Wang Yulan was a little worried that Gu Yan would be angered by Xiao Lin's attitude.
But to her surprise—
Gu Yan simply shook his head, extended his hand toward Xiao Lin, and said gently,
"Hello, Xiao Lin. My name is Gu Yan."
"Since you're Sister Yulan's friend, you're also my friend."
Wang Yulan immediately felt relieved.
It was great that Gu Yan wasn't angry. She had been afraid the two of them would clash, leaving her stuck in the middle, unsure of whom to help.
And after comparing the two like this, her impression of Gu Yan quietly improved.
Xiao Lin, however, clearly noticed the change in Wang Yulan's gaze.
The way she looked at Gu Yan had grown softer.
His heart burned with anger.
Damn it!
Xiao Lin lifted his head and stared at Gu Yan.
Although Gu Yan was smiling, Xiao Lin—who had cultivated in the mountains for years and fought countless beasts—could clearly sense it.
Beneath that smile hid something far more terrifying than any man-eating beast.
Malice.
Cold, restrained, and deeply concealed.
From the moment they met, Xiao Lin could feel a clear hostile intent directed at him.
No matter how well Gu Yan tried to hide it, Xiao Lin still sensed that sharp, dangerous aura.
This man…
Very dangerous.
Xiao Lin instantly gave Gu Yan this evaluation.
And his purpose in approaching Wang Yulan was absolutely impure!
His gaze dropped to the hand Gu Yan had extended.
If you're courting death, don't blame me for being ruthless.
Thinking this, Xiao Lin also reached out and shook Gu Yan's hand. He stared at him coldly and said,
"Your name is Gu Yan, right? I don't want to be friends with you."
"But I advise you to put away your little schemes and stay away from Yulan."
Gu Yan looked stunned.
"My… little schemes?"
He turned to Wang Yulan with an awkward expression.
"Sister Yulan, did your friend misunderstand something?"
"Should I explain?"
Wang Yulan shook her head, took a deep breath, and said sternly to Xiao Lin,
"Xiao Lin!"
"Gu Yan is my mother's student. What kind of hidden thoughts could he possibly have toward me?"
"What you said was extremely disrespectful!"
"Xiao Lin—apologize!"
Apologize?
To him?
Xiao Lin clenched his teeth, fury surging in his chest.
So this man even used acting to deceive Sister Yulan?
Fine.
Very well.
Then I'll teach you a lesson myself.
With that thought, Xiao Lin tightened his grip on Gu Yan's hand.
Stronger.
Stronger.
On Gu Yan's side, he naturally felt Xiao Lin increasing his strength.
But a faint barrier of inner energy blocked the pressure completely—he felt nothing at all.
Still, for the sake of the plan, Gu Yan's expression changed instantly.
He grimaced in pain, his voice trembling.
"Brother Xiao Lin… let go…"
"You're squeezing too hard… hiss…"
His face turned pale as he leaned against the car door, his body twisting weakly.
Xiao Lin didn't release him.
Seeing Gu Yan's miserable state, the frustration in Xiao Lin's heart vanished completely.
Hahahaha!
Serves you right!
Ordinary people should know their place!
How could an ordinary person ever compare to a genius like me?!
Wang Yulan, however, was terrified.
She rushed forward and grabbed Gu Yan's arm, shouting at Xiao Lin, whose expression had even started to twist into a smile.
"Xiao Lin! Let go!"
"Are you trying to kill Gu Yan?!"
Xiao Lin's heart jolted. He immediately released his grip.
Only then did he realize—
Gu Yan was just an ordinary person. If he had squeezed any harder, the man's hand bones might really have shattered.
But seeing Wang Yulan protecting Gu Yan so desperately only made him more unhappy.
"Sister Yulan, stop defending him!"
"This Gu Yan is a scumbag! The stench of villains on him almost makes me throw up!"
"You don't—"
Pa!
The sound cut off abruptly.
Plop. Plop.
