Chapter 17 Insecurity

Chapter 17: Feeling Insecure

They still had lunch in the company cafeteria, with Liu Ergou joining them. As he ate, he tapped noisily on his phone, saying he was exposing Bai Jiali’s misdeeds to prevent others in the field from being deceived in the future.

Gu Qingyin neither agreed nor disagreed, popping a bite of lychee pork into her mouth and couldn’t help squinting in delight—sweet, sour, and delicious!

Without being bothered by irrational people, Gu Qingyin’s office life was incredibly pleasant.

Huo Xingye, thanks to her, ate on time and left work punctually every day, looking noticeably healthier than before.

Gu Qingyin felt it was time to go back to her old job.

During this period, many people from her past—colleagues and clients alike—had reached out, asking her to return to work. She turned them down.

At the time, she thought, *Nothing’s more important than my son’s health.* She resisted the temptation of money but now, she was struggling to resist.

However, before taking jobs again, there was one matter to resolve.

“Xingye, how’s your friend who’s staying at your place? Has he recovered?” Gu Qingyin asked with concern.

Huo Xingye paused while reviewing documents, glancing at her with a neutral expression. “Why do you ask?”

Gu Qingyin replied matter-of-factly, “I’m about to start working again. Once I’m busy, I won’t have time to treat your friend unless he’s paying me.”

Huo Xingye completely ignored the latter part, frowning as he asked, “You’re taking exorcism jobs again? Can’t you not?”

Gu Qingyin glared at him. “What’s wrong with you? I’m only twenty-seven—at my best. It’s the perfect time to work hard and earn money!”

Huo Xingye pressed his lips together and said nothing, the mood noticeably souring.

Gu Qingyin frowned. “What exactly is bothering you?”

Huo Xingye remained silent.

Gu Qingyin tsked. “I prefer straightforwardness and hate dancing around the issue. I’ll ask you one last time—what’s wrong?”

Huo Xingye finally looked up at her. Seeing her expressionless face, as if she were angry, he averted his gaze and said quietly, “I’m afraid you’ll be in danger.”

Gu Qingyin was quick. After a moment’s thought, she understood his worry.

“You’re afraid I’ll disappear suddenly like twenty years ago?”

Huo Xingye didn’t react, but his fingers gripping the pen turned faintly white.

Gu Qingyin sighed and ruffled his hair affectionately. “That was an accident. Once in a lifetime is more than enough. I’m not an idiot—I won’t chase after something like that again.”

When Huo Xingye still didn’t respond, she sighed dramatically and whispered, “I’ll tell you a secret—that job back then wasn’t an ordinary ghost. It’s not something you’d easily run into a second time.”

Then, clearing her throat, she resumed her normal volume. “That’s all I can say—it’s confidential. You have to trust me, son. I don’t want to leave you all either.”

Huo Xingye wavered slightly. “It really won’t happen again?”

Gu Qingyin nodded eagerly. “Absolutely not!”

Huo Xingye’s expression was complicated. “Do you really enjoy catching ghosts that much?”

“It’s not about enjoyment—it’s responsibility,” Gu Qingyin declared earnestly. “With great power comes great responsibility. I’ve honed my skills—it’d be a waste not to use them.”

Huo Xingye still wasn’t entirely happy, but he didn’t try to stop her anymore.

"Go ahead if you want to, just protect yourself."

Gu Qingyin suddenly felt like when she'd finally earned her master's approval and was ready to graduate from her training.

It felt a bit eerie.

She fell silent for a second before changing the subject back. "Your friend—sure you don’t want me to check on them?"

"No need," Huo Xingye went back to his paperwork. "She’s almost fully recovered."

After work that evening, Gu Qingyin got a ride back to the old house. Starting tomorrow, she wouldn’t be coming to the company anymore. Liu Ergou needed her help with a job, and she had to prepare in advance.

Huo Xingye watched Gu Qingyin’s car drive away before heading back to his apartment.

The housekeeper had already prepared dinner. Normally, she would leave after cooking, but today she stood hesitantly by the table. "Boss, I know it’s not my place to interfere, but Miss Wen… she looks really unwell. She’s barely eaten anything these past few days and has lost so much weight she’s barely recognizable."

Her voice choked up as she continued. "I don’t know what happened between you and Miss Wen, but misunderstandings and conflicts can be resolved by talking things out. Why put yourself through this?"

Huo Xingye lowered his gaze and remained silent for a long time before nodding. "Thank you. You can go now."

The housekeeper knew her opinion didn't count for much. With a sigh, she left. She had done all she could—even if it cost her the job, she’d accept it. If it made any difference, she'd count it as good karma.

Huo Xingye finished his meal in silence and went upstairs to the room down the hall.

The moment he opened the door and saw Wen Ting, he was stunned. How had she gotten so thin? Her cheeks were sunken, her eyes were shadowed by dark circles, her lips were pale, and her gaze was lifeless—she looked... like she was dying.

"I thought you’d forgotten about me."

Wen Ting was so weak she could barely speak before gasping for air.

Huo Xingye hadn’t visited her in days, and her transformation was shocking.

"Do you hate me?"

Wen Ting looked surprised, then gave a bitter smile. "Aren’t you going to ask if I’ve changed my mind?"

Changed her mind about what? About being with him, about becoming his wife.

That was Huo Xingye's reason for locking her up.

But given the circumstances, he couldn’t bring himself to ask.

Nobody's that stupid. Nobody could love someone who hurt them, even in the name of love.

"Sorry," Huo Xingye said quietly before walking out.

Wen Ting found Huo Xingye’s behavior strange that night. When the door opened again and doctors and nurses entered, lifting her onto a stretcher to carry her out, she became even more confused.

"Where are you taking me?" Wen Ting panicked, afraid Huo Xingye had gone crazy and was having her taken away to be buried. For a moment, she almost wanted to surrender.

Fortunately, a gentle male voice reassured her. "Don’t be afraid, Miss Wen. We’re doctors from Sanhe Hospital. Your health has deteriorated severely, and you’ll likely need to stay in the hospital for a while."

Wen Ting turned her head and saw a young doctor in a white coat. He had smiling eyes and gave off a warm vibe.

Without thinking, she relaxed before asking in disbelief, "Huo Xingye is letting me go?"

The doctor nodded with a smile. "Of course. Mr. Huo personally called us."

Wen Ting fell silent. Only after exiting the elevator did she give a bitter laugh. "Is he planning to cure me just to lock me up again?"

"You’re overthinking it," the doctor soothed. "Mr. Huo won’t make the same mistake twice."

As Wen Ting was loaded into the ambulance, the young doctor sat beside her and softly advised, "Please, Miss Wen, considering Mr. Huo’s remorse and efforts to make amends, don’t hold it against him."

Wen Ting stared at him blankly. Was she just supposed to take it? What about all the suffering she’d endured? Did it mean nothing?