Seeing the profound disappointment on Chen Che's face, Chen Hao couldn't puzzle it out and said, "Isn't she the main culprit who caused your death? Why do you still want me to apologize to her?"

Chen Che sighed with disappointment again, then extended his hand to pat Chen Hao on the shoulder and said with great earnestness, "Hao Zi, you used to be mischievous and always caused trouble. Do you know why Grandpa still trusted you so much?"

Chen Hao shook his head in confusion.

"Because since you were young, you've been very good at distinguishing right from wrong, no matter what the issue has been you could always see the crux of the matter very clearly!" Chen Che mused, now reminiscing in his mind the different periods of Chen Hao's life. "But you got it wrong this time; I guess it's Grandpa's fault, so that influenced your judgment!"

"Grandpa!" Chen Hao's brow furrowed, becoming increasingly bewildered.

After taking a deep breath, Chen Che chuckled, then patted Chen Hao's back twice more and asked, "So, let me ask you, what do you think is the most painful thing in the world?"

"To live a life worse than death!" Chen Hao immediately answered.

"Oh my!" Chen Che was quite surprised, then expressed with admiration, "Hao Zi, I didn't expect someone as young as you to have such insight; it seems you've experienced quite a lot while Grandpa was away! You've grown up, become mature!"

Chen Hao smiled bitterly, thinking to himself that he was indeed experiencing the pain of a life worse than death at that moment.

"Then think about it, if Yuqiao hadn't placed the Nether King's Heart inside you, and you died a few months ago when your life was supposed to end, how do you think Grandpa would be by himself?"

"To live a life worse than death!"

"That's right!" Chen Che nodded, and the wrinkles on his face suddenly deepened a few lines. "So, without her, even if I were still alive now, I would be leading a life filled with nothing but despair. But now it's different, you see, although Grandpa is dead, whenever I think of your change, your growth, and everything you've done, I feel so pleased, and I look forward every day to the next time we meet, to hear what good news you have for me. Sometimes, being alive doesn't mean the heart is still alive, and being dead doesn't mean the heart is dead as well."

"Being alive doesn't mean the heart is still alive, and being dead doesn't mean the heart is dead as well," Chen Hao muttered to himself, repeating Chen Che's words, feeling that they held deep meaning. After mulling over the statement for a while in his heart, he looked at Chen Che and asked, "Grandpa, do you really not blame her?"

"Tsk!" Chen Che cast an annoyed glance at Chen Hao, then said, "Of course I don't blame her! And not only do I not blame her, but I also need to thank her. Without her, how would my no-good grandson have become so progressive? Besides, her original intentions and plans were indeed very good. I mean, isn't it a great deal for Grandpa to spend a few months here in exchange for your life, and with the chance of being reunited with you back in the mortal world? If it weren't for an accident, Grandpa would have long returned to be with you. But that's not important anymore, because now we can see each other, right?"

"Grandpa!" Suddenly, Chen Hao burst into tears. After hearing what Chen Che had said, the knot that was tied up in his heart unraveled in an instant, filling the void of despair with newfound energy. He opened his arms and hugged Chen Che tightly, sobbing and crying out, "Grandpa, is this really what you think?"

After his nose started to tingle, Chen Che's eyes filled with tears. After coughing twice, he gently patted Chen Hao on the shoulder and comforted him, "That's really what Grandpa thinks. My child, you've worked hard, facing such a tough situation! But Yuqiao must have had it even tougher, silently bearing the guilt and facing you, and today she got completely hurt by you and left. Hurry back and find her to apologize and admit your mistake! Since she was willing to entrust you with the Nether King's Heart, it seems her feelings for you are not shallow."

Hearing Chen Che say this and remembering Ye Yuqiao's heartbroken look from the previous night, Chen Hao immediately felt his heart cut like a knife, full of self-reproach and guilt. Thinking about how Ye Yuqiao had said the night before that from now on, she would sever all ties with him, Chen Hao, with his head buried in Chen Che's shoulder, cried even harder, wondering whether Ye Yuqiao, whom he had hurt severely, would ever forgive him.

Ten minutes passed, and Chen Hao had already spent more than three hours in the Netherworld, the longest time he had ever stayed, and Niu Tou still hadn't come to hurry him along.

"Hao Zi, it's getting late, go back and find Yuqiao quickly!"

"Okay!" Chen Hao nodded, the eyes that were dim and desperate three hours ago once again sparkled with light. "Grandpa, thank you!"

Chen Che smiled kindly. Suddenly, a gleam appeared in his eyes, and he asked, "By the way, Hao Zi, have you been in touch with Xiao Fan recently?"

"Xiao Fan!" Chen Hao looked surprised. "Grandpa, why are you asking about her all of a sudden?"

"There's something Grandpa has been meaning to tell you! A few months ago when you had that car accident, Grandpa fainted and was hospitalized as soon as he heard the news. For the two days you were in a coma, it was Xiao Fan who was running around taking care of us, both grandfather and grandson. But she made Grandpa promise to keep it a secret from you. Xiao Fan is a good girl, too. Now that you know, find some time to properly thank her!"

..

At two o'clock in the dead of night, Chen Hao's Yin Soul returned from the Netherworld to the mortal world. As soon as he arrived, he headed downstairs and knocked on Ye Yuqiao's door.

After a long time, since the door did not open, Chen Hao hesitated for a while before finally taking out his keys from his pocket, only to find the door had been double locked from the inside.

"Yuqiao, I was wrong!" Chen Hao murmured with his eyes closed.

Suddenly, Chen Hao was startled.

He discovered that the Nether King Orchid Heart over his left eye had lost its glow, and he could no longer feel the presence of the Nether King's Power within him.

"Yuqiao, have you completely given up on me?" Chen Hao said despondently.

After standing in front of Ye Yuqiao's door for over an hour, Chen Hao returned upstairs to his home. He lay on the sofa, silently scolding himself for all his faults while also reminiscing about everything wonderful about Ye Yuqiao; after a long while, he fell asleep.

It wasn't until two o'clock the next afternoon that Chen Hao woke up. The first thing he did upon rising was to go downstairs to look for Ye Yuqiao.

By then, the door to Ye Yuqiao's home was open, with a strange woman standing at the doorway.

"Who are you?" Chen Hao asked.

"I just rented this room, do you live in this building too? Then we'll be neighbors from now on, please take care of me!"

Chen Hao's face darkened. Without paying any attention to the woman, he walked upstairs without a word.

"Yuqiao, have you really cut off all ties with me?"

..

Three days later.

The night was deep.

A sudden cold rain began to pour, trapping Chen Hao, who was wandering aimlessly on the streets, under the eaves of a roadside building.

"Pitter-patter" The rain grew heavier, soaking him, his body trembling nonstop in the cold wind.

Over these three days, Chen Hao had searched the entirety of Y City, finding that Ye Yuqiao was everywhere in this world, yet every time he got close, he realized it was just his memories haunting him. Only then did he comprehend that Ye Yuqiao had already occupied his entire world, his everything.

Unable to help it, Chen Hao sneezed, his body shaking even more violently.

Suddenly, Chen Hao's eyes lit up as he caught a whiff of that familiar, distinct scent.

He turned around, looking behind him, and saw an umbrella slowly approaching.

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