Yan Wang put away the ghost fire in his palm and walked out of the storage room towards his own bedroom.
The empty sound of his footsteps echoed in the spacious corridor, and Yan Wang's tall figure seemed to be swallowed up by the darkness of the place.
Yan Wang's bedroom was also exceptionally simple, with only a large bed, a desk, and a cabinet.
After arriving in his bedroom, Yan Wang sat on the bed and lifted his left hand to tear off his wet sleeve on the right side, revealing his right arm that was gradually decomposing inside.
It turned out that he was injured by the water of the Wangchuan River when he reached out to save Qin Su, but he did not show any signs of it along the way, so Qin Su did not notice.
Yan Wang's heterochromatic eyes were calm and waveless, looking at his right arm, which was almost revealing its bones due to decay. According to the words in the book he had just read, he pointed his finger like a knife and carefully cut off the rotten flesh on his arm one by one.
The decaying flesh fell to the ground and corroded the floor with a sizzling sound. Yan Wang's fingers did not stop as he meticulously peeled off all the rotten flesh. Although there was no painful expression on his perfect face, his slightly reddened complexion gave him away.
Fortunately, Yan Wang dealt with the injury in time, and the water of the Wangchuan River had not yet reached his bones. After he cleaned off the decayed flesh, he used his magical powers to gradually restore it.
Of course, I knew nothing about this matter.
Yan Wang never mentioned to me how much he was injured for my sake. There were still things I did not know.
At this moment, I was still lying motionless on the cold ice bed, staring blankly at the distant black roof.
I couldn't believe that I was inexplicably dragged into the River of Forgetfulness. Now, thinking back, I find it absurd.
However, the scene at the bottom of the river deeply shocked me. If it weren't for Yama's promise, I might have thrown myself into the River of Forgetfulness without hesitation.
Feeling exhausted, I closed my eyes and stopped thinking too much. This would help my body recover, and I could return to the mortal world soon and do good deeds.
"Siskong, what are you doing here?" I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw my husband suddenly appear in front of me.
Siskong was dressed in white, and behind him, flowers bloomed brilliantly like spring.
He reached out his hand, still wearing his familiar warm smile, "I'm here to take you home."
"Home?" I was puzzled, but still couldn't help but take his hand and rub my fingers against his familiar fingerprints, unconsciously holding his hand tighter.
Siskong held my hand, and together we walked through the endless flower fields. I looked at his profile, tears already streaming down my face.
Feeling the tears sliding down my face, I was surprised in my heart, "How can a ghost shed tears?"
Crystal tears fell onto the petals. It was only from that teardrop that I saw the boundless darkness behind me. There was no vibrant flower field behind me, only an endless hell. As I moved forward, it devoured everything that was once beautiful.
"Su'er, look, this is the house I built for you. Do you like it?" Siskong stopped and looked at me with gentle, watery eyes, filled with anticipation.
I looked up, no longer focusing on the teardrop. In front of us, a small river meandered, surrounding a delicate two-story wooden house. There were flowers all around, and a fine rain was drizzling in the back, creating a rainbow of seven colors.
Siskong looked at the wooden house, as if he were a child hoping to be praised. "Look, there's a river you like, flowers, and the wooden house faces the sun. When the wind blows, you can hear the sound of bells. I have also arranged everything inside."
Siskong turned to look at me, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes, and continued, "We'll be living on the top floor. I left a whole wall as a window. Don't you like sitting by the window and feeling the breeze? I also got a big bed for you, so you can roll around on it as you dream."
Siskong indulgently pinched my cheek. "I've also set up the study. You can help me with my work there. As for the kitchen, don't worry about it. Because I, your husband, will wash my hands and cook for you. Hehe." Siskong thumped his chest and said proudly.
I could do nothing but smile. Looking at his face full of expressions, it was as if everything were real.
"Oh, there's one more thing I want to show you." Siskong pulled me towards the wooden house. We walked through the icy-cold river water and suddenly came across a pear tree in full bloom in front of the wooden house. Its pristine white flowers resembled snow piles and cloud stacks, falling one after another with the wind.
I looked at the swing hanging from the pear tree, feeling a mix of emotions, but afraid to approach it, fearing that everything here would disappear with just one touch.
Siskong looked contentedly at the swing and said, "It's your favorite swing. This way, I can push you on it every day."
Sikong led me towards the swing, eagerly looking at me as he spoke, "Come, sit down."
I stood in place, unable to take a step forward.
Sikong walked over again, gently brushing off the fallen flowers from my hair with his hand, holding my face and looking down at me. His eyes were filled with my reflection. "Don't be afraid, I'll always be here."
I smiled at him. What you said was right. You've always been here, just not by my side, but always in my heart.
I obediently walked towards the swing at his will, and he smiled happily, making me feel heartbroken with his brightness.
The swing's rope was covered with flowers by him, and a soft cushion was laid on it. He let go of my hand, pressed my shoulder and said softly behind me, "Sit."
I slowly sat down, feeling like I was sitting on a swing from my memory.
"You were crying." Yan Wang's voice sounded in my ear.
I didn't open my eyes and said, "How can ghosts cry?" As soon as I spoke, I realized that my neck must have reattached.
"Not only tears are considered crying," Yan Wang stood by the bed with his hands behind his back. He didn't understand that some lies didn't need to be exposed.
I didn't want to argue with him. All I could think about was what I had just seen.
"It was just a dream." My voice was somewhat bitter.
Yan Wang turned around and stared straight into my eyes. "I have other matters to attend to, so I won't keep you company."
"Mm." I replied softly.
As Yan Wang turned to leave, he stopped again. "Rest well and don't think too much." With those words of advice, Yan Wang finally left.
As he pushed open the giant door, the wind blew, causing Yan Wang's long hair to flutter, but it couldn't change his ice-cold face that had remained unchanged for centuries.
The ghostly flames swayed for a while before quieting down, but I dared not sleep again.
I was afraid of dreaming of Si Kong, even though I longed to see him and spend the rest of my life with him.
But the loneliness and helplessness that came after waking up from the dream made me afraid to dream of him. Now, I even dared not recall the bits and pieces of our time together.
Memories are like the sharpest sword, which can leave a person with countless wounds. They are like the strongest liquor, which can leave one in a state of desolation after the hangover.
And time is like poison, corroding my mind and body.
So I lay there with my eyes open, feeling the subtle changes in my body. There is no distinction between day and night here, so I don't even know how long I have been lying here.
Since Yan Wang left the last time, he has not come back. After all, he holds a high position and is not as leisurely as the ordinary ghost messengers.