Chapter 119 - 118: The Gossip Heroine

Chapter 119: Chapter 118: The Gossip Heroine

Huo Yunjing had been secretly observing his eldest son for a long time and already knew all there was to know. Naturally, there was no novelty in this moment, nor any feeling of a long-awaited reunion, so he simply gave a noncommittal "Mm."

Then, turning his head, Huo Yunjing cuddled up against Gu Qingyin again.

Huo Xingye: ’...Does Dad not like me?’

’His eyes had reddened too soon. *Now* would have been the perfect time to cry.’

Gu Qingyin couldn’t watch this anymore. She smacked Huo Yunjing on the forehead. "Why are you being so cold?"

Huo Yunjing shot her an aggrieved look and mumbled, "Fathers and sons don’t need a lot of words. An unspoken understanding is enough. He’s grown up well, and I’m very satisfied."

Although the words weren’t directed at Huo Xingye, it was no different from being complimented to his face. Huo Xingye was deeply gratified, and a warmth spread through his chest.

"Thank you, Dad."

Huo Yunjing gave him a sidelong glance and grunted another cold "Mm." Fearing his wife’s anger, he quickly added, "Keep up the good work, and always stay vigilant."

Huo Xingye’s spirits lifted, and he replied in a resonant voice, "Yes!"

After that, the entire office fell silent.

A reunion between a father and son separated by ten years and by death itself, and all they had was a few short sentences. Gu Qingyin was utterly speechless.

Gu Qingyin rolled her eyes, deciding to ignore them. "I’m going to get changed." She walked to the door of the private lounge, then turned to glare at Huo Yunjing, who was still stuck to her side. "No peeking!"

Huo Yunjing took a step back, his face a picture of sincerity. "I won’t."

Gu Qingyin scoffed. "Huo Xingye, watch your father! If you dare let him in..." She clenched her fist and shook it at Huo Xingye.

Huo Xingye was instantly reminded of his first encounter with his mother at the old family home. It had been excruciatingly painful.

His mind raced. "Dad, would you like to look over the company’s reports?"

Huo Yunjing turned his head, his expression impassive.

Huo Xingye gasped, his pupils trembling and his body shaking. Even though the ghost before him was his father, the sight was still terrifying.

His father had literally only turned his head; his body remained facing the lounge door. The effect was eerie and horrifying.

"Dad..." Huo Xingye swallowed, his voice trembling as he confessed, "I’m actually a little afraid of ghosts."

Huo Yunjing raised an eyebrow. "A grown man shouldn’t be afraid of ghosts." As he spoke, he turned his body around and floated to Huo Xingye’s side. "You just need to get used to it."

Goosebumps broke out all over Huo Xingye’s skin. He instinctively took a step back, but Huo Yunjing pressed closer with every move. Any further, and he’d be up against the floor-to-ceiling window.

"Getting used to it yet?" Huo Yunjing deliberately exhaled a cloud of Yin Qi. Seeing Huo Xingye tremble uncontrollably, a wicked glint appeared in his eyes.

Huo Xingye could only nod, but his eyes kept darting toward the lounge. ’Why isn’t Mom coming out yet?!’

Before she came out, Gu Qingyin had been imagining the father and son were already deep in cheerful conversation. Instead, she emerged to this scene.

Huo Xingye looked like a pitiful victim being tormented by a bully, and Huo Yunjing was that bully.

A shadow fell over Gu Qingyin’s face. ’Forget it,’ she thought. ’They have plenty of time to get along in the future. No need to rush things.’

"Our son is afraid of ghosts. Could you try acting a little more human?"

Gu Qingyin’s tone was sharp, but to the man and ghost listening, it was like a song from the heavens.

Huo Yunjing immediately retracted his somber ghost energy and planted his feet firmly on the ground. Aside from his pale complexion, he looked almost perfectly human.

Seeing this, Huo Xingye breathed a sigh of relief. It felt like he could finally breathe properly again.

Gu Qingyin opened the curtains and said soothingly, "You get back to work. I’m going downstairs to get you some takeout."

Huo Yunjing’s form faded, and he vanished from sight.

Huo Xingye felt a mix of emotions. He was a little sad to see him go, but he couldn’t deny that his entire body had relaxed significantly.

The fear was instinctual. Even though he knew, logically, that there was nothing to be afraid of, he couldn’t overcome it in an instant.

At eight o’clock that evening, a Rolls-Royce Cullinan pulled up to the hotel entrance. A sharp-eyed doorman hurried over to open the door.

Dressed in a crisp suit, Huo Xingye was the first to step out. He then turned and extended a hand back into the vehicle.

A fair, delicate hand rested lightly on his, immediately drawing the gazes of most people near the entrance.

Huo Xingye was already the center of attention, and given his youth and the fact that even his assistants were male, there had never been any rumors of him being close with any prominent family’s daughter.

Seeing him suddenly escort a woman from the car, everyone grew intensely curious. They all secretly wondered which family had gotten lucky enough to board the Huo Family’s grand ship.

The woman who emerged from the car wore a dazzling silver dress. She was exceptionally beautiful. As the onlookers studied her, they felt she looked vaguely familiar but couldn’t quite place her.

The reality show Gu Qingyin had previously filmed with Huo Xinghai was a hit, but it hadn’t become a massive, mainstream phenomenon. Naturally, these members of high society, with their "refined" tastes, never watched such programs and thus didn’t recognize her.

"Which family’s daughter is she? I don’t recognize her at all."

"President Huo couldn’t have picked a girl from an ordinary background, could he?"

"It’s certainly possible. Given the Huo Family’s standing, Huo Xingye has absolutely no need to marry for connections. He’s free to choose a wife he actually likes. Her background is irrelevant."

"That’s right. Even if she’s from a common family, as long as she’s standing next to Huo Xingye, who would dare disrespect her?"

"Tsk, tsk. That’s a meteoric rise if I’ve ever seen one. What incredible luck!"

Gu Qingyin heard the murmurs the moment she stepped out of the car. The speakers were actually quite a distance away, but that was no match for her sharp hearing.

She hadn’t intended to hide her identity—she was here to attend as Huo Xingye’s mother. But upon hearing these remarks before even walking through the door, an idea sparked in her mind.

Gu Qingyin tugged on Huo Xingye’s hand, pulling him closer. She leaned in and whispered in his ear, "For now, don’t tell anyone who I am."

It only took Huo Xingye a moment to understand her game. He felt a resigned fondness but decided to let her have her fun. "As long as you’re happy."

Gu Qingyin’s eyes curved into a smile. "Is there anyone here I need to be particularly careful around?"

Huo Xingye said with complete confidence, "Nope. Do whatever you want."

There were indeed a few senior figures at the banquet tonight, but the older generation tended to keep to themselves. They preferred peace and quiet, always gathering in private rooms while they waited for assistants to deliver business cards from outside. They wouldn’t even cross paths with Gu Qingyin.

Besides, even if they did meet and she somehow offended them, it wouldn’t matter. Strictly speaking, his mother’s status was the highest in the room. After all, back when his father was still alive, those so-called senior figures were just followers scrambling for the scraps he left behind.

Gu Qingyin raised an eyebrow, feeling reassured.

But this scene of a mother and son talking intimately was interpreted by outsiders as a public display of affection—one initiated by Gu Qingyin, who had deliberately pulled Huo Xingye close right at the hotel entrance.

Instantly, a rumor began to spread through the banquet hall: the President of the Huo Family had fallen for a manipulative woman from a common background.

It was told with such convincing detail, it sounded like the gospel truth.

It had to be said that not even the circle of billionaires was immune to the charms of gossip. In fact, they were particularly skilled at creating it.