appearance, the mechanism was in perfect condition, opening smoothly without so much as a speck of rust falling off.

In stark contrast to the lock, the yard was bleak and dilapidated, as if it had been abandoned for a century.

Withered trees and weeds filled the view, and the air carried a faint scent of decay. Even the temperature felt noticeably colder than outside.

Zuo Lihua glanced around and found it acceptable, at least the air was fresh. Just as she was about to step toward the villa’s main entrance, Ning Dongbang suddenly called out to her.

“Lihua!” He averted his gaze, his expression slightly unnatural despite his efforts to conceal it. “I… I won’t go in. Here’s the contract, please sign it. There’s an urgent meeting at the company.”

Zuo Lihua thought for a moment. “Is it about me?”

So far, she hadn’t taken any steps to refute the rumors, allowing public opinion to ferment while waiting to clarify everything three days later. It seemed like a straightforward issue to resolve, hardly warranting an urgent meeting.

Ning Dongbang nodded hastily. “A little, but not much. I need to head back right away.” As he spoke, he had already retrieved the contract and ink pad.

A pen was firmly shoved into Zuo Lihua’s hand. “Just sign here, then press your fingerprint.”

Zuo Lihua had never rented a house before, but she had accompanied Ling Mengwei when she rented one. Back then, only a signature was needed, no fingerprint required. Finding it odd, she asked, “Why do I need to press my fingerprint?”

“This is a villa, after all. Naturally, it’s different from those shabby little apartments out there. Hurry up and sign.”

Urged by Ning Dongbang, Zuo Lihua lowered her head, signed her name, and pressed her fingerprint onto the paper. Before she could even glance at the contract’s contents, Ning Dongbang snatched it away in a rush.

From her debut until now, Ning Dongbang, as her manager, had put in immense effort and care. She had witnessed all of it and trusted him completely.

“Alright, I’ll be off now. Go inside and take a look. If there’s anything you’re not satisfied with, just call me, and I’ll send someone to fix it.” Ning Dongbang sincerely advised.

“Okay, Brother Ning, drive safely on your way.”

Ning Dongbang waved his hand and strode away urgently.

Zuo Lihua tilted her head slightly. She wasn’t sure if it was her imagination, but Ning Dongbang seemed different today. In those few steps as he left, anyone unaware might have thought he was fleeing for his life, chased by some monstrous threat.

After walking quite a distance, Ning Dongbang turned back and waved at her, shouting, “Don’t just stand there! Go inside and get some rest!”

Like a fussy mother hen… Zuo Lihua sighed, waved her arm in response, and turned toward the villa’s front door.

Behind her, her shadow merged with the villa as if becoming one with it. Zuo Lihua’s slender frame seemed starkly out of place against the massive structure.

The heavy lock on the courtyard gate trembled slightly, emitting a soft “click” as it fastened shut. The silent villa was once again cut off from the outside world. The shadows of the trees swayed without any wind, and for a moment, it felt less like a house built of bricks and tiles, and more like a ghostly den that devoured people without leaving a trace.