Chapter 143: Awakening the Thousand Voices (Part One)

Those who knew the truth struggled to find the words to speak. They sat around the dining table, the atmosphere heavy with an awkward silence. Mu Mian, still oblivious to the situation, blinked her large eyes, looking from the spread of dishes to the bewildered faces of those around her.

"Has something happened? Tell me, quickly!" Boss Jin urged, feeling a sense of unease. Why was there something they couldn't even tell him? When had they started keeping him at such a distance?

"It was Mo Lan and An Feng who told Sister Qian Yin that Leng Xue is dead," Xiao Bei blurted out. Unable to keep secrets, he was eager for the whole world to know that Mo Lan had failed Qian Yin. "Sister Qian Yin couldn't bear it and fainted. She might never wake up again."

Mo Lan pressed her lips into a thin line. It was true. She knew she had made a mistake—a grave one. If she had known it would lead to this, she would have taken that secret to her grave.

"What? Leng Xue is dead?" Boss Jin stood up in shock, then slumped back into his chair, unable to process the reality. A man who had loved Qian Yin so dearly was gone; how could she possibly survive the news?

"Brother Leng Xue is dead?" Bai Bai had also heard the news. She rose to her feet, her expression vacant. Mu Mian reached out and pulled her back down, their small hands clasping tightly together. Bai Bai turned her gaze away from Mu Mian, lowered her head, and began to sob quietly.

Mo Lan bit her lip harder, her teeth breaking the skin, hoping the pain would keep her rational. She could not afford to lose her composure now.

The others remained silent, not knowing whom to comfort. Everyone mourned Leng Xue’s death and felt a crushing sense of guilt that Qian Yin might never wake up, but they knew that dwelling on the past changed nothing. It would not bring Qian Yin back to life, nor would it make her happy to see Mo Lan or An Feng suffer.

They should cherish those who were still alive, for the past could not be undone.

The four siblings—East, South, West, and North—watched the expressions of everyone present, their hearts heavy. Xiao Bei’s words—"might never wake up"—had struck them like a physical blow. The silence was so profound that Bai Bai’s soft sobs felt suffocating.

Mo Lan stood up, surveyed the room, and performed a formal bow of apology. Straightening up, she took a deep breath and said, "I will not let Qian Yin die. Please, trust me. Let us eat, shall we? Afterward, we can go and keep her company."

The Elder, sensing Mo Lan’s profound grief, stood up with a regretful expression. "She may never wake up. When I went to feed her medicine today, I noticed her body growing cold. I urge you all to cherish those who are still with us."

His words reignited the sorrow in the room; no one had any appetite left.

Bai Bai stood up immediately, walked over to take Mo Lan’s hand, and whispered, "Where is Sister Qian Yin’s room? I want to see her."

Suppressing the pain in her heart, Mo Lan picked up Bai Bai and headed upstairs. The others set down their utensils and followed. The sound of low, mournful weeping began to drift through the halls of the Mo estate. The only one unmoved was Elder Mo. He had no intention of going, but seeing everyone else leave, he felt compelled to follow to avoid appearing entirely heartless.

The large room was soon crowded. The pungent scent of medicine hung in the air. Qian Yin lay in bed, sleeping peacefully, oblivious to the world outside. Suddenly, a sweet smile touched her lips, as if she were dreaming of Leng Xue.

Mo Lan and Bai Bai approached the bedside. Bai Bai let go of Mo Lan’s hand and took Qian Yin’s, tears streaming down her face. "Sister Qian Yin, what happened to you? I’m here. Please, wake up."

There was no response; the woman on the bed could not hear them.

Undeterred, Bai Bai pulled Mu Mian forward, placed Mu Mian’s hand over Qian Yin’s, and rested her own on top. "Sister Qian Yin, I’ve found a sister. We are as close as you and Sister Mo Lan. Please, wake up and look at us."

As they spoke, both little girls wept, their tears falling onto Qian Yin’s hand. Yet, she remained still, as quiet and cold as a corpse.

The others turned away, choking back their own sobs. The four siblings stood against the wall, heads tilted back to keep their tears from falling.

The atmosphere of grief made Mo Lan feel a rising panic. Was Qian Yin truly going to die? *No, you cannot leave me! I know I was wrong, I truly do!* Mo Lan screamed in her heart.

She turned to the table and picked up a small knife, shocking everyone in the room. An Feng immediately stepped forward to pull the two girls away, fearing what Mo Lan might do in her desperation.

Noticing their terrified faces, Mo Lan said nothing. With tears streaming down her cheeks, she sat beside Qian Yin. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to stop crying.

After a few shuddering sobs, Mo Lan held the knife to her own hand and spoke with a forced smile. "Do you remember when we first met? Do you remember the good days we shared? We were so happy then. We didn't understand love; we only knew we had to survive, and that we were the most important people to each other."

The others stood in silence, unable to hold back their tears any longer. The siblings were sobbing openly now, turning away so they would not have to watch what Mo Lan was doing.

"Please, wake up. Even if Leng Xue is gone from this world, you still have me. Can you really bear to leave me behind? I know I was wrong. I truly know it."

Mo Lan wept aloud, her tears falling uncontrollably. Looking at that tranquil face and remembering her past smiles, Mo Lan felt a pain beyond words.

She sobbed again, then drew the knife across her palm. As the fresh blood began to flow, she smiled. "Before we knew these people, the only scar on your body was one I caused, back when you were protecting me. Let me pay that debt back to you today, shall we?"

She pressed her bleeding hand to Qian Yin’s lips, letting the crimson drops trickle into her mouth.

An Feng could bear it no longer. He stepped forward, snatched the knife away, and threw it to the floor. He pulled Mo Lan into a tight embrace, tears of his own falling, and sighed, "Qian Yin, please, wake up. Don't torture my Mo Lan anymore."