GRMFBS CH224

Wan Yan had many dreams, and the ones he dreamed of most were Bai Ze and Lin Yuan—his two best friends.

Ah, he remembered.

Bai Ze had tricked him.

He only realized it after he returned.

Because he had made a new friend, he spent more time with Lin Yuan and went to visit Bai Ze less frequently. Yet, when he finally went to see Bai Ze after an even longer interval, all he did was chatter endlessly about Lin Yuan.

So Bai Ze played a little prank on him.

…

Curled beneath the Wenyu Tree, Wan Yan the cat was not sleeping very peacefully. Every now and then his ears twitched, or a paw stretched out.

Just as he once had only Bai Ze as his friend, Bai Ze had also only had him as a friend back then.

Di Ting could hear the faintest, most minute thoughts buried deep within living beings.

Bai Ze couldn’t know the thoughts people kept hidden like he did, but he knew what a person had done in the past, and what they would do in the future.

One perceived the heart, the other perceived the traces; both were divine abilities requiring strict self-restraint.

Bai Ze knew everything, so he could speak of nothing.

He loved Di Ting’s divine ability because he never had to say a single word for Di Ting to understand him completely.

Bai Ze… the Bai Ze who knew he would appear and had always looked forward to his arrival; the Bai Ze who dragged him everywhere to watch drama; the Bai Ze who, despite knowing Lin Yuan would divide his attention, still introduced Lin Yuan to him; the Bai Ze who played pranks on him out of jealousy… was gone.

Bai Ze was dead, and even his soul had vanished.

Curled beneath the Wenyu Tree, the little white cat whimpered softly in his dream.

Resting her chin on her hand beside the Wenyu Tree, Minghe watched him, reaching out to smooth the ruffled fur on top of his head.

Wan Yan stopped sniffling and whimpering, shifting into a tighter coil to keep sleeping.

Minghe stroked his soft little ears. Wan Yan’s ears twitched twice, but he offered no reaction and kept sleeping.

Minghe squished his fluffy little paw pads. Wan Yan curled his paws inward, purring as he continued to snooze.

“Cats really are quite fun.” Minghe pointed a finger toward the kitten’s whiskers.

Once she had played to her heart’s content, Minghe lazily rose and walked away.

Wan Yan cracked open a slit of one eye, checking his surroundings.

Minghe was gone; he was going to escape Mount Chaofu!

Hmph, who cares about fishing? He was going to find Bai Ze!

He had searched the Ming He River for so long without finding a trace of Bai Ze. He felt the direction Minghe and the others were searching in was entirely wrong—Bai Ze probably hadn’t passed through the Ming He River’s Reincarnation at all.

Bai Ze knew everything. If he wanted to hide, he would never leave behind any traces that others could follow.

Bai Ze’s soul definitely hadn’t scattered into nothingness!

Mmm… but how should he search for Bai Ze? He remembered far too little right now to imagine where Bai Ze could be. He had to recover more of his memories first. Don’t even think about keeping him locked up on Mount Chaofu!

Wan Yan scrambled up in an instant. Taking advantage of Minghe’s absence, he swiftly scurried up the Wenyu Tree.

After climbing out onto Mount Chaofu in the mortal realm, Wan Yan gave his whiskers a proud twitch… a proud twitch… they wouldn’t twitch. Why were his whiskers braided together?!

[Ghost King Minghe saw that Wan Yan Ghost King was feigning sleep and began teasing the cat. Having had her fill of fun after braiding Wan Yan Ghost King’s cat whiskers, she pretended not to notice anything, intentionally leaving Wan Yan Ghost King an opening to escape.]

Zhan Yan: Pfft… When Ge handed Wan Yan the cat over to Minghe to bring back to Mount Chaofu, he never planned on locking him up again, but Wan Yan the cat didn’t know that.

[Wan Yan Ghost King wants to recover more of his memories.]

Wan Yan the cat wanted to retrieve his memories; Zhan Yan could certainly use the Gossip System to search for clues, but the problem was how to credit this deed to Deep Shadow to change Ge’s opinion of him.

He couldn’t very well take a bizarre detour, hand the clues to Deep Shadow, and have Deep Shadow pass them to Wan Yan, could he?

Both Deep Shadow and Wan Yan would think he had lost his mind.

Ah… why is this so hard?

Zhan Yan turned it over in his mind without finding a way, so he could only shelve it for now and see if another opportunity arose later.

Besides Ge, there were still Mom and Dad…

Dad had once considered meeting Deep Shadow in person. That counted as good news; at least Deep Shadow hadn’t offended Dad. But Dad didn’t lack anything, leaving no opening to exploit for now.

Mom’s lightning body used to suffer from side effects, but it had grown increasingly stable; it looked like she could settle the side effects on her own, leaving no opening for classmate Xiao Gu to win points there either.

