Chapter 105: Lu Liangting’s Inner Thoughts
The slight sway of the wind chimes filled the silence in the convenience store, where the trio chose to ignore each other with remarkable camaraderie. Compared to Zhao Mingyue’s six crisp sounds when she passed by, Lu Liangting’s presence was practically a whisper.
The store manager spotted Lu Liangting and greeted him enthusiastically, “Little Lu, you’re here so early!”
“Good morning, Manager! I just happened to walk by and thought I’d come take a look,” Lu Liangting replied, sporting a polite smile.
“Great! You young folks chat away. I’ve got some things to attend to; otherwise, the customers will be on my case. If you’ve got time, feel free to come hang out more!”
“Sure! I’ll drop by when I can. Take care heading out!”
The manager cheerfully pushed open the glass door, pocketing a flintlock, leaving Zhao Mingyue and Lu Liangting alone in the store.
Often, Zhao Mingyue wondered if the manager was a tad too trusting of her. Did he really think she didn’t need more staff?
Ever since Lu Liangting showed up, the night shifts had been just her. She had to pull whole night shifts alone, from eight in the evening until seven in the morning, only to swap with someone else in the dead of night.
“Mingyue,” Lu Liangting said, watching the manager leave. He stepped up to the counter. “I wanted to talk to you about something. It’s not too crucial, so if you don’t want to answer, that’s cool.”
Back at the counter, Zhao Mingyue awkwardly scratched her head. “Just ask away.”
After all, she had been the one who called Lu Liangting over yesterday, which resulted in him being kidnapped to become a groom. It would’ve been fine if the bride wasn’t a terrifying monster who nearly ate him alive. Now, every time she saw him, she felt a twinge of guilt.
“I came here mainly to ask about… Bai Yu,” Lu Liangting took a deep breath, steeling himself. “I want to ask about Bai Yu.”
“Oh, Bai Yu… that’s a bit tough to talk about.”
“I know! I get it. She’s saved me multiple times, so if possible, I’d like to chat with her alone. If there’s anything I can do to help her, I’ll definitely assist, as long as it’s within my grasp!”
Maybe it was nerves, but Lu Liangting’s hands landed on the counter hard enough to knock over a notebook, which precisely bonked right into the head of the rabbit plush toy perched atop the desk. The toy, sporting red-glowing eyes, took the hit with a notable thunk.
Zhao Mingyue’s smile stiffened immediately, and she hurriedly picked up the notebook.
But alas, it was too late—the plush toy lay on the table, its little ears skewed askew.
“Sorry!” Lu Liangting exclaimed, still oblivious to what just transpired.
“Ah, uh…” Zhao Mingyue coughed and set the notebook aside, seriously explaining, “Bai Yu does hang out with me, and while she might as well be family, she’s actually a ghost. You definitely can’t talk to her during the day.”
At that moment, all she wanted was to get Lu Liangting out of there. What was wrong with this guy? Didn’t he fear Bai Yu might just pop up and smack him?
“Okay, got it.” Lu Liangting nodded. Zhao Mingyue wished she could just ask him what exactly he understood. If he did, why not skedaddle?
Instead of leaving, Lu Liangting ambled over to grab two bottles of milk worth eight bucks, handing one to Zhao Mingyue. “Consider this my treat.”
“Hey Mingyue, can she hear us right now?”
“Um… probably not?”
Yeah, right. Bai Yu was less than fifty centimeters away.
“Actually, I didn’t really think about what I wanted to ask today, because there isn’t much to say. She saved me; maybe it was just a simple gesture. She likely doesn’t even remember who I am anymore.”
“The first time I met her was at Sunshine Apartment, on the fifth floor. I was trapped in a deadly situation, and she helped me out! Otherwise, I’d probably have met my maker that day.”
“So, really, thank you to her!”
“Do you know why I was there? I was looking for my sister.”
“I got involved in this world because of her, too.”
As he spoke, Lu Liangting even found a stool and plunked himself down, casually sliding the money for the milk across the counter like someone who’d opened the floodgates of conversation.
“I used to not care much for my family. I despised everything about home, my parents especially, and let’s just say I did some ‘colorful’ things in response. It was my sister who changed me and got me back on track.”
“We went through a lot; let’s skip over that. I’ll share the last moments of her life instead.”
“Long story short, she sacrificed herself to save me and got killed by an evil ghost. I was helpless, just watching it unfold.”
“After killing her, that ghost even began munching on her corps! I almost took that thing on with a brick, but my sister yanked on my pants, barely clinging to life, just telling me not to go.”
“Those were her last two words to me.”
“If she hadn’t held me back, I’d be gone too.”
“I was too weak. I wanted to avenge her but was terrified of failing and just dying in vain. Living meant hope, at least.”
“After that, I dove headfirst into finding out everything I could from that time. I ditched my studies, my friends, sealed myself off in my room.”
“Then one day, I heard her voice while I was outside and rushed downstairs. I didn’t find her, but I found something she sent me.”
Lu Liangting produced a black phone. “This thing.”
“Then I officially plunged into this world. Later, I discovered my sister’s ghost was still around. She roams from mission spot to mission spot, saving people like me. Maybe, just maybe, she’s also out there hunting the ghost that killed her.”
“When I first saw Bai Yu, I thought she was my sister—same dress, same age, same kindness.”
“But then I realized I was mistaken. Bai Yu is not her; she’s another kind and good ghost altogether.”
“I think if I find my sister one day, I’ll introduce her to Bai Yu. They’d hit it off like friends right away!”
Hearing this, Zhao Mingyue nodded thoughtfully. “Seeing Bai Yu feels like seeing your sister?”
“At first, I thought so, but now I’m starting to see they aren’t the same.”
“Well, I’m sorry for intruding today. We can talk more next time if there’s an opportunity.”
“Leaving already?”
“Yup, class is calling. By the way, if you have any questions, feel free to call me.”
Lu Liangting left, his back somewhat forlorn. Just like he said, he didn’t even know why he came today or what he could have asked.
As Zhao Mingyue sighed, feeling like she had just watched a clueless deer wander off the path, she spotted Lu Liangting stepping out of the convenience store. Just then, a motorcycle zoomed by, and a girl on it, surprisingly strong, swooped in and whisked Lu Liangting away in one graceful move.
With a whoosh, he was gone, leaving Zhao Mingyue gaping in disbelief.
“Looks like he’s not lacking for female companionship, is he?”
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