An image of the heroine, Leng Qingqiu…
Mei Xue looked at Gu Yan, who was smiling so happily, and couldn't help sneering inwardly.
Haha. Enjoy it while you can.
When Master takes over the Gu family, let's see if you'll still be laughing instead of crying.
As if sensing her gaze, Gu Yan turned his head and shot her a look that clearly said:
What are you staring at? Jealous?
Mei Xue: "!!"
Her face twitched.
She wasn't angry—she was simply forcing herself to believe that everything in front of her was just a beautiful illusion carefully created by her master.
You won't be able to laugh when the time comes.
That said… she had to admit it.
Gu Yan's cooking was genuinely delicious.
No wonder he said the egg fried rice at the teahouse couldn't compare to his.
As Mei Xue thought about it, she noticed Gu Yan interacting with her master again.
The more she watched, the more uncomfortable she felt.
Damn it—don't go too far!
How dare he…!
Her face flushed slightly. Feeling like she was about to lose control, Mei Xue quickly stood up.
"I'm full."
She took her bowl and hurried into the kitchen.
Gu Yan glanced at her retreating figure and smiled inwardly.
Wow, she really knows how to read the room.
She even knows that Qingqiu and I are about to have some quality bonding time.
Thinking this, he turned toward Leng Qingqiu with a bright smile.
"Qingqiu~ This time it's my turn to feed—"
Before he could finish, his words died in his throat.
Leng Qingqiu's gentle, considerate expression suddenly vanished, dropping like a sudden cold snap. She looked as icy as ever.
Though she felt embarrassed and annoyed inside, she spoke coldly on the surface:
"Get lost. Who wants you to feed me? I can eat by myself!"
"I was holding the chopsticks for so long… you—"
Before he could finish—
"Um, where's the dishwashing liquid?"
Mei Xue walked out of the kitchen at that moment.
"Under the cabinet."
Then—
"Come on, Gu Yan. Open your mouth. Ah~"
Leng Qingqiu instantly put on a gentle smile and held the food to Gu Yan's lips.
Gu Yan froze.
Wait a second.
Does Leng Qingqiu… have split personalities?
"Oh… okay."
Mei Xue glanced at her master with a strange look.
Something felt off. She couldn't quite put her finger on it.
Shaking her head, she turned back into the kitchen.
Leng Qingqiu finally let out a quiet sigh of relief.
At that moment, Gu Yan understood everything.
So that's how it is.
Because Leng Qingqiu hadn't completely turned evil yet, she had to maintain a gentle image in front of her subordinates.
That was why she acted this way when Mei Xue was around.
Gu Yan watched as the gentleness on Leng Qingqiu's face gradually faded, and he sighed softly, feeling a bit dejected.
So that's it.
He glanced at the chopsticks still near his mouth and shook his head.
"Qingqiu, Mei Xue is gone."
There was an unmistakable sense of loss in his voice.
Leng Qingqiu froze.
Gu Yan sounded… really disappointed.
Suddenly, guilt welled up inside her.
Yes. Because she had pretended to be gentle, Gu Yan must have thought she was only acting for Mei Xue's sake.
As someone who loved her so deeply, how could he not feel hurt?
He treated her sincerely, without reservation.
So why couldn't she let go of her pride?
Leng Qingqiu clenched her teeth.
Damn it—just this once.
She seemed to make up her mind and took a deep breath.
Gu Yan was just about to assume she wouldn't continue…
"Eat."
Leng Qingqiu raised her head and spoke stiffly.
Gu Yan was stunned.
"Qingqiu… Mei Xue isn't here anymore…"
Why was she still acting?
If she didn't like doing this, he wouldn't force her.
But Leng Qingqiu still gritted her teeth, turned toward him, and said:
"Eat it!"
Startled, Gu Yan obediently bit down on the food she offered.
Then—
"Is it delicious?" she asked.
"Delicious."
She picked up another bite and handed it to him.
"Eat."
Gu Yan didn't quite understand, but he complied.
"Is it tasty?"
"Delicious."
She picked up yet another bite, this time without saying a word.
Gu Yan froze.
Leng Qingqiu's face was faintly red, and even her hand was trembling slightly.
"Qingqiu…"
Before he could finish—
"Stop talking, okay…?"
Her voice trembled. She turned her head away, clearly ashamed.
"I just… I don't want you to be looked down on by my subordinates. But that doesn't mean I only do these things for that reason."
She didn't know why she said it.
Maybe it was because—
She saw the sadness in Gu Yan's eyes.
She realized how much her actions could hurt him, and this wasn't the time to pretend to be cold and proud.
Her voice grew softer and softer, and the chopsticks lowered.
"This is also my first time… being in love."
"Doing things like this… is really embarrassing, okay…?"
Thump. Thump.
Gu Yan's pupils trembled as his heart began to race wildly.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
He pressed his chest and pounded it hard.
"Hey—what are you doing?!"
Leng Qingqiu panicked and stood up, about to stop him.
But Gu Yan reached out and gently pressed her back down.
"Hiss… ha…"
He took a deep breath. Even the pain in his chest couldn't suppress the joy flooding his face.
The corners of his mouth lifted uncontrollably.
"I love you so much, Qingqiu!"
"I really, really love you—hahahahaha!"
Laughing wildly, he held Leng Qingqiu's hand and ate the food in one bite.
"Delicious! Qingqiu, the food you feed me yourself—delicious!"
"R-really…?"
Leng Qingqiu finally relaxed.
She'd thought something was wrong with him. She was about to stop, but hearing his joyful voice made her happy too—for reasons she didn't quite understand.
"Then try this?"
"Delicious!"
"And this?"
"Still delicious!"
"How is it that everything tastes good to you?"
"Because, Qingqiu—everything you pick is delicious!"
"Really? Then… I'll cook for you next time?"
"..."
"Why aren't you saying anything?"
"I—I should go wash the dishes…"
Gu Yan fled the table, grabbing the dishes and running into the kitchen.
Leng Qingqiu felt a flicker of irritation.
That bastard—does he think my cooking isn't good?!
Yet she couldn't stop the corners of her lips from lifting slightly.
The blush on her face still hadn't faded.
She held the chopsticks midair, mimicking the motion of picking up food.
For some reason, her mood felt incredibly light.
He's really… such a willful fellow.
If you want, I can continue with Chapter 63 (simple title as always), or tighten dialogue even more for romantic tension.pp