When Gu Yan returned to the Leng Family home as agreed, it was 19:44.
If nothing unexpected happened, then the unexpected probably wouldn't happen.
At the Leng Family dinner table.
The atmosphere at this moment was somewhat strange.
Leng Ling'er was taking small bites of the simple meal she and her sister had prepared, while secretly stealing glances at Gu Yan, who was quietly explaining something to Leng Qingqiu on the other side.
What did that fish Gu talk about with Shen Wan'er?
They chatted until so late? It couldn't be, could it really be what I'm thinking?
Leng Ling'er's eyes widened slightly, feeling as if someone in her family was being lured away.
Leng Qingqiu had the same thoughts, eating with a cold expression.
If Gu Yan didn't give her an explanation, she would likely be too upset to sleep tonight.
Of course, things weren't as the two of them imagined.
"Qingqiu, my dear Qingqiu, I really didn't do anything with Shen Wan'er."
"I stayed there just to wrap up my..."
Gu Yan was explaining when he returned to find Leng Qingqiu and Leng Ling'er had already prepared dinner and were waiting for him.
He knew he was in trouble.
"Wrap up your romance?" Leng Qingqiu interrupted Gu Yan's speech, then said sarcastically.
"Well, well, you could say that, but the issue isn't..."
Gu Yan hurriedly grabbed Leng Qingqiu's hand when he heard this, but it was difficult to explain. After all, what he was trying to do was too secretive and definitely couldn't be revealed to Leng Qingqiu and the others.
Wouldn't that affect his image in their hearts?
"Hah, if the issue isn't that, then what is it? I think it's not ending a romance, but rekindling one," Leng Qingqiu threw off Gu Yan's hand and turned away with a cold laugh.
For some reason, Leng Qingqiu felt a strange feeling in her heart.
She didn't know what this feeling was, but she knew it was caused by Gu Yan.
She didn't like this feeling.
Seeing Leng Qingqiu turn away, not wanting to talk to him, Gu Yan sensed trouble.
Oh no, could it be that? The scenario from all those romance novels he read in his past life?
The wife at home becoming distrustful because her husband went out socializing, ultimately leading to arguments and divorce?
Although he and Leng Qingqiu weren't officially married yet, he felt the situation was probably similar.
Left with no choice, Gu Yan had to first mention some unimportant matters. He quickly stood up, put on a flattering face, and moved behind Leng Qingqiu.
Then he placed his hands on her shoulders and started massaging: "Qingqiu, it's not like that, let me explain."
"Let go of me, I don't want to hear it!"
Leng Qingqiu felt Gu Yan's actions and pretended to struggle, shrugging her shoulders.
But Gu Yan had already started massaging, so after a few attempts to shake him off, Leng Qingqiu stopped moving and instead perked up her ears to hear what explanation Gu Yan would give.
On Gu Yan's side, while massaging, he sincerely said: "Qingqiu, you know, I pursued Shen Wan'er back then to try to forget about you."
"And during that time, that Shen Tian kept asking to borrow money from me. I originally thought I wouldn't ask him to pay it back..."
Hearing this, Leng Qingqiu frowned and interrupted: "Wait, what do you mean you pursued Shen Wan'er to forget about me?"
"Well, you know, it's like they say in TV dramas, choosing to find someone new to forget about someone," Gu Yan coughed.
"At that time, I felt I wasn't good enough for you, Qingqiu, so I didn't dare face you."
"That's why I thought about finding Shen Wan'er, but!"
"Now I've realized that I really can't forget about you, Qingqiu! I want to be with you properly! To be together forever!"
"I want to massage you like this every day, sing for you, cook for you, warm your bed..."
As Gu Yan spoke, he became more and more unrestrained, making Leng Qingqiu's heart race.
Her face slightly flushed, she hurriedly interrupted: "Stop, stop, stop!! What nonsense are you spouting?"
Leng Qingqiu took a deep breath, but her body relaxed a bit, leaning slightly against the chair back to let Gu Yan massage more comfortably.
Then she said: "Don't change the subject, continue. How much money did you lend that Shen Tian guy? Why aren't you asking him to pay it back?"
When mentioning Shen Tian, Leng Qingqiu didn't have much of a good attitude.
After all, he had almost hurt her sister.
