The Ghost Insists on Giving Me a Beautiful and Powerful Wife! - Chapter 11

Jiang Huaining’s condition looked rather grim. Her lips were pale as paper, beads of sweat rolled down from her brow until her whole face was damp, and even the crimson mole at the corner of her eye seemed to fade beneath the sweat.

Yu Ruoyin didn’t need to ask to understand why Jiang Huaining wanted to delay things until tomorrow.

Her body must have reached its limit. But it was strange—when they separated during the day, Jiang Huaining had looked perfectly fine.

Of course, it was also possible that she had simply been forcing herself to hold out, and after fighting ghosts, she could no longer endure it.

What Yu Ruoyin could figure out, He Meijie refused to consider.
“Why can’t it be today?”

Her mind was full of doubts. With her naturally bad temper, there was no way she’d agree to postponing things.
“I want to know right now—whose damned cat is it?”

Human nature tends to be selfish. A single glance would tell He Meijie how unwell Jiang Huaining was, yet all she could think about was herself.

Yu Ruoyin grew angry, her temper outweighing her fear of ghosts.
“Do we really have to take her business?”

Jiang Huaining turned her head toward her, her eyes firm and unyielding.
“Yes. We must.”

“I…” Yu Ruoyin was frustrated. She couldn’t understand Jiang Huaining’s stubbornness. Pouting, she used the title Jiang Huaining disliked:
“Fine, I get it, Auntie Ning.”

It was childish payback, like a kid throwing a tantrum when denied candy.

But Jiang Huaining didn’t hold it against her. There was a deep, unfading gentleness in her gaze.
“I told you before—you can call me however you like.”

It was as though her eyes could see through Yu Ruoyin’s petty retaliation and had already chosen to forgive her.

Compared to Jiang Huaining’s mature tenderness, Yu Ruoyin’s own behavior seemed terribly childish.

Jiang Huaining was a businesswoman. Whose deal she wanted to take was her freedom.

Even if Yu Ruoyin was upset, it wasn’t fair to direct it at her. After all, the one who hurt her was He Meijie—the one who saved her was Jiang Huaining.

Yu Ruoyin wasn’t too proud to admit her mistakes. She quickly bowed her head.
“I’m sorry.”

But He Meijie refused to be ignored. She banged the table for attention.
“Didn’t you say you’d take my business? I told you—I want to live again. I want revenge! Just name your price. My father has plenty of money.”

Jiang Huaining didn’t even look at her. She spoke softly to Yu Ruoyin instead.
“Ayin, in the Four Spirits Shop, only the cheapest wishes are paid for with money.”

He Meijie wasn’t too stupid. She immediately caught the implication.
“Then what do you want?”

Jiang Huaining didn’t answer. She only gave Yu Ruoyin’s shoulder a light pat.
“Ayin, put her away.”

Yu Ruoyin absorbed He Meijie into the crimson jade fruit, then held it up.
“What exactly is this?”

“I already told you.”

“Why can it collide with ghosts?”

“Ayin.” Jiang Huaining coughed hard, spitting blood again.
“This is your protective charm. Never take it off. The space inside and outside is separate. They can talk to each other inside, but they can’t hear or see us. It won’t affect your life, you just need to—”

“Cough, cough, cough!” Her coughing suddenly worsened, making Yu Ruoyin’s heart jump.

She hurried forward to steady Jiang Huaining’s shoulders.

Jiang Huaining leaned against her arm, her trembling body collapsing into Yu Ruoyin’s embrace.

She shook so violently Yu Ruoyin feared she might shatter in her arms.

Not daring to hold her too tightly, Yu Ruoyin asked again, her voice urgent.
“Jiang Huaining, what’s really wrong with you?”

Biting her lip, Jiang Huaining refused to speak.

Then she covered her mouth, coughing again—blood seeped out through her fingers.

Yu Ruoyin panicked.
“Jiang Huaining, you’re my wife. I’m your spouse. You said so yourself! So as your wife, am I not even allowed to worry about your health?”

Still, Jiang Huaining stayed silent.

Yu Ruoyin’s expression darkened. She stared at Jiang Huaining, no longer afraid but filled with suspicion.
“Or were all those words you said to me just lies?”

“…No.”

Jiang Huaining turned away, wiping the blood from her lips and palm with a tissue. Only after hiding her pitiful state did she turn back to face Yu Ruoyin.
“I lied too much. I’m paying the price for it.”

She leaned against Yu Ruoyin and whispered:
“But this time—it’s true.”

“…”

Yu Ruoyin was stunned speechless.

She had suspected Jiang Huaining of lying, but hadn’t expected her to admit it so frankly—and in such a way.

Her head swam with all of Jiang Huaining’s words. She couldn’t tell anymore which were true and which were false.

And right now, Jiang Huaining clearly had no strength left for interrogation.

Still… if lies truly brought retribution, wouldn’t everyone in the world suffer it? Yu Ruoyin had yet to meet anyone perfectly honest.

