That evening.
The Gu residence.
"Ho ho ho~ Xiao Yan, take your Yunrou-jie and Yingying-mei to pick out their bedrooms."
Su Murong couldn't help but adore the two sisters at first sight.
As for why...
"Thank you, Su-jie."
Gu Yunrou and Gu Yingying replied in perfect unison.
Watching this, Gu Yan and Gu Tianming exchanged several bewildered glances.
Well then... Is this the so-called charm of language?
"Xiao Yan, why are you just standing there?"
"Tianming, don't just idle around either—go help clear the table."
Seeing the two men frozen in place, Su Murong frowned in displeasure.
These father and son really have no situational awareness at all!
"Oh, right."
Gu Tianming hastily tied his apron and made his escape.
Gu Yan could only sigh helplessly as he turned to the smiling Gu Yunrou and Gu Yingying: "Alright then, follow me."
"Understood, didi."
"Thank you, gege~"
...
...
The Gu family villa was spacious enough to comfortably accommodate additional guests.
Gu Yan gestured toward several vacant rooms: "Take your pick—any of these are available."
"If you need anything, just call the servants."
After inspecting a few rooms, Gu Yunrou nodded in satisfaction. Then, as if struck by a thought, she gave Gu Yan a meaningful look: "Which room does Leng Qingqiu stay in?"
??
"Why are you suddenly bringing up my Qingqiu?"
Gu Yan's lips twitched: "Qingqiu hasn't moved in yet."
Pausing briefly, he added with emphasis: "And where she stays is none of your concern. The Gu family isn't short on money—if needed, I'll just buy a couple more properties for us to alternate between."
Hearing this blatant display of extravagance—and with no outsiders present—Gu Yingying's true colors resurfaced. She snorted coldly: "So the young master finally shows his spoiled rich-boy face?"
"If someone like you becomes family head, won't you just squander the entire Gu fortune?"
Gu Yingying was thoroughly irritated. Damn it, why did it have to be that Leng Qingqiu?!
Ugh, so infuriating.
Gu Yan merely chuckled and shook his head: "Setting aside that I'm not the Gu family head yet..."
"Even if I were..."
A note of pride entered his voice: "With my Qingqiu by my side, the Gu family could withstand any amount of my 'squandering.'"
Hearing Gu Yan repeatedly refer to her as "my Qingqiu," Gu Yunrou felt increasingly vexed. Outwardly, however, she maintained a cheerful smile: "You have that much faith in the Leng Family's young mistress?"
"Though... even I've heard of her reputation from back then."
"A master of all arts—music, chess, calligraphy, painting. Even the business elite circulate legends about her."
"To this day, her paintings are preserved in Westernia's greatest international museum."
"So then..."
Gu Yunrou studied Gu Yan with feigned curiosity, her tone laced with implication: "A legendary figure like that wouldn't just marry any man, even after experiencing... certain events."
"Especially not a good-for-nothing like... oh wait, didi, seems you can cultivate again now."
"But that still doesn't explain why Leng Qingqiu would fall for you."
"Have you considered that she might actually be after..."
Before she could finish—
Gu Yunrou fell silent.
Because Gu Yan simply kept smiling as he gently shook his head: "Jie, I know what you're implying."
"That she's after the Gu family assets, or our martial forces."
"Or something else."
"But..."
His expression turned earnest: "I understand better than anyone—Qingqiu would never agree to be with me for those reasons."
That's right—he knew Leng Qingqiu better than she knew herself.
Because... he was aware of everything about her.
The genuine emotions Leng Qingqiu had shown him couldn't possibly be faked.
So if there was one explanation...
"Because Qingqiu and I share a pure love."
Gu Yan said this with absolute sincerity.
Gu Yunrou was momentarily stunned.
After a long pause, she finally smiled and ruffled Gu Yan's hair: "You've really grown up."
"Still, I'll need to meet Leng Qingqiu before the family gathering."
"Because..."
She smiled meaningfully at Gu Yan: "As your jie, getting to know my future sister-in-law shouldn't be a problem, right?"
"?"
"Is... is that really appropriate?"
Gu Yan resisted the idea—he didn't want their date interrupted.
"Perfectly appropriate. Unless... the pure love between you and Leng Qingqiu isn't as strong as you claim?"
Gu Yunrou countered.
"........"
"While I don't need to prove our bond to anyone..."
"That tone of yours is really grating."
Gu Yan brushed off her hand and smiled amiably: "Fine—the day after tomorrow. I'll introduce you to Qingqiu and my sister-in-law."
"Then I'll look forward to it."
Gu Yunrou returned the smile before walking over to Gu Yingying, who wore a complicated expression. Patting her shoulder, she asked: "I'm settled here—what do you think, Yingying?"
The moment she finished speaking—
Gu Yingying gritted her teeth and hissed: "I don't care about any of this!!"
She glared at Gu Yan: "You worthless gege—you're the type of idiot who'd help count the money while being scammed!"
After hurling this insult, Gu Yingying stormed off to her room.
?
"What's up with that kid?"
Gu Yan blinked in confusion.
Gu Yunrou merely shrugged: "Who knows? Oh, and..."
She turned back to Gu Yan: "I haven't properly explored Jianghai yet. Take us shopping for clothes tomorrow?"
"When meeting Leng Qingqiu the day after, I don't want to be outclassed in looks or presence."
Gu Yan glanced her up and down before chuckling.
Shaking his head without regard for her darkening expression, he stated bluntly: "You? ...Compared to my Qingqiu?"
???
Her fists clenched involuntarily.
Gu Yunrou forced a smile, though veins bulged on her neck from suppressed rage.
"Heh."
She took a deep breath—don't lose your temper.
With a strained laugh, she smiled sweetly at Gu Yan: "Then this jie will await tomorrow with anticipation."
