Gu Xun, Dong Qianqiu, and Lan Mengqin stood among their class's formation in the gymnasium, where whispers rippled through the crowd.
All were curious about this Ancient Martial Arts course—something entirely absent during their time at the Elementry Academy.
Soon, their homeroom teacher, Ms. Wang, approached accompanied by a figure cloaked in silver. As the students turned to look, their eyes widened in astonishment.
Tall and slender, with violet eyes and silver hair cascading to her hips, she wore a mask concealing her face. Yet, her stunning beauty remained undeniable.
"Qianqiu, is that our Ancient Martial Arts teacher? She's a stunner!"
"Looks like it."
Lan Mengqin was also stunned by Gu Yuena's beauty. Dong Qianqiu responded with a nod.
Lan Mengqin glanced at Gu Xun and noticed he was zoning out. She tapped him on the shoulder.
"What?"
Gu Xun looked over at Lan Mengqin's prodding gesture. She pointed at Gu Yuena and said.
"A real beauty, huh?"
"Yeah, so?"
Gu Xun remained unimpressed. He and Di Tian had just been discussing how to handle Gu Yuena.
"That's all you've got? 'Hmm'? Are you even a man? Seeing such a gorgeous woman doesn't make your heart race? You wouldn't happen to like guys, would you?"
Lan Mengqin was stunned to see Gu Xun had zero reaction. Hearing her words, Gu Xun felt his temples throb.
"Want to test if I'm a man?"
"Pfft! Pervert!"
Lan Mengqin's cheeks instantly flushed crimson at Gu Xun's retort. Just then, Teacher Wang clapped her hands, drawing everyone's attention.
"This is your new instructor for the Ancient Martial Arts course—Teacher Nana. She will be leading your classes from now on."
Teacher Wang introduced Nana, and the students reacted with mixed expressions—some delighted, some excited, others curious.
After finishing the introduction, Teacher Wang turned to Gu Yuena and said.
"Then I'll leave it to you, Teacher Nana."
"Mhm."
Gu Yuena nodded in response. Teacher Wang then departed, and Gu Yuena swept her gaze across the room.
Her gaze finally settled on Gu Xun and Dong Qianqiu. Gu Xun and Gu Yuena exchanged a glance, a flash of vibrant light dancing in their eyes. Meanwhile, Gu Yuena felt the excitement surge within her bloodline.
It was as if she had encountered someone deeply familiar—a sensation strikingly similar to when she first met Lan Xuanyu, though the dynamics were reversed.
Whereas Lan Xuanyu stirred a desire to protect and cherish him, Gu Xun made her want to burrow into his embrace, to cling to him like a child.
In the next instant, Gu Yuena flashed forward, appearing before Gu Xun. He watched her, curious to see what she intended.
"Do... we know each other?"
Gu Yue Na gazed at Gu Xun, her clear, ethereal voice ringing out as she posed the question.
Lan Mengqin, Dong Qianqiu, and the rest of the students all turned to look, utterly perplexed. Did Gu Xun know Teacher Nana?
"Seems you've lost your memory, right?"
Gu Xun looked at the current Gu Yuena, asking a question he already knew the answer to. Hearing this, Gu Yuena became certain Gu Xun recognized her and nodded.
"Hmm, I don't remember anything from before. What... do you know?"
Gu Yuena didn't know why, but she trusted Gu Xun unconditionally. He simply gave her a sense of reliability.
"Next time. Let's start class first. We can't hold others back from growing."
Feeling the gazes of countless people upon him, Gu Xun chose to let Gu Yuena begin the lesson.
"Alright."
Gu Yuena responded before commencing the lesson. She began by teaching everyone to strengthen their lower body foundation—a prerequisite for learning techniques.
Lan Mengqin, practicing her horse stance, noticed Gu Yuena wasn't looking their way. She turned to Gu Xun with curiosity.
"Gu Xun, do you know Teacher Nana?"
"Hm? If I told you that the teacher you call Nana is actually my child, kidnapped by villains from my family, would you believe me?"
Gu Xun retorted. Lan Mengqin and Dong Qianqiu froze at his words, while Gu Yuena, who had overheard their exchange, also paused.
Gu Yuena regarded Gu Xun with a look of deep insight. Indeed, he gave her a distinct sense of fatherhood.
Combined with his claim of being victimized by villains and his identity as the child from her family—could she truly be his mother?
The thought flashed through Gu Yuena's mind, yet she dismissed it as absurd.
Yet blood ties couldn't lie. Gu Yuena did sense something akin to paternal warmth emanating from Gu Xun.
"Do you expect me to believe that? Hkw old is Teacher Nana now? Your 'little one'? Are you trying to fool a fool?"
Lan Mengqin was utterly unconvinced, convinced Gu Xun was spouting nonsense. Hearing her skepticism, Gu Xun could only shrug helplessly.
"These days, why won't anyone believe me when I tell the truth?"
"Still talking? You really think I'm stupid?"
Seeing Gu Xun's earnest expression, Lan Mengqin curled her lip in disbelief. Soon, the ancient martial arts class came to an end.
The students learned some basic combat techniques, and shortly after, they were dismissed for the day.
Gu Xun was at his villa estate on Tian Dou Planet, while Dong Qianqiu remained in the academy dormitory.
Gu Xun waited in the estate's pavilion, with Di Tian standing beside him like a loyal guard—his menacing, imposing presence radiating authority.
Soon, a flash of silver light appeared outside the pavilion. Gu Yuena materialized, her gaze fixed on Gu Xun and Di Tian.