I'm Actually Panicking Because My Heart Doesn't Beat (GL) - Chapter 75

In the end, Guan Xiaoxuan agreed to Jin Cheng’s request and was willing to take in the woman in red.

“Then you two should exchange names first,” Jin Cheng said happily to Guan Xiaoxuan. “Only after exchanging names will she recognize you as her master and form an unbreakable contract with you.”

Guan Xiaoxuan looked down at the woman and was the first to speak: “My name is Guan Xiaoxuan. What’s your name?”

The woman looked up at her, opened her bl00d-stained lips slowly, and said, [Song Yi].

“Song Yi? Is that your name?” Guan Xiaoxuan remembered the two characters and said to her, “I agree to take you in, but you have to promise not to hurt me. Otherwise, I can’t keep you by my side.”

[Take me in…]

The woman seemed to hear the three words she wanted to hear. Her eyes softened, and she smiled broadly at Guan Xiaoxuan: [Okay…]

Jin Cheng stood quietly to the side. After hearing the two exchange names, he waved his hand, sprinkling a bunch of tiny sparkling things. Guan Xiaoxuan didn’t know what they were, but the glittering specks, like fireflies, fell over the woman.

The black burns all disappeared. The woman sat down by Guan Xiaoxuan’s feet. Although she was still wet all over, she no longer looked fierce. Her face was very fair, actually quite beautiful.

Song Yi looked at Guan Xiaoxuan, smiled softly, then closed her eyes and merged into Guan Xiaoxuan’s shadow.

When Song Yi merged into the shadow, Guan Xiaoxuan felt a strange sensation. Although she couldn’t actually feel the shadow’s presence, she inexplicably knew something was there. She knew Song Yi was now inside her shadow, guarding her.

The feeling was very strange.

Jin Cheng watched this and then walked up to Guan Xiaoxuan. “From now on, she’ll live in your shadow. Whenever you’re in danger, just call her name, and she’ll appear to protect you, becoming your weapon.”

Guan Xiaoxuan nodded. After a moment, she asked, “Is that it?”

Jin Cheng smiled. “What, you want more?”

“No, it’s just a little sudden,” Guan Xiaoxuan said, looking at her shadow. She thought about how this morning she was panicking and running around asking for help, and now it was all over in an instant. Not only was she still alive, but she also got a powerful “weapon.”

Though she had sacrificed half her soul in the deal, Guan Xiaoxuan didn’t feel anything strange. It was like she had taken a walk through the fog, and when she came back, Jin Cheng had solved everything.

It was kind of magical — like winning without lifting a finger when you have a big shot on your side.

Jin Cheng shrugged and said to Guan Xiaoxuan, “Don’t go home tonight. Stay here and rest. Because of the lingering effects, even if you go home, no one will see you. It’s better to get a good rest. By tomorrow morning when the sun rises, everything will be back to normal.”

Guan Xiaoxuan nodded and asked, “Can I message Xing Tianqing now?”

“Of course,” Jin Cheng replied. Then he thought for a moment and added, “But you definitely need to report this to her. I suggest you put all the responsibility on me and tell the truth.”

He glanced at Guan Xiaoxuan’s shadow again. “But you better keep quiet about the strange things inside your shadow. Otherwise, you’ll have a lot more trouble later.”

Guan Xiaoxuan thought for a moment, then said, “Then I’ll tell the truth. I’ll say Song Yi was dealt with by you, and I only kept this life.”

Jin Cheng smiled. “Actually, it doesn’t really matter whether you say it or not. They’ll find out sooner or later.”

“You mean the altar in the fog?”

“Not just the altar, but also our gods.”

Guan Xiaoxuan’s eyelid twitched at those words. She frowned and looked at Jin Cheng, asking, “Our gods?”

“Yes, our gods.” Jin Cheng gave her a meaningful glance and continued, “Go back and rest. Your troubles are just beginning tomorrow.”

After staying overnight at Jin Cheng’s house, Guan Xiaoxuan only came out of the bedroom the next morning.

The housekeeper saw her and said, “Breakfast is ready for Miss. Would you like to eat now?”

Standing on the stairs, Guan Xiaoxuan was momentarily stunned hearing this. She felt like she was the lady of the house, which felt strange.

“I’ll eat now.” Guan Xiaoxuan came downstairs and said to Auntie Cui, “Auntie, can I ask you something?”

Auntie Cui smiled kindly. “Go ahead.”

“Yesterday, you led me upstairs, but how could you see me?” Guan Xiaoxuan asked, confused. Even Xing Tianqing couldn’t see her, so she didn’t understand why the servants at Jin Cheng’s villa could.

That was strange.

Auntie Cui smiled and said, “Actually, everyone in this villa except for the master is… unusual.”

Guan Xiaoxuan’s eyes widened in surprise. “You too?”

“Yes. I and another housekeeper are both dead. The master allowed us to stay here, gave us a place to live and work.” Auntie Cui explained, “We serve this family. Ordinary people can see us but don’t know we’re dead. It sounds scary, I know, but don’t worry—we won’t hurt you.”

