Just when Leng Qingqiu thought Gu Yan would blush at her actions,
Gu Yan stepped back a few paces and gave a polite smile: "Sister, please maintain your dignity. I only love Qingqiu."
"Since I know Qingqiu isn't here, I'll take my leave. My sister-in-law must be getting anxious."
Before Leng Qingqiu could react, Gu Yan quickly walked away.
"Mis... Mistress, are you alright?"
Seeing Leng Qingqiu frozen in place, Mei Xue didn't know what to say.
"I'm fine."
"He passed my test of him quite well."
After a brief moment of rigidity, Leng Qingqiu returned to normal and spoke calmly.
Mei Xue was startled, then showed admiration in her eyes.
So that's what it was! The mistress was testing Gu Yan's loyalty! That's why she used this method - it both sent Gu Yan away and tested his faithfulness!
As expected of the mistress!
However, in reality, Leng Qingqiu was feeling incredibly embarrassed, depressed, and unwilling inside.
Damn it, even though I was playing a character I made up, why do I feel so disappointed hearing Gu Yan reject me?
No, no, no, it wouldn't have been right if Gu Yan had agreed either, but... but he actually rejected me.
Wait, that's not right!
This is like I'm playing another person to make myself a third wheel! This is too ridiculous!
Leng Qingqiu felt extremely frustrated inside. Damn it, this is all Gu Yan's fault, why did he have to see through them and come over!
Speaking of being seen through.
"Mei Xue."
Hearing this gentle voice, Mei Xue trembled: "Yes!"
"Why did your ability fail? And why didn't you conceal yourself?"
"Ah, well..."
Mei Xue was on the verge of tears. Damn you, Gu Yan, you've gotten me in trouble, even though I saved your life in front of the mistress before.
Meanwhile, back to Leng Ling'er's side.
Gu Yan was dazedly clutching his chest.
The previous scene was still lingering in his mind.
His eyes showed extreme conflict.
For some reason, although he directly rejected Leng Bingning at the time, his heart was in incredible pain.
But if he had agreed, he definitely wouldn't have forgiven himself either.
"Sigh."
What exactly was going on?
Gu Yan let out a light sigh. This felt like the kind of frustration you'd get from roleplaying as character A and successfully confessing to someone you like.
But he didn't know why he had that feeling.
However, what's done is done...
He glanced at the person who had been glaring at him since earlier: "What's wrong now, you little brat?"
Leng Ling'er immediately protested indignantly: "Who are you calling a brat! Fish-brain Gu, where did you go?"
"Qiong Lan and that Glasses Man were dragged away by a crowd of people, I was so bored!"
Not calling me brother-in-law anymore?
Gu Yan's mouth twitched, realizing she only called him brother-in-law in front of his friends.
He thought for a moment and decided not to mention the fact that Leng Ling'er actually had an elder sister named Leng Bingning, instead saying: "Bathroom."
"? You took that long in the bathroom?"
Leng Ling'er expressed her doubt, but still cheerfully picked up a plate of cream puffs and handed it to Gu Yan: "Here, this is the last batch. Some ignorant fish tried to fight me for it, but I scared them off right away."
As she said this, Leng Ling'er's cheeks showed some embarrassment. Seeing Gu Yan's surprised expression, she hurriedly called out: "Hey! That's not what I meant! It's just that you bought some cream puffs last time, right!"
"I remember sister likes these too, so I thought you could take them back for her. These adults at the banquet barely eat this stuff anyway, better we take it home than let it go to waste."
Hearing this, Gu Yan smiled gently: "No, I was just thinking that you're actually quite nice, you little brat."
Leng Ling'er frowned upon hearing this, dissatisfied: "? Why do I feel like you're mocking me? But whatever, I'll let it slide since you helped me before."
As she said this, Leng Ling'er seemed to notice something, her eyes brightening.
She suddenly stood up, looking at the stage with sparkling eyes: "It's... it's Lan Zizhen!!"
Lan Zizhen?
Gu Yan quickly ran through the name in his mind, confirming that he wasn't part of the protagonist's group or any major character.
He followed Leng Ling'er's gaze.
On stage stood a handsome man in a suit, holding a microphone.
He held the microphone and smiled: "Hello everyone, I'm Lan Zizhen."
This statement triggered cheers from many women below.
Leng Ling'er was among them, pulling Gu Yan's hand: "Fish! Fish-brain Gu! Quick! Let's go to the front to watch!"
Having confirmed that the man wasn't part of the protagonist's group or any important character from the original story, he lost interest.
In the original story, this person was just a minor character used to make the protagonist look good and increase the female lead's favorability. To be honest, he had no impact on advancing the plot.
But unable to resist Leng Ling'er's constant tugging, he reluctantly nodded to Leng Xing'an, who had just recovered from Leng Ling'er's verbal abuse.
"Uncle Leng, I'll accompany Ling'er to take a look."
"Oh! No problem, go ahead, don't mind me."
Leng Xing'an nodded in response.
"Hurry up, fish-brain Gu."
"Alright, alright."
Gu Yan had no choice but to be dragged along.
Meanwhile.
In the dim banquet hall.
Several figures moved swiftly through the shadows.
Some were waiters, some were bodyguards, and some wore formal attire.
But they all shared one characteristic - no one could detect their presence.
They all made their way toward the exit of the banquet hall.
Leng Qingqiu glanced in the direction of Gu Yan and Leng Ling'er, then disappeared from the scene with Mei Xue.
The Night Organization's first full-scale operation had begun.