CHAPTER 160: CHAPTER 160: YOUNG MASTER LU IS ANNOYED

Xia Mian paused her rowing motion, her clear eyes slowly turning to look at Lu Zechuan. She looked for a long time but only softly uttered a single "Hmm" sound.

Saying she didn’t want to marry Lu Zechuan, that would be a lie.

Saying she wanted to marry him, seemed not reserved enough.

The water glittered, the moonlight was enchanting. Lu Zechuan and Xia Mian shared a boat, admiring the wind, the moon, and the earthly landscapes.

Lu Zechuan unconsciously raised his arm, pulling Xia Mian into the crook of his arm.

If he could, he wouldn’t want to go back tonight...

Just as this thought emerged for Lu Zechuan, Xia Mian’s phone rang. She took out her phone for a glance—it was Song Juan calling.

"My mom’s urging me to go back." Xia Mian broke free from Lu Zechuan’s embrace and answered the call.

"Mianmian, it’s getting late. When are you coming back?" Song Juan’s voice was gentle, but Xia Mian could still sense the anxiety in her voice.

Even though she said Xia Mian could go on a date, as a mother, her mind was constantly worrying about her children.

Xia Mian immediately replied, "I’ll be right back!"

Right now, Song Juan felt very insecure; Xia Mian didn’t want Song Juan to suffer this torment.

Song Juan responded with a word and hung up the phone.

"Let’s head back!" Xia Mian said.

Although Lu Zechuan was reluctant to leave so soon, he feared his future mother-in-law’s disapproval even more.

At that moment, he sat at the stern, started the engine with a rumble, and the dragon boat moved towards the shore.

The water surface stirred by the propeller, creating large splashes, with cool breezes blowing over the water. Xia Mian squinted, feeling that everything seemed like a dream, unreal.

Seeing the dragon boat gradually approach the shore, the shopkeeper’s worrying heart finally settled back down.

"Did you two have a good time? Come again next time!" The shopkeeper smiled as he boarded to clean the table and chatted with Lu Zechuan and Xia Mian.

Lu Zechuan didn’t speak, but Xia Mian smiled and responded, "Not bad; the food was authentic. I wish your business prosperity, boss!"

Lu Zechuan held Xia Mian in his arms, softly said, "The wind by the water is strong; be careful not to catch a cold."

Xia Mian mumbled incoherently, leaning into Lu Zechuan’s strong, warm embrace.

The shopkeeper, while clearing the table, watched the two gradually leaving silhouettes, showing a hint of envy in his eyes, "This couple is truly a perfect match made in heaven, so well-suited!"

Beside him, the shopkeeper’s wife nodded in agreement, "Not only are they good-looking, but they also have money!"

Coming in to book the entire place, that’s quite a significant gesture!

Bear in mind, their business had always been good, so the price for a private booking was naturally not low.

The shopkeeper chuckled, "Well, we were lucky today, closing early for a change!"

The shopkeeper’s wife hummed in agreement, joining her husband in cleaning the tables.

The two busied themselves together for their livelihood, their faces filled with earthly warmth and authenticity.

Xia Mian and Lu Zechuan got in the car, heading back to the city. The streetlights flickered, the orange glow inducing a bit of drowsiness. Xia Mian closed her eyes, lazily dozing off in the passenger seat.

As she was enjoying her leisure time, listening to music with her eyes closed, Xia Mian distinctly felt the temperature inside the car drop a bit.

Suddenly alert, Xia Mian opened her eyes.

Through the rearview mirror inside the car, she saw a little ghost sitting in the backseat, its face as pale as dough, with two red blushes on its cheeks, appearing painted on.

Xia Mian’s gaze turned icy, her eyes fixated intensely on the little ghost.

The little ghost appeared timid, shrinking in the back seat, water continuously dripping from it, eyes cautiously peeking at Xia Mian.

"Why are you following us?" Xia Mian asked in a low voice.

Lu Zechuan immediately sensed something was off as soon as Xia Mian spoke.

He hadn’t turned on the air conditioning, yet the car’s temperature was unusually low. Sure enough, he soon caught a glimpse of the little creature out of the corner of his eye.

Having gone through various bizarre events, Lu Zechuan felt that believing in the existence of soul bodies wasn’t so difficult anymore.

"I don’t know," the little ghost pouted, looking quite aggrieved.

Xia Mian slightly pursed her lips, her eyes sweeping over the little ghost. The ghost was quite young, seemingly about the same age as Fu Zhou and Meng Meng, with heavy moisture surrounding it, leaving the backseat soaked.

This was a water ghost.

"Don’t know?" Xia Mian’s tone rose with a sharpness in her expression, "If you don’t know, then get out of the car!"

Lu Zechuan’s magnetic field was dominated by negative energy, and having this little thing around might attract more negativity.

Just as Xia Mian finished speaking, the little ghost started to cry.

Being a water ghost, her body already had a lot of moisture. When she cried, her tears seemed endless, all falling into the car.

Xia Mian, a little annoyed by the crying, sternly said, "Quiet!"

The little ghost, intimidated by Xia Mian’s aura, obediently quieted down, but still looked woeful in her eyes.

Lu Zechuan’s expression wasn’t too pleasant either.

He just wanted to have a good date with Xia Mian. Why did there always have to be interruptions? And now it’s not just people but ghosts too!

It’s simply absurd!

"You’re still young. I’ll let you go, now leave quickly!" Xia Mian’s gaze deepened, casting a glance at the small figure, speaking lightly.

The little ghost seemed innocent, without any traces of wrongdoing. Xia Mian wasn’t specifically tasked with vanquishing evil spirits, so since it wasn’t causing harm, she wouldn’t destroy it right upon meeting.

"I won’t leave!" The little creature stubbornly refused to go, "You summoned me here."

Xia Mian raised an eyebrow, "I summoned you?"

"Yes! I don’t know why I was in that lake or why I followed you, but my intuition tells me you can help me." The little thing tilted its head, looking earnestly at Xia Mian.

Xia Mian was feeling a headache. This little guy didn’t even know who he was or what he wanted from her yet claimed she could help him?

"I can’t help you," Xia Mian squinted slightly, "You better leave now!"

The little ghost rested its chin on its hand, pouting, looking pitifully at Xia Mian, "Please help me. It will be beneficial for you too!"

Xia Mian rolled her eyes. What could a little ghost offer her!

Just as this thought crossed Xia Mian’s mind, the cat claw jade on her suddenly emitted a faint glow.

Xia Mian’s thoughts stirred. Since acquiring this item, it had only been useful in taking her to the Mystical World once.

On the way back, it had even glitched; now it’s responding?

"This object of yours requires resentful spirit energy. By helping me, you’re also helping yourself!" the small thing pointed at the cat claw jade on Xia Mian, speaking earnestly.

Xia Mian was silent for a moment. Previously, she didn’t want to meddle, but if using the cat claw jade required resentful spirit energy, then she might genuinely need to take some action.