Chapter 24: A Familiar Face

After saying this, she turned and walked away.

I simply watched her retreating figure and sighed silently.

Not long after, Qiao Zhuxin went abroad. I had assumed she wouldn't return, so I had already prepared a souvenir gift, intending to mail it to her overseas.

Unfortunately, I died before the wedding, and the gift could never be sent.

I couldn't help but wonder: there was no real connection between her and me, so why was she so concerned about my affairs? It was a puzzle I could not solve.

Qiao Zhuxin made her way through the crowd and left the Qiao residence. Grandmother Qiao eventually stopped waiting for me and had the servants bring out a massive, multi-tiered cake.

A servant cut the top slice and offered it to Grandmother, but she didn't eat it. Instead, she handed the plate to Nanny Zhang, instructing her to set it aside carefully before distributing the rest of the cake to the guests.

I knew she wanted to save that piece for me.

The guests gathered around Grandmother to offer their well-wishes. Their faces were wreathed in smiles—though I could not tell how much of it was genuine or performative—at least the atmosphere felt harmonious for that moment.

I drifted to Grandmother’s side and whispered into her ear, "Grandmother, make a wish."

Grandmother gazed at the cake, momentarily lost in thought. A moment later, she clasped her hands together in sincere prayer.

"I wish for my Yunzhou to live a happy, joyful life forever."

Grandmother’s voice was soft, yet I heard every word clearly. A lump formed in my throat, and I nearly wept. I had never expected her wish to be for me.

Alas, Grandmother, I am destined to disappoint you.

With a hopeful expression, Grandmother blew out the candles, as if she could already see the happy life that awaited me.

After the cake was served, everyone gathered to eat, but Grandmother claimed she was feeling unwell and retired to her room.

I heard Nanny Zhang ask with a puzzled look, "Madam, how can you be so sure that the person in that video isn't the young master? After all, he is currently in Xicheng..."

Grandmother cut her off.

"That person could never be Yunzhou. I raised him; I know him better than anyone. How could he possibly do such a thing? I suspect that man made the video just to tarnish Yunzhou’s reputation." As Grandmother spoke, her face was filled with unconcealable disgust.

"And then there is Yanxin," Grandmother sighed, sounding frustrated. "She let herself be led by the nose the moment someone said a few words. If she's like this, how can her grandfather and I rest easy handing the Qiao family business over to her? She couldn't even see the face clearly, yet she was so quick to conclude it was Yunzhou. Not to mention, there were so many people from prominent families there today. By claiming it was Yunzhou in such a setting, she didn't just slap the Qiao family in the face—she embarrassed herself as well!"

Hearing this, Nanny Zhang could only offer comfort. "Miss Qiao is still young; it's natural she doesn't understand these things yet."

"Young? That might have been an excuse before, but how old is she now?"

"Enough, enough," Grandmother sighed. "Send more people to keep an eye on the situation in Xicheng. Yunzhou hasn't returned, and it makes me feel uneasy." She rubbed her chest, clearly uncomfortable.

Nanny Zhang hurriedly helped her onto the bed. "Don't worry, Madam. The young master will surely be back today. It's your sixtieth birthday—how could he possibly stay away?"

Hearing this, Grandmother felt a glimmer of relief. She pointed to the cake on the table. "Keep that cake safe. When Yunzhou comes back, I want him to have it."

As she spoke, a sudden smile lit up her eyes. "I remember when Yunzhou was a child, he loved sweets. But his father and the others were strict, never letting the boys have too many snacks. Only when Yunzhou came to see me could he have a little bit."

Her eyes suddenly grew moist. "He once promised me he would grow old by my side, yet here I am, and he hasn't even come home for my birthday." She wiped away a tear, sounding a bit angry. "When he gets back, I’m going to give him a piece of my mind!"

"Never mind, never mind," she said, lying down as if sulking. "When Yunzhou gets back, make sure he eats the cake. The piece from the top is surely the best; I saved it just for him."

Nanny Zhang agreed repeatedly. "Very well, Madam. You should rest now, and I will call you when the young master arrives."

Hearing their conversation, I reached out to touch the cake, but my hand passed straight through it. I tried again and again, desperate to touch it.

"Please, God, let me have one bite. Just let me eat one bite of the cake Grandma saved for me. Just one."

I cried out in despair, but there was nothing I could do. Why, why did it have to be me who died? I had done nothing wrong. Is it true that only the wicked live forever? Why does Gu Tingchu get to live on while I am dead?

I gave a self-deprecating laugh and slumped beside Grandmother's bed.

She seemed to have fallen asleep, though her body trembled slightly. I lay down beside her, reaching out to wrap my arms around her in a phantom embrace.

Grandmother, don't be afraid. Sleep now. I will always be by your side.

After Grandmother drifted off to sleep, I visited Qiao Yanxin. She was at a bar, surrounded by several empty wine bottles. Her cheeks were flushed; she had clearly been drinking heavily.

Someone beside her was trying to persuade her. "Sister Yanxin, drink less. You'll hurt your health if you keep going like this."

"I don't think that person was necessarily the brother-in-law. The lighting was so chaotic, who could tell if the person in the video was human or a ghost?"

"Exactly! You know the brother-in-law better than anyone, don't you? In all these years, has he ever looked at anyone else? Everyone knows Qiao Yunzhou was a devoted brother, and later, a wife-fearing husband."

Yanxin listened to them, saying nothing, simply pouring glass after glass of wine into her mouth.

Nearby, a man watched her with malicious intent. A moment later, a fashionably dressed man approached, rubbing his hands together. He reached out to touch Yanxin, his hand lingering on her.

"Is a beauty like you here alone? That's not how one drinks. Why don't you come over and have a few with us?"

Yanxin paused, then suddenly smashed a bottle and pointed the jagged glass at the men.

"If you don't want your hands anymore, I can chop them off for you."

The men fled in terror. Yanxin was about to continue drinking when she caught sight of a figure in the corner of her eye that looked hauntingly familiar.

"Qiao Yunzhou?!"