24: 24.
Holy Yin, Shen Wan’er, I Never Knew You Were Such a Snobbish and Gullible Woman 24: 24.
Holy Yin, Shen Wan’er, I Never Knew You Were Such a Snobbish and Gullible Woman Inside the private room, Shen Wan’er sat on the leather sofa with her legs crossed, glaring angrily at Gu Yan.
His gaze remained entirely detached, carrying a heavy hint of annoyance.
It was deeply infuriating—Gu Yan had never, in all the years she had known him, looked at her with such unmasked disgust.
Slumped on the floor next to her was her younger brother, Shen Tian, whose face was heavily bruised from Gu Yan’s earlier intervention.
Shen Wan’er had never dreamed that Gu Yan would treat her with such a terrible, dismissive attitude.
He had even violently injured her brother.
For some inexplicable reason, a cold shiver ran through her chest.
She had once been so patient and graceful with him, yet he was currently treating her like trash.
She felt as though she had truly misjudged his character.
“Gu Yan, what exactly are you trying to achieve here?” she asked, desperately suppressing her rising panic as she locked eyes with him.
“And how do you plan to explain my brother’s injuries?” Deep down, her immense pride had already demanded that if Gu Yan didn’t deliver a immediate apology right this second, she would never grant him forgiveness for the rest of her life.
Gu Yan, however, had zero intention of ever involving himself in her life again for romance.
But with the sudden unfolding of Leng Ling’er’s high-school plot line today, he had realized a critical reality: simply staying on the defensive and avoiding the narrative wouldn’t guarantee his survival.
To permanently dismantle any future tragic outcomes, he had to take the initiative and lay down a few calculated chess pieces ahead of schedule.
Backed by his knowledge of the script, a flawless plan had formed in his mind.
According to the author’s original text, the eventual Male Lead of this world, Xiao Lin, would meet Shen Wan’er in a later story arc and fall completely in love with her.
To call it authentic love would be a massive overstatement—in reality, the overpowered Male Lead essentially became her submissive lapdog, weaponizing his martial arts to destroy anyone who caused her the slightest bit of distress.
Therefore, Shen Wan’er was a critical, indispensable catalyst for his own long-term counter-measures.
Xiao Lin’s supernatural strength was terrifying; as the pre-destined chosen one of this world, the man possessed an absurd level of plot armor that allowed him to seamlessly level up and undergo breakthroughs right in the middle of combat.
Gu Yan was far too pragmatic to recklessly provoke an entity with a heaven-defying cheat code without a foolproof plan.
But that didn’t mean he would simply sit back and wait for his pre-destined assassination.
After reviewing the newly unlocked System Mall, he had noticed a diverse array of reality-bending items.
Among them was a specific artifact engineered to counter Xiao Lin’s luck and systematically disperse his martial powers.
The catch?
The following steps required the target to have zero suspicion.
In the entire scope of the novel, Shen Wan’er was the only individual capable of making the male lead drop his guard completely.
Having figured out a rough plan, Gu Yan looked at Shen Wan’er, bypassing her demands.
He cut straight to the core of the financial reality.
“Shen Wan’er, let’s skip the theatrical dialogue.
I’ll be completely frank with you.” “Your family’s pharmaceutical enterprise is already functionally finished.” “With those low-grade, ineffective cosmetic formulas you’ve been pushing on the market, you are fully aware of why your operations haven’t been forcefully liquidated by the banks until now.
I simply chose to ignore the it in the past.” “If you don’t want the Shen family name to be declared immediate bankruptcy, then—” “You’re dreaming!” Shen Wan’er interrupted violently, her chest heaving as a wave of intense anger broke through her composure.
This freezing, arrogant attitude…
Gu Yan, how dare you treat me like a common debtor!
She stood up, pointing an accusing finger at him.
“I see straight through your pathetic little games, Gu Yan!
You are orchestrating this entire financial stunt just to manipulate me into becoming your girlfriend!” “Let me tell you something right now!
Don’t even waste your energy!
You are a truly despicable, low-value man to resort to these toxic corporate threats just to claim my affection!” “Hear me loud and clear!
I, Shen Wan’er, possess personal pride!
I will never lower my standards to become your girlfriend under duress!” she shouted, her voice echoing off the walls.
“?” Gu Yan slowly raised a massive, invisible question mark in his mind, staring at her as if she were a biological anomaly.
Her hyper-delusional, self-absorbed declaration only served to highlight how idiotic her brain actually was.
On the other side of the coffee table, Shen Wan’er took his stunned silence as a sign of victory.
A smug, satisfied smirk played on her lips.
Heh.
See?
I’ve completely unmasked your little plan, haven’t I?
She firmly believed she had exposed his hidden play, causing him to entirely lose his composure.
