Last night, Lin Ao excitedly dragged Uncle Zhang into a discussion about renovating the Lin Family Manor.
They talked until late into the night.
If Li Wanyu hadn't twisted his ear and made him get back to bed, Lin Ao figured they would've talked until dawn.
The more he thought about it, the more convinced he became. The plan was incredibly feasible.
And it wouldn't just keep Xiao Fan at bay; it would work just as well against the others.
Because he'd been so excited last night, and kept scrolling through TikTok, he didn't fall asleep until three or four in the morning.
Now it was already ten, and he still hadn't gotten up.
Just then, Gu Wanqing had already arrived at the entrance to the Lin Family Manor.
Her high heels clicked rapidly against the ground.
Her face was set in a distinctly gritted-teeth expression.
Gu Wanqing was furious. She'd sneaked over to the hospital in the middle of the night to see Lin Ao, only to find that he'd disappeared without even telling her, leaving her to make a wasted trip!
So she'd come to find Lin Ao first thing in the morning.
When she heard from the servants that Lin Ao still hadn't gotten up, she smiled faintly. This was the perfect time.
"Lin Ao, I'm coming in! If you don't say anything, I'll take that as a yes!"
She pretended to knock on the door, then glanced up and down the hallway.
No one!
She gently turned Lin Ao's doorknob and slipped inside.
She took off her high heels and crept in carefully.
Lin Ao was sleeping soundly in bed.
"Lin Ao, oh, Lin Ao. You dodged the first day of the lunar month, but can you dodge the fifteenth?"
Gu Wanqing tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and crept slowly toward Lin Ao's bed.
"Are men this cute when they're asleep?"
Gu Wanqing slowly climbed onto the bed. Watching Lin Ao in the morning light, she reached out a finger, wanting to brush against his long eyelashes.
Just then, Lin Ao's eyes flew open.
He moved with the speed of someone who'd rehearsed this countless times. He reached out, seized Gu Wanqing as she leaned over him, and yanked her into his arms.
Gu Wanqing was startled. When Lin Ao suddenly pulled her into his embrace, she thought he'd finally come around.
Who could've guessed he'd roll over, sit on her bottom, and twist her arms behind her back?
"Who are you? Did Xiao Fan send you to kill me? I haven't even finished building my fortress yet. Why are you in such a hurry?"
Ever since Xiao Fan had tried to assassinate him, Lin Ao had become extremely wary. He could sense it whenever someone approached him while he was asleep.
Gu Wanqing was completely dumbfounded. What kind of turn of events was this?
"Lin Ao!! Let go of me! It's me, Gu Wanqing! You're hurting me! And you're poking me!"
Gu Wanqing squirmed and slapped the mattress repeatedly with her right hand.
Only then did Lin Ao come to his senses, feeling the warm, soft sensation wriggling beneath him.
"Why'd you sneak into my room first thing in the morning? You can't blame me for this!"
Lin Ao hurriedly released Gu Wanqing's fair little hands, his face flushing red.
The sensation had been wonderful, but it was also a little awkward. After all, men tended to be especially roused in the morning.
Reluctantly, he got to his feet and hurried into the bathroom.
To wash up.
"You brute! Why'd you use so much force?"
Lying on Lin Ao's bed, Gu Wanqing rubbed her wrist over and over.
Suddenly, she recalled what had just happened. A strange sensation lingered on her bottom.
A blush spread across Gu Wanqing's face.
"Pah!"
"I'm going to suffer for this in the future!"
"Why'd you come over so early?"
In the dining room, Lin Ao regarded Gu Wanqing's lovestruck expression with exasperation.
"Oh, nothing. I just came to see how you're feeling. What's wrong with a fiancée checking on her fiancé?"
Gu Wanqing's gaze never left Lin Ao. Every so often, she stole a surreptitious glance down below.
"Hold it right there! You said you wanted to break off the engagement before. Since you're here, let's talk about that again."
Lin Ao wanted to have a proper talk with Gu Wanqing while he had the chance.
"Didn't I tell you last time that I'd never bring up breaking off the engagement again? And I told you on the Ferris Wheel that I wanted to marry you. I wasn't joking. I meant it."
