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

At this moment, the emcee at the front of the banquet hall picked up the microphone again and announced in a gentle manner that the banquet was coming to an end and thanked all the guests for their presence.

Shu Zi breathed a soft sigh of relief; it was finally coming to an end.

She looked at Gu Yan, blinked, and asked in her eyes: Shall we go? Shall we go?

Gu Yan nodded.

After a brief farewell to Huo Fei and Qiao Yueke, Shu Zi waved to Fang Ran, who had just finished resting by the dance floor, and made a "I'm outta here" gesture.

Gu Yan raised his chin at He Yuzhuo, then took Shu Zi's hand and led her calmly through the dispersing crowd toward the exit.

His pace was unhurried, subtly keeping those who wanted to come forward to say goodbye or exchange pleasantries at a distance.

As we walked out of the banquet hall and through the foyer, a waiter presented us with a beautifully wrapped thank-you gift.

Gu Yan accepted it, nodded in acknowledgment, and continued walking.

As you step out, a refreshing mountain breeze immediately hits you, dispelling all the lingering scents that cling to your body.

Night had fallen, and the streetlights of the hillside manor cast a dim, tranquil glow on the winding driveway.

The car stopped a few steps away. Gu Yan opened the passenger door, and Shu Zi quickly got in.

The car door closed, isolating it from outside noise.

The carriage was silent, with only the soft breathing of the two people.

Gu Yan did not start the car immediately, but turned slightly to look at Shu Zi.

Shu Zi was struggling with the ties on her shawl that were wrapped around her wrist when she noticed his gaze. She paused, looked up, and asked blankly:

"What's wrong?"

Gu Yan didn't say anything, but simply reached out and took the tangled ribbon that she was trying to untangle.

His fingers were long and nimble, and he quickly untied the knot. Then he straightened his shawl and gently draped it over the back of the chair next to him.

The movements were natural and practiced, as if they had been done a thousand times.

Shu Zi looked at his profile. The lights from outside the car window streamed in, outlining his defined jawline and straight nose.

He lowered his eyelashes, his expression focused, as if he were dealing with something very important.

A small corner of my heart suddenly and softly collapsed.

"Gu Yan," she said softly.

"Hmm?" He looked up at her.

Shu Zi stared at him for a few seconds, then suddenly smiled, her eyes crinkling.

"Gu Yan," she called again.

"Um."

"Gu, Yan—"

"I am here."

Shu Zi laughed out loud, "Hey, why don't you ask me why I keep calling you?"

A smile curved his lips, a smile that bloomed only for Shu Zi, "No reason needed."

He paused, his gaze tracing her smiling eyes and brows. His voice, deep and gentle in the quiet carriage, carried a sense of complete and unquestioned indulgence.

"Call me and I'll be there."

A simple sentence, without any embellishment.

She looked at him, the smile still curved at the corners of her mouth, but a deeper blush crept up her ears, barely noticeable in the dim light.

How hasty! How hasty!

I was trying to flirt with him, but I ended up flirting with him instead!

She blinked rapidly, as if trying to hide something, or as if she had been slightly jolted by the words and didn't know how to respond for a moment.

The carriage was quiet for a few more seconds, with only the sound of their breathing mingling.

The streetlights outside the window cast long shadows, brushing past his profile and the hem of her skirt.

Shu Zi suddenly felt that the air in this small space seemed a little thicker than before, making it hard to breathe.

She shifted uncomfortably in the shadow of his gaze, cleared her throat, and tried to regain some of the initiative as the "examiner."

"Well... let's go, Gu. The examiner has given you permission to leave."

Her voice sounded softer than she had expected.

The smile in Gu Yan's eyes seemed to deepen slightly. He didn't say anything more, turned around, sat up straight again, and started the car smoothly.

The engine roared low, and the headlights pierced the thick darkness as the car slowly drove away from the still brightly lit mountain estate.

Shu Zi leaned back in her chair, watching the blurry tree shadows rushing past the window, and gently closed her eyes.

When the body is completely relaxed, the senses become more acute.

She could hear the soft rustling of tires rolling over the road, and smell the lingering, unique scent of pine needles that clung to her.

And what he just said...

She silently complained to herself: Oh no, oh no, this man is getting better and better, this is cheating!

After last night, something does seem to have changed between them...

He seemed to be genuinely playing the role of a "test taker," playing a game with her called the "test period," even though he knew the outcome.

In every detail, he silently demonstrated his understanding and habits that had remained unchanged for twenty years, and the cherishing that had become clearer and stronger due to the change in his identity.

In the dim light where no one could see, Shu Zi's lips curled upwards uncontrollably once again.

Okay, she surrendered a tiny bit to the stubborn little voice inside her.

She admitted it.

If it's Gu Yan...

It seems... it's actually not bad.

No, yes, very good.

The car smoothly entered the city and merged into the still bustling traffic of the night.

She squinted, watching the familiar street scenes flash by outside the window, and suddenly spoke, her voice exceptionally clear in the quiet carriage:

"Hey, what are you doing tomorrow?"

"I'm free this morning, but I have to go to the company this afternoon." Gu Yan glanced at her sideways. "What's wrong?"

Shu Zi shook her head. "It's nothing, I was just asking casually."

Gu Yan chuckled softly: "Okay, I'll report to you proactively from now on."

Shu Zi's ears burned, and she immediately turned her head to the other side, showing him only the back of her head. Her voice came through the seat, muffled and tinged with annoyance:

"Who asked you to report this... I was just asking casually, don't misunderstand."

After a while, Shu Zi adjusted her expression, turned back, and added:

"Then I'll sleep in this morning and take care of myself at noon. You go about your business and don't worry about me."

If you don't sleep a little longer now, you won't be able to sleep this long on the show in two days!

"Okay." Gu Yan accepted it all, taking it for granted.

While waiting at a red light, he asked again, "What do you want to eat tonight?"

Shu Zi tilted her head, stared at a sign outside the car window, and pondered it seriously for three seconds... before giving up.

She said, "I don't know, it depends on my mood, I'll let things take their course, I'll talk about it tonight."

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

Gu Yan unbuckled his seatbelt, got out of the car first, and walked around to open the car door for her.

Shu Zi lifted her skirt as she got out of the car, her high heels clicking crisply on the cold ground, echoing in the quiet underground parking garage.

As the elevator ascends, the numbers change sequentially, emitting a soft hum.

The elevator walls were as smooth as a mirror, reflecting the figures of the two standing side by side.

One was tall and imposing, dressed in a sharp suit; the other was slender and graceful, with a flowing skirt.

The elevator arrived with a "ding," and the doors slowly slid open to both sides.

The motion-sensor light turned on immediately, and warm yellow light instantly filled the spacious entryway.