Chapter 124: Daddy, how can I kill you? |
Having experienced numerous social deaths, Yu Xiao had become an expert in handling awkward situations, her confidence now as strong as the plot armour of a Mary Sue. She no longer felt embarrassed by things that would have made her cringe in the past. In the face of the current, bizarre crisis, she chucked her dignity out the window.
When the big boss turned all mushy-gushy on her, Yu Xiao tilted her head, mimicking the innocence of a young girl. “Daddy…”
But before she could continue her act, a weak interruption came from behind. “Daughter…”
Yu Xiao turned around and saw a man as pale and thin as a ghost struggling to stand up from his desk. He approached her with timid determination and said, “Daughter, why do you call the boss daddy? I am your father.”
Yu Xiao was left speechless.
Crapsticks. Oh no. She had completely overlooked the range of the “Coin of Great Observation.” Its effects extended to everyone, living or dead, within a ten-metre radius. She glanced at the faces around her, all gazing at her with a ghostly intensity.
As soon as the pale man finished speaking, another figure, hunched with age, contested vigorously, “Who is your daughter? I am her father!”
“Daughter!” A young woman with freckles covering her face charged towards Yu Xiao. “What are you doing here? Come to your mother.”
The chaos escalated as more voices joined in, each claiming a connection to Yu Xiao. “This is madness! What do you want with my daughter…”
The room was chaotic, like a circus of the absurd, and Yu Xiao, feeling emboldened, confronted the big boss. “Who are these people? I don’t know them. You’re my dad, right?”
The boss’s face transformed into an icy mask, the kind that could send shivers down the spine of any ghoul. It’s not every day that a group of ghosts claims your child as their own. Nevertheless, he mustered a smile that seemed to be pulled from the depths of the netherworld and patted Yu Xiao’s head. “Good kid, of course, I’m your daddy.”
His eyes darted across the room, a storm brewing within them. He raised a hand, and Yu Xiao’s heart skipped—she knew this was the prelude to a boss attack. The fate of the ghostly staff hung in the balance, but her friends, Precious and the others, had to be protected.
Yu Xiao took hold of the boss’s hand, surprising him. Her eyes shimmered with an unspoken plea as she begged, “Please don’t harm my friends.”
The boss’s expression softened, but his voice remained chillingly quiet. “They don’t deserve to be your friends.”
Yu Xiao bit back a sob, finally squeezing out two pee tears with all her strength.
The boss, taken aback, caved in. “Alright, alright, I won’t harm them. My little one, my little star, please stop crying.”
Yu Xiao stifled her sobs behind her hands as she protested, “You’re the meanest!”
The boss stood there, a powerful being at a loss in the face of his daughter’s distress.
“No more tears, please! Oh dear… I was mistaken,” he said, reaching for Yu Xiao’s hand. “I shouldn’t have upset you. I already promised not to harm them, so why the tears?”
Yu Xiao’s hand dropped to her side, her eyes shimmering with tears she was holding back as she confronted the authority before her. “Why did you give my friend an impossible task knowing they would fail?”
The tall figure at the helm responded firmly, “I’ll change it.”
“Change it now!”
He turned and pointed a commanding finger at Xue Rong Rong. “As of this moment, you are relieved of all your duties. Your tasks are finished.”
Xue Rong Rong’s mouth hung open, her hands instinctively moving to tousle her hair in complete bewilderment. Was this really happening? The overwhelming pile of tasks she had been buried under was now… gone, all because of a simple word from Yu Xiao?
Yu Xiao furrowed her brow, her lips pursing in a pout that would have been comical if the situation wasn’t so serious. “Let my friends go,” she demanded, “I don’t trust you not to harm them in some way.”
“Scram, the lot of you!” the boss commanded, shooing Xue Rong Rong and the others away with a dismissive flick of his wrist. “Go away!”
Right on cue, the elevator doors chimed and Yu Xiao shared a meaningful look with Zhou Xiao Zhen. Her friend understood the message loud and clear; it was time to leave.
With a heavy heart filled with concern, she stepped into the elevator, trusting that staying longer would disrupt Yu Xiao’s mysterious plan.
As the doors closed, separating her from her friends, Yu Xiao felt a weight lifted from her chest, her spirit slightly lifted.
The big boss gently cradled Yu Xiao’s hand as he spoke in a soft voice, “No more tears, okay? Daddy’s taken care of everything. You’re such a brave girl. Hungry? How about we get some vinegar-glazed eyeballs?”
