Lunchtime.
Both Grandmother Gu preferred light meals, so their daily meals were mainly vegetarian dishes.
However, since Gu Yan came today, they specially prepared several meat dishes.
After lunch, Gu Yan accompanied the two elderly people for a walk in the manor.
"Yan, Zi Hua will come over for dinner. Please don't start arguing with him like you did last year."
Grandmother Gu seemed to recall the scene from last year's annual gathering and advised with a slight headache.
Gu Yan held Grandmother Gu's arm, his expression very gentle: "Grandmother, what are you talking about? I was immature last year, but I'm different now."
"Brother Zi Hua is my respected elder brother, how could I possibly argue with him?"
"You can ask Xuehua if you don't believe me."
Xuehua walked behind Gu Yan and the others, walking alongside Old Butler Gao.
Hearing Gu Yan's words, she instinctively recalled the scene from last year's annual gathering.
Her young master Zi Hua had been humble and polite, only saying a few words urging Gu Yan to show more spirit, but this useless young master had exploded in anger and lost his composure.
It had become a spectacle for all the guests present, and tonight might be the same.
She wondered what he would make her do this time. Just thinking about it made Xuehua feel extremely anxious.
On the surface, Xuehua softly replied: "I also believe Young Master Gu Yan can get along well with Young Master Zi Hua."
Gu Yan held Grandmother Gu's arm even tighter as if in victory: "See? Even your personal maid says so."
Gu Tianlong, walking alone to the side, frowned with displeasure upon hearing this term and said sternly: "What nonsense."
"A maid is a maid, what's all this nonsense about personal maid."
"You rascal, stop learning such nonsense!"
Three consecutive uses of "nonsense" expressed Old Master Gu's disapproval of Gu Yan's choice of words.
"Alright, alright, whatever you say, Grandfather."
Gu Yan knew well who held the real authority in this family and replied perfunctorily.
"You!"
Old Master Gu felt his authority was being challenged, especially by that tone. What did this kid mean?
Why was he only holding onto Grandmother?
Was he no longer considered a grandfather??
Grandmother Gu smiled helplessly: "Alright, alright, Tianlong, say less. It's rare for Yan to visit."
"Hmph!"
Gu Tianlong snorted lightly and glumly quickened his pace to walk ahead of everyone.
Grandmother Gu shook her head with amusement: "Look at this, Yan. Your grandfather is such a grown man but still acts like he's that young man from years ago."
Though she was criticizing, her eyes revealed joy.
The elderly couple's relationship was truly wonderful.
Gu Yan sighed inwardly and said: "Grandmother, I might stay here for a few days, would that be alright?"
Hearing this, Grandmother Gu laughed heartily: "What do you mean a few days? Yan, you can stay here forever. Why even ask if it's alright? This is your home, isn't it?"
"Speaking of which, it makes me angry. All of you bought your own houses to live in after growing up, leaving such a big manor with just your grandfather and me."
"We only get to see you during the year-end."
Grandmother Gu sighed softly as she said this.
Walking ahead, Old Master Gu suddenly spoke: "Your rooms are cleaned every day, just move in whenever you want."
"Really? Grandfather doesn't mind me?"
"Hmph!"
Gu Tianlong quickened his pace and ran far ahead.
With such a personality, Gu Yan didn't know what to say.
Old Butler Gao watched with a smile on his face.
Hehe, the young master's relationship with the old madam and others was truly wonderful.
Everyone was very happy.
Except for...
Xuehua's face was pale as she tightly clenched her fists.
What was going on?
Why? Why did Gu Yan want to stay here for several days?
He had never wanted to stay here before, what was he planning to do?
Could it be?
Xuehua seemed to think of something, and her expression gradually became uneasy.
Of course, Gu Yan had absolutely no thoughts about Xuehua. Currently, he was walking with Grandmother Gu while thinking to himself — I wonder if Qingqiu is eating properly.
