Just as Leng Qingqiu was finishing her silent self-justification, Gu Yan had already led her out into the courtyard.
Though it was already the season of frost, the sun hung high in the sky. Its direct rays carried a rare warmth, wrapping around her shoulders and seeping into her skin.
Stepping onto the lawn, Leng Qingqiu felt momentarily dazed.
It had been a long time since she last left the study.
Time was too precious to her. Every moment not spent planning, gathering intelligence, or preparing was a luxury she couldn't afford.
Yet ever since Gu Yan appeared, in just a few short days, her carefully arranged rhythm had been quietly disrupted.
This courtyard held too many memories.
Memories of her family.
Gu Yan held her hand as they walked slowly along the garden path. Sunlight filtered through the leaves overhead, scattering light and shadow across the ground, painting a gentle, broken pattern over the two of them.
He sensed her silence, her distant mood, and wisely didn't interrupt. He simply held her hand a little tighter.
A leaf drifted down.
Gu Yan reached out and caught it, glancing around with a soft laugh.
"Qingqiu, your courtyard is really beautiful. The greenery is just right."
His words pulled her back from the past.
Leng Qingqiu lifted her head toward the sky. Blue skies, white clouds—if she could still see, she was certain it would be stunning.
She smiled faintly.
"Yes. I know it must be beautiful."
"This was my father's favorite courtyard," she continued quietly.
"All the plants and landscaping were designed by him."
"After he passed… I took over caring for it."
Her mood dipped unconsciously.
…Gu Yan, you really should die.
Gu Yan took a slow breath, unsure how to respond.
Sensing his hesitation, Leng Qingqiu shook her head.
"This has nothing to do with you."
Then she paused.
She turned her face toward him, as if confirming something. Her tone shifted—subtle, but sharp.
"My father's death had nothing to do with you."
At least… probably.
No one could guarantee that the Gu family wasn't involved.
That uncertainty was precisely why she had always kept Gu Yan at arm's length.
Sometimes, she even thought—perhaps using Gu Yan would help her uncover the truth.
Gu Yan caught the unease in her voice.
Combining it with what he knew of the original plot, he could roughly guess her concern.
After what happened back then, how could she dare to trust anyone so easily?
Especially someone tied to a powerful family like his.
Gu Yan tightened his grip on her hand and spoke solemnly:
"Qingqiu, believe me."
"I will protect you. Always."
"I won't let anyone hurt you ever again."
Leng Qingqiu listened and smiled lightly.
Protect her?
There were too many things Gu Yan didn't know.
The ancient martial arts world. Martial artists who could block bullets with their bodies.
Gu Yan was just an ordinary person. How could he truly walk this path with her to the end?
And yet…
His tone was sincere.
Too sincere.
She didn't want to think further.
Instead, she reached out, her fingers brushing his cheek. Her smile softened.
"Whether or not you can protect me… your resolve is enough."
"…Thank you."
The autumn wind rustled through the leaves, accompanying their voices like nature's quiet harmony.
For a brief moment, time itself seemed to pause in the courtyard.
Gu Yan froze.
Her cool palm, her faint smile—
Thump. Thump.
Even after she withdrew her hand and turned away, he pressed a hand to his chest.
"…Damn."
"I think… I've really fallen in love."
This time—for real.
Leng Qingqiu, with her back turned, felt her face grow warm.
Tsk… damn it.
Why did she say something like that?
So embarrassing.
This was all Gu Yan's fault for talking nonsense.
No—she needed to go back to the study.
Just as she was about to speak, Gu Yan's excited voice rang out.
"Qingqiu! I got inspired again!"
"…Inspired?" she asked, puzzled.
"I just came up with a new song! Want to hear it?"
She was skeptical.
A song? Just now?
She'd heard Confession Balloon before—but that was something he'd written years ago.
Creating a decent song in just minutes? Impossible.
Still, seeing his enthusiasm, she didn't have the heart to refuse.
"Alright. Sing."
"But after that, I'm going back to read."
"Deal."
She listened with the intention of getting it over with—
Until the melody reached her ears.
> "I heard the raindrops falling on green grass
I heard distant bells ring
But I never heard your voice
Calling my name sincerely…"
The tune was gentle, warm.
Like sipping a cup of hot tea.
Her chest tightened slightly.
This song—like Confession Balloon—was about love.
But this one was different.
It urged people to cherish what was right in front of them.
"…It sounds nice," she murmured.
She relaxed, quietly listening.
The song rose to its climax.
> "You are the luck I want to keep
Turns out we were already so close to love
I'm so lucky to meet you
Yet I've lost the right to cry for you…"
When the last note faded, Gu Yan stepped forward and held her hand.
"Qingqiu," he said softly, "I love you."
"I don't want to leave you."
"Please… let me protect you forever. Okay?"
Leng Qingqiu snapped back to reality.
She lifted her head toward him. Though she couldn't see his face, she could feel it.
Pure. Passionate.
She sighed.
"Don't."
"…Huh?!"
Before he could panic, she continued calmly:
"You're too weak. Let me protect you instead."
"If you're my man, you might die very quickly."
She wasn't joking.
As the controller of Night, burdened with blood-deep hatred, her path was destined to be thorn-filled.
Gu Yan, however, didn't feel discouraged.
He felt… happy.
Because what she said meant—
"Q-Qingqiu… what do you mean by that?"
She frowned.
"Do I really have to explain?"
She shook off his hand and walked toward the house.
"I don't know. Figure it out yourself!"
"Qingqiu! I'm sorry! Qingqiu!"
He chased after her.
She looked annoyed—but didn't refuse.
She sighed inwardly.
Forget it.
Just consider it a little compensation… for using the Gu family later.
---
Tianye Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd.
President's Office.
Shen Wan'er was in a terrible mood.
She stared at the data on her computer, brows knitted tight.
Across from her, her secretary Zhang Qing lowered her head nervously.
"President Shen… all of our cooperating companies have canceled their orders."
"Our production line has been suspended."
"The raw materials we purchased are stuck in storage."
"And… the final payment deadline is approaching."
Shen Wan'er's irritation grew with every word.
This shouldn't have happened.
All those partners—old clients, long-term relationships. No breach penalties.
Now the payments were due, but there were no orders. No incoming funds.
Their retail income was negligible.
"What should I do…" she whispered.
Employee salaries hadn't even been paid yet.
Zhang Qing clenched her fists.
"They're disgusting. They canceled everything at the same time."
"They were all smiles before."
Business has no friends.
The phrase echoed in Shen Wan'er's mind.
Suddenly—she froze.
…Unless.
Her face darkened.
She clenched her fists until they creaked.
"So that's how it is, Gu Yan."
"You're ruthless."
She looked up.
"You can go."
After Zhang Qing left, Shen Wan'er took out her phone.
She stared at a name.
Gu Yan
Her expression twisted.
Didn't I say I'd never call him again?
Was this his way of forcing her hand?
She dialed.
She was sure he'd answer this time.
Instead—
"Sorry, the number you dialed is turned off."
Her face went blank.
Impossible.
Hands trembling, she opened their chat.
The last message was still from the day he'd confessed.
She typed:
> Gu Yan, are you there?
A red exclamation mark appeared.
"…He blocked me?"
Cold crept through her body.
"Why… why would he do this?"
"No."
"No, I need to see him in person."
She grabbed her keys, slung on the designer bag Gu Yan had once given her, and rushed out.