Since she genuinely looked down on him, she decided to throw him a bone, softening her tone into a performance of pure pity.
“Look, Gu Yan.
I am fully aware of how deeply you admire me.
But my personal career is currently on a vertical trajectory, and I refuse to compromise my corporate goals for romance.” “So…
please forgive my bluntness, but I simply cannot agree to your romantic requests at present.” Shen Wan’er took a long, elegant breath, internally applauding herself for delivering what she considered to be a flawless speech.
She hadn’t completely closed the door on him; she had merely framed it as a career-oriented delay.
By emphasizing that she couldn’t agree for now, she left him with a shred of false hope.
What if she deigned to accept him in the future?
This way, she maintained her perfect, benevolent image without completely shattering his fragile ego.
Sometimes, she genuinely felt she was entirely too kind-hearted for her own good—even though Gu Yan was incredibly annoying, she still patiently allocated her valuable time to explain her personal boundaries to him.
Basking in her own delusion, her mood turned confident.
She crossed her arms, looking down at the silent Gu Yan with a haughty, superior gaze.
“Therefore, Gu Yan, if you still harbor a desire to maintain a minimum dialogue with me, I highly advise you to drop these transparent, petty tricks.
Otherwise—” “Are you an actual idiot?” Gu Yan spoke calmly, his flat tone cutting through her fantasy like a razor.
The private lounge fell into a dead, absolute silence.
Shen Wan’er’s confident expression froze solid, her body visibly stiffening as she stared at him in utter, unadulterated disbelief.
“What…
what did you just say?” Gu Yan was genuinely on the verge of laughing out loud at her audacity.
Looking at this clueless woman who had completely failed to grasp her real-world positioning, he lightly clapped his hands together, his voice dripping with pure mockery.
“Hehe.
Honestly, I have to give you credit—your creative imagination is remarkable.
It’s a genuine tragedy you didn’t pursue a career as a fiction writer.” Seeing him openly laugh at her, a dense wave of shame and anger flushed through Shen Wan’er.
She stepped forward, her voice rising into an agitated shriek.
“What exactly are you laughing at?!
Did I state a single inaccurate statement?!” Gu Yan dropped his hands, his expression instantly snapping back into an indifferent, freezing mask.
The sudden authority radiating from his posture caused her body to instinctively lock down.
“I’m laughing at the sheer, ridiculous absurdity of your self-confidence,” Gu Yan said, rising to his full height.
He stood over her, looking down at her frantic expression with pure, aristocratic disdain.
“What bizarre audacity could have possibly convinced your brain that a top-tier billionaire heir standing in front of you would waste his life chasing a stupid woman like you?” “Can you inject a bit of reality into your thoughts?
You are a corporate liability who possesses neither business acumen nor a sufficient emotional intelligence quotient.
What asset do you honestly believe you bring to the table that would make me like you?” “Shen Wan’er, stop living in your own fictional universe.” Before she could even begin to process the verbal demolition, Gu Yan delivered the final, crushing blow.
“Let me make this perfectly clear for you.” “Not only is your family’s pharmaceutical firm standing on the precipice of immediate bankruptcy, but your younger brother currently owes my private account over twenty million yuan.
If he fails to pay that debt, he is going straight to prison for life.” Shen Wan’er’s face turned pale, her mind launching into instant denial.
“You’re lying!
My firm is completely secure!
And my brother?” She spun around violently, locking her furious gaze onto her brother.
“Shen Tian!
What nonsense is he talking about?
When on earth did you borrow that sum of money from him?!” Shen Tian’s eyes darted around the room in panic.
Realizing that Gu Yan had already compiled the full financial audit and that the truth was unescapable, he broke down, crying out desperately, “Sister!
Please, I beg you, just give in to Young Master Gu!” “Otherwise, your own brother is going to spend the rest of his life behind bars!
Sister!
I don’t want to go to jail!
Please save me!” Boom!
The confession hit Shen Wan’er like a physical blow.
Her mind went completely blank, and her knees subtly trembled.
“What…
what are you saying?
You truly accumulated a debt of that magnitude?” She was dumbfounded.
She had firmly believed Gu Yan was simply making numbers to rattle her pride—after all, a sum of over twenty million yuan was an astronomical figure for an individual allowance.
But seeing her brother weeping and failing to deny a single digit, the reality settled in: Gu Yan wasn’t joking in the slightest.
“Sister…
I can’t survive in prison…
please, beg Young Master Gu to drop the charges!” Shen Tian whimpered, completely broken.
Having seen the cold efficiency with which Gu Yan’s men beat him this morning, he no longer harbored any stupid delusions of protection.
In the past, before Gu Yan had focused his attention on his sister, Shen Tian had heard the terrifying rumors surrounding the heir’s true personality—he was notoriously arrogant, viciously overbearing in the elite high-society circles, and never placed a single competitor in his eyes.
