Inside the jewelry store.
"Your name is Deng Feng, right? Thank you so much, little brother. If it weren't for you, I really wouldn’t know what to do."
"Oh, by the way, my name is Lin Yi."
Lin Yi held Deng Feng's hand with gratitude, her graceful demeanor making Deng Feng's heart race uncontrollably.
She... she’s holding my hand... This is the first time a woman has held my hand... Is this what it feels like?
Deng Feng felt an overwhelming sense of satisfaction. Is this the feeling of being thanked for doing a good deed?
He smiled sheepishly and said, "It’s nothing, really. I just did what I should. Honestly, it was that customer’s fault."
"He didn’t look like a good person to begin with."
Hearing this, Lin Yi sighed and withdrew her hand. "Actually, I’m partly to blame too. That customer had mentioned earlier that he’d come back to buy after withdrawing money."
"But not long after, a wealthy businessman came in and took a liking to the bracelet. He was so pleased that he wanted to buy out the entire counter of gold."
"So... you understand, right?"
"Even if our boss were here, he would’ve definitely sold the bracelet to the businessman."
"I’m just an employee... Sigh."
Deng Feng didn’t fully grasp the situation, but one thing he did understand was that the woman standing before him, who was older than him by a good margin, was a kind person.
"Sister Lin, actually, I’m here to buy some jewelry too. Could you recommend something for me?"
Deng Feng hadn’t forgotten his original purpose, so he chuckled and asked.
Lin Yi, upon hearing this, took a closer look at Deng Feng.
She had been married before, but her husband had subjected her to domestic violence, which not only left her unable to have children but also scarred her emotionally.
So, Lin Yi resolutely divorced him and started over alone in the big city.
But now, seeing this boy dressed simply yet radiating the energy and brightness of youth, she felt an unexpected softness in her heart.
Instead of recommending high-commission gold jewelry as she usually would, she reached out and ruffled Deng Feng’s hair, smiling gently. "You’re still so young. Why are you trying to act like a boss and buy gold?"
"You’d be better off spending that money on food for your parents."
Thump! Thump!
Deng Feng froze, his heart suddenly filled with an inexplicable surge of emotion.
Having lost both his parents at a young age and being abandoned by the only sister who raised him, he felt a warm current flow through him as he looked at Lin Yi.
Even as he walked out of the jewelry store in a daze, he couldn’t snap out of it.
Clutching the 1,000 yuan in his pocket, he turned back to glance at Lin Yi inside the store. Noticing his gaze, she smiled and waved at him.
Deng Feng immediately blushed, turned his face away, and hurried off. He couldn’t understand why he felt this way.
Inside the store, Lin Yi watched the pure-hearted boy who hadn’t been tainted by society and sighed inwardly.
Little brother, I hope you can hold onto this passionate heart of yours in the future.
........
........
Meanwhile.
Thanks to Gu Yan’s financial prowess, the entire commercial street had been swept through by him and his group.
Each bodyguard was laden with bags, trailing behind Gu Yan and the others.
They eventually arrived at the end of the street and entered a shopping mall.
What do girls love besides clothes and luxury items?
That’s right—snacks and soda.
Leng Ling'er and Bai Qionglan each pushed a cart and went on a shopping spree.
"Brother-in-law, look at me!"
"Do I look good like this?"
Leng Ling'er, wearing a pair of sunglasses, stood on the lower railing of the cart and waved at Gu Yan.
(Imagine Leng Ling'er’s appearance as a reference or based on your own imagination.)
Gu Yan, who was in the middle of discussing martial arts with Bai Jun, turned his head and casually replied, "Sure, sure."
"Stop being so dismissive!"
Leng Ling'er immediately pouted in dissatisfaction.
At that moment, Bai Qionglan poked her. "Ling'er, do I look good like this?"
Leng Ling'er turned to see Bai Qionglan also wearing a pair of sunglasses similar to hers. Without much thought, she gave her a thumbs-up. "Hehe, Qionglan, your taste is as good as mine!"
"Tehe~"
Bai Qionglan’s face lit up with a shy smile.
Perhaps due to a brother’s intuition, Bai Jun suddenly felt a strange sensation and glanced at Bai Qionglan suspiciously.
Hmm? Why do I feel something’s off?
"Brother! I picked one out for you too!"
Bai Qionglan held up a pair of sunglasses and called out to Bai Jun.
His concerns immediately vanished, replaced by a joyful expression.
Hmm, I must have been overthinking things.
Gu Yan found the scene quite amusing. Having talked with Bai Jun for a while, he had grown more familiar with him. "You and your sister seem really close, huh?"
Hearing this, Bai Jun nodded, a hint of affection in his eyes. "Yeah, I swore from a young age that I’d always protect my sister."
