Hot water washed over my body, easing the stiffness and fatigue and bringing me back to life. I sat quietly, thinking. I really did see Ethan Zhang just now—but how did he disappear? The more I thought about it, the more uneasy I felt.
"Roxie, how's the water temperature? If it's too cold, just rinse off and get some sleep! I made you something to eat—have a bite and get some rest."
I stuck out my tongue at Rachel Lan through the glass door, then let out a little hum.
Suddenly, the door was yanked open. Startled, I quickly pulled my tongue back. Rachel Lan leaned against the door, beaming at me. I bit my tongue and winced in pain.
"Mom, what are you doing? I almost..."
"You really are still a child!"
My cheeks immediately flushed. Rachel Lan walked over and turned me around to scrub my back.
"You treat me like a kid all the time, and even have Walter Wu follow me around. What do you all take me for?"
"Roxie, it's not that we treat you like a child. You're already over thirty, but sometimes you still act like one. It's not fair to always have Ethan Zhang take care of you. When you two live together in the future, I think Ethan will have his hands full."
"None of your business."
I protested, feeling a bit defiant, then started muttering under my breath.
I've looked after Ethan plenty of times, and he's always been good to me. What's wrong with that?
Roxie, now that you've appointed Lan Yin as the Lan Family's heir, you can't be so casual about things anymore. And...
My expression darkened, then I sat down in the chair. Rachel Lan pressed a hand to my head.
Just thinking about those Underworld people makes me angry. They clearly...
There's always a way to solve things. Ethan won't let this tragedy keep happening. The mood in the Yellow Springs is stable now, thanks to you. Roxie, I think you've changed.
I giggled, stood up, and started drying myself off.
Mom, where did that old man go?
No idea. He's been gone for days and hasn't come back.
I looked at Rachel Lan with some dissatisfaction. She definitely knew where my dad had gone, but just wouldn't tell me. When I returned to the living room, I saw hot soup and a few side dishes on the table, and my mood instantly lifted.
Mom, I saw Ethan tonight—twice—but he vanished both times. It wasn't an illusion; it was really Ethan, but I couldn't sense his presence. Isn't that strange? Did something happen?
Rachel Lan looked at me in confusion and pressed her palm to my forehead.
You must be exhausted. Ethan is probably somewhere in the Three Crossings with Yin Choujian right now.
I don't think Yin Choujian is a good person. Why does Ethan listen to him so much? They split up as soon as they got back. Hmph.
Rachel Lan smiled and shook her head.
Right now, Ethan doesn't know how to become human again. His powers are different than before—he could burn you at any time. And...
Don't worry. Even if Ethan can't become human again, I'll stick to him for life. Hmph.
Rachel Lan sighed. I turned on the TV. All the channels were reporting strange weather everywhere, caused by too many ghosts and lost souls.
Beep beep beep.
I looked over. Rachel Lan's phone was ringing. She answered it, and only hung up after quite a while.
It's been resolved, daughter.
I blinked. The ice cream in my hand nearly slipped out.
Resolved? What do you mean?
Reincarnation has started working again.
I jumped up in delight and nodded quickly.
It must be Ethan who found a way. He should be coming over, right?
There was a loud clatter from downstairs. Rachel Lan and I went to check—it was Lan Qinmo who had come back.
Stupid old man, where have you been? Things have been so hectic these days, and you...
The excitement on my face disappeared. As Lan Qinmo walked in, I sensed an unusually heavy aura. He sat silently on the sofa, head lowered, covering his face. Rachel Lan went over to him.
Qinmo, what's wrong? You don't look right.
Roxie, if you're tired, go get some rest. I need to talk to your mom about something.
I had no intention of sleeping. I sat down next to Lan Qinmo. He's always made me angry—never tells me anything, just like when I was a kid.
You'll find out soon. Some... how should I put it, Roxie, please go upstairs and rest for now. I'm asking you.
I bit the stick of my ice cream, watching Lan Qinmo closely. Something was seriously wrong. It wasn't just tiredness; there was a deep sadness in his eyes.
Fine, fine, I get it. You two always want to kick me out. Hmph.
