Chen Yan's Personality

To be honest, Chen Yan did not care much about the Douluo Federation or anything like that. It was not my great China! It did not have the face for that.

As long as Gu Yuena kept things under control to a certain extent, he really had no opinion on how she dealt with humans.

Chen Yan had always been a rather indifferent person. In internet terms, he could be called a "Naturally Indifferent Person." In his previous life, he seemed friendly and warm when interacting with others, but in truth, those people might not have counted as friends in his heart at all. They were merely acquaintances.

When people around him talked about missing home or their parents, he would find it rather strange, because whenever he was away from home, he never felt any longing. Sometimes, he could not even remember his family, focusing only on what lay before him.

In everyday life, he loved this world too, and wanted emotional resonance with others and a deeper understanding of them. Yet reality never lived up to expectations. There were simply too few people he could truly open his heart to, and he himself hated trouble. When he realized that their ordinary interactions were nothing special, and that the other person had closer friends around them, he would automatically distance himself. To him, close relationships were only temporary. Perhaps once that period passed, they might never contact each other again.

His question to Gu Yuena also carried a hint of avoidance. He wanted to shift the point of conflict.

Gu Yuena was left speechless by those words, silent for a long time.

"I'll find a balance. Trust me!" After a long while, she suddenly raised her head, her voice carrying a trace of determination as it echoed by Chen Yan's ear. A flash of resolve passed through Gu Yuena's eyes. If she truly had to make a choice, she was willing to compromise.

Her purple eyes gazed deeply at Chen Yan, pure and profound like gemstones. Chen Yan saw his own reflection within them—wherever her gaze fell, it was filled with him.

He felt a warm current flow from his heart through his limbs. His eyes suddenly grew a little moist. What was going on? He suddenly wanted to cry.

An adult's breakdown often happened in an instant. It was that moment of sincerity that shattered the fragile disguise around his heart.

The kind of sincerity that truly considered things from his perspective, rather than forcing something upon him.

"Mm, let's leave it at that."

Chen Yan turned his head away, unwilling to show her his vulnerable side. It was too embarrassing.

He rose to his feet and took a deep breath, trying to steady his emotions.

"I'll go back to my room first."

His final decision was, in keeping with his usual style, not to make a decision at all. He fled in a sorry state.

"Wait."

Gu Yuena grabbed his hand. Chen Yan stopped and turned back to look at her. Her eyes were filled with determination.

"Do you trust me?" Gu Yuena's voice was soft yet firm. She gripped Chen Yan's hand tightly, her heart filled with unease.

She was laying all her cards on the table. If he agreed, everything would be fine. If he refused, then it would all be over.

Chen Yan stood where he was. Ever since he had developed a strong sense of self-awareness—after entering adolescence—he had always believed that he was alone at school. Because of his family circumstances, he could not fit in with his classmates. He did not play King of Glory, did not know luxury brands or trendy labels, and did not understand popular internet memes. He was like an insignificant attachment to every group, barely there. At home, he was scolded over his studies, made to attend tutoring during every holiday, and reprimanded even on the first day of the Lunar New Year. Sometimes, even he was confused by his own existence. What could he do besides study? What else did he know how to do? But at this moment, he sensed tension and fear in Gu Yuena's eyes.

Chen Yan looked at Gu Yuena, his emotions too complex to put into words. He had always hoped that someone who cared about his feelings would be there for him, and Gu Yuena seemed to be the first person who had ever made him feel that way.

Why do I feel like a woman? Chen Yan raised his head, his nose stinging, yet he still did not forget to tease himself inwardly.

"Mm." Chen Yan nodded gently. His voice was a little hoarse, but he tried his best to make his tone sound firm.

The tension in Gu Yuena's eyes instantly vanished at Chen Yan's answer, replaced by boundless delight.

She rushed straight into Chen Yan's arms and held him tightly, tightly.

"Let me hold you. Just for a little while."

When Chen Yan came back to his senses, a delicate fragrance reached him. He had not expected Gu Yuena to be so direct.

He froze for a moment, but in the end, his hands, which had nowhere to go, gently wrapped around Gu Yuena.

Me too, he said in his heart.

The moonlight was hazy, its cool glow slanting through the window outside the room. The room was quiet and warm. Gu Yuena rested her head on Chen Yan's shoulder, and the two little ones, whose actual ages exceeded their bone ages, simply held each other in silence, feeling one another's presence.

Swish, swish, swish.

Gurgle, gurgle... pfft...

Chen Yan put his toothbrush into the cup, took a towel from the rack, and wiped his mouth.

Mm, another handsome day. He looked into the mirror and was quite satisfied with himself. He had selectively cast aside what happened last night, and for the time being, he had put aside the matter of his origins as well. Why think so much about it?

Bang—

The bedroom door shut. He entered the living room and saw Gu Yuena sitting on the sofa. Her eyes were filled with anticipation and concern, but when she saw Chen Yan emerge, a gentle smile appeared on her face.

"Uh... morning."

"Morning!" She nodded with a smile. "I made breakfast. Would you like to try it?"

"Really?" Chen Yan was slightly stunned. He had not expected Gu Yuena to prepare breakfast for him. Over the past three years, aside from eating out, everything he ate had been made by top chefs. He had thought Gu Yuena would not learn how to cook.

Warmth rose in his heart. He nodded. "Thank you."

He followed Gu Yuena into the kitchen and saw all kinds of breakfast laid out on the table: golden fried eggs, noodles that looked, smelled, and tasted delicious, as well as fresh fruit. Mm, Chen Yan liked noodles very much.

Gu Yuena personally prepared a set of tableware for him. As Chen Yan sat at the table and felt Gu Yuena's attentiveness and care, he was truly flattered.

A warm breakfast atmosphere filled the kitchen. Gu Yuena's smile was like spring sunshine, unconsciously lightening Chen Yan's mood. He picked up his chopsticks and lifted a strand of noodles.

They were smooth upon entering his mouth, springy and flavorful, perfectly absorbing the rich essence of the broth. The aftertaste was endless.

"Does it taste all right?" Gu Yuena's voice came from behind him, carrying a trace of nervous expectation. Chen Yan smiled slightly, put down his chopsticks, and turned to face Gu Yuena.

"It's excellent." If it did not clash with his character, Chen Yan would have given her a thumbs-up.

"Then I'll cook for you often from now on," Gu Yuena said seriously as she looked at Chen Yan.

Looking at Gu Yuena's earnest face, Chen Yan's mind blanked for a moment before a thought suddenly struck him.

Did that mean he would have to cook less from now on?

That was a good thing!