Going Out at Night

"Hey hey hey~! What's up, my lovelies? It's your favorite beauty blogger, Ling Ling~"

"Today we're at the Gu Family's annual gala, bringing you the first live-streaming perspective~"

"Check out the little bear next to me—super well-behaved, usually doesn’t bite!"

Leng Ling'er held up her selfie stick, live-streaming to an audience of over 10K viewers.

Yes~ The gala’s insane traffic is my golden ticket to fame!

Leng Ling'er grinned to herself, standing beside a monstrous creature as large as a small hill.

Normally ferocious, the beast now docilely allowed her to pet and squeeze it.

Because...

"....."

Ning Qian was glaring at the creature, her murderous aura leaving it too terrified to move.

Meanwhile, the chat seemed well aware that Leng Ling'er had once been a rebellious internet personality.

Comments flooded in:

[Why’d the host change her name to ‘Leng Ling'er’? Wasn’t she called ‘Leng Kuangwang’ before?]

[Yeah, what happened to the old account?]

[Gu Media—isn’t that under the Jianghai Gu Family’s empire?]

[^ Exactly. This gala is hosted by the Gu Family, so it’s normal for their small-time streamers to get airtime.]

[Hey host, what do you do for a living?]

?

Leng Ling'er forced a smile as she read the chaotic comments.

Deep breaths, deep breaths—rage is normal.

To become a top streamer, smiling through the hate is Professionalism 101.

But...

"Hey host, what do you do for a living???"

I can’t take it anymore! Aaaaaah!!

"I do your XXXXX!"

"Your XXX!"

"!!"

Leng Ling'er flipped off the camera with both middle fingers, unleashing a furious tirade.

Then—

Bam!

The live stream cut off.

[Your broadcast has been restricted...]

"Damn it!"

Leng Ling'er froze, then wailed in despair.

Banned again?!

Ughhh!! This stupid platform has it out for me!

Watching the scene unfold, Gu Yingying cleared her throat. "Ling'er-jie, you wanna be a big influencer, right?"

Leng Ling'er perked up instantly. "Yeah! You got a plan, Yingying?"

"Hehe, I’m a top-tier global media strategist. Team up with me, and I’ll make you a million-follower star!"

"Really?!"

"Absolutely!"

"Yay! Yingying, you’re the best! So glad we’re friends!"

"Ehehe..."

Ning Qian frowned as she observed their exchange.

Media, strategy, streaming...

Honestly, she didn’t get it.

But if she did nothing, Ling'er-jie might be stolen away.

So...

She had to stop them.

With a sharp glare at the petrified bear-like monster beside her, Ning Qian’s killing intent flared.

Buzz.

The creature instantly understood. Trembling, it raised a massive paw and plopped it onto Gu Yingying’s head.

The latter’s eyes rolled back as she collapsed.

"Ah! Yingying!"

"Hmph."

Ning Qian smirked faintly.

.....

....

Night fell.

Jianghai’s gala buzzed with energy.

Two figures weaved through the crowd, both wearing white fox masks and shirts adorned with half-heart designs.

"Qingqiu, what do you want to eat?"

"Anything’s fine. Sweeter is better."

"Say no more."

The duo—Gu Yan and Leng Qingqiu—had slipped away from the Gu Family Manor.

He led her to a cotton candy stall. "Two sticks, please."

"Coming right up! Out with your girlfriend, young man?"

"Not girlfriend. Wife."

The vendor blinked. "Uh..."

Leng Qingqiu tugged Gu Yan’s sleeve, her face flushing beneath the mask.

Must you clarify "girlfriend" vs. "wife"...?

Besides, we’re not even married yet.

Back in the banquet hall, Leng Ling'er scanned the crowd for Gu Yan.

She frowned.

Huh?

Where’d my brother-in-law and sister go?

Wait—

Her eyes widened.

Ohhh! They snuck out for a date without me!

Ughhh!

How dare they leave me behind? Don’t they know I love watching them flirt?!

Clenching her fists, Leng Ling'er was about to bolt when—

"Ling'er, where are your sister and brother-in-law?"

Su Murong approached, also searching for them.

Leng Ling'er froze mid-sneak, then laughed awkwardly while rubbing her neck. "Oh, them? Uh..."

"Ha... bathroom break, probably?"

Su Murong nodded absentmindedly, smiling warmly. "Perfect timing then. Come meet my friend’s daughter—you’re around the same age, so you’ll hit it off."

"Er... is that okay, Su-jie?"

Leng Ling'er eyed the expressionless girl clinging to her mother’s hand, hesitating.

Ooooh~ A silent beauty~~ Heavy breathing! I wanna befriend her!

"Giggle~ Still calling me ‘jie’? You’re too sweet. Come on, it’s fine."

"Okay."

Nearby, Gu Yingying and Ning Qian exchanged glances.

Then followed.

......

.....

Meanwhile—

"Hm?"

Leng Qingqiu, now nibbling cotton candy with her fox mask tilted aside, suddenly stiffened.

"What’s wrong, Qingqiu?" Gu Yan asked.

The two sat on a public bench, their little world undisturbed by the bustling crowd.

"Nothing. Just got chills."

"Feels like trouble’s brewing."

She didn’t mention it was her "Ling'er" radar activating—a sixth sense that tingled whenever her sister was about to cause chaos.

Gu Yan shook his head. "You’re overthinking."

He opened his coat wide. "Here, if you’re cold, snuggle up! Love conquers winter—warm hugs, warm cuddles, Qingqiu—"

Before he could finish, Leng Qingqiu cut in flatly, "...Must you be this creepy?"

Yet she still leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder.

"You’re the one who told me to."

The Night Monarch feared no cold, but she didn’t mind warmth from someone she loved.