Having said this, she turned and retreated to her room.
Gu Yan could only stare blankly.
What's going on?
Why were Gu Yunrou and Gu Yingying acting so strangely?
Weren't they overly fixated on Leng Qingqiu?
Unless...
A realization struck Gu Yan.
His eyes widened.
Could these two... actually have feelings for me?!
Er... no.
Gu Yan quickly dismissed the thought—how could he succumb to one of life's three great delusions?
Given his (former) good-for-nothing setting, who would possibly like him?
Therefore, their interest wasn't in him.
But rather...
Leng Qingqiu!!
After all, Leng Ling'er's behavior had already taken a bizarre turn.
And according to the principle that geniuses attract one another...
Wasn't it natural for Gu Yunrou and Gu Yingying to develop feelings for Leng Qingqiu?
No wonder they insisted on meeting her.
Gu Yan let out a soft sigh.
Being too perfect really wasn’t ideal—attracting both men and women was just too much to handle.
As expected of our Qingqiu~!
With that thought, Gu Yan headed toward his bedroom, already looking forward to their date the day after tomorrow.
Lost in his thoughts, he pushed open the door.
But then...
The moment he stepped inside, an inexplicable chill swept over him.
At the same time, his eyes landed on a figure that left him frozen in place.
There, draped in an elegant, flowing dress, stood a woman before the half-drawn floor-to-ceiling window.
Bathed in moonlight, her ethereal, ice-cold beauty was unveiled.
She tilted her head slightly and spoke with eerie calmness: "Finally here, my cauldron."
"I’ve been waiting for you."
Gu Yan: ??
] [Lone Wolf, No Male Gaze] [Protagonist is pursued early on; extreme protagonist-stans, stay away!] The "Carnival Paradise" descends and slowly devours the real world in the form of a game. By chance, Zhu Yan awakens the talent [Roleplay], becoming one of the first beta players. He thought he could develop safely, but after clearing the first instance, he is branded by humanity as the chief culprit behind the game's spread—a traitorous villain. A villain? Who would ever... become one! He'll be the villain! From then on, Zhu Yan is not only a player but also a lackey for the Carnival Paradise. Between the straight path and the crooked path, he chooses the con. With his left hand, he dons the villain's mantle, staging scenes within instances, infuriating players who decry him as a despicable traitor, all while the game happily promotes him. With his right hand, he joins the non-human organization "Fangcun Mountain," which opposes the Carnival Paradise, transforming into a mysterious player who slaughters game bosses, earning cheers of "Long live the expert!" from fellow players. Gradually, Zhu Yan rises to become an S-rank human player in Fangcun Mountain's archives, while also being the Carnival Paradise's certified top game Boss. But when the final war erupts and both major factions place their hopes in him— Players tag his various aliases: "Experts, this offensive depends on you." The Carnival Paradise's supreme Boss throws an arm around his neck: "Bro, you're the iron, I'm the steel; you can't let me down again!"
grated, and just when he finally managed to get into an elite academy, he discovered that he actually had a system, and the way to earn rewards was extremely ridiculous. So for the sake of rewards, he had no choice but to start acting ridiculous as well. Su Cheng: "It's nothing but system quests after all." But later, what confused Su Cheng was that while he was already quite ridiculous, he never expected those serious characters to gradually become ridiculous too. And the way they looked at him became increasingly strange... (This synopsis doesn't do it justice, please read the full story)
agon king storylines. At the start, I obtained the "Ultimate Lackey System" - the more I act as a lackey, the stronger I become. What else could I do? I chose to become the personal henchman of the ultimate villain, Su Muwan. I provoke all sorts of chosen ones, snatch away their opportunities, and commit every evil deed imaginable. You ask who's behind me? Hmph! You're not worthy of knowing my lady's name! ...... ....... I am Su Muwan, the eldest daughter of the Su family. Since childhood, I've possessed extraordinary talent in martial arts, which led to my arrogant and domineering personality in my past life. I was even foolish enough to repeatedly challenge those favored by heaven, ultimately resulting in a tragic death. In this life, I must behave and absolutely cannot walk the same path again!! However... SLAP!! "So you're the Dragon King, huh?!" When I saw my little lackey swagger over and viciously slap the Dragon King who was hiding his identity, I felt my heart sink. Su Muwan's suspended heart finally died as she watched Qin Luo, her utterly loyal lackey, standing before her. She fainted on the spot from shock. Heaven is determined to destroy me!! (Pure love 1v1, light-hearted, no angst, single female lead, villain, reincarnation, lackey)
rowess are unmatched, commanding a million-strong army! Yet, the Emperor wants to depose him for the sake of a false prince? Hold on, are you throwing me into some female-oriented romance plot? How can I tolerate this? With a grand wave of his hand—the Nine Clan Extraction Technique! Slander the Emperor? Very well, all of you shall die! ... The False Prince: "Although I am not the biological son, Father and Mother love me more. The throne should be mine!" The Female Lead: "Qin Xiao, you are the Emperor, and I am a commoner. If you wish to marry me, you must abdicate. Otherwise, you will never have me!" The Empress: "After we divorce, you must give me half the empire!" The Transmigrator Consort: "You worthless Emperor, why should I kneel to you? All men are equal—I advise you to be kind!" The Great General: "The enemy general is my childhood sweetheart. For her sake, I willingly abandon the frontier defenses!" The Retired Emperor: "Although Yu'er was adopted, I prefer him. Qin Xiao, you should abdicate and let him become Emperor!" ... Very well! So this is how you want to play? Facing this twisted world of female-oriented tropes, Qin Xiao grins and raises his hand to unleash—the Nine Clan Extraction Technique! I am the Emperor. Why would I bother reasoning with you? Seal the gates! Leave none alive!
