The Mighty Mage
Chapter 356: Therapy

Chapter 356: Chapter 356: Therapy

Mrs. Gu blinked, surprised by the request, but her surprise quickly turned into a gentle laugh. "Is that all? Of course, sweetheart. I’d love to."

Gu Jin felt a warmth spread through her chest. It was a simple thing, but it meant the world to her.

Before either of them could say more, there was a knock at the door.

"I’ll get it," Gu Jin said, getting up.

She opened the door to find Gu Jichun standing there, clutching a pillow to her chest.

The younger girl looked hesitant, her cheeks slightly red.

"Can I..." Jichun began, glancing at Gu Jin nervously. "Can I sleep with you tonight too?"

Gu Jin blinked in surprise but then smiled. "Of course, come in."

Jichun’s face lit up as she stepped into the room.

She climbed onto the bed, settling in beside her mother with her pillow.

The sight of the three of them together made Gu Jin’s heart feel lighter.

Mrs. Gu laughed softly as she made room for both her daughters.

"Looks like it’s going to be a girls’ night."

Gu Jin nodded, a rare smile gracing her lips.

Meanwhile, in the master bedroom, Mr. Gu sat alone on the edge of his bed, sulking like a child.

He glanced at the empty side of the bed and let out a dramatic sigh.

"My own wife... abandoned me for the kids," he muttered to himself.

He glanced at the clock, then at the door, as if hoping Mrs. Gu would walk in.

But when no one came, he sighed again, leaning back against the pillows.

"I guess this is the life of a father," he said, though the pout on his face suggested he wasn’t quite accepting it yet.

With a thought in his mind, he stood up and walked up to Gu Jin’s room. After hesitating for a while, he lifted his hand and knocked on the door.

Gu Jin heard the knock on the door and frowned. "Who is it now?" she muttered, getting up again. She opened the door to find Mr. Gu standing there, looking a little awkward.

"Uh... what are you doing here, Dad?" Gu Jin asked, tilting her head.

Mr. Gu cleared his throat, avoiding her eyes. "I was just... checking on you all. It’s late, and I thought you might need something."

Gu Jin squinted at him, clearly not convinced. "We’re fine, Dad. You should go to bed."

Behind her, Mrs. Gu peeked out from the bed, amused. "What’s wrong, dear? Can’t sleep without me?"

Mr. Gu coughed, his face turning slightly red. "Of course I can sleep! I was just... making sure you’re comfortable."

Jichun giggled, hugging her pillow. "Dad, do you want to sleep here too?"

Mr. Gu’s ears turned even redder. "I didn’t say that!"

Mrs. Gu laughed softly and waved him off. "Go back to your room, honey. We’re having a girls’ night."

Mr. Gu sighed dramatically, putting a hand on his chest as if he’d been deeply hurt. "So this is how it feels to be left out."

Gu Jin rolled her eyes. "Goodnight, Dad." She gently pushed the door shut, leaving Mr. Gu standing in the hallway.

Inside, the three of them burst out laughing.

"Poor Dad," Jichun said between giggles. "He looked so lonely."

Gu Jin climbed back into bed, still smiling.

"Goodnight, Mom. Goodnight, Jichun," she said softly, her voice filled with contentment.

"Goodnight, Jin," they both replied and soon the room was filled with the quiet sound of peaceful breathing.

Outside, Mr. Gu walked back to his room, muttering to himself, "Next time, I’m claiming my spot."

Unconsciously he walked up to Gu Jihu’s room and after hesitating for a while, he knocked on the door.

Gu Jihu opened the door and was confused to see Mr. Gu standing outside his room.

"Do you want anything?" He asked.

Mr. Gu’s expression turned sour. Sons are truly distasteful. Even though his son only said four words, he already feels disgusted for him.

Yet thinking, how his son was alone, just like him, he decided to be merciful and generous.

"Do you want me...to sleep with you?" He asked.

Gu Jihu blinked, completely caught off guard. He stared at Mr. Gu for a moment before bursting into laughter.

"You want to sleep with me?" Jihu asked, leaning against the doorframe as he tried to stop laughing.

Mr. Gu’s face turned red, and he crossed his arms.

"What’s so funny? I’m offering to keep you company. You should feel honored!"

Jihu wiped a tear from his eye, still grinning.

