The moment those words left his mouth—
Plop.
Plop.
Several of them lifted their heads.
Bai Qionglan—the girl who had shouted the loudest earlier—pressed a hand to her chest and stared at Gu Yan blankly.
Good kids.
No one had ever said that to her before.
Her face slowly flushed. The others weren't much better—each of them lowering their heads, embarrassed, awkward, unsure where to put their hands.
Gu Yan sighed inwardly.
Truthfully, these kids didn't have bad hearts. They'd just never had anyone guide them properly.
If things had followed the original plot, most of them would've met tragic ends.
Leng Ling'er's circle included children from powerful families—but money couldn't make up for the lack of care and direction.
"Alright," Gu Yan said, softening his tone.
"I'll have my people send you home."
"And remember—no more skipping class to sing karaoke."
"Mm… thank you."
"Thank you, Ling'er's brother-in-law!"
"Me! Me—wait!"
Bai Qionglan suddenly raised her hand. Her face was red, but her eyes were shining as she looked at Gu Yan.
"If I get into college… can you grant me one wish, brother-in-law?"
…Just a kid after all.
Gu Yan smiled and nodded.
"As long as you're not asking me to be your boyfriend."
Bai Qionglan deflated instantly.
"Oh…"
You were thinking about that?!
Gu Yan's mouth twitched.
What is going on with kids these days?
I didn't even know what love was in high school!
"Qiong Lan!" Leng Ling'er snapped.
"I told you not to target my brother-in-law!"
Her protective tone made Gu Yan chuckle.
"Alright, alright."
"Ling'er, you go back with Old Gao first. I still need to deal with the aftermath here."
Gu Yan patted Leng Ling'er's head lightly.
"Huh? You're not coming back with me?"
She looked a little uneasy.
"Don't worry," he said calmly.
"Leave this to me. Go back to school and focus on what you should be doing."
"And besides…"
His gaze shifted past her—to the door that had just been pushed open.
"…I still have something to settle. With him. And with—"
"Gu Yan! What did you do to my brother?!"
Shen Wan'er had searched all day—from the company, to Gu Yan's home. Just when she was about to give up, she spotted Gu Yan's car outside this KTV.
Following the flustered directions of the front desk clerk, she rushed in—
Only to see Shen Tian lying on the ground, battered and bleeding.
She screamed.
Leng Ling'er instinctively tightened her grip on Gu Yan's hand, eyes sharp with vigilance.
"Who are you?"
"Who am I?"
Shen Wan'er was shaking with anger. She glanced around—only high school girls.
Yet her brother lay crumpled in the corner.
Her gaze snapped back to Gu Yan.
She didn't know what had happened.
But she was certain of one thing—
This was all Gu Yan's fault.
"Gu Yan! Fine! You blocked me, and now you're playing these games?"
"I really didn't think you—"
"Shut up."
Gu Yan's voice was cold. Flat. Irritated.
"Stop making noise."
Shen Wan'er froze.
…He was being cold to her?
How could that be?
For a moment, it felt like the entire world had flipped overnight.
Gu Yan didn't spare her another glance.
Instead, he turned to Leng Ling'er and the others, his tone gentle again.
"You should go. I'll handle this."
Bai Qionglan immediately understood—this wasn't a place for them anymore.
"Sister Ling'er, let's go."
"Yeah, let's go first."
They urged her softly.
But Leng Ling'er hesitated.
Staring at the woman in front of her, she felt like she'd already guessed part of the truth.
What if…
What if this woman tried to take Gu Yan back?
She'd once hoped Gu Yan would break up with her sister.
But now—
She didn't want that anymore.
"Brother-in-law…"
She looked at him worriedly.
Gu Yan smiled.
"Wait for me to come back."
That simple sentence settled her heart for reasons she couldn't explain.
She nodded.
Then, glaring fiercely at Shen Wan'er—just like the first time she'd met Gu Yan—she finally let go of his hand and followed the others out.
Soon, only three people remained.
Gu Yan.
Shen Wan'er.
And Shen Tian on the floor.
"She called you brother-in-law?" Shen Wan'er demanded.
"Who is she? Who did you choose instead of me?"
An unfamiliar surge of anger rose in her chest.
Like something that should've belonged to her had been stolen.
But Gu Yan's response stunned her.
As the door closed, his warmth vanished.
His expression turned cold. Heavy. Dangerous.
For Leng Qingqiu.
And for himself.
Shen Wan'er was still useful.
To avoid future death flags, to control the coming chaos—
He needed her.
Gu Yan walked over and sat down on the sofa, leaning back lazily, gaze detached.
"You came at the right time," he said lightly.
"So… let's talk."
Shen Wan'er's face twitched.
This tone.
This posture.
It was like she didn't matter at all.
Her irritation exploded.
She threw her bag onto the sofa and sat opposite him, teeth clenched.
"Fine," she snapped.
"Let's talk."
Gu Yan.
Let's see what you have to say.