An Awkward Encounter on the Commercial Street

The next day.

Commercial Street.

Gu Yan sat on a public bench, tilting his head back to gaze at the azure sky. His eyes were slightly dazed—he still hadn’t fully recovered from the memories of the previous night.

The recollection of his time with Leng Qingqiu felt so vivid, so real, that he had nearly lost himself in it. Whether it was joy or sorrow, Gu Yan had experienced every emotion with raw intensity.

Just like the previous times Leng Qingqiu had blown his head off—each moment had been deeply immersive.

Gu Yan couldn’t help but suspect this was the system’s twisted sense of humor.

At that moment—

"Little brother, what’s wrong with you? You seem so distracted."

"Are you really that unhappy about spending time with us?"

The dissatisfied voice of Gu Yunrou reached his ears.

He turned to see her and Gu Yingying standing nearby, with bodyguards behind them laden with shopping bags.

"Happy? Of course I’m happy. Ecstatic, even."

Gu Yan stood up, a bright smile spreading across his face. "Go on, what else do you want to buy?"

"Oh? Feeling generous all of a sudden?"

"Absolutely. Aren’t I counting on you two to vote for me at the annual meeting?"

"Hah! So that’s your game? Isn’t this bribery?"

"This little bit of money is nothing to you, Sister Yunrou. Think of it as an emotional vote—for the sake of your dear brother keeping you company."

"Hmph."

Gu Yunrou’s lips curled slightly as she gave him an amused once-over. "You’ve got a silver tongue, don’t you? Fine. If you entertain us properly today, I’ll make sure everyone on my side votes for you. You won’t have to worry about Yingying and me at the meeting."

As soon as she finished speaking, Gu Yingying scowled. "I never agreed to vote for this jerk!"

"Give me one good reason not to."

"Ugh… there are too many! You’re so useless—"

"I’m a Xiantian-level now."

"You’re so incompetent—"

"I’m a Xiantian-level now."

"You’re such a spoiled brat—"

"I’m a Xiantian-level now."

"…………"

Gu Yingying’s face flushed with frustration as she glared at Gu Yan’s infuriatingly calm smile. "So what if you’re Xiantian?! What’s wrong with being a Third-rate Martial Artist?!"

"I’m sorry for being so weak, okay?! You used to be even worse than me!"

With that, she stomped off in a huff. "Ugh! You’re the worst! I bet Uncle just force-fed you some elixirs! I don’t want to talk to you anymore!"

"Young—Young Miss!"

Lin Dang hurried after her, laden with bags, but paused when passing Gu Yan. She bowed slightly in apology.

"Sorry, Young Master. The young lady doesn’t mean any harm—she just has a temper."

"It’s fine. Kids will be kids."

Gu Yan waved it off.

Lin Dang gave him a grateful nod before rushing after Gu Yingying.

Gu Yunrou raised an eyebrow. "So patient? You’ve got the demeanor of a grandmaster."

"Heh. More like, ‘My brother has the potential of a grandmaster.’"

"…Is that some kind of meme?"

"Never mind. You wouldn’t get it. Let’s just catch up with that brat. Jianghai hasn’t been the safest lately."

……

……

On the other side of the commercial street—

"Ling’er-jie… Ling’er-jie, slow down!"

"Why did you even bring me here?"

"And… isn’t today a school day? Won’t your sister find out you skipped class?!"

Bai Qionglan stumbled along as Leng Ling’er, her dyed-blonde hair bouncing, dragged her forward. Still grieving over her brother’s arrest, she couldn’t fathom why Ling’er had pulled her out of school.

Leng Ling’er didn’t stop walking but glanced back. "Qionglan, what are you talking about? You’ve been so down—how could I focus on studying? Of course I had to take you out!"

Then, as if suddenly remembering the risk of getting caught, she slowed down and clutched her chest dramatically.

"Phew… good thing we didn’t run into anyone we know. If my sister found out, I’d be dead meat."

Bai Qionglan shuddered at the thought of Leng Ling’er’s terrifying older sister. But realizing Ling’er had risked so much just to cheer her up, she was deeply moved.

"Ling’er-jie… thank you. Really, thank you."

Tears welling up, she buried her face in Leng Ling’er’s shoulder.

Sniff… sniff…

Ling’er-jie, you smell so nice…

Big bro, thanks for getting arrested~

"Hey, what are sisters for?"

Leng Ling’er patted Bai Qionglan’s head reassuringly.

When Bai Qionglan had stopped coming to school, she’d dug around and learned her brother had been arrested—something serious, apparently.

Leng Ling’er’s reaction?

Absolutely unacceptable.

She’d immediately skipped class to drag Bai Qionglan out.

