The Annual Meeting Concludes

The three-day family conference had come to an end.

When Gu Yan was announced as the next head of the Gu Family and publicly declared his relationship with Leng Qingqiu,

everyone was stunned.

The Gu Family already had the support of Su Murong and the Su Family’s influence.

Now, with Gu Yan as the head and Leng Qingqiu by his side,

the Gu Family’s power was about to multiply exponentially.

It was important to understand just how much influence Leng Qingqiu once held over the world—her unparalleled intellect was an asset every family coveted.

Previously, the top families had coexisted peacefully, each aligning with a single powerhouse of comparable strength.

But the Gu Family?

First, they had Su Murong, the renowned heiress of the capital’s Su Family.

Now, they had even managed to secure the allegiance of the prodigious genius Leng Qingqiu.

Back in the day, Long Aotian, the elder of the capital’s Long Family, had once remarked that Leng Qingqiu alone could rival five top-tier families.

That was how formidable her influence had been.

Unfortunately, after her family’s downfall and her self-inflicted blindness,

she vanished from the public eye for five years before fading into obscurity.

And now…

Turns out, she was off falling in love?

Still, many refused to believe Leng Qingqiu had truly entered a romantic relationship with the young master of the Gu Family.

Perhaps they were merely maintaining a polite, mutually beneficial façade—a partnership of convenience, devoid of any real intimacy.

......

......

On Jianghai Banquet Street,

Gu Yan and Leng Qingqiu walked side by side.

The latter was still processing the events of the conference.

Hmm?

To borrow a phrase from the books…

Had she and Gu Yan just gone public?

Leng Qingqiu’s emotions were complicated. She hadn’t expected Gu Yan to announce their relationship in such a manner.

According to Leng Ling’er, he had even livestreamed the moment.

Did that mean…

Their relationship was now known to the entire world?

Ugh… The thought alone was embarrassing.

“Gu Yan…”

“Qingqiu…”

They spoke almost simultaneously.

Leng Qingqiu took a deep breath, tightening her grip on Gu Yan’s hand. “You go first.”

Gu Yan nodded and said softly, “Do you blame me for announcing our relationship without discussing it with you?”

Leng Qingqiu considered the question.

Did she dislike it? Not really—just a little shy, that was all.

“…It’s fine. Just a bit embarrassing.”

“Embarrassing?”

“Mhm. This will draw too much attention all at once. It makes me… a little self-conscious.”

Her fingers curled slightly around his, her cheeks tinged pink.

Gu Yan understood her feelings perfectly.

However,

the public announcement and the livestream were necessary.

They were paving the way for what was to come.

“I’m sorry,” he murmured.

“Hm?”

Leng Qingqiu blinked, lifting her head to gaze at him in confusion.

Through her [Night’s Gaze], every shift in Gu Yan’s emotions was laid bare.

His life essence flickered with fluctuations—guilt and remorse swirling within him.

Was it… because she’d mentioned feeling shy?

A soft laugh escaped her lips. Who knew Gu Yan could be so endearing?

“What’s so funny?”

“Nothing. I just think you’re kind of cute. It’s alright—the announcement might be embarrassing, but… it also feels unexpectedly nice.”

A smile graced her lips.

And at that moment,

a faint hum resonated within her.

The [Power of Night] binding her weakened ever so slightly.

Soon. It would soon disappear entirely.

Gu Yan sensed it too.

He squeezed her hand tighter.

I’m sorry.

This apology was for what was yet to come.

Even if it wouldn’t be done under the name of [Gu Yan],

it would still be his doing.

Qingqiu, forgive me.

Just then—

“Brother-in-law! Sis! Hurry up!”

Leng Ling’er’s voice rang out from ahead.

She stood at the front, waving excitedly at Gu Yan and Leng Qingqiu.

Flanking her were Gu Yingying and Ning Qian, each holding one of her hands—a picture of cheerful camaraderie.

