I sat quietly beside Evan Zhao, closed my eyes, and began to sense the voices of Coexistence within my body. Gradually, Coexistence began to respond to me.
"Instinct... Coexistence."
In an instant of confusion, I lost consciousness. When I came to, I found myself in a world woven with black and white, with traces of purple still visible. At that moment, a streak of purple light appeared before me—Rachel (Shadow Self) stood in front of me.
"You're truly useless. You have power, but can't even manage to escape. Let me handle it instead."
"Mind your own business."
I replied irritably. At that moment, a mass of black-and-white mist appeared not far away, drifting towards us. Gradually, it transformed into a black-and-white humanoid figure between me and Rachel (Shadow Self). But when I looked at its size, it was much smaller—only about one meter tall, completely different from the previous black-and-white figure that was about my height.
"See? Because you're useless, even Coexistence is about to disappear."
Rachel (Shadow Self) said with a tone of disdain, but I couldn't be bothered to respond.
"Coexistence, can you find Evan Zhao's power?"
Coexistence nodded slightly and pointed into the distance. Instantly, I looked over and saw a gray door appear. I drifted toward it, and just as I looked at the door, a wave of sorrow welled up from deep within me.
"This power is immense. Trying to find someone else's consciousness within it is like searching for a needle in the ocean."
I turned my head in surprise. Tears were streaming from Rachel (Shadow Self)'s eyes, her face twisted in misery. I couldn't help but chuckle.
"See? It's not just me who's useless. You're the same. The power you gave me was already tainted with sorrow—it's your own sadness mixed into it. That's why I couldn't even escape. Later, I broke out using my own strength, but I got careless afterward."
"Suit yourself. If you can't come back, all the better. That way, I can remain in control of this body forever."
With that, Rachel (Shadow Self) dissolved into a wisp of purple smoke and vanished. I frowned.
"Don't even think about it."
Though I said that, I was actually anxious inside. Just looking at that door, I could feel a wave of sorrow washing over me. It was this sorrow that triggered the sadness within my body. If I entered that door and couldn't withstand the power of sorrow, I'd be consumed by it, becoming part of the sadness within the door. My consciousness would likely be erased as well.
"If you want to grow, just open the door and step inside, Rachel Lan."
Coexistence spoke stiffly. I glanced at him.
"Are you sure?"
"I'm sure."
I paced back and forth. Now was not the time to act recklessly, after all, I...
But soon I saw a look of anticipation in Coexistence's eyes, and I gave a helpless smile.
"Thinking things through so carefully doesn't really suit my personality."
Saying that, I slowly walked to the doorway. With a creak, the gray door swung open, and in an instant, streams of gray mist wrapped around me, dragging me inside.
I felt as if something had been stuffed into my consciousness. I had no idea what was happening. In pain, I clutched my head, feeling as though it might explode.
Gradually, the sensation faded, and my mind began to clear. When I came to, I heard the sound of rain—drip, drip, drop. On a riverside path paved with white stone slabs, people hurried beneath the eaves, seeking shelter from the rain.
I looked around. This must be ancient times, judging by the architecture, though I couldn't tell which era. The people on the street wore silk or coarse cloth. The rain grew heavier, making a constant rush, and mist began to rise from the river before me.
Large raindrops kept falling. Then, I noticed that in the downpour, a striking figure in a red dress stood on a distant bridge. I swallowed hard. The woman held an oil-paper umbrella, standing still as the rain drenched her, yet she didn't move an inch.
"What's with that woman, sir?"
Suddenly, I heard Evan Zhao's voice. Glancing over, I saw him sitting in a tavern, warming wine on the stove. Evan looked carefree, lounging by the fire, with leftover beef on the table. He smiled as he watched the woman by the bridge, while the old man beside him sighed helplessly.
"That's Miss Qing. Her husband has been gone for three years and hasn't returned. Whenever it rains, she comes here to wait for him."
Evan Zhao's face was full of smiles, then he laughed helplessly, looking genuinely happy. I glared at him in irritation, and the people in the tavern seemed to notice. Evan Zhao restrained himself a bit, but still wore a smile. At that moment, I realized Evan Zhao was a ghost—he must have become a Green Wraith, wandering the mortal world.
