Qin Xiansheng followed Cheng Yinxiang into the room. Gu Qin was just serving breakfast, a fragrant bowl of millet porridge. Gu Jia hadn't left yet and was helping to serve the dishes. Seeing Qin Xiansheng, he was momentarily stunned, not knowing who this person was.
Gu Qin introduced him to everyone, "This is Qin Xiansheng, my friend, and we are in the same profession."
Qin Xiansheng placed the gift on the table and said gently, "I am Ahqin's friend. Auntie, Jiajia, hello."
Gu Jia nodded and greeted him warmly, calling him Brother Qin.
Cheng Yinxiang didn't expect this person to be Ahqin's colleague. She glanced at him suspiciously, wondering if he was Ahqin's master. After all, she had never seen another feng shui master like Ahqin. However, this young man seemed too young, appearing to be in his twenties. Ahqin's master wouldn't be so young, no matter how she looked at it.
Gu Qin asked Qin Xiansheng, "Have you eaten? Do you need an extra set of chopsticks?"
Qin Xiansheng smiled and nodded. Gu Qin added an extra set of chopsticks and sat down with Gu Jiaren to have breakfast together. Cheng Yinxiang was quite curious about Qin Xiansheng, feeling that his gaze toward her daughter was a bit odd. How could it be? Too gentle. Every time he looked at Ahqin, his gaze was too gentle, but when he looked at her and Jiajia, although he was smiling, his expression was different.
After breakfast, Gu Jia went to school, and Cheng Yinxiang also needed to go out. She looked at Qin Xiansheng hesitantly, then asked, "Mr. Qin, how long do you plan to stay? Why don't I stay here to keep you company? If you're having lunch here, I can go buy some groceries."
Qin Xiansheng said, "Auntie, there's no need to trouble yourself. Auntie, go about your own business. I'll talk to Ahqin and leave soon."
Cheng Yinxiang eventually left. She had been busy these days and might return very late tonight. She gave Ahqin some instructions and apologized to Qin Xiansheng before leaving. Only Gu Qin and Qin Xiansheng were left in the room.
They chatted for a while, and then Gu Qin mentioned what happened at her grandmother's house. "When I went back to my grandmother's house, I helped the police solve a case. The suspect was somewhat unusual, likely someone from the realm of the occult, but not a proper practitioner. Instead, he practiced something akin to the female method of yin-yang cultivation. Xiansheng, are there still many people in this world or era who practice such arts?"
Qin Xiansheng listened in silence, recalling some past events. He told Gu Qin, "If you encounter something like this again, tell me. I will help you. Don't deal with it alone. That person's cultivation level should not be underestimated."
Gu Qin nodded and smiled. "It's at the later stage of refining essence and qi. But you forgot? I have Liuguang."
Qin Xiansheng couldn't help but stroke her hair gently, smiling. "Indeed, I almost forgot. You have Liuguang." Liuguang was a Tier 2 magical weapon, naturally capable of dealing with someone at the later stage of refining essence and qi.
Seeing that Qin Xiansheng didn't seem to understand Song Langtian's situation either, Gu Qin didn't say much more. They talked for a while longer, and Qin Xiansheng forced himself to get up and leave.
Gu Qin had to start school the next day. In the afternoon, with no interruptions, she reviewed her lessons and spent some time online before resting.
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The next day, she went to school early. Today was the first day of school, and when she arrived at the classroom, many students were already there. Lin Xinxin arrived shortly after her, with some sweat on her head, indicating she had been persistently exercising. Lin Xinxin's exercise routine was even more intense than Gu Jia's, as she planned to join the military, whereas Gu Jia simply wanted to change her physique.
Lin Xinxin immediately started whispering to Gu Qin about her winter vacation experiences. They chatted quietly together.
As more classmates arrived, their homeroom teacher, Zhu Xia, entered the room with a radiant face and a smile. She seemed excited. Zhu Xia said, "There's a piece of good news the school will announce later. If we start the meeting now, please line up and go to the school hall."
