{Chapter: 293 Moved!}
Lin Yuan drove his sleek, top-of-the-line luxury car straight toward the grand Mei family mansion.
Inside the estate, Gui Qingtong had already been informed earlier that Lin Yuan would be arriving sometime in the afternoon. From the moment she received the news, she couldn't help but keep an eye on the front gates, occasionally peeking through the windows of the second-floor study. She held a book in her hands, but her mind was clearly elsewhere. She kept glancing out every few pages, her heart quietly racing in anticipation.
And then she saw it—the familiar silhouette of Lin Yuan's luxury vehicle pulling into the driveway.
Her eyes lit up with joy. Without a second thought, Gui Qingtong closed her book, jumped up from the couch, and dashed down the stairs like a gust of spring wind.
By the time Lin Yuan stepped out of his car, the front door had already been thrown open, and the sweet, delicate figure of Gui Qingtong was there to greet him.
"Good afternoon, Brother Lin Yuan!" she called out, her voice bright and cheerful.
It was Gui Qingtong herself who had opened the door. Her face radiated happiness, her every move filled with youthful excitement. It was obvious to Lin Yuan that she had been waiting just for him.
He smiled warmly at her and responded, "Good afternoon, Qingtong."
Today, it seemed Qingtong was spending a relaxed day at home. She wore only a light pink nightdress, soft and casual, giving her a charming and natural look. Her fair, almost porcelain-like shoulders were exposed, and the hem of her dress brushed against her slender thighs. Her skin glowed under the afternoon light, and her long hair flowed gently past her shoulders.
Of course, her appearance was far different from her mother's sultry Succubus allure.
Gui Qingtong exuded a pure, innocent charm. Her petite frame and still-developing curves gave her the soft, adorable appeal of a blossoming girl. Her nightdress had a large, decorative bow right over the chest area—playful and eye-catching.
As Lin Yuan looked at her, he suddenly had a sense of déjà vu. That pink nightdress… why did it look so familiar?
He narrowed his eyes slightly, and then it clicked.
Wasn't this the same sleepwear Mei Yuxian wore the morning after they had spent the night together?
He remembered it clearly. But somehow, when the same piece of clothing was worn by Gui Qingtong, it seemed like an entirely different garment.
When Mei Yuxian wore it, it radiated mature sensuality—enough to make one's heart stop. But on Qingtong, it was as cute and innocent as a plush toy.
The contrast was surreal. The same clothing, worn by two women of different temperaments, delivered completely opposite effects.
Truly, clothes didn't shape the person—it was the person who brought life to the clothes.
"Brother Lin Yuan, are you going to park your car? Come in as soon as you're ready!" Gui Qingtong said sweetly, noticing him lingering by the doorway.
"I already turned the engine off. I'm coming in now," Lin Yuan replied, giving her a reassuring smile.
Once he stepped inside, Gui Qingtong quickly closed the door behind him and led him into the main hall of the Mei residence. The interior was elegant and refined, a reflection of the family's prestige. After guiding him to a comfortable seat on the leather sofa, Gui Qingtong hurried to pour him a cup of freshly brewed tea.
Handing it to him carefully, she sat across from him, her legs swinging slightly with girlish energy.
Taking a sip of the tea, Lin Yuan glanced up and asked, "By the way, where's Sister Yuxian?"
He had come today mainly to discuss the matter regarding the Chen family and the future direction of Xiling District with Mei Yuxian.
But as soon as he mentioned her mother, Gui Qingtong's expression faltered.
Her lips pouted slightly, and her previously cheerful face drooped a little.
In a tone that was both a little sour and slightly playful, she replied, "Brother Lin Yuan came here just to ask about my mom? She's still busy at the company, but she'll be back home very soon. So… you'll have to sit and wait for a while."
Lin Yuan chuckled inwardly as he observed her reaction. How could he not see through her thoughts?
Reaching out, he gently patted Gui Qingtong on the head, his voice gentle. "It's fine. There's no rush. After all, there's such a cute Qingtong here to keep me company, right?"
The moment the words left his mouth, Gui Qingtong's eyes sparkled.
Her lips curled into a wide smile, and her crescent-shaped eyes crinkled with delight.
"Hehe!" She giggled happily, the sound soft and melodic.
Just one line from Lin Yuan had been enough to make her heart bloom.
It was clear that she was genuinely happy and deeply satisfied by his attention—and even happier that, at least for now, she had him all to herself.
Looking at the high-end custom game console connected to the massive screen in the grand hall of the Mei Mansion, Lin Yuan smiled and said casually, "Let's play a game to pass the time while we wait for Sister Yuxian to return."