"Sir, can you tell me what really happened?"
Evan Zhao asked again, but the old man seemed unwilling to respond, seeing Evan's smile. After Evan put down some money, the old man finally came closer.
"Miss Qing's husband was a famous poet here, but unfortunately, he failed several imperial exams. Three years ago, he went to the exam city, vowing not to return until he earned a title. But there's been no word from him for three years. Her family even sent people to look for him, but he vanished without a trace."
The old man continued. Miss Qing and her husband's families were both wealthy locals, and the two had been childhood sweethearts. Their families were close and had arranged their marriage early on. Both were known as great benefactors in the area. But Miss Qing's husband was determined to earn a title, and year after year, he failed. Then, three years ago, he left and never returned.
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At that moment, Evan Zhao stood up, smiling contentedly and stretching lazily. Suddenly, I saw a streak of green ghostly energy shoot up into the sky, scattering the rain clouds in an instant. I stared in shock as Evan Zhao, still tipsy, walked toward Miss Qing on the bridge.
"Miss, I've been here a long time. I often see you alone on the bridge—are you waiting for someone?"
I followed, and saw Miss Qing. Her face was clouded with sorrow, as if she had been crying. She quickly wiped away her tears.
"Sir, do we know each other?"
Miss Qing was dignified and beautiful. Seeing Evan Zhao, she grew a bit reserved, since Evan's appearance was rather disheveled, though he simply smiled, unconcerned.
"I've heard your husband has been gone for three years. I came here for that reason. If I help you find your husband, could you give me a happy smile?"
I blinked in surprise at Evan Zhao. Miss Qing was also taken aback, but joy and gratitude showed on her face as she nodded.
I had no idea what Evan Zhao was planning. He made a promise to her just like that, and then set out to help Miss Qing find her husband. I was so stunned I could barely close my mouth. I never expected Evan Zhao to be so idle as to help someone search for a missing person.
At night, Evan Zhao gathered many ghosts to help search everywhere. He traced the route Miss Qing's husband had taken.
For nearly three months, Evan Zhao searched for Miss Qing's husband every day. Finally, a little ghost told him that more than a year ago, on his way home, Miss Qing's husband was robbed and killed after resisting.
Once Evan Zhao learned the news, he began searching everywhere for Miss Qing's husband's soul. His efforts paid off—half a year later, he found a white-clad ghost, bullied and nearly destroyed by other spirits. Evan Zhao smiled helplessly, gathered the remains, and brought him home.
On another rainy day, Evan Zhao appeared again by the bridge. He walked up to Miss Qing and smiled.
"Miss, I've found your husband for you. Can you fulfill the promise you made?"
Miss Qing looked around in astonishment, but saw no trace of her husband. Then Evan Zhao used a ghostly thread to connect to Miss Qing's body. She shivered, and with a snap, the wind blew her oil-paper umbrella onto the river, yet not a single raindrop could wet her.
Evan Zhao sat on the bridge, leisurely watching the couple embrace and weep. He wore a broad smile. Gradually, Miss Qing seemed to realize her husband was no longer among the living, that they were now separated by life and death. She couldn't accept it, sobbing by the bridge, while her husband's soul lingered. The two gazed at each other, both noticing Evan Zhao laughing nearby, confused by his reaction.
"Sir, thank you for saving me and bringing me back. But is this really something to smile about?"
Evan Zhao kept smiling, then shook his head, pulled out a wine jug, and took a long drink.
"Should we cry over everything that happens? Sorry, but I haven't felt sadness for a long time—or maybe I can't. That's why, whenever I see someone drowning in sorrow, I lend a hand. I've done all I can. Miss, I'm sorry."
As he spoke, Evan Zhao slowly floated upward. Suddenly, Miss Qing called out. Evan turned and saw a woman both crying and smiling, but her mood seemed much brighter. Evan Zhao looked up at the sky.
"If only I could have a good cry someday."