Late afternoon, at dusk.
The Leng residence.
Soft orange-gold light filled the study. Outside the window, the sun slowly sank toward the horizon, its afterglow spilling gently into the room. The atmosphere was quiet and still—broken only by faint birdsong and the distant hum of passing cars.
Leng Qingqiu lay quietly on a cushioned sofa bed. Her long hair spread across the pillow, carrying a faint, clean fragrance.
As the sunlight softened, it fell across her face, tracing the delicate lines of her features.
The corners of her lips lifted slightly, as if she were lost in a beautiful dream.
Mmm… so comfortable… so warm…
I haven't felt like this in a long time…
I even dreamed of Father and Mother…
…A dream?
Suddenly, Leng Qingqiu frowned.
"No—what time is it now?!"
She jolted upright and hurriedly stood from the sofa, panic flashing across her face.
Covering her head, regret flooded her chest.
Damn it—why did I fall asleep?
Why was I so careless?
What was I doing before I fell asleep?!
She groped around for her cane while trying to recall what had happened earlier.
Ah—right.
Gu Yan.
He had been massaging her.
She… actually fell asleep from that?
Unforgivable.
"I really slept until now because of that man's low-level massage technique?"
Leng Qingqiu gritted her teeth, her expression cold and unwilling. Judging by the warmth in the room, it was clearly already late afternoon.
She had wasted so much precious time.
And just then—
"Hey, hey, hey. What do you mean 'low-level massage technique'? Your good husband will be very sad hearing that."
"Qingqiu, the fact that you slept so soundly just proves how good my massage skills are, doesn't it?"
A teasing voice sounded, and at the same time, a cane was placed neatly into her hand.
Hearing that bastard's voice, Leng Qingqiu's face darkened. She gripped the cane tightly and stood straight, turning toward where Gu Yan's voice came from.
"Don't flatter yourself," she said coldly.
"I didn't fall asleep because of your massage."
"I was just exhausted from staying up late."
"And let me tell you—your massage skills are terrible."
Even though she knew perfectly well that it was Gu Yan's massage that had relaxed her nerves enough to knock her out, there was no way she'd ever admit it.
Absolutely not.
Gu Yan, seeing how stubborn she was, found it hilarious.
After all, the system had been going crazy earlier—
[Pure Love Target feels comfortable]
[Pure Love Target feels happy]
[Pure Love Target is so comfortable she loses consciousness]
Of course, Gu Yan wasn't stupid enough to say any of that out loud.
Instead, he sighed, sounding genuinely disappointed.
"So that's how it is. I thought the massage technique I learned specifically for you actually helped."
…Did I go too far?
Hearing the disappointment in his voice, Leng Qingqiu felt an inexplicable tug in her chest.
After all, she was lying.
And besides… she still needed the Gu family in the future. That's right—only because she needed the Gu family. She couldn't let Gu Yan feel discouraged and walk away.
She took a breath and said stiffly,
"It's… not completely useless."
After a pause, she added seriously,
"It helped a little. Just a little. Don't misunderstand."
Gu Yan instantly seized the opportunity.
He reached out, grabbed her hand directly, and said happily,
"Really, Qingqiu baby? Then I'll massage you every day from now on, okay?"
Her hand was suddenly held again.
Combined with his sudden shift in tone, Leng Qingqiu felt both embarrassed and furious.
"You—let go of me! Who allowed you to keep touching me?!"
"And change that disgusting nickname! It's revolting!"
She'd had enough.
How could the Gu family's eldest son—famous for being Shen Wan'er's top bootlicker—be this annoying?
"Yes, yes, Qingqiu," Gu Yan nodded eagerly.
"I'll call you whatever you want. After all, we're family!"
"Bah! Who's family with you?!"
"But didn't you accept my proposal?"
"That—that was a childhood engagement!"
"And doesn't that mean we've basically been married since we were babies?"
"You—!"
If Leng Qingqiu could see him right now, she might've already swung her cane at him.
This man was completely shameless—never serious for a single second.
If it weren't for her plans involving the Gu family, she wouldn't bother engaging with him at all.
…Endure it.
For now.
Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to calm down.
"Fine. Believe whatever you want. Now can you go back? It's already late."
Just as she finished speaking—
Bang bang bang.
Noises came from downstairs.
Then Leng Ling'er's voice rang out loudly.
"Sister! I'm so mad! The math test was handed back—I failed again! That teacher must be targeting me!"
"And—wait! Didn't Aunt Ya take leave? Who cooked dinner? Why does the kitchen smell so good?"
Her voice grew closer and closer until she reached the study.
Leng Ling'er walked in—
"Sister—"
Her words cut off abruptly.
Gu Yan waved at her cheerfully.
"Welcome back."
"I'm back—"
"No!"
Leng Ling'er froze, then snapped back to her senses and shook her head violently. She pointed at Gu Yan.
"You—you—you! Why are you here?!"
"Didn't you promise you wouldn't be alone with my sister?!"
Gu Yan looked genuinely surprised.
"Is it strange for me to come home and see my wife?"
Then he added righteously,
"Your condition was nonsense to begin with. What law says I can't be alone with my wife?"
…?
A silent question mark floated over Leng Qingqiu's head.
This man… had no shame.
"Se–see my wife…?!"
"Nonsense…"
Leng Ling'er's face turned red. She looked at Gu Yan, then at Leng Qingqiu—whose hand Gu Yan was still holding.
"…That does sound right…"
She grew more conflicted the more she thought about it.
"But… my sister is my family. You're my sister's husband. So I'm your sister-in-law. That means we're all family…"
"Ahhh! This is so confusing!"
She gave up thinking altogether, pointed at Gu Yan, bared her teeth, and threatened,
"Anyway, you leave right now! Or I'll show you the power of my tenth-degree Taekwondo!"
Leng Qingqiu smiled faintly to herself.
As expected of Ling'er.
Still firmly on her sister's side.
Gu Yan shrugged, unconcerned—but then smiled meaningfully.
"You really want me to leave? I can."
"But… can the two of you cook?"
"I've only finished half the dish."
…?
Cooking?
Leng Qingqiu frowned.
"What are you talking about?"
Then she froze.
Right—Aunt Ya had stammered last night about taking leave.
Which meant…
For now—and probably for quite a while—it would just be her and Ling'er at home.
Leng Ling'er also froze.
"The smell from the kitchen… was you cooking?"
She looked at Gu Yan in disbelief.
"You? A rich young master… can cook?"