It was already afternoon.
On the road to Jianghai High School, Gu Yan felt it clearly—
the distance between him and Leng Qingqiu had quietly shrunk.
For example, when he held her hand before, she would resist outright.
Now?
She would symbolically struggle for a moment… and then let it be.
"Very good."
Gu Yan smiled to himself.
At first, he had only approached Leng Qingqiu to avoid his unavoidable death. But now, he had to admit—he genuinely liked this so-called final boss.
Villain attracting villain?
He shook his head.
No. He wasn't a villain. And Leng Qingqiu wasn't either.
They just stood on different sides.
"Master, we're here," Lao Gao said, slowing the car to a stop at the school gate.
Gu Yan snapped back to attention and looked outside.
Students streamed in every direction.
But Leng Ling'er—
Nowhere to be seen.
Ten minutes passed.
Gu Yan frowned slightly.
What was this kid doing?
Didn't he clearly say he'd pick her up after school?
Just then—
Knock knock.
Someone tapped on the car window.
Gu Yan's expression didn't change as he lowered it slowly.
A young, somewhat nervous face appeared outside.
"Um… hello," the boy said awkwardly.
"Are you… waiting for Leng Ling'er?"
Gu Yan raised an eyebrow and looked him over.
School uniform. Flat haircut. Black-rimmed glasses. A backpack stuffed to the brim.
A student.
Gu Yan relaxed a little and smiled.
"Yes. How did you know?"
The boy hesitated, eyes flickering, but still replied,
"I saw you bring her to school this morning."
"And… we're classmates. I heard she and her friends planned to go singing after school."
"They asked for leave during the last period, so… they already left."
Gu Yan understood instantly.
So this was it.
In the original plot, something went wrong here.
But now that he'd interfered early, nothing dangerous should happen.
"Alright, thanks," Gu Yan said with a nod.
He rolled the window back up and said calmly,
"Let's go, Lao Gao. City center."
"Yes, Young Master."
As the luxury car pulled away, the boy stood frozen in place.
He clenched his fists tightly, pain flickering in his eyes.
Handsome. Rich. Calm.
Compared to him—
He couldn't compare in any way.
Damn it… I really can't accept this…
---
Meanwhile, downtown.
A group of girls with schoolbags—but outfits far beyond their age—wandered down the street.
Leng Ling'er was among them.
She looked helpless.
Originally, she planned to wait for Gu Yan and tell him properly.
But before she could say anything, she'd been half-pushed, half-dragged onto the bus by her friends.
She thought she'd borrow a phone once they reached the KTV.
But now—
She turned back and looked at the girl walking behind them, head lowered, looking completely devastated.
"Xiao Wei," Leng Ling'er asked softly,
"What's wrong with you?"
"And… where's that free KTV you mentioned?"
That was everyone's question.
They'd all come because Xiao Wei invited them.
But now something felt off.
"Yeah, Xiao Wei, what happened?"
"Where's your boyfriend?"
"Why are you the only one here?"
The concern in their voices made Xiao Wei hesitate.
If she told the truth—
Would Ling'er and the others go looking for Shen Tian?
That man was connected to the Gu family. Even if there was conflict now, who knew when things would change?
She couldn't put her friends in danger.
So she shook her head and forced a smile.
"I… broke up with him," she said quietly.
"So the KTV thing fell through. I'm sorry."
Everyone froze for a second—
Then immediately spoke up.
"That's it? That's nothing!"
"We didn't like him anyway—he always looked shady!"
"Yeah! We're not short on money, we'll just find another place!"
"Why be sad over a breakup?"
Leng Ling'er hadn't expected this at all.
She felt Xiao Wei's mood sink even lower.
"Alright then," Leng Ling'er said, raising her hand with a grin.
"Let's celebrate Xiao Wei escaping the sea of suffering!"
"Random KTV. Sing until we're hoarse!"
"Who's in?"
"I am!"
"Me too!"
"Same!"
---
Lingxiao KTV.
Private room.
Shen Tian sat slumped on the couch, gauze wrapped around his face, drinking heavily.
Two women leaned close, coaxing him softly.
"Brother Tian, don't be angry."
"Young Master Gu only treated you like that because your sister doesn't know what's good for her."
"If she'd married into the Gu family earlier, your status in Jianghai would be sky-high by now."
Shen Tian took a large gulp and nodded drunkenly.
"You don't get it," he complained bitterly.
"My sister pretends to be noble while stringing Young Master Gu along."
"If she'd agreed earlier, would I be in this mess today?"
"Look at this—this is how Young Master Gu treats his brother-in-law now!"
He stood up unsteadily.
"Wait here. I'm going to the bathroom."
"Okay, Brother Tian~"
"Come back soon~"
"I know, I know!"
---
At the same time—
KTV Front Desk
"Hello, here's your room card," the clerk said with a professional smile.
"You've booked two hours."
Leng Ling'er took it awkwardly.
"Oh… okay."
It was their first time in a place like this.
As they walked inside, all of them looked around curiously, eyes wide—
Completely unaware that the timing they'd missed…
was already pulling them toward trouble.