Gu Lili lifted her gaze. "It's Master's. Why else do you think I insisted on meeting you last night?"
Gu Xichen erupted with anger. "Why didn't you just tell me over the phone?!"
Gu Lili slowly rose to her feet, her voice ice-cold as she faced him. "I called you countless times, and none of them went through. That's why I went to the city to find you myself. We agreed to meet, and you didn't show. I called again, told you I had something urgent to speak with you about. And where were you? Whispering sweet nothings to some woman. You had no time for me then—so what gives you the right to raise your voice now?"
Gu Xichen shoved the coffin lid aside. At the sight of his mother's face, a sobering truth struck him like a blade—he no longer had a mother in this world. He collapsed over the coffin, wailing in anguish.
After a long moment, he flung the lid open completely and bent down to lift her body.
Gu Lili stopped him at once. "What do you think you're doing?"
"What do you think? I'm taking her back to the Gu family for proper arrangements."
"Who gave you permission?" Gu Lili's tone was firm. "Master left her final wishes."
She tapped her phone and played the recording.
"Xichen, I don't have much time left. Lili's been calling you but can't get through. I won't make it to see you. After I die, do not take my body to the Gu family. I never liked it there. I didn't live there while I was alive, and I don't wish to rest there in death. Bury me here in the mountains. And don't let your father come—I don't want to see him, not even in death. Lili has been like a daughter to me; I raised her myself. I entrust her to you. Take care of her…"
The recording ended. Eyes red, Gu Lili looked at him. "You heard her. Master didn't want to be buried in your family's plot, so stop trying. Tomorrow, gather a few men to help with the burial. The exact site was confirmed with her before she passed."
Gu Xichen's expression darkened as he called to arrange the funeral for the next day.
That night, they kept vigil by the coffin.
As evening deepened, Gu Lili had folded stacks of golden ingots and painted many soul-calming talismans.
Outside, the wind howled and rain began to fall in dreary sheets.
"This damn weather—rain and wind again," He Meiwei muttered as she glanced toward the door.
Gu Xichen gently held her hand. "Your hand is freezing. It's getting cold. I'll fetch you a blanket."
"Okay."
He had just stood when He Meiwei added, "Don't use your mother's—I'd rather not."
Gu Lili immediately snapped, "And don't take mine either—I mind."
Gu Xichen scowled. "Then I'll take yours just to spite you."
Gu Lili glared at him. "You lay a finger on it and I'll summon vengeful spirits to haunt you till you die."
"…"
At the mention of spirits, He Meiwei turned pale. She had long heard of Gu Xichen's mother's spiritual abilities—her connection to the unseen—and that was why she had chosen to live in seclusion on this mountain.
As for Gu Lili, Xichen had told her they shared the same gift.
"Forget it. I don't need a blanket."
Gu Xichen took off his own coat and wrapped it around her. "How about resting in the car?"
The thought of sleeping alone outside the gate was even more terrifying.
"No. I want to stay with you."
Gu Xichen knelt again on the cushion, his voice soft and reassuring. "Just hold on a little longer. The night will pass before you know it."
Gu Lili kept her head bowed, reading a book—one her master had given her. She had memorized every word long ago, but even now, she read it without weariness.