Although he had already asked the housekeeper to explain the situation and cook today, Gu Yan actually knew that Qingqiu only liked his cooking.
She could barely eat others' cooking. Ah, he hoped Qingqiu wouldn't miss him too much these days.
Of course, she was busy with revenge, so she probably wouldn't miss him much.
Gu Yan was very clear about his current standing.
He believed that he could make Leng Qingqiu truly fall in love with him in the future, but he wasn't narcissistic enough to think that Leng Qingqiu truly liked him now.
At present, revenge was definitely Leng Qingqiu's top priority.
And Gu Yan believed that as long as he helped Leng Qingqiu complete her revenge, then!!
Qingqiu would surely love him desperately!!
Ah, what should he do then? Would Qingqiu say things like "My dear husband, I love you the most"??
She would, right? She definitely would, right??
Hehe haha!! No, no, thinking about such wonderful things is making me unable to suppress my smile.
Grandmother Gu looked at Gu Yan with some surprise, wondering if just letting him stay here could make him so happy?
She felt guilty inside, thinking she must have shown too little care for Yan in the past.
She would have to scold Tianming later, wondering if he hadn't given Yan proper love due to work issues.
Just look at how starved for affection her precious grandson was!
......
.......
At the Leng Family residence.
"Miss Qingqiu, I'll take my leave now, and I'll return in the evening."
The housekeeper Gu Yan had sent spoke respectfully to Leng Qingqiu.
However, Leng Qingqiu shook her head and calmly said: "There's no need. You don't need to come back. I'll handle my meals myself from now on."
"I'll let Gu Yan know."
The housekeeper hesitated but remembered Gu Yan's instructions to follow all of Leng Qingqiu's orders, so she nodded: "Very well, Miss Qingqiu."
With that, she left.
After she left.
Tick tock~ Tick tock~
The clock's sound echoed in the room.
Leng Qingqiu stood at the doorway, one second, two seconds, three seconds.
She tightly clenched her fists, muttering under her breath: "If you're not coming, then don't come. You can't even come to tell me in person."
Leng Qingqiu took a light breath, opened her eyes, and turned to walk upstairs.
As she walked, she grumbled: "You really think I need you that much?"
"Without you here, I don't even have to walk with my eyes closed."
"And I don't have to worry about you barging into my study and interrupting my training."
"And I don't have to listen to you constantly chattering in my ear."
"If you're not coming, then don't come. As if I care about you."
Tap tap tap!
She complained all the way to her study desk.
Leng Qingqiu sat down with a cold face and opened her books.
This is better, I can focus on studying now and research the next step of my plan.
Rustle rustle~
Pages turning.
One second, two seconds, three seconds........
The sound of turning pages stopped.
After a long while.
Only a lonely sigh could be heard.
"So I won't see Gu Yan for five days....."
He's only coming back on the weekend....
That jerk.
What is he doing anyway.....
Oh right, didn't I send Mei Xue to protect Gu Yan? I can have her report back tonight about the situation.
It's not that I care what he's doing.
It's just because he promised to make cream puffs for me, and I hate men who don't keep their promises.
Leng Qingqiu took a deep breath and continued reading her book.
However......
So, why does he need to stay away for so many days without seeing me?
Is it because he's tired of me? That must be it, right?
Ahhh! This is so annoying!
"Gu Yan, you bad guy!"
Leng Qingqiu decided that for this troublemaker who was disturbing her peace of mind,
The next time she saw him, she would definitely give him a cold look and say — "The days without you were the most peaceful days I've had."
.......
......
"!!"
At the Gu Family Manor, Gu Yan suddenly became alert and looked around.
"What's wrong, Yan?"
Grandmother Gu looked puzzled at her grandson who had suddenly shuddered.
"It's nothing, maybe I'm overthinking."
Gu Yan shook his head.
He felt strange in his heart, somehow feeling as if Qingqiu had just been cursing him.
But that shouldn't be the case, right? She used to curse him because he was always bothering her.
Now that he was planning not to disturb her for a few days, shouldn't she feel happy and comfortable?
