Chapter 21: When Can I Start Working?

[Ghost with a Hole in Its Head]
[Name: Zhou Xiangfu]
[Rank: Fierce Ghost]
[Ghost Energy: 9998]
[Friendliness: 10]
[Target Information: Born in a remote mountain village to a poor family, he only completed primary school but became obsessed with ancient culture. He often fantasized about being a historical figure—sometimes a chivalrous swordsman upholding justice, other times a delicate scholar striving for imperial honors. One day, dressed in a homemade costume, he went to the back mountain, imagining himself a woodcutter, only to stumble upon Widow Wang having an affair with the local village bully. The bully cracked his skull open with a rock, killing him instantly.]
[Hint: After becoming a contracted ghost spirit, he experienced city life through Luo Yulong and became obsessed with a clothing culture called Hanfu.]
[Hint 2: Hanfu is expensive, and you have no money! No money! No money!]

Hey! There’s no need to repeat important things three times!
And you even created a separate Hint 2 just for that?!
As if I needed the reminder!!!
The penniless Duan Ming gritted his teeth.

Zhou Xiangfu shared the same reaction.
He was currently strangling Luo Yulong and shaking him back and forth, looking completely manic.
"I told you to burn me a pair of shoes early on! You kept saying I was floating and my hem would cover it, but look! People can tell now!!!"

Luo Yulong’s face turned bright red. "Cough, cough! But a whole set is expensive, and I didn't have enough money! Besides, you insisted on the authentic version and a specific top-tier brand."
"Enough with your nonsense! If you spent less on your vanity gear, you could have bought me several sets!"
"Hey! That’s unfair. You want to show off, but I don't?"
"Bullshit. Don't forget how you earned that money. Without me, could you have completed so many missions?"
"Pfft! Aside from this time, when have you ever done anything other than stand there after saying a bunch of nonsense? I’m the one who ends up solving everything."
"That’s your fault! You only burned me a scholar’s robe. Have you ever seen a scholar charging into battle? If you’d burned me a set of swordsman’s gear, you wouldn't have had to lift a finger!"

The two went back and forth, neither willing to yield, until finally, Luo Yulong grabbed Zhou Xiangfu by the throat, and they began strangling each other.
Duan Ming, the source of all this, looked embarrassed, wanting to say something but holding back.
Taking advantage of the distraction, Chen Feng quietly approached.

"Hello, student Duan Ming. I am Chen Feng, captain of Team 157 of the Occult Investigation Bureau," he introduced himself.
"Uh, hello. I saw your uniforms. Is something the matter?"
Chen Feng glanced surreptitiously at the still-bickering Luo Yulong and Zhou Xiangfu before saying, "Regarding what we discussed earlier, I was wondering what your thoughts were, Duan Ming?"
"What did you discuss???"
Chen Feng: "..."
"Nothing, nothing. I just truly admire your composure in the face of a ghost spirit, so I would like to cordially invite you to join our Occult Investigation Bureau."

Duan Ming shook his head like a bobblehead. "No way, no way. Are you kidding? I’m still a student with a bright future ahead of me. Why would I go out and risk my life with you?"
"Uh..."
Chen Feng was stunned. He hadn't expected a refusal. In his view, since Duan Ming was already involved in the Ghost Realm, joining a national organization would only be beneficial.
Refusing to give up, he said, "If you join the Bureau, you can gain experience compiled by our predecessors. Whether it's regarding dungeon missions or cultivating ghost energy, it will save you from taking many unnecessary detours."
Duan Ming remained unmoved.
Chen Feng continued, "If you join, all entries into the Ghost Realm will be organized centrally. Having experienced veterans by your side is better than following a group of rookies, right?"
No reaction.
Chen Feng gritted his teeth, tapped on his phone, and said, "If you join, the safety of your family will be handled by the Bureau, leaving you with no worries."
Duan Ming scratched his head. "But I don't have a family."
"Han Lingling—doesn't she live right across from you? Our Bureau will take care of her safety."
"You were able to dig that up too?!"
Chen Feng waved his specialized phone. "Young man, times have changed."
Duan Ming: "="
Come to think of it, although Han Lingling and he shared no blood, they were closer than most relatives.
The two families lived across the hall from each other and had been close since childhood.
Five years ago, a ghost incursion in their apartment complex took both their parents. Both kids escaped by being at school at the time, and they had relied on each other ever since.
Han Lingling was three years older and had always acted the part of an older sister. For five years, she had fulfilled that duty well. Relying on the government compensation, they hadn't been wealthy, but they had lived a stable life.

Still, that wasn't enough to sway Duan Ming.
Not to mention that Han Lingling had already completed her first "newbie" round and wouldn't be forcibly dragged into the Ghost Realm again. As for protection, the Bureau couldn't watch her 24/7—they didn't have the manpower for every family member. In terms of safety, special items found in the Ghost Realm might prove more useful.

He shook his head and refused again.
Chen Feng stood there, completely out of options.
Just then, Xu Haoran, having finished his bathroom break, strolled back into the classroom humming a tune.
The crisis was over, and Meng Qian had fully relaxed, joking, "What are you so happy about? Did you find money?"
Xu Haoran curled his lip. "What do you mean 'find money'? I earned this with my life. Don't you forget it's payday today? I tagged along on a few big jobs last month, and I just got the text—over 80,000. Hahahaha, I'm treating you guys to a big meal tonight."
Duan Ming: "∑(o_o；)"
"Your salaries are that high?!!"
Chen Feng looked a bit dazed, taking a moment to respond. "Uh, usually it's not that much. The base salary plus mission bonuses is only about 50,000. Xu Haoran worked a few extra missions with other teams last month, which is how he hit 80,000."
Duan Ming’s eyes grew brighter and brighter.
"Does it come with a permanent position?"
"Yes."
"Boss Chen Feng, when can I start working?"
"Uh..."
Chen Feng was completely bewildered. He scratched his head, feeling at a loss.
"Next... next week. Even if you agree to join, you're still a candidate. The Bureau will hold a unified assessment next week. Only those who pass will become official staff. I'll bring you over then."
"Sure, sure. Tests and such are easy," Duan Ming said, enthusiastically hooking his arm around Chen Feng’s shoulder as he walked him out. "Look, we’ve been through life and death together. With this kind of bond, you have to put in a good word for me with the higher-ups and help me get a raise or something."
"Actually, I'm very capable. I'm not as simple as I look. If there are any small, money-making missions in the future—those low-level ghosts—feel free to leave them to me. I'm incredibly efficient at farming those."
Chen Feng: "Well, if your evaluation in the Bureau's test is good enough, that’s not impossible. Oh, by the way, what’s your current ghost energy level?"
"Ten points."
"..."

Beep beep!