I went straight up to the fifth floor and into my bedroom. I lay on the bed, hugging a stuffed bear. This used to be someone else's room, but now it's mine.
Lying in bed, I felt strangely restless. The image of Lan Qinmo kept bothering me. I remembered how he vanished suddenly back in high school, looking just like this. I bolted upright.
Is that guy going somewhere dangerous again?
I walked to the door, gritting my teeth. No matter what, I'm not letting them keep secrets from me anymore. I'm going down there to get answers—I'm not a kid, and I won't let them keep me in the dark every time.
Suddenly, I felt an incredibly strong presence behind me. The window opened. As I turned, a white veil flew toward the window, and I stared in shock.
Ethan, why are you...
Just as my surprise was turning to joy, I stared coldly at the man in front of me who looked exactly like Ethan Zhang. But he wasn't the Ethan I knew—his aura was filled with despair. He sat comfortably by the window, gazing at me gently.
Who are you?
I quickly grabbed my machete. The man in the black robe and long hair looked to be in his forties, but his face was identical to Ethan Zhang's.
Ethan Zhang.
I stared in shock, eyes wide.
But I'm not the Ethan Zhang you know. I'm from the future.
With that, the self-proclaimed future Ethan Zhang jumped down from the window. My heart raced as I instinctively lunged forward, swinging my machete at him without hesitation.
With a clang, white energy burst out of my body. The man caught my machete with one hand. I knew he wasn't Ethan Zhang—the aura he gave off was full of despair and death. He was a ghost.
Roxie, you're still just as stubborn as ever!
I glared angrily at him. I knew I wasn't his match. My parents must have sensed the sudden change upstairs, and there were plenty of people from Yellow Springs living nearby. This guy must...
With a click, my bedroom door opened.
Mom, Dad, set up the formation quickly! I'll hold down this evil ghost.
I shouted, but behind me, Rachel Lan and Lan Qinmo were frozen like statues, unmoving. When I looked back, I saw worry in their eyes.
Roxie, stop. This really is Ethan Zhang, but not from this era—he came from the future and wants to tell you something.
I loosened my grip. The self-proclaimed future Ethan Zhang smiled gently and let go, then gave a bitter smile.
Hey, you two...
Before I could finish, my parents closed the door, leaving me alone in the room. I kept a wary eye on the man opposite me. Looking closely, he was different from the Ethan Zhang I knew—weathered, steady, giving off a sense of reliability.
Sorry to disturb you, Roxie. I only came here to tell you something extremely important. Originally, the Heavenly Soul and Earthly Soul were supposed to tell you in person, but it's better if I do it.
Let me guess—you came back from the future to warn us about something terrible that's going to happen, right?
I crossed my arms and smiled as I spoke. The future Ethan Zhang looked at me seriously, and I quickly dropped the smile, my cheeks burning.
Sorry.
I shouldn't have teased him. There was no hostility in his eyes, only seriousness.
At that moment, the future Ethan Zhang walked over, held out his hand, and a dazzling stone appeared after a flash of white light. It had a Taiji symbol and a blood-red swastika. I stared at it, puzzled.
Take this, Roxie.
Suddenly, the future Ethan Zhang grabbed my hand and placed the stone in my palm. I felt an incredibly pure power and a deeply familiar sensation—it was Ethan Zhang. The white stone in my hand quickly dissolved into a pure energy that flowed into my body, making me feel hot all over.
What is going on?
The future Ethan Zhang walked to the bedside, sat on the floor with one arm resting casually on his knee, lost in thought. He looked like he wanted to say something but couldn't.
If you can't say it, let me do it.
At that moment, a deep voice came from outside the window. I looked out, confused.
Shut up.
The future Ethan Zhang snapped angrily, then looked at me.
Roxie, I have a question for you.
I looked at him awkwardly. He always calls me so intimately—I'm not used to it. Besides my parents, only my friends and Ethan Zhang call me that.
If Ethan Zhang ever disappears one day, do you think...
What do you mean?
A wave of panic surged through me. I stared coldly at the future Ethan Zhang, my heart pounding wildly. A sense of foreboding crept up my spine, and chills ran from my feet upward.