This couldn’t be rushed; settling a good first impression would have to come first.

After tallying up the secret identity dilemma, Zhan Yan’s thoughts drifted back to Infinite.

Infinite, Monster Doctor, and the Chronicle of the World were all monsters supremely gifted at hiding.

The Chronicle of the World never showed its face, manipulating others through its abilities; Monster Doctor had already degraded into an anomaly, splitting into multiple avatars where killing one meant nothing; and after getting badly swindled by Sister, Infinite had gone into deep dormancy, showing zero signs of activity ever since the apocalyptic world was merged in.

Zhan Yan searched them one by one using keywords, but they still returned rows of [Loading…].

He needed to level up!

He’d head back into Dawn World shortly to grind information words, gobbling down a fresh batch of concept dumplings in the core zone before roaming around some more.

After sorting through his upcoming agenda, Zhan Yan couldn’t help but sigh for himself.

How tragic! Shouldn’t discovering that everyone around you is a peerless boss mean you get to kick back and run wild? Why did it instead leave his hands and feet tied while saddling him with a mountain of tasks? Ugh… tomorrow he still had to endure extra training following that Wen Yinghui fitness course Dad evaluated for him!

Zhan Yan felt mentally drained and desperately in need of nourishment.

Kneading the sweet bread his brother brought him into breadballs once more and swallowing them down, Zhan Yan lay flat on his bed in peaceful serenity, closed his eyes, and entered Dawn World to gorge himself on concept dumplings. After finishing, he made his goodnight call to Gu Jiancheng, then went straight to sleep.

No staying up late tonight. Tomorrow he had to go to the movies with his family, and before that, he still had to face the extra-intensity morning workout.

The next morning, Zhan Yan blissfully ate the breakfast his dad personally prepared. Fermented glutinous rice ball congee paired with refreshing cold-tossed side dishes—it was absolute heaven!

Zhan Yunkai continued tempting him with a warm smile: “Yan Yan finished all your morning exercises? Good boy! What would you like to eat this afternoon? Dad will make it for you.”

While Zhan Yan was pondering what to order, Zhan Yunkai had already started bustling around with the fermented rice wine filtered out from making the rice mash.

“Dad, what are you making?” Zhan Yan asked.

“Iced milk curd. It’ll be just right to eat when we get back from the movie.”

Mixing rice wine with hot milk and letting it sit would cause it to set into an egg-custard-like pudding.

Rice wine came with its own natural sweetness, so no sugar was needed in the milk. Zhan Yunkai made one sugar-free version and one heavily sweetened version—hovering right at the threshold of not causing the curd to fail.

That was as sweet as it could get. If Zhan Jinli still found it lacking, he could add honey himself.

“This rice wine smells amazing. Where did you buy it, Dad?” Zhan Yan inquired.

In any case, it couldn’t possibly be homemade; his dad had only returned home yesterday, so there wouldn’t have been time.

Zhan Yunkai dodged the question vaguely: “A friend gave it to me. Here, have a small cup to taste.”

Sipping the rice wine in small mouthfuls, Zhan Yan pulled up the gossip strip. The alcohol taste was light, carrying the aroma of rice and an indescribably fresh fragrance, subtly sweet without being cloying.

[Chongming Demon King Zhan Yunkai returned to Mount Qixia. Before conducting his daily patrol, he was stopped by the proboscis monkey demon Guan Pu. Stuttering, Guan Pu expressed his gratitude to Zhan Yunkai and offered various wines and spirits he had meticulously brewed. Zhan Yunkai considered the fermented rice wine he brewed to be quite good and suitable for cooking.]

The various brews crafted by Guan Pu contributed a string of new information words to Zhan Yan’s “Matter” column, all tinted green, with a select few gleaming blue.

Ordinary items were typically designated white or green. Zhan Yan pulled up the item descriptions: they were all ordinary spirits devoid of supernatural effects. Whoa! He elevated the entries to blue solely through pure deliciousness!

This proboscis monkey demon was an authentic brewing genius.

Speaking of which, this monkey demon looked somewhat familiar. Time for another search.

Last year, a traitor arose within the Wan Yao Alliance—the Corpse Flower Konjac Demon. Zhan Yan retained a vivid impression of the incident: because his dad’s wingtips accidentally caught a speck of pollen while capturing the traitor, his revulsion drove him to burn his feathers, take seven showers, and douse himself in an entire bottle of perfume.

Guan Pu was the unlucky scapegoat pushed forward afterward. Once the black-necked crane demon talked him down, Guan Pu settled down peacefully on Mount Qixia.