“Youthful energy knows no bounds,” Gu Yan remarked with an amused chuckle, pushing aside his thoughts.

Leng Qingqiu smiled in agreement. “Mhm… Huh?”

Her gaze dropped to her hand as she noticed something.

A snowflake landed on her skin, melting instantly and leaving behind a warm tingle.

“It’s snowing?”

“Wow, sis, it’s snowing!”

Leng Ling’er tilted her head up, eyes sparkling as flakes drifted down.

Gu Yan looked skyward. The snowflakes were larger than usual.

“Looks like we’ll have a thick layer by morning.”

Leng Qingqiu withdrew her hand, nodding faintly as an idea flickered in her mind.

The corners of her lips curled upward.

Gu Yan tugged her forward, following Leng Ling’er’s retreating figure. “What’s got you smiling?”

“Heh. That’s a secret~”

Her grin widened, already envisioning the scene.

Side by side, they walked through the gently falling snow.

Once upon a time, she’d never imagined strolling leisurely down a street, hand in hand with someone she loved.

A soft laugh escaped her. “I hope we can do this again next year.”

Her words reached Gu Yan’s ears.

Unconsciously, his grip on her hand tightened.

“Yeah. We will.”

I promise.

......

......

Night fell, and snow blanketed the world outside.

Tonight, Gu Yan was alone in the Gu residence.

Su Murong and Gu Tianming had stayed behind at the family estate with his grandparents.

Seated in an armchair,

Gu Yan closed his eyes, as if waiting.

A moment later—

A faint hum.

Mei Xue emerged from the shadows, stepping silently behind him.

Her expression was complex as she studied his back.

She had pledged herself to Gu Yan for her brother’s sake.

But the longer she stayed by his side, the more she realized how terrifying he truly was.

“Well?” Gu Yan’s voice was calm.

Mei Xue hesitated before handing him a photograph.

Gu Yan opened his eyes.

The image was grotesque.

Xuehua, her body entwined with black tendrils, cradled Gu Zihua’s severed head against her chest.

The two had died beneath a riverside tree.

Gu Zihua’s face was twisted in horror, a stark contrast to Xuehua’s blissful smile.

“Heh.”

A soft chuckle escaped Gu Yan as the photo crumbled to ash in his hand.

The moment Xuehua accepted the cells of the [Night King],

the fates of her and Gu Zihua had been sealed.

News of this would soon spread internally. After an investigation,

the department’s warriors would trace the aura of the [Night King] lingering on Xuehua.

And by then,

his own plans would already be in motion.

Gu Yan said flatly, "Mei Xue, the plan is about to begin."

"Don’t forget about your brother."

Hearing this,

"......"

Mei Xue clenched her fists.

"Yes."

After Mei Xue left,

Gu Yan closed his eyes again, sinking into silence.

Time passed slowly, but Gu Yan remained motionless, as if waiting for someone.

The next moment,

"Furnace Vessel, are you ready?"

A cold, clear voice reached Gu Yan’s ears.

He opened his eyes to see Leng Qingqiu perched on the armrest of the single sofa, her back turned to him as she gazed at the snowstorm raging outside the window.

"Mm."

"In a week at most, the Power of Night within the other me will completely fade."

"Then, it will be your time to act."

At this point,

Leng Qingqiu glanced sideways at Gu Yan, who was lost in thought, and said slowly,

"Once you obtain [Night], you will also bear the karma it brings."

"In other words... you will take her place and endure everything that was meant for her."

"Karma is a terrifying thing, Furnace Vessel. Think carefully."

"......"

Pausing briefly,

She stood up, her figure gradually dissolving into the darkness.

Only her voice lingered in Gu Yan’s ears:

"If, even so, you remain resolute, Furnace Vessel..."

"Then... when the time comes, I will help you."

The voice faded.

Gu Yan let out a quiet sigh.

No matter what, he had to do this.