When Gu Yan returned to the Leng residence as agreed, the clock read 19:44.
If nothing unexpected happened—
Then the accident probably wouldn't happen.
Unfortunately, life rarely cooperated.
---
At the dinner table of the Leng family, the atmosphere was… strange.
Leng Ling'er took small, careful bites of dinner, secretly sneaking glances at Gu Yan, who was leaning close to Leng Qingqiu, whispering something to her.
What did he even talk about with Shen Wan'er?
That late?
No way… it can't be what I'm thinking, right?!
Leng Ling'er's eyes widened slightly.
She suddenly felt like her sister was about to be abducted by a scheming man.
Leng Qingqiu, meanwhile, ate with a cold expression, chopsticks moving stiffly.
If Gu Yan didn't give her a proper explanation tonight, she knew one thing for sure—
She wouldn't sleep.
Of course, reality was nothing like what the sisters imagined.
"Qingqiu, my dear Qingqiu, I swear—there was nothing between me and Shen Wan'er," Gu Yan whispered earnestly.
"I stayed there only to completely end things—"
"End things?"
Leng Qingqiu interrupted, her tone sharp and faintly sarcastic.
"Well… yes, that's technically true, but that's not the point—"
Gu Yan hurriedly grabbed her hand, panic rising. But how was he supposed to explain everything?
What he was doing was too secretive.
Too dangerous.
And definitely not something he could openly say.
Wouldn't that completely ruin his image?
"Hah." Leng Qingqiu shook off his hand and turned her head away, sneering.
"Sounds less like ending things, more like renewing them."
For some reason, a strange feeling twisted in her chest.
She didn't know what it was.
She only knew Gu Yan caused it.
And she didn't like it.
Seeing her turn away, Gu Yan's heart skipped.
Oh no.
This feels familiar.
Like those trashy romance novels from my last life…
Husband comes home late → wife starts doubting → misunderstandings → divorce arc unlocked.
Sure, they weren't married yet—
But this felt exactly like that setup.
Panicking, Gu Yan stood up, shamelessly moved behind Leng Qingqiu, and placed his hands on her shoulders.
He began massaging.
"Qingqiu, it's not like that. Listen to me—"
"Let go. I'm not listening."
Leng Qingqiu pretended to struggle, shaking her shoulders.
But after a few half-hearted attempts…
She stopped resisting.
Her ears quietly perked up.
Gu Yan, seizing the opportunity, spoke sincerely while massaging.
"Qingqiu, you know I chased Shen Wan'er only because I wanted to forget you."
Leng Qingqiu frowned.
"Wait. What do you mean—forget me?"
"Ahem… you know how TV dramas say you need someone new to forget someone old," Gu Yan said smoothly.
"I thought I wasn't worthy of you, so I didn't dare face you."
"So I picked Shen Wan'er—but!"
"I realized I can't forget you at all, Qingqiu!"
"I want to be with you forever. Massage you. Sing for you. Cook for you. Warm your bed every day—"
"Stop!" Leng Qingqiu cut him off, flustered.
"What nonsense are you saying?!"
Her face heated up—but her body relaxed, leaning back slightly so his massage felt more comfortable.
She cleared her throat.
"Enough sweet talk. Tell me—how much money did Shen Tian borrow from you?"
Her tone turned instantly cold.
Gu Yan replied casually, "Not much. Just twenty million."
"I didn't even bother asking for it back."
"But he dared to bully our Ling'er."
"That—I couldn't tolerate."
Clang.
A spoon fell to the floor.
Gu Yan turned his head.
Leng Ling'er sat frozen, eyes wide, staring into the void.
"…T–Twenty million?!"
"Brother-in-law!! How could you not come back earlier?!"
"This must be taken back! That's enough to buy me—so many clothes!!"
She jumped up anxiously.
"Go find that bastard! If you don't want it, give it to me!"
"Ling'er!" Leng Qingqiu scolded.
Then she asked calmly, "So you stayed there just to collect the debt?"
"Yes."
"Did you get the money?"
"No."
"…?"
Leng Qingqiu paused, slowly raising her head.
"Then why are you back here?"
Gu Yan froze.
"This… this…"
But the next second—
Leng Qingqiu smiled softly.
"Haha. I'm kidding."
"As long as you didn't do anything wrong, that's enough."
Gu Yan immediately relaxed, sitting beside her.
"Qingqiu, how could I ever do something behind your back?"
"Don't you know what kind of person I am?"
She rolled her eyes.
"The entire Jianghai City knows what kind of person Young Master Gu is."
"Oh? Handsome and upright?"
"You're shameless."
"What's wrong with being shameless?" Gu Yan grinned.
"I'm this handsome, yet you couldn't tell at first glance. Otherwise, you'd have fallen for me instantly."
Leng Qingqiu had never met someone this narcissistic.
Yet oddly…
She felt at ease.
She snorted.
"If my eyesight were better, I'd have divorced you the first time I saw you."
Then, for no clear reason, she added—
"Divorce would be perfect. You could go find Shen Wan'er again."
Gu Yan's expression collapsed instantly.
"Qingqiu, believe me, I really didn't do anything—"
"I didn't say you did."
"…Then what are you doing?"
---
A few minutes later, Leng Ling'er angrily slammed a bowl of rice in front of Gu Yan.
"Hmph! You jerk, eat!"
She was clearly upset about the twenty million.
