Chapter 22

I walked to the bed and sat down.

Pulled open the drawer.

And took out my diary.

After I died, for a period of time, someone continued my diary.

It was Liam's handwriting, strong and flowing, unmistakably his.

Only some parts looked as if they had been smudged by water stains:

"November 7, 2022.

Chloe Harper, today is the start of winter.

I ate dumplings today. Do you have dumplings where you are? I cooked extra for lunch and left them on the table. I wonder if you got to eat any?

Time flies. It's already been two months since you left.

Are you hungry down there? Do you have enough money? Are any other little ghosts bullying you?

If they are, let your husband know in a dream, and your husband will find a powerful Taoist priest to help you vent your anger."

...

"November 22, 2022.

Chloe Harper, it snowed a little today.

It's so cold.

The underfloor heating is on full blast at home now, but I still feel cold.

It's probably because I can't hold you.

In the winters before, you were like a little warm stove.

Holding you, I could fall asleep peacefully.

Chloe, now, I suffer from insomnia night after night; I can't sleep peacefully."

...

"January 21, 2023.

Chloe Harper, I came to your parents' house for the New Year.

They're doing well, don't worry.

Chloe Harper, I stole all your childhood photos.

There were so many I'd never seen; turns out you had your awkward phases too.

Your parents said that the old man next door lost his wife a while ago.

A few days ago, he woke up in the middle of the night, claiming he saw his deceased wife, screaming and shouting, and ended up in the hospital.

Chloe Harper.

I was so angry.

Everyone else has their wife visit.

Why can't you come and see me in my dreams?

I... haven't dreamed of you even once..."

...

"February 7, 2023.

Work has been so busy recently, I'm exhausted.

But it feels like this helps me numb my brain from constantly missing you.

It helps me not... feel so sad."

...

"March 10, 2023.

I'm really angry now.

The kind that can't be appeased.

Last night, I finally dreamed of you once. I wanted to talk to you, but you just ran away.

Buddy also barked all night.

Could it really have been you who came to see me?

Next time, tell me in advance; I haven't shaved in how many days..."

...

"May 12, 2023.

Chloe.

I now have so much money, more than we could spend in a hundred lifetimes.

But you're not by my side, and all of it has lost its meaning."

...

"June 1, 2023.

Chloe, I went and donated money.

I went to fulfill your old wishes. I donated a lot of money to children in the mountains, set up a foundation for them.

I also had many primary schools built for them.

You must be happy for me, right?"

...

My tears hadn't stopped flowing from the moment I saw the diary.

But when I read the entries from the later dates.

A chill ran through me.

"April 28, 2024.

The wish list is almost complete.

There's one last item: climbing Nine Peaks Mountain to watch the sunrise.

Chloe Harper, forgive me for breaking my promise.

I can't move on.

Can you forgive me, please?

Chloe, wait for me.

I'll be with you soon."