Chapter 11: The Family Banquet (Please Support with Votes)

Actually, Shen Siyuan had a way to bring Dou Dou back to life: to have Jiang Wenxin give birth to Dou Dou again.

The specific method was for Jiang Wenxin to conceive a second child, but before the soul of the fetus was born, Dou Dou’s spirit would borrow the body to return to the mortal world, becoming the couple’s daughter once more.

Unfortunately, this required the use of the Ten Thousand Souls Banner, which was now tattered beyond repair. Without the necessary power, Shen Siyuan was unable to perform such a ritual.

Therefore, he never told them. No hope meant no disappointment.

After discussing matters related to Dou Dou, the couple didn’t continue on that heavy topic, perhaps feeling it was too somber, so they moved on to lighter conversation.

For example, Tao Guangxia shared with Shen Siyuan that he worked in the catering industry, managing several brand chains. Although profitable, the work was busy and filled with trivial matters.

From their chat, Shen Siyuan sensed that Jiang Wenxin had likely inquired about him among her colleagues and knew quite a bit about him, even mentioning wanting to arrange a blind date for him.

Shen Siyuan was puzzled—why were all these women so eager to set him up?

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“Mr. Shen, please come in…”

As soon as the door opened, Dou Dou dashed inside like a little monkey, bouncing and jumping around the house.

“Mommy, I want to watch cartoons.”

She climbed onto the couch, not sitting but perching on the backrest, walking along it like a tightrope along the wall.

She habitually called for her mother, but obviously, her mother couldn’t hear her.

Fortunately, there was Tao Guangxia, who promptly turned on the TV and played “Paw Patrol” for her.

The little one immediately calmed down and obediently sat on the sofa.

Seeing this, Tao Guangxia sighed and then said to Jiang Wenxin, “From now on, don’t turn off the TV at home; just play cartoons.”

Jiang Wenxin nodded in understanding.

Meanwhile, Shen Siyuan took the opportunity to survey the room’s furnishings.

The house was spacious, a large single-floor apartment of at least 180 square meters.

A balcony stretched over ten meters, offering a broad view; at dusk, the setting sun stained the clouds red, and the orange sunlight bathed the balcony, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere.

In the right corner of the balcony stood a row of empty flowerpots.

“Dou Dou’s mother used to love growing flowers, but after the accident, she stopped altogether,” Tao Guangxia said, gazing at the empty pots with a heavy sigh.

Shen Siyuan’s mother, Huang Huijuan, also loved flowers, but whatever she tended died quickly; ironically, the plants abandoned in the corner of the yard thrived vigorously. Every time, Huang Huijuan would proudly claim it was all her doing.

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“Mr. Shen, would you like something to drink?”

At that moment, Jiang Wenxin came over to greet him and noticed the empty flowerpots on the balcony.

She glanced at her husband, then said, “When I have time, I’ll fill these pots with flowers again.”

Afterward, she called out inside, “Dou Dou, do you want to plant flowers with Mommy?”

She looked at Tao Guangxia, who smiled and said, “She said she does.”

Jiang Wenxin seemed very pleased.

Shen Siyuan was a bit embarrassed because Dou Dou was staring blankly at the cartoon on TV, giggling foolishly, completely oblivious to her mother’s words.

Tao Guangxia winked at him quietly, and Shen Siyuan didn’t expose the truth.

Dinner was quite sumptuous. Although it was a family meal, Jiang Wenxin hadn’t cooked it.

Tao Guangxia had hired several skilled chefs from his catering business to prepare the dishes at home. They left immediately after cooking, not even meeting Shen Siyuan.

Dou Dou looked longingly at the delicious food on the table, appearing very pitiful.

Seeing this, Tao Guangxia sighed repeatedly. He told Shen Siyuan it was no wonder ghosts disliked humans—who could endure this? It was done for their own good.

Although ghosts cannot eat physical food, they can “consume energy.” Dou Dou sniffed a plate of fermented glutinous rice pork and immediately her cheeks flushed, her eyes glazed over, giving an impression of drunkenness.

However, this feeling came and went quickly; Dou Dou soon sobered up, leaving Tao Guangxia astonished.

Because they wanted to spend more time with Dou Dou, the couple had only eaten lightly for breakfast and lunch, completely unaware of Dou Dou’s secret.

“Otherwise, why do people offer sacrifices to the dead, especially wine? Wine is the essence of grain and has the strongest fragrance. Many ancient customs, in fact, have their reasons,” Shen Siyuan explained with a smile.

“Then we should cook more dishes every day,” Jiang Wenxin said.

“There’s no need. That’s the convenience of modern society—so much food available. And though ghosts consume energy, it’s not a huge benefit for them, just a simple desire for taste...” Shen Siyuan continued to share some basic knowledge about ghosts.

Tao Guangxia was a businessman, very talkative and eloquent. Over some light drinks, Shen Siyuan found himself speaking more than usual.

Yet they kept their distance, never probing into the origins of Shen Siyuan’s abilities.

Their connection existed solely because of Dou Dou. Since their acquaintance was shallow, they avoided deep questions to preserve friendship.

Clearly, they wanted Shen Siyuan as a friend.

Whether for their daughter’s sake or because of Shen Siyuan’s unique skills.

“Mr. Shen, a toast to you,” Jiang Wenxin stood, holding her glass.

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“Accountant Jiang, no need to be so formal.”

Shen Siyuan rose reluctantly; this was already the fourth glass Jiang Wenxin offered him.

“Please sit... sit down and talk.”

“Accountant Jiang, don’t always call me Mr. Shen. Since we’ll see each other often at work, it’s awkward for others to hear. You’re older, so just call me Xiao Shen or Siyuan.”

“All right then, I’ll be bold and call you Xiao Shen. You don’t always have to call me Accountant Jiang; just call me Sister Jiang. For Dou Dou’s sake, let’s keep in touch more often…”

She drained her glass in one go.

She was very adept at climbing social ladders, but Shen Siyuan didn’t mind.

As she said, as a mother, she would inevitably want more contact for Dou Dou’s benefit.

Then Jiang Wenxin brought up the blind date again.

“She’s a girl from my family, beautiful and well-educated. We know her background well. She’s a good girl; otherwise, I wouldn’t introduce her. You can meet her, and if it doesn’t work out, that’s fine…”

Jiang Wenxin was enthusiastic, but her eagerness was not just matchmaking.

She had her own reasons—she wanted to make Shen Siyuan part of the family so that Dou Dou would never lack care.

With things so openly discussed, Shen Siyuan didn’t refuse.

He was already twenty-six and did need a girlfriend, whether for physiological needs or to deal with his mother’s endless matchmaking.

Before dinner ended, Dou Dou disappeared from Tao Guangxia’s sight before he could say anything further.

Seeing the couple’s expressions, Shen Siyuan felt a pang of guilt and said, “There will be more chances in the future.”

Upon hearing this, the couple relaxed, their faces blooming with smiles again.

After dinner, Shen Siyuan didn’t stay long and took his leave. Tao Guangxia wanted to drive him, but he declined.

So the couple stayed with their daughter on the sofa watching cartoons, unaware that Dou Dou had already left with Shen Siyuan.

Shen Siyuan held up his pinky, recalling their earlier promise.

“See? I wasn’t lying. I let your parents see you and talk to you…”

“Mm~ mm, Uncle Shen is amazing, Uncle Shen is such a good person…”

Dou Dou looked admirably cute.

At that moment, a streak of golden light suddenly descended from the sky…