Gu Wanqing's playful expression faded, replaced by a serious one. She truly wanted to marry Lin Ao.
If she hadn't been forced into circumstances beyond her control before, she would've married Lin Ao long ago and had a whole bunch of children with him.
"Gu Wanqing, I'm serious. Do you really like me?"
Lin Ao was at a loss. This wasn't how the story was supposed to go. Was she now just as powerless as he used to be?
He felt the plot changing again and wondered what new trick it was playing this time.
He couldn't blame Lin Ao.
Every one of his experiences had changed in some way.
For example, the first time, Gu Wanqing had been snatched away from him at their wedding.
The second time, things changed again: he hadn't married Gu Wanqing, but had ended up clashing with Qin Yun instead, and so on.
Now Lin Ao was wondering whether this time, too, something was changing.
If Heavenly Mandate hadn't sealed his memories, he wouldn't have been so suspicious.
As far as he could tell, he was fighting this world all by himself, so he had to tread carefully at every step.
"I really do like you. I've liked you since we were children, and I've never stopped. No matter which Lin Ao you are, I like you."
Gu Wanqing was blunt. Ever since she'd touched Lin Ao and he'd awakened, the love that had been suppressed inside her for so long had burst forth, unstoppable.
That was why she'd been so bold and so passionate.
She'd loved every version of Lin Ao throughout all those years. She'd always loved him.
Lin Ao didn't catch the meaning behind her last sentence.
"Fine! I understand."
Whatever. He'd have to take things one step at a time.
For now, he still needed to keep a proper distance from Gu Wanqing.
Once the fortress was finished, if you still dare to flirt with me like this, you're done for!
"What do you mean, you understand? Are you saying yes or no? Give me an answer. If you don't agree, I'll have my way with you right here!"
Lin Ao felt helpless when Gu Wanqing started saying something so lascivious again. Just you wait. We'll see who has their way with whom.
"Let's get engaged first!"
He'd placate Gu Wanqing for now and decide what to do later. His first priority was to get the renovation of the Lin Family Manor underway.
Guard against fire, thieves, and Gu Wanqing.
"Okay~ I'll do whatever you say~"
Gu Wanqing smiled again. She'd finally seen Lin Ao's status bar refresh.
And the most important part had changed.
[Current objective: Build a fortress, win over Gu Wanqing.]
The man had finally come around.
What should she wear that night?
The Qin Family in Jianghai.
The Qin Family's Old Master was chatting with Xiao Fan in the living room.
"Young friend, you're a rare talent among the younger generation. At such a young age, you're already on the verge of becoming a martial arts Grandmaster. You've also taken the position of Sect Master. You're truly a prodigy."
The Qin Family's Old Master, Qin Wentian, warmly welcomed Xiao Fan.
Early that morning, Xiao Fan had arrived at the Qin Family to pay a visit, carrying the calling card given to him by the Old Sect Master.
The Qin Family's Old Master had been on good terms with the previous Sect Master.
And Xiao Fan was the new Sect Master, powerful and influential, so naturally he admired such a promising young man.
"Old Master, you're too kind. I'm still not talented enough. I'll need a little more time before I can become a Grandmaster."
Xiao Fan sounded modest, but he was really showing off.
"Hahaha, you're far too humble, young friend. How many young people in the world have achieved what you have?"
The corner of Xiao Fan's mouth curled in a satisfied smile. That was exactly what he'd been waiting to hear.
"Let me introduce you to my granddaughter. I think the two of you would have plenty to talk about!"
Qin Wentian was practically going gray with worry over his granddaughter's marriage. She was cold and devoted entirely to her work, and she'd never taken a liking to anyone he introduced.
Now that such a fine candidate as Xiao Fan was right here, of course he had to introduce him to his granddaughter. Maybe she'd take a liking to him.
Xiao Fan's eyes lit up. Here it comes at last.
Qin Yun was also a famous beauty in Jianghai.
Before long, you'll become the woman of me, the Dragon Gate Sect Master!
At the thought, the gloom Gu Wanqing had cast over him lifted somewhat.
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