It was only after Gu Yan initiated his frantic pursuit of Shen Wan’er that he had intentionally suppressed his natural fangs, transforming his public persona into a submissive follower just to appease her taste.
That temporary weakness had fooled the Shen family into looking down on him.
But now that Gu Yan had cleanly wiped his slate clean, the terrifying, unshakeable tyrant of the Gu Dynasty had returned to claim the board.
“You…
you failure!” Shen Wan’er pointed a shaking finger at her brother, her chest heaving as the whiplash of the financial debt left her unable to organize her thoughts.
On one side of the scale was her immediate family’s freedom; on the other was the arrogant, cold man she had spent years looking down on.
Her pride desperately fought against the reality of surrendering to him.
Taking a sharp breath, she leveled a bitter glare across the table.
“Fine.
I will personally manage the corporate liquidation and pay back every single cent my brother owes your account.
Is that satisfactory?” Gu Yan knew she was simply running on pure, stubborn bravado.
He offered a flat, expressionless nod.
“Deliver the full balance to my family estate within three days.
If the funds fail to clear, the police handle the rest.” Without leaving a single pocket of space for further discussion, he turned on his heel and walked comfortably toward the exit.
Watching his back move toward the door without a hint of hesitation, a sudden, unfamiliar wave of raw panic gripped Shen Wan’er’s chest.
It felt as though a priceless, foundational anchor in her life was permanently tearing away from her universe.
Before her vanity could stop her, she called out instinctively, “Wait!” Gu Yan stopped in his tracks, pausing right at the threshold.
He tilted his head slightly, his profile looking entirely detached.
“What?
Have you changed your mind?” Seeing that he wouldn’t even deign to turn his body fully around to look at her face, Shen Wan’er bit her lower lip so hard it bled.
A volatile mixture of intense resentment and deep, grievance flooded her throat.
She stared at his cold silhouette with a chaotic blend of emotions.
“You…
are you truly resolved to treat me with this level of cruelty?” Gu Yan found the emotional appeal deeply amusing.
How exactly am I treating you?
Let’s entirely bypass the fact that in the author’s original script, your toxic pride directly caused the destruction of my entire family.
Just evaluating the present—I am simply demanding the clean, lawful collection of an multi-million-dollar debt.
That is a perfectly reasonable business stand, isn’t it?
“Stop wasting your energy feeling like a tragic victim, idiot,” Gu Yan said, casually waving his hand dismissively as he stepped past the threshold.
“Instead of crying over spilled milk, you’d better start figuring out which corporate assets you need to sell to secure the money.” With that final word, he departed into the corridor without looking back.
Shen Wan’er stood frozen in the center of the neon-lit room, completely paralyzed.
He…
he just insulted my intelligence again.
Thud.
Her strength evaporated, and her body collapsed limply onto the plush cushions of the sofa.
Her tear-filled eyes remained locked onto the empty doorway where his figure had vanished.
As she sat in the heavy silence, a sudden, unwanted flood of memories rushed through her mind—memories of the old Gu Yan.
How he used to run across the city just to secure her favorite meals, how his eyes used to shine with pure adoration whenever she walked into a room, how fiercely he had wanted to protect her from the world.
But now, those warm memories were being violently crushed and overwritten by the icy, terrifying image of the powerful man who had just discarded her without a single backward glance.
A sharp sob caught in her throat.
“Wuu…” The tears finally spilled over her lashes, tracing hot lines down her pale cheeks.
She clenched her manicured fists into the leather fabric, throwing her voice toward the empty hallway in a desperate, broken scream.
“Gu Yan!
You absolute bastard!” — Inside the second-floor study of the Leng Family Estate, the quiet air was suddenly cut short by a sharp question.
“What?
Are you telling me Gu Yan stayed behind to be alone with Shen Wan’er?” Leng Qingqiu’s voice rose slightly, an unfamiliar twinge of sharp discomfort settling into her chest.
She had been sitting by the desk for a long time, quietly wondering why he hadn’t returned yet.
Finally, when Ling’er bounced back through the gates, she had casually mentioned that Gu Yan was currently occupied, sorting out an unexpected conversation with Shen Wan’er.
“Wait a moment.
Why exactly would they require a private conversation inside a KTV lounge of all places?” Leng Qingqiu’s head turned slightly, her blind gaze narrowing.
“For that matter, what exactly were you doing at a KTV in the first place?” She had instantly picked up on the massive flaw in her sister’s casual explanation, turning to face her with a expressionless, chilling face.
Seeing that icy look, Leng Ling’er instantly ducked her head in pure, guilty panic.
In her entire life, the one thing that terrified her most was her older sister’s emotionless face.