Xiao Lin felt his head buzz and his cheek burn.
What…?
He had been slapped.
He stared at Wang Yulan in disbelief.
Her hand was still raised. Her eyes were red, tears streaming down her face.
She looked at him with deep disappointment.
"Xiao Lin… you've gone too far."
"I never expected you to be this kind of person."
"I really misjudged you…"
Xiao Lin's mind went blank.
"You're wrong…" he said hoarsely.
"Gu Yan is a bad person. If you stay with him, you'll—"
"Enough!"
Wang Yulan interrupted him, her voice trembling.
"I'm grateful that you saved me before."
"But I cannot allow you to insult my mother's student like this."
Xiao Lin reached out instinctively, trying to explain.
But out of the corner of his eye—
He saw Gu Yan.
That pale, weak expression was gone.
In its place was a faint, unmistakable sneer.
A naked, mocking smile.
Boom!!
Xiao Lin's rationality exploded.
"You hypocrite!"
"Get away from Yulan!"
"Go to hell!"
Overwhelmed by rage, Xiao Lin rushed forward, fist flying.
"Xiao Lin! What are you doing?!" Wang Yulan screamed.
Without thinking, she rushed forward and blocked Gu Yan.
Bang!
"Ah—!"
The punch didn't land on Gu Yan.
It landed on—
"Yu… Yulan…"
Xiao Lin stared in horror at Wang Yulan, who had taken the blow for Gu Yan.
She had rushed out too suddenly. Even though he tried to pull back at the last second, the punch still struck her back.
She was an ordinary person.
Taking a punch from him—
"Yu-Yulan! Are you okay?!"
Xiao Lin stumbled forward, hands trembling, trying to check her injuries.
But—
Bang!
Gu Yan slapped his hand away.
The weakness on his face vanished completely, replaced by fury and indignation.
"Look at what you've done!"
"You bastard! I never imagined Sister Yulan would have someone like you around her!"
"Sister Yulan, Sister Yulan—are you alright?"
Gu Yan hurriedly supported Wang Yulan, whose body trembled and whose face was deathly pale.
"I… I'm fine…"
Wang Yulan forced herself to breathe through the pain. Holding onto Gu Yan's arm, she turned around and looked at Xiao Lin.
Her voice was weak, filled with disappointment.
"Xiao Lin, you should move out today."
"I can't let someone like you live in my house anymore."
At this moment, any goodwill she had toward Xiao Lin vanished completely.
She was deeply disappointed.
That punch—
What was the difference between that and attempted murder?
Fortunately, it had hit her.
Looking at how he threw it, the punch had clearly been aimed at Gu Yan's face.
Such a dangerous person—she could never let him stay with her again.
"Sister Yulan, I'll take you to the hospital."
Gu Yan helped her into the car, all while feeling faintly amused.
This progress…
It was like a tornado. Even he hadn't expected it to be this fast.
"Yu… Yulan…"
Xiao Lin froze in place, reaching out instinctively, wanting to explain.
But the car door had already closed.
Vroom!
The car started and disappeared from his sight.
Xiao Lin stood there blankly, unable to understand what he had done wrong.
He only wanted his beautiful sister to stay away from that dangerous man.
"…What did I do wrong?"
He murmured to himself.
In the shadows nearby—
Mei Xue watched everything with a frown.
She looked at Xiao Lin, standing there with his head lowered, completely lost.
Is this really the future heir of the Dragon King Palace?
How could he suffer such a mental collapse over a woman?
Still…
Gu Yan was truly impressive.
He broke the mentality of the Dragon King Palace's heir without lifting a finger.
…Well, not exactly.
Mei Xue shook her head.
Gu Yan didn't even know Xiao Lin was the young master of the Dragon King Palace.
It was purely accidental.
But judging from this, that so-called young master seemed… rather mediocre.
Perhaps it wouldn't hurt to let her subordinates test him casually.
With that thought, Mei Xue vanished into the darkness.