Spoiled by Eight Uncles (Lily)

The black night gradually lifted its thin veil that shrouded the earth, and a pale glow began to emerge on the horizon.

Jannat’s mother lay in bed, holding Jannat in her arms, soundly asleep. Jannat's father lay on the other side, just as he used to, sleeping peacefully with steady breaths.

Quietly, Jannat climbed out of bed. She cast a lingering gaze at her parents and whispered, “Mom, Dad, I'm leaving. Be happy, okay?” Taking three steps back, Jannat silently collected the cake wrapper and garbage in the living room, struggling to carry it as she floated away.

The door opened without a sound, and Lilly was already waiting outside, while Josh immediately took the garbage from Jannat's hands.

Jannat glanced back, her eyes filled with fondness.

Her once clean and warm home was now a place she would never return to.

“Let's go!” Lilly held Jannat's hand.

Though there is a boundless attachment in this world, parting is inevitable, causing sorrow deep within.

At the nearest crossroads from home, Jannat, dressed in a beautiful little dress, stood by the roadside, waving with a smile to Lilly and Josh.

“Goodbye, Josh. Goodbye, Lilly. Goodbye, Uncles! Thank you!” “Don't forget to go check on Miah for me!” She had no regrets! Before one’s death, it seems there are still many things left undone, many things left unresolved.

But after death, it seems that only one thing, the most important thing to oneself, remains.

Now that Jannat had fulfilled her wish, she no longer lingered in the mortal world as a resentful spirit. She could depart with a heart full of contentment.

It was the first time Josh sent off a resentful spirit, and he felt a sense of sadness and reflection that he had never experienced before. He said, “Goodbye, never to meet again. | hope you have a smooth rebirth.” Unable to contain her laughter, Jannat turned around and skipped away, eventually disappearing from everyone’s sight.

As Josh watched, suddenly, a faint light passed through the air, leaving a shallow mark on his forehead! The glow of the mark flashed and then disappeared, leaving no trace.

Josh quickly touched his forehead. “What the hell was that? Am | possessed by a ghost?” He hurriedly grabbed a piece of Talisman paper and stuck it on his forehead! Lilly had a vein popping on her forehead. “Um, Josh, you're dumb!” “That's not some ghost possession; it's your ‘progress bar.” Josh looked puzzled. He had a progress bar on his forehead?? What the hell! But... ugh, Lilly actually called him dumb, so love is supposed to disappear, right? Blake stretched lazily. “Let's go, your Granny will be getting up soon!” Josh said, “Granny shouldn't wake up so soon...” Lilly dashed to the car. “Hurry up, Josh, or Granny will be wielding a frying pan!” “I can see a ‘major disaster’ for you just by pinching my fingers.” Josh suddenly felt his hair stand on end. The ‘major disaster’ Lilly spoke of was a real major disaster! So, when Josh returned home, he didn’t even dare to breathe a sigh of relief.

He pretended as if nothing had happened, but when he woke up...

Bettany brought breakfast to the table. “What are you standing there for, foolishly? Come over and eat.” “Lilly shouldn't have woken up so early, so | prepared something else for her...” “You eat all of this.” Josh stared in awe at the table filled with large fish and meat.

Is it okay to eat such greasy food early in the morning? After Josh had consumed half a roasted chicken, half a fish, a bowl of lean pork and preserved egg congee, and a bowl of soup, and was forced to eat the leftover fruits and a digestive yogurt...

He finally understood what Lilly meant by a major disaster.

Indeed, a major disaster! The bright light of daybreak filled the room as Jannat's mother opened her eyes.

She stared at the ceiling in a daze.

The familiar house, the familiar silence.

She looked around slowly, confirming that Jannat was nowhere to be seen.

Jannat’s mother quickly got up and rushed to the living room, searching for traces of last night's birthday celebration.

No cake, no remnants from last night.

“Jannat...” she called out, but there was no one else in the room.

She collapsed onto the couch, feeling lost and disoriented. It was all just a dream after all...

But the dream felt so real, so blissful.

In the dream, Jannat was well, wearing her favorite dress, her hair grown long and adorned with beautiful braids... and she had given her mother a big surprise.

Yes... a big surprise! Jannat’s mother suddenly remembered something and quickly stood up, running back to the bedroom.

This time, she saw a glass bottle placed quietly on the bedside table. Inside the bottle were delicate purple orchids, golden osmanthus flowers, as well as a dried rose, peach blossom...

Colorful stars were scattered among the dried flowers, creating a dreamlike scene.

Afraid that it might be another illusion, Jannat's mother carefully picked up the bottle, feeling the cold touch of the glass.

It was real! Jannat’s mother couldn't help but burst into tears.

“It's real. Jannat came back...” Jannat's mother held the glass bottle tightly, sitting down on the edge of the bed.

Jannat’s father pushed open the door and entered. He had just gone out to buy groceries.

After waking up in the morning, he, like Jannat's mother, had rushed to the living room, feeling the same sense of emptiness and sadness upon finding the empty house. But then he saw the glass bottle on the bedside table.

For a long time, the heaviness in his heart dissipated. Thinking about his wife, who hadn’t eaten properly these past few days, he had gone out early to buy groceries.

“What's wrong?” Jannat's father sat down next to Jannat’s mother, wrapping his arm around her shoulder.

Jannat’s mother shook her head, choked up, and said, “Nothing. | just miss Jannat.” Missing Jannat, despite the sadness, for some reason, there was a vague sense of anticipation in her heart.

“Let's see what Jannat said to you,” Jannat's father smiled. “I resisted opening it all morning. Look, you have a surprise from Jannat, and | have none.” Jannat’s mother couldn't help but laugh along.

The couple carefully opened the glass bottle, taking out the topmost little star.

They delicately unfolded the star, revealing a crooked line of writing on both sides: [Happy Birthday, Mom! Jannat loves Mom! @@] [Jannat loves Dad too, take care of Mom @'] In an instant, the couple burst into tears, embracing each other tightly...