Chapter 136: Chapter 134: Chaochao’s Mother’s Despair

"No, he didn’t! Waaaah..."

"Chaochao’s mother! You have to calm down right now and tell me everything, down to the last detail! Otherwise, you’ll only jeopardize Chaochao’s situation, understand? Stop crying and explain clearly."

Wen Ying’s voice seemed to pierce through the phone screen and strike right into Chaochao’s mother’s heart, snapping her out of her hysteria.

If she kept this up, it would be her Chaochao who paid the price—truly ruined by those people.

"Doctor Wen, they won’t let Chaochao be buried! They took money from another family and said they’re going to force Chaochao into a ghost marriage! They’re monsters! Utterly heartless!"

"Is Chaochao’s father really unaware of this?"

"He doesn’t know. His parents acted so agreeable in front of him, promising they’d find a good burial spot for Chaochao. Chaochao’s father believed they genuinely had Chaochao’s best interests at heart. Then they used the excuse of needing to hire a Feng Shui Master for Chaochao and tricked him into leaving.

Now I’m all alone, and they have people watching me, keeping me away from Chaochao. A kind older woman couldn’t bear to watch and secretly told me. She said they took money from someone to marry my Chaochao off to an old man who’s been dead for months!"

Wen Ying was speechless.

’I knew there were heartless relatives in the world,’ she thought, ’but I never imagined they could be *this* monstrous.’

"Do you know when they’re planning to move Chaochao?"

"Tonight! I’m out of time! I threatened to kill myself, but they just posted guards to watch me. What am I supposed to do?!"

Wen Ying frowned. She was too far from Chaochao’s hometown.

It would take several hours to fly there, and then another few hours by bus after landing.

And that was assuming a ticket was even available at such short notice.

All in all, she couldn’t make it in time.

"System, is there any way for me to get there quickly?"

[Try the lottery, Host! You might get an unexpected prize~]

"Are there no other options?" Wen Ying was all too aware of her own luck.

[You could purchase the corresponding items from the shop. But for the situation the Host is currently facing, there’s no need for you to go in person at all.]

Wen Ying opened the system shop and spent one hundred thousand reputation value to make things more convenient for herself.

The system put the items she needed right at the top of the list, a special display that would last for thirty minutes.

"Money makes the ghosts turn the millstones," as the saying goes, and the system was no exception. It hiked up the price and agreed.

"Temporary Ghost Eye: 1,000 reputation value. Ghost Realm Illusion: 100,000 reputation value. Netherworld Single Title: 3,000 reputation value."

Wen Ying stared at the items, her head spinning.

The most expensive item was the Ghost Realm Illusion. The temporary Ghost Eye was for a single user, which wasn’t suitable for the situation with Chaochao.

’What the hell is a Netherworld Single Title?’

[Does the Host have a question? The Netherworld Single Title can be assigned to a specific wearer. Once equipped, the title will appear above the wearer’s head, visible only to those of the Netherworld.

[Whoever wears this title possesses the right to choose their own spouse in the Netherworld. No one may interfere with the wearer’s wishes.]

"That’s pretty high-level. Your system can even control the supreme ruler of the Netherworld?"

The system did not answer her question.

"Can the title be removed?"

[Yes.]

"I’ll take one Ghost Realm Illusion and one Netherworld Single Title."

[Ghost Realm Illusion: The illusion remains active for 24 hours. All humans within its range will be affected. The Host can create the content of the illusion and can also spend reputation value to designate a list of individuals who will remain lucid.]

[Friendly Reminder: This is a one-time use Skill.]

[Would the Host like to purchase a few horror novels to get familiar with the proper environment and atmosphere? It’ll help you create a more realistic and terrifying illusion. We can even offer a discount on this purchase~]

"No."

[Netherworld Single Title: This title is effective for ten years—ten years in the Netherworld is equivalent to fifty years in the Mortal World.]

[This title can be transferred by the Host, but only once~]

[Putting it on is completely optional! And taking it off is too! When it’s no longer needed, it can be removed with a mere thought, or you can use your own two hands, which have worked so hard to make you prosperous, to take it off~]

[Friendly Reminder: This title is immensely powerful. Please use it with caution~]

Wen Ying paused, stunned. "What power?"

[The power of being single! Don’t you get envious seeing other couples be all lovey-dovey? Don’t you feel lonely and desolate? In most cases, we don’t recommend using the Single Title. After all, once you put it on, it cuts off all potential for romance.]

’...’ ’As expected,’ she thought, ’this damn system is still the same as ever!’

[We recommend the Host purchase the Temporary Ghost Eye as well. After all, if you make Chaochao’s mother lucid, she won’t be able to see Chaochao.]

’So that’s why you displayed three items at once. You had this all planned out, didn’t you, System?’

[Of course. Improving efficiency is this system’s primary pursuit.]

After 104,000 reputation value was deducted, Wen Ying muted the system.

"Doctor Wen, what should I do? Is there nothing even you can do?"

"Send me your location. And stay right where you are; don’t move."

[Oh, heavens! I seem to have forgotten! The Host needs to purchase a paper effigy. This effigy shows no signs of life, but it can act as the Host’s proxy for any operations. It’s effective for two hours.]

"..."

[This paper effigy can be used in conjunction with the Flying and Earth Drilling skill.]

"Fine. Give it to me."

[Ten thousand reputation value has been deducted.]

A paper effigy appeared before Wen Ying. It was only palm-sized, but it had eyes, a body, and everything. ’But why,’ she wondered, ’does this paper effigy look a little like me?’

’The system was really leaning into its non-human nature.’

[This system wasn’t a person to begin with.]

"I muted you! Can’t you be a good little system for once? Stop eavesdropping on my thoughts!"

[DING! The system has automatically muted itself!]

"..."

Chaochao’s mother was locked in a remote room. Her parents-in-law and her husband’s relatives, afraid she would ruin their plans, had deliberately locked her away somewhere far from the main house.

She was all alone in the room, the wooden door bolted shut.

Chaochao’s mother stared out the window in despair. Two people were watching her from outside, but they wouldn’t speak to her.

Only when she heard Doctor Wen’s voice did some color return to her despairing face.

She tried to quickly send her location, but the internet had been cut off, so she could only recite her detailed address out loud.

Doctor Wen had told her to stay put and not move.

Five minutes passed. Chaochao’s mother stared, unblinking, at the... person? that was slowly growing larger in front of her.

Oh, no, it was a paper effigy!

A paper effigy, initially no bigger than her foot, had suddenly appeared in front of her and was now growing larger, bit by bit.

It was as if someone were magically stretching it taller.

Though she should have been terrified, after the paper effigy finished growing, Chaochao’s mother whispered, "Doctor Wen?"

’This thing is Doctor Wen?’

’When did Doctor Wen stop being human and turn into a paper effigy?’

’As I thought, Doctor Wen isn’t an ordinary mortal!’

Chaochao’s mother felt a surge of hope. She was saved! Her Chaochao was saved!

"It’s me." The paper effigy’s mouth twitched, and the voice that emerged was, indeed, Doctor Wen’s.

The experience was strange, but not the least bit frightening.