Cold Qingqiu: No, this definitely isn't love

"I'm heading back, Qingqiu."

"Oh, just go then. Why are you telling me?"

"Haha, I just love how you are, Qingqiu."

"You!"

Leng Qingqiu's angry expression hadn't even fully formed before Gu Yan had already sped away in his car.

Hearing the sound of the car driving away, she shook her head helplessly.

No, no, Qingqiu.

Why do you always lose control of your emotions in front of this man?

You're the Queen of the Night.

As a queen, you shouldn't have so many emotions bottled up inside.

It will affect your judgment in many situations.

Sigh...

Leng Qingqiu covered her chest, her expression becoming very complex.

Have I... really fallen for Gu Yan?

If not, how else to explain today's events?

When Gu Yan hadn't arrived, she felt incredibly nervous and anxious.

Deeply afraid he might do something to betray her out there.

But when he returned, an inexplicable joy appeared in her heart that she couldn't even imagine.

Why? Just because Gu Yan was by her side?

Just this was enough to make her happy?

How infuriating. Why is it like this? I shouldn't be this kind of person.

Leng Qingqiu took a small breath to calm herself. No, no, no.

Perhaps this isn't "love" at all, but some other kind of feeling.

Like between a master and slave? Yes, that must be it!

Because she's the Queen of the Night, she can't tolerate betrayal from those under her.

That's why she felt uneasy about Gu Yan not staying by her side to report everything.

It's definitely not because of some ridiculous reason like liking Gu Yan.

Leng Qingqiu's expression became extremely confident. She felt she had found the truth.

Yes... it must be this way!

Just then,

Leng Ling'er came out of the house rubbing her cold hands and shouted when she saw Leng Qingqiu: "Sis! That small fry Gu said he wants to treat me to McDonald's. Sis, do you want some? I can bring you some next time we go."

Hearing this, Leng Qingqiu snapped out of her thoughts and frowned reflexively, saying: "Ling'er, how many times have I told you, Gu Yan is your brother-in-law. Don't be so disrespectful to him, don't call him a small fry."

"Also, stay up a bit later tonight and finish your math problems before sleeping. The college entrance exam is coming soon, you need to be more serious."

After saying this, ignoring Leng Ling'er's dumbfounded expression, Leng Qingqiu continued pondering as she walked into the house.

Her expression became extremely confident.

Hmph~ I see now, I understand everything. This isn't about liking Gu Yan at all.

It's just that I'm forced to be with Gu Yan as compensation for eventually taking over the Gu Family.

What a laughable farce. How could I possibly fall for Gu Yan?

Having figured it all out, Leng Qingqiu's mood improved considerably.

Oh right, Gu Yan seemed to say before he left that he's going to visit his friend's mother again tomorrow.

Tsk... such a willful guy.

Leng Qingqiu frowned slightly. Who exactly is this female friend called Wang Yulan, and why does she keep asking Gu Yan to go with her?

Gu Yan has already helped repay her debts, yet she still asks him to do this and that?

What a shameless person. This won't do. I need to have Mei Xue investigate the situation.

With an indescribable feeling, Leng Qingqiu leaned on her cane and went upstairs.

Leaving Leng Ling'er alone, stunned in the cold wind.

Waaah!! Sis!! You've changed!! You've become a stranger!!

..........

..........

In the Leng family study.

The atmosphere was a bit strange at the moment.

Leng Qingqiu sat at the desk, with Mei Xue standing beside her. Mei Xue had been observing the situation from the rooftop until just now.

Mei Xue's expression was very complex. She had seen her master personally come out to see Gu Yan off.

The way the two interacted made her feel very conflicted.

Especially since she knew that Gu Yan had been "lovey-dovey" with another woman outside today, which made her feel even more complicated.

Does the master know about Gu Yan finding women outside? If not, should I remind her?

She could tell the master right now that Gu Yan was with another woman outside.

She was certain that if her master knew about this, she would immediately order her to kill Gu Yan.

But...

But... no, if she told her master, and the master demanded Gu Yan be killed.

Then she wouldn't be able to get news about her brother anymore.

She couldn't do that...

But if she didn't say anything, would that count as betraying her master?