It would be good to let Leng Qingqiu cool down for these few days after what happened at the banquet.
Thinking about this, Gu Yan felt quite proud of himself.
He really was such a thoughtful and caring husband! If Qingqiu knew about his good intentions, would she be moved to tears?
However, when he goes to see Qingqiu in five days, what expression would she have?
Would she be excited and happy to see him after not meeting for so long??
Haha, just kidding.
Most likely, she would say with her cold face: "The days without you were the most peaceful days I've had."
But even with that cold expression, Qingqiu is still the one I love most!
ions, keeping it grounded and realistic】 After quitting his job, office worker Su Yang accidentally binds with the "Enjoy Life System." As the name suggests, simply by indulging in life's pleasures, he can earn random rewards from the system—no need to spend money on beautiful women or grovel before anyone. Just enjoy, and the money follows, making it all about effortless fun. The system comes with a scanning feature, allowing him to establish a favorability bond with women rated 85 points or above. Every 20-point increase in favorability unlocks additional rewards. After suffering through over twenty years of hardship, Su Yang trembles with excitement, his dull eyes suddenly gleaming with newfound hope. "Enjoy life? How hard could that be?"
] [Lone Wolf, No Male Gaze] [Protagonist is pursued early on; extreme protagonist-stans, stay away!] The "Carnival Paradise" descends and slowly devours the real world in the form of a game. By chance, Zhu Yan awakens the talent [Roleplay], becoming one of the first beta players. He thought he could develop safely, but after clearing the first instance, he is branded by humanity as the chief culprit behind the game's spread—a traitorous villain. A villain? Who would ever... become one! He'll be the villain! From then on, Zhu Yan is not only a player but also a lackey for the Carnival Paradise. Between the straight path and the crooked path, he chooses the con. With his left hand, he dons the villain's mantle, staging scenes within instances, infuriating players who decry him as a despicable traitor, all while the game happily promotes him. With his right hand, he joins the non-human organization "Fangcun Mountain," which opposes the Carnival Paradise, transforming into a mysterious player who slaughters game bosses, earning cheers of "Long live the expert!" from fellow players. Gradually, Zhu Yan rises to become an S-rank human player in Fangcun Mountain's archives, while also being the Carnival Paradise's certified top game Boss. But when the final war erupts and both major factions place their hopes in him— Players tag his various aliases: "Experts, this offensive depends on you." The Carnival Paradise's supreme Boss throws an arm around his neck: "Bro, you're the iron, I'm the steel; you can't let me down again!"
uld barely embark on the path to immortality. Just as he was on the verge of death, his golden finger awakened. No matter whether it was poison, drained blood and vital energy, diminished lifespan, or any other physical debuff caused by paying a price—once midnight passed, everything would be refreshed. From then on, whenever someone asked what kind of person Chu Ran was, the answer was simple: Forbidden arts that other cultivators dared not learn? Chu Ran would learn them. Prices that even demonic cultivators dared not pay? Chu Ran would pay them. Lifespan that even righteous cultivators dared not burn? Chu Ran would burn it. All the blood essence in his body? Take it. Want both his hands and feet? He would cut them off and send them to you. You say he’s finished? He wasn’t built to sit idle. You think he’s gone mad? No—he was simply waiting for midnight. From that day onward, Chu Ran would respect neither Heaven nor Earth, bow to neither gods nor ghosts. He had only one wish: For midnight to arrive a little sooner.
d intelligence to keep the plot moving, and sometimes even the protagonists are forced into absurdly dumb decisions. Why does the A-list celebrity heroine in urban romance novels ditch the top-tier movie star and become a lovestruck fool for a pockmarked male lead? Why do the leads in historical tragedy novels keep dancing between love and death, only for the blind healer to end up suffering the most? And Gu Wei never expected that after finally landing a villain role to stir up trouble, she’d pick the wrong gender! No choice now—she’ll just have to crush the protagonists as a girl!
