"I'm going back, Qingqiu."
"Oh? Then go. Why are you telling me?"
"Hehe. I really like you like this, Qingqiu."
"You—!"
Leng Qingqiu stood where she was, watching Gu Yan's car disappear into the distance before she even had time to scold him properly.
She shook her head helplessly.
No, no… Qingqiu.
Why do you always lose control of your emotions in front of this man?
You are the King of Night.
A king should never allow so many emotions to gather in one place.
It affects judgment. It weakens resolve.
Sigh…
Leng Qingqiu pressed a hand to her chest, her expression complicated.
…Did I really fall in love with Gu Yan?
If not, how do I explain what happened today?
When Gu Yan hadn't come back, she had been restless, uneasy—afraid that he had done something outside that would betray her.
But the moment he returned, she felt a kind of joy she hadn't even known was possible.
Just because he was by her side?
Just because of that… she was happy?
How hateful.
Why is this happening? I shouldn't be like this. I can't be like this.
Leng Qingqiu took a deep breath, forcibly calming herself.
No. This isn't love.
It must be something else.
…Yes. Something like the bond between a master and a subordinate.
That's right.
As the King of Night, she cannot tolerate her subordinates acting independently, especially without reporting to her.
That's why she felt uneasy when Gu Yan wasn't by her side.
Not because she likes him.
Definitely not because she likes him.
Leng Qingqiu straightened her posture, confidence returning to her expression.
That's right… that must be the truth.
At that moment, Leng Ling'er rubbed her arms against the cold and walked out.
"Sister! Gu Yan said he'd treat me to McDonald's next time. Do you want some? I can bring you—"
Leng Qingqiu snapped out of her thoughts and frowned instinctively.
"Ling'er, how many times have I told you? Gu Yan is your brother-in-law. Don't be so disrespectful. Stop calling him names."
"And it's late. Finish your math problems before bed. The college entrance exam is coming—take it seriously."
After saying that, she walked back inside without another glance.
Leng Ling'er stood frozen in the cold night wind.
"…Woo… Sister… you've changed… You've become a stranger…"
Leng Family — Study
The atmosphere was subtly tense.
Leng Qingqiu sat behind her desk. Mei Xue stood quietly beside her, having observed everything earlier from the rooftop.
Mei Xue's emotions were tangled.
She had seen it clearly—her master personally seeing Gu Yan off, their way of interacting far closer than she'd expected.
And knowing that Gu Yan had spent the day with another woman…
Her feelings were even more complicated.
Does Master know?
If she doesn't… should I tell her?
If Master knew, she would order Gu Yan killed without hesitation.
But—
If Gu Yan dies… I'll never find my brother.
Is hiding this betrayal?
Mei Xue clenched her fists.
Brother… Master…
She was torn.
"Mei Xue."
"Yes!"
Mei Xue snapped back to attention.
Leng Qingqiu spoke calmly, "Was Gu Yan with a woman named Wang Yulan today?"
Mei Xue's heart skipped violently.
She knows?!
Cold sweat slid down her temple.
As expected of the King of Night… Can she really know everything without leaving the house?
Then what about me…?
Mei Xue lowered her head. "Yes."
Gu Yan… it's not that I won't cover for you.
It's just that Master is too terrifying.
Leng Qingqiu wasn't surprised. After all, she had ordered Mei Xue to investigate threats around Gu Yan.
Then came the real question.
"What was Gu Yan doing with her?"
Her tone was steady, but her fingers tightened slightly.
This wasn't distrust.
It was that familiar human impulse—
to confirm something once more, just to feel at ease.
Mei Xue hesitated.
Should I tell her everything?
If I do, Gu Yan will die.
If I don't… am I betraying my master?
In the end, determination flashed in her eyes.
She would gamble.
"Master, Gu Yan went to Jianghai Hospital to visit Wang Yulan's mother."
"He had his butler pick up Miss Ling'er."
"At night, he continued visiting the hospital."
Mei Xue's body trembled slightly.
She hadn't lied—but she hadn't told everything.
She didn't mention the staged ambush.
She didn't mention Gu Yan personally escorting Wang Yulan home.
Now… fate would decide.
Silence stretched.
One second.
Two seconds.
Three seconds.
Leng Qingqiu said nothing.
Mei Xue kept her head lowered, heart pounding.
…Is Master angry?
But then—
After hearing the same explanation Gu Yan had given, Leng Qingqiu felt inexplicably relieved.
The corner of her lips almost curved upward—before she suppressed it.
Mei Xue was still here.
She changed the topic coolly.
"Any progress on the Dragon King Palace?"
"How capable is that so-called young master?"
Mei Xue let out a breath of relief and replied quickly.
"Xiao Lin is currently working as a security guard at Tianye Pharmaceutical."
"The company is on the verge of bankruptcy. There will be chaos tomorrow morning. I've arranged for people to test his background."
Leng Qingqiu nodded.
"Tianye Pharmaceutical… whose company?"
"It belongs to the Shen family. The current head is Shen Wan'er."
…Her.
Leng Qingqiu's expression turned icy.
After a long silence, she said softly,
"You may leave."
"Yes."
Mei Xue bowed and withdrew.