- (醋溜眼珠子: A play on words and culinary terms, often refers to a dish made with stir-fried potatoes seasoned with vinegar and chilli. However, coming from the ghost’s mouth, it’s probably meant in literal meaning – eyeballs.)
Yu Xiao glanced at the clock, knowing that the effect of the Coin of Great Observation was fleeting, lasting only ten minutes. She had to bolt it before time ran out, otherwise, she would face a fate worse than any ghost story.
“I’m not hungry,” Yu Xiao muttered, feeling her spirits sink.
The big boss furrowed his brow, trying to strike a balance between sternness and coddling. “What’s bothering you now? Not feeling cheerful? Tell me about it, kiddo. Whatever you wish for, Daddy’s here to make it happen.”
Yu Xiao looked up, a glimmer of hope in her question. “Anything I ask for?”
“Anything,” he confirmed with a sweeping gesture. “Your wish is my command.”
A pause filled the air as Yu Xiao considered her next words. “Then, I want your company. Can you give it to me?”
The big boss’s expression froze, his eyes sharpening. Yu Xiao’s heart skipped a beat; had she gone too far?
But before she could take back her bold wish, he laughed, breaking the tension with warmth and a sense of invitation, like a sun shower. “Is that all? I thought you’d ask for the moon! My company is yours for the taking. If it’s what you desire, it’s yours.”
- (Spring breeze after rain (春风化雨): This is an idiom used to describe a refreshing and relieving feeling, like the gentle warmth of a spring breeze and the nourishment of rain after a dry spell.)
“Ah?” Yu Xiao blinked in disbelief. Could it really be that simple?
“So, what’s the catch? Do I need to sign any paperwork?” Yu Xiao was eager to take over the company, but the ticking clock echoed her worries.
“No need for that!” The big boss proudly pulled out a shiny golden trinket from his jacket. “This seal is the heart of the company. With it, you’re in charge.”
“Oh, this is…” The shock hit Yu Xiao like a lightning bolt; she was stunned. Holding onto the company’s lifeline, her face lit up like a Christmas tree, yet she managed to ask, “But Daddy, what about you?”
The big boss blinked, puzzled. “What do you mean?”
“The company is now mine,” Yu Xiao clarified, “so what about you?”
“I’ll be your right-hand man, pumpkin.” The big boss smiled warmly, like a summer’s day. “My little princess doesn’t need to worry about anything. Your old man has everything under control. Just focus on being happy. Seeing my little girl smile is all I want.”
“Daddy, you’re the best!” Yu Xiao’s heart filled with gratitude.
“Ha, my baby girl!” The big boss wrapped Yu Xiao in a bear hug, a father’s love cocooning her.
Post-hug, Yu Xiao put the golden ticket in her pocket and asked, “I have a friend, they call her ‘Nickname Hassle’, do you know where she is?”
“Hmm, she’s at the KTV just down the road.” The big boss thought for a moment before adding, “Just be careful who you hang out with, my little pumpkin. Stay away from the bad influences.”
“Got it, loud and clear.” Yu Xiao nodded. “You get back to work. I’m off to have some fun.”
“Need a sidekick, pumpkin?” the big boss asked, his smile easy and open.
“No need to tag along, Daddy. You can’t slack off when you’re working. You’re working for me now,” Yu Xiao replied, her grin just as wide.
“Alright, kiddo.” The big boss shook his head, letting out a helpless chuckle. “Go and have fun. This whole street is Daddy’s… I mean, your property. Play whatever you want.”
“Will do.” Yu Xiao strolled towards the elevator, casually saluting over her shoulder. “See you later, Daddy!”
He saluted back, all CEO charm. “Over and out.”
As the elevator doors whispered closed, Yu Xiao’s hand fluttered to her heart. The thrill of holding the company’s seal was electrifying. Would the big boss flip his lid when the effect faded?
Ding~!
The elevator reached the lobby, and the doors opened to reveal Precious and the others, all waiting.
“Phew!” Zhou Xiao Zhen breathed a sigh of relief. “You had me worried, Smiley!”
“Misty’s at the KTV. Let’s go!” Yu Xiao led the way.
Xue Rong Rong and the others followed behind, with Xue Rong Rong asking, “Did you use some sort of special prop? You’re amazing! Thanks to you, I’m saved.”
