Ouyang Qinglin was initially dispirited.
But upon seeing what Gu Qianying held in her hand, the sorrow in his heart quickly dissipated.
He quickly took the item, holding it carefully in his palm.
He said, "I like it very much."
He liked anything Gu Qianying gave him, very much.
Even an insignificant patch of dirt beneath his feet, or a dying blade of grass.
As long as it was given by Gu Qianying, it held meaning.
Gu Qianying held her wine cup, admiring the moonlight before her, and sent the sharp liquor into her mouth.
Feeling the warmth on her face, Gu Qianying then patted her cheek. "I saw this jade pendant on the street that day, and it made me think of you."
She blinked, saying playfully.
"What about you? You usually don't smile, yet you don't seem cold or distant. I truly think you're amazing, don't you agree?"
"Just like this jade pendant, it's always different."
The jade pendant was as warm as the person.
Ouyang Qinglin's hand reached out, and he lowered his gaze slightly, carefully fastening the jade pendant to his waist.
"Thank you."
Gu Qianying stood on her tiptoes slightly, smiling. "We don't need to say so much between us. Don't forget, we are friends."
She raised her wine cup and clinked it with Ouyang Qinglin's.
Ouyang Qinglin immediately gave a bitter smile, thinking of how he had struggled for so long, only to end up with the word "friends."
She slowly looked at Gu Qianying, forcefully suppressing the emotions within her.
What if they were friends?
There was still time, and there would eventually be a resolution between them.
Even if there was no resolution, he was willing to stay by her side.
The two drank and chatted, talking all the way until dawn.
Gu Qianying had already fallen asleep, her small form curled up in the chair, happily clutching her wine cup, unwilling to let go.
Ouyang Qinglin sighed, rose, and gently picked up the woman, taking her back to her room.
He looked back repeatedly, lingering.
Finally, he returned, his hand covering Gu Qianying's hair. He hooked a strand of her hair and said deeply, "Wait for me, I'll be back soon."
The woman in her dream seemed to sense something.
She murmured a few indistinct words and turned over, unconcerned.
Ouyang Qinglin returned to the courtyard.
He formed a hand seal, creating a formation, and quickly entered it. His body transformed into a streak of green, and he vanished from the spot.
When Gu Qianying awoke from her drunken slumber, the first person she saw was her own Bai Xianhua.
Duan Xifeng, hands on his hips, lifted Gu Qianying from the bed and, with the authority of an elder brother, sternly reprimanded her.
"The sun is high in the sky, and you're still sleeping here. What about the situation here? You're completely neglecting it."
Gu Qianying groggily opened her eyes, wine still trickling from the corner of her mouth from the night before.
She rubbed her messy hair, unable to clearly distinguish the scene before her, and said impatiently.
"Disturbing someone's sleep is a crime punishable by death."
Duan Xifeng was momentarily enraged and called out Gu Qianying's name directly, "Gu Qianying."
Gu Qianying's eyes snapped open, and she finally recognized the person before her. With a sheepish smile, she quickly got out of bed and linked her arm with Duan Xifeng's.
"Brother, why are you here? You didn't even announce your arrival."
The man held his forehead. "Ouyang Qinglin has left. You have a lot of contact with the Sheng Yu family. How can you take care of the child? I've come to protect you."
The feeling of being cared for was wonderful for Gu Qianying.
A smile flickered in her eyes, and she curled up like a kitten, half-asleep.
"I understand, brother."
At this moment, young Yi Hao peeked in from outside.
Seeing his uncle, he excitedly jumped forward.
"Uncle, I missed you so much!"
Duan Xifeng quickly picked up young Yi Hao, a gentle expression finally appearing on his face. He patted young Yi Hao's head.
"You've grown a lot these past few days. Look at your height, you're almost as tall as me."
Young Yi Hao proudly raised his arm. "Naturally."
After a brief exchange.
The family of three sat in the room to eat.
Gu Qianying ate heartily, and as she shoveled food into her mouth, she said to Duan Xifeng, "Brother, I have a favor to ask of you. This matter concerns the Sheng Yu family and cannot be taken lightly."
Regarding the matters of the Sheng Yu family, Gu Qianying only had Bai Yufeng's one-sided account. She knew nothing else.
Now that she was cooperating with Bai Yufeng, she had to understand these things to avoid being sent somewhere unknowingly.
Duan Xifeng helplessly put down his rice bowl and picked a grain of rice from the corner of Gu Qianying's mouth.
"I've heard about the Sheng Yu family, you can rest assured that I'll handle it. It's just you..."
He looked confused.
Gu Qianying was by no means greedy, but her appearance had changed considerably after such a long time.
Gu Qianying was somewhat dejected.
"It's all because of Bai Yufeng, that stingy fellow. I don't get enough to eat under him, and I'm tormented by him every day. Now that things have finally returned to normal, shouldn't I eat well?"
Duan Xifeng's eyes darkened. "That kid."
The ceremony for the Sheng Yu family's selection of the clan leader was about to begin.
The atmosphere here was completely different from before.
Although the surface remained lively, there were undercurrents within, making one feel as if walking on a tightrope, where a single misstep could lead to a fall and an inability to protect oneself.
During this period, Gu Qianying specifically went to see Bai Yufeng once.
Unexpectedly, Bai Yufeng sent someone to deliver a note, which clearly read the words "Brothel."
Gu Qianying was almost amused to tears.
She didn't know how long Bai Yufeng, with his small frame, could continue to torment himself like this.
When Gu Qianying arrived at the brothel.
Bai Yufeng was surrounded by people like a peacock, and he was adorned in a flamboyant manner, looking somewhat seductive.
Gu Qianying was momentarily stunned. After a slight surprise, she approached Bai Yufeng.
"Young Master, I have something to discuss with you."
Her tone was very ordinary, without the slightest ripple.
Bai Yufeng had deliberately done this. He wanted to see what reaction Gu Qianying would have if she saw these women around him.
But this woman.
She dared to ignore him! Bai Yufeng became even angrier, his expression gradually darkening, and a cold aura emanated from him.
The women in the brothel did not notice.
They still twisted their slender waists and leaned forward coquettishly. They blew a breath at Bai Yufeng and said charmingly.
"Young Master, do you still want us to accompany you?"
Bai Yufeng's eyes turned cold, and he glared at them sideways. "Do I still need to remind you?"
Hearing this.
The women were all startled, like frightened rabbits, and hastily fled the room.
A moment later, only Gu Qianying and Bai Yufeng remained in the room.
Bai Yufeng raised his slightly red eyes, filled with anger. "Speak! Why did you come to find me? You've unnecessarily delayed my good time. Do you know what you did wrong?"