I'm Actually Panicking Because My Heart Doesn't Beat (GL) - Chapter 49

Early the next morning, Guan Xiaoxuan got out of bed.

She pulled back the curtains, letting the morning sunlight pour in—bright and warm, making everything feel cozy.

Since she woke up early for once, Guan Xiaoxuan took the pillowcases and bedding off and tossed them into the washing machine. She hoped to get them washed before school so she could hang them out to dry right after class.

She swapped the bed with a coral fleece four-piece set, since summer was coming and thick quilts were no longer needed. With the good sunlight today, she planned to air out the quilt before putting it away in the closet.

After tidying up the house with some effort, Guan Xiaoxuan made herself some sandwiches—actually, a few extra—planning to bring some over to Xing Tianqing’s place across the street.

At 7 a.m., Guan Xiaoxuan heard the door opposite open and quickly went out, just in time to meet Xing Tianqing.

Today, Xing Tianqing was wearing a black trench coat and was locking her door. She looked at Guan Xiaoxuan in surprise. “Why are you up so early today?”

“Not that early—you’re about to go to work yourself,” Guan Xiaoxuan said, taking a bag from the cabinet and handing it to her. “I made Orleans-style sandwiches this morning. I know you don’t like things too sweet, so I didn’t put too much cheese on yours. You can take it with you and eat on the way.”

Xing Tianqing walked over, took the bag, and opened it. Seeing two neatly stacked sandwiches inside, she smiled and said, “Thanks! I actually skipped breakfast. One for the morning, and one for the afternoon.”

Guan Xiaoxuan crossed her arms behind her back, blinking at her. “Captain Xing, can I ask you something? It won’t keep you from going to work, right?”

Xing Tianqing glanced at the time and said, “If it takes less than ten minutes, it won’t hold me up.”

Hearing that, Guan Xiaoxuan knew she had permission and quickly asked, “Yesterday, when Teacher Fang was giving me the theory class, she mentioned that red-clothed spirit at the bus stop. Is that the same spirit that was following me before?”

Xing Tianqing looked at her and said, “You’re learning fast—already at her case.”

Guan Xiaoxuan frowned. “So that’s real? The one that was outside my door back then was really that red-clothed spirit?”

Seeing her expression, Xing Tianqing didn’t hide it and nodded. “Yes. From the moment that spirit first showed up at your doorstep, I noticed her. I also guessed you might have accidentally wandered into her territory and caught her attention.”

“But I heard from Teacher Fang that this spirit has a really strong possessiveness. So why did she let me go?”

“It’s not that she let you go. I did some work at your doorstep.”

Xing Tianqing spoke openly to Guan Xiaoxuan. “This woman is a really troublesome spirit. Our Paranormal Bureau has been watching her for a long time, but we’ve never found an effective way to get rid of her. So this threat still hasn’t been dealt with.”

Guan Xiaoxuan was surprised. “You mean you can’t get rid of her?”

“Yes.” Xing Tianqing’s face turned serious. “Since I took this job, I’ve been trying to handle this spirit. But whether we try to surround her or drive her away, we can’t hurt her. Even if her soul is scattered, she reappears after some time.”

Guan Xiaoxuan thought for a moment and said, “Is it possible you haven’t found her original body?”

Xing Tianqing nodded. “That’s very likely. But finding her real body is quite difficult. Plus, the bureau doesn’t have enough manpower. So up to now, there’s no good way to deal with her.”

“Have you asked higher-ups for more support?” Guan Xiaoxuan asked. “Such a dangerous spirit — doesn’t anyone care?”

Xing Tianqing’s expression grew even heavier. “For now, the higher-ups want us to handle it ourselves. At most, they give us more exchange permissions and some support with B-level exchange items.”

Guan Xiaoxuan fell silent, looking at Xing Tianqing, wanting to say more but holding back.

“Alright, don’t worry too much.” Xing Tianqing reached out and rubbed Guan Xiaoxuan’s head. “Even though we can’t completely destroy her, we’ve developed ways to track her and can remove her marks. No one has gone missing under her influence lately. It’s a kind of fragile balance.”

A spirit that can’t be eliminated must be balanced — allowed to exist, but prevented from harming anyone.

Suddenly, Guan Xiaoxuan understood. “I get it. Team Leader Xing, you should get to work. I have class soon.”

Xing Tianqing nodded and smiled softly at Guan Xiaoxuan. “Don’t be too scared. I live right across from you. If anything happens, I’ll protect you.”

Guan Xiaoxuan smiled back but felt she still had to rely on herself.

Watching Xing Tianqing leave downstairs, Guan Xiaoxuan went back inside to pack her things. After breakfast, she grabbed her backpack and headed to school.

Today was another full day of classes. Everyone in class seemed dazed, and by the lunch break, Guan Xiaoxuan felt like her head was about to explode.

