Chapter 7: She Has Always Been Lying on Your Back

After the commotion, Rong Leying didn't give them time to react. She quickly returned to her room to pack her few pieces of clothing, along with her books and laptop.

She had only brought three or four sets of clothes to the Rong household; all her other belongings were at school.

If it weren't for the need to retrieve her computer and books, she wouldn't have bothered making this trip back.

When Rong Leying finished packing and walked out, the servants were still cleaning up the trash on the floor. Zhang Yan was visibly shaken, sitting on the sofa, gasping for air with tears streaming down her face, while Rong Mingda stood by, constantly rubbing her back to help her breathe.

"Don't be angry, don't be angry. In a moment, I'll make that rebellious daughter come over and apologize to you—kneel and apologize!"

That child was too much. Regardless of anything else, they were her elders, yet she had pointed at their noses and cursed them. If it weren't for his own good upbringing, he would have scolded her severely.

Rong Mingda didn't feel the slightest bit cowardly; he had been so intimidated by Rong Leying’s demeanor earlier that he hadn't been able to utter a single word.

Rong Sinan sat nearby, looking at her with a worried expression. "Mom, are you okay?"

Zhang Yan shook her head sadly. "I'm fine. I just don't know why your sister suddenly got so angry. I wonder if she’s been bullied by someone outside these past few days."

Hearing this, Rong Mingda felt even worse. His wife was so kind; how dared that dead girl, Rong Leying, bully her like this?

Rong Siyuan stood to the side, his eyes lowered, lost in thought.

Seeing Rong Leying emerge, Zhang Yan cried even harder. "Xiao Ying, Auntie doesn't know what I did wrong to make you hate me so much. I really do like you..."

*How long-winded.*

Rong Leying didn't even glance at her; she slung her backpack over her shoulder and walked away.

Zhang Yan: "..."

No, what was up with this little green tea? If she didn't take the bait, how was she supposed to keep acting?

"Rong Leying!" Rong Mingda stepped forward in anger and grabbed Rong Leying’s arm. "What kind of tantrum are you throwing? Your mother Zhang Yan has been so good to you; how could you curse her with such poor manners? Come over here and apologize to her immediately!"

Catching a glimpse of the backpack on her, Rong Mingda lowered his voice to remind her, "Don't forget, we have an agreement."

Rong Leying looked him straight in the eye. "Rong Mingda."

"I am your father!"

"Rong Mingda, do you often feel a heaviness on your shoulders?"

"What?"

Rong Mingda was baffled by her inexplicable question. His mind involuntarily drifted to her words, and he realized his shoulders did feel quite uncomfortable.

He didn't know when it started, but he often felt a soreness in his shoulders, sometimes so severe that he couldn't even lift his arms.

At first, he thought he was ill and went to the hospital, but the doctor said there was no major issue—just the result of long hours of hard work—and advised him to get more rest.

Because of this, Zhang Yan often felt sorry for his hard work and would frequently massage his shoulders.

She was particularly skilled at it; every time she massaged his shoulders for a few minutes, the pain would ease significantly.

It was just that every time she massaged him, she would feel a chill on her head, though she didn't know why.

If Rong Leying could hear his thoughts, she would definitely scoff: *Of course it feels good.*

Every time she massaged him, the female ghost clinging to his back would hop onto her.

"...No, this isn't the time to talk about my shoulders. Go over and apologize to your Auntie Yan right now." Rong Mingda pulled his wandering thoughts back.

Rong Leying: "Do you know why your shoulders feel heavy?"

"Why are you still talking about..."

"Because my mother, your late ex-wife, has been clinging to your back the whole time."

"..."

In an instant, everyone in the room turned their gaze toward Rong Mingda, including the servants who were working.

Zhang Yan: *What kind of trick is this little green tea playing?*

Rong Siyuan: *Playing at ghosts and spirits. Noted.*

Rong Sinan: *Is my sister sick?*

The female ghost clinging to Rong Mingda’s back said excitedly, "Xiao Ying, you can really see me!"

Rong Leying nodded. "I can really see you."

The female ghost became even more excited, her hands tightening unconsciously around Rong Mingda’s neck.

Rong Mingda suddenly felt a sense of difficulty breathing, as if something were strangling his neck. *Could my tie be too tight?*

Rong Mingda looked down and realized with a start that he was wearing loungewear with a loose collar; there was nothing there to constrict his neck.

His mind went blank for a second, followed by scenes from various horror movies rushing into his brain, and a cold sweat broke out on his back.

*How could ghosts exist in this world? She must be spouting nonsense to shirk her responsibilities.*

Rong Mingda quickly comforted himself, suppressing the irrational thoughts in his head.

"Rong Leying, what kind of nonsense are you spouting? At your young age, you..."

"She’s still wearing the floral dress she died in, with a huge hole torn in the chest."

*Boom!*

Rong Mingda froze in place as if struck by lightning. His neck felt as if it were being strangled, and he couldn't utter a single word. A chill surged from the soles of his feet straight to his scalp.

His already uncomfortable shoulders felt even worse.

*How does she know what Qingqing was wearing when she died?!*

*Could it be that she really has been clinging to me all this time?!*

Rong Mingda suddenly felt as if something were behind him, and his ears felt cold...

Zhang Yan and the others were standing behind Rong Mingda and couldn't see the change in his expression, but hearing Rong Leying speak with such conviction, they felt something was wrong.

Especially Rong Sinan; she was timid and terrified of supernatural things, so she huddled closer to Zhang Yan in fear.

Zhang Yan also felt a chill in her heart and gripped Rong Sinan’s hand tightly. *This little green tea’s tactic is so creepy.*

The other servants also wore expressions of fear.

Rong Siyuan took in everyone’s reactions, finding it increasingly stimulating and fun.

He feigned concern. "Sister, have you suffered some kind of shock? How could there be ghosts in this world?"

Hearing his words, Zhang Yan instantly snapped out of her fear, a plan forming in her mind.

"Xiao Ying, are you missing your mother too much? It’s okay, Auntie can go with you to visit your mother one day."

Rong Leying turned to look at Zhang Yan and grinned. "No need, Auntie. My mother is with you all every day."

"She likes clinging to my father’s shoulders and gnawing on your head the most."

After saying this, she didn't wait for their reactions, shook off Rong Mingda’s hand, and turned to leave.

The expression on Zhang Yan’s face froze, and she subconsciously touched her head.

She often felt a strange, chilly sensation on her head for no reason, even when the room temperature was comfortable.

It seemed this ailment had only started after she got together with Rong Mingda.

*Could it be that that woman’s ghost has really been following Rong Mingda all this time...*

Zhang Yan looked at Rong Mingda, who hadn't moved for a long time, her hands and feet turning cold.

Rong Sinan, the most innocent of them all, looked at her father standing still, then at her stunned mother, and finally cast her gaze toward her brother, who was smiling in a rather strange way.

She didn't understand how their once warm and happy family had suddenly turned into this.

(End of chapter)