"It's not much, just 20 million."
"I originally thought I wouldn't bother asking him for it back."
"But he dared to bully our Ling'er, so I couldn't let that slide."
Just as Gu Yan said this.
Clang!
The sound of a spoon falling to the ground came from the side.
He turned to look.
Only to see Leng Ling'er stunned in place after hearing "20 million", not even realizing she had dropped her spoon.
"T-twenty million?!"
"Brother-in-law!! How can you not ask for it back?!"
"You definitely have to get it back! This, this, this! How many clothes could I buy with that?!"
Leng Ling'er hurriedly stood up and shouted, her face full of anxiety: "Brother-in-law, hurry and get it back from that loser! If you don't want it, you can give it to me!"
"Ling'er! What are you saying?!" Leng Qingqiu scolded, then pretended to be calm and asked: "So you stayed there just to collect the debt?"
"Yes!"
"Did you get the money back?"
"No."
"?"
Leng Qingqiu slowly made a question mark, then looked up at Gu Yan with a blank expression and said: "Then why did you come back?"
"Well, uh..."
Gu Yan was at a loss for words.
But the next moment, Leng Qingqiu's lips curled into a slight smile: "Hehe, I'm just teasing you. It's good to know you didn't do anything bad."
Seeing this, Gu Yan understood the crisis was averted. He smoothly sat down next to Leng Qingqiu and said softly: "Qingqiu, how could I dare to do anything bad behind your back?"
"Don't you know what kind of person I am?"
Hearing this, Leng Qingqiu rolled her eyes internally and said: "The whole of Jianghai City knows what kind of person Young Master Gu is."
"Oh? You mean I'm handsome and upright?"
"Hehe, you're really shameless."
"Aiya, what use is face? I'm so handsome, but it's a pity you can't see, Qingqiu. Otherwise, you'd fall for my good looks the moment you laid eyes on me."
?
Leng Qingqiu felt she had never met someone so narcissistic from past to present.
But for some reason, listening to Gu Yan talk made her feel at ease, though her inherent reserve naturally wouldn't let her show it.
So she lightly snorted: "If my eyes were better, I might want a divorce the first time I saw you."
"Oh, that's not right."
As she said this, Leng Qingqiu inexplicably added: "A divorce would be good, then you could go find Shen Wan'er again."
Gu Yan saw the topic had circled back.
He wanted to cry but had no tears as he explained: "Qingqiu, believe me, I really didn't do anything with Shen Wan'er."
"Hehe, I didn't say you did anything with her."
"Qingqiu... why are you... ouch..."
A few minutes later.
The little sister-in-law Leng Ling'er very dissatisfiedly ladled a bowl of rice for Gu Yan: "Hmph! It won't kill you to eat this, you loser Gu!"
She seemed very upset after learning that Gu Yan had lent Shen Tian 20 million.
It was as if she felt as bad as if their family's money had been fed to dogs.
— This little brat.
The corner of Gu Yan's mouth twitched. What an insincere little brat.
After thinking this, he looked at the dinner table.
There were only two dishes and a soup, and it was obvious they had been poorly made.
"Did you and Ling'er make this, Qingqiu?"
Gu Yan took a bite.
Very salty, very bitter.
"Mm, we saw you hadn't come back, so we tried making dinner."
"We originally wanted to wait and eat together when you returned. How does it taste?"
Leng Qingqiu hadn't started eating yet. She was also a bit nervous, after all, this was the first time she had cooked since losing her sight.
On Leng Ling'er's side, after taking a bite, she made an unpleasant expression.
But thinking that this was made by her sister's own hands, she swallowed it with tears in her eyes.
However, the next moment, she heard Gu Yan say: "Too much salt, the fire was too high. It's edible, but the taste is mediocre."
!!
Leng Ling'er's heart skipped a beat. She hurriedly looked at Leng Qingqiu.
Sure enough, she saw that the other's expression had become somewhat stiff and awkward.
Her expression also became a bit dejected.
"Gu!"
Just as Leng Ling'er was about to speak...
As Gu Yan put down his chopsticks, he gently took hold of Leng Qingqiu's hand and said softly, "But..."
"Even though Qingqiu can't cook, I still like her."
"I like everything about you, Qingqiu. Your strengths, your flaws - I like them all."