Her days were packed: university classes during the day, Teacher Fang’s theory lessons at night, and whole Saturdays at the Paranormal Bureau in the suburbs studying firearms and special items. It had only been two weeks, and Guan Xiaoxuan was already feeling overwhelmed.

Zhang Wen, also stressed, was organizing her notes and said to Guan Xiaoxuan, “Xiaoxuan, you look really tired lately. Are you not getting enough rest?”

“Not really.” Guan Xiaoxuan counted on her fingers. “I go to bed on time around 10 PM and get up at 7 AM. I think I sleep enough, but I’m still exhausted.”

Zhang Wen, one of Guan Xiaoxuan’s few friends, kindly reached out and touched her forehead. “You don’t have a fever, right? Apart from being tired, do you feel anything else?”

“Nothing.” Guan Xiaoxuan sat up straight. “I just feel like our schedule is too packed. They say university is supposed to be easy, but why do we have full classes all day?”

“Next semester will be better.” Zhang Wen smiled. “I heard we’ll have half as many classes, only morning sessions, and the rest of the day free. That’ll be great.”

Guan Xiaoxuan’s eyes lit up. “Really? That means next semester will be easier. Right now, I feel awful after all these classes.”

Zhang Wen nodded enthusiastically. “Me too!”

“What do you mean ‘me too’? You’re so cheerful!”

At that moment, a woman’s voice came from the door. Zhang Wen and Guan Xiaoxuan turned and saw Chen Man standing at the classroom entrance, looking relaxed as she surveyed the empty room.

Chen Man stepped in and said to Guan Xiaoxuan, “It’s already noon. Why aren’t you guys at the cafeteria eating?”

Zhang Wen was curious. She wasn’t in the same class as Chen Man, only had heard her name through gossip. Now seeing her in person, she whispered to Guan Xiaoxuan, “Xiaoxuan, do you know her?”

Guan Xiaoxuan replied calmly, “Not really. You could say she owes me her life.”

Zhang Wen blinked.

Chen Man laughed and sat down across from them. “Right, right. Strictly speaking, Guan Xiaoxuan is my lifesaver. Last time on the girls’ dorm rooftop, she saved a few people — including me.”

“Oh, that explains it.” Zhang Wen immediately understood. There had been many people on the dorm rooftop that day, and Chen Man was one of them.

Guan Xiaoxuan glanced at Chen Man and asked, “How did you know we were in this classroom? What do you want to talk about?”

Chen Man rested her head on one hand, crossing her legs. “Of course, I have something to talk to you about.”

She looked at Zhang Wen and asked curiously, “Can she listen in too?”

Guan Xiaoxuan frowned. Her connection with Chen Man was through the paranormal forum, so whatever Chen Man wanted to say probably wasn’t something an ordinary person like Zhang Wen should hear.

“Zhang Wen, go ahead and eat. Chen Man and I have something to discuss.” Guan Xiaoxuan said firmly. “What we talk about isn’t safe for you.”

Zhang Wen wasn’t stupid. She’d experienced paranormal events and knew Guan Xiaoxuan’s interest in them. Being an ordinary, cautious person, she naturally wanted to stay far away. She gathered her things and told Guan Xiaoxuan, “I’ll save you a spot in the cafeteria. Hurry back once you’re done.”

After Zhang Wen left, Chen Man turned her full attention to Guan Xiaoxuan. “I didn’t expect you’d care so much about this girl. Does she have special abilities?”

“Don’t ask nonsense.” Guan Xiaoxuan disliked Chen Man’s arrogant tone and replied seriously, “Zhang Wen is just a normal person. She doesn’t have any special powers.”

“Oh? You actually want to be friends with an ordinary person?” Chen Man sighed softly. “I know you’re very powerful. Why don’t you team up with me? I promise you won’t be treated unfairly.”

Guan Xiaoxuan said lightly, “No thanks.”

Chen Man smiled. “Don’t rush to refuse. Let me finish explaining first. You might change your mind.”

Guan Xiaoxuan looked at Chen Man calmly. “I think you’ve picked the wrong person. I’m just an ordinary girl. I barely have any ability to protect myself. If you want me, you’ve made a mistake.”

“But I heard you’re close with the Paranormal Bureau people recently.” Chen Man studied Guan Xiaoxuan’s expression. “Are you trying to become an unofficial member?”

Guan Xiaoxuan was slightly shocked inside but kept her calm face. After looking at Chen Man for a long moment, she asked, “How do you know?”

“Never mind how I know,” Chen Man laughed. “Being unofficial staff at the bureau has its perks, but you’re still working for someone else. It’s better to work alone—you make money faster.”

She pulled out her phone, opened the photo album, and showed Guan Xiaoxuan some pictures. “Look, these are the spirits my team and I handled in the past few days. High drop rates. One special item sold for three million.”

Guan Xiaoxuan looked at the photos, unclear how they were taken. They showed messy, random places. One photo was of a three-million-yuan check, signed by someone named Jin.