At this moment, the man who had been forcibly maintaining his composure finally reddened around the eyes.
Bo Jingmo had endured too many cold looks and disdain in this psychiatric hospital. Over time, he clearly understood - no one would like a mentally ill person.
He didn't like himself either.
He loathed that identity, detested his emotionally unstable self, and despised his current sensitive, paranoid self.
Yet he couldn't control it.
His voice trembled as he spoke: "Lili, you know I'm not nor—"
Before he could finish, the girl covered his mouth.
"What's a normal person? Bo Jingmo, that's just society's judgment based on certain behaviors." Yu Li said softly, "To me, as long as you love me, that's enough. What does normal or abnormal matter?"
Bo Jingmo lowered his lashes, the corners of his eyes tinged crimson. His usually cool features now bore a pitiful fragility as he suddenly bent down and wrapped his arms around Yu Li's waist.
Resting his head on her shoulder, he abruptly sensed something and looked up to see a male ghost with identical features but eerie red eyes standing not far away.
Human and ghost locked eyes silently for several seconds before Bo Jingmo's lips curled into a scornful smile.
Slowly tilting his head, he suddenly bit Yu Li's neck, his eyes narrowing with pleasure.
The position perfectly mirrored the bite mark on the other side.
Meanwhile, the other "Bo Puppy" expressionlessly averted his gaze.
He couldn't be bothered to argue - Lili had already given him his reward minutes ago.
In good spirits now, Bo Puppy decided not to pick a fight with his other self.
Bo Jingmo didn't actually bite down. Unlike that reckless dog, he would never truly hurt Lili.
Yu Li patted Bo Jingmo's head, signaling him to behave.
Then she finally turned her attention to the stunned Yu Chi beside them.
"Now, tell me exactly what benefits I've gained."
Don't you know perfectly well what benefits?
His face twisted. What kind of fox spirit was this woman, managing to have it both ways?
Narrowing his eyes, his gaze shifted between Bo Jingmo and the male ghost not far away.
"Director, do you really think she likes you? This woman accepts supernatural matters so easily - her real target was that evil ghost from the start! Knowing you share existence with that ghost, isn't she just seducing you to die so that ghost can grow stronger?"
Hearing this, Bo Jingmo's eyelids flickered but he remained silent, still holding Yu Li.
Yu Li merely stroked his hair and called softly: "Bo Jingmo."
The man's body stiffened slightly, thinking she was addressing him - until he saw the male ghost transform into black mist and charge forward, finally realizing she'd summoned the ghost.
Like an arrow loosed from its bow, the black mist shot toward Yu Chi, who barely dodged in time, cursing under his breath.
Damn it! Even weakened, this ghost was troublesome.
His eyes glinted as his lips moved silently in incantation.
Instantly, the vast corridor erupted with wails as countless black vengeful spirits emerged from all directions - ceiling, walls, floor - all wearing dark blue hospital gowns, surrounding the entire hallway.
Faceless, their bodies appeared melted by lava.
Hovering midair, Yu Chi laughed maniacally at the scene.
"Director, director! I should thank you for turning a blind eye all this time - otherwise I wouldn't have gathered so many lost souls!"
The spirits immediately targeted the black mist. Bo Jingmo's energy was already depleted from fighting Yu Chi; against this horde, even he found himself overwhelmed.
Seeing the ghost forced into a corner and Yu Li's calm expression, Yu Chi sneered inwardly.
Shielded in Bo Jingmo's arms, Yu Li coldly observed the scene when suddenly a low, hoarse voice sounded by her ear:
"Lili...can you promise me one thing?"
Before she could react, a compact fruit knife was pressed into her hand, its blade covered in dense ancient runes glowing gold under dim lights.
Bo Jingmo nuzzled her hair, his tone oddly carefree:
"If I die, promise you won't confess to him, okay?"
Yu Li froze slightly, turning with complex emotions, gripping the knife silently.
Mistaking her hesitation, Bo Jingmo smiled gently.
"This knife was meant for Yu Chi, but seems useless now. He's stronger than I anticipated - looks like we'll need that ghost to regain power."
"This time...it's my choice."
Having no regrets left, since this mess was of his making, he'd resolve it himself.
Yu Li examined the knife, weighing it thoughtfully before repeating cryptically:
Yu Chi instantly discerned Bo Jingmo's intent. Glaring furiously at a nearby spirit, he issued a silent command.
The spirit nodded before charging at Yu Li.
Meanwhile, Yu Chi smirked at the cornered ghost.
He wasn't stupid enough to wait for their power to recover.
Perhaps previous resistance had drained Bo Jingmo - the ghost didn't dodge as Yu Chi attacked, just stared coldly with frosty crimson eyes.
"Die, Bo Jingmo!" Yu Chi's grin widened as he raised his hand for the killing strike.
Two "thunk" sounds echoed as flesh tore.
Yu Chi's smile froze grotesquely. Slowly, he looked down.
The familiar fruit knife was embedded perfectly in his chest, golden light spreading as burning pain instantly radiated from the wound.
Yu Li calmly withdrew her hand in the distance, lifting cool eyes to the remaining spirits.
Okay sis, we're outta here.
As the spirits vanished, Yu Li strode toward the fallen Yu Chi.
Writhing in pain yet oddly euphoric, Yu Chi laughed weakly:
"Ha...not bad. But your ghost won't survive either, Yu Li."
After all, Bo Jingmo had been stabbed too.
Even in death, he'd have company.