Chapter 50: New Guests

Chapter 50: Chapter 50: New Guests

Gu Qingyin and Huo Xinghai were both ignoring the online drama. The former was busy catching up on sleep, while the latter was on his phone, jotting down inspiration.

Yesterday’s experience had sent Huo Xinghai’s creative drive into overdrive. He had a feeling this song would be a huge hit.

Right up until they got out of the car and entered the police station, Huo Xinghai’s mind was still mostly on his sheet music. He was half a beat slow to respond to the officer’s questions. Once or twice would have been fine, but it kept happening, and his behavior soon aroused the officer’s suspicion.

In the next room, Gu Qingyin finished giving her statement. When she came out, she saw Huo Xinghai in handcuffs, being escorted out by two officers, one on each side.

Gu Qingyin’s eyes widened in shock. She strode forward to block their path. "What’s going on? Why is the victim in handcuffs?"

The officer was very serious. "We suspect he’s hiding something about last night. We need to question him further."

"He was unconscious the whole time, what could he possibly be hiding?" Gu Qingyin looked at Huo Xinghai, who was still spaced out, and gave him a smack. "Say something!" she urged.

Huo Xinghai suddenly snapped back to his senses, exclaiming excitedly, "I’ve got it!"

Gu Qingyin was completely baffled. ’Was he actually awake back then?’

"This song is definitely going to be a hit!" Huo Xinghai muttered, talking about how to change the sheet music, and once again disappeared into his own world.

Gu Qingyin: ...

The two officers: ...

"...This must be a misunderstanding." Gu Qingyin forced a smile. "He was spooked yesterday, and he didn’t get enough sleep this morning. He’s half-asleep, probably just out of it."

The officer didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. "I’d heard Huo Xinghai was a singer-songwriter, and now I’ve seen it for myself." ’They say there’s a fine line between genius and madness. It’s really true.’

With the misunderstanding cleared up, Gu Qingyin and Huo Xinghai were able to leave the police station without further incident.

The show’s director was waiting for them in the car. Seeing them come out, he hurried over and asked worriedly, "What took so long? Is everything okay?"

Gu Qingyin, mentally exhausted, shook her head. "It’s nothing. Let’s go back. I’m so sleepy."

Back at the villa, Gu Qingyin had just gotten into bed and was about to fall asleep when her phone rang.

She let out a pained groan. ’I just want to get some proper sleep! Why is it so hard?!’

She picked up her phone and saw it was Liu Ergou.

Gu Qingyin really wanted to hang up and ignore him, but she had just asked him for help last night. ’Maybe there was some progress...’

Taking a deep breath, Gu Qingyin tried to answer the phone as calmly as possible. "Ergou?"

Liu Ergou was very excited. "Qing Yin! I’ve come down from the mountain to find you!"

Gu Qingyin was confused. "Have you finished investigating the matter with Xia Zelin?"

Liu Ergou was silent for two seconds. "Not yet, but I’m close."

Gu Qingyin was ruthless. "Call me when you’re done. Goodbye."

Liu Ergou: ... ’Suddenly, I’m not so happy anymore.’

She slept until past noon. When she woke up again, Gu Qingyin was in a much better mood. Seeing the victim file sent by Huo Xingye, she was able to face it with composure.

She took some time to read through the entire document and sorted the cases by priority, forming a preliminary compensation plan in her mind.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK. The door to her room was knocked on, and Huo Xinghai’s voice came through. "Mom, are you awake? It’s time to eat."

"Coming," Gu Qingyin replied. She put her phone away and went to wash up, reviewing the plan in her head.

During the meal, Gu Qingyin said, "Let’s start with the simplest part: giving away money." She took a bite of shredded potatoes, froze from how salty it was, and silently picked up her water glass to take a couple of sips before continuing. "I’ll give you a few account numbers later. You can transfer the money to them."

Huo Xinghai had no objections. "How much should I transfer?"

Gu Qingyin smiled. "That’s up to you. Transfer whatever amount you feel is appropriate."

