When Leng Ling'er heard the voices, her eyes lit up. She immediately tossed aside the rabbit doll and ran over.
At a glance, she saw Gu Yan holding her sister tightly, carefully guiding her forward.
Her mood instantly soured.
Seeing her expression, Gu Yan pretended to be confused and asked with a straight face,
"Ling'er, why do you look unhappy when you see your brother-in-law?"
"Didn't I even feed you just now?"
That did it.
Leng Ling'er exploded on the spot.
"Bah! What brother-in-law?! You—how dare you say that!"
"And don't mention that thing!"
"I didn't know you'd feed that!"
"Girls don't eat that kind of thing, okay?!"
Leng Qingqiu paused, completely confused.
Wait… feeding?
That thing?
Why couldn't she understand a single word with an IQ of 260?
"Alright, alright, enough."
Gu Yan helped Leng Qingqiu sit down, his expression clearly saying I'll deal with your sister later.
Then he looked at Leng Ling'er, who was still standing there fuming.
"Stop being angry all the time. Come eat."
"Hmph!"
Leng Ling'er snorted and sat down heavily.
Only then did she clearly see the dining table.
And froze.
The table was filled with dishes—colorful, fragrant, perfectly arranged. Fried fish fillets, fresh salads, steaming pasta, delicate side dishes, and beautifully plated meat dishes. The aroma alone was enough to make anyone weak at the knees.
"This…"
"You made all of this?"
Leng Ling'er stared at Gu Yan in disbelief.
She'd only left halfway—and he'd made this much?
Her throat bobbed unconsciously.
The smell was fatal.
"Of course," Gu Yan said casually. "Didn't I say I learned it specially for Qingqiu?"
He sat down, then picked up a piece of tender roast duck and gently placed it into Leng Qingqiu's bowl.
"Qingqiu, try this. I guarantee it'll be your favorite tonight."
His voice was soft, unhurried, full of sincerity.
Leng Qingqiu couldn't see his expression—but she could hear it.
Her heart rippled.
"You won't know if it's good until you taste it."
She snorted lightly, then lifted the bowl and slowly put the meat into her mouth.
The moment it touched her tongue—
Her back straightened slightly. Her breathing quickened.
…How could it be this good?
Delicious.
Dangerously delicious.
She wanted another bite.
"How is it?" Gu Yan asked.
[Love Partner finds the food delicious and feels happy. Points +1]
"It's… just okay. Barely edible."
Leng Qingqiu replied calmly.
Gu Yan smiled. He didn't expose her.
"That's fine. There's plenty tonight."
"I'll introduce them to you one by one."
"There's always something you'll like."
"There's… more?"
Leng Qingqiu froze for a moment. She swallowed and said, her tone noticeably softer,
"Then… try it."
So Gu Yan continued.
He picked dishes for her, explaining each one—how it was made, where it came from, even the little stories behind them.
Leng Qingqiu listened quietly.
This dish could be cooked like that.
That one had such a story.
So… this world had so many beautiful things.
The Aegean Sea.
Pink skies.
A talking elk.
Would she ever get the chance to see them?
No.
No.
She couldn't think about that.
She couldn't let such thoughts disturb her resolve.
"Ling'er, don't just eat rabbit. Have some vegetables."
"Bah! You bastard, who are you ordering around?!"
"Oh, then I'll take it away. Didn't you say rabbits are cute? Don't eat them."
"W–Wait! I want vegetables!"
Although she couldn't see the table, just listening to the sounds—
Leng Qingqiu felt something unfamiliar.
Warmth.
A strange, quiet warmth that felt like… family.
Why did it feel like this?
"Qingqiu, have some chicken soup."
"You've overworked yourself these past years. You need nourishment."
Gu Yan ladled a bowl of soup and lifted the spoon to her lips.
Leng Qingqiu snapped back to her senses.
"I can drink by myself."
She said it stiffly—yet still allowed him to feed her.
And without realizing it…
Her body leaned a little closer.
Her heart tightened.
She felt ashamed.
This was just because he'd been feeding her earlier—pure habit. Nothing more.
Why… were you so good to me?
Leng Qingqiu struggled inwardly.
From every angle, Gu Yan was… a good person.
According to Leng Xing'an, the five percent Gu family shares Gu Yan gave had already caused waves.
In just two days, business groups came knocking, seeking cooperation.
Anyone with eyes could tell—the Gu family and Leng family were connected again.
Everyone thought the Leng family was about to rise.
And that was exactly why—
Leng Qingqiu felt conflicted.
She wanted revenge.
She wanted to use Gu Yan. Use the Gu family.
If… if Gu Yan ever knew the truth—
Would he be heartbroken?
Would he collapse?
Was she… worthy of this kindness?
After dinner,
Leng Qingqiu sat quietly on the sofa.
Normally, she'd be in the study reading by now.
But instead, she listened.
The sound of the TV.
And… the sound of running water from the kitchen.
For some reason, it made her tense heart relax.
"I knew it! I knew he was the bad guy!"
"I guessed it from episode one! Hahaha!"
"Sister, am I smart or what?"
Leng Ling'er laughed happily at the TV.
"…Yes," Leng Qingqiu replied softly. "Very smart."
She pursed her lips, hesitated, then said,
"Ling'er, take me to the kitchen."
"The kitchen? But that idiot—ouch!"
"Girls shouldn't curse all the time."
"Gu Yan is your brother-in-law in name, at least."
Leng Qingqiu knocked her lightly on the head.
"Sister?!"
"Just take me there."
She didn't explain.
She couldn't explain the strange feeling in her chest.
"…Oh."
In the kitchen,
Gu Yan was washing dishes, humming an unfamiliar tune.
Leng Qingqiu and Leng Ling'er walked in—
Just as the song drifted clearly into their ears.
"You said you were hard to chase, wanted me to give up—
The gift doesn't have to be expensive, just fallen leaves on the Champs-Élysées—
Make a romantic date, don't be afraid of messing it up—
Owning you is owning the whole world~~
My dear, I fell in love with you from that day—
Sweet and simple~~~"