Gu Yan's casual yet emotional humming echoed softly through the kitchen.
Yan Qingqiu's heart trembled slightly. For some reason, she could feel the joy in his voice as he sang.
Why? She wasn't a fool.
The lyrics—"With you, I feel like I own the whole world"—were clearly directed at her.
Yan Qingqiu had never experienced such a feeling before. For a brief moment, her breathing quickened.
"…It sounds so good."
Even Yan Ling'er muttered to himself. Though Gu Yan was only humming, the sweet lyrics and catchy melody painted a vivid picture in his mind—of a couple, deeply in love, brimming with sweetness.
But wait… where did this song come from? I've never heard it before.
At that moment, Yan Qingqiu took a small step forward, slowly approaching Gu Yan.
[Ding! The target of Pure Love feels a shock in her heart because of the host's song. Points +1]
Gu Yan was humming halfway when the system notification suddenly rang in his mind. He was slightly stunned and just about to turn his head—
Only to hear a cold voice beside him.
"Who did you say was hard to pursue?"
A tall figure stood next to him, head tilted, brows furrowed slightly. Yan Qingqiu's tone carried faint dissatisfaction, though even she didn't know why she had asked that question. Perhaps… she just wanted to find an excuse to talk to him.
Gu Yan quickly recovered. Smiling lightly, he reached out and gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"Of course, it's our Qingqiu. Back then, you were the most talented woman in all of Sichuan City. You were like a star in the sky—so dazzling that pursuing you was truly difficult."
Yan Qingqiu felt his fingers brush against her hair, but this time she didn't resist. She only snorted softly.
"I never heard that the young master of the Gu family wanted to pursue me back then. On the contrary, I heard you've never shown interest in women. In fact, weren't there even rumors that you were… gay?" She gave a faint smile, half joking.
Yet as she spoke, the warmth in her heart dimmed slightly.
After all, Gu Yan was such an outstanding man. She had heard of his brilliance even before meeting him in person. Such a man was destined to be surrounded by countless beauties.
What if this song wasn't really written for me?
She bit her lip unconsciously.
If he had someone else in his heart before, if he's only singing this to make me look good… then wouldn't I just be a stand-in?
It shouldn't matter. But now, nominally, they were husband and wife. Even if she planned to use him, she didn't want to be haunted by the shadow of his "ex."
Seeing her faintly troubled expression, Gu Yan immediately knew how to respond. Naturally, he took her hand and spoke with deep affection:
"Qingqiu, my love for you is like a river, flowing endlessly through plains and hills. I never feared hardship or danger—I came thousands of miles for you. That song, Confession, is an original piece I wrote the moment I realized I was in love with you. Maybe it's fate that we're together now. That's why I couldn't help but hum it just now."
Exaggerated much?
But strangely, Yan Qingqiu's mood improved as she listened. The corners of her lips curved slightly.
"You really talk too much."
She quickly pulled her hand free, turned her head away, and drew in a deep breath before facing him again. Curiosity flickered in her eyes.
"So, the song you just hummed—it's called Confession? And you wrote it yourself?"
"You actually have this kind of talent?"
Gu Yan nodded seriously. "Of course. At that time, my mind was completely filled with you, Qingqiu. I even fantasized about doing this and that with you—so naturally, inspiration came and the song was born."
"…Bah! Can't you speak properly?" Her face flushed red. "Forget it, it's getting late. Let's just finish up here."
She spat softly, then reached toward the sink.
"Qingqiu, what are you doing?" Gu Yan immediately caught her hand. "This is the sink. It's dirty."
Yan Qingqiu broke free with an exasperated look. "This is my home. Of course I know it's the sink. And you—" She raised a brow.
"What, do you think hard-to-get girls can't wash dishes?"
Rolling up her sleeves, she turned on the faucet and began rinsing the dishes with practiced ease.
Gu Yan was stunned.
At first, he had only approached Yan Qingqiu out of curiosity and because of the system. Later, because she was exactly his type, he had chosen to treat her sincerely. Still, in his mind, someone from a wealthy family like her—especially with her injuries—probably couldn't cook or clean.