Gu Qin wasn't too focused on what the good news was, but she followed the other students to the school hall. All classes had gathered, and it was a bit noisy. The homeroom teachers began to organize the students.
Soon, the principal and vice-principal arrived. Both looked excited. Once the class formations were organized, Principal Tian Yinhua took the microphone and spoke. "Today is the first day of school for the senior and junior high school students. As usual, we'll hold a school assembly. Usually, you'd probably fall asleep listening to me, so..."
The students laughed. Tian Yinhua's expression turned serious. "Actually, there's another matter I need to inform you about."
As the principal's serious demeanor settled in, the students gradually stopped laughing. Tian Yinhua continued, "A few days ago, two parents came to the school and presented us with a banner, saying that a student from our school had helped them by retrieving their child who had been kidnapped..."
Hearing this, Gu Qin couldn't help but feel a jolt. She thought, "Oh no, please don't let it be me. I've already attracted enough attention at school." Sure enough, Tian Yinhua continued, "The student who performed this act of bravery is Gu Qin from Class 17. During her winter break, she..."
The principal vividly recounted Gu Qin's rescue of Zai Zai. Gu Qin blushed slightly as the students murmured among themselves, glancing over at their class. Lin Xinxin wasn't surprised; Gu Qin's actions now were typical of her, but her previous weakness made her seem strong and kind.
The principal spoke at length, then seemed to want Gu Qin to speak up. Gu Qin shook her head vigorously. Seeing her gesture, the principal didn't insist further. "Since Gu Qin doesn't like being in the spotlight, we won't ask her to speak. However, the banner is for her, so it will be hung in Class 17."
The students clapped, with Class 17 cheering particularly loudly. Afterward, the principal concluded the assembly.
Back in the classroom, the homeroom teacher was still excited and praised Gu Qin once more before beginning the lesson on the semester's tasks.
After school, Gu Qin and Lin Xinxin returned home together. Gu Qin walked slowly, arriving home just as Gu Jia got back. Cheng Yinxiang hadn't returned yet. Gu Qin went to the kitchen to cook dinner, with Gu Jia helping by washing vegetables and such.
Seeing Gu Qin working diligently, Gu Jia couldn't help but ask, "Qin Qin, who was that man who visited yesterday?"
Gu Qin didn't turn around. "Consider him a colleague, also someone in the realm of the occult, and a friend who has done me a significant favor. Why are you asking?"
Gu Jia couldn't help but sigh. The man's gaze toward his sister was clearly inappropriate, though she didn't seem to notice. This man must like her and be pursuing her, but she was completely oblivious. He intended to warn her, as she was too young to start dating. Moreover, this man was quite impressive.
"Qin Qin, can't you see?" Gu Jia asked.
Gu Qin finally turned to look at him. "See what?"
Gu Jia washed vegetables while saying, "That man likes you. His gaze is noticeably different. Have you met him only a few times? Is he trustworthy? What does his family do?"
Does he like me? Gu Qin finally snapped out of it, her eyes gradually clearing. She hadn't realized that Qin Xiansheng liked her. Having experienced two lifetimes without any emotional entanglements, she was rather slow in this area, but she never imagined hearing such words from Gu Jia.
She wasn't very adept at relationships, but she believed Gu Jia's words. Recalling their first meeting, the auction of Liuguang, where they were the last ones remaining, he initially didn't intend to give up bidding. As a fellow practitioner, he should have known how precious Liuguang was, yet after seeing her, he paused for a moment and then withdrew from the auction.
And they didn't even know each other, yet he followed her up the mountain and helped her subdue Liuguang.
Recalling these events, they indeed seemed odd unless he liked her, making sense of his actions.
Moreover, it seems like he fell for her at first sight. Gu Qin raised an eyebrow, feeling neither repulsed nor annoyed, but rather calm.