Chapter 10: Almost

Inside the shabby thatched hut, the two sat facing each other.

When the morning breeze blew in, the rustling sound of the thatched roof could be heard, making it feel as though the roof would be blown away at any moment.

Looking at Xiang Dayong, who was still in his prime but had aged prematurely with deep wrinkles around his eyes, Xiang He felt an indescribable surge of emotion within her.

Such a simple, honest man had been oppressed his whole life, worn down his wife, and made his children suffer. In this moment, his responsibility as a father grew heavier, but he was also utterly helpless.

Xiang He lowered her eyes slightly, her expression dimming for a moment. When she lifted her gaze again, her eyes were filled with a smile. “What is Father saying? Isn’t your daughter right here?”

But this expression made Xiang Dayong’s eyes redden. He forced a sound from his throat, and before he could speak, tears had already fallen.

He wiped his tears with his good right hand, revealing the rough, deep lines carved into the back of his hand. His dark, weathered hands had endured countless days of scorching sun and biting winds.

Only those whom a man truly cares for can make him, a man who has been oppressed for years, shed tears.

“You… are…” He choked, unable to finish his words. “You’re not…?”

The few words left Xiang He speechless. She slightly raised her head to look at the corner of the room. Her spirit seemed to linger there, just like her father, with tears in his eyes, unable to hold back his sorrow.

With a soft sob of “Father,” Xiang He realized too late she should not have lowered her head. Xiang Dayong was staring at the place she had just been looking at, lost in thought, so much so that he forgot to wipe his tears.

“He… He… daughter…”

This was the call from her father, and the sorrow of separation surged within her. Xiang He’s spirit, unable to hold it in any longer, cried out louder. The surrounding air began to stir, and the wind followed suit, swirling around the little thatched hut, encircling it with a gust.

Xiang He hurriedly closed the door, then quickly walked to the spirit’s side. With two fingers raised on her right hand, she pressed one of them to her lips, softly murmuring, “The heavens and earth are clear, the heart is at peace…”

She spoke the soul-calming incantation with precision, her middle finger lightly tapping her own forehead. The wild winds around her suddenly disappeared.

Xiang He let out a deep sigh, patting her head. “How dangerous! Don’t cry anymore.”

The previous soul was releasing negative energy, and due to overwhelming sorrow, that energy could turn into resentment. If not suppressed in time, the resentment might grow so strong that even she would not be able to control it.

The soul of Xiang He sobbed, nodding vigorously. “I’m… I’m sorry…”

“Girl He…”

Hearing the voice behind her, Xiang He felt a sharp pain in her head. She took the soul of Xiang He’s hand and turned to face Xiang Dayong. “Can you see her?”

Xiang Dayong nodded slowly but shook his head again. Xiang He quickly formed a one-handed seal, and a faint golden light enveloped her body. The energy passed through her hand and into the soul of Xiang He, gradually making the soul more solid.

She hadn’t wanted them to see the true Xiang He, but now the best solution was for them to meet.

Xiang He took a few steps forward, and Xiang Dayong stretched out his hand, trying to touch her. But he passed right through her, unable to make any contact.

“Girl He…” His eyes were still filled with tears, and his voice, long unused, sounded rusty. “You… You really… have… already… died?”

The soul of Xiang He bit her lower lip hard, trying not to cry too much. Tears fell like broken strings, and she nodded stiffly. She didn’t want to accept the fact that she was dead, but the truth was undeniable.

“Father… I’m sorry… Your daughter has been unfilial, and I can no longer help you with the family…”

Xiang Dayong shook his head. “No, no… You were… a good daughter…”

“Father…”

Both of them were crying heavily. Xiang He felt some discomfort and raised her hand to rub her brow. The hand she held the soul with was growing cold, and her body was beginning to feel unwell.

