Doing this kind of thing... is so embarrassing, okay...

Mei Xue watched Gu Yan's happiness with a cold smirk.

Hah, enjoy it while you can. When the master takes over the Gu family, you'll be crying your eyes out.

As if sensing Mei Xue's gaze, Gu Yan turned his head and gave her a "What are you looking at? Jealous?" expression.

Mei Xue: "!!"

Her face twitched, but she told herself not to get angry. After all, this was all just a beautiful illusion the master had woven for him.

Just wait, you won't be smiling for long!

Though she had to admit, Gu Yan's cooking was indeed delicious.

No wonder he said that fried rice at the tea restaurant wasn't as good as his when they were there.

As Mei Xue pondered this, she saw Gu Yan interacting with her master again.

As she watched, she began to feel uncomfortable for some reason.

That annoying guy, don't get too cocky! Ah! How dare he touch her!

Mei Xue's face reddened slightly. Feeling like she couldn't bear to watch anymore, she quickly stood up and said, "I'm full," before taking her bowl to the kitchen.

Gu Yan glanced at Mei Xue's retreating figure and chuckled inwardly. Well, well, looks like someone knows how to read the room.

She knows I'm about to get lovey-dovey with Qingqiu.

With that thought, he turned to Leng Qingqiu with a smile: "Qingqiu~ Now it's my turn to feed you..."

But his words trailed off as he noticed a change.

Leng Qingqiu's gentle and caring demeanor suddenly dropped like the temperature, turning into her usual cold expression.

Hearing Gu Yan's words, she felt embarrassed and annoyed inside, but outwardly said coldly, "Get lost. Who needs you to feed me? I can eat by myself!"

"But you just had me holding up chopsticks for so long... you..."

Before he could finish,

"Um, where's the dish soap?" Mei Xue emerged from the kitchen.

Then,

"Ah, it's in the cabinet below."

"Here, Gu Yan, open your mouth. Ah~"

Leng Qingqiu suddenly put on a gentle face again, thoughtfully holding food to Gu Yan's mouth with her chopsticks.

Gu Yan was dumbfounded.

Wait a minute, does Leng Qingqiu have multiple personality disorder?

"Oh, okay."

Mei Xue looked at her master strangely, feeling an indescribable sensation.

She shook her head and went back to the kitchen.

Leng Qingqiu breathed a sigh of relief.

By this point, Gu Yan finally understood. He had an epiphany.

So that's how it is.

Because Leng Qingqiu hasn't fully turned to the dark side yet, she naturally acts gentle and caring in front of her subordinates.

That's why she shows a gentle side when Mei Xue is around.

So that's what it was.

Gu Yan watched as Leng Qingqiu's soft expression gradually faded. He sighed in disappointment.

So that's how it is.

Gu Yan looked at the chopsticks close to his face and shook his head, saying, "Qingqiu, Mei Xue is gone."

His voice carried a hint of disappointment.

Leng Qingqiu's heart skipped a beat when she heard this.

Gu Yan seemed... very disappointed...

She suddenly felt a bit guilty.

That's right, because of her pretend gentleness, Gu Yan mistakenly thought she was just putting on an act for Mei Xue.

As a man who loved her, he would naturally feel very disappointed and let down.

After all... after all, Gu Yan loved her so much and was unreservedly good to her.

But why couldn't she let down her guard?

Leng Qingqiu bit her lip. Damn it, just this once.

She seemed to have made some decision and took a deep breath.

Meanwhile, Gu Yan...

Just as he thought Leng Qingqiu wouldn't continue the act,

"Eat it."

Leng Qingqiu raised her head and said in an odd voice.

Gu Yan was stunned and asked in confusion, "Qingqiu... Mei Xue isn't here..."

Why was she still acting when the subordinate had left? If she didn't like doing this sort of thing.

Gu Yan wouldn't force her.

However, Leng Qingqiu still bit her lip and faced Gu Yan, saying, "Eat it!"

Gu Yan was startled, then ate from the chopsticks Leng Qingqiu had already used.

Then,

Leng Qingqiu asked, "Is it good?"

"It's good."

After that, Leng Qingqiu picked up another bite and held it to Gu Yan's mouth: "Eat it."

He still didn't quite understand but did as she said.

"Is it good?"

"It's good."

Next, Leng Qingqiu picked up another bite for Gu Yan, this time without speaking.

But... Gu Yan froze.

Because Leng Qingqiu's face was slightly flushed, and even her hand was trembling slightly.

Gu Yan couldn't help but ask, "Qingqiu..."

But before he could finish,

Leng Qingqiu interrupted in a low voice, "Can you not talk?"

Her voice was trembling, and she turned her head away in embarrassment: "I just don't want... my best friend to look down on you, but that doesn't mean I'm only doing these couple things for that purpose."

Leng Qingqiu didn't know why she was saying these things, perhaps...

She had seen... the wave of sadness coming from Gu Yan's chest.

She realized how heartbroken her actions would make Gu Yan, and this wasn't the time for her to act aloof.

Leng Qingqiu's voice gradually lowered, and her chopsticks slowly dropped: "This is my first relationship too..."

"Doing these things... it's embarrassing, okay..."

Thump! Thump!!

Gu Yan's eyes widened, his heart racing wildly.

Bang bang bang!!!

He pressed his hand to his chest, hitting it hard.

"Hey... what are you doing?"

Leng Qingqiu was startled and stood up, about to stop Gu Yan.

But he reached out and held Leng Qingqiu back.

"Hiss... ha..."

Gu Yan took a deep breath. Even though his chest hurt from his own pounding, it couldn't stop...

The corners of his mouth from turning up into an uncontrollable grin.

"I love you so much! Qingqiu!"

"I love you to death, hahaha!!!"

Gu Yan laughed loudly as he grabbed Leng Qingqiu's hand holding the chopsticks and ate the food in one bite.

"Delicious! It tastes even better when you feed me yourself, Qingqiu!"

"R-really?"

Leng Qingqiu breathed a sigh of relief. She had wondered what was wrong with Gu Yan.

Even though she hadn't wanted to continue, hearing Gu Yan's happy voice made her feel happy too for some reason.

"Then try this one?"

"It's delicious!"

"How about this?"

"Still delicious!"

"How come everything tastes good to you?"

"Because everything Qingqiu picks for me is delicious!"

"Is that so? Then next time I'll cook and feed you?"

"........."

"Why aren't you saying anything?"

"I should go wash the dishes..."

Escaping from the dinner table, Gu Yan grabbed the plates and ran towards the kitchen.

Leng Qingqiu's face showed a hint of anger. This jerk, does he think my cooking isn't good?!

But...

Leng Qingqiu couldn't help but smile slightly, the blush not fading from her face.

She pinched her chopsticks, mimicking the motion of picking up food in the air.

For some reason, her mood had become very pleasant.

He really is... such a willful guy.