Suyang was very serious and the smile vanished from my face.
âI donât believe Wen Yihan will let you guys go so easily. What did you guys talk about?â Then, Suyang pinched my face. He wouldnât let me avoid his eyes, âDonât you dare try to hide more things from me.â
I put my hands over Suyang and anxiously responded, âIâll tell you everything. But can we chat upstairs?â
Then, I shakily raised my hand and pointed randomly into space. I made my voice tremble, âThereâs.....â
Before I could finish, Suyang dashed back into the apartment like an arrow. By the time I reacted, he was already standing in front of the elevator waving at me, âWhy are you still standing there?â
I stared at the nothingness around me. Suyang was so easy to fool. He was such a chicken, yet he had a girlfriend who could see ghosts...
Speaking of which, due to Gao Jialan, we never continued our chat about my abilities to see ghost.
When we returned back to the apartment, I repeated everything Wen Yihan told me to Suyang. He was half shocked and half worried. After pondering for a long time, he wasnât sure what to do either.
In no time, six days had gone by. These days, Suyang and I were constantly trying to find an opportunity to confirm with Gao Jialan. But, we kept losing it.
Today was the final day before the deadline. Suyang and I came up with a plan last night. Today, he will randomly find a reason to leave the apartment so Gao Jialan and I could be home by ourselves to chat.
So, early in the morning, Suyang used âfishingâ as the reason why he had to leave. Before he left, I rolled my eyes at him. He couldâve just left silently. Wouldnât Gao Jialan be more suspicious when he used an excuse like that?
Most likely, Gao Jialan had already sensed something. For the past few days, the moment I walked closer towards her, she would automatically go elsewhere. It was like she was purposely avoiding me.
âGao Jialan, I saw online that women who are around three months pregnant have a tendency to go through a lot of symptoms and effects. Are you alright?â
Currently, I was massaging her shoulders and testing her at the same time.
âIâm fine. This is Yufanâs child. Iâm fine no matter how difficult it is.â She murmured.
Since I was massaging her, Gao Jialan couldnât walk away even if she wanted to.
âEven if you lose your life?â I blurted.
Hearing this, Gao Jialanâs shoulder stiffened and she placed her hand over mines; indicating I could stop. Then, she turned to look at me. She was ready to talk.
âHe told you?â Gao Jialan calmly asked.
âYes, Wen Yihan told me everything. He gave me a week to think about it. How else did you think you and Suyang could have escaped so easily?â
âIâm not that foolish. Of course I knew there was a reason why we managed to escape so smoothly... I just didnât want to think about it.â
I gazed into Gao Jialanâs eyes, âThese past few days, Iâve thought deeply about it. I honestly think you should give up the child. Youâre still so young and have so much ahead of you....â
âI canât believe you would say this to me... as a woman, how could you not understand my emotions?â
âI understand that mothers would give up everything for their children. So, Iâm not forcing you. Iâm just hoping I could convince you to let the child go.â
Gao Jialan shook her head as she stared out the window and into a far distance. âYouâre still young. When you have your own child, youâll understand that mothers would never willingly abandon their children.â
âYou know I can see ghosts. Do you know why I saw Wen Yihan on Mid Autumn Festival?â I briefly glanced at Wen Yufan; who was standing far away. âWen Yufan was the one who led me to him.â
Gao Jialan was acting like she couldnât hear me. She touched her tummy and continued, âThis child is growing slowly in my body. Each day, I can sense a change...regardless how small it may be....â
âWen Yufan is a ghost. He couldâve easily led me to you. But he didnât do that. He deliberately wanted to bring me to see Wen Yihan. Why do you think he did that?â
âMy child and I are together as one. The moment I found out I was pregnant, I had the drive to carry on. Every night, I would envision his face. I would imagine him reaching his hand out to me and calling me âmommyâ. I could see him attending elementary school.... As for Yufan, Iâm not going to make any presumptuous guesses. I found out I was pregnant after he died...so he never heard it from me. But Iâm glad he knows....at least I donât have to regret about that.â
âNo regret? He knows youâre willing to risk your life for the baby... and I swear to you that his expression isnât the joyful one you would imagine.â
Gao Jialan avoided my eyes as she stood up and said wearily, âNo need to say anymore. Regardless of what you say, I refuse to give up this child.â
I sighed, âYou already knew what I wanted to say prior to this....â
Gao Jialan had her back against me and didnât respond.
