The two sisters seemed to have completely let go.
Leng Ling'er didn't hold back either, pouring out all the thoughts she had kept to herself over the years: "Why shouldn't I say it? It's all because of you, sis!"
"Ever since what happened five years ago, you slit your own eyes shut and locked yourself in that study!"
"You've become colder and paler! Sometimes even I feel scared of you!"
"You're so different! So unfamiliar! That version of you isn't the sister I remember!"
"I don't know what you've been doing all these years, but... you're my sister! I don't want you to get hurt either!"
Leng Qingqiu's heart trembled. So that's how it was...
Had she changed so much over the years? But if she didn't push herself, they would fall even further behind their already formidable enemies.
By then, it would be too late. I'm sorry, Ling'er. I really want to tell you just how many enemies the Leng Family is up against.
But I can't. I can't drag you into this.
Seeing Leng Qingqiu once again refusing to explain why she had become like this, Leng Ling'er exploded: "You're doing it again!"
"Still refusing to tell me anything!"
"Keeping everything bottled up inside! This is exactly why—!"
"This is exactly why your relationship with Gu Yan is moving so slowly!!!"
Leng Ling'er pointed at Gu Yan, who had been watching the drama unfold, dragging him into the fray.
Gu Yan: !!!
Wait, why am I being dragged into this?!
Leng Qingqiu was also caught off guard and instinctively retorted, "What are you talking about? What does Gu Yan have to do with this?"
Leng Ling'er had already thrown caution to the wind. Since she was doomed either way, she might as well lay it all out: "It has everything to do with him! You're so indecisive!"
"You're clearly head over heels for him but still act like you don't care! Do you think you're the heroine of some Mary Sue novel?!"
"Come on, sis! Gu Yan is the young master of the Jianghai Gu family! Rich and handsome! If you don't lock him down, there are plenty of others who would!"
"You keep everything to yourself! You don't do anything with him! Do you really think you'll last with him? You inexperienced virgin!!!"
!!Boom!!
The moment those words left her mouth.
Both Leng Qingqiu and Gu Yan felt as if a thunderclap had exploded in their minds.
Gu Yan hurriedly stood up: "Hey, hey, wait a minute, you little brat, what are you talking about..."
"Shut up! X2!"
Before Gu Yan could say anything else.
Leng Qingqiu and Leng Ling'er both snapped at him simultaneously.
After a moment.
Leng Qingqiu's face flushed red, her voice trembling slightly: "Who told you that Gu Yan and I... haven't made any progress?"
Leng Ling'er wasn't convinced. She hadn't seen any progress between the two, only Gu Yan constantly putting in effort. So she pushed further: "Oh really? I don't see any love from you toward Gu Yan."
"If you don't like him, then maybe I should..."
Before she could finish.
Leng Qingqiu shouted, "You're talking nonsense!"
"I love Gu Yan!! Of course I love him!!"
A faint smile appeared on Leng Ling'er's face as she watched her sister, red-faced and shouting her love for Gu Yan.
She leaned in closer, pressing further: "You're the one talking nonsense. I haven't seen any signs that you like him."
"If you love him, then give me a reason!"
At this.
Leng Qingqiu seemed to have made up her mind. She clenched her fists, took a deep breath, her cheeks flushing even more, and whispered almost inaudibly, "B-because... we've... done it..."
"Huh? What? What did you say?"
Leng Ling'er couldn't quite hear and leaned in closer, demanding.
Damn you, Ling'er!
Leng Qingqiu gritted her teeth, her sense of shame overwhelming her.
Her sister's lack of understanding, her sister's teasing...
She didn't want to think about anything anymore.
Taking another deep breath, she shouted in embarrassment, "Because Gu Yan and I have already done it!!!"
!!Boom!!
This time, both Gu Yan and Leng Ling'er's minds were completely blown.
"Wait! Qingqiu, when did we ever do that?!"
Gu Yan exclaimed in disbelief. When had he and Qingqiu reached that stage?
Was it while he was asleep? Did he sleepwalk into it or something?
Leng Qingqiu was clearly taken aback that Gu Yan would deny they had kissed, and for a moment, her heart sank.
Tears began to stream down her face as she looked at Gu Yan, her voice trembling, "Wh-what... you're denying it..."
Seeing this, Leng Ling'er was furious. She glared at Gu Yan: "You jerk! You did it and now you're denying it? Are you even a man?!"
"No! I really didn't do anything with Qingqiu!"
"My sister said it herself! A girl wouldn't joke about something like this!"
"Look, Qingqiu and I only kissed! Anything more intimate would have to wait until after marriage!!"
"Kissed...?"
Leng Ling'er was stunned for a moment, then turned to look at Leng Qingqiu.
The latter also nodded while wiping her tears.
In that instant.
The misunderstanding was cleared up.
Leng Ling'er covered her mouth in surprise, her eyes sparkling as she looked back and forth between the two.
Oh my gosh!! So bold!!
Gu Yan, seeing the situation spiraling out of control and even Leng Qingqiu's personality—the future big villain—becoming increasingly unpredictable, decided to intervene.
To prevent further chaos, he immediately stepped in, reaching out to scoop Leng Qingqiu into his arms in a princess carry.
Leng Qingqiu instinctively wrapped her arms around Gu Yan's neck, her voice shaky and her heart in turmoil: "Gu... Gu Yan? What are you doing? Ling'er is still here..."
But Gu Yan paid no heed: "Since everything's out in the open, why keep pretending? Qingqiu, let's go! Let this little brat reflect on why she misunderstood our pure love!!"
"Ah...!"
With that, Leng Qingqiu was carried upstairs by Gu Yan, who was afraid that if they stayed any longer, the situation would escalate into something he couldn't handle.
Hey, hey, hey!! He had no idea the story would take such a turn!
But still... this version of Qingqiu made his heart race like crazy!!
Leng Qingqiu, held in Gu Yan's arms, felt warmth spread through her chest. The comfort of Gu Yan's broad, warm embrace brought her a sense of security she hadn't felt in a long time.
She closed her eyes and rested her head against Gu Yan's chest.
She didn't want to think about anything, didn't want to care about anything. All she wanted was to let go of everything and just be with Gu Yan.
[Is this part of your plan too, other me?]
[It seems my perception is gradually improving as well.]
There was a hint of surprise in Xiao Leng's voice. So it seemed that bodily fluids weren't necessary to enhance perception after all.
Is this the function of my cauldron—Gu Yan?
Leng Qingqiu, brought back to her senses by Xiao Leng's voice, chuckled inwardly, pretending to be calm: "Ohoho... Xiao Leng, you still have a lot to learn in this area."
At the same time, she breathed a sigh of relief. That was close, too close. She had almost lost herself in Gu Yan's gentle embrace.
Leng Qingqiu, oh Leng Qingqiu, you are the Night King. You mustn't forget your mission!!
Indulging in Gu Yan's tenderness would have to wait until after you've achieved your revenge, right??
Do you think there's another [Night] in this world? No one but you can help you achieve your vengeance!
Meanwhile, downstairs.
Leng Ling'er wiped her tears and bent down to pick up the confiscated 18+ book.
Then, a triumphant smile spread across her face.
Yes! Dodged a scolding!
But who would've thought that Gu Yan and her sister had already reached the kissing stage?
Leng Ling'er licked her lips, her eyes gleaming with curiosity.
What does kissing feel like?
"Ugh, this is so annoying."
Leng Ling'er rubbed her head in frustration. Whatever, she'd go tell her best friend Bai Qionglan about this first!!
And maybe ask her if she's ever kissed anyone, to find out what it feels like!!