Chapter Three: There Are No Ghosts in the World; Believe in Science!

Any food or drink that the female ghost "sniffs" instantly turns cold.

Its aroma and flavor vanish, as if it had become spoiled leftovers.

So, Ma Long's comment about "eating crap" wasn't too far off.

The waiter arrived quickly.

It was a young man with dyed blond hair, wearing a white shirt, a black vest, and a bow tie around his neck.

On Lanting Street, most of the servers at bars, clubs, and grills were dropouts who didn't take school seriously, and many of them weren't even adults yet.

These young people shared a common trait—a short temper!

It didn't matter if you were a customer; even the boss would get an earful if they rubbed them the wrong way!

After a confrontation, they'd just walk away without a care. After all, they only had to worry about feeding themselves. Who could stop them?

As soon as the blond waiter entered the private room, he raised his chin and barked, "What's the problem?"

Damn it!

Ma Long had a temper too!

After graduating from high school, he had spent a year as a street punk.

Then, hearing that "treasure hunting" was popular in his hometown, he convinced his dad to buy him 200 sheep and moved back to the countryside. He pushed the skewers toward the waiter and cursed, "Here, try it yourself. What the hell is this crap?"

Seeing that the other party was even fiercer than himself, the waiter softened a bit and muttered, "That can't be. Our grill master was poached from the neighboring grill at a high price. His skills are famous, and customers always praise... Holy crap!"

But after one bite, the waiter exclaimed.

What the hell is this?

Is this it?

A grill master?

If this tastes like crap, does he even deserve to be called a master?

The waiter immediately deflated and said, "Bro, how about I get you a new plate?"

"Change it, and hurry up... Pfft..."

Ma Long angrily took a bite of the grilled leeks and spat it out again. He tried the other skewers and the fruit platter, then exploded in anger, "Where's the boss? Call your boss over!"

Seeing this, the female ghost, as if realizing she had done something wrong, quietly floated behind Xu Yang.

A few strands of her black hair rose and gently tickled Xu Yang's neck.

She was signaling for Xu Yang to help clean up the mess.

Xu Yang understood and spoke up, "Forget it. It's just a small issue. No need to get so worked up. Let's just find another place to drink tomorrow."

Pulling Ma Long out of the private room, Xu Yang went to the front desk to settle the bill.

Ma Long refused to let him.

He insisted on paying and even had the cashier waive the charges for the skewers and fruit platter.

After leaving the club, Ma Long said, "Old Xu, I'm really sorry about this. Let's go next door and keep drinking!"

The two girls chimed in, "Brother Long, you're so generous!"

Xu Yang glanced back at the female ghost floating behind him. How could he have the mood to keep drinking? He immediately made an excuse, saying he wasn't feeling well.

Ma Long nodded and said, "Your mental state really does seem off... It's better to rest early."

He left with the two girls.

Xu Yang, on the other hand, went back into the club and paid for the skewers and fruit platter.

The female ghost had come with him, and she was the one who had "eaten" the skewers and fruit platter.

He couldn't cheat on this payment; it would damage his "yin virtue."

"Ghost sister, remember, don't do this kind of thing again."

"It's easy to cause misunderstandings."

"If you want to eat skewers, I'll buy them for you..."

When Xu Yang reached his car, he remembered he had been drinking.

Driving under the influence was a hard line he wouldn't cross.

He was about to call a designated driver when the female ghost suddenly slipped into the car and took the driver's seat, waving her little hand at Xu Yang.

Xu Yang: "..."

He tentatively asked, "Are you saying you'll drive?"

"Do you... know how to drive?"

The temperature in the air dropped.

A cold breeze blew past, sending a chill down his spine.

The female ghost, offended by Xu Yang's doubt, was clearly angry.

She started the car, stepped on the gas, reversed out of the parking spot, drove forward about twenty meters, then quickly reversed back and stopped right beside Xu Yang with a sharp brake. She tilted her head proudly at him.