As if her money had been fed to a dog.
This brat…
Gu Yan twitched.
Looking at the table, he noticed something else.
Two dishes. One soup.
All of them… suspiciously ugly.
"Qingqiu, did you and Ling'er cook this?"
He took a bite.
Very salty.
Slightly bitter.
"…Well?" Leng Qingqiu asked nervously.
"It's my first time cooking since… you know."
Leng Ling'er swallowed with tears in her eyes, clearly suffering in silence.
Then—
"Too much salt," Gu Yan said seriously.
"Fire was too high. Edible, but average."
Leng Qingqiu stiffened.
Her expression dimmed slightly.
"Gu—!" Leng Ling'er was about to explode.
But Gu Yan gently held Leng Qingqiu's hand.
"…But."
"Even if Qingqiu can't cook, I still like her."
"I like everything about you—your strengths and your flaws."
"I don't have your brilliant mind. You don't have my cooking skills."
"We complement each other."
"Qingqiu…"
"I've said it before, but I'll say it again."
"I really, really love you."
Clang.
Leng Ling'er dropped her spoon again.
Is this legal?!
Leng Qingqiu's face turned red.
"You—don't say nonsense. Ling'er is still here!"
But then—
She took a breath.
Slowly reached up.
Placed her hand against Gu Yan's cheek.
Gu Yan's heart exploded.
"Q–Qingqiu… is this okay? Ling'er is—"
"It's fine."
She smiled faintly, picked up her chopsticks, took a bite—
Then found Gu Yan's mouth.
"Since you love me so much," she said softly,
"you're not allowed to waste these dishes tonight."
"They're salty. Bitter. Ordinary."
"But endure it."
Yes.
Leng Qingqiu was very vengeful.
Gu Yan felt it deeply.
---
After dinner, Gu Yan lay weakly on the sofa, staring at the ceiling.
Do I need a blood test…?
"Pfft. Weakling Gu," Leng Ling'er mocked, hopping onto the sofa in bunny pajamas.
"Can't handle a little setback?"
Gu Yan glanced at her, then looked away.
There's also a brat at home… these days are tough.
"I think you're much cuter when you don't talk," he muttered.
"…!"
Leng Ling'er froze.
Her face slowly turned red.
Her bunny ears drooped.
C–Cute? Me?
Gu Yan looked away.
Leng Qingqiu was showering.
He'd tried to follow—
And was coldly rejected.
She was really shy.
Even though they were engaged.
Soon after, Leng Qingqiu emerged in a bathrobe, hair damp, skin glowing.
She walked naturally toward the living room.
"Why aren't you leaving yet?"
Gu Yan hesitated.
It was time.
But for some reason—
He didn't want to go.
"Then… I'll leave now?"
"I won't see you off," she replied calmly.
He hesitated again, then turned toward the door.
"Qingqiu… I'm really leaving."
No response.
Disappointed, he took a step—
"It's late," Leng Qingqiu said.
"How are you getting back?"
It was already 22:34.
Gu Yan's driver was literally waiting outside.
But Gu Yan instantly understood the subtext and sighed dramatically.
"My parents are traveling. No one's home."
"My subordinates don't respect me. Lao Gao isn't around."
"I'll… try to get a taxi."
Leng Qingqiu frowned.
She'd heard about the Gu family's internal struggles.
But this?
"…Wait."
"If that's the case."
"You can sleep here tonight."
Leng Ling'er froze.
Gu Yan lit up.
"Really?! Can I sleep with you—"
"GET LOST!"
Leng Qingqiu shouted, storming upstairs, face burning red.
---
"Hmph! Sleep here!"
Leng Ling'er shoved open a guest room, tossing quilts onto the bed.
"This is my parents' room. Problem?"
"Don't sneak into my or my sister's room tonight!"
"Or I'll call the police!"
Gu Yan waved dismissively.
"Sneaking into Qingqiu's room is normal. But you?"
"What makes you worthy? Those weird bunny pajamas?"
"You—YOU BASTARD!"
She stormed out, slamming the door.
Gu Yan laughed.
If she didn't eat trash, she'd actually be cute.
Buzz.
His phone vibrated.
A message from Lao Gao.
[Xiao Lin]
Gu Yan's expression shifted.
Then he smiled.
"So… the protagonist has arrived."
"Perfect."
---
Elsewhere.
In a dim study.
Mei Xue knelt on one knee, eyes covered.
At her feet lay a round object wrapped in red cloth.
"Master," she said calmly.
"I learned that a mysterious existence issued a mission to massacre the Leng family."
"Multiple forces were involved. Death was only one of them."
"We don't know who that existence is—or why."
"But I obtained the names."
She handed over a special Braille scroll.
Leng Qingqiu read quickly.
Ten minutes passed.
Her shoulders finally relaxed.
She exhaled.
"Are any of them in Jianghai City?"
"Yes," Mei Xue replied immediately.
"The former base of the Dragon King Palace was here."
"And… Xiao Lin arrived today."
A sharp killing intent flashed in Leng Qingqiu's eyes.
Xiao Lin.
"Since you're here," she thought coldly,
"don't think about leaving alive."
After a pause, she added—
"Investigate who in the Gu family wants to harm Gu Yan."
"Erase them quietly."
Mei Xue stiffened slightly.
Then bowed.
"As you command."
Her figure vanished into the darkness.