Half past five.

The parrot clock’s hands moved, making a ’click’ sound.

The entire hall of the Li Family was dead silent, eerily quiet to the point where even a pin drop could be heard.

Gong Qingwan sat in front of the round table, her hands tightly clenched, and before her were dishes covering the table, yet she hadn’t touched a single bite for a long time.

Had it been the usual time, caring for her body and focusing on health, she would have had her meal long ago, not waiting for the two youngsters to return; but today, an unexpected scene unfolded.

Aunt He added a bowl of hot soup, placing it in front of Gong Qingwan, saying, "Madam, please have something..."

Even a little would do.

Since returning yesterday, Gong Qingwan hadn’t eaten, up to now, remaining unable to think of tea or meal.

"I have no appetite." Gong Qingwan rubbed her brow, feeling a heavy oppression in her heart, saying: "Yesterday, there wasn’t even a phone call. I waited an entire night..."

Normally, following the behavior pattern of the ’Renya’ organization, even if it’s inconvenient to call at the time, once it’s safe, a call to report safety would always come.

However...

Until now, there hasn’t been a single call, all matters remain unknown.

How could Gong Qingwan’s mind not be restless?

Her heart was in turmoil, unable to calm down over time.

Moreover, this wasn’t the strangest part.

What worried her the most was that not only Gu Tong didn’t return yesterday, but even Li Yan was nowhere to be seen.

Their simultaneous disappearance surely wasn’t a good sign, Gong Qingwan couldn’t help but recall Li Yan’s status as Student King, pondering whether she had been too confident.

Underestimating the enemy...

Leading to this outcome.

All the bad thoughts exploded in Gong Qingwan’s mind, unable to rest without knowing the result.

Aunt He pursed her lips, saying, "Madam, don’t keep thinking of bad things... maybe they encountered something, who knows..."

Gong Qingwan’s head was about to burst, she said: "What could they possibly encounter, I thought all night long, until my head hurt, but no result."

Normally speaking, if one doesn’t return, the other should come back, right?

There’s no reason for both to be missing overnight.

Since they arrived in Shoucheng, this had never happened.

Thinking about this, Gong Qingwan’s heart grew even more restless, unable to find a footing.

Yet, she didn’t know that this was Gu Tong and their thought! Rather than letting her know the bad news on the same day and take preventive measures, it’s better to follow the procedure gradually.

The taste of torment is even worse than knowing the result.

...

"Eldest Young Master, you’re back..." The door echoed with a cheerful voice of an elder, having waited outside for long, hoping for Li Yan’s return.

At this moment, Li Yan hadn’t changed out of his Academy Uniform, still styled as if in Pingge Academy, he removed his combat boots, calmly responded with an ’Mm’, and headed straight inside.

...

"E-Eldest Young Master is back..."

Gong Qingwan couldn’t sit still, actually stood to greet him, her face showing a somewhat stiff smile, saying: "Where did you go last night, how come you didn’t return all night, we were worried to death."

Gong Qingwan indeed had her guilty conscience, not knowing the result yet, if not worried, that would be strange.

Li Yan casually replied: "There was something urgent at Pingge Academy, had an urgent mission, Second Madam overthought!"