Unspoken Rule

The door knocked, and Hai entered with a tray in his hands. There was a warm bowl of medicinal porridge on the tray. Xiaoling looked back at Hai before standing up from the bed. She gestured to Hai to tend to Weisheng. 

"I have things to do," Xiaoling said as she opened the door and stood in the doorway, "Weisheng, you have one day to recollect your thoughts. Think about what you want to do carefully." She said before leaving. 

Hai smiled awkwardly, "She's so bad at comforting people, right?" He said as he walked toward the bed. 

"I don't think so," Weisheng muttered with a faint smile, "I feel much better after talking to her."

Hai raised an eyebrow as he placed the tray on the nightstand beside the bed. He grabbed the warm bowl and handed it over to Weisheng. 

"Careful," Hai muttered as Weisheng received the bowl. 

"Thank you," Weisheng said slowly, "And I'm also sorry for running away… You had to stay in that pond because of me."

Hai shook his head and flapped his hand to and fro, "It's fine. I'm used to it." He chuckled. 

"Do you get into trouble often?" Weisheng asked before scooping the porridge into a spoon to eat. "Wow, this is really good."

Hai giggled, "Of course, it is. Big Bro Ru made it. And yes, I'm trouble itself."

Weisheng smiled gently. Hai seemed to have a bright personality. He wore round glasses, so he looked like a bookworm. But when he talked, he gave off a completely different vibe. 

"Why is Mr. Ru your big brother? He looks young." Weisheng muttered while taking another bite. 

"Because he died before me," Hai shrugged. 

Weisheng's eyes widened. He had forgotten that he was talking to a spirit. He clenched his teeth and frowned in regret. Hai noticed right away. 

"Don't worry. We can just reincarnate one day." Hai smiled brightly, "Plus, I was lucky enough to meet Master. She's kinda strict but I'm glad to have her. I get a place to stay, free food, free clothes, and frankly, free affection too." 

Weisheng was surprised. He hadn't imagined that life after death would still be life. 

"So, is there no way to earn as a spirit?" Weisheng asked. 

Hai shook his head with amusement, "There are many ways. Actually, I'll leave this topic for Master to explain. She can help you more than I can. After all, I died three years ago. There are still things I don't understand." 

Weisheng was surprised, but he chose not to question Hai anymore. He quietly nodded. 

"Well, since you're one of us now, I'll just call you Weisheng. We look the same age, don't we?" Hai muttered. 

"Yeah. I'll just call you Hai too." Weisheng smiled faintly. He stared into the warm bowl of porridge, slowly eating it. 

Hai stood up and walked behind the screen, out of Weisheng's sight. Weisheng could only see the intricate screen. It had an orchid field pattern on it. Hai walked back with a gourd in his hands. He held the gourd up and slapped it with his other hand. 

"Guess what this is," Hai muttered playfully. 

"Alcohol?" Weisheng made a wild guess. 

Hai clicked his tongue and shook his head, "Wrong!"

Weisheng raised an eyebrow and chuckled, wondering what was in the gourd. 

"I mean," Hai raised an eyebrow, "Technically, it's alcohol. But this kind of alcohol…" Hai said as he sat down on the chair next to the bed, "You will never be able to buy it outside."

"Really?" Weisheng's eyes widened. 

Hai blinked slowly and nodded. He pulled the cork and grabbed a drinking bowl from the nightstand. He filled it to the brim and handed it over to Weisheng. 

"Your face says you hate your life," Hai said as he watched Weisheng receive the bowl, "So how about we drink our sorrows away!" 

Weisheng looked at the wine. It looked finely aged. He took a big sip, gulping it all down. 

"You just drank Master's most expensive wine-" 

Weisheng coughed and looked at Hai with disbelief. Hai giggled. 

"Are we in trouble?" Weisheng asked with widened eyes. 

"I didn't drink, so not me!" Hai smiled innocently. "Just kidding," He added, "Master lets us use everything in her residence. There's an unspoken rule that there's no rule!" 

Weisheng exhaled in relief, allowing Hai to pour him another bowl. The wine washed his sorrows down in an instant. It must be extremely expensive. 

Suddenly, the door opened and Xiaoling walked inside, looking at her students as they casually drank her most expensive wine. 

Weisheng gulped in nervousness, even after learning that she let her disciples use everything in her residence. 

"He shouldn't be having alcohol," Xiaoling said, "He's sick." 

Hai shook his head, "He's fine. Alcohol fixes sickness anyway!" 

"Says who," Xiaoling sighed as she shook her head. She walked closer to the bed and stared at Weisheng. 

Weisheng sheepishly put the bowl on the nightstand.

"If you're not feeling sick anymore, come out," Xiaoling uttered, "I'll give you a tour around my residence." 

Weisheng was pleasantly surprised, "Yes, give me a moment." He uttered. 

Xiaoling nodded and walked behind the screen, making her way to her study table. She sat down on the classic low chairs, cushioned for comfort. While Weisheng fixed his hair and wore his coat, she wrote some sort of letter and sealed it in an envelope, setting it aside for later use. 

"I am ready," Weisheng walked up to her. 

Xiaoling looked up at him, stretching her arm in front of him. Weisheng confusedly stared at her when Hai caught the two. 

"Let me, Master," Hai walked between them, offering his arm to help Xiaoling stand up. 

Weisheng dumbfoundedly watched them. He had a lot to learn. Thankfully, Xiaoling didn't comment on that. 

"You're going back to work on Monday, right?" Xiaoling asked as she stood up with Hai's help.

"Yes," Weisheng replied cluelessly. 

"Hai," Xiaoling looked at him, "Go prepare a room for Weisheng. He will spend the weekend here." 

Weisheng's eyes widened. Hai nodded and left instantly. 

"Come," Xiaoling uttered while walking toward the door of her room, "Let me give you a quick tour around here."