The self-proclaimed "Wild Child of Jianghai" was determined to cheer up her bestie.

She’d even saved up some pocket money—nowhere near as much as Gu Yan’s, but enough for the two of them to have fun!

At this thought, Leng Ling'er pushed Bai Qionglan aside and said eagerly, "Qionglan, I know this amazing bubble tea place."

"They’ve got arcade games and free Wi-Fi."

"You can just buy a drink and hang out there all day."

"But the line’s always crazy—like, one or two hours long. If we don’t hurry, we’ll miss out."

"Come on, let’s go—"

As she spoke, Leng Ling'er tugged Bai Qionglan forward.

But then—

"Ouch!"

Thud!

Leng Ling'er felt something bump into her.

She blinked, then looked down.

There, sprawled on the ground, was a girl dressed in Lolita fashion, her face as delicate as a porcelain doll.

The girl winced in pain, gritting her teeth as she lifted her head to see who had knocked her over.

When she spotted Leng Ling'er’s dyed blond hair,

Gu Yingying smirked disdainfully.

Oh~ So it’s just some wannabe delinquent.

Well, that’s fine. She’d already been in a foul mood because of Gu Yan.

Now her true colors showed.

"Watch where you’re going, idiot!"

"Do you even know who I am?"

"Help me up right now!"

Gu Yingying thrust out her hand, her tone haughty as she berated Leng Ling'er.

Hah, these types were all bark and no bite. Sure, her own skills were only at the level of a Third-rate Martial Artist,

but her aura alone should be enough to intimidate this nobody.

?

Leng Ling'er slowly tilted her head, staring blankly at Gu Yingying on the ground.

Wait…

Was she just… being disrespected? Yeah, she was definitely being disrespected.

Meanwhile, Bai Qionglan, seeing her idol insulted, felt her temper flare.

Back at Jianghai High, they’d been the most feared crew—the Leng Ling'er gang!

If not for Gu Yan, they wouldn’t have toned things down.

But now, even random nobodies thought they could mess with them?

"Hey, you—"

Bai Qionglan was about to snap back when Leng Ling'er stopped her.

With a smile, Leng Ling'er offered Gu Yingying a hand. "Ah, sorry about that. Here, let me help you up."

Gu Yingying, pleased by her submission, snorted like a victorious little peacock. "Good, you know your place! As a lowly blond nobody, remember not to mess with people out of your league!"

Hmph, this ordinary trash must’ve been scared stiff by my aura!

Just as she thought—

Thud!

"Ow!"

Gu Yingying, halfway up, suddenly found herself crashing back down as Leng Ling'er abruptly let go.

This time, it hurt even more.

"Ugh… You did that on purpose!"

Clutching her backside, Gu Yingying glared up, ready to demand an explanation—

Only to find Leng Ling'er crouching down, wearing a deceptively gentle smile.

Then—

Leng Ling'er’s smile vanished, replaced by the cold stare of a seasoned troublemaker. She pressed a hand against Gu Yingying’s head like a basketball and gave it a rough spin.

"Hey, hey, little girl, did no one teach you how to talk to people?"

"Spouting nonsense like ‘lowly nobody’—guess I’ll have to educate you in place of your parents."

Gu Yingying’s eyes glazed over in shock.

Wait… What’s with this person?

Does she not know who I am?

I’m Gu Yingying!

An internationally acclaimed prodigy!

Gritting her teeth, Gu Yingying grabbed Leng Ling'er’s wrist and snarled, "Let go of me!"

"No one’s ever dared to talk to me like this!!!"

Leng Ling'er smirked. "Well, now they have. And that person is me."

"For the next few years, you’ll be living in my shadow! Remember the name of the one who put you in your place—Leng! Ling'er!"

Gu Yingying: !!!

What kind of cringy line is that?! How can she say it with a straight face?!

Before Gu Yingying could muster her martial arts skills, however—

Bonk!

"Yowch!"

Leng Ling'er flicked Gu Yingying’s forehead hard.

Tears welled up as Gu Yingying clutched her head, glaring furiously. She wanted to retaliate, but…

An unfamiliar wave of frustration overwhelmed her. "Y-You… Waaah… No one’s ever treated me like this… Waaahhh!!! I’m telling my brother on you!!!"

"Your brother? Pfft—"

"I’ve got a brother-in-law too."

Leng Ling'er stood up, scoffing at the threat.

Then—

"Young miss!"

Lin Dang’s panicked voice rang out.

Followed by—

"Tsk tsk, crying from a little trip? Did you faceplant on flat ground?"

Gu Yan’s teasing voice joined in.

And suddenly—

Four pairs of eyes met.

Leng Ling'er: "........"

Gu Yan: "........."