LABMY CH57

“Do you plan to keep appearing in front of people like this?”

In the large supermarket, Jiang Tang pushed the cart while asking Jian Yuanbai, who was following beside him.

Jiang Tang wasn’t short, but compared to Jian Yuanbai, who was 1.93 meters tall, he seemed a bit petite. Moreover, Jian Yuanbai habitually walked half a step behind him, giving off a protective vibe.

Jian Yuanbai: “Mm, it’s more convenient this way.”

As for what exactly was convenient, he didn’t explain.

Jiang Tang: “But you don’t have an ID card or anything, right? In this world, wouldn’t that make you an undocumented person?”

“Do you want me to help you get an ID? I can pull some strings and get you one.”

Jian Yuanbai turned his head to look at him, “Can I be added to your household registration?”

Jiang Tang: “You should have your own household registration. After all, having a brother-in-law and a younger brother-in-law on the same household registration is just weird.”

Jian Yuanbai: …

No matter how many times or under what circumstances, the word “brother-in-law” could always plunge Jian Yuanbai into dead silence.

The household registration conversation fell apart, but they did reach a consensus on Jian Yuanbai appearing in public.

When they brought the personal items and other things they bought back to the rented apartment, they saw that the door of their neighbor, Wang Liye, was already sealed with a white strip.

Jiang Tang: “I wonder how those people handled it.”

Jian Yuanbai: “A death caused by unnatural causes can’t be handed over to the police for investigation. But to the public, the case will likely be closed as a ‘burglary resulting in accidental homicide.'”

Jiang Tang paused as he was closing the door and suddenly realized something, “If there are people specifically responsible for handling such cases, why did no one come to investigate what happened at my house?”

Jian Yuanbai knew the answer, “The Xuan Sect is short on manpower. Your case wasn’t reported, so they couldn’t know whether it was an ordinary crime or not.”

“Not every murder case can be handed over to the Xuan Sect for initial investigation.”

Jiang Tang fell silent. Whenever his family’s tragedy was brought up, his mood would sink. Seeing this, Jian Yuanbai said, “I’ll cook. What do you want to eat?”

Jiang Tang: “Anything. I’m not picky.”

Jian Yuanbai walked toward the kitchen and asked, “Do you eat carrots?”

Jiang Tang wrinkled his delicate nose, “No.”

“Eggplant?”

His brows furrowed, “Not a fan.”

“Spinach?”

Jiang Tang replied without hesitation, “Absolutely hate it.”

Jian Yuanbai swiftly tied the new apron around his back, forming a butterfly knot. He turned around and looked at Jiang Tang with a teasing smile, “Not picky?”

Jiang Tang awkwardly avoided his gaze and gestured with his fingers, “Just a little.”

In the end, Jian Yuanbai spent quite some time in the kitchen and made a dish of braised beef brisket with potatoes.

The golden potatoes and the beef, soaked in rich sauce, were served in a large bowl with green edges. It looked incredibly appetizing.

Jian Yuanbai, satisfied with the dish’s appearance, placed it closer to Jiang Tang and said, “Try it.”

Jiang Tang picked up a piece of beef with his chopsticks. After eating it, his expression subtly changed. Then he tried a piece of potato, and his expression shifted again.

His reactions were so subtle that Jian Yuanbai didn’t notice. Instead, he eagerly asked, “How is it?”

Jiang Tang: “Not bad.”

“I see you didn’t make much, so I’ll finish it all.” As he spoke, he subtly knocked away Jian Yuanbai’s chopsticks reaching for the dish.

Jian Yuanbai instantly felt proud, “You like it that much?”

“Seems like my cooking skills have improved. In the past, when I…” He abruptly stopped and awkwardly changed the subject, “So, have I won your heart?”

“If you like it, I’ll cook for you every day.”

Almost forgot, this was the first time he cooked for Jiang Tang in this world.

Jiang Tang’s hand holding the chopsticks froze. In the past? For whom?

He cared, but he couldn’t bring himself to ask. Instead, he said, “You’re not about to say that ‘the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach,’ are you?”

Jian Yuanbai subconsciously nodded.

