The Restless Dagger Within

That evening.

The dining table of the Leng Family was laden with a rich variety of dishes.

Because of the cryptic statement Leng Ling'er had made earlier in the cafeteria, Gu Yan had bought extra dishes.

After all, they were all dishes the two of them loved. After dinner,

the group settled on the sofa to begin their respective routines.

Leng Ling'er stayed in a corner, watching cartoons on TV.

Meanwhile, Gu Yan sat beside Leng Qingqiu, massaging her shoulders and back.

It had been a while since Gu Yan had given Leng Qingqiu a relaxing massage, and as she felt the comfort once again, she realized she still couldn't quite handle it.

But in order to get to the bottom of things,

Leng Qingqiu, with a flushed face and trembling lips, asked in a shaky voice, "So... were you at Jianghai High School all day today?"

Gu Yan, while massaging her shoulders and savoring the softness of her body, inhaled her scent with a "hiss-hiss" sound and replied, "Yes, I went to discuss a charity donation today.

In previous years, my father handled it, but this year he sent me."

Leng Qingqiu, feeling Gu Yan's perverted breathing, frowned slightly and said with a hint of displeasure, "Can you breathe a little quieter? You sound like a creep!"

Gu Yan, however, continued to enjoy himself, saying, "Hiss-hiss~ Qingqiu, you can't blame me~ This is literally my daily dose of spiritual nourishment~

Look, I'm just giving you a proper shoulder massage, I promise I won't do anything besides breathe!"

Leng Qingqiu, completely overwhelmed by the massage, decided to relax her body for more comfort. After all, she and Gu Yan had already done *that* kind of thing.

So she simply ignored his creepy behavior for now, focusing instead on asking about the situation at the school.

She continued, trying to suppress the pleasure she felt, and asked, "So... did anything strange happen at the school?"

"Strange things?"

Gu Yan knew exactly what Leng Qingqiu was asking, but he pretended to be puzzled and asked in return, "What kind of strange things could happen at the school?"

Then, as if remembering something, he said, "Oh, wait, I do recall something. There weren't any strange incidents, but I did run into two strange people.

Both of them were at the Yan Xing Group banquet before.

One of them was a guy, and Old Gao told me he's dangerous. Isn't that strange?

If even Old Gao thinks he's dangerous, how strong must that guy be?"

After all, whether it was Murong Ci, Bai Lian, or Jun Zilan, they would definitely report everything to Leng Qingqiu later.

So he might as well bring it up himself.

Sure enough,

upon hearing this, Leng Qingqiu's heart tightened. At the banquet...

Two people? That must be Murong Ci and Bai Lian!

Leng Qingqiu's tone suddenly became very unnatural: "Did they do anything to you?"

She remembered Bai Lian saying that Murong Ci was very interested in Gu Yan.

But she couldn't figure out what about Gu Yan had caught Murong Ci's attention.

However, after her repeated warnings, Murong Ci shouldn't have done anything to Gu Yan.

If he dared... a cold feeling surged in Leng Qingqiu's heart.

She could always just replace him.

Hearing this, Gu Yan chuckled and shook his head: "Of course not. The guy was like a total introvert—I shook his hand and he ran off.

But there was also this girl who acted really weird. She suddenly came up to me and told me to leave the school immediately, saying it was dangerous.

Isn't that strange? I've only met her twice before, and what danger could there possibly be at school?

And the way she said it didn't sound like she was trying to protect me...

Hey, Qingqiu, do you think... maybe someone behind her is keeping an eye on me?"

Gu Yan actually knew everything, but he spoke as if he were genuinely puzzled.

This made Leng Qingqiu's heart race, afraid that her identity might be exposed.

So, after confirming that neither Gu Yan nor her sister had encountered any danger,

Leng Qingqiu sighed in relief and decided to quickly steer Gu Yan away from the topic of Bai Lian.

Her expression instantly darkened.

*Slap!*

She swatted Gu Yan's hand away from her shoulder, then turned her head and said with a forced smile, "Oh? So that girl must be really pretty, huh?

You're still thinking about her even now?

You're even fantasizing that she wants to protect you? And that someone's behind her?

What kind of person could be behind a girl? What are you even imagining?

Do you think she's pretty and want to be with her?"

Leng Qingqiu activated her passive skill of turning the tables. She didn't want Gu Yan to figure anything out.

If he investigated further and found out about her, it would be over. Gu Yan would surely be shocked, disappointed, and devastated!

Misunderstandings would definitely happen! She couldn't let that happen!

Hearing this, Gu Yan knew Leng Qingqiu was trying to change the subject.

So he leaned in closer, wrapped his arm around her waist, and said with a sincere expression, "Qingqiu, my Qingqiu, do I really seem like that kind of person to you?

It's just that there have been too many strange forces entering Jianghai recently, and it's making me overthink things.

You know how it is—I'm the young master of the Gu family, and a lot of people have their eyes on me!

Qingqiu, listen to my heartbeat. Doesn't it prove that I only love you?"

As he spoke, Gu Yan pressed his chest against Leng Qingqiu's head.

She didn't resist, as this was just part of her plan to change the subject, but she still had to play along: "No, I don't want to listen!"

But she leaned into him anyway.

Gu Yan held Leng Qingqiu tightly, letting her listen to his heartbeat.

Leng Qingqiu, feeling the warmth of Gu Yan's chest and hearing his rapidly beating heart,

felt her face flush slightly.

Her heart also felt incredibly warm.

It was as if she wanted to stay in Gu Yan's embrace forever... without a care in the world...

But just then.

*Buzz buzz buzz!!*

A strange sensation surged through Leng Qingqiu's heart.

She immediately snapped out of her peaceful state.

!!

Leng Qingqiu was startled.

What's going on?! Is it an enemy?

No... Gu Yan is the only one here...

This feeling... is it [Night]??

Why is [Night] so restless?

It seems like it wants to come out...

No... I can't let it out here... Gu Yan is still here...

Leng Qingqiu slowly got up from Gu Yan's embrace, and the restless feeling miraculously disappeared.

Gu Yan, thinking something was wrong, asked, "Are you feeling unwell, Qingqiu?"

But Leng Qingqiu shook her head: "It's nothing, I might just be too tired lately."

Then, after a moment of hesitation, she looked at Gu Yan and said, "Sorry, Gu Yan... I think I'll go rest early tonight."

Gu Yan, feeling a pang of guilt, thought it must be because he hadn't been taking good care of her lately—she must have lost weight and gotten dizzy from not eating well.

So he went over to support her and said, "Alright, go rest early, Qingqiu. I'll help you upstairs."

Leng Qingqiu responded softly, "Okay."

As she spoke, she absentmindedly placed her hand on Gu Yan's chest.

In an instant,

the restless feeling returned.

Leng Qingqiu quickly withdrew her hand.

Her heart sank. What... is going on?