Gu Yan rubbed his neck as he left the Leng residence, his expression full of quiet grievance.
It hurt.
Qingqiu was angry again.
But there was nothing he could do about it.
Ever since he started cultivating the Pure Love Technique—the kind where "loving purely makes you stronger"—he had begun sensing unusual auras.
For example, the moment he stepped into the Leng family estate earlier, he clearly sensed that there was someone else in the study besides Leng Qingqiu.
That aura was slightly different from Mei Xue's, but also strangely similar.
Both felt… chaotic.
Like throwing all kinds of leftovers into one pot and boiling them together.
Definitely one of Qingqiu's subordinates.
And when he got closer to the study, that aura quickly retreated and disappeared.
Which meant—
Leng Qingqiu could probably sense him too.
Originally, Gu Yan had planned to stay the night, deepen feelings, and then head out to meet Xiao Lin with Mei Xue afterward to carry out his plan.
But now?
That idea was clearly dead.
If he met Mei Xue rashly so close to Leng Qingqiu's territory, Qingqiu would absolutely notice.
And he didn't want Qingqiu knowing what he was doing behind her back.
First, her favorability toward him wasn't high enough yet.
If she discovered that he wasn't as "ordinary" as he appeared, she'd definitely become wary.
Second—
Favorability aside—
Based on Leng Qingqiu's villain setup in the original story, once she realized he might not be normal…
The consequences would be disastrous.
If she mistook him for one of the massacre participants—
That would be the end of him.
Gu Yan sighed.
"Whatever. I'll take it one step at a time."
"If I get exposed, I'll deal with it then."
"Alright… let's see where Mei Xue is."
He summoned the system in his mind and began locating her.
---
Jianghai City.
Inside a tea restaurant called [Night].
Waiters dressed in maid and butler uniforms moved busily between tables, carrying exquisite dishes.
Near the cashier stood a middle-aged man wearing sunglasses, calmly overseeing everything.
This restaurant was special.
From the clerks to the manager—
All of them were blind, their eyes covered with cloth.
"Customer No. 1 wants a pork chop rice with fried egg."
"Got it."
"Mei Xue, table three has left. Please clear it."
"Okay, manager."
Even with her eyes covered, Mei Xue carried dozens of stacked plates steadily, not spilling a single one.
"See?" a customer said proudly to his friend.
"This is what makes this place amazing."
"All the staff are blind, but they move like they can see."
"They're fake," the friend scoffed.
"That cloth must be see-through."
"Would you like to order something?"
A sweet voice interrupted them.
They turned their heads.
A blindfolded girl with white hair tied in a high ponytail stood beside the table, wearing a maid outfit and holding a menu.
Though her eyes were covered, her presence was soft and alluring.
The two men swallowed instinctively.
"Ah—this is my second time here," one of them said awkwardly.
"My friend… it's his first time."
The girl covered her lips lightly, smiling.
"Oh? Then Lianlian must take extra good care of this little brother who's here for the first time~"
She gently placed the menu down, took the blushing man's hand, and guided his finger to the most expensive item.
Love Like Water Soft Bone Ramen — 8,888 yuan.
"This is Lianlian's most recommended dish~"
"It represents my deep affection for little brother…"
The young man froze, feeling the warmth in his hand and her closeness.
"Th-then… I'll have this."
"Me too!" the other man blurted out quickly.
The girl instantly withdrew her hand, lifted the menu, and turned toward the kitchen.
"Two Set S orders~"
She walked away without a second glance.
The moment her back was turned, her sweet smile vanished.
How boring.
Why did she have to do this kind of thing?
As Mei Xue passed by with stacked dishes, she whispered calmly,
"Bai Lian, watch your expression. New guests are coming."
Bai Lian instantly put her smile back on.
Tch.
Aunt Mei Xue only gets favored because she was summoned earlier.
What are you pretending for?
But outwardly, she smiled sweetly.
"Okay! Sister Mei Xue~"
Mei Xue didn't bother responding and walked into the kitchen.
Behind her back—
Bai Lian raised her middle finger.
Just then—
Ding-ling—
The door opened.
Bai Lian immediately turned with a bright smile.
"Welcome—"
Her eyes lit up the moment she saw the newcomer.
Tall, handsome, outstanding temperament.
Wow.
A real catch.
Gu Yan stepped into the tea restaurant called [Night].
He glanced around.
Few customers.
One or two waiters.
A middle-aged man in sunglasses by the register.
On the surface, it looked like an ordinary tea house.
But—
That familiar aura filled the place.
The same kind Mei Xue carried.
Gu Yan curled his lips.
Tsk.
So this is it.
The base of the Night Organization.
The original story never specified its exact location, only vaguely mentioning it was hidden in Jianghai City.
"So it's here."
"Little brother," Bai Lian said sweetly, approaching him.
"Lianlian hasn't seen you before. Is this your first time here?"
Gu Yan glanced at her once.
Then calmly walked past her and sat at an empty table.
"?"
Bai Lian froze.
Ignored?
Her smile stiffened.
Haha.
Playing hard to get, huh?
Rich men really know how to play.
She took a deep breath.
No man could resist the charm of her naturally blessed body.
With renewed confidence, Bai Lian put on her sweetest smile and walked toward Gu Yan again.