âYou are already well aware that if Wen Yufan knew about the child, he wouldâve made the same choice as Wen Yihan. Yet, even so, youâre still persistent on keeping him....â
âYixin, this child is the only connection between me and Yufan. I cannot live without him.â Gao Jialan had her fists clenched as she snarled at me.
âWhat if I refuse to help you?â I used my last card. âToday is the last day of the deadline Wen Yihan gave me. Most likely, he is going to call any time now.â
âI will use my own method to save this child.â
Gao Jialan was so stubborn that it pained my heart.
âWen Yufan, if only you could speak. Perhaps, you could convince her....â I stared at Wen Yufan, âWhat is the point of appearing when you canât do anything?â
Gao Jialan followed my eyes and stared into space, âYufan is here?!â
âYes, heâs over there.â I pointed at Wen Yufan, âHis expression looks awful. Heâs watching you right now.â
âYu....Yufan.â Gao Jialan gradually walked towards where I pointed and happened to stand right in front of Wen Yufan. âPlease donât blame me. Youâre the one who understands me the most in this world. Donât worry, Iâll make sure to give birth to a healthy baby. Iâll be healthy too. Then, Iâll raise the child.â
The sunlight from the window made Wen Yufan appear more transparent than ever. It was like a sad beautiful love story between a human and a ghost.
âHe doesnât look like he understands you. His eyebrows are so knitted that it could practically squish a housefly to death.â I icily tried to throw a huge blow at Gao Jialan.
Since the soft method wasnât working, I decided to try the aggressive way.
âHis parents already went to reincarnate. Yet, Wen Yufan is still here. Iâm pretty sure I donât need to tell you the reason why. Do you honestly want him to remain a troubled lonely ghost that cannot let go of the past?â
âI respect his decision. He can leave or stay. I will accept it.â
Gao Jialan suddenly thought of something as she rushed to the bedroom. She opened the luggage and began packing everything she had.
âWhat are you doing?â My mind was fuzzy.
âDidnât you say today is the final deadline? If you have no intentions of helping me, I must escape before Wen Yihan gets here.â
Escape? I snatched Gao Jialanâs clothes. Each time she put down an item, I would take it.
âIf youâre not going to help me, at least donât hinder me.â Gao Jialan shoved me aside and continued to pack.
âWhy are you so stubborn?â I was really irritated.
âI was born with this temper. Sorry.â
Hearing Gao Jialan say this, I actually somewhat calmed down. I sat on the bed and observed her pack anxiously.
âYes, youâre born with this temper. Youâre stubborn and selfish.â
Gao Jialan ignored me and continued packing.
âYou were like this in the past... you were like this in the orphanage...in order to get all the other children to adore you, you abandoned me. You wanted to live a stable and safe life, so you abandoned Wen Yihan. Since youâre so smart, you must have figured out we would be the ones to help you if you reached out. On the other hand, youâve always been the one to turn a blind eye towards those who need or want you. You always act unconcerned to let the matters rest. Now, youâve reached the ultimate version of selfishness. Youâre about to risk your life too. Is this retribution?!â
âPerhaps... by the way, Iâm sorry for what happened in the past.â
âItâs too late to apologize. Iâm fine now. Now you know why I disliked you so much at the beginning, right?â
As I continued, I ended up venting all the negative emotions I had suppressed all these years, âYou always abandon those you couldâve saved!â
âAside from apologizing, I donât know what else to say....â Gao Jialan sighed. âI wonât trouble you any longer.â
Gao Jialan was about to leave, but I blocked her. âWhere are you going? Where can you go?â
âI can go....â Gao Jialan looked lost for a second. But she quickly readjusted herself and squeezed out a smile, âThere will always be a place somewhere for me and my child.â
I felt utterly defeated by her; even my last attempt was no use.
Then again, Wen Yihan and We Yufan couldnât change Gao Jialan either. So what made me believe I couldâve convinced her?