I was criticized on a dating reality show, but I retaliated and became an internet sensation.

The carriage was cramped, and his cool, refreshing scent instantly enveloped her.

The dim yellow light from the streetlamp shone through the window, outlining his deep-set eyes and high nose.

Those usually calm eyes appeared exceptionally deep in the dim light, firmly locking onto her figure.

Shu Zi's heart skipped a beat for no apparent reason. She instinctively shrank back, her back pressed tightly against the chair back, with nowhere to retreat. Her voice was tinged with panic:

"W-What are you doing?"

Gu Yan's gaze lingered on her slightly widened eyes for a few seconds before slowly moving down to her slightly pursed lips, remaining fixed on them for a long time.

His voice was several octaves lower than usual, with a subtle magnetic quality, as he called her by her nickname, "Nuonuo," word by word.

He had called her that nickname countless times, but this time, Shu Zi clearly sensed something different... feelings.

Her breathing became erratic, and she froze in her seat, unable to move.

She opened her mouth, as if to say something, but her mind went blank, and in the end she could only manage a weak, breathy sound: "...Hmm?"

Gu Yan didn't speak immediately, but just looked at her quietly.

After a long silence, he spoke again, slowly repeating the sentence she hadn't finished saying, his tone unhurried: "You just said that if you found a boyfriend—"

"and then?"

Shu Zi swallowed nervously, suppressing the panic in her heart, and forced herself to speak calmly:

"And then...and then I'll find someone, what's it to you!"

Upon hearing this, Gu Yan chuckled in exasperation. His low laughter carried a hint of helplessness mixed with indulgence as he retorted:

What do you think?

Shu Zi felt uncomfortable under his gaze, and subconsciously blinked, her brows furrowing slightly.

She felt that Gu Yan's reaction tonight was strange in every way. Something was wrong; it started when she said that sentence, and he became inexplicably strange.

Her expression gradually shifted from initial confusion to a wary look that seemed to ask, "Are you playing word games with me?"

She felt he was deliberately teasing her in circles, and her tone carried a hint of annoyance as she urged him on:

"I think? I think what you're saying tonight is particularly incomprehensible. Can't you speak like a normal person?"

Looking at her completely clueless expression, Gu Yan's lips twitched slightly, and he finally let out a helpless sigh.

He finally understood that he would never get an answer by beating around the bush with this slow-witted and stubborn girl, so he simply stopped going in circles.

"What I mean is," he said, emphasizing each word and looking intently at her, "that your finding a boyfriend is none of my business."

The carriage fell into a deathly silence, so quiet that you could clearly hear each other's shallow breathing.

About two seconds later, Shu Zi's brain began to work at high speed, replaying his words over and over again.

What does he mean by that?

Why did he say this matter concerned him?

Why, why, why?

Countless questions exploded in her mind, instantly throwing her into disarray.

"you……"

Shu Zi stretched out her finger, first pointing to herself, then to him, her voice tinged with uncertainty, "You don't mean to say—"

The words were on the tip of her tongue, but she felt the idea was too absurd, so she swallowed the rest of her sentence. Her cheeks flushed uncontrollably, spreading all the way to her ears, burning hot.

Gu Yan didn't reply, he just looked at her, as if waiting for her to piece together the answer herself.

Shu Zi stared into his eyes for a full five seconds, trying to find a hint that "I'm just kidding you."

But she found nothing. Those eyes held only undisguised seriousness, so serious that it made her panic and her heart race uncontrollably.

"Gu Yan."

She took a deep breath, and when she called his name, her voice suddenly became extremely serious, all traces of playfulness gone.

"Mm," Gu Yan replied softly.

Do you like me?

As soon as he finished speaking, Gu Yan didn't hesitate for a moment. His eyes were firm, and he clearly uttered a single word:

"Yes."

He looked at her and repeated, "Shuzi, I like you."

!!!

Shu Zi's mind went blank for a moment, and the first thought that popped into her head was: Fang Ran's words were actually true!

She was trapped between the chair and his arms by Gu Yan, completely enveloped by his presence, her heart pounding so hard it felt like it was about to burst out of her chest.

He wasn't joking, nor was he teasing her.

He... is serious.

"You...you..."

She hesitated for a long time, but couldn't even form a complete sentence.

Seeing her completely bewildered and flustered, Gu Yan's last trace of uncertainty vanished, replaced by a complex mix of emotions.

It's both heartache and possessiveness.

He knew he had taken a rather rash step, but there was no turning back once the arrow was released. As soon as he heard her say that she wanted to find someone else to be her boyfriend, he could no longer control the jealousy in his heart.

He had protected her since she was a child, the little girl he cherished most in his heart. How could he bear to let her fall into someone else's hands?

He maintained his leaning posture, not backing away, but the oppressive aura around him subtly subsided, giving her a little breathing space.

His gaze remained fixed on her, his voice lower and softer than before, carrying a coaxing patience:

"Were you scared?"

Shu Zi nodded subconsciously, but stopped abruptly halfway through, clinging to the last vestiges of her "face".

She glared at him, but her reddened eyes and evasive gaze betrayed her panic, rendering the glare completely ineffective.

"Who, who scared me! I just... I just didn't expect it!"

"What didn't you think of?"

Gu Yan followed up on her words, a barely perceptible smile flashing in his eyes, "Didn't expect that I liked you, or that I would say it out loud?"

He looked at her and emphasized again, word by word:

"Nuonuo, my feelings for you have never been the care a brother gives to his sister, but the concern and affection a man has for a woman."

You need to have this understanding.

"I..." She opened her mouth, her voice barely audible, "I need...time to think."

This is the most honest answer she can give right now.

Shock, panic, and helplessness, but strangely, there was no disgust or rejection.

But all of this happened so suddenly, and she needs time to sort out her equally chaotic thoughts.

"it is good."

Gu Yan was neither surprised nor disappointed. He simply looked at her deeply, then slowly and completely withdrew from her body and sat back in the driver's seat.

As distance increased, the suffocating ambiguity and oppressive feeling dissipated.

Shu Zi quietly breathed a sigh of relief, but then inexplicably felt... a void in her heart.

Gu Yan fastened his seatbelt again and started the car.

For the rest of the journey, neither of them spoke again.

The car drove into the underground parking garage of Yunqi Platinum Mansion and came to a stop.

Shu Zi unbuckled her seatbelt almost as if she were fleeing, pushed open the door and got out of the car, her movements so fast it was as if a ghost was chasing her.

"Nuonuo".

Gu Yan's voice came from behind.