Of course, Gu Yan would never have done this before.
But now?
Didn't he have a system backing him up?
He firmly held Yan Qingqiu's hand, ignoring the disgust on her face. She tried to resist at first, but quickly realized she couldn't break free. With no choice, she gave up struggling.
Gu Yan's voice carried a gentle emotion.
"I learned it specially for you, Qingqiu."
"I've imagined this scene countless times before. I cook for you at home. When you come back from work, I give you a massage. On weekends, we drink tea in the yard, admire the flowers… and if there's nothing else to do, we can even have a little barbecue outside."
His gaze softened. "And then…"
"Enough!"
Yan Ling'er couldn't take it anymore. She forcefully pried Gu Yan's hands away from her sister and glared at him.
"Hey! Do you even hear yourself? You're basically saying you'll stay home as a househusband while my sister goes out to work and earn money! Are you even a man?"
His words made Yan Qingqiu chuckle.
Other men, when trying to win favor, would boldly claim, "I'll protect you for life. I'll take care of you forever."
But Gu Yan? He was the complete opposite.
Instead of trying to appear reliable, he shamelessly tried to make her do all the hard work.
Gu Yan only curled his lips and gave Ling'er a look of disdain, as though he were too young to understand.
"Little brat, you don't understand. My Qingqiu is talented and capable. If a fool like me went out to make money, I'd probably lose everything the Gu family owns. So naturally, Qingqiu should be the one in charge."
"You—!"
Ling'er's jaw dropped. He was speechless.
Also—my Qingqiu?
It was only the second day of their marriage, yet this guy was already acting like he and my sister had been together for years!
Yan Qingqiu was also amused by his shameless words. The corners of her lips curved upward ever so slightly. But the moment she realized, she quickly suppressed it, terrified Gu Yan might notice.
[Ding! Pure Love Partner feels happy. Points +1]
Hearing the crisp system notification, Gu Yan's heart swelled with satisfaction.
Good, very good. If this continues, Qingqiu's favorability will skyrocket in no time.
He coughed lightly and straightened his tone.
"Alright, it's getting late. I'll continue cooking."
Turning to Qingqiu, he added warmly, "You should read for now. I'll call you when dinner is ready."
As he spoke, he naturally held her hand again and led her toward the desk.
Qingqiu frowned slightly at his behavior. Her tone was resistant.
"I can walk on my own."
But Gu Yan seized the opportunity to act self-righteous.
"No. When I wasn't around, maybe. But now that I'm here, I can't risk anything happening to you, Qingqiu. If you trip like yesterday, it would be a disaster!"
"You!"
Yan Qingqiu's face flushed as yesterday's embarrassing scene flashed in her mind. She was furious.
"How dare you bring that up! Let go of me!"
Yet even while quarreling, Gu Yan calmly guided her to the desk. Only then did he reluctantly release her hand.
"Alright, alright. I've let go. I'll head downstairs now."
Without waiting for her reply, he left the study.
"...That bastard!"
Qingqiu's chest rose and fell rapidly. Her entire being was brimming with irritation.
What kind of man was this? Shameless, annoying, and infuriating!
But…
Her gaze flickered. Downstairs, Gu Yan was cooking for them.
He was the eldest son of the Gu family, yet he was willingly lowering himself to prepare a meal for her and Ling'er…
He had massaged her shoulders earlier. Guided her to her desk. And now he was cooking with his own hands.
This… this…
No! Stop it!
Qingqiu took a sharp breath, forcing her heart to calm down.
All of this—Gu Yan did on his own initiative. I didn't ask him to. There's no need to feel grateful. Gratitude is the biggest stumbling block on my road to revenge.
Yan Ling'er, watching his sister's troubled expression, clenched his fists in anger.
Damn that Gu bastard! He's the reason my sister is suffering like this! I'm so angry!
Even if they were legally married—even if technically he was his brother-in-law—even if all of this was true…
Still—
His lips pressed together. "Sister…"
But before he could speak further, Qingqiu cut him off coldly.
"Ling'er, go help Gu Yan in the kitchen. Don't let him think everyone in the Yan family is lazy and useless."
"Eh?"
Ling'er's mouth opened in shock.
....
Kitchen
"So this is your way of helping me?"
Gu Yan looked speechlessly at Ling'er, who was standing at the counter, eyes red and lifeless, stirring a bowl of eggs… complete with eggshells floating inside.
Ling'er snapped, glaring at him with teary eyes.
"This is all your fault! Because of you, my sister… my sister has changed!"
He punched his chest angrily, crying harder.
"You actually made me help a man like you! I'll hammer you to death! Hammer you to death—ugh?!"
His words cut off abruptly.
His eyes widened. Something hot had been shoved into his mouth. Startled, he chewed instinctively—
And instantly, his taste buds exploded with rich flavor.
Ling'er froze. Then his eyes lit up like stars.
"This… this is delicious! What is this?!"
Gu Yan calmly pulled the chopsticks from his mouth, rinsed them under cold water, and replied without looking back.
"Spicy rabbit meat."
"Oh, rabbit mea—"
Ling'er nodded automatically, but a second later, his whole body stiffened.
"...Rabbit?!!"
He spun his head, staring in horror at the neatly plated dish beside him. It was unmistakably spicy rabbit, lying innocently on the plate.
His mind went blank. Darkness nearly swallowed his vision.
At the sink, Gu Yan smirked wickedly to himself.
Hah. You brat. Now you know how powerful I am.
Time passed.
Ling'er sat miserably in the living room, hugging a giant white rabbit plushie. He wore white socks, legs crossed, cartoons flickering on the screen in front of him. But his eyes were dull, and he muttered under his breath:
"You bastard… scoundrel… scumbag. Rabbits are so cute, yet you actually ate one…"
His entire worldview had been shaken.
Just then, voices floated down from upstairs.
"I can walk by myself. Stop holding onto me!"
"No. Going downstairs isn't a small matter. If I could, I'd carry you instead."
"Carry me? I'm not a child anymore! Gu Yan, don't be ridiculous!"
"Newly married wives are all children."
"You—!"
Yan Qingqiu was being carefully supported by Gu Yan as they descended the stairs. She could feel his warm hand on hers, his steady breath brushing against her skin.
And… that faint fragrance lingering on his body.
He's clearly a man… so why does he smell so good?
Her cheeks burned.
And then she remembered his words.
Newly married wives are children.
Her thoughts spun into chaos.
This was outrageous. She was the true power behind the Yan family. She was the one people feared and respected.
Yet in front of him, she was treated like a fragile little girl.