Yan Family.
Reception room,
Yan Xing'an, current acting head of the Yan family, sat on a side sofa, his posture restless.
It wasn't without reason — the atmosphere in the room was enough to make anyone uneasy.
After all…
He swallowed nervously and cast a glance at the man seated across from him — the one who had traveled hundreds of kilometers from the Imperial City to Sichuan just to discuss marriage.
Gu Yan.
The only heir of the Gu family.
The man surrounded by both prestige and rumor.
At that moment, Gu Yan was sitting comfortably on the main sofa, a faint smile playing on his lips. His gaze, however, was unwavering, fixed entirely on the cold and aloof woman in the master's seat.
Tsk, tsk… so this is the so-called final villain of the future?
Before coming here, Gu Yan had searched the internet for everything he could find about Yan Qingqiu — how she was once the most talented woman in Sichuan City, how her beauty was unmatched. But even with that knowledge, seeing her in person still struck him.
The rumors had not exaggerated.
Even disfigured, her presence was that of a flower blooming high on an unreachable mountain.
The only blemish on this scene was…
The annoying figure at her side.
A teenage boy with dyed yellow hair, earrings glinting under the light, and a tiny shiny heart sticker pressed to his left cheek. His nails bore colorful manicures, and a black jacket was tied loosely around his waist.
If only his tone matched his appearance…
"Bah! You're just trash! Why are you looking at my sister with those lustful eyes?"
Yan Ling'er — Yan Qingqiu's fiercely loyal younger brother — couldn't stand Gu Yan's smiling gaze. At school, he was the top dog; people avoided him on sight. He had never feared anyone, and so what if this was the Gu family's young master? In his mind, no man could match his sister's strength.
Not to mention… he had seen enough TV dramas to be certain: all men are trash.
Gu Yan merely raised an eyebrow at the outburst.
Yes — exactly as he had imagined from his stereotype of punk kids.
Yan Xing'an's heart nearly stopped. My little ancestor! If we offend the Gu family now, the Yan family's situation will become… much more complicated.
Yan Qingqiu, of course, knew this was not the time to draw unnecessary attention. She reached out and tapped her brother on the forehead.
"Ling'er, don't be rude."
"Ouch! It hurts~" he complained theatrically. She had barely used any strength, but he loved acting pitiful in front of her.
Ignoring him, Yan Qingqiu turned her gaze toward Gu Yan, closing her eyes briefly before speaking.
"Young Master Gu's visit today — I already know the reason."
She had pieced it together easily. The Gu family was among the top families in the Imperial City, and Gu Yan was their number one genius. This trip could only be about the engagement. And given his status, it was obvious why he was here: to dissolve a marriage contract that might tarnish his image.
She was confident in her conclusion.
Unfortunately… she was completely wrong.
"Oh?" Gu Yan's eyes lit up in mild surprise. "If Qingqiu already knows, then this will be easier."
He chuckled inwardly. So she thinks I came to cancel the engagement? That saves me from making excuses. He decided to play along with her misunderstanding.
When Gu Yan voice wrapped around her name in that gentle tone, Yan Qingqiu felt a faint discomfort. But she quickly brushed it off. If he was here to break the engagement, then it hardly mattered.
"Who allowed you—!" Yan Ling'er's voice rose again at hearing Gu Yan call his sister by name, but Yan Qingqiu silenced him with a look.
She remained composed. "Since it's easy, let's get this over with. It's getting late."
Gu Yan nodded. Indeed, time was precious. He has to bound himself to Yan Qingqiu as a [Pure Love Couple] and needed to begin "pure love" actions quickly to earn points.
Taking a breath, he turned to the white-haired butler behind him. "Lao Gao, take it out."
"Yes, Young Master."
Gu Yan had brought only Lao Gao on this trip. Too many attendants might Put Yan Qinqqiu or the Yan family under pressure, and besides, Lao Gao was more than enough — the man was powerful, capable of ensuring his safety at all times.
On the Yan family's side, Yan Xing'an relaxed slightly, misreading the situation. His niece's calm demeanor confirmed his own guess: the Gu heir truly had come to cancel the marriage. Soon, the contract would be taken out and destroyed.
Yan Qingqiu stayed indifferent. She had sworn long ago to dedicate her life to revenge. Whether Gu Yan canceled the engagement or not was irrelevant.
Inwardly, she spoke to her grandfather: Grandpa, since the other party is the one ending it, you can't blame your granddaughter.
Yan Ling'er, too, assumed Gu Yan was here to end things. It was the outcome he wanted… so why did it leave such a bitter taste? Why was his sister "not good enough" for this man? His glare toward Gu Yan grew sharper.
Gu Yan, unconcerned, ignored him. His purpose here was solely Yan Qingqiu.
"Young Master," Lao Gao said, handing over two documents.
Gu Yan picked one up and handed it to Yan Xing'an with a light chuckle. "Master Yan, please take a look."
"Oh… oh?" Yan Xing'an blinked at the thick sheaf of papers. Why is a dissolution agreement this thick?
Then Gu Yan set the other document and a pen before Yan Qingqiu, speaking gently.
"Qingqiu, just sign here and it will be done."
Without noticing the faint grin tugging at his lips, Yan Qingqiu glanced at the spot he indicated. Without hesitation, she picked up the pen and signed exactly where he pointed.
She thought it was over.
She never noticed… she had just walked straight into Gu Yan's trap.