Lushaxian City, a haunted house establishment.
After having dinner with Li Junfei and the others.
"See you tonight, Fatty and Junfei. Oh right, remember to check out the manga I recommended, 'Asymmetrical Monsters,' when you have time. It's a good one, a classic shonen manga."
Zhang Wei said to Fatty after they exchanged WeChat contacts.
Fatty smiled and nodded:
"Okay, I'll check it out on my way."
At this moment.
Li Junfei seemed to recall something and said directly:
"By the way, Wei Ge, are you returning to the dormitory later?"
"Not returning for now. After all, I don't know if there are any remnants of the Ghost Infant faction. Junfei, why do you ask?"
Before confirming that the Ghost Infant faction posed no threat to him, Zhang Wei had no intention of returning to the dormitory, as it would implicate Li Junfei and the others.
Upon hearing this.
Fatty, standing nearby, glanced at Zhang Wei.
[Ding! An unknown ghost has been confirmed again. The host is truly a good person. How can I possibly act against you like this?]
[Host has gained System Points +50]
In response to Zhang Wei's question, Li Junfei replied:
"Haha, it's like this. Since you're not staying, I was thinking of bringing Fatty to our dorm to play games. I wanted to use your bed, Wei Ge, and let Fatty stay over so we can play all night."
"No problem."
Zhang Wei took out a spare dormitory key and tossed it to Fatty with a cheerful grin:
"Fatty, this is our spare dormitory key. It'll make it easier for you to get in and out. Oh right, are you bringing your own laptop to play? If not, you can borrow our dorm's laptop. The startup password is 'This dorm is full of idiots'."
Having said that.
Zhang Wei patted Fatty's shoulder and whispered slowly:
"In my D drive, there's a folder named '2D Learning Materials'."
"Fatty, you absolutely, absolutely must not open that folder."
Fatty raised an eyebrow and looked at Zhang Wei. They met each other's gaze, and both revealed knowing smiles.
[Ding! An unknown ghost is sighing. Darling, why do you understand me so well? Please don't be so nice to me, okay?]
[Host has gained System Points +50]
Waving goodbye to Li Junfei and Fatty.
Zhang Wei hailed a taxi:
"Where to, sir?" the driver asked.
"To..."
Just as Zhang Wei was about to say the haunted house, he paused. He looked at his empty hands; going empty-handed seemed impolite and lacked sincerity.
Immediately.
He changed his tune.
"Driver, do you know where I can buy good fertilizer?"
"Haha, of course I do! You've come to the right person, sir. My wife's family sells fertilizer."
The driver inquired:
"There are many types of fertilizer. Do you know what you'll be using the fertilizer for, sir? Planting trees? Or flowers? Vegetables?"
"No, I'm not planting anything."
"Ah? Not planting anything? Then why are you buying fertilizer, sir?"
"I'm buying it as a gift."
"Ha?????"
The driver stared at Zhang Wei as if he had seen a ghost. He had encountered people who gave bizarre gifts before, but this was the first time he had seen someone give fertilizer as a gift.
...
Lushaxian City, a haunted house establishment.
As it was around 12:30 PM, during the post-lunch nap time, there were no customers in the establishment.
"Hello, I'd like to play the haunted house. I'll book the entire place."
Zhang Wei entered the establishment, carrying a bag of fertilizer.
Upon hearing that he wanted to book the entire place, the staff member's face lit up with a smile, and they quickly came out to greet him warmly:
"Certainly, sir, please come this way. Here are the lockers, where you can store your belongings."
In escape room and haunted house type game venues, staff usually ask guests to store items like mobile phones in lockers to facilitate their game experience.
"No need, I'll carry it in with me."
"Ah? Are you sure, sir?"
The staff member's gaze was peculiar. Considering the establishment's rules and safety, they began to speak:
"Could I inspect the item on your shoulder? After all, this is a haunted house. If you're bringing photographic equipment inside, it's against the rules."
"This isn't photographic equipment."
Zhang Wei didn't get angry. He put down the fertilizer and let the staff member inspect it.
The staff member reached in and felt around, confirming that there was no photographic equipment hidden in the 'soil.' Only then did they feel at ease.
They brushed off the dirt from their hands and asked kindly:
"Everything is fine. Sir, you can go in now. But what is this you have?"
"Oh, this? It's pure natural green fertilizer."
???????
Pure natural green fertilizer? That's not just...
The staff member's smile instantly froze as they frantically brushed the dirt off their hands.
Afterward.
Zhang Wei ignored the staff member's bewildered expression and stepped into the haunted house.
Like most haunted houses,
This haunted house was also dimly lit.
Zhang Wei didn't mind. He carried the fertilizer to a spacious room he had seen mentioned on the Weidao Division forum, the one where someone had encountered the Old Willow Tree Ghost.
He placed the fertilizer down.
Zhang Wei spoke into the empty space within the room:
"Greetings, Old Willow Grandpa. I know you are here. Please come out for a chat."
He said this several times.
Finally.
After calling out for the fifth time.
"Hoo~"
Despite it being a scorching summer day, a gust of cold wind swept through the spacious room.
Instantly.
An old man, leaning on a willow wood cane, appeared before Zhang Wei.
He had white hair. Although he appeared as a ghost, there was no trace of the terrifying or eerie nature of a ghost; he looked kind and benevolent, emitting a faint glow of Yin energy.
Seeing this, Zhang Wei's eyes lit up.
Based on the descriptions of the Old Willow Ghost by the ghost exorcisers who had seen it on the forum posts.
He was certain.
The old man before him was indeed the Old Willow Tree Ghost.
At once.
Zhang Wei stepped forward with a smile and bowed respectfully:
"Greetings, Old Willow Grandpa. My name is Zhang Wei. As you can probably tell, I am a ghost exorcisist."
Saying this.
Zhang Wei smiled and offered the bag of fertilizer on his shoulder to the Old Willow Tree Ghost:
"This is my first time meeting you, and I came in a hurry, so I didn't bring anything special. I brought you something to eat. Please accept it."
His voice was not loud.
It echoed gently through the spacious room.
Old Willow Tree Ghost: "..."
[Ding! The Old Willow Ghost's mouth twitched. You brought me a gift and were very polite, but why do I feel like beating you up?]
[Host has gained System Points +80]
Instinctively.
The Old Willow Tree Ghost looked at the bag of fertilizer Zhang Wei had brought.
Zhang Wei noticed the ghost's action and smiled: "Old Willow Grandpa, this is premium organic fertilizer."
Upon hearing this, the Old Willow Tree Ghost was at a loss for words.
You don't need to tell me, I already know it's premium organic fertilizer.
Thinking to himself.
The Old Willow Tree Ghost looked at the bag of fertilizer, on which was printed in large letters: 'Green Pollution-Free, Pure Natural Organic Fertilizer, No Preservatives Added.'
[Ding! The Old Willow Ghost's mouth twitched. Should I say you're thoughtful, or should I say you're simple-minded?]
[Host has gained System Points +100]
Just then.
Zhang Wei's voice came:
"What? Grandpa, you don't like to eat this?"
[Ding! The Old Willow Ghost's mouth twitched violently. ...Should I answer 'yes' or 'no'?]
[Host has gained System Points +120]
...