Receiving that familiar taste, Qiu Yan's tense heart suddenly relaxed. She relented, her face showing apology.

"Gu Qian, you're back, so what? Are you trying to test my skills?"

As Gu Qian slowly released his grip, Qiu Yan opened her eyes.

He touched Gu Qian's swollen, red lips, which were covered in blood, with one hand. "Does it hurt?"

"It hurts." Although Gu Qian's voice was hoarse, his eyes were unusually bright when he saw Qiu Yan, whose red lips were stained with his blood.

"Compensation is needed."

Suddenly, his expression changed.

"Your face..."

Then, he gently stroked Qiu Yan's cheek with one hand.

"It's nothing," Qiu Yan shook her head and said casually, "I just tripped and fell."

"You tripped and fell?" Gu Qian clearly didn't believe it.

He felt somewhat guilty, all because of him.

He entrusted Qiu Yan to take care of Xiao Ran. If Xiao Ran is in trouble, Qiu Yan will definitely not let it go.

Turning his head, he glanced at Ling Qi and the other man who were spying from the shadows. He shot them a sharp look, and the two men immediately shuddered and sheepishly moved away.

"Gu Qian, it's just a minor injury, nothing to worry about."

Gu Qian was busy with military affairs, and Qiu Yan didn't want him to worry, so she didn't want to tell him the truth.

Noticing Gu Qian's suddenly darkened expression, Qiu Yan continued the previous topic, "Didn't you just say you wanted compensation? Tell me, what kind of compensation do you want?"

Thinking of Gu Xiaoran's previous experiences, Gu Qian's eyes were filled with hatred.

"The compensation I want..."

He leaned forward...

Fifteen minutes later, Gu Qian asked:

"Yan Yan, how did you know it was me just now?"

"Guess." Qiu Yan placed one hand on her lips, the faint pain making her uncomfortable.

"Climbing over the wall as soon as you get back, Gu Qian. Don't forget, this is my home. It's a bit inappropriate for a grown man like you to climb over here so casually."

"No one saw it." Gu Qian smiled, taking Qiu Yan's small hand in his large one.

"I was just trying to surprise you, weren't I? Where have you been? Master and the others aren't here, and neither are you."

"We've gone to Great-Grandpa's house," Qiu Yan simply explained about Zhao Juan's wedding that day, and Gu Qian understood.

"How long have you been back?" Qiu Yan asked.

"About... 45 minutes." Gu Qian had been waiting on the wall for Qiu Yan and the others for almost half an hour.

"Next time, remember to bring a key."

Seeing Gu Qian's travel-worn appearance, Qiu Yan decided to give him something to eat first, so she went straight to the kitchen.

Gu Qian followed closely behind, watching Qiu Yan busy in the kitchen, and went forward to help.

"Yan Yan, where's Xiao Ran?"

"You went to find your master," Qiu Yan thought to herself. "You finally remembered to ask Xiao Ran."

Before long, Gu Qian was having lunch in the kitchen.

Qiu Yan's culinary skills made him drool and long for her cooking.

"It's been so long since I've tasted your cooking. I wish I could have this kind of treat every day," Gu Qian said, chewing his food heartily.

Qiu Yan tilted her head back haughtily: "If you want to eat it, you'll have to ask me if I want to make it."

"If you don't want to cook, I will. From now on, I will cook for you every day." Gu Qian's mind was filled with beautiful images of the two of them living in harmony after they got married, and he smiled dreamily.

"Okay, but your cooking skills need improvement." Qiu Yan took it as a joke from Gu Qian.

Since they met, she had never tasted Gu Qian's cooking.

Gu Qian nodded and smiled, "With you here, I don't have to worry about cooking."

Because Gu Qian and Qiu Xu brought back horses last time, the ranch has added a few more foals.

Gu Xiaoran excitedly rode on the pony, and together with Li Zheng, they wandered around the mountains and forests.

Looking at Gu Xiaoran in his arms, Li Zheng thought of the past.

"Xiao Ran, why are you dressed like this?" Li Zheng asked, voicing his doubts.