Yet here she was, washing dishes skillfully, water dripping across her slender fingers.
Warmth bloomed in Gu Yan's chest.
Yan Qingqiu, of course, could guess what he was thinking. But she didn't want him to see her as weak or pampered. Even though she was disfigured now and her life was inconvenient in many ways, she still refused to appear helpless in front of others.
And besides… Gu Yan had done so much for her today. She couldn't just let him shoulder everything.
She let out a quiet laugh in her heart. This young master really is the best among rich second-generation brats.
Splash—
Gu Yan turned on the faucet beside her. "Alright then. You wash that side, I'll handle the bigger pots and bowls."
"…Fine."
After a pause, Yan Qingqiu asked casually, "Aren't you going to keep singing your Confession?"
Gu Yan blinked, then chuckled. "Shall I start over?"
"I don't really want to hear it. Do as you please."
"Okay, okay, I'll sing."
"Whatever."
And so, his clear voice rang out once more in the kitchen, carrying the power of [God-level Singing Skills]. Since he was singing for Yan Qingqiu, the system even gave him a discount for its usage.
Neither of them noticed the figure at the doorway.
Yan Ling'er stood frozen, his expression stiff. His wide eyes stared at the pair—washing dishes side by side, talking, laughing, singing.
They looked as if they had their own light surrounding them.
He clutched his head, despair filling his heart.
"Sister… you've changed! How could this happen?!"
Tears welled up in his eyes.
—
The sun had set.
Outside the Yan residence, Gu Yan stood by the car. "It's getting late. I'll head back."
Inside the luxury car behind him, Lao Gao watched his young master with relief. Seeing the change in him, his heart settled. He even looked at Yan Qingqiu with newfound respect.
Yan Qingqiu nodded calmly. "If you have to cook so many dishes every time you come, forget it."
"I know you feel bad for your husband because I'm too tired to cook. So next time, I'll do less."
Gu Yan chuckled.
"Haha, I didn't say that. I'm just worried about the lifespan of my stove."
Yan Qingqiu paused, then turned to Gu Yan and said, "Go back and drive slowly."
Before Gu Yan could react, she walked into the house.
Gu Yan blinked, then suddenly broke into a wide grin. "Qingqiu! I'll come again tomorrow morning!"
"Whatever."
Bang! The door closed.
But behind it, Yan Qingqiu's lips curved upward ever so slightly.
Just then—thump!
A figure rushed into her arms, followed by a wailing cry.
"Sister!! You've changed!!"
Yan Qingqiu looked down helplessly at Yan Ling'er. "What now? Why are you saying your sister has changed?"
Ling'er's eyes were red. "Because of Gu Yan! Since he came, you've only had him in your eyes. It's only been two days, and already I feel like an outsider in this family!"
Yan Qingqiu froze. I really did neglect Ling'er…
She sighed and gently patted his back. "Silly boy, I haven't changed. It's only because our Yan family needs the Gu family's financial power to make a comeback. That's why I force myself to endure and talk to Gu Yan."
"…Really?"
Ling'er raised his head, eyes shining with relief. "That's great! I really thought you fell for him! That would've been terrible. Sure, that bastard is rich, handsome, sings well, cooks well, but—no! It's a good thing you don't like him! Otherwise, I'd never survive in this house!"
The more Yan Qingqiu listened, the more wrong it felt. Me, fall in love with Gu Yan?! Impossible. Someone like me… I could never experience what it's like to fall in love like a normal girl.
"Don't think nonsense. How could I possibly fall in love with him? And even if I did, what does that have to do with your survive?"
She patted her brother's shoulder lightly and added, "Alright, alright. Go take a shower, watch some TV, and then head to bed."
Yan Ling'er nodded vigorously. While tugging her into the house, he shouted happily, "Sister, I feel so much more relieved after hearing you say that!"
Yan Qingqiu smiled faintly, though she herself didn't know what that smile meant.
After a pause, she suddenly asked in an offhand manner, "By the way, what do you think of Gu Yan's appearance?"
