IMAG Chapter 3

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After a stern protest, the ghost reluctantly agreed that, from now on, he wouldn't drain Xiaolin's energy without permission. However, he also made a demand: within three days, Xiaolin had to complete ten pages of Five Years of College Entrance Exams. Otherwise, the ghost would continue to absorb his yang energy.

Xiaolin was frustrated. Are you insane? Are you the author of "Five Three"?

Ghost: Or ten pages from "Longmen Question Bank"—your choice.

Xiaolin was on the verge of tears. Why are you so obsessed with doing exercises?

Ghost: Because every time I see you making mistakes on your exams, it irritates me.

Xiaolin felt incredibly unlucky. Was this ghost some kind of reincarnation of Fan Jin? Had he taken the college entrance exam dozens of times? Or had he been tortured by exams to the point of madness? Even encountering a ghost, why was the situation so bizarre?

The ghost remained indifferent. All vengeful spirits are like this. As a reward, if you exceed the task, I can offer you my services for free—like earlier—but without draining your yang energy.

Xiaolin: Can I refuse?

Ghost: No.

The next day was the weekend. To help the ghost recall his past, Xiaolin took him out for a stroll. Suddenly, a thought struck him. As a ghost, why can you walk around in broad daylight? Aren’t ghosts supposed to fear the sun?

Ghost: I’m not sure. Other than not being able to stray too far from you, I don’t have any other restrictions.

Under the bright sunlight, among the bustling city streets, the ghost could no longer feel the warmth of the human world.

A wave of sadness hit Xiaolin. He asked, Do you really not remember any family members? Even a name would be a clue.

Ghost: I remember something.

Xiaolin perked up. What is it?

Ghost: That building ahead—it looks familiar. It’s as if something is pulling me toward it, urging me to go inside.

Qianlong Tower?

Xiaolin looked at the towering skyscraper suspiciously. That’s a famous company in the country. Are you sure you’re familiar with it? Did you work there?

Ghost: Why does your tone sound like I couldn't have worked there?

Xiaolin: Because you seem more like a homeroom teacher spying on us through the classroom window to see if we're studying properly.

The ghost sneered. So this is how you see me.

Xiaolin quickly backtracked. Of course not! You’re not even human!

The ghost paused. Your "Five Three" pages just increased to fifteen.

Xiaolin immediately changed his approach. Ghost bro! Handsome and charming ghost bro! I was wrong! I was young and ignorant! Of course, not only did you work there, but you might have been the boss!

The ghost didn’t continue arguing. Perhaps the building truly triggered some memories. He said to Xiaolin, Let’s go inside and take a look.

Xiaolin hesitated. You need to register to enter, right? I’m just a student—they probably won’t let me in…

Just then, a car slowly pulled up to the entrance. After a moment, a few men in suits stepped out of the building, surrounding a stern-looking woman. They appeared to be high-ranking executives, treating her with the utmost respect as she got into the car.

The car drove past Xiaolin, speeding up as it went. Standing on the roadside, Xiaolin couldn't avoid inhaling a mouthful of exhaust fumes.

Xiaolin turned to the ghost. Do you still want to go in? If it’s a must, I’ll think of a way.

But the ghost was suddenly silent, as if he had disappeared.

Xiaolin didn't think much of it. These past few days, the ghost has been nagging me nonstop. Finally, some peace and quiet! He strolled around happily, feeling a bit smug.

Yet, after playing basketball with his classmates and returning home, he realized something was wrong—the ghost still hadn't spoken a single word.

Xiaolin paced around his room, trying to summon him. Ghost bro? Ghost? Ghost baby?

Could he have reincarnated just like that?

What a cause for celebration! No more nagging while doing exercises!

After pondering the situation for a while, Xiaolin still couldn’t figure out how the ghost had come or how he had left. Feeling he should at least celebrate, he grabbed some soda and cake from the fridge, snacking while watching TV.

Previously, whenever he switched channels, the ghost would always be at his side, ridiculing the programs—calling them dumb, mocking the hosts' intelligence, or making fun of the guests' plastic surgery. Watching TV with the ghost had been like browsing a live-streamed comment section, full of relentless sarcasm.

Hallelujah, the world is finally peaceful again!

Xiaolin made a victory sign in the air, happily finishing his show before returning to his desk to do homework.

But soon, something felt off.

Every time he answered a question, there was no one whispering hints or explanations beside him.

He had unknowingly developed a habit—constantly flipping to the answer key after each question.

Lin Yinnian, are you a masochist?

Xiaolin slapped himself, forcing himself to focus on the exercises.

Two days passed like this. Then, suddenly, a phone call came in.

"Hello?"

"Xiaolin?" The voice was an unfamiliar yet pleasant male baritone.

"Yes, who’s this?" Xiaolin was immediately on high alert. This is how scam calls always start!

"It’s your ghost bro."

Xiaolin: ???

He was stunned. Am I hearing things?

"Got any proof?"

The caller: Did you finish ten pages of "Five Three"?

Xiaolin: …Alright, I believe you.

But more questions flooded his mind. How are you making a phone call? Where are you calling from? Have you reincarnated or possessed someone?

The other person hesitated. It’s too complicated to explain over the phone. Come see me after school.

Xiaolin instinctively replied, I still have homework to do.

The caller: I’ll tutor you.

At that moment, Xiaolin recalled his past nightmare.

No, no, no! No need! I can do it myself! Just give me the address!

The other person chuckled. Come to Qianlong Tower. Just tell the receptionist your name, and she’ll bring you to me.

