So You Can Really See

At Chu Ling's home at this moment.

Chu Ling's mother was stir-frying dishes in the kitchen, though the dining table was already laden with food. She continued cooking nonetheless.

"Will they really come?"

Chu Ling's mother asked earnestly.

"They should." It was already eleven o'clock.

Chu Ling was folding paper gold ingots.

Her mother brought out a large braised pork knuckle from the kitchen. She had been preparing since Chu Ling returned home, spending hours to get everything ready.

A wound was visible on her forehead—clearly, she had also been in that car accident.

She twisted her fingers nervously as she sat down, cautiously glancing up at the wall clock.

Tick-tock. Tick-tock.

"Ling'er, that classmate of yours... can she really see them?"

Chu Ling's heart trembled slightly.

"I don’t know. But if we want to see Dad again, she might be our only hope."

It wasn’t just Chu Ling who missed her father—her mother did too.

That was why Chu Ling had been willing to kneel at the school gate, enduring the pointing fingers and whispers of passersby.

"Still, it’s said that on the seventh day after passing, preparing his favorite dishes is the right thing to do."

Chu Ling's mother hugged a photo album, tilting her head back to stare at the ceiling.

Later, Lin Mo and Xie Yuling stepped out of a taxi.

Chu Ling lived in an ordinary residential complex.

The defining feature of such complexes was that they were like chicken coops without locks.

The security guards at the entrance were practically decorations, and the gate barriers were mere formalities.

People could come and go freely.

Holding Xie Yuling’s hand, Lin Mo walked right in.

Once inside, they quickly found the building where Chu Ling lived.

However, Lin Mo didn’t head upstairs immediately. Instead, he stood in the lobby, scanning the surroundings with his spiritual sense.

There were no ghosts in this building.

He also located Chu Ling’s apartment—the dining table was covered with dishes.

Fortunately, the weather hadn’t turned hot yet, or else the food would have spoiled by now.

Xie Yuling seemed nervous. She couldn’t help but ask,

"What if he doesn’t appear? Or if he does, but I can’t see him?"

Lin Mo gave her small hand a reassuring squeeze.

"If he doesn’t appear, his soul might have already scattered. And if you can’t see him, I’ll still be able to."

Since Xie Yuling had noticed the anomaly at Li Lin Plaza, she should be able to see ghosts normally.

If Chu Ling’s father didn’t return, there was nothing they could do—Lin Mo wasn’t about to forcibly summon him through necromancy.

He had never tried it before, and who knew what might answer the call?

They took the elevator and soon arrived at Chu Ling’s door.

Chu Ling had only given Lin Mo the address, not the exact unit number.

So when Lin Mo knocked, Chu Ling opened the door in shock.

"How did you know—"

"We just did."

Lin Mo stepped inside, his eyes immediately landing on the urn placed on the table.

A photo of Chu Ling’s father was affixed to it.

When Chu Ling’s mother saw Xie Yuling, her eyes reddened again. She hurried over, but as she got closer, she hesitated.

Her lips parted slightly, unsure of what to say. After a moment of deliberation, she suddenly knelt down.

"Thank you for coming despite everything. I just... I really want to see Old Chu one more time."

Xie Yuling was at a loss for words too, but she quickly helped Chu Ling’s mother up.

"Auntie, please stand. Uncle Chu was a good man. My condolences."

Lin Mo eyed the dishes on the table, casually picking up a plate of beef and pinching a slice to eat.

Xie Yuling noticed and walked over.

"Isn’t this food meant for Chu Ling’s dad?"

Chu Ling had seen it too but didn’t dare speak up. After all, Lin Mo and Xie Yuling were clearly close, and offending him might make Xie Yuling leave immediately.

Chu Ling’s mother quickly interjected, "It’s fine, please eat. If you want anything else, I’ll make it now."

Lin Mo waved a hand dismissively.

"No need. On the night of the soul’s return, beef, horse meat, and dog meat are forbidden—the Ox-Head and Horse-Face guards won’t be pleased."

Chu Ling’s mother paled slightly and bowed her head in gratitude.

"Thank you for the guidance... Master."

Lin Mo picked up another piece of meat and popped it into Xie Yuling’s mouth.

"Once you eat it, it’s fine."

He casually sat down on the sofa, patting the spot beside him.

"Everyone, take a seat. It’s not time yet."

As he spoke, Lin Mo pulled out his phone and started scrolling.

His calm demeanor eased Xie Yuling’s nerves, and she sat down close to him.

Chu Ling and her mother exchanged a glance before sitting as well.

Chu Ling’s mother looked at Xie Yuling and couldn’t help but ask,

"Will we be able to see Old Chu?"

Xie Yuling glanced at Lin Mo before answering, "Most likely, only Lin Mo and I will see him. Ordinary people can’t perceive ghosts."

Chu Ling’s mother’s nose stung, her eyes reddening again, but she held back the tears.

"Then... will he hear us?"

Xie Yuling nodded firmly this time. "He’ll see and hear everything—provided he returns tonight."

Hearing this, Chu Ling’s mother’s heart sank. She was terrified her husband wouldn’t come back.

Time passed slowly—at least, that’s how it felt to Chu Ling.

Her tension grew with every passing minute.

Meanwhile, Lin Mo stood up and walked over to the stereo in the living room. A stack of CDs sat beside it, mostly albums by Alan Tam or Jacky Cheung.

Lin Mo flipped through them idly.

Clearly, Chu Ling’s father had been a fan of old Cantonese songs too.

He randomly selected a disc and loaded it into the CD player.

Xie Yuling watched, slightly embarrassed by Lin Mo’s casual behavior—especially since it was past midnight.

But Lin Mo didn’t care. With a snap of his fingers, spiritual energy formed a soundproof barrier.

No noise from inside would escape.

"These songs—your dad liked them too, right?"

Lin Mo asked offhandedly.

Chu Ling nodded. "Yes, he loved them."

"Then let’s play them."

Lin Mo returned to the sofa. Time dragged on, yet it also flew by.

Beep—

At the faintest sound, Chu Ling, her mother, and Xie Yuling straightened in their seats.

Xie Yuling’s gaze fixed on the door.

Lin Mo, however, remained with his eyes closed, meditating.

Ten minutes passed. The door remained unchanged.

Chu Ling’s mother’s heart ached, and Chu Ling’s hope dwindled.

But just then, Lin Mo opened his eyes.

"He’s here."

The room’s temperature dropped a few degrees, carrying a faint chill.

Xie Yuling stood up abruptly—she could see a wisp of dark mist seeping through the door, coalescing into a humanoid shape behind it.

"Uncle Chu."

She couldn’t stop herself from calling out.

The shadowy figure gradually solidified, revealing a complete face and body.

He looked at Xie Yuling, surprise flickering across his features.

"So you really can see me."