Chapter 266: Having a Good Impression

Ring, ring, ring.

"Hello, Beijing Publishing House, this is Gu Yang."

"Editor Gu, it's me, Kong Nian."

Kong Nian's voice traveled through the receiver into Gu Yang's ear, causing him to pause slightly.

"Is Editor Gu busy today? I'm new in town and would like to ask Editor Gu to be my guide."

Without waiting for him to ask, Kong Nian directly stated the reason for her call.

Gu Yang was indeed surprised, but he quickly regained his composure.

"I'm sorry, Miss Kong, I'm a bit busy today. However, Lu Feng should have some time today; I can ask him."

"If it were anyone else, I wouldn't bother, but I don't really like interacting with people I'm not familiar with."

The meaning behind Kong Nian's words was very obvious, as if she and Gu Yang were not unfamiliar people.

Gu Yang no longer wanted to have much interaction with her. "I'm sorry, Miss Kong, I..."

"I am your lifesaver, after all, and twice at that. They say a life-saving debt should be repaid like a flowing spring; I'm only asking Editor Gu to be my guide, that's not asking too much, is it?"

There was a hint of faint dissatisfaction in Kong Nian's tone, as if she had decided that Gu Yang was deliberately avoiding her.

"Of course it's not too much, but I truly do have work to attend to," Gu Yang said truthfully.

"Editor Gu, do you not want to meet me?" Although it was a question, Kong Nian's tone was certain.

Gu Yang denied it. "No."

"That's good. I'll wait for you at the entrance of the publishing house in half an hour. Actually, I have some things I want to tell Editor Gu; if you don't come out, you might regret it."

Kong Nian said no more and hung up the phone directly.

Gu Yang's brow furrowed; he found Kong Nian's domineering personality somewhat unpleasant.

However, since she first mentioned her debt of gratitude and then claimed she had something to say, he wouldn't be able to avoid going out even if he wanted to.

Half an hour later, Gu Yang indeed met Kong Nian at the entrance of the publishing house.

"I knew you would come out," Kong Nian said with a half-smile, appearing to be in a good mood.

Gu Yang sighed helplessly. "Miss Kong, I really do have work to do."

"Well, your work should be all arranged by now. I spent the whole night in the city and I'm a bit tired; accompany me for a walk." Kong Nian didn't ask him if he wanted to at all.

Hearing her mention last night, Gu Yang couldn't help but follow her pace.

"Did you catch them?"

He had already given Du Jinsong a suggestion; he wondered if it had been implemented last night.

"No. We used ten ordinary people as bait and wandered through various streets all night, but nothing happened." Kong Nian did not hide it from him.

"Don't be anxious, it will eventually work," Gu Yang said subconsciously, lost in thought.

Kong Nian let out a chuckle. "Are you comforting me?"

Gu Yang's expression was serious. "I hope you can rescue those eight missing people as soon as possible."

"Haven't I already told you? Those eight people are likely already dead. Even if the person catching them isn't an evil spirit, how kind can such a person be? Our goal in catching him now is simply to ensure there are no more victims in the future," Kong Nian stated the facts very calmly.

Gu Yang did not want to argue this point with her.

"You said you wanted to tell me something. What is it?"

He suddenly changed the subject, but Kong Nian only gave him an unfathomable look.

"I heard there are many fun places in Beijing. Take me somewhere to relax."

Just as Gu Yang was about to object, she continued, "Even though I am an exorcist, I am still human. After a night of high mental tension, it's better to relax before talking business, don't you think?"

"Since you've already worked all night, why not go back and rest?" Gu Yang couldn't understand what her purpose was in approaching him like this.

"Resting can indeed relieve fatigue, but I feel that being with you provides more mental relaxation. Editor Gu, I wonder if you have this feeling too—that it's as if we have known each other for a long time." As Kong Nian spoke the last sentence, she deliberately slowed her pace to observe his reaction.

As expected, Gu Yang froze.

The corner of her mouth curled up slightly, her mood becoming even more pleasant.

"Can we go now?" she urged.

Gu Yang realized she had said that sentence on purpose, and his expression became incredibly complex.

The emotions he had just suppressed surged once again.

This girl must have some connection to Su Yan.

At this thought, all his doubts were swept away, and a signature polite smile appeared on his face.

"Alright. Where do you want to go?"

Kong Nian's heart skipped a beat; she clearly hadn't expected him to agree so readily, and it seemed even his attitude had changed significantly.

However, she did not dwell on it; she had always done whatever she wanted to do.

There was a park not far from the publishing house, and at Kong Nian's signal, the two went straight into it.

It was already late autumn, and the weather was cold; even the flowers and plants were sparse.

However, this did not affect Kong Nian's interest. She found a swing and sat on it like a child.

"Brother Gu Yang, come and push me."

The sudden, intimate address caused a crack to appear on Gu Yang's face.

Because that specific way of addressing him was something only Su Yan had used when they were children; the current Su Yan had lost her childhood memories and would only call him Brother Gu.

"Miss Kong, what did you call me?"

His low voice suppressed immense emotion.

Only then did Kong Nian realize something, but she did not feel shy or that it was inappropriate.

"You are older than me. If I don't call you brother, am I supposed to call you younger brother?"

"It seems Miss Kong and I are not that familiar." Gu Yang's entire being was filled with resistance toward this title.

It felt as if a secret that originally belonged to him and Su Yan was now being pried into by someone else.

Kong Nian was indifferent to his displeasure. "How do you know we aren't familiar? Besides, even if we weren't close before, we can become friends in the future. And don't call me Miss Kong; it's too formal. You can just call me by my name."

Gu Yang looked at the smile on her face, and after a few seconds of silence, he said solemnly, "Miss Kong, I already have someone I like."

Even if he was being oversensitive, he had to make it clear to her.

As expected, this time it was Kong Nian's turn to be surprised. She stared straight at Gu Yang for a long while.

Gu Yang had even prepared himself for the end, but unexpectedly, she laughed again.

"So what? Just because you have someone you like, does that mean we can't be friends?"

"What I mean is that Miss Kong doesn't need to waste her time and energy on me," Gu Yang said clearly and plainly.

Kong Nian's expression gradually became serious. "Are you always this confident, thinking that every girl who approaches you has those kinds of intentions?"

Gu Yang was speechless.

The atmosphere became awkward due to his silence.

"But you're right. I do indeed have a great deal of interest in you," Kong Nian actually admitted it proactively.

(End of Chapter)