25: 25.
A Dinner of Consequences 25: 25.
A Dinner of Consequences When Gu Yan returned to the Leng Family home as agreed, the clock showed 19:44.
At the Leng Family dinner table, the atmosphere was somewhat tense.
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 scoundrel 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 about to be lured away.
Leng Qingqiu shared the exact same thoughts, eating with a cold expression.
If Gu Yan didn’t give her a proper explanation, she would likely be too upset to sleep tonight.
Of course, reality wasn’t at all what the two of them were imagining.
“Qingqiu, my dear Qingqiu, I really didn’t do anything with Shen Wan’er,” Gu Yan pleaded.
“I stayed there just to wrap up my…” He frantically explained.
The moment he walked in to find that 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, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
“Well, you could say that, but the issue isn’t…” Gu Yan hurriedly grabbed Leng Qingqiu’s hand, but it was difficult to explain.
After all, what he was trying to do with the system was too secretive and definitely couldn’t be revealed to her.
Wouldn’t that ruin his image?
“Hah.
If the issue isn’t that, then what is it?
If it’s not ending a romance, but rekindling one, right?” Leng Qingqiu said, throwing off his hand and turning away with a cold laugh.
For some reason, she felt a strange sensation in her chest.
She didn’t know what this feeling was, but she knew it was caused by Gu Yan, and she didn’t like it.
Seeing Leng Qingqiu turn away, refusing to talk to him, Gu Yan sensed immediate danger.
Oh no, could it be that classic scenario from the romance novels?
The wife at home becoming distrustful because her husband went out socializing, ultimately leading to arguments and a breakup?
Although they weren’t officially married yet, the situation felt exactly the same.
Left with no choice, Gu Yan decided to focus on the business side of things first.
He quickly stood up, put on a flattering smile, and moved behind her.
Placing his hands on her shoulders, he began a gentle massage.
“Qingqiu, it’s really not like that.
Let me explain.” “Let go of me, I don’t want to hear it!” Leng Qingqiu felt his hands on her and put up a brief show of struggling, shrugging her shoulders.
But Gu Yan had already started massaging, so after a few attempts to shake him off, she stopped moving and instead perked up her ears to hear what explanation he would give.
Gu Yan said sincerely while massaging, “Qingqiu, you know, I only pursued Shen Wan’er back then to try to forget about you.
And during that time, her brother 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 cut him off.
“Wait.
What do you mean you pursued Shen Wan’er to forget about me?” “Well, you know, it’s like they say in dramas—choosing to find someone new to forget about someone old,” Gu Yan coughed.
“At that time, I felt I wasn’t good enough for you, Qingqiu, so I didn’t dare persue you.
That’s why I was enormoured with Shen Wan’er as a replacement.
But now I’ve realized that I really can’t forget about you!
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 flushed slightly, and 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 a good attitude at all.
After all, he had almost hurt her sister.
“It’s not much, just twenty 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.” The moment the words left his mouth—Clang!
The sound of a spoon hitting the floor came from the side.
Gu Yan turned to look.
Leng Ling’er was frozen in place after hearing the figure “twenty million,” completely unaware that she had dropped her spoon.
“T-Twenty million?!” Leng Ling’er scrambled to her feet and shouted, her face full of anxiety.
“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?!
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, forcing herself to appear calm, she asked Gu Yan, “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.
“Then why did you come back?” “Well, uh…” Gu Yan was at a loss for words.
But in 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 her and said softly, “Qingqiu, how could I dare to do anything inappropriate behind your back?
Don’t you know what kind of person I am?” Leng Qingqiu rolled her eyes internally.
“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 pride?
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 anyone so narcissistic.
But for some reason, listening to Gu Yan talk made her feel at ease, though her natural reserve wouldn’t let her show it.
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, she inexplicably added, “A divorce would be good, right?.
Then you could go find Shen Wan’er again.” Gu Yan saw the topic had circled right 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, Leng Ling’er very reluctantly 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 twenty million.
It was as if she felt their own family money had been fed to dogs.
This little brat…
what an insincere kid, Gu Yan thought, his mouth twitching slightly.
He looked down at the dinner table.
There were only two dishes and a soup, and it was obvious they had been poorly prepared.
“Did you and Ling’er make this, Qingqiu?” Gu Yan took a bite.
It was incredibly salty and very bitter.
“Mmh.
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 a bit nervous; after all, this was the first time she had cooked since losing her sight.