Jiang Tang sighed, “Honestly, your cooking is terrible.”

“I can’t believe you managed to mess up something as simple as potatoes.”

Jian Yuanbai looked shocked and wronged, “But you just said it was good.”

Jiang Tang looked helpless, “You worked hard to make this meal, so I was just being considerate of your feelings.”

“I was showing kindness and hiding the truth.”

“But if you plan to ‘repay kindness with revenge’ by cooking for me every day, I have no choice but to tell the truth.” Jiang Tang looked at the unconvinced Jian Yuanbai and said, “If you don’t believe me, try it yourself.”

Jian Yuanbai picked up a piece of potato and took a bite. His facial features twisted instantly. Without a word, he grabbed the bowl and dumped the entire dish into the trash.

He was wrong. His cooking was as terrible as ever.

“Hey, wait a minute.” Jiang Tang couldn’t stop him in time and watched helplessly as he poured everything out.

Jiang Tang sighed again and again, “Forget it, I’ll cook.”

The meal was finished in less than five minutes. Since Jian Yuanbai mentioned the past, Jiang Tang sighed three times. Before stepping into the kitchen, he couldn’t help but say, “And by the way, saying things like ‘capturing the heart’ is really cliché.”

Jian Yuanbai had cooked for others before. Who knows how many people he’d said that line to?

Out of Jiang Tang’s sight, Jian Yuanbai stared blankly at the object in his hand, debating whether to throw it away or not.

“How to Win the Heart of Your Crush in 30 Days”.

Suddenly, a voice echoed in Jian Yuanbai’s mind, startling him. “Why are you speaking out of nowhere? You scared me.”

The system replied indifferently, “I always speak out of nowhere, okay?”

Jian Yuanbai: “Then starting today, change that.”

System: “What’s that in your hand? Don’t tell me the things you said to Jiang Tang earlier came from this book.”

Jian Yuanbai: “Of course not. I just spoke from my heart.”

Then, in a softer voice, he added, “But I did learn how to express my true feelings from this book.”

The system fell silent.

Jian Yuanbai continued, “This was my first time following the book’s advice, and I messed up right away. So I’m wondering… should I throw it away?”

The system, trying to tempt him, said, “Keep it. Didn’t the book promise you’d win her over in 30 days?”

“Just follow the steps, and it’ll work for sure.”

“Besides, your earlier confession was quite effective, wasn’t it?”

Following the book’s guidance would surely help Jian Yuanbai embark on his “invincible protagonist” journey in this world.

Jian Yuanbai: “You’re not lying to me?”

The system replied with a straight face, “Why would I lie to you?”

Jian Yuanbai retorted, “Last world, you told me that Little Pillow liked hearing over-the-top protagonist lines but was just too shy to admit it. You tricked me into giving him an out.”

The system fell silent for a few seconds before saying, “This time, I’m not lying. If I am, I’m not human.”

Jian Yuanbai: “But… you’re not human to begin with.”

System: “…”

Damn it. Hit right where it hurts.

In the end, Jian Yuanbai kept the “Love Guide” and secretly studied it again that evening while Jiang Tang worked on his assignments.

The sky outside darkened, and a sudden thunderclap echoed through the air. Jian Yuanbai glanced out the window.

It’s going to rain.

At that moment, the “How to Win the Heart of Your Crush in 30 Days” book was open to the chapter on “Showing Vulnerability.”

“Properly showing vulnerability can evoke compassion from the other party. The desire to protect is the seed of love.”

Jiang Tang walked over and asked, “Do you want to sleep in the master bedroom or the guest room? Both beds are ready.”

Just before Jiang Tang could spot the book in Jian Yuanbai’s hands, the “Love Guide” vanished into thin air. “The guest room is fine.”

So aggrieved. His future wife was right in front of him, yet he had to sleep separately.

Far worse than being told his cooking was awful.

But Jian Yuanbai didn’t dare complain and even had to endure another comment from Jiang Tang: “And no turning into a cat and sneaking into my bed again.”

In the guest room, Jian Yuanbai sat on the bed, absentmindedly flipping through the “Love Guide.”

