Chapter 221: Apology

“C... can you?”

Hearing this, Ai Lian stared at the blood oozing from Ye Qingfeng’s palm and involuntarily swallowed.

“Of course~ Go ahead.”

Ye Qingfeng raised an eyebrow and willingly brought his palm to Ai Lian’s lips.

A strong stench of blood slipped into her nostrils.

Ai Lian extended her tongue, brushing across her chapped lips—this blood felt like a clear spring.

It could moisten her parched throat.

“Come on~ Come on~ No need to hold back~”

Ye Qingfeng grinned mischievously, persistently coaxing her.

Ai Lian couldn’t resist such temptation; her gaze grew hazy, and her craving for blood overpowered her reason.

She gripped Ye Qingfeng’s wrist tightly, bent down, opened her cherry-red lips, extended her pink tongue, and licked the blood from his palm.

Sweet! Delicious! But just a bit too little!

【Ding! Ai Lian’s affection increased by 5%】

【Current affection: 85%】

While Ai Lian was greedily feeding, Ye Qingfeng turned to Mao You, who looked utterly defeated, grabbed her wrist with his right hand, and yanked her into his arms.

“Mao You? Mao You?”

Mao You’s eyes were vacant, as if broken; she offered no resistance or reaction to Ye Qingfeng’s actions, slowly regaining awareness as he called her repeatedly.

“I’m sorry... I didn’t mean to!”

Mao You clutched Ye Qingfeng’s collar tightly, buried her face in his chest, and kept apologizing with a trembling, tearful voice.

“No need to apologize—it’s not your fault.”

Ye Qingfeng gently patted Mao You’s back, soothing her in a soft voice.

“B-but...” Mao You sobbed, “I hurt you!”

Ye Qingfeng felt a quiet sense of helplessness—and deep guilt toward Mao You.

Among all the targets, Nico was unquestionably the easiest for him.

Despite her carefree demeanor, she had some depth but not much cunning.

In matters of emotion, however, she was unexpectedly mature—she never demanded Ye Qingfeng accompany her constantly.

To her, their bond wasn’t just romantic—it was a confidant relationship, a close family tie, and even her foolish little brother.

Once she understood Ye Qingfeng always held a place for her in his heart,

Nico didn’t ask for much. She’d never entertained the idea of having a boyfriend; when she developed feelings for someone, it might’ve been due to looks or personality.

But what she truly cared about was whether they had Ding Ni.

Find a good-looking, nice guy who spends Ding Ni on her? Or get a wealthy young master to support her?

Neither option was acceptable to Nico. She was greedy, yes—but she had dignity too.

Ye Qingfeng perfectly met Nico’s standards: good looks, good personality, and he spent Ding Ni on her.

So was this relationship maintained by money?

This was the real reason she had no Ding Ni—when she had no Ding Ni to pay the staff of the Cunning Rabbit House, Ye Qingfeng stepped forward and gave her Ding Ni.

Because most of the Ding Ni Nico earned went to orphanages—or feeding the children there.

That was the real reason she never had Ding Ni; when she couldn’t pay the staff of the Rabbit’s Den, Ye Qingfeng stepped in and gave her Ding Ni.

It’s fair to say this was her main reason for accepting him.

Conversely, when Ye Qingfeng needed Ding Ni, Nico would collect it for him—and give it to him for free.

Ding Ni is like emotion—it flows both ways.

Besides! Every time I work myself to exhaustion, barely able to breathe, and collapse afterward!

(It’s unclear whether the author conveyed this clearly, since Zero Gap never specified each character’s age; Nico guesses they’re between twenty-five and thirty, and due to their childhood trauma, they’re emotionally precocious—so while they don’t have Lina’s full wife-like warmth, they’re far more mature than Ai Lian or Mao You.)

Ye Qingfeng silently sighed—this must be the advantage of an older sister.

(I don’t know if I’ve made this clear enough, since the original game doesn’t specify each character’s age; Nico is probably between 25 and 30. Due to her childhood trauma, she matured early—in emotional matters, she may not have Xiang Lina’s full wife-like aura, but she’s far more mature than Ai Lian or Mao You.)

Mao You, by contrast, was the complete opposite—she longed to cling to Ye Qingfeng at all times.

To her, Ye Qingfeng would always be first in her heart.

That’s why she flew into a rage after seeing Ai Lian’s actions, and why she felt so guilty after injuring Ye Qingfeng—afraid he’d pull away.

“Mao You! I’ll never, never leave you. So stop worrying so much—just be a carefree little kitten, okay?”

“But...” Mao You’s trembling body suddenly stiffened.

“I promise I’ll never leave you, Nico!” Ye Qingfeng’s voice was firm at first, then softened. “And as for this little injury—I forgive you.”

“Really?”

Mao You lifted her head from his chest, eyes glistening with tears, her reddened lids looking heartbreakingly vulnerable—making him want to cherish her.

“Really! More real than a 50% discount on a sardine!”

“Mm!”

Mao You sniffled and nodded firmly.

Then she buried her face back into his chest; under his puzzled gaze, she wiped her tears on his clothes. When she lifted her head again, she was back to her adorable, brainless little cat self.

“Calmed down now?”

“Calmed down, meow!”

Ye Qingfeng reached out and scratched under Mao You’s chin; as she purred and closed her eyes in delight, he turned his gaze to Ai Lian.

Ai Lian had just finished licking the blood, still licking her lips with lingering satisfaction; her once-pink lips, now stained with crimson, looked strikingly alluring.

“Was it good?”

Ye Qingfeng asked curiously.

“It’s... okay!” Ai Lian blurted out, then realized what she’d said—her cheeks flushed red, and she turned away, pouting.

“Alright. And you? Calmed down?”

Ye Qingfeng shrugged.

“Mm.”

“You threw it, right?” Ye Qingfeng paused, then added, “You were the one who threw those scissors earlier?”

“Y-yes... it was me...” Ai Lian glanced awkwardly aside.

“Intentional or accidental?”

“Accidental...”

“Huh?!” Ye Qingfeng frowned seriously.

“I was just following Leikain’s orders, and I aimed for beside her ear—if she hadn’t moved, she wouldn’t have been hurt...”

Sensing Ye Qingfeng’s anger, Ai Lian didn’t hesitate to shift blame to Leikain, speaking carefully.

“Then apologize to Mao You—sincerely.”

Ye Qingfeng spoke with no room for refusal, then pulled Mao You forward, gesturing for Ai Lian to apologize.

“I’m sorry! I’m truly sorry!”

Ai Lian obediently placed her hands before her skirt, bowed deeply at ninety degrees—her apology was sincere, flawless.