Late afternoon, edging into evening.
Yan Family Residence.
The study was bathed in a soft, orange-gold glow. Outside the window, the sun sank slowly, casting a warm afterglow across the city. Tranquility filled the room—only faint birdsong and the distant hum of passing cars disturbed the quiet.
Yan Qingqiu lay quietly on a soft sofa bed, long hair spilling over the pillow with a faint, clean fragrance. As the light faded, shadows softened the lines of her face, delicately outlining her features. The corners of her lips curved ever so slightly, as if she were immersed in a lovely dream.
Mm… so comfortable… so warm. I haven't felt like this in so long. I even dreamed of Father and Mother…
Dream?
Her brows knit.
"—No! What time is it?!"
She sat bolt upright and rose from the sofa in a panic. One hand pressed to her forehead—annoyed, frustrated.
Damn it, how did I fall asleep? How could I be so careless? What happened before I dozed off?
She felt around for her crutch while retracing the moments before sleep. Then it clicked—Gu Yan had been giving her a massage.
And I… actually fell asleep while he was massaging me?
That's… damn it.
"How could I sleep until now because of that man's cheap massage technique?" she muttered through gritted teeth, face cold with unwillingness.
Her gaze flicked to the wall clock. It was already late.
I actually wasted so much precious time?!
"Hey, hey, hey—what do you mean by 'low-level massage technique'? Your good husband will be very sad."
A crutch was gently placed into her hand as he spoke.
"Qingqiu, you slept so soundly. Doesn't that prove my massage skills are pretty high?"
Yan Qingqiu's expression turned icy. She stood with her crutch, glaring in Gu Yan's direction. "Don't flatter yourself. I didn't fall asleep because of you! I was simply exhausted from staying up late."
She snorted. "And your massage skills are terrible."
Though deep down she knew his technique was the reason her body had finally relaxed, she would never admit it.
Gu Yan, however, looked utterly entertained. The system in his head had already rewarded him with constant notifications:
[The pure love partner feels comfortable.]
[The pure love partner feels happy.]
[The pure love partner fell asleep in comfort.]
But instead of showing off, Gu Yan sighed dramatically, his tone dripping with regret.
"Oh, so that's how it is. I thought the massage technique I spent time—to learn just for you was useful… I guess I was mistaken."
His disappointed voice made something twist faintly in Yan Qingqiu's heart. She didn't know why, but she felt a tinge of guilt for lying—and besides, she still needed to leverage the Gu family. Precisely because she needed them, she couldn't let Gu Yan grow discouraged and walk away.
After a pause, she reluctantly muttered, "…It's not that it was completely useless. At least… a little useful."
Her ears burned as she quickly added, "But only a little. Don't misunderstand!"
Gu Yan's face brightened instantly. He grabbed her delicate hand with a grin.
"Really, Qingqiu baby? Then from now on, I'll massage you every day!"
"You—! Let go of my hand! Who told you you could touch me again?!" Her cold façade cracked into embarrassment. "And stop calling me those disgusting names!"
How can the Gu family's young master—known for being a genius with a clear head—be this annoying?!
"Yes, yes, Qingqiu, I'll call you whatever you want," Gu Yan said quickly, nodding as if his life depended on it. "We're family, after all!"
"Bah! Who's family with you?!"
"But we're already married!"
"That—that was a fraudulent marriage! If I had read that document, I wouldn't have signed the form!"
"Doesn't that prove we're meant to be together?"
"How?"
"You review hundreds of Yan family business documents," Gu Yan said earnestly. "You always read before you sign. It's already your habit. But when it came to marrying me, you didn't read it—so it was predestined."
"You—!"
Her injury hadn't fully healed; she still couldn't move much. If she weren't hurt, she would have already started a fight with him.
This bastard talks nonsense and never says anything serious. If I didn't need to use the Gu family, I wouldn't even bother with him!
Hateful. For the sake of revenge, I'll endure—for now.
Forcing herself to calm, she exhaled and said coolly, "Fine. Whatever you say. Now, can you go back? It's already late."
As soon as she finished speaking, a clatter echoed from downstairs.
Then Yan Ling'er's voice rose, aggrieved and dramatic. "Sister! I'm so mad! The math test results are out—I failed again! Is that teacher targeting me?! And, big sister! Didn't Aunt Li take a leave to rest? Who cooked for us? Why do I smell food from the kitchen?"
The footsteps grew closer until they reached the study.
"Sister—"
The word died in her throat the moment she stepped in.
Gu Yan lifted a hand and waved cheerfully. "Welcome back."
"I'm back… No!" Yan Ling'er answered on reflex, then snapped back to herself and pointed at Gu Yan. "You, you, you! Why are you here?! Didn't you promise me you wouldn't be alone with my eldest sister?"
Gu Yan blinked innocently—then spoke with perfect shamelessness. "I can come to my own home to see my wife."
Yes, he called the Yan residence his home—and why not? He was already married to Yan Qingqiu. Shameless.
He followed up righteously, "Your condition is nonsense. What law says I can't be alone with my wife?"
"…"
Yan Qingqiu's expression didn't change, but a giant question mark might as well have floated over her head.
This man… is so shameless. "'See my wife'… 'my own home'…?"
Yan Ling'er flushed bright red. He looked from Gu Yan to Yan Qingqiu—whose hand Gu Yan was still holding—and stammered, "That… seems to be the case…"
Conflicted. "But—but it can't be! My eldest sister is my family, and you're my sister's husband. Then I'm your brother-in-law, so we're all family—ahhh, this is so annoying!"
"Anyway, leave! Or I'll let you taste the power of my tenth-degree Taekwondo!"
Yan Qingqiu hid a small smile. As expected of Ling'er—always on his sister's side.
Gu Yan only shrugged, an amused glint in his eyes. "Do you really want me to leave? I don't mind. But can either of you cook?"
He tilted his head. "I'm only halfway through this dish."
"...Cook?" Yan Qingqiu frowned. "What are you talking about?"
Then she froze.
Oh—right. Aunt Li suddenly stammered last night and asked for a leave of absence for a while. She had no idea that the culprit behind Aunt Li's sudden leave was currently holding her hand.
Which meant that, starting now and for quite some time, there would only be her and Ling'er at home.
Yan Ling'er also blinked. "So the smell in the kitchen… was you?" He peered at Gu Yan with unabashed curiosity. "You, a young master, can cook?