Huo Xinghai nodded thoughtfully. Then, he also picked up a mouthful of the shredded potatoes. After chewing twice, his expression twisted. He shot up, rushed to the bathroom to spit it out, and came back to down a full glass of water.

"This food..." Gu Qingyin’s gaze swept over the slightly burnt ribs, the achingly salty shredded potatoes, and the tofu soup that was as bland as water. She asked in a peculiar tone, "Did you make this?"

Huo Xinghai was silent for two seconds before answering awkwardly, "It’s my first time. I’m not very good at it."

Gu Qingyin smiled, a genuine smile that made her eyes curve. "It’s amazing for your first time. Thank you, son." She gestured to his seat, motioning for him to sit. "Hurry up and eat."

Huo Xinghai was very embarrassed. "Don’t eat it. Let’s go out." He was about to grab the plates to throw the food away.

Gu Qingyin quickly put a hand on his. "No. This is the first time I’ve ever eaten a meal my son cooked for me. It might not be delicious, but it’s not so bad I can’t eat it. It’s just a bit salty; we just need to drink more water."

She gave a very fair assessment. "The ribs are actually pretty good. If you turn down the heat a little next time, they’ll be perfect."

Huo Xinghai felt both guilty and happy. After a moment of hesitation, he sat back down and started eating the shredded potatoes specifically.

Seeing this, Gu Qingyin also began to dig into the shredded potatoes.

In no time, the entire plate of achingly salty potatoes was gone. Anyone who didn’t know better would have thought it was some kind of heavenly delicacy.

After finishing, the mother and son both picked up their water glasses and started chugging. When the glasses were empty, they looked at each other and couldn’t help but laugh.

"We’re insane," Gu Qingyin laughed as she scolded. "You really like strong flavors, huh?"

Huo Xinghai was also at a loss for words. "I was just trying to save the good stuff for you."

In the end... no one touched the good food, but the bad food was all gone.

"Are you going to eat more?" Huo Xinghai asked.

Gu Qingyin patted her stomach and sighed helplessly. "Nope, I’m full of water."

After they cleaned up, while Huo Xinghai was busy transferring the money, Gu Qingyin saw a notification from the production team in their group chat. They were asked to host a livestream that evening to interact with the audience and introduce the new guests replacing Fu Zimo and Feng Xia.

Gu Qingyin was a little curious and replied: Who are the new guests?

Producer: The business world’s new star, Huo Zhao Hua, and his mother, Lin Xiaoyun.

Lin Xiaoyun?

Surprise flickered in Gu Qingyin’s eyes. ’It couldn’t be the one I know, could it?’

’Tsk, I remember Lin Xiaoyun married a man from a branch of the Huo Family. It was a shotgun wedding, too. Don’t tell me that child is Huo Zhao Hua?’

’If that’s true, then I can only sigh at this ill-fated connection.’

This Lin Xiaoyun had once been Gu Qingyin’s client. Feeling sorry for her plight, Gu Qingyin had taken special care of her, even bringing her home—to what was now the Huo Family’s old residence—when she learned Lin Xiaoyun had nowhere else to go.

Gu Qingyin had acted out of kindness, but Lin Xiaoyun was not one to stay in her lane.

She noticed that Gu Qingyin and Huo Yunjing had no feelings for each other and got ideas about seducing him. After being mercilessly rejected by Huo Yunjing, she then hooked up with a young master from a branch family who had come to the old residence to see Huo Yunjing on business.

Before long, she was pregnant, and by virtue of her child, she married into a wealthy family.

Although it was a slight step down in status, it was enough for her to leap across social classes and secure a life of wealth and luxury.

Later, Gu Qingyin heard bits and pieces about Lin Xiaoyun. Her husband was reasonably capable, and though he was a bit of a philanderer, Lin Xiaoyun didn’t care. As long as he didn’t cut her off financially, she ignored the rest.

Back then, Gu Qingyin had thought Lin Xiaoyun’s mental fortitude was a century ahead of her own.

’If Huo Yunjing had been fooling around while they were together, she would have packaged the scumbag and his mistress together and sent them straight to the Underworld.’

’Free of charge. No need to thank me.’