There were more people who had heard of Ning Yunhuan without her having to seek them out. She hadn't expected Gu Yingxi to change so drastically in this lifetime, but the previous life she could handle juggling multiple romantic entanglements unlike now - just three men and she was already in trouble.

The heroine's situation had changed dramatically from last life. Though these changes seemed disadvantageous currently, Ning Yunhuan never underestimated the heroine's blessings. She memorized everything silently without speaking up, gathering her belongings to leave campus.

Lan Linying was waiting at the school gate with their son. As soon as Lan Yi saw his mother, he flung himself toward her. Before his mother could catch him, Lan Linying lifted him high and handed him over to the nanny in front passenger seat.

"Did you eat?" Seeing Ning Yunhuan's pale face, Lan Linying couldn't stop staring at her for a long time before finally squeezing out a handkerchief from the tissue box. Halfway through reaching toward her forehead, she suddenly took it herself. Lan Linying's eyes darkened as he crossed his legs "Tell me what happened."

"They mentioned Gu Yingxi..." Thinking about those sponsored students coming to Kyoto this life, Ning Yunhuan had already foreseen that her life would become colorful from now on. She sighed inwardly:

"I should have stayed abroad longer." Returning home only to deal with this mess and other troubles made it hard for her to adjust after a year's rest. Now she missed the life on that Italian island.

"If you want, we can go during holidays," Lan Linying said coldly without expression. He never wore glasses when being with Ning Yunhuan, his narrow eyes flickering slightly "Let's go out tonight." After saying this, he pulled her into an embrace and lightly rubbed the top of her head in a lazy yet dangerous manner.

Ning Yunhuan knew his character well - asking further would get nothing. She just moved her lips slightly before deciding not to speak at all.

Later that night when nanny put Lan Yi asleep, steward brought two boxes upstairs. After taking one himself and changing clothes, Lan Linying gestured for Ning Yunhuan to change as well.

Inside was a golden little dress - the top had pleats over waistline while the skirt flared out from knee level in layered silk. The color was too showy, making Ning Yunhuan glance suspiciously at him before noticing he'd already started changing.

His movements displayed powerful grace, revealing toned abdominal muscles that made her dazed.

"What's wrong?" Lan Linying frowned, pulling down his clothes to see she hadn't moved the skirt from hand. Taking it from her, he commanded "Raise your arms."

Following orders precisely, Lan Linying easily undressed and dressed her. Only after this did Ning Yunhuan snap out of trance, taking off her own dress before putting on tights from box. Curious about destination she asked: "Where are we going?" He wore a deep blue cotton top with V-neck opening almost to stomach level, the gap tied by matching fabric creating an alluring silhouette over his muscular chest.

The fit made him look slender yet poised, the navy color enhancing his coldness and sharp beauty into a melancholic aesthetic. This was first time Lan Linying wore such revealing clothes - Ning Yunhuan felt both surprised and curious. Though her dress was showy enough for casual wear, he gave no explanation as they descended hand in hand.

The car stopped before a neon-lit club called "High Society" whose name sounded vulgar but accurately reflected its clientele of wealthy elites. Here anything imaginable could be fulfilled if you had millions - entering without at least that would get you nowhere near the gates.

Ning Yunhuan recognized the middle-aged man greeting Lan Linying as Biao Ge, who in previous life had promoted Gu Shaotao before developing affection for his sister Gu Yingxi.

Seeing him, Ning Yunhuan instinctively shrank back narrowing her eyes. Though women occasionally visited this club besides waitresses, most came looking for men. Here anything imaginable could be fulfilled if you had millions - entering without at least that would get you nowhere near the gates.

Biao Ge's reputation as underworld contact remained consistent across lifetimes. In previous life he'd elevated Gu Shaotao through patronage before developing interest in his sister Gu Yingxi, explaining why many influential men associated with her yet kept silent about affairs.

"Master, private room is ready and the servant named Gu Yingxi you requested is waiting there," Biao Ge said respectfully once sensing Lan Linying's gaze. Though puzzled why heir would pay attention to commoner girl, he'd thoroughly investigated Gu Yingxi in recent days. From childhood bathroom habits to family secrets - nothing suspicious had emerged.

Though curious about connection between master and servant, Biao Ge remained silent as instructed by loyal steward since youth. "Go ahead," Lan Linying waved him off before pulling Ning Yunhuan upstairs. The steward's eyes lingered on interlocked hands before lowering head respectfully.

Earlier rumors about master's secret marriage had come from trustworthy source within clan - usually impossible to leak given strict isolation policies there. Now seeing actual couple, Biao Ge realized those whispers were true.