Mei Xue clenched her fists tightly, her expression incredibly complex.

On one side was her brother, on the other her master.

Mei Xue found it very difficult to choose.

At that moment, Leng Qingqiu spoke: "Mei Xue."

"Yes!"

Mei Xue startled, quickly responding.

Leng Qingqiu ignored her somewhat flustered tone and continued: "Was Gu Yan with someone called Wang Yulan today?"

!!

Mei Xue's heart jolted. What?

The master knows?!

Mei Xue's eyes flickered with panic, a bead of cold sweat running down her face.

As expected of the Queen of the Night, able to know everything even while at home?!

Then what... what should I do?

Mei Xue clenched her fist and responded in a low voice: "Y-yes..."

Gu Yan, it's not that I won't cover for you. It's just that the master is too omniscient.

Now, I'm not even sure if I can keep my own life.

On Leng Qingqiu's side, she wasn't surprised to hear that Mei Xue knew.

After all, she had asked Mei Xue to investigate factors unfavorable to Gu Yan in the Gu Family, so it was only natural for her to keep an eye on what Gu Yan was doing as well.

So, the question now is.

"What was Gu Yan... doing with that woman?"

When Leng Qingqiu asked this, she felt a bit nervous inside.

It wasn't that she didn't trust Gu Yan, it was just that kind of psychology.

When you ask one person a question and get an answer, you still choose to ask a second person the same question.

Only when the answers match do you feel completely at ease.

Doing what?

Mei Xue fell silent, incredibly conflicted inside.

Should she say it or not?

Should she mention Gu Yan and that woman hugging and embracing?

Is the master testing her loyalty? But what if she's not, and I tell her everything, wouldn't Gu Yan be doomed?

Then I wouldn't be able to get news about my brother anymore?

Mei Xue was caught in a mental storm, but soon, a hint of determination flashed in her eyes. No, she had to take a gamble.

"Master, Gu Yan went to Jianghai Hospital to visit Wang Yulan's mother."

"During that time, he sent his butler to pick up Miss Ling'er."

"Then in the evening, he continued visiting Wang Yulan's mother."

After saying this, Mei Xue's body trembled slightly.

She hadn't lied, but she had omitted many details.

Such as Gu Yan deliberately arranging actors to surround Wang Yulan, only to swoop in at the last moment to play the hero.

Or how Gu Yan personally sent Wang Yulan home, and so on.

But to prevent the master from killing Gu Yan, she chose to conceal some key events.

Now... she could only leave it to fate.

One second passed, two seconds, three seconds.

Leng Qingqiu didn't speak, and Mei Xue kept her head lowered, not daring to make a sound.

She was afraid inside. Was the master angry?

What she didn't expect was,

On Leng Qingqiu's side, after hearing that Mei Xue's account matched Gu Yan's,

Her mood inexplicably improved even more. The corners of her mouth even curled up slightly, though she quickly suppressed it.

After all, Mei Xue was still here.

Thinking of this, she changed the subject, saying: "Very well. Now, has there been any progress regarding the Dragon King Palace?"

"How strong is this so-called young master of the Dragon King Palace?"

Leng Qingqiu wouldn't forget her revenge just because she was with Gu Yan.

Hearing that Leng Qingqiu didn't continue asking about Gu Yan, Mei Xue felt relieved.

She quickly replied: "Master, Xiao Lin is currently working as a security guard at Tianye Pharmaceuticals. Because Tianye Pharmaceuticals is about to go bankrupt, many people are gathering to cause trouble in front of the company."

"I've arranged for people to take advantage of the chaos tomorrow morning to test his abilities."

Hearing this, Leng Qingqiu nodded, but why did Tianye Pharmaceuticals sound so familiar?

"Whose company is Tianye Pharmaceuticals?"

"My lady, it belongs to the Shen Family, currently managed by their eldest daughter, Shen Wan'er," reported the servant.

Oh, it's her.

Upon hearing this name, Leng Qingqiu's expression turned extremely cold.

Her mind seemed to be churning with unspoken thoughts. After a long pause, she spoke with detached indifference, "You may go."

Mei Xue, feeling as if pardoned from a death sentence, quickly responded, "Yes, my lady!" before hastily retreating.