Leng Ling’er took a bite and her face fell.
But thinking that this was made by her sister’s own hands, she swallowed it with tears in her eyes.
However, in the next moment, she heard Gu Yan say, “Too much salt, and 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, her sister’s expression had become stiff and awkward, her posture slumping slightly in disappointment.
“Gu—!” Just as Leng Ling’er was about to yell at him— Gu Yan put down his chopsticks, 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 cooking skills, but we complement each other perfectly, Qingqiu…” He paused, his voice softening further.
“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 for a second time as she stared at the scene, completely dumbfounded.
Wait, big brother, you can smooth-talk your way out of it like this too?
Leng Qingqiu’s heart raced at his words, her cheeks turning a light shade of 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, she thought.
But being passive isn’t my style.
Leng Qingqiu took a deep breath, thinking of a counterattack.
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 she 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 the salty food.
Then, as Gu Yan’s expression gradually froze, she used her hand’s position on his cheek to find his mouth.
“Here.
Since you love me so much, you are not allowed to waste ounce of my cooking today~” She fed him a large mouthful.
“Even though it’s too salty, bitter, and mediocre, please bear with the taste.” Ah, Leng Qingqiu could really hold a grudge, Gu Yan realized as he forced himself to swallow.
— After dinner, Gu Yan lay lifelessly on the sofa, gazing up at the ceiling, wondering if he should get a health check done.
“Hehe, weakling Gu, you can’t handle even this small setback?” Nearby, Leng Ling’er, fresh out of the shower and dressed in her bunny pajamas, walked over to the sofa with her bare feet.
She cupped her hand around her mouth, looking down at him with a mocking expression.
He glanced at her sideways before resignedly looking away.
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 exactly what he was thinking, she knew it couldn’t be anything good.
“I was just thinking you look quite cute when you’re not talking,” Gu Yan casually replied.
“!!” Hearing this, Leng Ling’er froze.
Her small face turned red, and even the bunny ears on her hood drooped down.
C-Cute?
Is he talking about me?
Gu Yan looked toward the back of the house.
Leng Qingqiu had gone to take a shower.
Although he had wanted to follow her in, she had coldly refused him.
Qingqiu was truly shy, even though they were engaged.
— The next moment, Leng Qingqiu walked out of the bathroom wearing a robe, gently drying her hair with a towel.
Fresh out of the bath, she looked remarkably beautiful, her presence instantly softening the tense aura of the room.
Seeming to know exactly where Gu Yan was standing, she turned toward the living room and spoke naturally, “You’re not going home yet?” Hearing her question, Gu Yan realized it was indeed time for him to depart.
But for some reason, he simply didn’t want to leave just yet.
“Oh, uh, should I leave now?” he asked hesitantly.
If she didn’t explicitly ask him to stay, he knew he couldn’t just linger; after all, he didn’t want to lower her opinion of him.
“No one will see you out,” Leng Qingqiu nodded slightly, her tone cool.
Gu Yan reached out his hand, wanting to say something, but ultimately let it drop.
Never mind, he thought.
Once her affection increases, everything will naturally fall into place.
Accepting the situation, he grabbed his coat and walked toward the door.
Reaching Leng Qingqiu’s side, he paused.
“Qingqiu, I’m really leaving then.” He waited for a few moments, but when no response came, he disappointedly turned to step through the threshold.
However, just as he was about to reach the door, her voice drifted from behind him.
“It’s so late.
How will you get home?” The clock already read 22:34.
In reality, his family driver had been waiting outside for hours.
But hearing her words, how could Gu Yan not understand her underlying meaning?
A bright smile immediately spread across his face, and he quickly put on a pitiful act.
“There’s no one at my house anyway,” he sighed heavily, continuing to walk slowly.
“My parents are away on a trip, my subordinates don’t respect me enough to pick me up, and Old Gao had an urgent matter to handle today so he isn’t around.
I’ll just see if I can catch a taxi home.” Leng Qingqiu’s brows knit together as she listened to his pathetic story.
For some reason, a sudden surge of anger welled up in her chest.
She had long heard rumors of intense internal conflicts within the Gu family, and that many relatives were deeply dissatisfied with Gu Yan as the future heir of the conglomerate.
But she had never imagined that his position was so fragile that not a single person would listen to his commands.
It seems…
I might need to have my shadow network secretly step in to help him, she thought.
