At the dining table, Leng Ling'er's breakfast tasted like chewing wax.
Because—
Right in front of her, Gu Yan calmly pulled a chair over and sat beside Leng Qingqiu.
Then, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, he picked up a spoon and fed Leng Qingqiu bite by bite.
"Qingqiu, is it good?" he asked softly.
Leng Qingqiu replied seriously, "So-so."
It was delicious.
She just didn't want to admit it.
Gu Yan nodded thoughtfully. "Alright, then I'll improve it next time."
That answer immediately displeased Leng Qingqiu.
Did that mean he knew she liked it?
"So-so can also mean it's not good," she emphasized.
"But you look like you like it a lot."
Leng Qingqiu scoffed lightly. "What illusion gave you that idea?"
Gu Yan thought for a moment, then chuckled.
"Maybe because you lick your lips after every bite?"
"…?"
Leng Qingqiu froze.
The next second, heat rushed to her ears.
Damn it!
She clenched her fist and punched Gu Yan's thigh. "You're awful!"
Gu Yan laughed and caught her hand. "Haha, Qingqiu, I really love you."
"You—don't say such disgusting things while eating!"
On the opposite side, Leng Ling'er bit down hard on her spoon.
So hateful…
A mere fish!
He actually dares to do all this in front of me!
Last night's conversation replayed endlessly in her head.
Her sister's closeness to Gu Yan wasn't love—it was sacrifice.
Everything was for the Leng family.
Enduring humiliation. Playing along. Waiting for the right moment to take everything back.
My sister is too pitiful…
Leng Ling'er's chest felt tight.
If someone had to suffer, she wished it were her instead.
"I'm full. I'm going to school."
She stood abruptly, unable to bear the scene anymore.
Gu Yan looked up. "Wait. I'll drive you."
Both sisters froze.
"I don't want you to!" Leng Ling'er huffed. "I'm riding Batianwan!"
"…That little donkey?"
"What donkey?! It's Batianwan! It can go 140!"
"Oh. Then it'll definitely be confiscated. There's traffic police at your intersection today."
"…!"
Leng Qingqiu turned cold. "Ling'er. Have you been riding a modified electric bike to school?"
"I—" Leng Ling'er panicked. "I just wanted to save money…"
Gu Yan leaned over and whispered, "Use the saved money to modify it more."
"You—!" Leng Ling'er glared.
Leng Qingqiu snapped, "Enough. You're not riding that anymore. Gu Yan will drive you from now on."
Her heart raced with worry.
What if Ling'er meets bad people? Learns bad habits?
She subconsciously grabbed Gu Yan's hand.
Gu Yan patted it reassuringly. "I'll watch her."
Outside, a Rolls-Royce waited.
Lao Gao opened the door. "Young Master. Miss."
Leng Ling'er stomped along sulkily.
Gu Yan patted her head. "For your own good."
"I want you to be a widow!" she snapped, tossing her bag at him.
"Hold it!"
"…Okay."
---
At Jianghai High School, the Rolls-Royce caused an uproar.
Then Gu Yan stepped out.
Gasps everywhere.
When Leng Ling'er emerged, she snatched her bag and hissed, "Don't be so ostentatious!"
She stormed off—only for her expression to bloom into secret delight the moment she turned away.
So cool…
Soon, girls surrounded her.
"Sister Ling'er! Is that your boyfriend?!"
She snorted. "Brother-in-law. Married. Don't even think about it."
Still—she felt oddly proud.
---
Later.
"Free KTV after school!" someone suggested.
Leng Ling'er hesitated.
Gu Yan said he'd pick me up…
She clenched her fists.
"…Go!"
She decided.
For now—just one step at a time.