“Take it easy on the victory lap,” panted Yu Xiao, her sneakers slapping the linoleum as they sprinted. “The magic of the prop is fading fast. We should get ready for the boss’s backlash.”
Her words sent a cold tingle down Xue Rong Rong’s spine, and her crew felt the chill too.
**
Zhao Lan blurted out a name, knowing it was a long shot. She could sense Zhao Yang’s discomfort once again. Whatever he had eaten was indescribable. Surprisingly, though, Zhao Yang seemed to have developed a resistance this time, not succumbing to the urge to vomit despite the dreadful taste.
Zhao Lan had no choice but to follow his lead, but once the ordeal was over, she found herself on her knees, fighting the urge to redecorate the floor.
After a few dry heaves, she steadied herself and prepared to face the next question. They were in a dangerous situation, and time was crucial.
Suddenly, there was a loud crash, and the door burst open.
Yu Xiao and Zhou Xiao Zhen stood in the doorway, poised and ready. “Misty, we need to leave, now!”
Zhao Lan, still shaking, tried to process what was happening. How had they managed to find a way out so quickly? Before she could put it together, Yu Xiao and Zhou Xiao Zhen had her by the arms, whisking her away from the KTV.
It wasn’t until they were safely in the truck that Zhao Lan had the chance to ask, “What just happened? I thought you were stopped by a ghost just before.”
“There’s no time for explanations,” replied Yu Xiao, her focus on the road ahead. “We’re still in danger.”
“What kind of danger?”
“That ghost with a domain is still a threat,” Zhou Xiao Zhen explained hastily. “To put it simply, Smiley has made a serious enemy. When he snaps to it, he’ll be out for blood.”
Zhao Lan’s expression showed uncertainty, then she asked, “Did you use that Coin?”
“Misty,” Yu Xiao replied with a smirk, “You’re as sharp as ever.”
“That’s really…” Zhao Lan’s emotions were a tangled web, “But I don’t think he’ll be as angry as you think. He’s your dad, after all, and you’re his kid, not the other way around.”
“It’s not just that,” Yu Xiao confessed with a mischievous glint in her eye, “I sort of took over his company too.”
“…,” Zhao Lan was momentarily speechless. “Hurry up,” she urged, “Can’t this thing move any faster?”
**
When Yu Xiao handed over a large box of meat, Yang Xian’s efforts to win favour with the Pig Demon and his child went into overdrive. The favour metre was almost full, and Yang Xian was enjoying the thrill of it.
She leaned back, watching the gruesome dining scene of the father and son with an odd sense of satisfaction.
Then, out of nowhere, there was a loud boom! The front door couldn’t withstand the force that hit it.
Yang Xian’s head snapped around to see Xue Rong Rong leading a charge through the dust and debris.
“You…” Yang Xian stammered, “Why are you here?”
“Skip the Q&A,” Xue Rong Rong grabbed her, urgency evident in every movement, “We need to leave, now!”
“We can’t just leave!” Yang Xian protested, gripping the table, “They haven’t reached maximum favorability yet!”
Then, a voice broke through the chaos, “Grab those Pig Demons and throw them in the meat freezer!”
Suddenly, a ghostly woman with hair cascading down her back suddenly lunged, grabbing Yang Xian’s son in a swift motion. At the same time, a male ghost, cold and silent, appeared and took hold of her husband.
A chaotic blend of ghosts and mortals rushed out, all heading for the exit, their sights set on the truck. As Yu Xiao was about to step on, she spotted the basketball-playing youth trying to get on board too.
“You live here, what are you doing?” she asked, puzzled.
With a stubborn look, he replied, “I tagged along with you and got on the wrong side of the big boss. You think I’m just going to walk away? No chance! You owe me now!”
Yu Xiao had no time for debates; she quickly got on the truck.
Inside, Zhao Lan asked urgently, “What’s our next move?”
Yu Xiao thought quickly, “Ye Lang’s done with his coin search, Precious has won over Gentle, Xue Rong Rong no longer needs to deliver meals, which helps Zhao Yang too. If we drop off the father and son at the meat plant, Yang Xian’s mission will be nearly complete. My task is still pending. By the way, Misty, what’s your role?”
“My task is to answer questions and help you,” Zhao Lan said succinctly.
“So, Misty’s the one who’s been helping us,” Zhou Xiao Zhen realised, “I was wondering about the meat falling from the sky.”
Yu Xiao nodded; Misty had indeed saved them. Without her, they would have been at the mercy of the big boss.
