Chapter 2: Chapter 2
Li Shaoze was on his way to the airport. His mind was in disarray so his assistant was the one driving. He kept calling Li Junfeng's phone number but it seemed to be out of service.
He recalled the news that the hotel was under attack and that many casualties were found dead. The news also highlighted the unfortunate engagement caremony of the Li's and Pei's that happened exactly during the terror.
Li Shaoze didn't know any of his relatives from the Li family aside from his brother. He obviously didn't have any of their phone numbers either. He didn't know who to reach out. In the midst of his panic, he even forgot to get in touch with his father, who had long discarded him.
A trip for an hour was reduced to half when Zhu Zijin kept speeding. Li Shaoze left him behind as he hurried past the security and then the boarding gate. His eyes naturally could see many unusual (souls/ghosts) at the airport but he couldn't care less.
He boarded the plane but didn't forget to instruct Zhu Zijin to look after the company. He was anxious and the plane ride was agonizingly slow. Li Shaoze couldn't calm down and began to regret his decision to not attend the engagement.
Hours passed by and he finally arrived at Country C. Li Shaoze ran out and called a taxi but before he could place his foot in, a familiar voice called out to him.
Li Shaoze froze.
He thought he was dreaming.
He couldn't believe it. This familiar voice...
He thought when he finally got to see his younger brother, he wouldn't see him like this. Not like this.
Li Junfeng was in front of him with a white shirt and a white pants, and white hair. Everything was white and grey around him. And his feet didn't touch the ground.
There were many souls wandering about in the public places like the airport but Li Shaoze could only focus on one. His fingertips trembled and he lost his voice.
He didn't know what to say.
"Hey sir, would you get in or not?" the taxi driver urged him.
"... I'll get in," he finally opened his mouth with difficulty.
Li Junfeng bounced closer towards him and latched onto his shoulder like a kid, seemingly giving him a big hug.
"I'll follow you, brother!" Li Junfeng said with a grin on his face.
Then one man and one ghost got into the car.
***
The trip was depressingly silent all the way. The destination was a beach further away from the city. The reason was because Li Junfeng had asked for Li Shaoze to bring him there instead of the hospital where his already dead physical body should be.
Li Shaoze acquiesced. His mind was still rattled by the discovery so he was a bit slow to react. When they finally arrived, it was almost dawn but the sun was yet to show itself on the horizon. It was still dark.
They both walked silently along the ocean line, with Li Shaoze behind Li Junfeng. His steps were slow because he was still staring at his brother's soul form with complicated eyes.
When he couldn't endure the silence anymore, he apologized, "I'm sorry,"
"Why did you suddenly apologize?" Li Junfeng said with a lighthearted tone.
His way of speaking irked Li Shaoze even more as he replied heavily, "Because I refused to come to your engagement party! Because I couldn't protect you there and-"
"Brother," Li Junfeng turned around and faced Li Shaoze. There were clear tears in his eyes, even though his tears evaporated instantly like pearls because he was non-living.
"I'm glad that you could see me. I'm so thankful that for once- your ability allows you to see me. I feel like I'm not alone in this world where only the living resides,"
Li Shaoze finally broke into tears. He was turning thirty this year but he cried for the death of his only brother. His only family member that ever acknowledged his existence. He covered his face with both hands and Li Junfeng knew he was so upset and saddened by this cruel fate.
Li Shaoze and Li Junfeng shared many secrets together. Including the fact that Li Shaoze could actually see dead people's souls. Of course in the beginning, Li Junfeng couldn't believe his brother when they were young. But later when he grew up, he knew Li Shaoze wouldn't lie about it because there was no point in it.
Even though their father and grandmother forbade them to see each other, they still did. They interacted like real brothers behind their judgmental family's back. Li Junfeng did not know how much his company meant for Li Shaoze all those years.
"Why are you crying now? It's been more than a decade since you last cried," Li Junfeng said, trying to lighten the atmosphere.
"Why are you dead now instead of 80 years later? You live far too short," Li Shaoze retorted, but the corner of his eyes was still red. His heart constricted painfully but he silently endured.
"It's fate. What can I say? I don't want to die young either," Li Junfeng said as he faced the calm ocean. His eyes were still sparkling with tears that vanished instantly but his voice now was calmer.
Li Shaoze became silent again. In his heart, he couldn't believe that his brother was now dead. He couldn't accept the fact. But his brother was in front of him as a wandering soul now. He was a certified ghost.
Li Shaoze was always different when he was with Li Junfeng. He was more outgoing and open. But with others, he was cold and unapproachable. He was awkward around them due to having been subjected to verbal and emotional abuse since young and not knowing any social skills.
Li Shaoze stood there facing the sand. He regretted it so much. Why didn't he accept the invitation and go to the party instead? There was a chance he could save his brother if he was there.
"I regret it, brother," Li Shaoze heard Li Junfeng say.
"I promised you that once I take over as the family head, I will make you come back home. I want you to hold your head high instead of having to live in the shadows," Li Junfeng continued to say. He knew Li Shaoze's position as an illegitimate son in the Li family was a terrible stain that would follow him forever.
"Now that I'm dead, I can't fulfill my promise anymore," he gave a sad smile.
"Who told you to do that? I didn't ask for it. I'm living well now," Li Shaoze turned away and pursed his lips, thinking that this stupid regret was holding Li Junfeng back from going to the afterlife.
"Well, I have many other regrets as well. So you don't cry too much. It's not solely for you," Li Junfeng laughed as he tried to placate his brother. He knew Li Shaoze would feel better this way.
One man and one soul talked about a lot of things at the beach where no one was present. The atmosphere began to warm up and they talked just like they always did when Li Junfeng was alive.
The heavy silence in the taxi, the suffocating feelings by the coast, and the disconnection of reality were slowly forgotten deliberately by the two of them.
Whether he liked it or not, Li Shaoze would have to accept that he had lost a family member in this life. And Li Junfeng would have to accept the fact that he was now a soul with a mission...
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone