The moment Grandma opened her eyes, everyone gathered around her.
"Mom, you're awake!" My father hurried forward.
Su Ning'an's expression underwent a dramatic change at this moment. She also moved closer, but I caught the fleeting cold glint in her eyes.
I knew she had already decided to kill; she wouldn't let Grandma live.
Grandma wore an oxygen mask and couldn't speak a word. She just stared fixedly in my direction.
I knew I was overthinking it. Maybe Grandma was looking at someone else, another family member.
Even if she couldn't see me, I couldn't help but softly call out, "Grandma."
Strangely, as soon as I spoke, two streams of tears flowed from her eyes.
An idea sparked in my mind. I quickly moved from the crowded side to stand near Su Ning'an.
As I moved, Grandma's gaze followed me.
Now I was one hundred percent sure: Grandma could really see me!
"Grandma, can you see me? Can you hear me? If you can, blink twice."
After I spoke, Grandma's aged eyelids slowly blinked twice.
"Grandma!"
Overwhelmed with emotion, I rushed towards Grandma.
But it was just like before. Even if she could see and hear me, she still couldn't touch me.
I lay over her heart, even able to hear her slow, weak heartbeat.
"I'm sorry, Grandma. I can't do anything. I can't protect you."
Grandma opened her mouth wide, straining to lift her hand to stroke my head.
But her throat couldn't make a sound, and her arm couldn't lift.
She looked utterly distressed.
My father was frantic. "Mom, what are you trying to say?"
Grandma grew increasingly anxious, tears streaming down her face. Su Ning'an, however, looked guilty. Perhaps she thought Grandma was looking at her, wanting to expose her crimes.
"Dad, the doctor said when Grandma fell, she damaged her brain nerves. She could have become vegetative. Grandma was lucky to survive, but now she can't move or speak. She only has consciousness."
"Mom..."
My father quickly used a tissue to wipe the tears from the corners of her eyes, but more kept flowing, an endless stream.
"Mom, are you trying to say something?"
"Ah..."
Even straining, Grandma could only produce an "Ah" sound.
"Dad, I know you're worried about Grandma, but the doctor said we mustn't stimulate her."
"Alright, I won't. Mom, please stop crying. Your son is back. I have good news. Su Wan wasn't in Jindian. She's probably still in the city, hasn't left. Don't worry. She'll be back in a few days."
His words had the opposite effect. The moment he mentioned me, Grandma's eyes fixed intently on my face.
Actually, I didn't know if my face still looked the same as when I was alive. After all, I could only see my body from the neck down. I had no reflection in any shiny surface.
But Grandma recognized me at a glance. I probably didn't look like a vengeful ghost.
I smiled gently at Grandma. "Grandma, I'm back. No, I've always been by your side. It's just that you couldn't see or hear me. Please don't worry. You must get better."
Instead of being comforted by my words, Grandma cried even harder.
I hurried to soothe her. "Grandma, I'm already dead. You are the one I worry about the most. Do you want me to be unsettled even in death? Please stop crying. I'm right here."
Perhaps seeing how much it pained me, Grandma gradually stopped crying.