Hearing the name Qianlong Tower, Xiaolin gasped. So you really are connected to that place!

His curiosity overwhelmed him. He couldn’t wait to see what the ghost looked like in human form. After school, he rushed to Qianlong Tower. The receptionist didn’t question him and directly led him to the 34th floor. From there, an elegant male secretary took over, guiding him to the 35th floor.

When the grand doors opened, and the man behind the luxurious desk turned around, Xiaolin was completely stunned.

Plush wool carpets, towering glass windows, a spacious and bright office—paired with the man's strikingly handsome face and impeccably tailored suit—every inch of this office screamed winner of life.

Xiaolin’s mouth dropped open. He stammered, You… You’re Ghost Bro?

The man stood up and walked toward him, each step radiating an invisible yet powerful aura. Instinctively, Xiaolin felt nervous, his body leaning slightly backward, like prey caught in the hunter’s gaze—ready to flee at any moment.

"It's me."

The man said, "Do you remember that day when you were standing by the roadside, and a car drove past you?"

Xiaolin replied, "Of course I remember. It came out of the Qianlong Building."

The man continued, "After that, I was forcibly pulled away from your side by some unknown force. When I regained consciousness, I was already in this body. He is Qü Heng, the president of Qianlong Group. Before this, he had been in a coma for a few days for unknown reasons. They say he has a weak heart."

Xiaolin's face lit up with joy. "So, you’re telling me I’ve taken in a domineering CEO? Did you come looking for me today to repay me?"

The man smirked. "How about I buy you a million-yuan worth of exam papers? You can do questions until you drop dead."

Xiaolin: "Get lost! I don’t care—I demand to be humiliated with tacky amounts of money!"

The man sighed. "That’s exactly the problem. I don’t have any of Qü Heng’s memories. Even though I’m sitting here, nothing feels familiar. But Qü Heng’s issue was with his heart, not his brain, so logically speaking, I shouldn’t have amnesia."

Xiaolin suggested, "Could it be that his illness caused some memory gaps?"

The man shook his head. "I don’t know. But when I was a ghost, I was always by your side. I thought that after seeing you, I might find some clues."

Just then, a commotion erupted outside.

The next moment, the office doors were pushed open. The male secretary tried in vain to stop a beautiful but furious woman from barging in.

Xiaolin immediately recognized her—it was the same woman he had seen outside the building that day.

"Qü Heng, you bastard!" the woman shrieked. "You’re asking for a divorce while fooling around with a little boy in your office?!"

With a twisted expression, she lunged forward in rage.

Xiaolon wasted no time hiding behind the man, watching as the woman furiously berated him for being a workaholic, leaving her alone every day, and now trying to divorce her while leaving her with nothing.

The whole scene was like a classic melodramatic rich-family scandal.

When the security guards finally dragged the woman out, Xiaolin noticed that the man’s face had turned deathly pale.

Clutching his chest, the man slowly collapsed.

But on the way to the hospital, he died.

Chaos ensued, but by that point, it had little to do with Xiaolin anymore.

He was utterly bewildered by the series of events.

How was he supposed to describe his emotions today?

He witnessed a car accident, then encountered a ghost, who later possessed someone and became a domineering CEO. Then, the CEO’s wife stormed in, the CEO had a heart attack and died…?

Even if this were written into a novel, no one would believe it!

Back in his room, Xiao Lin couldn’t calm down for a long time. There was no way he could focus on his schoolwork now.

At that moment, a ghostly voice suddenly whispered beside his ear.

"I'm back."

Xiao Lin was both shocked and delighted, completely bewildered.

"Ghost bro, why are you back again?!"

The ghost’s voice was faint. "Are you not happy to see me?"

"No, no, how could that be? I’m thrilled! Without you, I wouldn’t even have someone to help me with my exam questions—uh, I mean, I wouldn’t even have a ghost to help me with them!" Xiaolin quickly corrected himself.

Turning into a human and then going back to being a ghost—who wouldn’t be frustrated? This was only natural for a ghost.

Xiaolin asked, "So what exactly is going on? Are you really Qü Heng, the president of Qianlong Group?"

The ghost hesitated. "I don’t know, but I don’t think so. Not only am I not Qü Heng, but I also don’t think the victim of that car accident you saw was actually my real body either."

Xiaolin was dumbfounded. "Are you saying… you were originally a ghost, just wandering around looking for bodies to possess?"

The ghost denied it. "No, it wasn’t my choice. I still don’t know what’s going on."

Sensing the ghost’s frustration, Xiaolin tried to comfort him. "You’re just suffering from memory loss right now. Once you regain your memories, everything will become clear. Besides, I never said I wanted to drive you away. You can stay by my side. Who knows? Maybe with you around during my college entrance exam, I’ll make it into Tsinghua or Peking University!"

The ghost scoffed, "You haven’t even finished the ten pages of '5 and 3 Test Papers' you promised to do, and you’re dreaming about Tsinghua or Peking?"

Xiaolin: "I was worried about you! Why don’t you ever praise me for being loyal and righteous?"

The ghost was silent for a moment before saying, "I think you’re doing this on purpose."

Xiaolin: "???"

The ghost continued, "You’re deliberately not finishing your work so I have to absorb your yang energy."

Xiaolin’s pale face slowly turned red.

The ghost reassured him, "To be honest, I don’t really like absorbing yang energy that way. But if you really want it, finish at least eight pages, and I’ll do it for you."

Xiaolin took a deep breath, then roared: "GET LOST!!!"

T/N: Please give support on my ko-fi, thank you☕☕☕