Chapter 343

Chapter 343

◎Just Not Enough Love◎

Guan Qianqian didn’t notice that Gu Yu was staring at her in shock. She kept complaining to Ji Nanxing, “How could you do this? You promised to bring me to see my brother—why did you go and tell on me?”

Ji Nanxing turned his head toward the accusing ghost. “You dare to act but not admit it?”

Guan Qianqian flared up. “I think you just want my brother to talk me out of it! I said I won’t stop, and no one can change my mind!”

She wouldn’t stop her revenge unless the Gao family truly experienced the consequences of their obsession with heirs.

Gu Yu uttered softly, “Qianqian?”

Guan Qianqian abruptly fell silent, snapping her head around to stare at Gu Yu, her expression a mix of shock and delight. “Brother! Can you see me now?”

Rather than fear at seeing someone who had died three years ago, Gu Yu felt stunned but excited. He took two steps forward and even started to raise his hand as if to touch her, to confirm whether she was real or an illusion.

But Ji Nanxing pushed his arm down before he could reach her. “She’s a ghost. You can’t touch her.”

Gu Yu’s hand froze midair. His eyes stayed locked onto Guan Qianqian, unwilling to look away for even a second. “Qianqian, is it really you? Have you come back?”

Guan Qianqian was just as overcome. All these years, she had stayed, unwilling to leave Gu Yu, unable to bear the thought of him living alone, afraid he would be deceived by Gao Youlin.

Her brother remembered kindness but not grudges. Even after the Gao family left him with nothing, he probably didn’t hate them much—just convinced himself that an unaccepted love ending this way was his own fault. At most, he’d end everything here and start over somewhere else.

It might seem indifferent, but her heart broke for him. Because she knew that in Gu Yu’s heart, nothing truly belonged to him—not family, not love. He couldn’t hold onto anything, always prepared to lose from the very beginning. This wasn’t detachment; it was passive acceptance of every hardship life threw at him.

That was why she couldn’t bear to leave, why her lingering attachment refused to fade.

Watching the two stare at each other unblinking, Ji Nanxing said, “You must have a lot to talk about. I’ll give you half an hour for a final farewell. After this meeting, I’ll send her to reincarnation.”

Reincarnation wasn’t immediate—the Gao family matter still needed resolving—but phrasing it this way cut the living’s ties. The living often clung too tightly, unable to let go, only deepening a ghost’s unresolved feelings.

After speaking, Ji Nanxing walked into the office and casually took a seat. Hearing they only had half an hour, Gu Yu quickly pulled himself together and led Guan Qianqian into his office. He wanted to know how she had been since her death—whether she had received the joss paper and candles he burned, whether she had been bullied by other ghosts when alone.

As soon as Ji Nanxing sat down, he received a message from Xiao Ye—a photo of a large dining table with only a bare-bones bowl of noodles, followed by a tearful emoji. Then came questions: Had he woken up yet? What had he eaten for breakfast?

Ji Nanxing: “Why such a plain bowl of noodles?”

Xiao Ye: “Grandpa’s gone for the winter, and my brother and sister-in-law are busy. Sis works shifts at the hospital and doesn’t eat breakfast regularly, and Bro eats at the military base. So Wang Ma just comes to clean now, nothing else. Only noodles left.”

Living with Ji Naonao had developed habits. Normally, he’d stay up late during holidays and sleep until noon before eating.

Now, though alone at home, he woke early, thinking he might get to see Ji Naonao. The thought alone wiped away all sleepiness—no lounging in bed.

Ji Nanxing chuckled. “You could go to the supermarket and stock up on food.”

Xiao Ye: “Are you home? What are you doing? Busy? Are your brother and sister back?”

Reading the barrage of questions, Ji Nanxing smiled again. He knew exactly what Xiao Ye was really asking and sent his location directly: “Handling a haunting here.”

Xiao Ye, mid-bite, brightened. “Want me to come keep you company?”

Ji Nanxing: “Sure.”

At that single word, Xiao Ye devoured the rest of his noodles, set aside the bowl and chopsticks in the kitchen, and dashed upstairs to change. His sister-in-law had bought him plenty of new clothes, clean and fresh-smelling, hanging in his closet. Last night, he had already picked out what to wear when meeting Ji Naonao.

He didn’t know if Ji Naonao would have time to meet him after coming home, but it was better to be prepared—and now, it came in handy.