"Honored? Dad, you’re acting like a kid who didn’t get invited to a birthday party."

Mr. Gu’s expression darkened, and he pointed a finger at Jihu.

"Watch your tone, young man! Do you want me here or not?"

Jihu shrugged, stepping aside to let him in.

"Sure, why not? Come in, Dad."

Mr. Gu walked in, still grumbling under his breath.

He glanced around the room and then frowned at the single bed.

"This bed is too small for both of us."

"Then maybe you shouldn’t have offered to sleep here," Jihu teased, flopping onto the bed and patting the empty space beside him.

Mr. Gu sighed dramatically and sat down on the edge of the bed. "I just didn’t feel like being alone tonight. Is that so bad?"

Jihu’s grin softened into a genuine smile. "It’s not bad, Dad. You’re just... lonely, huh?"

Mr. Gu didn’t respond right away, but his shoulders slumped a little. "Your mom and sisters kicked me out," he admitted quietly.

Jihu chuckled. "Yeah, I figured. But hey, you’ve got me. We can have a father-son sleepover. How’s that?"

Mr. Gu perked up slightly, though he tried to hide it. "Sleepover? Hmph. Fine. But I’m taking the blanket."

Jihu rolled his eyes and tossed the blanket over both of them. "Happy now?"

Mr. Gu lay down stiffly, muttering, "This is the first and last time I’m doing this."

"Sure, Dad," Jihu said, turning off the bedside lamp. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight," Mr. Gu replied, his voice softer now.

For a moment, the room was quiet. Then, Mr. Gu spoke again.

"Jihu?"

"Yeah?"

"You’re not... too old for this, are you?"

Jihu smirked in the dark. "Nah, Dad. You’re never too old for family."

Mr. Gu smiled to himself, his heart feeling lighter. "Good answer."

Soon Mr. Gu fell asleep. Unknown to him, Gu Jihu stared at Mr. Gu with a wistful expression.

In his past life, he had too many traumas. It took him a lot of therapy in this life to get over those traumas.

Hence he didn’t bond with Mr. Gu of the magic world too much.

He couldn’t bring himself to. He was resentful towards Mr. Gu because Mr. Gu didn’t care for him when he, Gu Jihu, was suffering.

He was resentful for not having a formal status. He was the illegitimate child destined to be hidden in the shadows.

He was resentful because he never felt Mr. Gu loved him.

But in this life, he was Mr. Gu’s legitimate child, and Mr. Gu loved him.

Things were different.

This Mr. Gu wasn’t perfect—he was awkward, dramatic, and sometimes embarrassing—but he tried. And that effort, as small as it seemed, meant everything.

Jihu turned his head to look at his dad’s sleeping face.

The lines on Mr. Gu’s forehead were relaxed, and he looked almost peaceful.

"Do you even realize how lucky you are, Dad?" Jihu whispered softly, his voice barely audible. "You got to start over. I didn’t... not really."

He swallowed the lump forming in his throat.

This life was a second chance, and he knew he should let go of the resentment.

But it wasn’t easy.

The pain from his past still lingered, like a shadow that wouldn’t leave.

He hoped one day he would get over the pain completely.

Suddenly he thought of Gu Jin and his expression turned serious.

Gu Jin needs therapy too. She couldn’t cry...no...the main problem was...she had built a wall around her heart causing her to feel as if she was emotionless.

In reality though...

She was too quiet, too distant. It reminded him of himself in his past life—always pretending to be fine, even when everything hurt.

Gu Jihu sighed and decided to convince his sister to undergo therapy.

He glanced at his dad, who was still snoring lightly.

A small smile tugged at Jihu’s lips. Maybe this life wasn’t perfect, but it gave him chances he never had before.

He wasn’t going to waste them.

The next morning, the Gu household was lively as usual. Mrs. Gu was making breakfast, Mr. Gu was reading the newspaper and grumbling about something, and Jichun was helping set the table.

Gu Jin sat quietly on the couch, scrolling through her phone.

Jihu walked over and plopped down beside her. "Hey, Jin."

She looked up, raising an eyebrow. "What?"

"You ever think about... talking to someone? Like a therapist?" he asked, keeping his tone light.

Gu Jin froze, her eyes narrowing. "Why? Do you think there’s something wrong with me?"

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