Another thunderclap roared. Jian Yuanbai turned to look out the window at the pouring rain. His gaze returned to the words “showing vulnerability” on the page.

His eyes gradually filled with contemplation.

On this stormy night, someone knocked on Jiang Tang’s door.

When Jiang Tang opened it, he saw Jian Yuanbai in soft pajamas, hugging a pillow with a pitiful expression.

Jiang Tang: “What’s up?”

Jian Yuanbai hugged the pillow to his chest. His usually sharp eyes now looked cautious and hesitant. “Um… the thunder is too loud. Can I sleep with you tonight?”

Jiang Tang looked skeptical. “You’re afraid of thunder?”

Jian Yuanbai nodded and flinched slightly as another thunderclap sounded. “I won’t take up much space. Just a tiny spot will do.”

His terrible acting failed to trigger any protective instincts in Jiang Tang, who coldly rejected him, “No.”

Jian Yuanbai lowered his head in disappointment and turned around with his pillow. Behind him, a black, fluffy cat tail drooped and swayed limply with his steps.

Wait… what?

Jiang Tang hurried forward, catching sight of the soft, flexible tail behind Jian Yuanbai.

“Jian Yuanbai.”

Hearing his name, Jian Yuanbai’s already slow steps halted. He turned around and asked, “Changed your mind?”

As he spoke, his tail swayed side to side.

Jiang Tang hesitated for a moment but saw the tail droop again, looking pitiful and dejected.

“…Fine, you can sleep here.”

As Jian Yuanbai entered the room, Jiang Tang asked, “What is that behind you?”

Jian Yuanbai tilted his head, “A tail.”

Jiang Tang: “You conjured it, right? Like when you disguise yourself as a cat.”

Jian Yuanbai shook his head, “No. It’s my real tail.”

The “Love Guide” stated: “Just as humans feel compassion for soft, fluffy animals, showing vulnerability and seeking comfort can also trigger a protective instinct in others.”

Jian Yuanbai interpreted this as: adding a fluffy tail would make showing vulnerability even more effective.

As they lay in bed, another loud thunderclap echoed.

At that moment, Jiang Tang reached out and touched Jian Yuanbai’s tail.

Jian Yuanbai gasped softly, his voice slightly hoarse, and asked:

“What are you doing?”

Jiang Tang coughed twice to cover up his embarrassment and said, “Aren’t you afraid of thunder? I thought… maybe touching your tail would help calm you down.”

The tail slipped out of Jiang Tang’s hand and rested on him instead. Jian Yuanbai leaned in and wrapped Jiang Tang in his arms.

His chin rested on Jiang Tang’s shoulder, and their bodies pressed tightly together, sharing warmth.

“This feels better,” Jian Yuanbai murmured.

The tail was extremely sensitive. It couldn’t be touched carelessly.

Trapped in Jian Yuanbai’s embrace like a pillow, Jiang Tang awkwardly bit his lip. Caught red-handed for secretly touching someone’s tail, he was too embarrassed to ask Jian Yuanbai to let go.

All he could do was quietly hide his flushed ears, close his eyes, and secretly grasp a handful of the soft, fluffy tail under the blanket.

At this moment, Jian Yuanbai spoke to the system in his mind:
“I misjudged you, System.”

“This book actually works. It was worth keeping.”

The system felt a surge of frustration, as if something was stuck in its throat—neither able to swallow it down nor spit it out.

Utterly suffocated.

…

“Jiang Tang.”

A voice called out, snapping both of them back to reality.

Li Sui stood at the classroom door, nearly dropping the book in his hand when he saw Jian Yuanbai standing beside Jiang Tang.

With a grim expression, he didn’t even bother greeting Jiang Tang and directly said to Jian Yuanbai, “You… could you come with me for a moment? I need to talk to you.”

Jian Yuanbai glanced at Jiang Tang, gesturing for him to enter the classroom first, then followed Li Sui out.

In front of the locked rooftop door, Li Sui glanced around to make sure no one else was present before directly asking, “What are you doing here? It’s broad daylight.”

Jian Yuanbai replied calmly, “I’m attending class.”

Four words left Li Sui completely speechless.

“You’re a ghost. What class are you attending?”

