Have you also said these words to Shen Wan'er

Jianghai High School.

Why... why are they doing this to me...

What did I do wrong?

Deng Feng's eyes were filled with confusion and despair as he lay battered on the concrete ground, his face covered in bruises and his body aching all over.

He had just been beaten up by Wang Zilin and his gang, and he couldn't understand why they had suddenly attacked him.

It happened so abruptly - a group of them rushed over and assaulted him.

They also warned him not to have any ideas about Leng Ling'er.

Why... I didn't do anything wrong, I was just standing here looking at Ling'er... Is even that not allowed?

Do you have to take everything away from me?

Deng Feng's vision blurred again as he began to cry.

In the shadows.

Mei Xue watched the weak boy lying on the ground with utter disgust in her eyes.

She had thought he was some hidden assassin waiting for an opportunity, since he kept crouching in the corner staring at Leng Ling'er.

Turns out he was just a pathetic admirer. She had wasted her time keeping watch to see his true identity.

However...

Mei Xue shifted her gaze to a certain tree not far from Deng Feng.

Her eyes held a puzzled look. People from the Black Tortoise Gate?

Why are they here? What connection do they have with that boy?

A moment later, she saw an elderly man and a middle-aged man from the Black Tortoise Gate walk over.

Deng Feng sensed movement and, fearing Wang Zilin and his gang had returned to beat him again, curled up in fear.

But then he heard:

"Child, do you want to protect the person you care about?"

A kind voice reached Deng Feng's ears.

Deng Feng was startled. He opened his eyes to see two people standing beside him.

He recognized one of them as the physics teacher from another class.

"Who... who are you..."

Deng Feng asked fearfully.

"Don't be afraid, child. Just tell me, do you want to... protect the person you cherish?"

The elderly man extended his hand kindly.

Deng Feng stared blankly at the hand reaching out to him.

Protect... protect the person he cherishes?

An image of Leng Ling'er flashed through his mind - the sight of her saving and helping him, which had made him fall in love with her instantly.

But... he was too weak. So weak he didn't even have the courage to confess his feelings to Leng Ling'er.

"I want to protect her!"

"But how can I protect anyone? I'm too weak, I can't do it!"

Deng Feng cried out, choked with emotion.

"It's alright, take my hand child. We will help you become strong."

"We'll give you the power to protect others!"

The elderly man smiled even more warmly as he spoke.

In the shadows.

Mei Xue's eyes were filled with murderous intent as she watched.

So that's it. This boy is the heir the Black Tortoise Gate has chosen?

No wonder Gu Yan told me to come protect Miss Ling'er. He must have known about this all along.

This won't do. I need to report this to the master right away!

With that thought, Mei Xue's figure quickly vanished, having mentally added Deng Feng to her must-kill list.

......

......

The Leng Family home.

At the dining table.

The atmosphere was tense. Leng Ling'er nervously shoveled food into her mouth, her cheeks puffed out.

She didn't dare look at Gu Yan.

Ugh... brother-in-law is so scary...

Gu Yan was looking at Leng Qingqiu with a kind expression, his eyes falling on her slightly protruding belly. He asked gently: "So... you ate all those cream puffs?"

Leng Qingqiu looked guilty, keeping her head down as she tried to deny it: "I... I didn't eat them all."

"Is that so?"

Gu Yan's tone rose slightly. He walked over and pressed his hand firmly against Leng Qingqiu's slightly bulging stomach, kneading it: "Then what's this? What's in here?"

"Mmph! Don't... don't press so hard!"

Leng Qingqiu stiffened, grabbing Gu Yan's arm with a pained expression.

"Oh? If you knew it would hurt, why did you eat them all?"

"Now you can't even eat dinner. I shouldn't have bought them for you."

Gu Yan continued pressing as he admonished her: "Come on, tell me, did you eat them all?"

Leng Qingqiu felt weak all over from the pressure. She felt nauseous from eating too much.