Guan Xiaoxuan was stunned for a long time before nodding. “Boss Jin is really something.”

Auntie Cui just smiled and led Guan Xiaoxuan to the dining room, where breakfast was prepared: steamed buns and spicy soup.

“The master likes Western food, but considering your taste, we prepared a Chinese breakfast today.” Auntie Cui said, “The master went out today. He said if you’re rested, you can leave anytime. Just contact him directly or come back here to see him. The property management already has your info on file, so you can come anytime.”

Guan Xiaoxuan asked curiously, “Why would the property management register my info?”

Auntie Cui shook her head with a smile, saying she didn’t know.

It was all a bit strange, but Guan Xiaoxuan just frowned slightly and didn’t think much of it.

After breakfast, Guan Xiaoxuan found her phone, which had been turned off. She charged it a little and switched it on, seeing dozens of missed calls from Xing Tianqing and her colleagues. Guan Xiaoxuan sighed helplessly, took a deep breath, and called back.

Xing Tianqing answered quickly after a few rings.

She didn’t say anything at first. Guan Xiaoxuan waited a long moment before speaking, “Captain Xing, it’s me.”

“Guan Xiaoxuan?” Xing Tianqing’s voice sounded anxious. “Are you okay? Why didn’t you answer my calls or texts yesterday? I told you to stay home and not go out—why didn’t you listen?”

Before Guan Xiaoxuan could reply, someone nearby interrupted, saying, “Captain Xing, don’t be mad,” and “It’s good the person was found.” Then they turned to Guan Xiaoxuan and asked, “Xiaoxuan, I’m Qiu Nan. We’ve been looking for you day and night. Where have you been? Are you safe?”

“I’m very safe,” Guan Xiaoxuan said. “And that red-dressed ghost has been dealt with. Don’t worry about me.”

Her words caused an uproar on the other side.

“What happened? How was it suddenly dealt with?”

“Who helped you? Did you do it yourself?”

“Did that red ghost come after you yesterday? Are you hurt?”

Before Guan Xiaoxuan could respond, Xing Tianqing shouted into the phone, “You come back now!”

Guan Xiaoxuan smiled bitterly. “Okay, I’m heading back to the office now. Wait for me.”

After hanging up, she charged her phone a bit more, said goodbye to Auntie Cui, and left the villa. She took a shared bike at the gate and rode toward the office.

Forty minutes later, Guan Xiaoxuan arrived.

From afar, she saw Xing Tianqing and a group standing at the entrance. Calmly, Guan Xiaoxuan returned the bike across the street, waited for the traffic light, then walked up to them.

Xing Tianqing’s eyes had clear dark circles underneath. She looked anxious and her gaze flickered. She hurried over and grabbed Guan Xiaoxuan’s shoulders.

“Where did you go?!” Xing Tianqing asked sharply, “Do you know how worried I was?”

Guan Xiaoxuan was momentarily stunned by her sharp tone but softened when she saw Xing Tianqing’s red eyes. She smiled helplessly, “I came back safe, didn’t I? Don’t be so angry.”

Xing Tianqing sized her up from head to toe and even asked her to turn around twice for a check. Guan Xiaoxuan did as told.

After confirming Guan Xiaoxuan was unharmed, Xing Tianqing’s expression turned serious. “What exactly happened yesterday? Why did you suddenly disappear?”

“It’s complicated,” Guan Xiaoxuan said. “Let’s go inside. I’ll explain everything slowly.”

Back at the office, Guan Xiaoxuan told Xing Tianqing everything that happened the whole day yesterday—how she got Jin Cheng’s contact from Chen Man, how she carried a lantern into the fog looking for the altar—everything in detail.

She left out the part about Song Yi becoming her weapon. Things were already complicated enough. If Xing Tianqing found out she was hiding something else, it would be hard to explain.

Xing Tianqing’s face darkened after hearing the story. There was no one else present, just the two of them. After thinking for a long time, she said, “I have to report this to the higher-ups. Don’t tell anyone. Keep it a secret.”

Guan Xiaoxuan nodded. “I will.”

After handling the serious matter, Xing Tianqing looked at her and hesitated a moment before saying, “You stayed last night at that man named Jin Cheng’s house?”

“Yes.” Guan Xiaoxuan quickly explained to avoid misunderstandings, “I stayed in the guest room on the second floor. When I woke up this morning, he had already left. I ate breakfast before leaving.”

Xing Tianqing’s expression softened a bit. “Next time, whatever you decide, tell me in advance. Don’t act so impulsively—I worry about you.”

“Okay.” Guan Xiaoxuan smiled genuinely, “I’ll tell you next time so you won’t worry.”

Xing Tianqing’s face relaxed and looked at Guan Xiaoxuan kindly. “Anyway, it’s all settled now. I’ll contact Jin Cheng today. You should go home and rest well.”

Guan Xiaoxuan nodded, stood up, and said, “I’ll go home first. See you tonight.”