Chapter 3 She’s Back

Chapter 3: She's Back

The Huo family was a centuries-old aristocratic family, having survived multiple dynasties, and naturally had several affiliated families under its wing. The Xue family was one of them, with each generation’s Xue Family Head serving as the right-hand to the Huo Family Head.

Though their dynamic appeared master-servant, in truth, it was more akin to close friends.

"What’s your relation to Xue Wei’an?"

During Huo Yunjing’s tenure as Family Head, his assistant had been Xue Wei’an, whom Gu Qingyin knew fairly well and considered an acquaintance.

Xue Ning replied, "My father."

Gu Qingyin had an epiphany and immediately began rummaging through her bag. Meeting a junior for the first time, she had to give a gift.

She pulled out a yellow talisman folded into an octagonal shape and handed it over. "A warding talisman. It’s nothing fancy, but keep it with you for safety."

Xue Ning was flustered but honored and accepted it with both hands respectfully. "Thank you, my lady."

Gu Qingyin waved dismissively and picked up her chopsticks to continue eating.

Xue Ning beamed as he pocketed the talisman, only to turn and find Huo Xingye staring at him with a dark, unreadable stare, looking somewhat displeased.

Xue Ning was baffled.

Huo Xingye looked away and spoke indifferently, "Since you’ve dropped off the files, you can leave. Unless you’re planning to stay for dinner?"

"No need, I’ve already eaten." Though confused, Xue Ning maintained a polite smile. "Then I’ll return to the company first."

After Xue Ning left, Huo Xingye festered in resentment. He held it in until Gu Qingyin finished her meal before offhandedly asking, "What did you give Xue Ning?"

"A warding talisman. Didn’t I just say that?" Gu Qingyin took a sip of tea and replied offhandedly, "I crafted it ages ago and kept it tucked in my bag. Finally found a use for it today."

Huo Xingye pressed his lips together, wanting to ask, *And where’s mine?* Even Xue Ning got a gift—how could his own mother forget her own son? But he was too proud to ask. Instead, he shoved over the file bag to Gu Qingyin.

"Here’s what you asked for."

Gu Qingyin took it and glanced inside—her ID, bank cards, and a new phone. After two decades, anything that could expire had long since done so.

"Are you full?" Gu Qingyin tucked the items into her satchel. "I need to go to the antique street. Take me there."

Huo Xingye stood up and strode off, his back oozing irritation.

Gu Qingyin hid a smirk and leisurely followed. Of course, she hadn’t forgotten about his gift—she’d just returned from a mission and had nearly exhausted her stock of good items. She needed to replenish supplies before making anything.

Gu Qingyin got out of the car at the street entrance and waved Huo Xingye off. "Go ahead with your work. Don’t worry about me—I’ll take a cab back later."

Watching her walk away, Huo Xingye suddenly felt uneasy. Without thinking, he grabbed his phone and called his bodyguards. "Send two men to follow Gu Qingyin and ensure her safety."

The bodyguard thought it unnecessary—given Gu Qingyin’s skills, if trouble arose, it was unclear who’d be protecting whom. But the boss had spoken, so he obeyed.

Thus, barely moments into her stroll, two men in black suits caught up with Gu Qingyin. Upon learning their purpose, she didn’t object and let them tag along.

Twenty years later, the antique street hadn’t changed much. At a glance, the same junk lined the stalls—nine out of ten were fakes. The only differences were the shop owners and store names.

Gu Qingyin quickly lost interest and headed straight for the deeper end of the street, entering a shop called Genuine Relics.

As soon as she entered, a young man in a blue long gown emerged. He subtly sized up Gu Qingyin, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. Noticing her frown, he smiled and approached, "Is our selection not to your liking, ma'am?"

"The quality of these items isn't up to par," Gu Qingyin said, disappointed. "Has the shop owner changed?"

"No," the young man replied calmly. "These are troubled times, so we don’t dare display the best goods openly. What are you looking for? I can get it for you."

"Cinnabar, yellow paper, and jade pendants—only the highest quality."

The young man smiled and quoted, "Cinnabar is 32,000 per ounce, yellow paper is 1,000 per piece. As for jade pendants, we just received a new batch—all excellent quality, 50,000 each. How many would you like?"

The jade pendants in the shop were semi-finished, with only outlines and no engravings, making it easier for Celestial Masters to carve talismanic arrays onto them.

Gu Qingyin’s brows furrowed immediately. Twenty years had passed, and prices had skyrocketed—it was practically highway robbery!

"Can you lower the price?"

The young man smiled. "Small shop—prices are fixed."

Gu Qingyin pursed her lips and took out a card from her bag. "This loyalty card is from twenty years ago. Can I still get a discount?"

The young man’s eyes flickered slightly as he took the card and examined it carefully. It was genuine, but...

"Our loyalty cards can’t be used by anyone else—only the original owner can use them."

"This *is* mine!" Gu Qingyin, sensing an opportunity, quickly emphasized. "Mr. Qin gave it to me personally back then. If you don’t believe me, ask him—he’ll definitely remember me."

She had been one of the shop’s biggest customers back in the day!

The young man chuckled. "No need for that trouble—I believe you. Wait a moment, I’ll grab your things."

Three jade pendants, a half-pound of cinnabar, and a hundred pre-cut pieces of yellow paper—after a 20% discount and rounding off the total, it came to exactly 450,000.

Gu Qingyin paid swiftly and left, acting unfazed but cringing inside at the expense.

Thankfully, she had savings—otherwise, she wouldn’t even be able to afford gifts for the kids.

No, she *had* to charge double from now on!

Her wallet aching, Gu Qingyin walked away, unaware that the young man was watching her retreating figure as he took out his phone and dialed a number. "Old man, that Celestial Master who vanished twenty years ago—she’s back."

The escorts drove Gu Qingyin back to the villa. She carried her purchases straight to the home office and didn’t emerge until nightfall, having finished crafting three protective jade pendants.

The emerald-green pendants were no bigger than a quarter, just right for a necklace.

After storing them away, she walked out and was immediately hit by the spicy, meaty smell. Following the scent downstairs, she found several new people in the villa.

A middle-aged woman in traditional Chinese dress lit up when she saw her and approached with a smile. "Greetings, madam. I’m the new housekeeper—Hua Xin."

Gu Qingyin automatically checked her face before breaking into a warm smile. "I’ll rely on you from now on, Aunt Hua."

The address made Hua Xin beam even brighter. "Madam, dinner is ready. Shall we serve it now?"

Gu Qingyin walked right over to the dining room and, as she took her seat, asked, "When will Huo Xingye be back?"

Hua Xin shook her head. "I’ve heard the Family Head usually stays at his place near work—he likely won’t return." She had previously managed affairs at the Huo family estate and was temporarily assigned here, so she didn’t know much about the Family Head’s habits.

Gu Qingyin nodded, then rubbed her hands, eyes gleaming. "Then let’s eat!"

As for the jade pendant, she’d just have to give it to Huo Xingye the next time he visited.

But to her surprise, three days passed without a single word from him.

She was displeased. After a twenty-year separation, reuniting only to vanish—what was the meaning of this?

That brat—he needs a good scolding!