Yelan looks at Hu Tao, collapsed on the ground and crying until she is soaked in tears, and narrows her eyes in confusion.
She turns her head and follows the direction of Hu Tao's gaze.
There is clearly nothing there.
She cannot understand why Hu Tao would suddenly be grieving so uncontrollably toward a patch of empty air.
Then, fragments of past memories flash through her mind.
Kael also used to stare blankly at places where no one was standing…
…!!
Yelan's eyes widen, her pupils contracting sharply.
She strides over to Hu Tao.
Yelan grabs Hu Tao by the shoulders and roughly hauls her up from the ground.
"What did you see?!"
"Tell me right now. What did you see?!"
Hu Tao shakes her head. Her tears seem endless, never stopping for even a moment.
"I… I didn't see anything… this isn't real…"
Although Hu Tao does not give the answer Yelan wants, her expression already explains everything.
Yelan is now certain.
Hu Tao and Kael can both see things that ordinary people cannot.
And the person who could cause Hu Tao this much pain has only one possible answer.
Yelan stares at Hu Tao and demands harshly.
"Did you see Kael?!"
Seeing Hu Tao lower her eyes and remain silent, Yelan grips her shoulders and shakes her hard.
"Say it! Is Kael right here? Is he standing behind me?!"
Hu Tao sways like drifting duckweed under Yelan's violent movements.
Even when her hat is shaken loose and falls to the ground, her brown hair thrown into complete disarray, she still presses her lips together and refuses to say a word.
Seeing how weak Hu Tao is, nearly fainting under Yelan's actions, Kael rushes forward in panic.
"Yelan, that's enough…"
At that moment, a pair of long, well-defined hands stops Yelan's movements.
"Stop, Miss Yelan."
At some point, Zhongli has approached them.
He glances in Kael's direction, a trace of sorrow flashing through his eyes.
"As for Mr. Kael's matter, I believe I can offer some explanation. Please do not continue tormenting the Director."
Zhongli turns slightly to the side and gestures politely.
"I am Zhongli, consultant of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
"This is not an appropriate place to discuss such matters. Miss Yelan, please follow me inside to talk."
Hearing Zhongli's words, Yelan releases Hu Tao without hesitation and follows him.
With her support gone, Hu Tao weakly collapses to the ground once more.
"Hu Tao…"
Kael has always loved Hu Tao's lively, mischievous side the most.
But the warmth and brightness she once had seem to have vanished entirely the moment she saw his soul.
Kael had thought that Hu Tao, someone who had seen life and death countless times and even experienced the loss of loved ones, would be able to accept his death more easily.
He was far too naive.
Kael walks to Hu Tao's side and speaks softly.
"Hu Tao, don't cry anymore, alright… you know this isn't a dream… I…"
Before he can finish speaking, his vision shifts in the next instant.
He is already standing inside the reception hall of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
Kael had originally planned to comfort Hu Tao first, since she could see him.
But his emotions had been too turbulent just now, and he had forgotten the rules of the Possession Talent.
The person he is bound to today is Yelan.
He must remain within twenty meters of her.
The distance between the reception hall and the front gate of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor exceeds twenty meters.
That is why Kael is instantly pulled back to Yelan's side.
Damn it!
Kael curses under his breath in frustration.
He vanished mid-sentence like that.
Who knows what Hu Tao will think?
Please, do not let this hurt her even more.
Only Zhongli and Yelan are present in the reception hall.
Zhongli, whose true identity is Rex Lapis, can clearly see Kael.
Kael's sudden appearance beside Yelan startles Zhongli slightly.
He cannot help but look at him a few more times.
Those glances do not escape Yelan's sharp perception.
She speaks urgently.
"Mr. Zhongli, did you see something? How much do you know about Kael?"
Zhongli looks at Kael with a questioning gaze, as if asking whether he is allowed to tell the truth.
Kael nods.
Hu Tao's current state is no better than Yelan's.
Relying on Hu Tao's ability to calm Yelan is no longer realistic.
To be honest, seeing Zhongli step in to help makes Kael feel a sense of relief.
Yelan's injuries cannot be delayed any longer either. Some things must take priority.
Right now, the most important thing is to resolve Yelan's corruption.
With Kael's permission, Zhongli finally answers Yelan's question.
"Miss Yelan, your guess just now was correct."
"Mr. Kael is indeed here."