"I may not have your brilliant mind, and you may not have my superior cooking skills, but we complement each other perfectly, Qingqiu..."
"Although I've said this many times before, I want to say it again..."
"I truly, deeply love you."
Clang!
Leng Ling'er's spoon dropped to the floor again as she stared at the scene, dumbfounded.
Wait, big brother, you can be like this too?
Thump! Thump!
On Leng Qingqiu's side, her heart raced at Gu Yan's words, her face turning slightly red. "Don't... don't say such things. Ling'er is still here."
That detestable Gu Yan, saying such things... I don't even know how to react.
But being passive isn't my style.
"Huff..."
Leng Qingqiu took a deep breath, thinking of something. She slowly raised her hand and placed it on Gu Yan's cheek.
Gu Yan was stunned for a moment, his face lighting up with joy, wondering what Leng Qingqiu was about to do. "Qingqiu, is this okay? Ling'er is still here."
"Hehe, it's fine."
With a slightly flushed face, Leng Qingqiu smiled softly. She picked up her chopsticks and grabbed a bite of food.
Then, as Gu Yan's expression gradually froze, she found his mouth by the position of his face: "Here, since you love me so much, you can't waste any of this food today~"
"Even though it's too salty, bitter, and mediocre, please bear with it."
Ah, Leng Qingqiu could really hold a grudge.
Gu Yan could feel it.
After dinner.
Gu Yan lay lifelessly on the sofa, gazing up at the ceiling.
Maybe he should get a blood test done. Hopefully, his health indicators weren't off the charts.
"Hehe, weakling Gu, you can't handle even this small setback?"
Nearby, Leng Ling'er, fresh out of the shower and dressed in bunny pajamas, pitter-pattered over to the sofa with her bare feet.
She cupped her hand around her mouth, looking at Gu Yan with a mocking expression.
He glanced at her sideways before resignedly averting his gaze.
There's still this little devil at home. What a life...
"Hey! What's with that expression? It's so rude!"
Although Leng Ling'er didn't know what Gu Yan was thinking, she knew it couldn't be anything good.
"I was thinking you look quite cute when you're not talking," Gu Yan casually replied.
"!!"
Hearing this, Leng Ling'er was stunned. Her little face turned slightly red, and even the bunny ears on her hood drooped down.
C-c-cute? Is he talking about me?
Gu Yan looked towards the back.
Leng Qingqiu had gone to take a shower. Although he wanted to follow her in, she had coldly refused.
Qingqiu was really shy, even though they were engaged.
The next moment.
Leng Qingqiu walked out wearing a bathrobe, drying her hair with a towel.
Fresh out of the bath, she looked like a lotus emerging from the water, even more beautiful and captivating.
Leng Qingqiu seemed to know Gu Yan hadn't left yet, so she naturally walked to the living room and said, "You're not going home yet?"
As if she was certain of Gu Yan's location, Leng Qingqiu spoke very naturally.
Hearing Leng Qingqiu's words, Gu Yan suddenly realized that indeed, it was time for him to leave.
But... for some reason, he just didn't want to go.
"Oh, uh, should I... leave now?"
But if she didn't ask him to stay, he naturally couldn't just linger. What if it lowered her affection for him?
"No need to see me out."
Leng Qingqiu nodded slightly, speaking coolly.
Gu Yan reached out his hand, wanting to say something, but ultimately let it drop.
Never mind, once her affection level increases, everything will fall into place.
So he didn't dwell on it further, grabbing his coat and walking towards the door.
He walked up to Leng Qingqiu: "Qingqiu, I'm really leaving then."
After waiting for a few moments with no response from her, Gu Yan disappointedly lifted his foot to leave.
However.
Just as he was about to reach the door.
Leng Qingqiu's voice came from behind: "It's so late, how will you get home?"
It was already 22:34 at night.
In fact, Gu Yan's driver's car had long been parked outside.
But hearing Leng Qingqiu's words, how could Gu Yan not understand her meaning? A smile immediately spread across his face as he put on a pitiful act, saying, "There's no one at my house. My parents are away on a trip, my subordinates don't respect me enough to pick me up, and Old Gao has something to do today and isn't around."
"I'll see if I can catch a taxi home."
Gu Yan sighed, then continued walking.
