Without a moment to mourn Gu Yan's exposed lie, the person sitting on the bed now was...
"Qingqiu, does this feel good?"
Gu Yan asked softly, his fingers gently kneading Leng Qingqiu's shoulders. Despite being wrapped in bandages himself, resembling a small white mountain, he continued.
"I only pretended to be injured to hide my true strength..."
Leng Qingqiu crossed her arms and let out a cold, noncommittal laugh. "Heh."
Seeing that his efforts were ineffective, Gu Yan continued with his divine-level massage technique and said, "Qingqiu, my dear Qingqiu~ It was just a little joke, alright?~~"
"You know how much I've missed you!"
This only served to ignite Leng Qingqiu's anger further.
"If you really missed me, you wouldn't have done something so dangerous!"
Her voice carried a tinge of fury as she turned her head, her icy glare piercing Gu Yan. "You've been lucky to escape every time, but how long can that last?"
"Do you think those enemies will show mercy? Gu Yan, you underestimate how vicious Night can be!"
"And not just Night, do you think those sect members are good people? Wrong! They only care about your family's influence!"
"If you're of no use to them, they'll abandon you without a second thought!"
Leng Qingqiu's words came like a storm, rapid and trembling, as waves of emotion rippled through her heart.
She knew her concerns weren't baseless. She understood the ruthlessness of this world better than anyone.
"This time, you were lucky and didn't get seriously hurt. But what about next time? Will your luck hold every time?"
"Do you think those enemies are actors you hired, always letting you off the hook?"
"Gu Yan! You're underestimating the world of martial artists!"
"Fine! If you're so determined to throw your life away, go ahead! I'll just pretend I never knew you!"
Leng Qingqiu's voice trembled slightly from the intensity of her emotions.
She knew all too well the cruelty of the martial world and how those who impersonated Night would go to great lengths to disguise themselves as such.
That was why she feared how much harm Gu Yan, now entangled in this mess, might suffer.
This time, they were saved because Mei Xue and You Xingxue intervened and brought them back.
But what about next time?
She never expected this scoundrel to do something so dangerous right after what they had shared.
Thankfully, Mei Xue had rescued them, or else... she truly didn't know what she would have done.
Leng Qingqiu had to admit that the thought of Gu Yan dying made it hard for her to breathe, her heart aching as if pierced by a knife.
Sometimes, Xiao Leng was right.
Gu Yan had changed her too much.
She had become so emotional because of him, something that would have never happened to her before.
Gu Yan was stunned by her words.
Qingqiu... is she really this worried about me?
That ruthless villain from the original story... has she truly been softened by him?
Her voice, trembling yet sharp, was filled with concern for him.
And the traces of tears that hadn't yet faded from the corners of her eyes.
Thump! Thump!
His heart raced uncontrollably!
This contrasting side of Qingqiu!!
Gu Yan thought she was absolutely adorable!!!!
He couldn't hold back any longer. Rip!! His clothes tore apart, and the bandages burst open!
Before Leng Qingqiu could react, Gu Yan tightly embraced her and shouted, "Ahhh! Qingqiu! My Qingqiu!! You're just too cute like this!"
"Just as cute as last night!! I... I can't hold back anymore!!"
"I'll absorb, absorb, absorb, absorb!!!"
!!!!
This sudden outburst left Leng Qingqiu both embarrassed and furious.
She froze for a moment before regaining her composure and coldly scolded, "You scoundrel! Let go of me!!"
Gu Yan's tight embrace and his words made her heart pound like a war drum, her cheeks instantly flushing with a peach-like blush.
Wait, are you seriously not acting anymore??
How are you going to explain this to your parents? Did you just tear off the bandages like that?
Weren't you just saying you pretended to be injured to hide your strength? Was that all a lie??
And! What made her even more embarrassed was!!
"Wait!!"
"What do you mean by last night?!"
Leng Qingqiu pushed hard against Gu Yan, her ears turning red, her voice tinged with both anger and shame.
Last night? Damn it!
How could she have forgotten about that!
Gu Yan tried to lean in closer, but Leng Qingqiu's strength forced him into a temporary stalemate.
"What I mean is..."
He grabbed Leng Qingqiu's hands and pulled them apart, allowing him to see her slightly blushing face. He took a deep breath and said, "That night, Qingqiu! You were so bold!"
Before he could finish.
Bang!
Gu Yan felt a sharp pain in his head, and his consciousness faded, as if he had blacked out.
"?"
He looked at Leng Qingqiu's embarrassed and furious expression before his eyes slowly closed.
Huh? Why do I feel so dizzy?
Thud!
Gu Yan gently collapsed onto Leng Qingqiu's lap, his expression peaceful and serene.
"Oh no... oh no..."
"I accidentally knocked him out with the Evil Tome!"
Leng Qingqiu looked at the Evil Tome floating behind Gu Yan's head. Though she apologized, her expression seemed more relieved than anything.
Then, she glanced down at Gu Yan, who was lying on her lap, and reached out to poke his cheek. She pursed her lips and muttered, "You're such a scoundrel. Even when you're unconscious, you have to collapse in the most inappropriate place."
[Other me... why did you suddenly knock out the cauldron?]
At this moment, Xiao Leng appeared.
Leng Qingqiu's expression stiffened, and she coughed lightly before saying, "Isn't this what they always do on TV? Knock them out, and when they wake up, they forget everything!"
"What happened last night! He must never know!"
[.......You've been watching too much TV.]
"Xiao Leng, shut up! You don't understand anything!"
It seemed like something in her words had struck a nerve with Xiao Leng.
The usually emotionless Xiao Leng unexpectedly replied.
[You're the one who doesn't understand. If it were me... I wouldn't waste this opportunity.]
"?? Xiao Leng, what are you talking about? Just shut up for now!"
After retorting in her mind, Leng Qingqiu reached out and began to examine Gu Yan's body, from his face to every part of his physique.
Only after confirming that there was nothing wrong did she finally relax.
So was he really just pretending to be injured to hide his strength?
Or was it just to get her to come visit him?
Or perhaps both?
Regardless, Leng Qingqiu's heart had gradually calmed down after learning that Gu Yan was fine.
She opened her eyes and looked at the life essence before her, feeling a strange flutter in her heart.
"Gu Yan..."
Leng Qingqiu leaned down slightly, her lips tentatively approaching Gu Yan's. When she saw that he showed no reaction, she became bolder.
I'm sorry for dragging you into this.
And as for those who impersonate Night... whoever you are...
While replenishing Gu Yan's energy, Leng Qingqiu issued a mental order to hunt down the impostors.
I will make sure you pay a heavy price!!