It became clear that Misty’s task was linked with theirs. If they all made it through, her task would be fulfilled; if not, they’d all fail together.
Her analysis aligned with Zhao Lan’s thoughts.
Zhao Lan added, “Now it’s just the two of us left to finish this challenge.”
Yu Xiao pondered briefly before instructing the group, “Later, all of you will get out and follow Xue Rong Rong’s car.”
Zhou Xiao Zhen’s expression clouded with bewilderment. “Why? Wouldn’t it be better to stay together?”
Yu Xiao let out a sigh, her voice tinged with resignation. “The boss is after me.”
**
At the office, the big boss was all smiles, a change from his usual slacking demeanour. Today marked a new beginning; he was on a mission for his beloved daughter!
But wait—when did he get a daughter?
The thought nagged at him, growing more unsettling by the second until realisation hit him like a thunderclap.
Boom—!
The chairman’s office door, which had just clicked shut, was flung open again. The employees glanced over, anxiety etched on their faces as darkness spread like wildfire, consuming an entire floor with a voracious appetite.
**
“We need to stick together now more than ever!” Zhou Xiao Zhen insisted, her face filled with determination. “Smiley, don’t do this alone. We’re a trio, for better or worse.”
Zhao Lan didn’t say a word, but her determined eyes conveyed her agreement.
“I’m not taking it all on,” Yu Xiao clarified, “I’m not planning to confront the boss head-on. It’s just… slipping away on my own is easier. Give me an hour to dodge and weave, and the Coin of Great Observation will be back in play.”
Zhao Lan’s question hung in the air, filled with concern. “But how can you last for an hour?” she asked. “The talismans don’t work, what will you do?”
Yu Xiao replied uncertainly, “I could… make a run for it.”
Zhao Lan narrowed her eyes. “This place is an instance,” she reminded. “Where would you even run to?”
Caught off guard, Yu Xiao hesitated. She hadn’t thought that far ahead; her only goal was to keep others safe.
Zhou Xiao Zhen moved closer, gripping Yu Xiao’s shoulders. “Smiley,” she said earnestly, “you trust me, right?”
Yu Xiao met her gaze. “Of course, I trust you.”
“Then let’s stick together,” Zhou Xiao Zhen urged.
As the trucks went separate ways at the frozen meat factory, the ghosts remained behind while Xue Rong Rong and the crew went to the restaurant to find Zhao Yang. Yu Xiao and her group returned to the starting point, her home.
The once-green lawn was now a charred landscape, and in the distance, Yu Xiao could see the fire ghost, its glow shining in the daylight.
Their car drove across the blackened grass and stopped near the balcony. The fire ghost, having finished a box of frozen meat, was now approaching eagerly.
Yu Xiao stepped out and gave a warning, her voice carrying. “The big boss is coming, you should find a good hiding place.”
At her words, the fire ghost’s flames flickered with uncertainty. He looked at Yu Xiao, silently questioning.
Yu Xiao pretended not to understand, choosing not to respond to his silent plea. Just then, shadows began engulfing the house completely. She turned to the fire ghost, speaking firmly. “Are you planning to stay?”
With no other choice, the fire ghost hurried into the kitchen, retreating to the safety of his familiar haunt.
Tap, tap, tap~
The rhythmic tapping of footsteps grew louder, signalling the approach of a man emerging from the shadows. Dressed impeccably in a sharp black suit, he exuded suave confidence, except for the icy glare he directed towards Yu Xiao. His fury roiled like a stormy sea, desperate to douse the flame of mockery.
Around the dining table, Yu Xiao and her eclectic group sat in hushed awe as the man halted, his hand frozen mid-air, poised to strike down.
The mahjong tiles were scattered before them, creating a battlefield of ivory and bamboo.
Zhou Xiao Zhen shattered the silence, “Hey, why not pull up a chair and join the fun?”
Caught off guard, the boss flickered like a faulty TV signal, and the encroaching darkness retreated hastily. Wearing a deep scowl, he claimed the vacant chair, surrendering to the siren call of the game.
“Clack, clack…” The tiles emitted a cheerful melody, with each click becoming a note in the symphony of the game.
Outside, the sun cast a warm glow, and the breeze whispered sweet words – a moment of tranquillity amidst the chaos.
“Two pancakes,” declared the boss, laying down his tile.
