Qin He's gentle and meticulous hands meticulously recreated Peisenn's original appearance.
From the photograph, he was a strikingly handsome young man with golden hair and curled eyelashes, but the corpse before them no longer held those original azure eyes.
Qin He broke out in a sweat as she finished.
She sat down to rest, then after a long pause, she smiled, "Peisenn, I hope you like the grooming I've prepared for you."
Outside, Amy's choked sobs could be heard. Her voice was already hoarse from crying, now sounding like a raw, blood-curdling wail.
Qin He stood up and left the room.
Wilson and Amy, hearing the door open, immediately stood up and looked towards Qin He as she emerged from the room.
Qin He bowed to them, "I have finished preparing Peisenn."
Amy immediately rushed in, followed closely by Wilson.
Qin He listened to the crying that erupted from the room, Amy calling out Peisenn's name again and again.
Her body felt weak, and she swayed slightly.
A hand suddenly supported her arm, steadying her.
Qin He looked up and met Gu Qichen's eyes, dark as jade. In those eyes was an unfathomable depth and concern, as if they could draw one in.
"I'll take you back," Gu Qichen's voice was somewhat subdued.
"I'm fine, ah—"
Before Qin He could refuse, she felt herself lifted, Gu Qichen carrying her horizontally.
She let out a soft gasp and instinctively hugged Gu Qichen's neck.
"I'll handle things here. You go back and rest. I'll come back after I take you home," Gu Qichen's expression was stern, with an undeniable firmness.
Qin He sighed and glanced back at the house, the crying still continuing.
The exhaustion surged through her. Qin He pursed her lips; she was indeed weary today, both physically and mentally.
"Alright, but please put me down. I can walk myself."
Gu Qichen seemed not to hear her, his arms holding her firmly. He walked straight out.
It was already midnight.
The funeral home was located in the suburbs. Without the tall buildings of the city, the stars in the night sky were much more visible.
Gu Qichen carried Qin He to the car before setting her down and opening the passenger door.
On the suburban road, the car drove at a steady pace.
The car was quiet. Qin He rolled down the window a little, letting the cool breeze in.
"I knew you were an embalmer before, but I didn't expect you to be so skilled," Gu Qichen suddenly said quietly.
Qin He let out a light laugh, "There's still much you don't know."
Gu Qichen leaned back slightly, his hands on the steering wheel, his jade-like eyes flashing subtly on his handsome face.
"I feel I know a great deal. You're excellent at business management, skilled in perfumery, play musical instruments, are the renowned Professor Harlana in the medical field, and your primary profession is that of an excellent embalmer."
Gu Qichen's voice was cool and measured.
Qin He chuckled softly, "Why do I feel your tone isn't exactly praising me?"
A hint of a smile flickered across Gu Qichen's features.
"I just want to prove that I understand you well. Do you have other secrets?"
Upon hearing Gu Qichen's question, Qin He fell silent for a few seconds.
"Right, I still haven't thanked you for helping me fend off Bai Feifei at the seminar last time," she changed the subject.
Gu Qichen's mood became somewhat helpless.
With such an abrupt shift in topic, it seemed Qin He truly harbored secrets he was unaware of.
"Bai Feifei has already been personally sent back to the capital. You don't need to worry about seeing her in Qingcheng again. She won't bother you from now on."
Qin He turned to look at Gu Qichen. A hint of coldness appeared on his handsome face.
"Then how should I thank you this time?"
"The usual, treat me to a meal."
Qin He pondered for a moment, then laughed, "You're not planning to scam Yan Chen again, are you?"
The last time Gu Qichen suggested she treat him to a meal, they ended up at Yan Chen's establishment, and the bill was directly charged to Yan Chen.
The car drove steadily towards the center of Qingcheng.
Despite Gu Qichen's efforts to engage Qin He in conversation, her mood remained subdued.
Because of Peisenn, a somber cloud born of death hung lightly over both their hearts.
By the time Gu Qichen reached the entrance of the Qin family's home, it was already 1:30 AM.
"I'll wait until you're inside before I leave."
Qin He glanced at the gate. "You should go back. My family probably doesn't want to see your car, or—you."
Gu Qichen paused for a few seconds, a bitter smile on his face.
"Hurry inside. I'm leaving."
Qin He watched Gu Qichen's car drive away, then turned to enter the Qin family gate. Only then did she remember something.
Her expression changed, and she fumbled for her phone in her bag.
When she worked at the funeral home, she habitually muted her phone.
Today, with Peisenn's sudden passing, she had muted her phone after Peisenn brought her to the funeral home. She had been so busy that she hadn't even thought to call home.
Qin He took out her phone and checked it. Seeing dozens of missed calls, her face changed.
It was over!
She hurried into the house and saw the brightly lit living room.
Her mother and brother were both sitting on the sofa. Qin Yun seemed to have just returned from outside, his face ashen as he spoke to their mother.
Seeing Qin He enter, both looked up. Qin Yun's eyes held a mixture of anger and worry.
"Where have you been?"
"At the funeral home," Qin He said apologetically. "It's about Wilson's son. You know about it, brother? I was preparing his remains today and muted my phone, forgetting to turn it back on."
Qin Yun fell silent, his brow furrowed.
Qin He slowly explained Peisenn's situation to Qin Yun.
Ming Yuzhu, listening nearby, gradually relaxed.
"Alright, Qin Yun, you know your sister's personality. She used to mute her phone when she worked at the funeral home too."
Qin Yun's anger still lingered. He glared at Qin He, "Do you know how worried we were? If I couldn't find you, I was going to have Zhou Yang start searching Qingcheng."
Qin He knew she was in the wrong and had caused her mother and brother worry. She couldn't retort to her brother as she usually would.
Qin Yun was about to say more when he saw his sister sway, looking very tired and frail.
His gaze fell on her belly, and Qin Yun couldn't utter another angry word.
"You're working so late, aren't you afraid of tiring yourself out! There's food prepared for you in the kitchen, go eat something, and then get some rest!"
Qin Yun frowned and pulled Qin He towards the kitchen.
A hint of a triumphant smile played on Qin He's lips. She glanced at her mother's knowing gaze and gave her a sheepish, guilty smile.
Although she had no appetite, Qin He still ate a considerable amount of late-night food under Qin Yun's supervision.