I raised stunning young ladies, but they all wanted to possess me.

However, Li Zhengguo was still somewhat disappointed, as he could tell that Gu Yan wanted to retire.

It seems I'll have to go back and tell that old man the truth, and apologize.

Master Gu Yan...

They seem to have no interest in getting involved in any task or trouble, regardless of the reward.

"Of course."

Gu Yan said softly, her fingers tracing the cold cover of the certificate.

He thought for a moment, "However, I'll arrange my own accommodation."

"No need to trouble the law enforcement department."

Gu Yan knew perfectly well that, based on his understanding of the Pei family mother and daughter's personalities, they would never give up easily.

As the oldest family specializing in imperial artifacts, the Pei family wielded a terrifyingly deep and intricate network of influence within the Great Xia Empire.

What if Lin Jinyu also gets the news and wants to find him... If the Lin and Pei families join forces to find him.

Let alone a grown man, he could probably even find an ant!

Since he only has four days left before leaving, he should try to stay as discreetly as possible and avoid attracting attention during these few days.

The most suitable option is to have the local bigwig Chen Sinian help arrange an ordinary but safe temporary place to stay.

"Don't worry, Master Gu! I'll take care of your accommodation! It'll be safe and quiet, and nobody will ever guess!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Sinian immediately patted his chest in affirmation.

"Okay, I respect your choice. However..."

Seeing that Gu Yan's attitude was firm, Li Zhengguo did not press the matter further and nodded.

He lowered his voice slightly, "That old man in the military has always wanted to meet you."

"If Master Gu has the opportunity to go to the capital in the future, please be sure to consider it."

Gu Yan nodded and replied, "If there's a chance, I will."

If I remember correctly, this old man from the military has a granddaughter who is the third main character in the first part, but she only appears in the opening scene.

However, it has nothing to do with her; her own male lead will come to her rescue.

He then turned to Chen Ssu-nien, "Boss Chen, I'll leave the accommodation to you."

"No trouble at all!"

Chen Sinian quickly waved his hand.

......

Jinghai City, Lin family.

The afternoon sun was shining brightly, bathing the meticulously tended garden.

Amidst the flowers, a slender figure in a fiery red dance dress is twirling and leaping gracefully.

Her skirt fluttered like a burning flame, or like a blooming rose.

It's Lin Jinyu.

With a bright smile on her face, she walked barefoot on the soft grass, her dance steps graceful and full of energy, a far cry from the gloomy and irritable state she used to have when she was trapped in the sweltering room.

Fine beads of sweat dampened the stray hairs on her forehead, glistening in the sunlight.

Several maids who had been waiting at a distance watched intently, and couldn't help but whisper their praises and clap their hands: "Miss dances so well!" "Like a fairy!"

At that moment, a tall figure appeared at the garden entrance.

Lin Zhenting stood there, hands behind his back, watching his daughter dance gracefully among the flowers like a fire sprite.

The sunlight accentuated her youthful and beautiful figure, and her cheerful laughter was full of vitality.

As he watched, the eyes of this powerful underworld figure in Jinghai City, whose hands were stained with blood, suddenly became hot, and his nose tingled with emotion.

He really is...

I am truly grateful to that boy named Gu Yan.

Without Gu Yan, his Jin Yu would probably have been imprisoned by his out-of-control flames for the rest of his life, struggling in pain and loneliness, perhaps even...

Heading towards destruction.

It was that pale, thin boy who, with six years of patience and an almost reckless approach, gradually pulled his daughter back from the brink of hell.

But... that old bastard Chen Sinian is using the favor he owed him from back then to pressure him...

I hope my young friend Gu Yan won't blame him too much.

"father?"

Lin Jinyu stopped dancing at some point and quietly walked to Lin Zhenting's side.

"Why are you crying like a little kid?"

"If those people outside see this, the dignity of our Lin family head will be completely ruined."

She tilted her head, looking at her father's slightly reddened eyes, her tone tinged with surprise and teasing.

"What nonsense! It's just windy, and sand got into my eyes!"

"Jinyu seems to be in a good mood today; she's even dancing."

"It's very beautiful."

Lin Zhenting snapped out of his daze, quickly raised his hand, vigorously wiped his eyes, straightened his back, and regained his usual dignified demeanor.

Upon hearing this, Lin Jinyu's face lit up with an even brighter smile, tinged with a hint of pride and anticipation.

"It's for Xiao Yan! Does it look good, Dad?"

"Xiao Yan, he definitely won't go more than three days without seeing me! He must miss me terribly!"

She leaned closer, her tone resolute, her eyes sparkling.

"...Perhaps."

Hearing his daughter's confident words, Lin Zhenting felt a sudden pang of unease. His gaze unconsciously drifted elsewhere, and he raised his hand to touch his short beard.

"What do you mean by 'maybe'? It means 'definitely'!"

Lin Jinyu pouted in dissatisfaction, then confidently puffed out her chest, her fiery red dance dress outlining her breathtaking curves. "Xiao Yan will definitely like it! I have such a great figure..."

As she spoke, she seemed to remember something, her cheeks flushed slightly, and a sly and wistful glint flashed in her golden eyes.

She remembered that night before they said goodbye, when she was wearing a thin nightgown, and she took Xiao Yan's slightly cool hand and pressed it against her soft, burning chest...

The boy's hands were shaking so badly and his breathing was erratic; he must have liked the boy.

She thought it with certainty.

Looking at the undisguised happiness on her daughter's face, filled with sweet anticipation.

Lin Zhenting felt even more uneasy, as if a huge rock was pressing down on him.

He coughed twice, then tentatively said in as light a tone as possible, "Xiao Jin... Father means, if..."

"What if... Xiao Yan... doesn't come often anymore, or... doesn't come for a while?"

"It shouldn't be a big deal... right? You..."

He hadn't finished speaking—

"Father."

The smile on Lin Jinyu's face vanished instantly.

The voice was very soft, but chillingly cold.

She slowly turned her head and looked at Lin Zhenting.

The brightness and sweetness that had just filled those beautiful eyes had vanished, leaving only a gloomy, surging, and malevolent aura.

"Are you... joking with me?"

As soon as she asked that question, the temperature of the surrounding air began to rise sharply!

The grass at her feet curled and turned yellow at a speed visible to the naked eye!

On the exposed fair skin, faint crimson flame patterns began to appear and spread!

"Miss!"

"master!"

The maids standing nearby turned pale with fright and retreated hastily.

Lin Zhenting was also shocked and realized something was wrong!

"Jinyu! Calm down! Dad was just joking!"

"Master Gu... he'll definitely come to see you as soon as he's done with his work! He definitely will!"

He quickly stepped forward, softening his voice and offering reassurance.

Several quick-witted maids chimed in, their voices trembling, "Yes, Miss! Master Gu adores you the most!"

"How could I not come?"

"Miss, please calm down..."

After much coaxing and persuasion, the suffocating heat and raging flames around Lin Jinyu gradually subsided.

The flame patterns on the skin gradually faded away.