The Ghost’s Request

“Hmm… Could it be… you can see me?” The ghostly lady, or rather Miss Su Qi, floated down from the tombstone, her sleeves dangling, curiously looking at Su Mu from left to right.

“…” Su Mu’s gaze remained level, unmoved.

“Host, is this young lady a ghost?” Su Xiaoqian curiously approached Miss Su Qi, examining her just as the ghost had examined Su Mu.

Speaking of which, what kind of strange cycle was this?

“Since you gave me flowers, could you do me a favor?”

“…” Please don’t make a request like that reverse-genie ‘since you found me, you must grant me three wishes’ routine. I’m not rich, I can’t agree so readily.

“Your silence means you agree.” She gave a sly smile.

“I refuse.” Su Mu’s expression was calm.

“Huh?!” Miss Su Qi was startled, jumping onto the tombstone. “Are you human or a ghost?”

“Didn’t you say I could see you? Now that I’ve responded, why are you scared?” The ghost looked at me as if she’d seen a ghost—that expression was hard to keep a straight face at.

“…”

“Haha~ I… I didn’t expect it~” Miss Su Qi felt a bit embarrassed, coming down from the tombstone and adjusting her clothes slightly. Her smile was serene, just like in the portrait on the tombstone.

With the adjustment of her clothes, her emotions were also tidied up.

“Um… may I ask your name? You said we’re from the same family, so you must be surnamed Su too?”

“Mm, my name is Su Mu.”

“Su Mu? The character for ‘wood’?”

“The wood of a tree.”

“I thought it was the ‘mu’ meaning solemn? You certainly look serious right now~” Miss Su Qi laughed, then began to introduce herself. “Hello, I’m Su Qi. My name, Su Qi—’Qi’ is a pictophonetic character, from ‘jade’ and ‘qi’ sound. Its original meaning is fine jade, extended to mean beauty. The character has 13 strokes, and in name numerology, it’s auspicious, belonging to the wood element. It’s a name for longevity… Hmm, seems I don’t live up to it.”

“Su Mu, your name is very interesting. Does it also have a special meaning?” Miss Su Qi scratched her head, a bit embarrassed to change the subject.

Su Mu was silent for a moment, then shook her head. “I don’t know. Probably not. Maybe they saw firewood when they went out and just picked the name.”

“Ah~ How could that be? There must be a meaning! Maybe it’s from Jianmu? That’s the legendary divine tree that supports the heavens and earth. So naming you Su Mu—maybe your parents hoped you’d be as towering as Jianmu!” Seeing Su Mu’s expression, Miss Su Qi quickly tried to make amends for her earlier words. To show she was right, she nodded vigorously. “Mm, that must be it!”

“…” Su Mu looked at her and smiled slightly. “Maybe.”

What was the truth?

From her parents’ behavior, Su Mu simply couldn’t deceive herself.

But at this moment, having a new interpretation of her name, it was unexpectedly pleasant.

****

“Maybe it’s my superpower? I didn’t awaken any superpower when I died. Perhaps dying was just the moment of awakening~” Miss Su Qi raised her finger, then crossed her arms and nodded. “I have to say, my corpse is really ugly~”

At that, Miss Su Qi shuddered, as if recalling something, and asked cautiously, “Um… Su Mu, they say ghosts keep the appearance of their death form. Am I very ugly or scary right now?”

Su Mu shook her head. “No, you look just like your photo on the tombstone.”

“Really? That’s a relief!” She patted her chest. “It’s fine if no one sees me, but suddenly knowing someone can notice me, I can’t help but worry about my appearance~”

“Mm…” Su Mu watched, nodded lightly, and picked up the tools to clear the weeds nearby.

“Su Mu, you’re so thoughtful~” Miss Su Qi smiled as she watched.

“Anyway, since I already gave you flowers, I might as well see it through to the end. Since you’re watching, it would be strange if I did nothing.”

“Oh~” She laughed. “Su Mu is a very gentle person~”

“That’s right! The host is super gentle!” Su Xiaoqian nodded seriously.

“…” Two flatterers—well, one ghost and one fairy.

“Mm…” Miss Su Qi hesitated for a moment, then said, “Su Mu, can I ask you for a favor?”

“Hmm? The same one you wanted to ask earlier?”

“Yes.”

“If I have time and it’s not too difficult~”

“Great!”

Miss Su Qi began to recount her experiences after death. She became a ghost, her soul bound to her body, and eventually became a land-bound spirit in this cemetery.

Her mother couldn’t bear the blow. To prevent her from sinking deeper into grief, her father took her younger brother and left Hehe City.

But she still had someone visit her grave often—the girl who had jumped off the building that she once saved on the rooftop. Despite the misfortune, she had died trying to save someone else.

At this point, Miss Su Qi felt awkward and lowered her voice, mumbling through it.

Every visit, the girl would tell her about her life.

Only then did Miss Su Qi learn that the girl had been suffering from school bullying, and she was the only kindness in the girl’s words.

Over years of visits, Miss Su Qi came to know this girl and considered her a friend. She watched her grow, listened to her share joyful anecdotes, and celebrated when the girl found a good job. She never blamed the girl. In fact, she felt that saving her back then was a good thing.

“But…”

“Last time she came, she was very unhappy. She had met the people who bullied her in school again; they were doing well. She said she always told herself to live positively because her life still carried a part of mine. She thought she had moved on after all these years, but…” Miss Su Qi pressed her head. “Her life wasn’t good. I should have noticed earlier—those words like children telling their parents only the good news, those white lies.”

“I saved her body, but she wasn’t saved. She was expelled from school. Her parents, teachers, and classmates were all against her. To the outside world, she was mentally ill, someone who often self-harmed.”

“Her parents even signed the papers to prove it.”

“She forced herself to work hard at life, and eventually things improved.”

“But the people who bullied her got scholarships, went to good universities, found good jobs, and lived happily.”

“And they appeared before her again, all glamorous.”

“…”

After a long spiel, she paused, then continued, her voice somewhat suppressed. “That day, she kept saying ‘I’m sorry’ to me. She said she couldn’t take it anymore and wanted revenge on them!”

“I’m already dead. I can’t persuade her. I can’t… even standing before her, I can’t give her a comforting hug~”

“Su Mu, can you help me? Only you can see me. Maybe it’s not too late. Maybe…”

“Mm… Find her and tell her to give up revenge?” Su Mu looked at her that way. “If it were that simple, what would her crying to you mean?”

“I… I don’t know… But… I don’t know…” Miss Su Qi lowered her head, then lifted it again. “At least tell her that I never hated her. I don’t regret saving her. She is my best friend. At least don’t let her feel there’s no light in this world. Can you?”

“…” Su Mu was silent. “I might be very busy this month.”

“I see…”

“Tell me her name. If it’s just a small favor, I’ll help.” Su Mu turned her head away.

“Su Mu… Thank you… Thank you…”

“Kindness Points +300 +400 +500…”

“Don’t thank me. I only said I might do it if I have time.” Su Mu felt awkward, unable to accept the gratitude.

Wasn’t paying like this just forcing a sale?

She couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.