He took a red thread from his pocket.
Zhang Chao and Wu Nian exchanged glances, recognizing the red thread. It was something Zhang Wei and the others had bought from a roadside stall before rushing to the hospital. Zhang Chao had specifically asked what it was for.
Zhang Wei had replied, "Red threads represent fate and marriage. I don't know if it will work, but since I saw it, I wanted to help."
His cryptic words left Zhang Chao and Wu Nian with a vague understanding, yet still somewhat confused. However, they didn't stop Zhang Wei, trusting his actions.
[Ding! Red thread blessed, 1 System Point]
The system prompt sounded.
Zhang Wei tore the red thread in his hand into two, tying one to each of the old man's and old woman's ankles.
"What is this?" the old man asked, puzzled.
Zhang Wei casually replied, "The road to the Yellow Springs is crowded, and I was afraid you might get lost. This is to help you recognize each other."
"Thank you," the old man and old woman said gratefully.
[Ding! Old man's gratitude]
[Host gains System Points +10]
Afterward.
As Zhang Wei and Zhang Chao recited the "Sui Yuan Wang Sheng Dao Jing" (隨願往生道經 - Scripture of Wishing for Rebirth) and Wu Nian recited the "Wang Sheng Fo Jing" (往生佛經 - Buddhist Scripture of Rebirth),
The gentle Buddhist and Daoist scriptures echoed into the portal.
[Ding! Blessed scriptures recited by host, 10,000 System Points]
The old man walked into the portal.
"Old woman, we'll be going ahead then."
Refusing the old woman's thanks, Zhang Wei and the others left, as Zhang Chao and Wu Nian still had matters to attend to.
The old woman bowed gratefully towards Zhang Wei and the others before also departing.
They didn't know.
That two days later, the old woman passed away.
Not from illness or suicide, but peacefully.
Afterward, when Zhang Wei and the others learned of it, they understood. It was because the old woman missed her husband too much that she eventually followed him.
The old man was the old woman's everything; he had accompanied her throughout her life.
Without him for the remainder of her years, how could the old woman continue?
Though unspoken, her longing was deafening. Science could not explain it, yet it could not deny it; longing possessed a magic that defied scientific explanation.
...
On the Yellow Springs Road.
"Old man."
The old woman, with a smile, slowly ambled towards her waiting husband.
Seeing the old woman approaching.
The old man smiled, a gentle smile mixed with a hint of helplessness.
He knew the old woman didn't want him to wait too long below.
"Walk slowly, old wife."
The old man took the old woman's hand, holding it tightly as always, and repeatedly cautioned her to hold on tight, not to get lost from him.
The old woman nodded with a radiant smile.
Faintly visible.
On the Yellow Springs Road, a pair of elderly couple walked very, very slowly, embarking on this path.
And on their ankles, each was tied with a red thread, emitting a faint glow on the Yellow Springs Road.
...
Epilogue:
Over a decade later.
Beneath a large banyan tree on a high school sports field, it was spring. The tree was lush green, and a spring breeze blew, carrying with it the distant laughter of students.
And at this moment.
Beneath the large banyan tree, there was a young male and female high school student.
"I like you. Will you be my girlfriend?"
The boy confessed to the girl, his words unreservedly revealing his nervousness and apprehension.
But soon.
The boy smiled. He saw the girl shyly nod; she had accepted his proposal.
The boy was overjoyed. Excitedly, he took the girl's hand, holding it tightly.
They didn't notice.
They couldn't notice at all.
On their respective ankles, a red thread was tied, invisible and intangible to everyone.
As the boy's confession was successful.
The spring breeze blew.
That red thread emitted a faint glow in the spring breeze.
...
Luxia City Hospital.
At this time.
Zhang Wei, Zhang Chao, and Wu Nian chatted casually as they walked, feeling good after helping the old couple.
"Zhang Wei, our employer is in Building One of the Intensive Care Unit. Do you want to come with us?"
Zhang Chao put down his phone and spoke directly.
Just moments ago, he had remembered their employer was also in this hospital and had called them. He learned they had already arrived.
Their employer had initially planned to come down to find them, but considering their daughter was critically ill, Zhang Chao and the others decided to go to them, not wanting to trouble their employer.
"No, I'll just wander around downstairs. We can go eat together after you're done."
Zhang Wei declined.
This wasn't his job, and the ghosts were weak, so he wasn't particularly interested. He couldn't be bothered to join the excitement and preferred to enjoy the scenery here.
After all, this was Luxia City's First Hospital. For the patients, the hospital had invested heavily, building a beautiful lawn and scenery to allow patients to relax during their stay.
A good mood, after all, was conducive to patient recovery.
"Alright then, we'll head up first. We'll come find you later, don't get lost."
Zhang Chao chuckled and gave Zhang Wei a paternal look.
In response.
Zhang Wei kicked Zhang Chao and said with a smile, "This hospital's intensive care treatment is quite good. How about I send you to keep your employer's daughter company? You'll have shared experiences of life and death to talk about, and perhaps you'll find love."
Zhang Chao twisted his body and dodged Zhang Wei's kick with a laugh.
After replying to Zhang Wei.
He pulled Wu Nian and ran into the hospital.
"Damn, no need. I'm afraid you'll send me away before you even get me into the hospital. But I heard the employer's daughter is indeed very beautiful. Come on, Wu Nian, let's go up and see. My future wife might really be there, hahaha."
"That guy Zhang Chao."
Watching Zhang Chao disappear in a flash, Zhang Wei cursed with a smile.
Then.
He surveyed the surrounding scenery.
"Not bad, the hospital scenery is quite nice."
As he spoke.
Zhang Wei's gaze fell upon the stone chairs on the lawn ahead, and he couldn't help but recall the old couple he had seen earlier, their figures leaning against the stone chairs.
Thinking of this.
A gentle warmth spread across Zhang Wei's lips, and a figure inexplicably appeared in his mind.
It was a cute girl.
She had a round face, making one want to pinch it, and when she smiled, she had adorable buck teeth and dimples.
Zhang Wei blinked, surprised that he was thinking of Qiu Xiaolin.
"I wonder what that guy is up to."
He murmured.
Zhang Wei hesitated for a moment, then picked up his phone and opened WeChat.
[Zhang Wei]: Hey, buddy, what are you doing? Peeking through the door.jpg
At the same time.
In the student dormitory at Wenling City University.
Qiu Xiaolin was walking downstairs, chatting and laughing with Zhang Ya and the others.
They had just finished class and were heading to the next classroom for their next lesson.
Ding dong.
The WeChat notification sound rang.
Qiu Xiaolin instinctively picked up her phone to check it and was instantly stunned.
Xiao Weizi?
Zhang Ya and the others noticed Qiu Xiaolin's actions.
"What's wrong, Xiaolin? Did some handsome guy message you? You're so engrossed, let me take a look."
Zhang Ya leaned over and saw it, her beautiful eyes instantly curving into smiling crescent moons.
"Oh ho, I knew who could make our Xiaolin like this. It turns out to be our ghost-exorcising daddy, Zhang Wei."
...