Gu Yan seemed to recall something and deliberately added, "By the way, I remember Xiao Lin has a marriage contract with your sister."
As he said this, a peculiar glint appeared in Gu Yan’s eyes.
Sure enough, Bai Jun’s gentle expression instantly darkened.
He clenched his fists tightly, a faint trace of killing intent flashing in his eyes as he muttered, "If he were a decent person, I might reluctantly accept him being with my sister, even if it pains me."
"But... Xiao Lin is nothing but scum."
"I will never let my sister end up with him!"
"Even if the Dragon King Palace’s leader comes, I won’t back down! They’ll have to kill me before they can force my sister into this!"
Gu Yan felt reassured. He patted Bai Jun’s shoulder and comforted him, "You’re a righteous man, Bai Jun. Since Qionglan is friends with my sister-in-law, I naturally don’t want her to be with someone like Xiao Lin, the lowest of the low."
Seeing Gu Yan’s sincerity and recalling how he had stood up to numerous influential figures at the banquet to protect Leng Ling'er, Bai Jun felt a sense of camaraderie.
"Gu Yan, it’s true what they say—you can’t trust online rumors. Only by talking to you in person can you truly understand what kind of person you are."
"Like I said, the Martial Arts Department’s doors are always open to you."
Gu Yan nodded, and the two men seemed to share a mutual admiration, feeling as though they had met too late.
Time passed minute by minute.
After Leng Ling'er and Bai Qionglan had filled several carts with snacks, they passed by a section filled with cooking oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar.
It was then that Leng Ling'er suddenly remembered the real reason they had come out today.
!! Oh no! I completely forgot about the main task!
She quickly turned to Gu Yan, who was walking behind them, and called out, "Wait, brother-in-law! Didn’t we come out to buy cooking supplies?!"
Gu Yan, who had been thinking about what else to buy for Qingqiu, snapped back to reality.
Oh right!
They had been sent out by Qingqiu to buy some household essentials!
But they had completely lost track of time!
Gu Yan checked the time and broke into a cold sweat. Crap, it’s almost 11 o’clock.
Without hesitation, he turned to Old Gao and said, "Old Gao, get me a basket."
"Here you go, young master. I already prepared one."
Old Gao handed over the basket with a knowing smile.
"Good job, Old Gao!"
Gu Yan took the basket and began tossing in every seasoning he could find.
"Bai Jun, Qionglan, let’s wrap up today’s shopping!"
He called out to Bai Jun, then pushed Leng Ling'er’s cart toward the checkout counter.
"Whoa! Slow down, brother-in-law! Do we really need to rush this much?"
"We have to! If Qingqiu starves, I’ll have to atone with my life!"
"What kind of weird oath is that?! Hey, wait! Stop for a second!"
Leng Ling'er seemed to spot something and frantically tapped Gu Yan’s head.
Gu Yan had no choice but to stop and follow her gaze.
There, on display, was a set of knitting kits.
Leng Ling'er pointed at them and said, "Brother-in-law, buy that!"
"Didn’t your sister already confiscate your knitting supplies? You’re still at it?"
"I’m serious! This is for my sister! Don’t you want her to knit you a scarf, you fool?!"
"And! I suggest you grab some cream puffs and sweets to take back, or else my sister will definitely be mad!"
!!
Gu Yan was stunned upon hearing this, looking at Leng Ling'er in disbelief.
The latter tilted her head slightly and snorted, "This family would fall apart without me."
I didn't read all those romance novels for nothing!
Sister-in-law, you actually...
Gu Yan was shocked. Was this still the same little brat I knew? At first, she was against me being with Qingqiu, and then she was against me being with Qingqiu again.
Anyway!
Let's listen to what sister-in-law has to say first!
Bai Jun and Bai Qionglan, along with a group of bodyguards, followed behind Gu Yan and Leng Ling'er.
As they watched, Bai Jun and Bai Qionglan exchanged glances and couldn't help but laugh. "Their relationship is really good."
Bai Jun inwardly marveled at how harmoniously Gu Yan and the younger sister of the Leng Family got along, but amidst his admiration,
he couldn't help but recall the tragedy of the Leng Family's extermination years ago.
Gu Yan... with the world in turmoil, the Night Organization has resurfaced.
The Leng Family... will undoubtedly be the first to be suspected.
If there's no connection, that's fine, but if there is...
By then... as Leng Qingqiu's husband, you will inevitably be implicated.
Even the entire Gu Family might face retribution from martial artists worldwide, leading to a repeat of the Leng Family's tragedy five years ago.
Gu Yan... you've truly fallen for the one person you shouldn't have.