Chapter 67: You Can See Her?
Chen Ge took the document, and the first line read: "New Century Amusement Park Underground Parking Lot Usage Agreement."
He flipped through a few pages but couldn't find anything about rent. "Director Luo, is this document missing something?"
"Never seen a free lease agreement before? I've already stamped it. Once you sign, it takes effect, and it terminates only when the park goes under. Cherish it—don't let me down." Director Luo seemed in a much better mood and brewed himself another pot of tea. "You're busy too, so I won't keep you."
When Chen Ge walked out of the office with the agreement, he still couldn't quite believe it. He had not only secured the rights to the amusement park's underground parking lot but also gotten it for free!
According to the agreement, as long as New Century Amusement Park didn't go bankrupt, he could lease it for free indefinitely. Director Luo probably didn't have high hopes for him, figuring that after the Future Virtual Amusement Park in the eastern suburbs of Jiujiang was completed in two or three months, New Century would fold. That's why he was so generous.
"The underground parking lot is a third the size of the entire park. Even though it's been abandoned and unused, getting it for free is still a huge win!"
Chen Ge felt that since he had gotten rid of the mirror monster, his luck had suddenly turned. He'd received an honorary medal, the reward for the mass murder case was ready to claim, and now the venue issue was smoothly resolved. Everything was slowly falling into place.
"Could dealing with those nasty things boost your luck?" Chen Ge just thought it casually and didn't dwell on it.
Agreement in hand, he returned to the Horror House and started the day's business. He had Xiao Wan put on the park uniform and sell tickets outside while he donned the Skull Splitter doctor's coat, grabbed a hammer, and chased tourists all over the Midnight Murder scene.
At five in the afternoon, Chen Ge came out of the haunted house, told Xiao Wan she could clock out, and gathered all his documents to go claim the reward.
"The number in my bank account is about to break four digits for the first time. I need to treat myself tonight." Chen Ge changed into clean clothes in the staff break room. As he neared the door, he turned his head and saw a doll lying by the bed, half its body hidden underneath, playing with something by itself.
"It's not even dark yet, and you're already out." Chen Ge picked up Little Little, suddenly recalling what Captain Yan had said earlier. "The old man's condition doesn't look good. He has no family left by his side. I should go see him."
He poked Little Little's belly, stuffed her into his pocket, and walked out of the Horror House.
At 6:15 PM, Chen Ge came out of the Municipal Public Security Bureau with the reward—36,000 yuan in hand, a bit less than he'd imagined.
After buying a fruit basket and some fresh milk, Chen Ge took a cab to Jiujiang People's Hospital. Under the guidance of the nurse on duty, he entered a ward on the third floor.
He'd originally planned to just check on the old man and leave, but who knew he'd run into an acquaintance as soon as he walked in?
"Captain Li, what are you doing here?" Beside the hospital bed, Captain Li was feeding the old man. The gruff man was taking care of the elderly with more delicacy than a young girl.
"Strange, how do I keep running into you everywhere?" Captain Li tucked a towel under the old man's chest. "I slept all morning, and since the station thought I'd been working hard, they gave me an easy job."
"You cops handle this kind of thing too?"
"The old man had his accident in our jurisdiction. Until we find a proper caregiver, it's only right to look after him."
Captain Li tried feeding him twice more, but the old man didn't seem to have an appetite. He didn't push it and set down the bowl and spoon, pointing at Chen Ge by the door. "Old man, this is the guy who provided the key clues for our case and called the police that night to save you."
Seeing Chen Ge, the old man raised his only movable arm, though what he meant was unclear.
"Actually, I should thank you too, old man. That day at Ping An Apartments, you smashed your bowl to warn me, which tipped me off that something was wrong." Chen Ge placed the fruit basket and milk on the nightstand. Looking at the old man in such poor health, he felt a pang of sadness. "Captain Li, could you step out for a moment? I have something I want to say to him."
Captain Li didn't know what Chen Ge was up to, but trusting him, he didn't ask and simply walked out.
Closing the door, Chen Ge took the doll out of his pocket. "Old man, I brought Little Little to see you."
When Chen Ge first pulled out Little Little, the old man in bed didn't react. But when his cloudy eyes landed on the doll, time seemed to freeze. His eyes twitched violently, a choking sound came from his throat, and his only functional arm reached out anxiously, as if trying to grab something.
"You can see her?"
Chen Ge hadn't expected things to go this far. He'd brought Little Little just to let her see her family one last time, but who knew the old man could actually see the spirit attached to the doll!
He quickly walked to the bedside and gently placed the doll in the old man's arms. The old man hugged it with his one working arm, finally calming down after a few minutes.
"They say people can only see things they shouldn't when their time is almost up." The black phone in Chen Ge's pants pocket buzzed inexplicably. He didn't disturb the old man and quietly left the ward, phone in hand.
"I just heard the old man get really worked up. What did you say to him? I'm warning you, he can't handle too much shock right now." Captain Li was waiting right outside, ready to step in at any sign of trouble.
"I just sent the person he most wanted to see to his side." Chen Ge sat on a bench in the hallway, pulled out the black phone, and checked why it had vibrated. Soon, he found that on the favorability page, Yin Xiaoxiao's favorability toward him had gone from "Slightly Favorable" to "Trustworthy."
"That kid is the most unusual vengeful spirit I've ever met. If I max out her favorability, what would happen?" Chen Ge put the phone away and leaned back against the bench. "Uncle Sanbao, don't worry. The old man will get better."
"You're pretty optimistic."
Chen Ge and Captain Li chatted for a long time outside. When they re-entered the ward, the old man had stabilized. He gestured something at Chen Ge, but no one understood what he meant.
After checking in with the nurse on duty, Chen Ge left with Little Little. The little one seemed down, hiding inside the doll as if she'd fallen asleep.
He grabbed a quick bite on the street and hurried back to the Horror House. "I still haven't done today's daily tasks. I wonder if I'll make it in time."
Among the three refreshed daily tasks, the most suitable for Chen Ge was the expansion task. He just needed to choose the direction and a general location for the expansion.