Chapter 226: The Confident Green Robe

He still had to go pick a gift for Ling, so he couldn’t stay here to maintain the barrier for Zhu Yuan forever—earplugs would have to do.

After installing the earplugs, Ye Qingfeng exhaled deeply, fearing Zhu Yuan might wake up mid-process, then looked toward Qingyi and made a gesture to step outside and talk.

Qingyi nodded slightly, covered Ies’s mouth with her hand, and rose, following Ye Qingfeng out of the office.

When they reached the police station’s entrance, Qingyi released Ies’s mouth and hugged it tightly in her arms, casting a satisfied glance at Ye Qingfeng.

“I have to say, you’re the one—getting Zhu Yuan to rest is harder than climbing to heaven, yet you managed it in just a few minutes.”

Hard to conceal my awe—only you are extraordinary.

Persuading Zhu Yuan to rest is harder than scaling a peak.

You barely settled it, and matters were already smoothed over. (Qingyi’s speech pattern)

“No big deal.” Ye Qingfeng turned with a smug, carefree flourish—then froze when he saw Ies in Qingyi’s arms.

He wouldn’t be jealous of a Bumb, anyway—he’d planned to use the gift-shopping trip as a chance for a sweet date with Qingyi.

The thought of Ies tagging along made him feel burdened...

Never mind the disturbance—it was that Ies would go back and tattle to Ling.

This brat must not be allowed to live!

“What’s wrong?” Qingyi frowned.

“Nothing. I just remembered Ies needs charging—let’s head to a charging station first?”

“Alright.” Qingyi was reluctant, but Ies belonged to Ye Qingfeng—she couldn’t object.

Ye Qingfeng led Qingyi down the street and quickly found a Bumb-specific charging station.

Seeing an open slot, Ye Qingfeng’s eyes lit up—he yanked Ies straight from Qingyi’s arms, ignored its struggles, and shoved it forcefully into the charger.

Ies stared at Ye Qingfeng in disbelief, as if screaming: You dog!!

Ye Qingfeng snorted, made a childish face at Ies, then grabbed Qingyi’s hand and strode off without looking back.

Qingyi let him pull her along—holding hands didn’t bother her much, especially since refusing might...

She suspected something even more troublesome would happen.

Given Ye Qingfeng’s shameless nature, Qingyi seriously doubted he’d refrain from...

“So... why did you come today?” Qingyi glanced at him casually, asking offhandedly, “Were you here specifically for Zhu Yuan—or for me?”

“If I said I came specifically for you, would Qingyi jump up like a child with joy?”

Ye Qingfeng lightly scratched the palm of Qingyi’s hand, avoiding a direct answer and instead posing a counter-question.

“No. But if you treated me with more respect from now on, I’d be pleased.” Qingyi gazed straight ahead, her tone flat.

“Oh~ Qingyi, so humorless? Beware—you’ll never find a man!”

Ye Qingfeng sighed, teasing softly.

“No need to worry—I have no intention of finding a man.”

As she spoke, Qingyi tried to pull her hand free, retorting irritably: “What do you actually want? Shall we go to the park and have tea?”

“No. Come shopping with me.” Ye Qingfeng sensed her movement and instantly tightened his grip, leaving no chance for escape.

“Fine.” Qingyi ceased struggling and accepted with indifference.

It wasn’t that she disliked shopping with Ye Qingfeng—or had anything against him—she simply preferred quiet tea over strolling.

Ye Qingfeng and Qingyi wandered the streets; whenever they passed a shop that caught their interest, he pulled her inside to browse.

During this time, Ye Qingfeng mentioned his true reason for coming.

“So you dragged me shopping just to buy a gift for another girl?” Qingyi showed no resentment, merely glancing at him casually, “You’re surprisingly honest.”

“Of course. I can’t say much else, but my greatest strength is honesty.” Ye Qingfeng clearly heard her sarcasm and took it as an opportunity to boast.

“Really?”

“Really!”

“You... never mind. Was it that girl from before?” Qingyi hesitated, then continued, “Ling, right?”

“Mm.”

“You and her?”

“Boyfriend and girlfriend.”

Qingyi trembled, performing a sword-drawing motion for Ye Qingfeng.

“Does... does Zhu Yuan know?” Qingyi whispered.

“Not yet.” As he spoke, Ye Qingfeng’s eyes lit up—he pulled Qingyi into a shop.

“Aren’t you going to tell Zhu Yuan? And aren’t you afraid I’ll snitch?”

Qingyi’s attention was fully on the conversation; she assumed Ye Qingfeng merely wanted to browse and followed without thinking.

She didn’t notice the shop’s name—Paw Paw...

“Hmm~ Feel free. But...” Ye Qingfeng paused unusually, staring for two seconds before continuing, “I’m not planning to tell Zhu Yuan yet—for now, I’ll wait.”

As for whether you’ll snitch—I believe you won’t.”

Ye Qingfeng emphasized the last two words, giving Qingyi the sense of absolute certainty—as if he knew she’d never betray him.

“Oh~ Before I leave, you’d better find a way to make me keep this secret voluntarily—or I’ll tell Zhu Yuan for sure.” Qingyi’s lips curled slightly, looking as if she meant every word.

Clearly, Ye Qingfeng’s words, meant to deter, had ignited in Qingyi a sudden, fierce interest.

She’d never intended to tell Zhu Yuan—but now, with him saying this, she wanted to see what he could possibly do.

Besides! Opportunities to catch this guy off-guard are rare!

Qingyi must seize this chance well.

“You must wonder why I’m so confident, right?” Ye Qingfeng openly smiled, released her hand, stepped forward, and leaned down to whisper, “Come closer—I’ll tell you.”

Qingyi frowned slightly, hesitated a moment, then relaxed her brow, stepped forward, and tilted her ear, confidently saying, “Go ahead~”

Ye Qingfeng’s current demeanor plainly told Qingyi: I have a scheme, and I’m not hiding it—see if you’ll fall for it.

But who was Qingyi?

Though she usually appeared unassuming and calm, anyone who truly clashed with her still sat in prison.

Moreover, in all past encounters with Ye Qingfeng, she’d never seen him display real power—she assumed him harmless, easily controlled, and unafraid of his tricks under her absolute superiority.

Ye Qingfeng hadn’t expected Qingyi to be this careless—or was she just overconfident, convinced he wouldn’t strike?

But then again~ underestimating someone comes at a price, Qingyi-chan~!

(Taking tomorrow off—no need to worry. I’ve nearly finalized the new novel outline—I’m very pleased with it. No heroine, just a protagonist with a clear goal, exploring the dark side of the Zone Zero world, belonging to no faction. Is there a term for this kind of story?)