C16 You Are a Human or a Ghost!

"Chu." Qiao Mo smiled at her, suddenly stepping up the stairs. He reached out and gently touched Qiao Chu's face.

Qiao Chu looked at Qiao Mo, who was getting closer, with a mix of fear and surprise. She bit her lip, her wide eyes filled with apprehension as she asked, "Are you a ghost or a person?"

"Ah, I didn't die. Someone saved me," Qiao Mo replied with a slight smile. "Chu, I'm so happy to see you again. While drifting in the ocean, I thought I'd never see you again... I missed you all so much."

Qiao Mo affectionately took Qiao Chu's hand and said, "Chu, let's go downstairs. I get nervous seeing you by the railing, afraid it might suddenly give way."

Qiao Chu's hand was ice-cold, her face pale, as she was led down the stairs.

At that moment, Qiao Jinnian and Su Yunna came down from the second floor. Su Yunna froze when she saw Qiao Mo.

"Dad, Auntie," Qiao Mo greeted softly.

Qiao Jinnian's expression was indifferent. "You're back," he said flatly, as if Qiao Mo had just returned from a morning jog. He didn't stop and continued walking outside.

"Yeah. Dad, I missed you." Watching Qiao Jinnian's retreating figure, tears welled up in Qiao Mo's eyes, her heart aching.

Though he never treated her like a daughter, they were still bound by blood.

"Oh my gosh, Mo, it's such a relief to have you back! You've been gone for so long, we were worried sick. Thank goodness you're okay," Su Yunna said warmly, taking Qiao Mo's hand affectionately.

"Wow, you've gotten a bit of a tan. A girl's complexion is so important. I'll get you a spa card to brighten your skin back up. Your dad and I have been searching for you everywhere. What happened?"

Ugh, she's worse than the evil stepmother in Snow White—sweet as sugar to your face, poison behind your back.

Qiao Mo shrugged, "I accidentally fell into the sea and drifted to an island. Luckily, there were fishermen there, and I stayed for over two months."

Grandpa asked, "Mo, why didn't you call us?"

Qiao Mo fibbed, "There was no signal on the island, and they don't use phones there."

"How did you get back? When did you return?" Qiao Chu demanded, full of energy.

"Last night. Someone got lost on a yacht and ended up on the island. If it weren't for them, I might not have made it back. I was so scared I'd never see you all again," Qiao Mo said, her voice trembling as she began to cry.

Grandpa Qiao Zhenhua, feeling sorry for her, held her hand gently and said, "You've been through a lot, sweetheart. Let's not bombard you with questions. Let's get breakfast ready. Mo, come sit and chat with Grandpa."

Qiao Chu playfully tapped Qiao Mo on the shoulder, and Qiao Mo, grinning, caught her hand, saying, "Chu, what's up? You look so pale. Are you feeling sick?"

Qiao Mo jerked her hand away as if she'd been stung by a wasp. "What are you doing? Don't touch me!"

Qiao Mo let out a sudden sigh. "I barely made it back alive. I have no idea how the yacht's railing just broke like that. With luck like this, I should buy a lottery ticket. Sis, I've really missed you. And Qing, too. I need to call him. Can I borrow your phone?"

"No."

Qiao Mo pursed her lips. Acting? Who can't do that? If she wanted to put on a show, she could rival Qiao Chu, the drama major.

She looked at Qiao Chu with a gentle expression. "Chu, aren't you happy I'm back alive? Even though we don't share the same mom, you're my only sister, and I really care about you."

With that, she clung to her grandpa's arm, playfully pleading, "Grandpa, can I use your phone, please?"

Grandpa tapped her nose affectionately and pulled an old-fashioned phone from his pocket.