The moment those words were spoken—
Thump!
Thump!
The girls raised their heads. Bai Qinglan, the girl who had shouted the loudest earlier, clutched her chest and stared blankly at Gu Yan.
Good… good children…
No one had ever said those words to her before.
A faint blush spread across several faces at once. One by one, they lowered their heads, looking embarrassed.
Seeing this, Gu Yan sighed inwardly.
In truth, none of them had deep-rooted problems. What they lacked was simply proper guidance. If the original plot had played out, many of their fates would have been tragic.
After all, Yan Ling'er's friends came from influential families. They had status, they had potential. But because no one cared for them properly, they ended up like this.
Gu Yan softened his tone.
"Alright, I'll have someone send you all back. And remember—don't skip class just to sing karaoke again."
His voice was no longer as harsh as before.
"Mn… thank you."
"Thank you, brother-in-law."
"Me! Me, me!!"
Bai Qinglan suddenly raised her hand, cheeks flushed, looking at Gu Yan expectantly.
"If I get into college, Sister Ling'er's brother-in-law… can you grant me one wish?"
Gu Yan chuckled helplessly. This little devil…
He shook his head and replied with a half-smile, "If you're going to ask me to be your boyfriend, then forget it."
Bai Qinglan instantly deflated. She pouted.
"Oh…"
So she really was thinking that?!
The corner of Gu Yan's mouth twitched. No way… just how precocious are these kids? Back when I was in middle school, I didn't even know what love felt like!
"Qinglan! I told you not to go after my brother-in-law!" Yan Ling'er immediately snapped, his tone protective.
Gu Yan couldn't help but find it amusing.
"Alright, alright. Ling'er, you and Lao Gao head back first. I need to handle the aftermath here." He patted Ling'er's head with a chuckle.
"Eh? You're not coming back with me?"
Ling'er's worry was obvious in his tone.
"Not yet. Don't worry, just leave this to me. What you need to do is focus on school from now on." Gu Yan's eyes darkened slightly as he added, "Besides… there's something I need to deal with concerning this person."
As he spoke, he turned his gaze toward the door—where someone had just walked in.
"Gu Yan! What did you do to my brother?!"
A cold, furious voice rang out.
Su Wan'er had rushed over straight from her company after receiving a message from Su Tian's friends. And now, walking into the KTV private room, she froze at the sight before her eyes.
Her brother lay limp and broken on the ground.
For a moment, her breath hitched sharply.
Tall, elegant, breathtakingly beautiful—she was the kind of woman who could draw every eye in the room the moment she appeared.
Yan Ling'er instantly grew tense. His hand tightened around Gu Yan's, his gaze wary.
"Who are you?!"
"Who are you?!" Su Wan'er shot back furiously, her chest heaving. Her eyes swept across the room—middle school kids everywhere, yet her brother was lying beaten.
Finally, her gaze locked onto Gu Yan.
She didn't know what had really happened. But in her mind, there was only one answer—this was all Gu Yan's doing!
"Gu Yan! What did you do to my brother?! Answer me! Why did you do this?!"
"I can't believe you. You, a dignified young mas—"
"Shut up. You're too noisy."
Gu Yan's cold voice cut her off without mercy.
Su Wan'er froze on the spot. His annoyed, indifferent gaze pierced through her, leaving her dazed.
Gu Yan didn't spare her another glance. She was just another piece in his plan.
Instead, he turned back to the group of kids, his tone soft again.
"You guys go on ahead. I still have things to take care of here."
Sensing the sudden shift in atmosphere, Bai Qinglan knew they shouldn't linger.
"Ling'er, let's go."
"Yeah, Ling'er, let's go first."
The others urged him.
But Yan Ling'er didn't want to leave.
The way this woman looked at Gu Yan made his heart clench. He had a guess as to who she was.
What if… what if she seduces him? What if Gu Yan falls for her?
Before, Ling'er had secretly hoped his sister and Gu Yan would separate. But now… now the thought of Gu Yan falling for another woman made him inexplicably restless.
"Brother-in-law…"
Ling'er's voice carried his worry. After all, standing before them was Su Wan'er—the most beautiful woman in all of Sichuan. With her noble aura and first-love charm, she could captivate anyone at a glance.
Compared to her, his sister was disfigured. What if Gu Yan…
But Gu Yan only shook his head and chuckled.
"Wait until I get back."
For some reason, that simple answer eased Ling'er's heart.
He nodded firmly, then glared fiercely at Su Wan'er before finally releasing Gu Yan's hand and leaving with the others.
And just like that, the room fell silent.
Only three remained: Gu Yan, Su Wan'er, and Su Tian's ruined figure on the floor.
"He called you brother-in-law? Who was that boy?"
Su Wan'er had clearly heard Yan Ling'er's words. A strange, nameless anger rose in her chest—as though something that should have belonged to her had been stolen away.
After all… she too had once secretly liked Gu Yan.
Back in the Imperial City, she had confessed, only to be rejected. Later, her brother had even claimed that Gu Yan was gay.
But now…
Gu Yan's performance made her doubt everything.
As the last of the kids left the room, Gu Yan's entire demeanor shifted.
His warmth vanished, replaced by an icy, detached aura.
For Yan Qingqiu.
For himself.
For the sake of avoiding the death plots ahead—
Su Wan'er must be used.
There was no other choice.
Gu Yan sat lazily on the sofa, his posture relaxed yet intimidating, his eyes indifferent to all things.
"You've come at the right time," he said calmly. "Let's chat."
Su Wan'er's lips twitched. She hadn't expected him to respond like this. He had ignored all her questions, acting as if she were nothing.
For some reason, that dismissive attitude made her chest burn with irritation.
Grinding her teeth, she tossed her bag onto the sofa and sat opposite him.
"Fine," she spat. "Let's talk!"
Gu Yan! Let me see exactly what you have to say!