On Leng Qingqiu's side, she frowned as she listened to Gu Yan's words.
For some reason, a surge of anger welled up in her heart.
She had long heard that there were many internal conflicts within the Gu family, and many people were very dissatisfied with Gu Yan as the future heir of the Gu Group.
But she never thought that not a single person would listen to Gu Yan's words?
It seems... it might be necessary to have [Night] secretly help Gu Yan.
Thinking this, Leng Qingqiu spoke up: "Wait, if that's the case."
"You can sleep here tonight."
As soon as these words were spoken.
Leng Ling'er, sitting on the sofa, was stunned. She looked at Leng Qingqiu in disbelief.
Huh?!
Gu Yan's body froze, his face lighting up with joy as he blurted out, "Really?! Can I sleep together with you, Qingqiu?"
With these words, the whole room fell silent for a moment.
After a long while.
"Get lost!"
Leng Qingqiu angrily scolded, then turned and walked upstairs without looking back.
What Gu Yan didn't see was the embarrassed blush that covered her face.
.......
........
"Hmph! You can sleep in this room!"
Leng Ling'er, carrying a stack of bedding, pushed open a door with a disgruntled face.
"This room?"
"That's right, it's my parents' room. What, are you not satisfied?"
Leng Ling'er snorted coldly, placing the bedding on the large bed before eyeing Gu Yan warily: "Loser Gu, don't you dare sneak into my sister's or my room at night, or... or I'll call the police to arrest you!"
Gu Yan, who had just finished surveying the tidy room, heard the little devil's foolish words.
He waved his hand dismissively, saying with disdain, "It would make sense for me to sneak into Qingqiu's room, but what about you, little devil, is worth sneaking in for? Your weird bunny pajamas?"
"You!! You jerk!"
Hearing this, Leng Ling'er's face turned red with anger. She cursed loudly before stomping out of the room in a huff.
Click!
She slammed the door shut behind her.
"This little devil."
Gu Yan shook his head with a wry smile. If she didn't constantly call him a loser, she might actually be quite cute.
Just then.
Buzz! Buzz!
Gu Yan's phone began to vibrate.
He was surprised, thinking he had already told his parents he might not return home tonight.
He picked up the phone to look.
It was a file sent by Old Gao.
The file name was————
[Xiao Lin]
!!
Gu Yan's expression changed, and then the corners of his mouth curled up uncontrollably.
His eyes also revealed a hint of mysterious meaning.
Oh, the protagonist has arrived. It's time for the plan to begin.
Meanwhile, in the study.
The tall, blindfolded woman Mei Xue was kneeling on one knee, with a round object wrapped in a red cloth bag placed by her feet.
"Master, this subordinate learned from him that there was a mysterious entity that issued the order to massacre the Leng Family back then."
"Countless forces were involved, and Death God was just one of them."
"As for who exactly this mysterious entity was or why they did it, this person doesn't know either."
"However, your subordinate has obtained the name of the force from him."
Saying this, Mei Xue took out a scroll from her bosom, which recorded the names of the forces involved back then.
Leng Qingqiu took the specially made Braille scroll, her face expressionless as she unrolled it to examine.
She read very quickly, as if searching for something.
After about ten minutes, when she had gone through the special Braille scroll again but hadn't found that particular word, Leng Qingqiu's suspended heart finally settled down.
She took a deep breath and put away the scroll.
Then she spoke calmly, "Are there any forces from the list in Jianghai City?"
"Yes!"
Mei Xue immediately bowed her head and replied, "According to our information, the former headquarters of the Dragon King Palace was in Jianghai City!"
"Moreover... their young master Xiao Lin has already arrived in Jianghai City today!!"
Upon hearing this, Leng Qingqiu's eyes flashed with a hint of murderous intent.
The young master of Dragon King Palace... Xiao Lin.
Good, since you've come, then don't expect to leave here alive.
Leng Qingqiu pondered this for a moment, remaining silent.
After a long while, she finally spoke: "Investigate who in the Gu family wishes harm upon their young master."
"Eliminate them quietly."
Mei Xue was momentarily stunned by these words.
But she quickly recovered and replied, "Yes, master."
As soon as the words were uttered, Mei Xue's figure swiftly disappeared into the shadows.