Clearing her throat, Leng Qingqiu spoke up, “Wait.
If that’s the case, you can sleep here tonight.” The moment the offer left her lips, Leng Ling’er froze on the sofa, staring at her older sister in absolute disbelief.
Huh?!
Gu Yan stopped in his tracks, his face lighting up with pure joy as he blurted out, “Really?!
Can I sleep in your room with you, Qingqiu?” The entire room fell into a dead silence.
After a long, heavy pause, a furious scold shattered the quiet.
“Get lost!” Leng Qingqiu turned on her heel and marched upstairs without looking back.
What Gu Yan couldn’t see was the deep, embarrassed blush that had covered her face.
— “Hmph!
You can sleep in this room!” Leng Ling’er, carrying a heavy stack of fresh bedding, kicked open a bedroom door with a thoroughly disgruntled expression.
“This room?” Gu Yan asked, stepping inside.
“That’s right.
It was my parents’ room previously.
What, are you not satisfied?” Ling’er snorted coldly, tossing the blankets onto the large bed.
She turned to eye him warily.
“Scoundrel Gu, don’t you dare try to sneak into my sister’s room or my room tonight.
Otherwise…
otherwise, I’ll call the police to arrest you!” Gu Yan finished surveying the tidy, comfortable room and turned to look at the teenager.
He waved his hand dismissively, a look of pure disdain on his face.
“It would make perfect sense for me to sneak into Qingqiu’s room, but what about you is worth sneaking in for?
Your weird bunny pajamas?” “You!!
You absolute jerk!” Ling’er’s face turned a bright, vivid red with rage.
She cursed him loudly before stomping out of the room in a huff, slamming the door shut behind her.
“This little devil,” Gu Yan shook his head with a wry smile.
If she didn’t constantly call him names, she might actually be quite cute.
Buzz!
Buzz!
Suddenly, his phone began to vibrate in his pocket, surprised, He had already informed his parents that he might stay out for the night, didn’t he?
he pulled it out to check the screen.
It was an encrypted file sent directly by Old Gao.
The file name read: [Xiao Lin] Gu Yan’s expression instantly shifted, his eyes narrowing as a mysterious, calculating smile curled the corners of his mouth.
Oh.
The Male Lead has finally arrived in the city.
It’s time for the plan to begin.
— Upstairs in the darkness of the study, the heavy curtains were drawn tightly.
The blindfolded woman, Mei Xue, knelt silently on one knee.
A round object wrapped securely in a red cloth bag rested by her feet.
“Master, I managed to extract some information from him,” Mei Xue reported respectfully.
“He claims that a mysterious entity was the one who originally issued the order to massacre the Leng Family five years ago.
Countless underground forces were involved, and ‘Grim Reaper’ was merely one of the instruments used.
As for who exactly this mysterious entity was or what their motivation was, he truly doesn’t know.
However, I managed to secure the full list of the organizations involved.” Mei Xue reached into her robe and pulled out a specialized scroll, handing it forward.
Leng Qingqiu took the custom braille scroll, her face completely expressionless as her fingers glided rapidly across the raised patterns.
She read at an intense velocity, her mind searching for a specific name.
After about ten minutes, when she had thoroughly scanned the entire document a second time and failed to find a single mention of the Gu family, the heavy weight pressing down on her heart finally vanished.
She took a long, deep breath and carefully put the scroll away.
“Are there any forces from this list currently operating within Jianghai City?” she asked calmly.
“Yes!” Mei Xue bowed her head.
“According to our recent intelligence, the former headquarters of the Dragon King Palace was located right here in Jianghai City.
Furthermore…
their young lord, Xiao Lin, has officially arrived in the city today!” Hearing that name, a sharp glint of pure murderous intent flashed through Leng Qingqiu’s sealed eyes.
The young lord of the Dragon King Palace…
Xiao Lin.
Good.
Since you’ve chosen to step onto my turf, don’t expect to leave this city alive.
Leng Qingqiu remained silent for a long moment, carefully organizing her thoughts.
After a heavy pause, she finally spoke again, her voice low and absolute.
“Investigate who within the Gu family is plotting harm against their young master.
Eliminate them quietly.” Mei Xue was momentarily startled by the unexpected order to protect Gu Yan’s position from the shadows.
But she quickly recovered her composure, bowing deeply.
“Yes, Master.” The moment the words left her lips, Mei Xue’s figure vanished seamlessly back into the shadows of the room.