I'm going to find my grandmother. Grandmother must know something.

But I hadn't run far when red rashes started appearing on my body. I scratched while running. My breathing became more and more rapid. My vision grew blurry.

When I woke up, there was no one around, just me in my own bed. However, from the slightly ajar door, I could hear crying and sobbing.

"Tell me when I can see my son. Sob, I've been waiting for so long, I don't want to wait anymore."

It was my mother's voice. I felt a pang in my heart while lying on the bed. My well-behaved and sensible little brother was suddenly gone. I was also very sad.

But compared to my mother, my sadness was nothing. I thought to myself.

"Just wait a few more days, okay? Our son will be back soon. Trust me."

That was my father's voice. What did he mean? Has my little brother been found?

If my little brother has been found, why didn't Mom and Dad tell me? I was curious and afraid.

But then I shuddered. I remembered what I saw before I passed out, my father had no shadow.

Grandmother once said only ghosts have no shadows. Could it be that Dad...?

I didn't dare to continue thinking. But I knew I couldn't let "Dad" know that I discovered his secret.

But why did "Dad" tell Mom that our little brother would be back in a few days?

Could it be... that a ghost little brother is coming back?

My pupils widened. I covered my mouth in horror. I didn't dare to think further.

However, at that moment, the previously slightly ajar door creaked open.

Someone came in. But I had my back to the door. I couldn't see who it was. I tightly closed my eyes, pretending to still be asleep.

I was afraid that "Dad" had come in. I was also worried about Mom's safety.

Deep in my heart, I hoped it was Mom coming in. I could only pray endlessly in my heart.

I felt something prickling my face. It felt like Dad's stubble.

Although this bed wasn't two meters wide, it was still one meter and eighty centimeters. The bed was against the wall. I was facing a cold wall.

I didn't feel Dad sitting on my bed or the sound of him getting on my bed. Why would Dad's stubble prick my face?

And he was so close to me. But I couldn't feel his warm breath.

I cautiously opened my eyes a crack. Through my blurry vision, I saw Dad's unusually long neck. I couldn't see his shoulders at all.

I instantly felt an icy gaze on me.

I broke out in a cold sweat layer by layer. I didn't know what to do.

"Xiaoxi is awake."

Dad's voice was low, but his words were affirmative. It forced me to open my eyes, pretending I hadn't seen anything just now.

But when I opened my eyes, Dad had already returned to his normal appearance. Everything looked normal, except his face was a bit pale.

"What's wrong with me?"

I pretended not to know anything and asked Dad. He looked somewhat regretful.

"It's all Dad's fault. These days, I've been neglecting things because of your little brother and mistook scallions for cilantro."

He finished speaking and rubbed my head. I still couldn't feel any warmth. I could only obediently lower my head and close my eyes, as if this way, I wouldn't know his true identity.

But then, at that moment, there was a knocking sound at the door.

I felt relieved as if a burden had been lifted, and quickly got up.

"I'll go open the door."