The second-floor lounge of the Mei Mansion was tastefully furnished with luxury and comfort in mind. Resting on a nearby table were two sleek sets of custom 3D glasses, a next-generation custom gaming console, and two ergonomic controllers. It was a fully equipped VR gaming setup—state-of-the-art and clearly meant for immersive entertainment.
Gui Qingtong's eyes lit up when she heard Lin Yuan's suggestion. Her initial reaction was excitement—her cheeks flushed with delight. But almost immediately, she hesitated, biting her lower lip with a troubled expression.
"I… I should be studying right now, Brother Lin Yuan," she said softly, a trace of concern in her voice. "Didn't you and my mom agree that if I get into the Jiangbei Conservatory of Music and successfully graduate, then… then I could marry you?"
She paused and looked at Lin Yuan with those earnest, glistening eyes. "I really want to gain my mom's approval, and I want to earn the right to marry you with my own efforts. That's why I've been trying so hard to study and practice."
Gui Qingtong's tone was sincere and filled with quiet determination. Lin Yuan noticed then that her voice was a little hoarse—not just from nerves or shyness, but something more physical.
At first, he assumed she had eaten something that irritated her throat, but as she spoke more, he realized it was likely the result of continuous vocal training—singing over and over again to improve her pitch and control in preparation for the rigorous entrance exam.
His eyes drifted to the sofa by the large window. Resting on the cushion was a thick, well-used book—Advanced Music Theory and Vocal Technique. It looked like a professional-level guide, filled with notes scribbled in pencil.
Lin Yuan suddenly felt a surge of emotion. He imagined her sitting there for hours, alternating between reading her music book and glancing out the window, waiting patiently for his arrival. She must have been so focused, and yet still excited about his visit.
Of course, Gui Qingtong hadn't said any of that aloud, but her actions spoke volumes.
Under Mei Yuxian's strict guidance, Qingtong had always been a model student. But lately, she was working even harder, driven by a clear goal.
Before this, she used to be quite relaxed—what one might jokingly call a "salted fish," someone carefree with no real ambitions. But ever since learning about the possibility of marrying Lin Yuan, she had transformed. Her attitude toward her studies had become intensely serious, almost fierce.
Mei Yuxian had made that condition—to gain admission and graduate from the Jiangbei Conservatory of Music—as a way to motivate her daughter. Lin Yuan and Mei Yuxian had only said it to appease Qingtong at the time, never expecting her to take it so literally.
It was, in essence, a harmless adult white lie.
But Gui Qingtong had taken every word to heart. And her sincerity, her hard work, and her innocent belief in that promise moved Lin Yuan deeply.
As Lin Yuan continued to gaze at her with warmth and admiration, Gui Qingtong blinked, slightly confused but flustered under his intense gaze. Her cheeks flushed a deeper shade of pink, and she lowered her eyes shyly.
Then, without a word, Lin Yuan stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her shoulders in a light but affectionate hug.
"Eh…?" Qingtong let out a soft, surprised sound, her whole body freezing for a moment. She looked up at him in surprise.
But even though it caught her off guard, she didn't pull away. On the contrary, she seemed overwhelmed with happiness. Her hands trembled slightly, and her lips curved into a soft, bashful smile.
However, Lin Yuan didn't hold her for long. He gently released her and gave her a reassuring smile.
The hug wasn't a result of impulse or attraction—it was his way of showing appreciation for her efforts. But more importantly, he wanted to help.
He raised a hand and gently brushed aside the hair that framed her face, then reached out to touch the side of her throat, applying gentle pressure near her vocal cords.
Seeing his hand approach, Gui Qingtong thought for a moment that he was going to caress her face or do something even more intimate. But to her surprise, he rested his fingers on her throat instead, examining her condition with a calm and serious expression.
"You've been straining your voice, haven't you?" Lin Yuan asked softly. "Practicing is important, but overdoing it can hurt you in the long run. You need to take care of your throat. You won't be able to sing beautifully if you damage your vocal cords."
His words were filled with both concern and tenderness.
Gui Qingtong didn't know how to respond. She hadn't expected him to notice—much less comment on it. Her lips parted as if to say something, but no words came out.
"Uhm… I…" she stammered, her eyes flickering between guilt and gratitude. She really did want him to acknowledge her efforts. But now that he had, she felt both proud and embarrassed at the same time. She hadn't even achieved anything significant yet. She didn't want him to worry.
Still, in her heart, she felt incredibly warm.
Just knowing that he cared enough to notice—even something as small as the hoarseness in her voice—meant the world to her.
*****
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