After residing there for a while, Guan Pu gradually shed his anxiety. He realized what a wonderful haven it was under the Chongming Demon King’s wing! It was worlds better than where he had lived before—no intrigue, no petty schemes. The demons of Mount Qixia loathed underhanded plots, to say nothing of vile habits like slandering others or flattering superiors—His Chongming Majesty was righteous by nature and possessed divine double pupils, making such petty tricks in his presence an express ticket to seeking trouble.

Guan Pu found life here utterly idyllic! Living lightly without racking his brain, the eight hundred conniving thoughts the proboscis monkey demon had honed in his old haunts began to wither away, leaving him hopelessly immersed in brewing spirits day in and day out.

Zhan Yan desperately wanted to taste what the other brews were like, particularly the jar that had forcibly raised its entry to blue purely on flavor.

Unfortunately, his dad hadn’t brought all the spirits home, only carrying back the fermented rice wine this time.

Well, that would have to wait for next time.

Zhan Yunkai stored the prepared milk curds in the refrigerator so they would be perfectly chilled and refreshing upon their return.

Cicadas buzzed about the heat in the trees as passing birds scoured for water.

Zhan Yan filled a small hooked kettle with water and hung it on a branch in the courtyard.

Ji Yueming cast a thoughtful glance across the yard, exchanging a look with Zhan Yunkai as fond memories washed over both of them.

They hadn’t lived here initially, only moving to this compound as their family grew larger.

This house included a yard, which had been a prime reason they liked it back then, giving the children space to run around. When purchasing the property, both Zhan Yunkai and Ji Yueming had envisioned elaborate layouts for the courtyard. Yet once they settled in, they discovered they virtually lacked the time to tend to it. The kids had school, while they frequently traveled for business or filming due to their secret identities. Left untended for a few days, weeds smothered the yard, so they eventually paved it with hardened bricks, preserving only a few patches of bare dirt, a low-maintenance maple tree, and a border of low shrubs.

Now with Infinite lying dormant, work was far less hectic, and the children were all grown up; they ought to reclaim the daily life they had missed out on.

Seeing his parents exchange that meaningful glance, Zhan Yan felt the atmosphere abruptly shift into exclusive couple territory.

Yikes!

He glanced toward his brother. In the sweltering heat of summer, his brother was wearing a face mask. In the past, Zhan Yan would have worried he felt hot, but now… he’s a reincarnated Ghost King, why would he care about the heat?

Arriving at the cinema, his parents sat together on one side holding hands, flanked by Zhan Jinli—the eldest son was quiet and taciturn, an ideal child who would never disrupt his parents’ romantic atmosphere.

Zhan Yan sat to his brother’s right, with his sister seated to his own right.

Before the movie started, Zhan Yan noticed a QR code for a massage function on the seat armrest. Hey, when did the cinema upgrade its seats?

He felt tempted. Last time he had been pummeled through the entirety of the screening; this time, he wanted to experience a massage.

Zhan Yan scanned the code and paid.

Huh? Why is there no movement?

To his left, Zhan Jinli’s seat began shifting slowly. The backrest reclined, and a panel underneath raised up, propping up his calves.

Zhan Jinli turned his head expressionlessly to look at his brother.

Zhan Yan: “…Pfft, sorry Ge, I didn’t know I scanned the one on your side.”

Zhan Suiru: “Hahahaha, Ge, just enjoy the massage while watching. Consider it an upgrade. Yan Yan, scan the one on this side.”

Zhan Yan switched to the right armrest to scan and pay. Moments later, his sister’s seat began shifting into gear.

Zhan Yan: ???

Zhan Suiru: …

Zhan Jinli: Heh.

Zhan Yunkai and Ji Yueming: …Pfft, no, we can’t laugh.

Zhan Yan was utterly bewildered.

Was there something wrong with whoever designed these seats? Why place one on the left, one on the right, and sandwich a completely ordinary chair right in the middle?!

[Fu Hongcheng, the owner of Hongcheng Cinema, purchased a discounted batch of various massage chairs from a friend whose massage chair venture went under, using them to upgrade his theaters. Because the supply of cheap massage chairs was insufficient, they were installed alternately interspersed among regular seats.]

Zhan Yan: Fine, understood. He was the interspersed one that got skipped over.

Zhan Jinli sent him a message:

Zhan Jinli: [Want to swap seats?]

Zhan Yan: “No need, I was just curious.”

Zhan Jinli and Zhan Suiru experienced a movie accompanied by massage.

Ji Lele’s directing prowess remained completely on point, with screams and gasps echoing through the theater from time to time.

Compared to their surroundings, their cluster of seats remained strikingly quiet.

Their parents were putting on an act of being scared, clinging to each other without making a sound. His brother remained silent, and his sister was equally unbothered. Classmate Xiao Gu wasn’t here, so Zhan Yan had no desire to pretend to be frightened and act cute toward his siblings.

Watching the film this time, Zhan Yan paid special attention to how Ji Lele utilized cinematography to portray the sculptures.

