Chapter 10
Chapter 10
The first problem Shen Yutong had to solve was that he needed to “materialize” so we could actually touch each other.
To that end, he dragged me to Nancheng to find an old man who specialized in paper craft offerings.
The old man wore reading glasses and a traditional Tang suit, looking quite kind and benevolent. The moment we entered the shop, his gaze landed on Shen Yutong.
“What’s this? Back to ask me for another favor?”
As he spoke, he turned his eyes toward me.
“Is this the girl you’re always telling me about?”
Shen Yutong’s face flushed instantly, the red creeping all the way to the tips of his ears.
I asked the old man, “What does Shen Yutong usually say about me?”
The old man pushed up his glasses. “He says he’s never seen a girl more beautiful than you.”
Now my face started to feel hot, too.
“Ahem, sir, it’s like this. It’s not Shen Yutong this time-I’m the one asking for a favor.”
“You want to be able to touch him, don’t you?”
“…Yes, that’s right.”
The old man used a paper effigy to perform a ritual, telling me that it would only last for twelve shichen-twenty-four hours.
Shen Yutong took my hand and bowed to the old man in thanks.
As I felt the familiar touch of his palm, I momentarily lost myself in the sensation.
He started pulling me toward the exit.
Suddenly, he spotted a motorcycle by the door.
It was made of paper-an off-road bike.
He turned back and asked the old man if he could borrow the bike for a ride. After all, he only had twelve shichen.
The old man snapped, “You died in a traffic accident, did you forget? You still dare to ride?”
Shen Yutong argued, “But I… I died riding a shared bicycle!”