Lan Lingyan’s subordinates were almost exclusively elites; anyone who managed to survive the two decades of his struggle for power with him was unfailingly loyal and undeniably capable. He never kept dead weight among his ranks! Even the elite disciples cultivated by the Lan family itself rarely managed to escape his machinations, let alone possess the skill of Gu Yingxi—not only escaping his traps but also turning his own men against him!

Although Lan Lingyan ultimately had those people executed en masse, this act still fueled a deeper, murderous intent toward Gu Yingxi. That woman was simply too bizarre; not only could she seduce any man she encountered, but she possessed the sheer audacity to make his own dispatched agents betray him. It was truly beyond comprehension.

Having just returned to the country, Lan Lingyan had spent the last couple of days guarding Ning Yunhuan and their son, Lan Yi, and hadn't personally gone to see exactly what methods Gu Yingxi employed. He then recalled that Ning Yunhuan and Gu Yingxi seemed to have had some friction in the past, coupled with the potential intelligence Ning Yunhuan might have received today, it was only natural that he should caution her now. After giving his instructions, Lan Lingyan still felt uneasy, his lips tightening into a stern line: “Perhaps I should have someone stay with you.” Upon realizing Lan Lingyan was referring to Gu Yingxi, Ning Yunhuan finally relaxed.

Though in this lifetime she had initially resolved to keep clear of the female lead and her circle, if the female lead insisted on causing trouble for her, she wouldn't mind setting traps for Gu Yingxi. But now, the female lead truly lived up to her title; even Lan Lingyan held such high regard for her. Aware of Lan Lingyan’s discreet efforts throughout the year to avenge her, a warmth bloomed in Ning Yunhuan’s heart.

She quickly nodded obediently, not daring to underestimate the halo surrounding the female lead, especially the men around her. Every single one of them acted as if bewitched whenever Gu Yingxi was involved, willing to abandon their families and ties for her sake. Several of the more formidable characters were ruthless killers.

Ning Yunhuan hadn't kept close tabs on Gu Yingxi over the past year and had no idea how many new people had gathered around her. After all, the plot of this life had already diverged significantly from the previous one and the novels she had read; those brutally cold and arrogant male leads might already have emerged. Ning Yunhuan’s life was vastly different now.

Having suffered greatly in her previous existence, she clung fiercely to life in this one. Hearing Lan Lingyan offer protection, she didn't offer any affected refusal. She understood that while having people trailing her could be inconvenient, it was infinitely better than facing disaster and then requiring rescue—she was, after all, not the female lead who always had a hero rushing in.

Seeing Ning Yunhuan’s willing compliance, Lan Lingyan felt satisfied, and the gloom surrounding her desire to go out eased considerably. He granted permission without hesitation. Lan Lingyan had already prepared some English items for Ning Yunhuan to take back as gifts for her parents, while he planned to take their son to the company, conveniently dropping her off at the Ning residence on the way.

As the car drove toward the Ning house, Ning Yunhuan gazed out at the scenery—both familiar and strangely alien—and a wave of emotion washed over her. Since returning from her trip abroad, nothing seemed to have changed, yet in reality, everything had shifted. She wondered how her father and mother were doing; they hadn't been separated for this long, not even in their shared lifetime.

The baby slept soundly nestled in Lan Lingyan’s arms. Because he was carrying their child, Lan Lingyan rarely wore formal attire anymore, both to avoid inconveniencing the baby and to keep his son comfortable. He had also started adopting Ning Yunhuan’s preference for cotton fabrics.

The inherently aloof and elegant man, even while cradling his son, retained an aura of cool detachment that didn't diminish in the slightest. In fact, Lan Yi, strapped to his chest in the baby carrier and sleeping soundly, looked as if he discouraged casual approach. As they neared the Ning residence, Lan Lingyan intended to drive her right up to the door.

However, the security guards in the villa complex recognized Ning Yunhuan. Driving the car directly in would negate the need for her return to be a private affair. Thus, she firmly refused to let him escort her further, signaling him to stop about ten meters outside the perimeter and let her out.

“Stay right at the Ning house. I’ll come back to pick you up before dinner,” Lan Lingyan said, his expression slightly stiff, almost as if explaining himself: “Lan Yi will miss you if he doesn’t see you for too long.” His pretense of acting for their son’s sake made Ning Yunhuan laugh softly. Lan Yi was only a few months old, spending his days primarily eating and sleeping, with little time for crawling around.

The boy was quite discerning; apart from the nanny who cared for him at home, he only allowed his parents to hold him. He might cry if Ning Yunhuan wasn't around, but with Lan Lingyan present, crying was unlikely. Nevertheless, Ning Yunhuan leaned down to press a kiss onto her sleeping son.

Seeing the slightly chilled look on Lan Lingyan’s face, she lifted her head and kissed him on the cheek as well. Noticing the subtle upward curve of his lips, she gathered the items she carried and quickly exited the car. The current Lan Lingyan was a world away from the cold, untouchable figure she first encountered.

He seemed to have stepped down from his pedestal, now displaying joys, angers, sorrows, and pleasures in her presence. Ning Yunhuan was becoming less afraid of him, and she even chuckled aloud thinking of his recent display. The things she was carrying, which had felt somewhat heavy in her hands moments before, no longer seemed so cumbersome.

“Miss Ning.” The security guard stationed at the gatehouse, spotting the approaching figure in the distance, first offered a salute before clearly recognizing Ning Yunhuan and greeting her. Although the villa complex housed several dozen residents, those living within generally possessed a certain level of affluence. Consequently, the guards knew most of the residents by sight to prevent unfamiliar individuals from entering.

Once the guard recognized Ning Yunhuan, someone in the guard room unlocked the electronic gate, allowing her passage. Although she had called her parents to let them know she was returning to the country, Ning Yunhuan hadn't disclosed that she was already home, intentionally wishing to give her mother and father a surprise. Therefore, upon arrival, Ning Yunhuan planned to put her things away, take a shower, and simply wait at home.

Her parents maintained strictly routine lives. While the usual routine dictated that Mrs. Ning would be out playing cards at this hour, both parents would certainly be home for the evening meal.

Desiring to see the look of shock on their faces when they saw her, Ning Yunhuan, despite carrying two heavy bags, opted not to call for the house nanny to collect her, choosing instead to walk slowly into the complex herself. After walking for nearly twenty minutes, and with the afternoon heat causing her to break out in a sweat, she finally spotted the familiar silhouette of the Ning family villa, a genuine smile involuntarily touching her lips.