Last night, Lin Ao excitedly dragged Uncle Zhang into a long discussion about renovating the estate. They talked all the way until late at night. If Li Wanyu hadn’t twisted his ear and forced him to go back to sleep, Lin Ao probably would have talked until dawn.
The more he thought about it, the more convinced he became. This plan was incredibly feasible. And it wouldn’t just work against Xiao Fan. It would work against several others as well.
Because he was too excited last night and kept scrolling through short videos, he didn’t fall asleep until around three or four in the early morning. Now it was already 10 a.m., and he still hadn’t woken up.
At that moment, Gu Wanqing had already arrived at the entrance of Lin Family Estate. Her high heels clicked rapidly against the ground as she walked, her face filled with restrained anger.
She was furious. Last night, she had secretly gone to the hospital in the middle of the night to find Lin Ao, only to discover he was gone. He hadn’t even told her, making her trip completely pointless.
So early in the morning, she came straight to find him.
Hearing from the servants that Lin Ao was still asleep, she smiled slightly. The timing was perfect.
“Lin Ao, I’m coming in. If you don’t say anything, I’ll take it as consent!”
She pretended to knock on the door, glanced around the hallway, and seeing no one, quietly turned the handle and slipped inside.
She took off her high heels and carefully walked in. Lin Ao was lying on the bed, sleeping soundly.
“Lin Ao, Lin Ao, you can hide for a day, but can you hide forever?”
Gu Wanqing brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and slowly approached the bed.
“Is this man this cute when he’s asleep?”
She gently climbed onto the bed, watching Lin Ao under the morning light. She slowly extended her fingers, wanting to touch his long eyelashes.
At that moment, Lin Ao suddenly opened his eyes.
His movements were swift, as if rehearsed countless times. He grabbed Gu Wanqing midair, pulled hard, and dragged her into his arms.
Gu Wanqing was startled. Being suddenly pulled into his embrace, she thought he had finally come to his senses.
But in the next second, he flipped over and sat directly on her, twisting her arm behind her back.
“Who are you? Did Xiao Fan send you to kill me? My fortress isn’t even finished yet, and you’re already this impatient?”
Ever since being assassinated by Xiao Fan, Lin Ao had become extremely vigilant. If anyone approached him while he was sleeping, he would immediately sense it.
Gu Wanqing was completely stunned. What kind of development was this?
“Lin Ao! Let go of me! It’s me, Gu Wanqing! You’re hurting me! And also… you’re pressing against me!”
She kept struggling, her right hand slapping the bed repeatedly.
Only then did Lin Ao come back to his senses, noticing the soft, warm sensation beneath him as she twisted.
“Why did you come into my room so early? You can’t blame me for this!”
He quickly released her delicate wrist, his face turning red instantly.
The feeling had been… strangely wonderful, but also awkward. After all, a man’s impulses were stronger in the morning.
Reluctantly, he stood up and rushed into the bathroom to wash up.
“Idiot, why were you so rough!”
Gu Wanqing lay on the bed, rubbing her wrist. Then she suddenly recalled the earlier moment, and a strange sensation seemed to linger.
A blush spread across her face.
“Tch!”
“I’m going to suffer in the future…”
…
“What are you doing here so early?”
In the dining room, Lin Ao looked at Gu Wanqing with a helpless expression as she gazed at him with a lovestruck face.
“Nothing, I just came to check how you’re doing. What’s wrong with a fiancée caring about her fiancé?”
Gu Wanqing’s eyes never left Lin Ao. Occasionally, she even glanced subtly downward.
“Stop. You were the one who brought up breaking off the engagement before. Since you’re here, let’s continue that discussion.”
Lin Ao seized the opportunity to talk things through properly.
“Didn’t I already say it last time? I won’t bring up breaking off the engagement again. And on the Ferris wheel, I told you I want to marry you. I’m not joking. I’m serious.”
Gu Wanqing dropped her teasing expression and spoke earnestly. She truly wanted to marry Lin Ao.
If she hadn’t been constrained before, she would have already married him and had many children together.
“Gu Wanqing, I’m serious. Do you really like me?”
Lin Ao felt extremely conflicted. This development was wrong. Was she, like his past self, being controlled?
He felt the plot was changing again. What kind of new twist was this?
It wasn’t his fault for thinking this way.
Every time, things had changed.
The first time, he and Gu Wanqing were interrupted at their wedding.
The second time, things changed again. He didn’t marry Gu Wanqing, but instead clashed with Qin Yun.
Now he suspected this was another shift.
If fate hadn’t sealed his memories, he wouldn’t be so suspicious.
Right now, it felt like he was fighting against the world itself, making every step cautious.
“I really like you. I’ve liked you since I was young. I’ve always liked you. No matter which version of Lin Ao, I like them all.”
Gu Wanqing spoke honestly. Ever since touching Lin Ao after his awakening, the love she had suppressed for so long had completely overflowed.
That was why her behavior had become so bold and passionate.
She had always liked every version of him. Always.
But Lin Ao didn’t understand the deeper meaning behind her last words.
“Alright, I understand.”
For now, he could only take things one step at a time.
He still needed to maintain a safe distance from Gu Wanqing.
Once the fortress was built, if she dared to tease him like this again, she would regret it.
“What do you mean you understand? Are you agreeing or not? Give me an answer. If you don’t agree, I’ll take you right here!”
Hearing her bold words again, Lin Ao felt helpless. Just wait and see who takes who.
“Let’s get engaged first.”
He decided to stabilize her for now. Everything else could be handled later. His priority was to complete the renovation of Lin Family Estate.
Guard against fire, guard against theft, guard against Gu Wanqing.
“Alright~ I’ll listen to you~”
Gu Wanqing smiled again. She had finally seen Lin Ao’s status panel refresh.
And the most important part had updated.
[Current Objective: Build the fortress, win over Gu Wanqing.]
This man had finally figured things out.
Now she just had to think about what to wear that night.
…
At the Qin Family in Jianghai.
The Qin Family patriarch sat in the living room, chatting with Xiao Fan.
“You are truly a rare young talent. At such a young age, you are about to step into the Grandmaster Realm and have already become the Dragon Gate Leader. Truly a prodigy.”
Qin Wentian warmly received Xiao Fan.
Early this morning, Xiao Fan had come to visit with a letter of introduction from the previous Dragon Gate Leader.
Qin Wentian had a deep friendship with the previous leader. Xiao Fan, as the new leader, possessed great strength and status. Naturally, he admired such a promising young man.
“You flatter me, Elder Qin. My talent is still lacking. It will take some more time before I can step into the Grandmaster Realm.”
Xiao Fan spoke modestly, though there was a hint of pride.
“Haha, you are too humble. How many young people in the world can achieve what you have?”
A satisfied smile appeared on Xiao Fan’s lips. This was exactly what he wanted to hear.
“Let me introduce my granddaughter to you. I think you two will get along well.”
Qin Wentian was deeply concerned about his granddaughter’s marriage. She was cold by nature and focused entirely on work. None of the people introduced to her had caught her interest.
Now that Xiao Fan was such an excellent candidate, he naturally wanted to introduce him. Perhaps she would take a liking to him.
Xiao Fan’s eyes lit up. It was finally happening.
Qin Yun, another renowned beauty of Jianghai.
Soon, you will become the woman of the Dragon Gate Leader.
Thinking of this, the gloom Gu Wanqing had left in his heart faded somewhat.
…