Chapter 20 – The Little Ghost of Wangshu Inn

Wangshu Inn remained brightly lit even at this late hour of the night.

It added a touch of crimson to the already picturesque Dihua Marsh.

Qiu Bai and the other two were heading toward the direction of Wangshu Inn’s head chef, Yan Xiao.

They only spotted Yan Xiao when they reached a terrace.

Qiu Bai walked over unhurriedly.

Meanwhile, Paimon and Lumine behind him greeted Yan Xiao.

“I’m resting right now, no disturbances,” Yan Xiao said, his brows furrowed tightly.

He wore an expression that clearly warned strangers to keep their distance as he looked at Lumine and Paimon.

Lumine asked in a clear, crisp voice, “Um… Almond Tofu.”

“No. Disturbances!”

Yan Xiao crossed his arms and enunciated each word to Lumine.

Paimon couldn’t help but mutter, “Uh, this chef’s enthusiasm for service…”

“…is on par with Mr. Wagner the blacksmith in Mondstadt.”

Qiu Bai looked at Yan Xiao with a somewhat surprised expression and said, “It’s an order from Boss Godette.”

He could sense that the person before him genuinely seemed to be in poor condition.

As if frightened by something.

“I see.”

Yan Xiao’s face suddenly broke into a beaming smile as he looked at the three of them.

His tone softened as he continued, “If it’s something the boss ordered, then there’s no helping it.”

This sudden change in demeanor left Lumine and Paimon utterly bewildered, prompting them to mutter “chameleon” under their breath.

Yan Xiao said somewhat helplessly, “But unfortunately, I’m feeling a bit weak right now.”

“I can’t make delicate desserts like Almond Tofu.”

“Why is that?”

Paimon asked curiously.

Yan Xiao gave Paimon a look that said, “You don’t even understand this?”

“A swordsman’s hands must be steady, and naturally, the same goes for us chefs.”

“But right now, my hands… sorry, they’re a bit unsteady…”

“The reason? Because there are rumors among the guests that this inn is haunted.”

At this point, Yan Xiao’s voice began to tremble as he spoke fearfully.

“And just now! Just now, in the kitchen, I saw something strange too!”

Paimon thought to herself,

“Who would have thought this chef, who looks so fierce, would sound so weak when talking about supernatural topics?”

Lumine looked at Yan Xiao with surprise, somewhat disbelieving—could there really be ghosts in this world?

Qiu Bai inwardly praised Yan Xiao’s expertise—wasn’t there someone present who understood such matters?

“Anyway, just thinking that even Wangshu Inn isn’t safe anymore…”

“…my hands tremble when grinding sweet almonds.”

Yan Xiao explained somewhat helplessly.

Paimon turned to look at Qiu Bai and Lumine and said, “Alright, Qiu Bai, Traveler.”

“For the highest quality exquisite Almond Tofu, let’s go check out the kitchen.”

Qiu Bai smiled at Yan Xiao and said, “Don’t worry, Yan Xiao, leave this matter to us.”

With that, he followed Lumine and Paimon to the kitchen.

Soon, they arrived at Wangshu Inn’s kitchen.

At that moment, Paimon waved her hand and muttered, “There’s clearly nothing here…”

“Ah!” Paimon screamed in fright.

Before she could finish speaking, she saw a translucent, glowing little girl run past from behind the stove.

She quickly flew behind Qiu Bai and Lumine, clutching her chest, clearly frightened.

Lumine also stared blankly at the spot where the little girl had just run past.

A faint smile hung on Qiu Bai’s lips as an ink-white aura enveloped his entire body.

With a flick of his finger, this aura spread throughout the entire Wangshu Inn.

The little girl covered by the aura also revealed her form.

She emerged from behind the vegetable rack, hopping and skipping as she looked at Qiu Bai.

While Paimon and Lumine were still astonished by the aura Qiu Bai had released, they noticed the suddenly appearing little girl.

Lumine and Paimon quickly retreated to a safe distance—behind Qiu Bai.

“Big Qiqi is sick, second Qiqi looks~”

“Third Qiqi picks herbs, fourth Qiqi brews~”

“Fifth Qiqi dies, sixth Qiqi carries~”

The little girl sang a strange nursery rhyme in a clear, crisp voice.

Qiu Bai covered his head; it seemed this little girl had definitely met Hu Tao in her lifetime.

“Haunting people isn’t good, do you understand, little one?”

It was only then that Paimon reacted, speaking to the little girl in a lecturing tone.

The little girl continued hopping and skipping.

Paimon stomped her foot and shouted angrily, “Are you even listening to me?”

“Okay~”

“Xiao Ming won’t tease the guests staying at the inn anymore.”

The little girl stopped hopping and looked at the three with her clear, bright eyes.

“Big brother, your scent, it smells really nice. Next time, let Brother Qiu Bai come play with me.”

“If big brother doesn’t come, Xiao Ming will go find you…”

Qiu Bai looked at Xiao Ming and smiled. “Big brother will definitely play with you next time.”

“But you mustn’t tease the guests at the inn anymore, okay?”

Paimon and Lumine stared wide-eyed at Qiu Bai.

Didn’t he find what the little girl said terrifying?

Playing with a ghost—just thinking about it was scary.

Xiao Ming happily jumped up.

“Xiao Ming understands, thank you, big brother.”

After saying this, the little girl’s form vanished.

Qiu Bai turned around and smiled at Lumine and Paimon. “And so, the matter is resolved.”

“Let’s go inform the owner about the haunting situation first.”

“I never imagined you had a talent for catching ghosts.”

“It seems even if that little girl comes back for you, you’ll have a way to handle it.”

Paimon waved her hands, looking at Qiu Bai in surprise.

Lumine also gazed curiously at Qiu Bai, somewhat puzzled as to why he could make the little girl appear.

After a moment, the three of them returned to the front of the counter.

Owner Godette greeted the three.

Qiu Bai recounted the events that had just transpired to Owner Godette.

Godette said in surprise, “I never expected Mr. Qiu Bai to also know how to deal with little ghosts.”

“On behalf of the guests of Wangshu Inn, I thank you first.”

That little ghost was one Xiao had entrusted to her and the manager to temporarily shelter.

However, she often teased the inn’s guests, which gave Godette a headache.

Seeing that Qiu Bai had resolved the matter, she couldn’t help but feel pleasantly surprised.

Qiu Bai smiled and said, “No need for thanks. I’ve already left my aura around the inn.”

“There’s no need to worry about any ghosts disturbing the inn anymore.”

Paimon suddenly realized, “So that’s it! That ink-white aura just now was used to ward off evil spirits.”

“I really never expected you to have such skills, Qiu Bai.”

Lumine wasn’t particularly curious.

Because along this journey, Qiu Bai had already displayed too many things that surprised her.

Just the ability to send people flying so far with a wave of his hand, and instantly teleporting to Wangshu Inn, had already astonished Lumine.

This Consultant of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Qiu Bai, held far too many mysteries.

Godette quickly said, “Then thank you, Mr. Qiu Bai. I never imagined Mr. Qiu Bai possessed such abilities.”

Lumine thought to herself, if you saw him send someone away with a wave of his hand, you’d be even more shocked.

Godette was almost certain in her heart that this Mr. Qiu Bai before her must be an Adeptus.

Because even those who possess a Vision can only prevent ghosts from actively approaching them.

Paimon said to Qiu Bai and Lumine, “Now we should be able to go find that chef.”

“And have him make some delicious Almond Tofu!”