Ji Lele truly was a genius. The first time he watched, he merely felt he could comprehend what Ji Lele was articulating, sensing the raw strength of struggling souls through the cinematic language. Watching it a second time, he felt moved to tears.

When the sculptures cast their terrifying silhouettes for the first time in the movie, rows ahead and behind shrieked, while Zhan Yan merely released a deeply moved, emotional breath.

His father, mother, brother, and sister couldn’t help but glance over simultaneously.

If they weren’t mistaken, the director designed this shot specifically to terrify people. It was fine if Yan Yan wasn’t scared, but what was with that look of profound emotional reverence? Had his artistic taste warped to such an extreme?

Zhan Jinli turned his head toward Zhan Suiru: How did you manage that?

Zhan Suiru: …What does this have to do with me?

Zhan Yan reminded his brother in a tiny whisper: “Don’t space out, watch quickly.”

The visual treatment of the sculptures in this upcoming sequence was executed brilliantly!

Zhan Jinli: …

Watch, watch, watch. Huh? Brother even gets a close-up shot? It really is shot nicely.

Zhan Yunkai and Ji Yueming were marveling as well. Their Yan Yan was truly photogenic.

Once the movie concluded and they stepped out of the theater, Zhan Suiru began, “What did you all think of Yan—”

Zhan Yan’s eyes sparkled as he looked at them: “Aren’t Sister’s sculptures utterly amazing!”

The entire family fell into an eerie hush.

They had understood Ji Lele’s cinematic language, which was precisely why they hesitated to bring it up. She might not understand art, but she could clearly feel the raw emotions channeled through those sculptures.

Those agonizing, tortured, desperate, yet fiercely struggling elements.

Just what had been bottled up in Zhan Suiru’s heart for her to craft such sculptures…

Every one of them felt they hadn’t shown enough care and concern for their daughter and sister in everyday life.

The entire family lapsed into quiet self-reflection.

Zhan Yan: ?

Did you guys not understand it?

Zhan Yan: “Those sculptures are so incredible!”

“They possess so much vitality! Struggling with such fierce determination.” As Zhan Yan spoke, he couldn’t help gesturing with his hands, trying his hardest to explain to the others, “Especially that sequence where time shifts—the interplay of light and shadow makes it look like it’s practically growing!”

“Wonderfully said!” an exclamation of praise suddenly chimed in from behind Zhan Yan.

Zhan Yan paused and turned around.

A young woman wearing a white top and a red skirt woven with yellow floral patterns walked over.

“Hello, I’m Teng Jian.” Teng Jian greeted them with easy confidence. “Pardon the intrusion, but finding kindred spirits is just too difficult… Hey, weren’t you in the movie?”

Zhan Yan: “Ah… the Haunted Campus crew was recruiting extras at my university, so I joined as an extra for a bit.”

“That’s awesome!” Teng Jian looked envious. “I want to be on a film set too.”

Beyond Haunted Campus, she proved thoroughly familiar with Ji Lele’s other films, radiating excitement as she discussed them.

Zhan Yan realized she was a hardcore fan of Ji Lele.

“I personally think his best work is The Tall Grass,” Teng Jian said, letting out a little slurp at the end.

Zhan Yan: ???

Why are you drooling when discussing a horror movie?

Unwilling to sit out the excitement, the Gossip System chimed in: [You encountered Teng Jian. Regrettably, however, you have no idea who Teng Jian is.]

Who was Teng Jian? Was she famous?

Zhan Yan began searching.

Teng Jian: a mythical beast said to feed on ghosts. Naturally, she did not devour the souls of ghosts themselves, but rather the baleful aura known as “ill omen” clinging to them.

Teng Jian’s renown was obscure among humans, allowing her to live openly in human society under her true name.

“The Tall Grass is genuinely delicious…” Teng Jian swallowed back the word “delicious” halfway through.

Zhan Yan: … So when you watch Ji Lele’s horror films, you’re actually treating them as culinary shows?

“I won’t disturb you any longer.” Teng Jian exchanged contact information with Zhan Yan, waved, and bid them farewell.

When Zhan Yan turned back around, he discovered his entire family standing in dead silence.

[Zhan Yunkai recognized Teng Jian and considers your social connections to be extraordinarily bizarre.]

[Zhan Jinli recognized Teng Jian and considers your social connections to be extraordinarily bizarre.]

[Ji Yueming did not recognize Teng Jian, but sensed she was no ordinary person. Hearing Teng Jian reveal her own name brought sudden realization, and she considers your social connections to be extraordinarily bizarre.]

[Zhan Suiru did not recognize Teng Jian. Like you, she had never heard of Teng Jian’s name, but sensed she was no ordinary person, and considers your social connections to be extraordinarily bizarre.]

Zhan Yan: …