This male ghost looked at me seriously, and then he was at a loss to react properly, "Little girl, you are so adorable. Yes, there is no bad blood between us, but there is predestined relations.h.i.+p..."

　　'Predestined relations.h.i.+p, my a.s.s.'

　　I taunted him secretly in my mind, "In a word, I am an exorcist. If you have any unfinished wish, you can tell me."

　　"Really?"

　　The male ghost seemed to be interested, looking at me seriously.

　　I felt hopeful and quickly nodded. However, the next sentence of the male ghost was so horrifying that I almost spat out blood.

　　"When I was alive, I didn't have a wife. As the saying goes that there are three forms of conduct against filial piety, of which the worst is having no descendants. You look pretty. How about marrying me and finis.h.i.+ng my wish?"

　　The male ghost was smiling, but in my eyes he was playing a dirty trick.

　　My face twitched because of nonstop smiling. After a long while, I said in a cold voice, "Are you kidding me? How can a living person marry a dead one..."

　　"Why not?

　　Little girl, you were born at the Yin hour, on the Yin day, in the Yin month of the Yin year, and, with ghost eyes. With this kind of natal horoscope, do you think you can marry a living person?"

　　The male ghost raised his eyebrows and sneered.

　　I felt like being struck by lightning. I certainly knew the natal horoscope he was talking about. That algorithm, not based on the common calendar, entails a special Taoism calculation.

　　It was very accurate. I knew my fate since childhood. My uncle always said I was born to deal with the dead. It would be a pity, if I chose another profession instead of being an exorcist.

　　But...

　　How could I accept my destiny readily?

　　"Don't talk nonsense."I blushed because of annoyance and try to pretend to be strong. Anyway, I would rather die than marry a ghost.

　　This male ghost, without any intention of forcing me, looked at me gently. He reminded me with his seemingly good intention, "I was young and promising, when I was alive. A great number of girls adored me, just like a school of carps moving down a stream. Are you sure that you don't want to marry me? My offer doesn't stand long."

　　I shook my head desperately.

　　"I appreciate your offer. Just save it to yourself."

　　"It seems that you really don't want to marry me."The male ghost looked at me helplessly, as if I was ignorant to miss his offer.

　　He continued, "Since you don't want to marry me, I won't force you. But I do have a favor to ask you."

　　As expected, various ghosts pestered people, because they had some ulterior motive.

　　"What is it?"

　　I was delighted secretly, thinking that I could get rid of him by helping him out. But then I saw five black beads appear in the ghost's hand and he handed them to me.

　　With his movements, I felt a strong air of ghost blowing to my face.

　　"Have you ever seen such beads?"

　　He asked.

　　I shook my head. The beads in the world were essentially the same though differing on minor points, but the five beads in his hand looked very mysterious. I was sure that if I had ever seen them, I would never forget.

　　"No, I haven't."

　　I shook my head, just just like a drum-shaped rattle.

　　"No?

　　Then, go and find them. There are 18 in total. I will let you go when you find them all for me, otherwise..."

　　The male ghost grinned grimly.

　　I s.h.i.+vered unconsciously, and then I said with a mournful face, "Young master, what did I do p.i.s.sed you off? Why do you put me in such an awkward situation? There are so many beads in the world. Finding the beads you said equals to looking for a needle in the ocean. How is that even possible?"

　　"You are the one with all Yin natal horoscope. Don't you think you are supposed to help me out?"

　　It was out of my expectation that this male ghost was shameless. He rolled his eyes, as if I had owed him a lot in my last life.

　　"There must be a time limit. If I can't find it in my whole life, do I have to look for it endlessly?"

　　I was still full of unwillingness, bargaining.

　　My uncle once told me not to make any promises or agree with any conditions when dealing with ghosts without 100% certainty to fulfill them.

　　Ghosts would definitely haunt us endlessly to collect the debt in this world or another. So, we had to come to an agreement in advance.

　　"Five years, if you can't find them in five years, just forget it."

　　The male ghost held out five fingers to me.

　　Five years was OK. It was not that unacceptable. It was just my luck to be haunted by such a difficult ghost.

　　Probably, the male ghost, having seen that I was still dejected, comforted, "You can rest a.s.sured. Just do as I told you. I will never be too hard on you, and later I will reward you handsomely for helping me. Well, it's too late now. Let's go somewhere else. It's too dark and creepy out here."

　　d.a.m.n!

　　That didn't sound like what a ghost would say.

　　I goggled at him with my wide eyes just like those of a bullfrog, not knowing how to roast him, "Yeah, it's too late. Where do you want to go, old guy?"

　　Shouldn't we go back to bed first?

　　"Don't call me that. I am not old. I was only 25 years old the year I died. Remember, my name is Rong Qi."The male ghost said placidly.

　　I listened carefully and then looked at him closely.

　　I had to say, even though this male ghost was shameless and smug, his appearance was very handsome. Did he just say he died when he was only 25 years old?

　　He must be high-spirited and vigorous at that age. However, he died young and was buried under the loess.

　　Suddenly, I found myself in the grip of a bit of inexplicable sadness. Then, I quickly slapped myself. Sadness, my a.s.s.

　　"Well, how did you die?"

　　This male ghost named Rong Qi turned around and looked at me coldly, giving me a perfunctory answer, "It was a matter of men, and women are not qualified to ask."

　　"Pffft..."

　　If I had any blood in my mouth, I would spit it on his face.

　　"Little girl, you don't have to be like this. Although I am haunting you, as you said, there was no bad blood between us. I will not hurt you, as long as you are obedient..."

　　Then, he, having thought of something apparently, turned around suddenly.