She suppressed the discomfort, exhaled a sigh, and said, “She died on the bridal sedan, and now I am just a wisp of her soul that entered her body. If you mind, I will find a way to leave as soon as possible and will not stay a moment longer.”

The hand she was holding was grasped tightly in return. The soul of Xiang He shook her head while crying. “No! You promised me that you would take good care of my family!”

Xiang He felt helpless. After all, she had been discovered not to be the original body, and it would depend on her family’s wishes. If she insisted on staying in this body, who knew what might happen. What if they thought she was a vengeful ghost and sent for a Taoist priest to deal with her…

Just thinking about it made her feel overwhelmed.

“Let your father think it over carefully, this matter can’t be rushed.”

The soul of Xiang He was full of urgency as she reached out to try to pull her father, but Xiang He stopped her with her hand. “A person cannot touch a ghost, but if a ghost attempts to touch a person, it will harm their vital energy. Don’t move recklessly.”

This scared her, and she immediately withdrew her hand, afraid to move again. But then she felt a slight warmth in her hand and realized that Xiang He was holding her hand.

“Then how is it that you can touch me?”

Xiang He sighed lightly. “Your ghost body is weak, and I need to transfer my energy to you so you can become visible. But I can’t sustain it for long, as this body is already injured, and my vital energy hasn’t fully recovered yet.”

Upon hearing this, Xiang Dayong shook his healthy hand and shook his head, muttering “Ah, ah.” Xiang He placed her palm down and gently patted the air to signal him to speak slowly.

“If… if you don’t mind… keeping this body… it would fulfill the wish…”

He struggled to form the words, and Xiang He patiently listened.

His words were halting, indicating that the original body didn’t want her to leave, and thus, fulfilled the original body’s wish.

It seemed that the family of Old Fourth Xiang was the only normal one among them.

“Won’t you discuss it with your mother? I’m not your daughter, I’m just… a wandering ghost, right? Aren’t you worried I might harm you?”

They would have to live together for some time, and if even one person held a grudge, it would be hard to get along. It could even lead to arguments over this body.

To avoid such issues, they had to clarify things.

It seemed that Mrs. Su had also noticed something was different. The original body was a timid, quiet girl, but Xiang He was different—her actions were bold, and she was decisive. She was entirely a different person.

Xiang He felt helpless, this was her first time experiencing something like this, and she had adjusted to it faster than they had.

The room fell quiet for a moment, and the soul of Xiang He tightened its grip on Xiang He’s hand. In her hollow eyes, one could see hope directed toward Xiang He. She wished that her father would agree. Even if she couldn’t be with him, at least this Miss Xiang could help the family—that was her selfish desire, as well as her plea.

Xiang Dayong, lying on the bed, looked sorrowful. It was unclear what he was thinking. Xiang He felt her body grow increasingly uncomfortable. The hand she held with the soul of Xiang He was trembling, and her head was growing dizzy. She quickly let go of her hand and collapsed onto the floor, feeling weak.

“Xiang… He…”

Xiang He’s face turned pale, her lips a ghastly white. “No… let me rest for a while. I need to recover…”

The soul of Xiang He disappeared in front of Xiang Dayong, but Xiang He could still see her crouching, her face full of concern. “Miss Xiang…”

“Just rest for a bit, don’t worry.”

“Xiang He… come… rest…”

Xiang Dayong struggled to move his body, trying to get off the bed to make space. Xiang He waved her hand. “No need, just think about what happened earlier. I’ll be fine sitting here for a while.”

But Xiang Dayong was still worried, trying to move. Xiang He was about to stand up to stop him when hurried footsteps approached from outside—

“Xiang He! Your mother was splashed with dishwater by your grandmother!”

Hearing this, the exhausted Xiang He immediately became furious. She pushed herself up, supporting her body with her hands, her face hardening.

She clenched her jaw, gritting her teeth, and forcefully pushed open the door. The old, loose door fell to the ground with a loud crash, sending up a cloud of dust—

“How dare you, old woman!”