“What exactly is your goal, sticking to Jiang Tang like this? Don’t you have your own business to attend to?”

Jian Yuanbai raised an eyebrow, “I’m already dead. What business could I possibly have?”

Li Sui: “…”

Completely defeated by logic.

Jian Yuanbai added, “Besides, protecting Jiang Tang is my business now.”

With that, he pulled out a student ID, “Let’s get acquainted. I’m Jian Yuanbai, from the Fine Arts Department.”

Li Sui took the student ID in disbelief. Upon opening it, he was stunned to see Jian Yuanbai’s unmistakably recognizable face on it.

“What the hell are you trying to do?”

“I don’t know what kind of power allows a ghost to appear in daylight, nor do I know how strong you are. But if you insist on staying by Jiang Tang’s side…” Li Sui’s expression darkened, “I’ll have no choice but to report you to the Xuan Sect for elimination.”

Jian Yuanbai calmly took back his student ID and replied, “Relax. I’m different from other ghosts. I won’t harm those around me.”

“But of course, don’t tell Jiang Tang about this.”

“As for reporting me to the Xuan Sect…”

Jian Yuanbai brushed past Li Sui and patted him on the shoulder.

The moment he released his hand, Li Sui’s entire body uncontrollably fell backward. He was silently dragged into the ground by countless blood-stained hands.

Li Sui looked up in horror. The school rooftop and sky had disappeared, replaced by a crimson blood moon hanging high above.

Beneath the moon was a vast, black-red sea. But upon closer inspection, there was no water—only endless, writhing bloodstained hands reaching upward.

“If you don’t want them to die, I suggest you stay out of this.”

A voice echoed in Li Sui’s ears, pulling him back to reality.

Gasping for air, Li Sui looked around in panic, but Jian Yuanbai was nowhere to be seen.

His legs went weak, and when he took his first step forward, he nearly collapsed to the ground.

Who the hell is Jian Yuanbai?

To be trapped in an illusion from a mere brush of the shoulder…

And as an A-rank Celestial Master, Li Sui couldn’t even resist.

If Jian Yuanbai truly wanted to kill him, he’d already be a cold corpse on the ground.

With such a terrifying ghost roaming around, could the current, declining Xuan Sect really handle him?

…

Jiang Tang glanced at Li Sui, who arrived late right before the class bell rang, and curiously asked Jian Yuanbai, “What did you two talk about?”

Jian Yuanbai replied, “Nothing much. He was just… concerned about my well-being.”

Jiang Tang clearly didn’t believe him but chose not to press further. Instead, he asked, “Do you even understand this class?”

Jian Yuanbai shook his head sincerely, “No idea. You’d better teach me. I can’t afford to fail.”

Jiang Tang sighed, “I told you not to take the same elective as me. You’ve never done calligraphy before.”

Despite his words, Jiang Tang leaned closer, guiding Jian Yuanbai’s hand.

“This stroke needs to be more fluid. Don’t press too hard.”

“Feel the motion of my brushstroke. Yours is too stiff.”

In the back of the classroom, one of their classmates, known as “Big Bro,” looked at the two men sitting closely together, hand-in-hand, and asked in confusion, “Isn’t that Tang Tang’s older brother? Why is he attending calligraphy class with him?”

Big Bro tilted his head to the left, then to the right, frowning in confusion.

“And what’s with the… vibe between them?”

After observing for a while, he smacked his lips and muttered, “This is the first time I’ve seen two guys teaching calligraphy so… intimately.”

“So… this is what brotherhood looks like?”

Then he glanced at his own ugly handwriting and hesitated, “Hey, Old Third, maybe you should… guide me like that too? Maybe it’ll help.”

After saying that, he shuddered, “No, forget it. Just thinking about it… gives me goosebumps.”

“I told you I didn’t want to take calligraphy, but you guys all signed up, and only Old Second managed to escape.”

Li Sui, who had been silently listening, put down his pen and stood up to move to the back of the classroom.

Big Bro quickly grabbed him, “Where are you going?”

Li Sui glanced at the two figures sitting suspiciously close in front and replied, “My eyes hurt. I need to stay away from the light.”

