Even After My Death
Chapter 294 - 211 Qi Xingzhou: Jiang Ning’s Mission Partner

Chapter 294: Chapter 211 Qi Xingzhou: Jiang Ning’s Mission Partner

Jiang Ning looked at the three consecutive tasks prompted by the System, but what emerged in her mind were those three victims who had already perished.

The first victim was Hao Manman’s younger sister, Ah Yuan, who was born with Kabuki syndrome. She didn’t speak and was silent, yet her features were extremely delicate and beautiful.

Eight years ago, when Hao Manman was still an unknown newcomer in the entertainment industry, she got drunk at a wrap-up party and was taken home by the ill-intended Wang Qingli.

Wang Qingli’s original target was Hao Manman, but upon seeing Ah Yuan waiting at home for her sister to return, he became lustful and forcefully defiled the ignorant Ah Yuan.

By the time Hao Manman woke up the next day, it was already too late for anything to be done.

The parents of Hao Manman and Ah Yuan had died in an accident, leaving behind a considerable inheritance and the two sisters to rely on each other.

Initially, Hao Manman was furious after discovering what Wang Qingli had done to her sister, but... Wang Qingli promised her plenty of resources.

Afterwards, Wang Qingli would visit Hao Manman’s home every now and then.

Later, in order to avoid gossip, Hao Manman fired the nanny who took care of Ah Yuan and sent Ah Yuan directly to Wang Qingli’s villa.

Hao Manman also gained various media exposures and gradually made a name for herself in the entertainment circle.

While Hao Manman was immersed in her career, Wang Qingli, at his private villa registered in his name, felt that playing alone was not enough and even invited two like-minded friends — Liu Zuolin and Huang Xianfu.

The three middle-aged men, with their large bellies, were rough and excessive in their actions. When Hao Manman saw Ah Yuan again, the nineteen-year-old Ah Yuan had already become a battered corpse.

The three men provided Hao Manman with ample resources, showing no guilt or remorse; on the contrary, they seemed somewhat unsatisfied.

Thus, in 2013 A.D. and again in 2015, the three each sought out such girls with congenital diseases, foolishness but pretty faces, as their prey.

To avoid exposure of their deeds, they chose to collaborate with Hao Manman.

Hao Manman did their bidding, and they protected her in the entertainment industry.

In the end, the remains of these three victims were buried in Hao Manman’s villa.

Jiang Ning frowned, a chilling look in her eyes.

Every victim Wang Qingli and his companions picked was carefully selected, not only satisfying their preference with conditions such as congenital diseases and good looks but also being particularly cautious by choosing families from remote areas with a preference for sons over daughters.

Such families, losing a foolish daughter, wouldn’t only not be saddened but would instead feel a relief of the burden.

Later, indeed, the two families did not pursue the matter excessively, showing no concern for who took their daughters away.

The dead buried beneath the villa could not speak, or else their blood and tears would have long since flown.

Jiang Ning spoke coldly, "System."

[I am here, Host.]

"Take out the three bottles of nightmare potion from my backpack compartment and use them on Wang Qingli, Liu Zuolin, and Huang Xianfu."

Her words paused, and Jiang Ning asked, "Can I specify the content of the nightmares?"

[Yes, you can.]

"Specify the content of the nightmares: The three victims turn into Fierce Ghosts and exact the very same things they did to the three victims, a ten thousandfold, upon themselves."

[Ding! Noted!]

[Nightmare potion used successfully!]

Hearing the System’s response, the coldness in Jiang Ning’s eyes did not dissipate in the slightest.

These three bottles of nightmare potion were previously bought by Jiang Ning from the instant-kill column, one bottle able to induce a week of nightmares.

Pity there were only three bottles; otherwise, Jiang Ning would have definitely given one to Hao Manman as well.

The most laughable thing in the world is to avenge oneself after death.

But no matter, she would take action.

The conversation between Jiang Ning and the System was communicated through consciousness within her mind, unknown to others. Qi Xingzhou intently watched Jiang Ning, and seeing her furrowed brows, couldn’t help but raise his hand to lightly touch her frowning forehead, his tone as clear as a mountain brook, "Ning Ning, don’t be angry."

He looked down at Jiang Ning, taking the matter very seriously, trying to think of comforting words in his mind. However, not only was he emotionally unintelligent, but he was also tongue-tied. Even though he was anxious, no comforting words came out.

The person who had just told Jiang Ning not to be angry was now the one frowning in distress, annoyed at his own inability to articulate, feeling wronged, and still remembering to stand up for Jiang Ning, "I will hit the bad guys for you."

Jiang Ning was not angry, merely her aura had become somewhat colder due to receiving information about what Hao Manman and the others had done. Hearing Qi Xingzhou’s words, she shifted her gaze onto him, "How will you hit them?"

Jiang Ning truly felt the urge to act. It was fortunate that the four of them weren’t in front of her, otherwise Jiang Ning would have dragged them into a corner for a fierce beating with a brick, before handing them over to the police.

Without hesitation, Qi Xingzhou blurted out, "Let the nearby mosquitoes all go to her place, and carry her away."

