Leng Qingqiu's original plan was simple.
She was worried that Xiao Lin might retaliate against Gu Yan, so she arranged for Mei Xue to secretly protect him.
If Gu Yan ever encountered danger, Mei Xue would immediately step in.
After everything was over, she would leave behind a single sentence—
You don't need to know who protected you.
Tsk.
A flawless plan.
It should have gone exactly like that.
But—
Leng Residence
First Floor · Dining Table
Three people sat together.
Each wore a completely different expression.
So—
Why did Gu Yan suddenly come here?!
Didn't she ask the aunt to deliver food today?
Then shouldn't the aunt be the one cooking?!
No, no—
I can't expose myself.
Leng Qingqiu coughed lightly, forcing herself to stay calm as she introduced them.
"…This is a relative's child. Her name is Mei Xue."
"She just happened to come visit me today."
Mei Xue's expression instantly became strange.
She struggled to suppress her panic.
Her hair was still slightly damp, droplets clinging to the ends. She swallowed nervously and barely dared to look at Gu Yan.
"Y-You… hello. My name is Mei Xue. I'm… Leng Qingqiu's best friend."
Ahhhhh—!
I actually called the master by her name directly!
I'm finished. I'll have to die to atone for this!
Mei Xue had no idea what was happening anymore.
She only knew her thoughts were in complete chaos.
After showering and changing clothes, she had been about to dry her hair—
Then she saw Gu Yan standing behind her in the mirror, staring at her with a strange expression.
After that—
Panicked footsteps upstairs.
And then… this.
Gu Yan looked at Leng Qingqiu.
Then at the flustered Mei Xue.
Ah…
What exactly is going on here?
Originally, he just wanted to come over happily and spend some private time with Qingqiu.
A perfect world for two.
But why did Mei Xue suddenly appear?
And how did things end up like this?
Even with Gu Yan's intelligence, he never imagined that one day he, Leng Qingqiu, and Mei Xue would sit at the same table.
According to his plan, the best outcome was to quietly resolve the plot where Mei Xue betrayed Leng Qingqiu in the original storyline.
He never intended to drag it out into the open.
But now—
Gu Yan forced a polite smile and looked at Mei Xue kindly.
"Hello, Miss Mei. My name is Gu Yan. Thank you for always taking such good care of my Qingqing."
The moment those words left his mouth—
Mei Xue's face changed instantly.
Qingqing?!
This guy calls my master Qingqing?!
Is he trying to die?!
She hurriedly glanced at Leng Qingqiu—
Only to see that her expression hadn't changed at all.
Mei Xue suddenly understood.
So that's how it is.
To seize control of the Gu family, the master was pretending to be indifferent.
She didn't truly like Gu Yan. Even if she felt annoyed or dissatisfied inside, she would never show it.
As expected of the master!
With that thought, Mei Xue forced a smile as well.
"Oh… I should be the one thanking you for taking care of Qingqing… Autumn."
"Hehe, Miss Mei is too polite."
"Hehe, Mr. Gu is also too polite…"
Neither of them noticed—
Under the table, Leng Qingqiu's hands were clenched tightly together.
Her heart was in complete chaos.
Damn it! Damn it!
How could you call me that in front of my subordinates?!
How am I supposed to face them now?!
It was unbearably embarrassing.
Leng Qingqiu genuinely wanted to lock herself in the study and never come out again.
Ding dong—
The hourly chime rang.
Gu Yan looked up, then smiled at Mei Xue.
"It's almost dinner time. Miss Mei, why don't you stay and eat with us?"
There was a faint, meaningful glint in his eyes.
He needed to question her properly.
Mei Xue hesitated.
Staying or leaving wasn't her decision to make—it depended on her master.
Besides… how could a subordinate possibly eat at the same table as her master?
Just as she was struggling—
Leng Qingqiu spoke up with a gentle smile.
"Gu Yan is right. Mei Xue, you should stay for dinner."
She didn't want Gu Yan to think she was petty.
Even if this slightly damaged her image in front of her subordinate.
Mei Xue nodded vigorously.
"Yes! Ah—I mean, I'd be happy to!"
Gu Yan looked at her panicked reaction and felt speechless.
Please.
Could you at least act a little more naturally?
If it weren't him sitting here, anyone else would've seen through it already.
What an idiot.
No—
Qingqiu and I barely get time alone. I can't let this idiot ruin it.
With that thought, Gu Yan smiled.
"Miss Mei, could you help me prepare some side dishes in the kitchen?"
"I asked the aunt to bring the ingredients. You can wash and cut them, right?"
Mei Xue felt uncomfortable immediately.
Please.
You're not my master.
Even if I need your help, don't expect me to listen to you so casually, okay?
Still, she stood up and replied with a smile.
"Of course. That's what I'm best at."
Honestly, staying here was pure torture.
Going to the kitchen alone would at least ease the pressure.
Once Mei Xue left—
Leng Qingqiu finally relaxed.
Mei Xue was her subordinate, and she was the Night King of the Night Organization.
She didn't want Gu Yan to know that secret.
Now that they were alone, she could finally breathe.
But the very next second—
A warm body pressed against her.
Leng Qingqiu felt herself being hugged.
"Qingqiu~ Qingqiu~ Why didn't you tell me there was a guest at home?"
"I was so nervous."
"And she's a woman too. Do you know how shocked I was when I saw her drying her hair?"
Gu Yan hugged her from behind, greedily breathing in her scent.
"Hey! Watch it! Someone's still here!"
"She's my best friend! She came to check whether I'm… normal!"
Leng Qingqiu's face flushed slightly, knowing Mei Xue was still in the kitchen.
She pushed Gu Yan hard, trying to break free.
But Gu Yan clung to her like sticky candy.
[Hug your loved one: +10 points]
[Continue hugging: +30 points]
[Pure-love target feels shy: +100 points]
What a joke.
This was the perfect time to replenish pure-love energy.
Still, he couldn't bully Qingqiu too much.
Gu Yan dragged over a chair and sat beside her, casually draping an arm over her shoulder and pulling her into his arms.
She struggled. He pulled her back.
A quiet tug-of-war ensued.
"Qingqiu, we haven't seen each other in so long. Don't you miss me?"
"It's only been one night!"
"Really? There's an old saying—three days apart feels like thirty days, and one night apart feels like ten."
"What kind of nonsense is that? Isn't it supposed to be 'three days apart'?"
"My dear wife, you're so smart. I'll reward you with a sweet kiss."
"? Get lost!"
If you want, I can:
tighten comedy beats
sharpen Gu Yan's inner sarcasm
or sync this even closer to your earlier translated chapters
Send Chapter 60 whenever you're ready.