"Ye Yan, we have the ability to hear the voices of spirits. Have you ever heard your mother speak?"
"No," Ye Yan shook his head. "Never. Not once."
"When my mother passed," Gu Xichen said, "Lili and I kept vigil by her body. She came back that night. I couldn't see her, but I could hear her voice. Maybe your mother simply chose not to speak?" He paused. "You once told me there's only one photograph of her—the rest were burned. I've seen that photo. I'm certain Lili has never laid eyes on your mother's face."
"I know," Ye Yan said quietly, a heaviness settling in his chest. "It's hard to describe the feeling… knowing all this so suddenly. It's fear, grief, guilt, longing—all tangled together."
Gu Xichen placed a hand on his shoulder. "But the fear and guilt will never outweigh the longing. After my own mother died, I came to understand—once someone is gone, everything is gone. The past dies with them. Don't let yourself carry regret."
Ten minutes felt like an eternity to Ye Yan. When Gu Lili finally returned, he stood at once and walked swiftly toward her.
"Mrs. Long, what did my mother say to you?"
"There's no need to rush," she replied gently. "Take a seat, and I'll explain everything."
They sat side by side, and Gu Lili took the seat opposite them.
"Mr. Ye," she began calmly, "your mother spoke with me, then left. I'll be direct with you—I came here tonight alone, with the intention of earning money." She smiled faintly. "No matter how wealthy my husband is, that wealth remains his. I refuse to live idly in his shadow. I want to rely on my own abilities. If you are willing to pay me one million, I can act as a bridge between you and your mother. When she finds peace, I'll also perform the necessary rites to help her pass on. What do you think?"
"One million?" Ye Yan agreed without hesitation. "If you can help me speak with her… I'll pay you two."
Only a fool would turn down money so freely offered. She had expected to earn one million; his generosity doubled that.
"Very well," she nodded. "Gu Xichen is our witness. The deal is sealed."
"What did my mother say?"
Gu Lili placed paper and pen on her knees and began a new sketch as she spoke.
"She said that all these years, she's stayed by your side, watching over you. She deeply regrets taking her life so impulsively. It was selfish—she thought only of her own pain. She never reincarnated because she couldn't bear to leave you. Even though you were unaware, she saw you grow into a hardworking, upright man, and it brought her comfort. She had planned to keep watching over you until you married and had children—then, she could finally rest. But that's no longer possible. The underworld's envoys are hunting her now. She doesn't know how much longer she can avoid them. Sometimes she longed to speak to you, but feared frightening you or stirring up old sorrow… so she stayed silent."
As her voice faded, her pen came to a halt.
She looked up and saw Ye Yan's eyes bloodshot, his lips tightly pressed together as he struggled to contain the storm within.
"This," she said softly, handing over the paper, "is how your mother truly looked tonight. I hope you won't be afraid."
Ye Yan took the sketch.
Gu Xichen glanced at it and sprang upright with a shout, "Good heavens!"
He promptly scurried to Gu Lili's side, face pale as chalk.
"Look at you," she said with a sideways glance. "You're supposed to be a man."
"You're used to this," he muttered, clutching her arm. "I'm not. I'm terrified."
"Take me home later, alright?"