This was something Jiang Ning had taught him in a variety show before!

After Qi Xingzhou finished speaking, his gaze couldn’t stop drifting towards Jiang Ning.

Jiang Ning had not expected such a way to vent her anger.

Although it wouldn’t cause much harm to a person, it was enough to make someone miserable. Moreover, it perfectly matched what she had been planning to do these days.

Jiang Ning looked up, "Can you really do that?"

Qi Xingzhou nodded emphatically.

[Tsk tsk tsk, look Host, just look.]

[Such a great long-range attacker, it would be wonderful to have him as a task partner.]

The system, having been lurking in the corner watching the excitement, came out again.

[Furthermore, once he becomes the host’s task partner, he will also receive a small teammate reward every time the host earns a task reward.]

"Hmm?"

This was the second time the system mentioned this, right?

Jiang Ning glanced at Qi Xingzhou and continued to communicate with the system, "Why can he also receive a reward? Does Qi Xingzhou also lack life value?"

[No, no.]

[He is different from the host; he has a longevity appearance, so life value is useless to him.]

Jiang Ning: "..."

So she’s the short-lived ghost?

[His congenital emotional disorder, however, can be repaired with Merit Points.]

[That’s why his task reward is Merit Points.]

As the system spoke, it held its little purse and said, [However, he is not the first host but merely the host’s task buddy, assisting the host in completing tasks. Therefore, his task rewards are just a little and not as much as the host’s.]

The last time the system brought up the idea of making Qi Xingzhou a task partner in Jiang Ning’s mind, she hadn’t given a direct response to the idea.

Qi Xingzhou was truly from a wealthy and prestigious family with a life of longevity, not lacking food or clothing. While the tasks given by the system were indeed about doing good deeds, they inherently carried certain risks.

Jiang Ning was not a bad person, nor was she completely good.

Having Qi Xingzhou take on tasks meant there were risks for him without any profit, too much of a loss.

So when the system first brought up the idea, Jiang Ning neither responded to the system nor asked Qi Xingzhou about it.

Now, knowing that Qi Xingzhou could also receive task rewards and that it could heal his congenital lack of emotion, Jiang Ning couldn’t help but give it some thought.

She fixed her gaze on Qi Xingzhou, pensively.

Normally, if one person was intensely stared at by another, even if the two were close, they would feel somewhat embarrassed or would be compelled to ask why they were being watched.

However, Qi Xingzhou exhibited neither of these reactions. With an innocent expression, he stood in front of Jiang Ning, obedient like an emperor penguin, allowing her to scrutinize him.

He liked the feeling of Jiang Ning’s gaze on him so much that he wasn’t at all embarrassed or offended; on the contrary, he even wanted to spin around and show off for Jiang Ning, so she could have a better look at him.

Qi Xingzhou’s eyes sparkled with joy.

Jiang Ning patted him, and after pondering for a while, she spoke up, "I have something I want to discuss with you."

Qi Xingzhou perked up his ears, looking serious.

Jiang Ning: "You know I’m here to catch bad guys, right? Besides nabbing them, I have to capture many others."

"So, in the future, when I go out to catch bad guys and you happen to be free, I will consider taking you with me. Just like today, when I can’t manage everything, you can command the small animals to assist from a distance, and we’ll catch the bad guys together. How does that sound?"

As Jiang Ning spoke, she weighed in her mind how to explain the matter of Merit Points to him.

The system had said that even if Qi Xingzhou became her task partner, he would still be unaware of the System’s existence, necessitating Jiang Ning to fabricate an information source and rewards.

Before Jiang Ning could figure out how to talk to Qi Xingzhou about the task rewards, she saw him nodding frantically, as if afraid she would change her mind and not bring him along to catch bad guys in the future.

Jiang Ning: "..."

He really was a bargain ripe for the taking, so simple and naive that if someone were to deceive him and sell him one day, he might even help the kidnapper count the money!

Cure!

She must cure him!

[Congratulations host, task partner binding successful.]

[Task partner: Qi Xingzhou]

...

Hao Manman cried alone in the hotel room for a while, until her agent called her, and she remembered that she had forgotten to clarify the incident from that afternoon on Mengbo.

Clinging to her phone, Hao Manman hurriedly logged into Mengbo.

Having mentally prepared herself, she felt less of a reaction when she saw the clown doll picture on Director Chen’s Mengbo once again.

Moreover, she also sobered up to the reality that Ah Yuan was buried in the ground by her own hands; a dead person couldn’t possibly come back to life.

Just like Director Wang and the others had said, it was merely a coincidence.

Hao Manman gritted her teeth as she typed, posting an update on Mengbo assuring everyone that she was fine and thanking her fans for their concern. Then, she went to Director Chen’s page and commented on his statement with a joking apology, showing her fans the friendly relationship between herself and the crew.

While Hao Manman did this, she wasn’t sure if it was her imagination, but it seemed like the room was suddenly filled with the annoying buzzing of mosquitoes.

Hao Manman frowned and waved her hand, but not only did she fail to drive away a few mosquitoes around her, she even...