"Oh, him!" Yan Ling'er snorted. "Even though he's just a small fry, I have to admit he's a very good-looking small fry! I heard that to stay in shape, Small Fry Gu goes to the gym every single day. He's got a great figure. If he ever tried cosplaying, he'd definitely be the center of attention!
"It's said that he rejected hundreds of girls who confessed to him—so many that there were even rumors he was gay. Honestly, even I doubted it until he told you he loves you... And I also heard that he hasn't had a single girlfriend before!"
Yan Ling'er spoke with disdain, not even thinking twice, his confidence firm since he had already received reassurance from his sister.
"Oh, I see…"
Yan Qingqiu nodded quietly to herself. So… he doesn't have any exes
"..."
Yan Qingqiu was silent for a while after hearing this.
"Ling'er, he's now your nominal brother-in-law. You have to show him some respect."
"And didn't you say you failed math? Come to the study after you take a shower tonight, and I'll give you some tutoring."
"Ah! Sister!!!"
Ling'er almost collapsed.
—
Meanwhile, on the way home.
Lao Gao was driving when he noticed the faint smile on Gu Yan's face through the rearview mirror. His heart warmed, and he asked cheerfully,
"Master, it seems you like the young lady from the Yan family very much."
Gu Yan didn't deny it. He smiled lightly and nodded. "Yes. I've decided to treat her well for the rest of my life."
Whether this was love or not, he didn't know yet. But he liked her—of that he was certain.
He paused for a moment, then turned his gaze toward Lao Gao.
Lao Gao was no ordinary driver. He had been serving the Gu family since Gu Yan was a child, a loyal shadow who never wavered.
But then, Gu Yan's thoughts shifted to the protagonist.
The moment the thought surfaced, a cold solemnity flickered in his eyes.
According to the plot, that man would one day kill his wife. Yan Qingqiu wasn't his opponent yet. She still needed time to grow stronger.
But Gu Yan was no longer bound to the original story.
Even if I don't hunt him down immediately, I must at least keep track of his movements. And with the help of my system, I can lay safeguards in advance. This time, no one will harm her.
His expression turned icy.
In fact, a plan had already begun to form in his mind. If it worked, then even the so-called protagonist of the novel was nothing to fear.
First, let's analyze the situation.
According to the plot, the protagonist would return from the mountain shortly after the Gu family officially broke off the engagement.
Gu Yan's lips curved into a faint, unreadable smile.
"Lao Gao," he said slowly, "investigate someone for me. His name is Lin Xiao. He should have appeared in Sichuan City recently. He's about the same age as me."
Lao Gao didn't ask questions. Even if he didn't know who this Lin Xiao was, the young master's orders were absolute.
"Yes, young master. I'll have the information ready by tomorrow night at the latest."
Gu Yan closed his eyes in satisfaction, leaning back against the seat.
The story of Lin Xiao—the so-called male protagonist—played in his mind.
In the original novel, Lin Xiao had trained under a so-called "mafia boss" on Dragon King Mountain.
A mountain, a mysterious teacher, and a jade pendant… how cliché.
Before descending the mountain, that boss gave him a dragon-shaped jade pendant. To outsiders, it was nothing special. But Gu Yan, who had watched the plot unfold, knew the truth.
That pendant represented Lin Xiao's identity as the young master of the Dragon King Palace.
A mafia group by the name of Dragon King Palace, with its sister organization, the Dragon Group—one criminal, one business. Light and dark, two sides of the same coin. Predictable… and laughably dull. The author really had no creativity.
But Gu Yan also knew how that grand organization met its end.
It was destroyed—by Yan Qingqiu.
A smile tugged at Gu Yan's lips. As expected of my Qingqiu.
Of course, he understood the true reason behind her targeting the Dragon King Palace and its sister Dragon group.
But for him, it was simply good news.
Because it proved one thing: the Dragon King Palace was no match for Yan Qingqiu.
Still, that was a matter for the middle and late stages of the novel.
For now, there was still time. Time to prepare. Time to build safeguards.
And Gu Yan would make sure, this time, his wife would never fall to fate.