Her sudden backward movent startled Gu Nanyan.
For once, her face betrayed an unguarded expression—gone was the usual aloofness and pride, replaced by sothing softer, almost vulnerable, like any ordinary girl.
Zhan Lingfeng leaned in, studying her intently.
The warm glow of the restaurant’s private room illuminated her face, her skin luminous like polished porcelain, delicate and flawless.
His fingers itched with the urge to touch her, to test if the reality matched the fantasy.
They were close enough to hear each other’s breaths—
One slow and steady.
The other quick and uneven, as if barely containing a fire that threatened to consu her entirely.
Unable to resist any longer, Zhan Lingfeng reached out, his fingertips tracing a path from her brow down to the bridge of her nose, finally resting on her lips.
His throat tightened with a sudden, deep thirst.
His gaze darkened, intense as midnight, fixated on the plush curve of her mouth—as if it were a spring he could drink from to quench the heat inside him.
Yielding to the impulse, he bent closer—
Just then, a sharp knock interrupted.
Zhan Yi’s urgent voice ca through the door: "Young Master, Madam, Director Rong just sent word. The Chinese dicine Association has approached the production team in an official capacity. And they’re not alone—the Qigong Association, the Martial Arts Association, Capital University, the Hua Country History Research Institute, Capital First Hospital, Capital Second Hospital, Capital Chinese dicine Hospital, and the Hua Country Chinese dicine Research Institute are all with them..."
Zhan Yi listed off the nas in one breath before pausing to add, "And that’s just the beginning. More renowned scholars and experts are on their way."
Zhan Lingfeng: "..."
Why were so many people trying to steal his wife?
Reluctantly, he pulled Gu Nanyan into his arms, kissing her again and again before finally letting go.
"I’ll take you back," he muttered, his voice thick with frustration.
"Don’t want to leave?" Gu Nanyan tapped his forehead playfully, nestling against him. "Say the word, and I’ll stay."
Zhan Lingfeng was fearless by nature—those people’s status ant nothing to him. But for the first ti, he hesitated. Not out of fear, but because he didn’t want Gu Nanyan to face any difficulty.
He’d never cared about others’ opinions before, always acting on his own terms.
Yet with Gu Nanyan, he’d grown cautious.
Afraid of missteps, afraid of causing her trouble.
He didn’t care what the world thought of him, but he wouldn’t tolerate a single word against her.
These visitors were influential figures, and he refused to let them label her as arrogant.
With a final, possessive squeeze, he kissed her forehead hard, then her lips—breathing raggedly as he forced himself to release her.
"Let’s go," he said hoarsely.
Gu Nanyan blinked, montarily dazed.
She’d always been in control with Zhan Lingfeng, effortlessly steering their dynamic.
But now, for the first ti, she couldn’t read him.
She’d seen the hunger in his eyes, knew he wanted her to stay—and she’d been willing. So why had he chosen to send her away?
Puzzled, she stared at him.
Zhan Lingfeng was utterly chard by her rare, bewildered expression and stole another kiss. "Be good," he murmured. "I’ll be with you. If there’s anyone you don’t want to see or anything you’d rather not say, leave it to ."
On the way back, Zhan Lingfeng maintained a composed exterior, but inwardly, he seethed.
This was his Nanyan, his wife.
Why did everyone keep trying to take her from him?
To stake his claim, he posted a photo of them together on social dia with the caption: "My wife. Mine."
anwhile, at the production set, Nan Xi was fuming.
The sight of so many people waiting for Gu Nanyan only worsened her mood.
Retreating to her room, she scrolled online—only to imdiately stumble upon Zhan Lingfeng’s post.
The photo of him and Gu Nanyan ignited her rage.
She collapsed onto her bed, pounding the mattress like a petulant child.
"Damn it! Gu Nanyan, Gu Nanyan—it’s all that bitch’s fault!"
If Gu Nanyan hadn’t appeared out of nowhere, Zhan Lingfeng would still be hers.
If Gu Nanyan hadn’t created that so-called "health cultivation technique," she wouldn’t be trapped like this, powerless to act.
"If only that technique didn’t exist..."
The thought struck her like lightning.
That technique was Gu Nanyan’s greatest weapon. Take it away, and she’d have nothing left.
With renewed determination, Nan Xi imdiately dialed Chairman Tian.
At that mont, Chairman Tian was in the conference room, anxiously awaiting Gu Nanyan’s arrival alongside the others.
Seeing Nan Xi's call, he frowned slightly, feeling annoyed.
After a mont of hesitation, he still answered.
"Miss Nan."
"Chairman Tian." Nan Xi bit her lip, feigning hesitation. "Chairman Tian, there's sothing I've thought about for a long ti, and I’ve decided to tell you.
I previously investigated Gu Nanyan—she’s just a country girl who grew up in the countryside, completely unremarkable her whole life. Aside from her pretty face, there’s nothing outstanding about her. So where did she learn the Health Preservation Technique?
Given her background, it’s impossible for her to have mastered the legendary Tongtian Health Preservation Technique. Could it be that she’s impersonating soone?
Maybe she stumbled upon the Tongtian Health Preservation Technique, claid it as her own, renad it, and taught it to others, taking credit for it."
The logic was clearly flawed.
Chairman Tian had no interest in arguing with Nan Xi and simply countered, "The Tongtian Health Preservation Technique has been lost for over a thousand years. So tell , where did Empress Gu learn it? How could she possibly impersonate soone?
Miss Nan, I suggest you see a psychiatrist."
Nan Xi clenched her teeth.
That old bastard actually called her ntally ill.
Furious, she hurled her phone across the room.
Clutching her forehead, she collapsed onto the bed, realizing she’d made a foolish mistake.
Now she wasn’t sure what to do.
Chairman Tian’s words were harsh, but he wasn’t wrong—the Tongtian Health Preservation Technique had been lost to ti, so there was no way Gu Nanyan could have plagiarized it.
Because there was nothing to plagiarize.
Nan Xi sat on the floor, gnawing on her finger, deep in thought.
Was it possible that Gu Nanyan’s so-called Health Preservation Technique wasn’t the Tongtian thod at all?
Maybe she just pieced together fragnts of existing incomplete records and fabricated it herself.
Nan Xi suddenly stood up, her expression grave.
She needed to expose Gu Nanyan.
Right now, Chairman Tian and the public were all under her spell. She had to find soone more authoritative to tear down Gu Nanyan’s lies.
The only way now was to seek out the ancient, reclusive dicine Clan—hidden from the world for centuries.
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