Chapter 71 - I'm Home

"… I'm my own world."

Devon remained silent as she stared at Ghost Lin in silence. In her eyes, Ghost Lin was being honest, or rather, her eyes never lied when she admitted she loved Quentin at one point. Even now, it was obvious that Ghost Lin didn't entirely hate Quentin for whatever happened between them in the past.

"Ghost Lin, why exactly did you give up on life?" Devon inquired under her breath. "And why are you here if you don't have the intention of taking this body back?"

She asked her this question already, but she figured Ghost Lin was someone who always had other and deeper reasons for her actions.  Just like how she admitted that Quentin bored her to death, but stick with him because she really liked him. So, how about this ordeal between them?

Ghost Lin raised a brow and replied a languid. "I told you already. Just think of having a house. When you have a house, but then you suddenly need to go away. Obviously, you want the people who will live in your house to know what there's to know, and take care of what there's to take care of."

"What about life, then? Why did you have to leave the house if there's another option?"

"Because, why not?" 

"Life is precious, Ghost Lin! I gave up mine because there's no difference between living and dying with the situation I was in. How about you? This life you threw so easily despite being surrounded by good people…" Devon hung her head low, feeling a mix of sadness and annoyance as Ghost Lin's life was perfect. Living her life brought no reason for the Princess to give it up, so she couldn't understand.

"… can you tell me so I can understand even the slightest?"

Silence enveloped the two as neither of them talked for a moment. Ghost Lin just stared at her, who was staring at the back of her hand. 

Why did Ghost Lin give up her life? Why didn't she want her body back? Ghost Lin had already given her the answer, but she was still asking her once again. So, her persistence somehow annoyed Ghost Lin, but urged her to give her a proper answer.

"It's perfect, I know. I have a nice place, a handsome Qin to sleep with, a good mix of family drama, but overall, peace." Ghost Lin nodded, as she was already aware of those things in her life. "Even so, nothing changes in here." She pointed at her chest, tapping her finger against it, and then raised it to her temple. "And here."

"Ghost Lin…"

"Demons, Devon. I didn't experience the same extreme, tragic life as you experienced, but it's not like it's a competition who had a better life." Ghost Lin shrugged nonchalantly. "Just think, we fought a goddamn holy war, but lost it."

Devon pursed her lips in a thin line as she stared at Ghost Lin. The more she talked to this ghost, the more Devon understood that everyone had their own battles to fight on their own. She might've lived a living hell, but she couldn't undermine Ghost Lin's own hell as well. 

"Don't be sad, you." Ghost Lin clicked her tongue in annoyance as Devon stared at her as if she was a pitiful soul. "You had a better life now, and I enjoy being a ghost! I can go anywhere and float. It's a good trade."

"How can you say it's a good trade when you don't eat or even change clothes?" Devon frowned, not letting Ghost Lin divert and liven up the mood. "Do you think it'll make me feel better just because I have a good life now while you're a ghost?"

"But I enjoy being a ghost and I don't care if that doesn't make you feel better."

Devon bit her lower lip as hard as she could, holding back the tears that were tempting to spill out from her eyes. Life was, indeed, cruel. How nice would it be if the two of them were born in the same world? They would definitely become good friends who would be there for each other.

"I'll strangle you if you fucking dare let those tears roll down," Ghost Lin cautioned, pointing at Devon, who seemed she'd cry at any moment. "I don't need your pity. What I need from you is for you to take care of my body. You being happy makes me content."

Devon held her breath and puffed her cheeks, suppressing the urge to cry. How would she stop her tears if Ghost Lin kept saying those words? Devon being happy? How about Ghost Lin? Was being a ghost enough when all she could do was float and wander the world of the living?

"What makes me happy is not the same as what makes you happy. If being a ghost doesn't make you happy, well, that sucks for you because I'm never this happy in my life," Ghost Lin said indifferently. "Still, if you expressed yourself more, it strangely gives me some kind of relief."

"Is that the reason you told me to just express myself?" Devon finally resisted her tears, but her voice still cracked. "And show it through actions? Will that make you feel better?"

"Uh, yes?" Ghost Lin cocked her head and shrugged once again. "I'll just be depressed if I see you struggling on your own, you know? I'll just pity myself."

"I see." Devon nodded in understanding, getting a good grasp of the reason Ghost Lin seemed mad when she attempted to just bottle up her emotions. Ghost Lin had bottled up her emotions in the past, weighing her down, until she could no longer carry them.

Devon stared at Ghost Lin, making the latter flinch at the determined expression plastered on the former's face. Devon was determined to live life to the fullest, disregard all her worries in the past, and just hold on to a happier life. 

"Ghost Lin, I will live in this body without regrets!" Devon affirmed, nodding encouragingly. "I won't disappoint you!" 

"Well," Ghost Lin's nose scrunched up. "Good for you."

Devon smiled brightly, letting out a deep exhale as she knew what to do. "First, I'll live honestly."

"Oy, are you saying I'm not honest?" 

Devon ignored Ghost Lin as she uttered the list of what she wanted to do in this life. "Second, I will…" she trailed off when she heard the door unlocking before it slowly opened.

Her face brightened up as Devon sprung up on her feet. She didn't even think twice as she dashed towards the entrance.

"I'm bac…" Lewis didn't finish his sentence as Devon suddenly exclaimed, "my friend," before she jumped towards him with her arms spread wide like a kid, welcoming her father.

When he got a whiff of the faint scent of lavender and felt her warmth slowly transferring to his body, his eyes softened. He rested his chin on top of her head and slowly wrapped her in his embrace. 

"I'm home," he whispered, patting her back lightly.