New Year's Eve Gala: The Warriors Are Real

Evening.

"Brother-in-law, sis? What's up with you two?"

Leng Ling'er looked curiously at Gu Yan and Leng Qingqiu, who were holding hands with slightly unnatural expressions.

She wasn’t sure if it was just her imagination, but it felt like their relationship had somehow deepened.

Gu Yan cleared his throat lightly. "It's nothing. Don’t ask too many questions, kid."

Leng Qingqiu avoided looking at Gu Yan and straightened her expression. "Ling'er, weren’t you supposed to be training? Did you finish already?"

Leng Ling'er shrank back slightly. "Uh... Didn’t we say we’re going to the Gu Family for New Year’s Eve tonight?"

"And, brother-in-law, Xingxing and Ning Qian have nowhere to go, and Qionglan’s dad is away on a business trip, so her house is empty too."

She turned her hopeful gaze toward Gu Yan. "Brother-in-law... Can I bring them along...?"

"Oh, right."

Gu Yan suddenly remembered—he had told Old Gao to pick them up in the evening.

Given the time, they should be arriving soon. He’d gotten so caught up in being affectionate with Qingqiu that he’d almost forgotten.

He glanced at Leng Ling'er, then at Ning Qian, Xingxing, and Bai Qionglan, who were staring at her eagerly.

Tsk. Was this girl trying to build a harem in place of Xiao Lin?

Gu Yan’s lips twitched, but after a moment’s thought, he smiled at Bai Qionglan and the others. "Sure, come along. The more, the merrier."

"The car’s outside. Let’s head straight there."

Hearing this, Leng Ling'er beamed and grabbed the two of them, pulling them toward the door. "Yay! Brother-in-law, you’re the best!"

Now that Gu Yan had agreed, Leng Qingqiu sighed helplessly. "You know, Ling'er used to be full of hostility toward you when you first met."

Gu Yan chuckled, holding Leng Qingqiu’s hand as they followed. "Haha, I think I understand Ling'er."

"Oh? Gu Yan, do you have an older sister too?"

"No."

He tightened his grip on her hand and looked at her softly. "If we ever have a child—especially a daughter—I’d probably hate the guy who tries to take her away from us too."

A... a daughter?

A child?

The moment those words left his mouth, Leng Qingqiu’s face flushed bright red.

From a biological standpoint...

Having a child required the combination of sperm and egg...

Why was Gu Yan suddenly bringing this up...?

Mmm... Could it be... that he was thinking about... doing that?

[...? How did you jump to that conclusion?]

Xiao Leng suddenly popped up in her mind, speaking coldly.

It had to be that!

Leng Qingqiu’s face burned hotter.

"Qingqiu? Qingqiu?"

Even after getting into the car, her mind was still racing with wild thoughts.

Xiao Leng... What should I do? I’ve never learned about this... I don’t know how...

[...I repeat, why are you even thinking about this...?]

No, I need to read up on it first. Maybe there are books that explain it.

Ah, right! Romance novels probably have similar scenes—I can learn from those.

What do you think, Xiao Leng?

[...I swear you’re not listening to a word I say...]

Ugh... It’s all Gu Yan’s fault for making me act so weird.

[...?]

By the time they arrived at the Gu Family’s residence, Leng Qingqiu finally snapped out of it.

While Leng Ling'er and the others went inside, she tugged at Gu Yan’s sleeve, her voice trembling with embarrassment.

"Gu Yan, no! We can’t... We can’t talk about having a child until after we’re married!"

That’s right.

After much deliberation, she realized she wasn’t ready yet.

Having said that, she quickly let go and hurried inside.

Gu Yan: "??"

Having a child? Marriage?

What was Qingqiu talking about?

He thought back to what he’d just said and froze.

Wait, wait, wait.

Was Qingqiu implying... that after marriage, they could... do that?!

Gasp!

Realization struck him, and he immediately chased after her, shouting, "Qingqiu! Let’s get married today then!"

"Get lost!"

......

......

That night, the Gu Family’s grand estate was filled with warmth and harmony.

Soft lighting illuminated the carefully arranged furniture, every detail exuding the coziness of home.

Leng Ling'er was a natural at lifting the mood, making Su Murong and Gu Tianming laugh nonstop.

After dinner, in the living room—

Gu Yan sat on a plush sofa, surrounded by Leng Qingqiu and the others.

"Yan'er, your mother and I will be leaving for a trip tomorrow."

"We’re leaving the house in your hands."

Gu Tianming sat across from him, speaking with a tone of solemn responsibility.

Gu Yan nodded helplessly. "Yeah, yeah. Have fun, Dad."

Ever since Gu Tianming stepped down as head of the Gu Family, his desire to whisk Su Murong away on trips had become increasingly blatant.

Su Murong, meanwhile, took Leng Qingqiu’s hand and smiled warmly. "Qingqiu, since we’ll be away, the house will be empty. Feel free to come stay and keep Yan'er company whenever you like."

At those words, Leng Qingqiu—still thinking about the earlier "pre-marriage" discussion—blushed and stammered, "...Got it, Mom..."

"Haha, brother-in-law, check out this New Year’s Eve gala—it’s so fun!"

"Honestly, it looks like martial artists are putting on the performances!"

Leng Ling'er pointed excitedly at the TV.

Gu Yan glanced at the screen.

This world also had New Year’s Eve galas similar to those in his previous life.

The format was nearly identical—host introductions, followed by a lineup of scheduled performances.

But this time... the content was unusual.

For starters, the audience was noticeably smaller than usual, and every pair of eyes carried an intense, battle-hardened sharpness.

The performances themselves were even stranger.

One moment, there were performers soaring through the air without any safety measures.

The next, a massive, mountain-like beast was unleashed for a ferocious display.

Then came dazzling pyrotechnics, weaving flames into intricate patterns.

The bizarre yet spectacular acts sent viewership ratings skyrocketing.

Even more bizarrely—

Every single TV channel was broadcasting the exact same program.

Gu Yan seemed to realize something.

His expression grew serious, his gaze turning contemplative.

So... it’s finally happening, huh?

As time passed, the clock struck midnight.

The gala reached its conclusion.

But instead of the usual closing remarks—

A man in a white uniform, a starburst emblem pinned to his chest, appeared on screen.

He stood before a microphone.

Soon, his grave voice echoed through every broadcast across the nation.

"This world... has another side to it!"

"Martial artists... are real!"

And with that, the second year began.

Gu Yan took a deep breath.

His next plan... could now officially begin...