“Cough, cough!” Jiang Huaining’s harsher coughing dragged her out of her thoughts.

Looking up, she saw the flush rising in Jiang Huaining’s cheeks from the violent spasms.

The blood pouring from her lips made Yu Ruoyin wonder if her internal organs were damaged.

Her pride forbade her from openly fussing, but her sense of duty urged her forward.
“Would resting help?”

Jiang Huaining gazed at her silently, unblinking.

Yu Ruoyin guessed she was right.
“I’ll help you.”

She reached to support her, but Jiang Huaining brushed her hand aside.
“Call Xia Yu down.”

She wouldn’t even allow such simple contact.

Seeing Yu Ruoyin’s eyes dim with disappointment, Jiang Huaining sighed softly.
“Ayin, I can’t move anymore.”

“I’ll carry you!” Yu Ruoyin turned her back and bent down.
“I can carry you.”

Still so young—her heart could die quickly, but revive just as fast.

Jiang Huaining smiled faintly and climbed onto her back.

Yu Ruoyin wasn’t overestimating herself. She didn’t know how to fight ghosts, but years of living alone meant doing everything herself. She had strength enough.

And she managed to lift Jiang Huaining.

In truth, though Jiang Huaining’s figure looked full and shapely, she wasn’t heavy at all.

Dressed in a qipao, her bare legs brushed Yu Ruoyin’s hands. Her skin was even smoother than expected.

Yu Ruoyin’s gaze dropped. Her clear eyes flickered over the pale skin of Jiang Huaining’s ankles.

So white, so delicate.

She felt like a scoundrel.

Hurriedly, she averted her eyes—then realized belatedly: wasn’t this her wife she was carrying?

Admiring one’s own wife couldn’t count as lechery, right?

She secretly tried to comfort herself, though she still didn’t dare look again, fearing Jiang Huaining would think her thoughts improper.

After all, Jiang Huaining was a patient right now.

Yu Ruoyin carried her to bed, helped her lie down, tucked the quilt securely, covering every inch of her skin before finally relaxing.

Looking up, she caught Jiang Huaining smiling at her.

Yu Ruoyin blushed, embarrassed.
“Pretty one… um… where should I sleep?”

It was awkward. She could call Jiang Huaining “wife” a thousand times in her heart, but saying it aloud felt wrong, especially since they hadn’t known each other long.

Sensing her unease, Jiang Huaining was considerate.
“You can call me Auntie. You heard Xia Yu—I am much older than you.”

“Auntie Ning… did you really live for tens of thousands of years?”

“Ayin.” Jiang Huaining’s voice was always gentle when she called her name, soft like cotton brushing her ears, tickling.

Unable to resist, Yu Ruoyin looked over. Jiang Huaining was smiling at her, lips parting lightly.
“More than that.”

“More… than tens of thousands?”

Yu Ruoyin studied her face. At first glance, Jiang Huaining hadn’t seemed particularly young. But now, knowing her age, she seemed impossibly youthful.

Living so long, yet still wearing such a face…

Did she really fear aging? Did she really need the Camellia Spirit? Could it be even the Camellia Spirit was a lie?

It wasn’t impossible—Jiang Huaining had admitted to many lies.

A spirit?

Did spirits truly live so long?

“Auntie Ning, do all spirits live that long? Have Xia Yu and the others also lived that long?”

“Spirits?” Jiang Huaining gave a soft laugh.
“Yes. Xia Yu and the others are indeed spirits, born of the rules of the changing seasons. Guarding the cycle of the four seasons is their duty. They possess immense power and undying life. Each only awakens in their own season, sleeping through the rest. Without summoning, their awakenings overlap only briefly. It’s summer now, so Xia Yu works in the shop.”

That had to be the truth.

She had said before she had four employees, their names matching spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

No wonder Xia Yu behaved so recklessly—she was powerful indeed.

Speaking of the Four Spirits, Jiang Huaining’s expression grew complicated, her voice softer, half to Yu Ruoyin, half to herself.
“They have no souls. Born only to guard the seasons. No matter how beautiful the memories, they last just three months. Once they sleep, they forget everything from that season, remembering only the other three spirits—and me…”

Her voice carried a trace of loneliness, lost in brief reminiscence.

“But…” Yu Ruoyin felt something off. If they only kept three months of memory, then Xia Yu… She couldn’t possibly wake every time with the same strong dislike toward others, right?

Jiang Huaining knew what she was asking and answered:
“Xia Yu had an accident.”

After a pause, she added:
“Once Mid-Autumn passes, you’ll meet Qiu Luo. She’ll be easier to get along with than Xia Yu.”

Hearing that, Yu Ruoyin couldn’t help but look forward to it.

If Jiang Huaining herself said Qiu Luo was easy to get along with, it must be true.

Surely, Jiang Huaining wouldn’t lie to her.

…No, wait. Jiang Huaining had lied to her plenty of times.

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