The Bodyguard King’s CEO Wife Chapter 1823: Guilt

"Well... I don’t know much about it, mainly because he never talked about it in detail," Ji Qian brushed it off casually, and Su Qingyu did not press further. After all, this was Ye Shikai’s private matter, and she was now his ex-wife; digging into details would be highly inappropriate.

"I can’t believe you traveled through time and still managed to get so entangled, even marrying an ancient lady. I really want to see what she looks like," Su Qingyu joked, making the two people across from her feel "a chill down their spine."

"Qingyu, the situation isn’t like you think."

"Alright, you don’t need to say more. I’m just curious about these things, and if you don’t want to talk, I don’t mind. Besides, this is your privacy," Su Qingyu said lightly.

"Alright then, I won’t say anything," Ye Shikai replied like a deflated ball; he didn’t know how to explain and wasn’t sure if he should.

Ye Shikai kept glancing over at Ji Qian now and then, and she did the same, stealing glances at Ye Shikai. The two unintentionally caught each other’s eyes and immediately avoided eye contact, creating an awkward atmosphere.

"I have some matters to attend to; I’ll be back soon. Just wait here for a while," Su Qingyu said while checking her phone, slowly standing up and leaving the office, leaving Ye Shikai and Ji Qian alone.

"Why did you come?" Ji Qian asked immediately after Su Qingyu left, speaking in a hushed tone, afraid that people outside might hear.

"Last time in Linxian, she came to find me, so this time I’ve returned to express my gratitude," Ye Shikai quickly explained.

"Then why did you come?"

"Qingyu and I have always had business cooperation; I’m here to deliver documents. Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?" Ji Qian retorted.

"How could I have known we’d meet like this?"

After a brief silence, Ye Shikai sighed deeply. Ever since he and Ji Qian left He Linghan’s tomb, they barely spoke. There was a misunderstanding between them, and it would be awkward every time they met if it wasn’t cleared up.

"Qian, are you still avoiding me because of Ling’er?" Ye Shikai continued, "I’ve forgiven you for that matter; you were also under the Enchantment of the Other Shore Flower in Kunlun Secret Realm that day."

Ji Qian didn’t respond, merely lowered her head in silence. It was now about whether Ye Shikai forgave her or not but her inability to forgive herself. She was still blaming herself since her actions that day deprived Ye Shikai of another chance to meet He Linghan.

It’s easy to forgive others, but not so easy to forgive oneself...

During this time, Ye Shikai had contemplated many things. For him, whether traveling back or staying in the modern era, there were gains and losses. Since fate decided for him to remain here, he couldn’t keep on feeling sad. Otherwise, even if He Linghan were alive, he’d never wish Ye Shikai to become despondent.

But Ji Qian was clearly still trapped in self-blame, silent, without a word, causing concern for Ye Shikai; they couldn’t remain in a cold relationship forever.

"You really shouldn’t blame yourself; I’m quite satisfied with my current life."

"Are you really... satisfied?" Ji Qian questioned.

"Of course," Ye Shikai turned his head, "Though living with Xin involves inevitable quarrels big and small, that’s life, isn’t it? At least, I don’t find it bad now."

"So there’s absolutely no need to blame yourself for it; I’ve already lost Ling’er and don’t want to lose anyone else," Ye Shikai said lightly.

"What are you guys talking about?" At this moment, Su Qingyu returned. Although unsure of what had transpired, she could sense a subtle change in the relationship between Ye Shikai and Ji Qian.

"Nothing."

"By the way, what are you doing now?" Su Qingyu sat back on the sofa, curiously asking, for Ye Shikai had been elusive these days, leaving everyone puzzled about his actions.

"Nothing significant," Ye Shikai evaded.

"I heard from Zhang Ting that you’re helping her with a case," Su Qingyu continued.

"Zhang Ting, that blabbermouth, says everything," Ye Shikai mumbled, complaining.

"Don’t blame her. It was actually me who asked her," Su Qingyu explained. It surprised Ye Shikai that Su Qingyu actively inquired about his situation with Zhang Ting.

"Your behavior in Linxian last time made me genuinely think you were mentally unstable, so I asked to clarify,"

"So that’s how it is," Ye Shikai rolled his eyes, realizing Su Qingyu was worried he had ’mental issues,’ which was understandable. That day was when he had just returned to the modern world and couldn’t yet adjust, with his mind full of He Linghan’s thoughts, appearing crazy to outsiders.

"You are working on a case," Ji Qian asked from the side.

"Yeah, I’m back in Yanjing, and everything at Netherworld Palace is managed by Nightmare. I’m idle daily; I need to find something to do,"

"But Zhang Ting can’t find an amateur to help, can she? Do you know how to solve a case?" Su Qingyu teased.

"Solving cases is the police’s job; I’m just assisting by analyzing clues. Besides, though I haven’t studied criminal investigation, I have learned investigation and intelligence searching."

"What case is it?" Ji Qian asked curiously.

"Well, it’s not convenient to say, but rest assured, everything is under control."

........................

Police Station.

"That guy surnamed Ye runs off so fast when things happen, leaving me alone to go through documents," Zhang Ting muttered, clearly with a tone of complaint; with the case at a bottleneck, there’s nothing else to do. Despite the few major cases the serious crime unit handles, each is a big deal with enormous workloads. With Ye Shikai not coming to the station these past couple of days, all tasks naturally fell on her shoulders.

"Ting, are you still worried about the serial disappearance case?" At this moment, a female officer sat beside her, Zhang Ting’s colleague, who joined the force several years after her.

"Of course, it’s a major case, so many people have disappeared, and we’ve got to get to the bottom of it," Zhang Ting responded angrily.

"But what if there’re no leads now?"

"No leads means we have to look for them. Can we not check at all if there’re no leads?"

"Come on, all the clues are burned to ashes; what’s left to find?" The young officer complained softly.

"You little rascal, hurry and investigate. You’re talking so much—are you too idle lately?"

"Heehee, by the way, Ting, recently other cities seem to have reported missing persons cases too. Could it be the same gang?"

"Is that so? I’ll check it out."