It took less than half an hour to get from home to Gu Yu's studio. When Xiao Ye knocked on the door, the person and ghost inside hadn't finished their conversation yet.

Ji Nanxing opened the door to let Xiao Ye in. Xiao Ye looked around, "Why are you alone? Is there a ghost here? How serious is it?"

Ji Nanxing replied, "The ghost has been caught and is saying its final goodbyes to its family in the human world."

Xiao Ye responded with an "Oh," then opened his bag to show what he had brought: "This is chocolate my sister-in-law's colleague bought while abroad for an exchange program. They say this brand makes handmade chocolates that are exceptionally rich. Try some later and see if you like it. And this, it’s tea someone gave to my grandfather. He only keeps the best tea on the top shelf of his tea rack. Take it back and try it, see if you like it."

Seeing how Xiao Ye seemed to have almost emptied his home for just one night away, Ji Nanxing chuckled, "Does your grandfather know how filial you are?"

Xiao Ye picked up a piece of chocolate, peeled off the wrapper, and offered it to Ji Nanxing's mouth, "Of course he does. He even told me where he kept his best tea when I went home yesterday. Try this chocolate now and see if you like it."

In fact, Old Man Xiao knew Xiao Ye had come home after his exams ended yesterday. He specially called to remind him not to mess with his tea rack, as breaking a cup last time nearly drove him mad. Not knowing what Xiao Ye might do to his treasures while he was away, he warned him over the phone first.

Had it not been for this call, Xiao Ye might not have paid attention to the tea rack. But once reminded, it was hard not to notice the tea on the top shelf.

His Ji Naonaonao also loved tea, so anything good enough for his grandfather must be good. He decided to bring it along for Naonaonao to try.

Gu Yu came out of the room with red eyes, only to see Xiao Ye persistently feeding Ji Nanxing.

The two were sitting by the window, the sun shining through and casting a warm winter glow on them. Ji Nanxing turned his head to avoid the food being fed to him, while Xiao Ye, with a smile, focused intently on the person before him, gently coaxing him with soft words.

The love in his eyes was unmistakable, unreservedly focused and direct, his heart and eyes filled with nothing but the other person, making Gu Yu involuntarily lower his gaze.

Seeing her brother's expression, Guan Qianqian, floating beside Gu Yu, quickly drifted toward Ji Nanxing, "My brother is heartbroken! Can you two please stop showing off your affection in front of him!"

She wanted to interrupt their intimate moment, but as soon as she got close, she let out a cry. The yang energy emanating from the young man was too strong, causing her pain as she approached.

Ji Nanxing looked at Guan Qianqian, "Have you finished talking?"

Xiao Ye followed his gaze and said, "A ghost?"

As he turned his head again, he saw someone he had met before: "It's you. Last time I told you there was a yin aura around you, but you didn't believe me. Do you believe it now?"

Gu Yu managed a smile at the two of them: "I apologize for last time. I don't believe in ghosts or deities. If I offended you, I'm truly sorry."

Ji Nanxing: "If you don't believe in ghosts or deities, why do you pray and worship?"

Guan Qianqian looked puzzled: "Pray and worship? My brother never believed in these things; he never prayed or worshipped."

Gu Yu, who could no longer see or hear Guan Qianqian, fell silent for a moment: "Just in case, but unfortunately, that 'just in case' never happened."

Hearing this, Guan Qianqian was stunned. So her brother, who didn't believe in deities, had once prayed and worshipped for her.

Gu Yu didn't want to dwell on the past and said, "Thank you for your trouble with Qianqian. What are the procedures for exorcism, and what about the costs? Don't worry, I'll pay whatever it takes. Also, I want to know if the soul will suffer during the exorcism. Will it be very painful?"

Ji Nanxing: "Exorcism isn't painful. Once she lets go of her lingering attachments, she will naturally go where she should."

Gu Yu sighed in relief: "That's good. I burned some things for Qianqian before, like paper offerings, but she said she didn't receive them. Is it true that the dead can't receive items burned by the living?"

In TV shows, burning paper offerings turns them into items the dead can use.

Ji Nanxing: "The items you bought weren't made by a paper craftsman. Mass-produced items won't be received. I'll send you a WeChat message later. If you want to give her something, find that master to custom-make it."

Gu Yu: "Thank you, I'm sorry for the trouble."

Ji Nanxing: "I brought her here because I promised her a meeting with you. Now that it's done, we should go."

