Leng Qingqiu was stunned.
Because what Gu Yan said was completely different from what she had thought.
Thump! Thump!
Why was her heart beating so fast?
Did Gu Yan actually observe her so carefully every day?
He got everything right.
He knew her so well, but how much did she know about Gu Yan?
Leng Qingqiu's mood turned melancholic again.
She knew nothing about him—she didn't know what Gu Yan liked or disliked.
She couldn't see Gu Yan, nor could she observe and understand him as meticulously as he did her.
Gu Yan wanted to know more about her.
Apart from what he had mentioned, the only other thing left was [Night].
But that was something she would never reveal.
Because... [Night] was the reason behind the destruction of her family.
If Gu Yan found out, he might get dragged into some dangerous situation.
She... couldn't tell him.
But... Gu Yan's life essence seemed even more radiant at this moment. He was serious, wanting her to share more with him.
She... had to respond in some way.
Thinking this, Leng Qingqiu slowly opened her eyes.
Gu Yan also saw Leng Qingqiu's eyes for the first time.
They were eyes devoid of any light, any spark, any focus.
Tears welled up, and Leng Qingqiu pressed her hands against Gu Yan's chest, her voice hoarse: "...I told you before that being with me would be dangerous."
"Why don't you listen... why do you keep trying to get closer to me?"
"Don't you know this will trap you in a quagmire from which you can never escape?"
Gu Yan's expression softened as he heard this, his tone gentle as he said, "If it's with you, I'm willing."
!
Leng Qingqiu's hand involuntarily clenched Gu Yan's clothes at his words. A warmth she hadn't felt since her clan's destruction welled up inside her.
Being with her... was he really willing?
Hehe... Leng Qingqiu slowly revealed a smile.
She lowered her head, leaning slightly forward, her lifeless eyes gazing at Gu Yan: "Even if what I tell you next pulls you into a new world, you won't mind?"
"Even if telling you means you'll face many dangers, do you swear you won't regret it?"
"Even if that's the case, it's still okay with you?"
Gu Yan took a deep breath and said seriously, "Even if that's the case, I will never regret it."
"Alright, then."
"I'll tell you."
Leng Qingqiu had prepared herself mentally. She wasn't going to reveal the truth about [Night], as it was too dangerous.
However, the existence of martial artists wasn't something she couldn't talk about.
So, she began to speak, her tone serious: "Actually, there is a kind of existence in this world called [Martial Artists]."
"Their power is extraordinary; the strong ones can even move mountains and overturn seas..."
Hearing this, Gu Yan quickly interrupted her, saying, "Wait, Qingqiu, actually, I know about this."
"Martial artists, yeah, Old Gao by my side is a grandmaster."
At this statement, Leng Qingqiu: ?
The atmosphere in the study grew silent.
Smack!
Leng Qingqiu covered her face: "Uwahhhh!!!"
How embarrassing, how embarrassing!
She should have realized earlier. As a top-tier family in Jiang Hai, the Gu Family, with Old Gao as a protector by Gu Yan's side, how could he not know about martial artists?
But why didn't Gu Yan have any aura of cultivation?
It was precisely because she couldn't sense any cultivation from Gu Yan that she had mistakenly thought he didn't know about martial artists.
Seeing the embarrassed Leng Qingqiu covering her face, Gu Yan thought she was just incredibly cute!
"Sorry, Qingqiu, I was also worried you didn't know about martial artists, so I never mentioned it."
"I was afraid you'd get into danger."
"But now I realize I was wrong. The Leng Family used to be on the same level as the Gu Family."
"I should have known you were aware of the martial world, especially since the massacre of the Leng Family has been haunting you."
"Qingqiu, please believe me. I'll use all my connections to find the culprit for you..."
As Gu Yan spoke, he propped himself up, letting Leng Qingqiu sit in his lap. Then, he reached out and hugged her tightly, his tone so earnest it couldn't be more serious: "And... avenge you."
As the words fell,
Thump! Thump!
Leng Qingqiu's heart felt like a beacon of light had appeared in the darkness. Her psychological defenses were instantly breached by Gu Yan.
Looking at the serious Gu Yan in front of her, the unease she felt in her heart seemed to gradually fade away. Gu Yan... was serious.
Leng Qingqiu realized that since her family was destroyed, she had lost something called [a sense of security].