In the end, Li Sui never found the courage to ask Jiang Tang why he had suddenly moved out of the dorm.

“Hey, Tang Tang, that gorgeous girl from last time asked you out. Are you going?”

Big Bro stopped Jiang Tang after class and glanced at Jian Yuanbai beside him, greeting him, “Is Tang Tang’s brother coming too?”

Jian Yuanbai smiled faintly, “Depends on what Tang Tang wants.”

Jiang Tang looked confused, “What gorgeous girl?”

Big Bro exaggeratedly widened his eyes, “No way. You didn’t remember such a stunning beauty?”

Seeing Jiang Tang’s still puzzled expression, he added, “It’s Liu Zhuqing. From the hiking trip last time.”

Jiang Tang replied flatly, “I’ll pass. We’re not that familiar.”

Big Bro casually threw an arm around Jiang Tang’s shoulders, “You’ll get familiar after hanging out a few times! Come on, my dear Tang Tang.”

He lowered his voice, “That girl is obviously into you. And me… I’m hoping to find a girlfriend from her friend group.”

“They’re planning to go to some… immersive escape room or something.”

Jiang Tang was about to refuse when Big Bro clasped his hands together and pleaded, “Come on, I’ll treat you to dinner.”

Jiang Tang sighed, “When is it?”

He figured he could go and politely make things clear in person.

Big Bro grinned, “Next next Sunday. It’s the grand opening of a new venue. We can join the event.”

Jiang Tang was about to decline. The Celestial Master’s Association assessment was scheduled for that Saturday, and he wasn’t sure if it would last one or two days. It would be safer to keep Sunday free.

However, before he could speak, Big Bro mentioned the location: “It’s on Duanlong Mountain.”

Jiang Tang was startled. The assessment was also on Duanlong Mountain.

“I can come, but I might not be able to join the game with you guys. Is that okay?”

Big Bro scratched his head, “I’ll check with them.”

He then turned to Li Sui, who was standing nearby, “Sui-ge, are you coming? There’ll be a bunch of single girls.”

Big Bro chuckled slyly, “It’s basically a low-key matchmaking event. Don’t miss out.”

Li Sui frowned slightly and glanced at Jiang Tang, who was now leaning in to chat with Jian Yuanbai. With a hint of self-mockery, he replied, “Fine, I’ll go.”

…

Time flew by.

On the day of the assessment, Jian Yuanbai and Jiang Tang followed the coordinates provided on the Natural Resources Management Association’s website and arrived at a hotel on Duanlong Mountain.

To their surprise, the hotel looked abandoned from afar. The signboard at the entrance swayed precariously, as if it could fall off at any moment.

Jiang Tang instinctively glanced at Jian Yuanbai, only to hear him say,

“Let’s go. There are people inside.”

The hotel was at least a hundred meters away, but it seemed perfectly natural for Jian Yuanbai to know that.

As they entered, they indeed found people inside—familiar ones.

Behind the “Registration Desk” sign sat Li Sui.

The moment Li Sui saw them, his eyes widened in shock. He slammed the table and shot up from his seat, completely losing his composure.

The loud noise drew everyone’s attention, but Li Sui didn’t care. He rushed over and dragged the two of them outside.

After ensuring no one could overhear, Li Sui asked through gritted teeth,

“Why are you two here?”

Jiang Tang awkwardly rubbed his nose, “We’re here for the Celestial Master assessment.”

“I… actually know a bit about exorcising ghosts.”

Li Sui barely managed to accept this explanation. Then he turned to Jian Yuanbai, “Don’t tell me… you’re here for the assessment too?”

Jian Yuanbai raised his eyebrows, “Exactly what you’re thinking.”

He wasn’t thinking that at all!!

Being a student wasn’t enough—he had to become a Celestial Master too?

Was there no justice in this world?

No one was going to stop this terrifying ghost from blatantly crossing realms?

Jian Yuanbai smiled and extended his hand,

“Allow me to reintroduce myself. I am Jian Yuanbai, a soon-to-be certified Celestial Master.”

He chuckled lightly, “Surprised?”

Li Sui’s face turned grim.

Surprised?

He was absolutely horrified.