She had desperately wanted to conceal the afternoon’s rebellion, but under the immense psychological pressure, she had zero choice but to explain the entire thing from the very beginning.
A few minutes ticked by in silence.
Once her mind had successfully processed the full truth of the high-school brawl, Leng Qingqiu’s expression grew even more freezing.
When she finally spoke, her tone carried a heavy chill.
“Go downstairs immediately.
Wait for your brother-in-law to return.” Her calm reaction left Leng Ling’er feeling bewildered.
Huh?
Why didn’t my sister launch into a furious disciplinary lecture?
Hehe, whatever!
Who cares!
As long as she had successfully evaded a severe grounding, the outcome was an win.
“Oh!
Understood, sister!” Ling’er nodded frantically, pivoting on her heel and bouncing down the grand staircase in high spirits.
A sudden, childlike wave of anticipation brightened her face.
Brother-in-law…
wait, no, I mean—when on earth is that scoundrel Gu finally showing up?
My stomach is empty!
— The moment the heavy study doors clicked shut behind her sister, the fragile composure melted from Leng Qingqiu’s features.
Her face grew increasingly pale, her slender fingers clenching into her palms until her knuckles turned white.
A endless wave of raw killing intent surged through her chest.
The Shen family.
The Shen family.
The Shen family.
Shen Tian…
and his pathetic circle of low-life thugs.
How dare they…
how dare those vermin lay a single finger on my younger sister.
In Leng Qingqiu’s universe, Leng Ling’er was her most sacred, priceless heel.
She would rather destroy the entire province before letting a single soul harm her.
And as for those who possessed the audacity to threaten her sister’s safety…
“No…
maintain control…
I cannot…” Leng Qingqiu shook her head sharply, her hand moving to press firmly against her restless chest, trying to force her chaotic heartbeat to stabilize.
I can’t take action on the Shen family yet.
The Shen family was anchored to Shen Wan’er—the exact woman Gu Yan had spent years publicly pursuing.
If her shadow organization went ahead and erased the woman’s younger brother from the board, she had no way of knowing what kind of severe reputational or legal trouble it might drag down upon Gu Yan’s head.
Furthermore, I don’t know how Gu Yan would feel.
I can’t do that..
But…
Gu Yan had intercepted the danger, rescued Ling’er, and delivered a severe reality check to Shen Tian.
So why on earth was he still in that private room, spending his time chatting with Shen Wan’er?
For some inexplicable, infuriating reason, the mere thought of Gu Yan being enclosed in a tight space with the Shen Wan’er right now made her feel uncomfortable.
Leng Qingqiu didn’t know what this feeling was.
But it was definitely uncomfortable The mounting frustration caused her to release a sharp, uncharacteristic scowl, her lips parting as she muttered under her breath, “It is entirely your fault, Gu Yan.
You jerk.” Yes, that was the only logical conclusion—this was all Gu Yan’s fault.
If he hadn’t insisted on staying there to talk with with his old flame, she wouldn’t be stranded in her study feeling so distressed now.
Furthermore, they had just confirmed their relationship this morning.
Yet, before the sun had even set, he was already sneaking around inside a locked KTV box with another woman.
Who could possibly guarantee what kind of ridiculous, sentimental regressions could take place between them?
Leng Qingqiu’s hands unconsciously tightened their grip on the edge of her mahogany desk.
What if, just what if…
What if Gu Yan and Shen Wan’er rekindle their old feelings?
Then I…
No, that’s not right.
I’m not saying I would be heartbroken, emotionally devastated.
or anything like that.
It is simply that a sudden shift in his romantic loyalty would disrupt my grand takeover plans for the Gu Family Empire!
Yes, that is the only reason!
Ahhh!
This is so frustrating!
Gu Yan, come back quickly!!
— Meanwhile, cutting through the dense city traffic on the main commercial avenue.
Inside a luxury car, the atmosphere was equally tense.
“Tsk!
Is your foot paralyzed?
Can’t you drive any faster?” “Do you want me to dock your pay?” Gu Yan looked at the time, shouting at the driver who had come to pick him up.
“Eek!!
S-Sorry, young master!!
This is already as fast as possible!!” The driver let out a frightened squeak, crying pitifully.
“Young master!
Even if I wanted to go faster, this car can only go so fast!” “Hiss!” Gu Yan drew in a sharp breath, leaning his head back against the fine upholstery with a helpless sigh.
Damn it, I’ve missed the best dinner time.
He could only pray that his brilliant fiancée hadn’t starved herself to death waiting for his return.
Ah, this won’t do.
I must apologize properly when I get back.
Oh Qingqiu, Qingqiu, your husband has been doing a lot of difficult work behind the scenes for your sake.
I believe when I get back, your gentle soul won’t blame me…
right?