Gu Yu: "Wait! I want to ask how you plan to handle the Gao family situation. Qianqian only caused trouble at the Gao family's place because of me. I've already talked to her. She's not inherently bad; she just can't stand seeing me being bullied."

Guan Qianqian was still fuming beside them. In the past, she would have listened to her brother and endured as much as possible—after all, how could little folks like them stand up to the wealthy and powerful? But now she was dead. If she still had to swallow her grievances in death, then what was the point of dying?

So knowing her brother couldn’t hear her, she immediately turned to Ji Nanxing as soon as he finished speaking: "I won’t give up on revenge. If they won’t own up to what they did, this isn’t over!"

From initially rejecting the Gao family’s apology to now being willing to let it go if they apologized, she had already compromised for her brother’s sake.

Ji Nanxing: "As long as no lives are lost, it’s not a big deal. I’ll deal with the Gaos. Did you know Gao Youlin’s legs were broken by his grandfather, and he’s been locked up?"

Gu Yu nodded: "I just found out from Qianqian."

Qianqian had also said that if Gao Youlin weren’t already so miserable—with broken legs, his freedom restricted, and locked up like a prized stud waiting to be bred—she would have wanted to take revenge on him too.

Xiao Ye didn’t know about the Gao family’s situation yet, as Ji Nanxing hadn’t told him, so he stayed quiet and didn’t interrupt.

Ji Nanxing: "What do you think? Your sister’s unfinished business is her wish for your happiness. Our main job as Taoists is to help the departed fulfill their final wishes."

Gu Yu looked at Ji Nanxing, puzzled: "What do I think?"

Ji Nanxing: "He loves you—that much should be clear to you. But right now, he doesn’t have the power to stand against his family. If you love him and believe being with him would make you happy, we can help you two be together."

Gu Yu: "How?"

Ji Nanxing: "Springing him from the Gao family isn’t hard. Plus, with your sister’s help—ever heard of 'ghost trickery'? With her assistance, it’ll be even easier. Then you two can leave this place, even settle abroad and never return."

Gu Yu’s heart skipped a beat. The past had been so beautiful, and the life of building a family with someone had always been what he wanted.

But the moment passed quickly. Gu Yu knew all too well that love alone wasn’t enough for many things.

"Thank you, but no. Happiness isn't something you get from others. Is Qianqian still here?"

Ji Nanxing pointed in a direction: "Still there."

Gu Yu looked toward the empty space: "Qianqian, go where you’re meant to go. Don’t worry about me anymore. Whether I’m with someone or alone, it’s my own choice—at least the life I want right now. I used to rely too much on others for happiness, afraid of losing you, afraid he’d leave, afraid of everything. But the day I stop fearing anything, I’ll find whatever happiness I want. But no one else can make me strong—only I can. So, leave in peace. Your brother isn’t that fragile. No matter who leaves, I’ll live just fine."

Guan Qianqian wanted to hug him, but she could no longer touch him. Watching her beloved brother forced to grow up by reality, her ghost tears fell one by one.

Ji Nanxing raised a hand and collected her ghost tears. The separation of life and death always brings out the strongest emotions.

After swapping WeChat info with Gu Yu for any future matters regarding Guan Qianqian, Ji Nanxing and Xiao Ye left the studio.

Once outside, Xiao Ye let out a sigh: "They still have feelings for each other, right? Why not just elope?"

Ji Nanxing: "And after eloping? When you're caught up in the moment, you might think nothing else matters. But once that passion cools, can you be sure there won’t be resentment? Resentment for abandoning family, for turning from a wealthy heir into a nine-to-five grunt, for a life that isn't all roses and moonlight. Gu Yu is a pessimist. He won’t risk betting on that possibility. If it happened, he wouldn’t be able to bear it."

Xiao Ye: "So he’s just giving up on this love?"

Ji Nanxing shook his head: "Whether it’s given up or not depends on Gao Youlin. Gu Yu has already fought for him. The rest is up to Gao Youlin."

Someone with nothing to his name—even burdened by debt—had once taken the step to accept being with a young master. The class divide, the gap in status—Gao Youlin might never understand just how much effort Gu Yu had put into agreeing to be with him.

If he never understood, they were meant to be. But if this ordeal made him see, there might still be hope.

Xiao Ye made a face. He didn’t understand the push-and-pull of love and hate between those two. All he knew was that if one day someone regretted it, it would only prove that the regretful one hadn’t loved enough. If Naonao were willing to elope with him, he’d break his back working to keep him without a single regret!