Xu Yang was dumbfounded.

Holy crap!

This ghost can drive so well?

He got into the passenger seat, happily thinking, "Does this mean I have a free chauffeur from now on?"

For a moment, Xu Yang felt that having a female ghost by his side wasn't so terrifying.

But soon, he realized...

This thought was completely absurd!

Because, aside from him, no one else could see the female ghost!

Just as they left Lanting Street, the car was pulled over by a traffic cop.

Looking at the empty driver's seat and then at Xu Yang, who reeked of alcohol in the passenger seat, the traffic cop was utterly baffled.

Fortunately, the female ghost intervened. With a wave of her little hand, the traffic cop seemed to be controlled. He saluted Xu Yang and then waved him on.

By the time they returned to the "funeral shop," it was already 1 a.m.

Having had a bit to drink, Xu Yang lay down on the bed and soon fell asleep.

That night, Xu Yang had a long dream.

In the dream, the female ghost transformed into the celebrity Dilraba, and the two of them lived a blissful life together, having children and enjoying happiness.

But soon, the scene shifted. The female ghost suddenly began bleeding from all seven orifices, turning into a ferocious ghost out for his life!

Xu Yang jolted awake, sitting straight up in bed.

"It was just a dream..."

He let out a long sigh and looked around. Seeing the female ghost hanging from the ceiling, asleep, he quietly got out of bed.

He walked into the bathroom.

Splash, splash, splash...

Xu Yang felt a wave of relief and sighed, "So refreshing... Taking a leak without being watched by a ghost is such a blissful...!!!"

Before he could finish his sentence, he heard the bathroom door creak open, and the female ghost floated in.

Xu Yang: "..."

With a blank expression, he pulled up his pants and brushed his teeth.

After finishing, Xu Yang received another call from Ma Long.

"Old Xu, I've pulled some strings and booked you an appointment with a psychologist. I've sent you the location. The appointment is at 10 a.m. Get over there."

Before Xu Yang could respond, Ma Long hung up.

Xu Yang felt a bit helpless.

I'm just being haunted by a ghost; it's not like I've actually lost my mind. Why do I need to see a psychologist?

But he couldn't refuse Ma Long's好意, especially since he had gone out of his way to arrange the appointment.

"Ghost sister, I need to go out for a bit. Can you watch the shop for me?"

Xu Yang tried to convince the female ghost to stay home.

But the female ghost shook her head.

......

In Wucheng.

At a private psychology clinic.

Ma Long spoke animatedly for a long time, then took a sip of water from a paper cup to moisten his throat before continuing, "Doctor, that's the situation with my friend."

The female doctor sitting across from him remained silent for a few seconds before asking, "How long has your friend been experiencing this?"

Ma Long thought for a moment, "About half a month. Doctor, is this a mental issue, or is he really being haunted by a ghost?"

The doctor smiled and countered, "Do you think ghosts exist in this world?"

If this had been two years ago, Ma Long would have immediately jumped up and declared that everyone should believe in science and not superstition.

But after two years of "treasure hunting" in the mountains, he had encountered many strange things and heard countless stories from his fellow treasure hunters. Otherwise, he wouldn't have asked Xu Yang to perform a ritual.

After tilting his head and thinking for a moment, he said, "Maybe they do exist?"

"..."

The doctor was stunned for a second, then smiled and said, "Belief in ghosts and spirits is unfounded. Scientists abroad have conducted research on these legends and found that many supernatural phenomena can be explained through scientific means. Your friend is likely suffering from neurasthenia, which is causing him to hallucinate and believe he's being haunted by a ghost."

"To put it simply, it's a form of delusional disorder."

"So, that so-called female ghost is just a figment of his imagination?"

Ma Long laughed, "I knew it! What kind of ghost would have nothing better to do than haunt him?"

"..."

The doctor said seriously, "Mr. Ma, there are no ghosts in this world. We must believe in science!"