Chapter 14: Sharing the Same Dream

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A mocking smile curled at Yan Qiao’s lips.

“He wants to go to West City, right? Then let him stay there forever. He doesn’t need to come back for Grandma’s birthday!”

After saying this, excitement flickered in Yan Qiao’s eyes.

It was as if she was certain I would give in because of Grandma’s birthday, and then she could punish me harshly over this matter!

Thinking of Grandma, a wave of bitterness surged deep within me.

I cannot go to Grandma’s birthday this year.

Yan Qiao, when will you finally realize that I’m not in West City at all—I am already dead.

Grandma had always been kind to me. Perhaps it was because among the younger generation of the Qiao family, I was the only one who visited her from time to time.

Everyone else preferred not to return to the Qiao household often.

That was why Grandma always liked me.

When she learned I was going to marry Yan Qiao, Grandma didn’t say much, only sighed.

She said Yan Qiao and I weren’t suited for each other.

At that time, I had already grown disillusioned with Yan Qiao, but the wedding preparations were underway, and I couldn’t just call it off.

I wasn’t sure if Grandma intended to comfort me or something else, but she said she would give me a surprise after the wedding.

I knew what that surprise was.

She held five percent of the Qiao family’s shares and planned to transfer them to me.

Because I was adopted, although officially a member of the Qiao family, I held no shares.

Because of this, some of the younger Qiao family members had looked down on me.

Grandma had considered all this, but she never imagined that now, the white-haired would be sending off the black-haired—I was already dead.

Yan Qiao quickly dealt with the harassment calls.

Since then, her hatred for me only deepened.

To take care of Gu Tingchu, Yan Qiao even personally cooked and tended to him with meticulous care, without a single thought for me.

While those two indulged in their intimacy, my body was about to be turned into amber.

Perhaps out of some lingering guilt, Yan Qiao stayed by the bedside tonight.

But in the middle of the night, she had another nightmare.

Soon, she sat up from the bed, drenched in sweat and gasping for breath.

Gu Tingchu, awakened by the noise, looked over with a worried expression.

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“Yan Qiao, what’s wrong? Another nightmare?”

Still shaken, Yan Qiao stared blankly ahead without answering immediately.

After a moment, her voice hoarse, she spoke.

“I just dreamed that Qiao Yunzhou died. It was pouring rain that day, he was ambushed, he called me, but I hung up on him, and then... he was strangled to death.”

Her eyes glazed over as she spoke incoherently.

Gu Tingchu came closer and gently patted her back in comfort.

“It’s nothing. Dreams are often the opposite of reality. Maybe Yunzhou is living happily right now. You must be worrying too much.”

But Yan Qiao was not comforted by his words.

“But... I’ve had this dream for days. Could it be... could it be that Qiao Yunzhou really died and is trying to send me a message in my dreams?”

She immediately dismissed the thought.

“Impossible. How could he die? He just can’t...”

Gu Tingchu sighed.

“Yan Qiao, if you’re really worried about Yunzhou, why don’t you go to West City tomorrow and bring him back?”

Yan Qiao seemed a little shaken.

“Well then...”

Before she could continue, Gu Tingchu added.

“Hopefully this time, Yunzhou will stop being so reckless. Him running off has caused you a lot of trouble.”

Hearing this, Yan Qiao recalled how badly she had been beaten by the old Mr. Qiao.

Her expression turned cold, and, as if in defiance, she said, “I won’t go get him. Let him cool off in West City for a few days.”

Gu Tingchu was discharged from the hospital, and Yan Qiao returned home.

At home, she found guests waiting: her aunt and Qiao Ran, her cousin.

Yan Qiao greeted them, “Aunt, uncle.”

Turning, she noticed her parents’ grim expressions.

Surprised, she looked at them.

“Mom, Dad, what’s wrong?”

Her mother sighed.

“Don’t mention it. I don’t know why, but last night I had terrible nightmares all night, dreaming that Yunzhou was begging me for help, saying someone wanted to turn his body into amber.”

Her mother trembled uncontrollably.

Because of the dream, she hadn’t slept well all night.

This morning, the dark circles under her eyes nearly reached her chin.

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Her father looked astonished.

“I dreamed last night too. Yunzhou was begging me for help!”

Hearing her parents say this, Yan Qiao’s face darkened.

She said solemnly, “I had the same dream.”

Now, not only them but everyone present was somewhat shocked.

“What on earth is going on?”

Her mother’s face was full of worry.

“I’ve often heard that when someone dies, they send dreams to their family. Could it be that Yunzhou really...”

“Don’t say such nonsense!” Yan Qiao suddenly snapped, cutting off her mother.

Realizing she had been harsh, she rubbed her forehead and apologized.

“Sorry, Mom, I got a little carried away.”

“It’s okay. I know you’re worried about Yunzhou too,” her mother said, worry etched deeply on her face.

“Yan Qiao, why don’t you try to find Yunzhou? I just can’t shake this uneasy feeling.”

Yan Qiao was about to speak when Qiao Ran suddenly chimed in.

“Cousin, I’ve been listening to your dreams, and since your whole family is having the same nightmare, I just thought—doesn’t West City have a lot of cult activity? People have said there’s some evil magic harming others there. Could it be that Yunzhou...”

Qiao Ran didn’t finish, but everyone knew what he implied.

Her parents looked displeased but still defended me.

“That’s not possible. I know Yunzhou. He’s always been a good kid. How could he be involved in such things?”

Qiao Ran shrugged.

“Aunt, I was just saying. Don’t take me seriously.”

Unintended words, but the listener took them to heart.

Yan Qiao clenched her fists, her face ashen.

She was nearly certain now that this was all Yunzhou’s doing.

Yet even knowing this, they had no way to resolve it.

Days passed, and Yan Qiao’s complexion worsened.

She had tried countless times to call me but always gave up.

Grandma’s birthday was approaching, and they all believed I would surely return.