Zhou Xiao Zhen hesitated, burdened by the weight of decision. “Geez, this is a real noodle-scratcher, which one goes?”
The boss’s eyes narrowed, brewing a silent storm. Time stretched as each player took minutes to select a tile to play.
“Red dragon,” Zhou Xiao Zhen finally announced, breaking the tension.
Now, it was Yu Xiao’s turn, and with a dramatic flourish, she mused, “Oh, the agony of choosing! Which tile dares to meet its fate?”
Yu Xiao locked eyes with the big boss, feeling the intensity of his stare. “So, any chance you’ll let me off the hook?”
The big boss remained silent, his icy stare speaking volumes. The mahjong game ticked on, but he was playing a longer game—one where Yu Xiao would pay deadly.
Zhao Lan glanced in their direction. “Why bother asking? He’s not the talkative type.”
Yu Xiao let out a sigh. “What if I hand over the company seal? Would that settle things?”
Zhou Xiao Zhen scoffed. “Not a chance. He’s determined to take the seal only after you’re gone.”
Yu Xiao slumped, feeling the weight of their predicament weighing heavily on her shoulders. “Talk about being caught between a rock and a hard place.”
Zhao Lan furrowed her brow, lost in thought. “If only he wasn’t so strong. We could’ve just… you know.” She stared at her tiles, deep in contemplation.
Zhou Xiao Zhen grumbled, “Even our talismans aren’t working. What will it take to stop him?”
Yu Xiao chimed in, a spark of defiance in her voice. “Hey, the old dean was a ghost boss too, and look what happened to him. There must be a way.”
Zhao Lan shook her head. “Sure, but we had George back then. And now? Unless you have Fu Shen on speed dial…”
Yu Xiao’s shoulders slumped. “Wishful thinking. If Wide Sea and Sky were here, he would wipe the floor with the boss.”
“He’s not here, though,” Zhao Lan pointed out, placing a tile on the table. “Three bamboo.”
Without missing a beat, the big boss countered, “Nine pancakes!”
Zhou Xiao Zhen groaned. “My turn again? Well, no rush. If we’re stumped now, we’ll figure it out later. I can handle another round.”
Yu Xiao’s mind raced with regret. “I should’ve sized up our opponent better. Next time, I’ll do my homework.”
“Who’d have thunk it?” Zhao Lan mused, a wry smile playing on her lips. “Even with all the guides out there, domain-level ghosts are still a rare breed.”
“Let’s just be a little more careful next time,” Zhou Xiao Zhen whispered, her soft voice expressing a desire for everyone to return safely from the instance.
Yu Xiao’s eyes stayed on her tiles. She could have declared victory a long time ago, but that wasn’t an option—not yet.
“Which tile should I play?” Yu Xiao wondered, her gaze shifting from side to side. “Once we get back, assuming the Gluttony issue been resolved, I’m going to take a few extra days off. I need a full week’s break!”
“Yawn, resting is boring, and there’s nothing enjoyable in the ward,” Zhou Xiao Zhen lamented, tilting her head in thought. “Maybe we should play mahjong?”
“Your mahjong skills are deadly,” teased Zhao Lan. “Aren’t you satisfied with just hanging out in the forum threads?”
“We could watch some TV,” suggested Yu Xiao.
“TV?” Zhou Xiao Zhen’s voice rose in surprise. “Where is the TV?”
“It’s at St. Elizabeth’s,” casually replied Yu Xiao. “It’s just sitting there gathering dust in the cafeteria.”
“Can you bring the TV back to the ward?” inquired Zhao Lan. “We can’t just waltz into St. Elizabeth’s, after all.”
“Chicken.” Yu Xiao called out, glancing at the clock. “Look, an hour has already gone by.”
“Really?” Zhao Lan quickly played a tile. “Three bamboos!”
“Seven pancakes — I’ve won!” Zhou Xiao Zhen declared triumphantly and pointed an accusing finger at the boss. “Tag, you’re it!”
A bolt of lightning struck, yet missed the boss. He was engulfed in darkness, disconnected from this world.
“What should we do now?” Zhou Xiao Zhen asked, feeling the pressure. “Should we play another round?”
“Not just yet,” Yu Xiao said, pulling out a coin speckled with rust.
As the coin’s familiar reverse side landed in Yu Xiao’s palm, the darkness around them dissipated once more.
Yu Xiao lifted her gaze, locking eyes with the boss. “Daddy, how can I kill you?”