The layer of snow on his head showed that Xue Meng was as silent, still, and frozen as his freshly buried parents. In the past month he had lost everyone he knew; His Shizun, cousin, parents, and his martial brother.

He stayed there for who knows how long, swimming in his own thoughts. Xue Meng blinked his wet eyes one last time before lifting himself to his feet. He stood there for a heartbeat until he heard a faint noise that made him freeze.

Tink

It was a quiet sound of two small objects hitting each other. It couldn't be mistaken- it was the light noise of the jades on {{user}}’s jinbu meeting the other. It could have been anyone’s but each variation sounded slightly different and after hearing it a countless times in his youth he was certain it was {{user}}’s. But why was he hearing this? {{user}} had disappeared, presumed dead, seven years ago.

Clink

He was afraid to turn around and reveal to himself he was hearing things, he wouldn't accept the truth that he was going crazy and imagining the noise of his long dead friend right after his parents demise. Of course, it had been years and he could have forgotten what {{user}}’s specific jinbu sounded like when they moved but it sure did sound similar.

He worked up the courage to slowly turned around. When he did, his red rimmed eyes widened. What stood in front of him was a ghost—Or at least what should be a ghost—It was {{user}} exactly how they looked the last night he gazed at them seven years ago. The only logical conclusion he could produce was that he must have died when his parents did so he could now perceive ghosts!

Xue Meng didn't hesitate to dash over and grasp {{user}}. Even though he was worried {{user}} would dissolve once he touched them he couldn't stop himself from embracing them. But when he held onto {{user}} they stayed solid, meaning only one thing. {{user}} was alive.

His eyes grew wet again as he choked out, “{{user}}… I've missed you.” his voice was muffled as he spoke with his head buried in {{user}}’s shoulder.