Chapter Nine: The Golden Touch

One man and one ghost, bound by a marriage contract in name only—am I not the most wronged soul alive?

Wang Ying sat there, her gaze as sharp as a blade. In that moment, I knew that if I admitted to any indiscretion with another woman, she might very well torment me to death. I silently thanked my luck that nothing had happened with that girl named Swallow.

To protect myself, I recounted everything that had happened from the luncheon hosted by Shang Xiaoyun up until I walked in the door, speaking with utmost care and detail. Of course, I omitted any mention of Swallow and Xiao Ling. Even though nothing had happened between us, this ghost girl was a stickler for trouble—better less than more—so I simply replaced their names with those of two men in my story.

Listening to my account, Wang Ying stood up, her eyes drifting over me. "Wang Dachuan, are you lying to me?"

A shiver ran through my entire body. "Wife, I wouldn't lie to you, not for anything!"

Before the words had fully left my lips, a sharp pain shot through my side as Wang Ying’s slender fingers twisted the flesh at my waist mercilessly. The searing pain seeped from my skin straight into my heart. If it were any other woman, I might have leapt up and claimed her right there and then. But this girl was a ghost, not a person—I truly didn't dare. No matter how beautiful she was, the chill she exuded was enough to keep me at bay. Even if she were willing, I wouldn’t dare do anything; I still wanted to live a few more days.

"Does it hurt?" She pinched my waist, her face drawing close to mine, lips parting in a wicked smile to reveal a row of gleaming white teeth.

"It hurts! It really hurts!" I groaned.

"Husband, let me rub it for you." Wang Ying reached out and lifted my T-shirt. "Oh dear, husband, it’s gone blue! Does it hurt?" Her cold fingers pressed gently, then her palm settled over the bruise. As her icy touch lingered, the pain truly did begin to fade.

For a while, this ghost girl massaged the spot, then gently blew on it. The cool breeze against my skin was inexplicably soothing. Looking at her silky hair and gentle movements, my heart melted with tenderness. All grievances vanished in an instant, replaced by a sudden urge to gather her into my arms.

"Better now?" Wang Ying asked after a bit, straightening up to stand face-to-face with me. Perhaps from bending over, her chest rose and fell lightly, stirring a deeper longing in me. I almost forgot she was a ghost.

"Wife, it doesn’t hurt anymore. Thank you," I murmured, a little lost in emotion.

"Good. Now tell me, which woman were you with tonight?" The gentleness on Wang Ying’s face vanished in an instant, replaced by icy coldness.

Good grief! A ghost is still a ghost—so unreasonable. This matter wasn’t over yet? "Wife, I… I really didn’t—" I stammered, unable to finish as her hand shot out like a pair of pincers.

Fortunately, Wang Ying didn’t pinch me again. Instead, she reached for my shoulder and plucked a long, wavy hair—clearly a woman’s perm. "Wang Dachuan, what’s this? If you can explain it to my satisfaction, I’ll let you off. If not, it won’t just be your waist I pinch—I’ll make sure you lose something you’ll never get back."

Her every word struck fear into my heart. This ghost girl was not to be trifled with. I could hold my own for now, but if she decided to act in the dead of night… Even if she didn’t remove it, what if she injured it? That’s the pride of my family, my future depends on it!

Left with no choice, I overturned my earlier story and confessed everything, word for word, leaving nothing out. I explained the hair probably belonged to Swallow.

When I finished, Wang Ying smiled smugly. "Wang Dachuan, this hair is mine!" She plucked another strand from her own head, and with a flick, it transformed into a perfect match for the one she held.

I nearly fainted. Today, this ghost girl had completely played me for a fool. Not only that, she’d pinched me as well. My heart seethed with frustration, but what could I do? I almost wished she were a real woman, not a ghost.

"You… you’re bullying me," I sputtered, my indignation making me bolder.

"Bullying you? We’re not done yet. Tell me, did you do anything with that girl named Swallow?" Wang Ying flicked her wrist, letting both strands of hair drift to the floor.

I truly hadn’t, and I was certain of that. So I stood my ground. When she heard my answer, Wang Ying snorted. "Wang Dachuan, I know you’re not honest, but I won’t ask anymore. Give me your finger."

What now? If she wanted to check if I’d done anything, she should examine somewhere else—not my finger. I’m not some golden-fingered prodigy. If I had done something, I wouldn’t have been foolish enough to use my finger.

Still, better my finger than somewhere else. First, I was afraid I might lose control; second, I worried Wang Ying might lose control. So I quickly extended my finger.

"Let me examine it. If you dare lie to me, I’ll make you pay a price you can’t imagine." Wang Ying toyed with my finger, then suddenly her rosy lips parted like rose petals, and she gently sucked my finger into her mouth.

I broke out in a sweat. Did this ghost girl really have such a kink? Scenes from dorm room adult films flashed through my mind, those twisted Japanese women who liked to suck men’s fingers. Before I could ponder further, a sudden pain shot through my fingertip. I tried to pull back, but couldn’t—her mouth held me fast.

Thankfully, it wasn’t agonizing—more of a tingling numbness. Spotting a trace of blood at the corner of Wang Ying’s mouth, I realized she was drinking my blood. This didn’t surprise me; my second uncle had warned me to drip a drop of blood into the soul jar every seventh day. I’d just done it yesterday—who would have thought she’d want more now? If she wanted blood, why not just ask? Clearly, she was a stubborn, overbearing ghost.

After a few seconds, Wang Ying released my finger. A satisfied smile lingered at her lips, and a bead of bright red blood trickled down, making her mouth look even more luscious. Against her pale face and auburn hair, the effect was enchantingly seductive.

"If you wanted blood, you could have said so. What’s with all these excuses? Some ‘test’ to see if I’ve been with another woman? Did you discover anything?" Seeing her smile, I relaxed, the tension in the air easing.

"I did. You managed to keep a little integrity. You really haven’t been with another woman." Wang Ying didn’t bother to wipe the blood from her lips; instead, her nimble tongue flicked it clean in an instant.

Watching her greedily drink my blood, a chill ran through me. If she could be so voracious now, who knows when she might devour me, flesh and all? The future seemed bleak. What puzzled me, though, was how a taste of my blood could reveal my fidelity—how extraordinary.

"How did you know I haven’t slept with another woman?" I couldn’t help but ask.

"Your blood is pure yin—the reason I agreed to marry you. Until now, you’ve retained your virginity, and your blood is especially nourishing for ghosts. If you ever have relations with a woman, your blood will turn impure, and I’ll sense it immediately. So..." Wang Ying smiled triumphantly.

I could only sigh in resignation. So that’s how it is.

"Wang Dachuan, let me make this clear. For the next three years, you are forbidden from touching any other woman. If you taint your blood, I’ll be harmed. And if I’m harmed, I’ll make you a eunuch." Wang Ying, satisfied, leaped onto the bed, pulled the blanket over herself, and lay down.

I forced a bitter smile. Three years—three years without a woman? Isn’t that like becoming a monk? I’m not getting any younger. With Wei Qi around, I’m bound to meet all sorts of women—if I can’t touch any, what’s the point? They might as well chemically castrate me!

"Wife, I… I’m a man! Isn’t this a bit too cruel? We have no grievances between us—why must it be this way? Why not just dissolve our marriage contract?" Even I felt sorry for myself.

Wang Ying sat up again. "Wang Dachuan, you should consider yourself lucky I haven’t killed you yet. You tried to sell me to a hideous ghost for a wife, you’ve seen my body, touched my belly—treating you this well is already more than you deserve."