To get Gu Yan to stop, but also feeling like being scolded like this was undignified, she forced a laugh: "Well, I can't say I ate them all... it's more like I accidentally finished them before I knew it."

Is there any difference?

Gu Yan's mouth twitched. He released his hand, and Leng Qingqiu's expression eased a little.

Before Leng Qingqiu could breathe a sigh of relief, she heard Gu Yan say coldly: "I won't buy you sweets anymore in the future."

"!!"

Leng Qingqiu froze, her expression becoming blank.

No... he won't buy them for me anymore?

That means I'll never get to eat sweets again!

No... I don't want that!!

Leng Ling'er felt a bit sorry seeing her sister's stunned expression. Her brother-in-law was so scary, able to scold her sister into silence.

She swallowed nervously and said with an awkward smile: "Bro-brother-in-law, sis knows she was wrong, you don't have to... Eek!!"

Before she could finish, Leng Ling'er saw Gu Yan's cold glare directed at her. She let out a startled squeak and immediately lowered her head, focusing on her food without another word.

Meanwhile, Leng Qingqiu felt utterly humiliated and wronged.

She was supposed to be the actual behind-the-scenes controller of the Leng family, and the queen of the Night Organization. So why did she have to be scolded by Gu Yan like this?

Damn it... and in front of her own sister too. Didn't he know how much face she was losing?

Seeing Leng Qingqiu's upset expression, Gu Yan started to feel a bit guilty.

He sighed helplessly and sat down next to Leng Qingqiu, using his "God-level Massage Technique" to gently massage her stomach.

She stiffened for a moment but didn't refuse.

Gu Yan spoke earnestly: "Qingqiu, I'm doing this for your own good. What if you make yourself sick from overeating? I meant for you to eat them slowly while reading, who knew you'd finish them all at once."

"You'll get sick this way. Your stomach must feel awful now, right? It's because you haven't eaten sweets in so long, and suddenly eating so much will definitely upset your digestion."

Leng Qingqiu remained silent. She did feel unwell. Hearing Gu Yan's voice become gentle again, she felt a strange sensation in her heart.

She couldn't describe the feeling, but it felt... warm somehow.

Come to think of it, so Gu Yan could get angry too? She had thought he would always be gentle and kind to her.

But he really didn't give her any face! How annoying!

Seeing that Gu Yan was no longer angry, she reverted to her usual haughty demeanor, letting out a proud snort: "Hmph... I know my own body best. I don't need you telling me what to do."

This girl... Gu Yan couldn't help but smile. The two sisters really were alike.

But this is exactly the Qingqiu I love most!

"Alright, alright. But I really won't be buying you sweets anymore."

"....... You really won't buy any?"

"Really won't."

"......."

Leng Qingqiu pushed away Gu Yan's hand that was massaging her stomach, then fell silent as a form of wordless protest.

Gu Yan laughed and put his hand back to continue rubbing: "I'm just teasing you. But we'll have to reduce the amount from now on. How about once a week? Otherwise you'll get fat, Qingqiu."

Leng Qingqiu heard this and, though happy that Gu Yan was being sensible, was displeased by the latter half of his statement: "What do you mean I'll get fat?"

She said unhappily: "Are you saying you won't like me if I get fat?"

Leng Qingqiu didn't know why she had blurted that out instinctively, and suddenly felt embarrassed.

Oh no... I let that slip out by accident, and in front of my sister too.

Hearing this, Gu Yan smiled gently and said: "No matter how you change, Qingqiu, whether you get fat or sick or thin or whatever else, I'll still like you."

"Or rather... I'll love you the most."

Thump thump... thump thump...

Leng Qingqiu's face flushed slightly red, her heart starting to race uncontrollably. Is this what they call having butterflies in your stomach?

"You... you used to be Shen Wan'er's devoted admirer, but now you're talking so boldly!"

Leng Qingqiu gave a shy but threatening smile: "Did you say these same words to Shen Wan'er too?"