She wanted revenge, but who knew that deep down, she was also afraid of the hidden enemies?
She had witnessed her family's massacre. Countless people wielding knives brutally slaughtered her loved ones.
An hour ago, her mother was still chatting with her, and the next moment, her head was half-cut off, rolling in front of her.
Blood and flesh splattered on her and her younger sister, Leng Ling'er, as she trembled with fear, covering her mouth, not daring to make a sound.
She slept little because every time she closed her eyes, she had nightmares.
Not only did the nightmares contain her enemies from back then, but even the deceased clan members would reproach her, asking why she hadn't avenged them.
Every time she woke up in the middle of the night, she could only hug herself and cry silently.
She didn't want to bring this negative emotion to Leng Ling'er.
Thus, Leng Qingqiu bore pressures that ordinary people couldn't imagine.
Even after five years, Leng Qingqiu was still afraid. She had no sense of security.
What if the enemies found her? What if she didn't become strong enough? What if Leng Ling'er died in the meantime? What if she couldn't avenge her family? What if the deceased couldn't rest in peace?
Over the years, Leng Qingqiu hadn't had even a shred of security.
This led to her frequent melancholy. If one were to say she had mental issues, then the emergence of [Little Leng] in her mind was the best proof.
That was a [dark personality] that allowed her to escape reality, hide in a corner, and let it take over her body, doing nothing.
But... now, Leng Qingqiu had to admit.
At this moment, the man holding her, his actions, his words...
All of it... made her feel incredibly at ease.
So much so that she even wanted to reveal everything, to tell him about her identity as the [Night King] heir.
But, no... Leng Qingqiu knew she couldn't do that.
Because the person in front of her was Gu Yan, her nominal husband.
The person she had to admit she had feelings for.
So... Leng Qingqiu didn't want to put him in more danger. As the [Night King], she was destined to stand against the world.
Gu Yan wanted to stand by her side, but she wouldn't allow it. Because...
She didn't want Gu Yan to become someone people despised. In the shadows, there was only room for one—her.
Gu Yan was the light that illuminated her heart...
Even if it cost her all her strength and life, she would protect Gu Yan.
The two held each other for a long time.
Then, Leng Qingqiu pushed Gu Yan away and, with a stunned expression from him, pressed him down.
"Qingqiu?"
Gu Yan was a bit dazed.
The next second, Leng Qingqiu's lips curled slightly, her cheeks faintly reddening: "You little Gu Yan, you actually made me cry."
"Do you know what happens when you make a girl cry?"
"Do you know the price of making me cry?"
Leng Qingqiu's words left Gu Yan speechless. He opened his mouth slightly, but didn't know what to say.
In the end, he could only say, "Sorry..."
"Sorry, sorry, is that all you can say?"
"If you want to apologize properly..."
As Leng Qingqiu spoke, she swept her hair aside and slowly lowered her head: "Then use your body to compensate."
Gu Yan, I really do like you, but I'm sorry. You're right; I did have the thought of using you as a stepping stone and exploiting you.
But...
Please forgive me. My surroundings are filled with dangers. You can't imagine what the Leng Family faced back then.
Nor do you understand what [Night] really is.
To avoid unnecessary repercussions for you... To protect my family, to protect those I care about, I need to become stronger, much stronger.
I'm sorry, Gu Yan, I hope you won't blame me for keeping this from you.
In an instant.
“Mmm!!”
The midday sunlight filtered through the curtains of the study, casting dappled shadows on the floor. The room was filled with the faint scent of sandalwood.
The books on the shelf sat quietly, as if guarding this tranquil space.
Their lips gently touched, like soft petals brushing against each other, plunging them into a sweet, dreamy state.
In that moment, everything in the room seemed to freeze, leaving only the resonance of their hearts and the faint sound of their breathing.
Gu Yan's eyes widened. So... bold?
【First kiss with Pure Love Object, +100,000 points】
【Achieved 'First Kisses' achievement, +100,000 points】
【Pure Love Object feels sweet, +10,000 points】
【Pure Love Object's trust level increased to 89% (due to special reasons, trust level needs to be raised again through other means), +20,000 points】
【Congratulations, Host! The Universe Pure Love Technique has reached the third stage!!】
【Congratulations, Host! Identity transformation is complete!! Memories restored!!】