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

"Oh~"

Qiao Yue drew out her words, her face showing an "I understand" expression:

"Feeling down, drowning his sorrows in alcohol, losing control while drunk, and ending up in a forced marriage! Ranran, this plot is more dramatic than any prime-time soap opera!"

Shu Zi didn't press for details, but thoughtfully asked, "Are you in a bad mood? Is it because your family is pressuring you to get married, or because of your father's situation?"

Fang Ran replied nonchalantly, "...I think so."

"Do you need my help?"

"No need. She's just an illegitimate child. I can handle it myself. It's just that I feel uncomfortable about it."

"If you can't solve it, leave it to me. Sister, I can help you with this little thing." Shu Zi patted her chest, looking like she had her back.

Fang Ran chuckled helplessly, "Okay, I know!"

Seeing that Fang Ran's attitude was clear, Shu Zi stopped asking questions and simply patted her shoulder, "In short, if He Yuzhuo dares to bully you, Qiao Qiao and I will be the first to object."

Qiao Yueke nodded vigorously, then smiled gossipy:

"But to be honest, Yu Zhuo is handsome, rich, and capable. He's a good match for your family. Marriage first, love later... hehehe, just thinking about it makes me giggle!"

"What are your plans next? Dating? Meeting the parents? Or are you going straight to planning the wedding?"

Fang Ran was speechless: "It won't be that fast! However, the He family is having a small banquet the day after tomorrow, which will be the official way to settle our relationship within the industry."

Shu Zi: "A dinner party? Where?"

"At the He family's hillside estate, neither of you is allowed to be absent!"

"Don't worry!" Shu Zi readily agreed. "I'll crawl there, even if I have to!"

Qiao Yueke immediately raised her hand in agreement: "Yes! I'll take Huo Fei... oh no, I mean, I'll go by myself!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Shu Zi and Fang Ran both turned to look at her, their eyes filled with a sense of "Oh?".

Qiao Yueke: "...I didn't say anything!"

Shu Zi and Fang Ran said in unison, drawing out their words, "Oh—"

After laughing and joking around for a while, Shu Zi noticed that it was getting late, so she sent a message to Gu Yan, and the three of them left the private room together.

As soon as they stepped out, they bumped into Gu Yan and his group, who happened to be coming out as well.

He Yuzhuo walked straight towards them, his gaze lingering on Fang Ran's face for a moment, a hint of a smile flashing in his eyes, before turning to Shu Zi and Qiao Yueke and saying:

"Finished talking? I'll take Ranran home."

Shu Zi glanced at him, took a half step forward, and slightly raised her chin. Although she was shorter than him, her aura was in no way inferior.

"He Yuzhuo, I'm entrusting her to you. Treat Ranran well. If I find out she's suffered even the slightest injustice..."

Gu Yan walked up to Shu Zi at the right moment, naturally took the bag from her hand, and did not interrupt. He just stood there quietly, but his presence was very strong.

He Yuzhu chuckled lightly, his attitude serious: "Don't worry, I wouldn't dare."

Shu Zi then hummed in agreement, temporarily letting him off the hook.

Qiao Yue, who was standing nearby, bumped into Huo Fei, immediately snorted, and turned to say goodbye to Shu Zi and Fang Ran: "I'll be going now! Contact me by phone if you need anything!"

Huo Fei nodded to Shu Zi and Fang Ran, then slowly strode to catch up with Qiao Yueke in a few steps, and they disappeared around the corner of the gate together.

Shu Zi watched the two figures running and following each other, and couldn't help but click her tongue. She then lowered her voice and complained to Fang Ran:

"Huo Fei isn't chasing people, he's clearly hunting them."

After saying that, she didn't say anything more, only saying, "I'm leaving."

The two groups said goodbye at the entrance of the club and got into their respective cars.

Shu Zi fastened her seatbelt, turned to face Gu Yan, and began gossiping with him about Fang Ran and He Yuzhuo's earth-shattering progress, chattering away the whole way.

Gu Yan kept his eyes on the road ahead, lightly gripping the steering wheel with one hand, and didn't interrupt her at all.

He listened attentively, occasionally responding softly with a light murmur at the end, but his gaze always lingered on her slightly parted lips as she spoke.

After Shu Zi finally finished speaking, Gu Yan slowly asked, "Where are we going today?"

Shu Zi tilted her head and thought for a moment, then unconsciously leaned towards him, her tone natural:

"Let's go to your place. It's too late. If Mom finds out I'm going back now, she'll insist on waiting until I get home before she goes to sleep."

Gu Yan paused slightly on the steering wheel. "Okay."

He responded in a low voice, which was a little hoarse.

After a moment, he spoke again: "Come to my house for lunch tomorrow."

Shu Zi then remembered that she had mentioned going to the Gu family's house for dinner last time, so she nodded slightly and said, "Okay, I'm free tomorrow."

After a pause, she remembered something else and added, "However, I'm going to Qishan for dinner tomorrow night; my senior brothers and sisters will be there."

Gu Yan glanced at her sideways, his tone unreadable, "Shall I take you there?"

Shu Zi shook her head: "No need, my senior brother will come to pick me up."

Gu Yan didn't ask any more questions, but simply nodded slightly and turned back to look ahead.

The car fell silent.

As the car pulled into Yunqi Platinum, Shuzi was already leaning against the window, her head nodding slightly, looking somewhat dazed.

Gu Yan stopped the car, turned to the side, and his gaze fell on her unguarded sleeping face.

The dim light inside the car softened her lively and cunning features when she was awake. Her long eyelashes drooped, casting a light shadow on her eyelids. Her nose was small and delicate, and because she was fast asleep, her lips were slightly pouting. Gone was her usual fierceness, revealing a rare childlike innocence.

He watched her quietly for a moment, his eyes darkening. He unbuckled his seatbelt, leaned over, and gently loosened the restraints on her chest.

"Hmm..." The slight movement made Shu Zi frown, mumble indistinctly, and tilt her head, almost hitting the car window.

Gu Yan swiftly reached out and cupped her cheek, the warm touch spreading across his fingertips. His fingers paused almost imperceptibly.

Her face was so small that it could almost be completely enveloped by his palm.

"Have we arrived?" Shu Zi struggled to open her eyelids slightly, her voice muffled and heavy with sleepiness.

"Hmm," Gu Yan replied softly, slowly withdrawing his hand. "Can we walk now?"

Shu Zi blinked hard, trying to shake off her drowsiness, but her body felt lazy and she didn't want to move at all.

She instinctively reached out her hand to him, her voice soft and gentle: "...I'm tired, carry me on your back."

As soon as she said it, she paused for a moment, her muddled mind clearing for a brief instant, but only for a moment.

Sleepiness overwhelmed her, and her remaining clarity was quickly drowned out. Her hand was still stubbornly outstretched, and she looked at him expectantly.

Gu Yan's eyes suddenly darkened, and some emotion surged in his eyes before quickly returning to calm.

He didn't say anything, but simply pushed the door open and got out of the car. He walked around to the passenger side, opened the door, but didn't turn around or bend down.

He leaned down slightly, reached one hand under her knees, and wrapped the other arm around her back, steadily pulling her out of the seat.

It was a standard and powerful princess carry.