Chapter 242

Ye Qingfeng reached out and placed his hand on Kelin’s shoulder, as if he had expected this.

Kelin stiffened, glancing at him with confusion.

“Since Uncle Wolf isn’t here, no one will say anything—just relax a bit, okay?”

Ye Qingfeng added casually, winking, then followed up with another line.

“Consider it a guest’s request.”

“I... I understand.”

Kelin spoke, but still looked timid and hesitant.

Ye Qingfeng sighed—he’d have to be forceful; she still looked much the same as before, but at least she wasn’t completely closed off anymore.

“As a guest, I’ve been working hard for so long—I’m tired. Mind if I lean on your shoulder?”

The moment Ye Qingfeng finished speaking, Ai Lian, standing nearby, snapped open her eyes, her eyelids twitching uncontrollably.

Had she heard that right?

Then she reconsidered—given Ye Qingfeng’s shamelessness, saying something like that wasn’t surprising at all.

“Not at all—go ahead!”

Kelin lifted her shoulder, closed her eyes tightly, and waited for Ye Qingfeng’s head to rest against it.

Her entire reaction stemmed purely from not knowing Ye Qingfeng well—there was no hostility toward him at all.

Kelin always acted this way around anyone she didn’t know well.

Truth be told, she actually liked Ye Qingfeng quite a bit—but her personality prevented her from showing it.

To Kelin, there were only familiar people and strangers.

Ye Qingfeng was merely slightly closer than others.

Seeing Kelin’s reaction, Ye Qingfeng’s heart instantly melted.

Her youthful face was tense, her nose trembling slightly, her body rigid, her hands instinctively clutching the hem of her skirt.

She radiated pure cuteness—like a kitten cornered and trembling, making him want to tease her just a little.

Or maybe it stirred his protective instincts?

Ye Qingfeng wrapped his arm around Kelin’s shoulder, clearly feeling her shiver—but he didn’t stop.

With a gentle tug of his wrist, he pulled her head straight against his shoulder.

Immediately, a familiar scent filled his senses—milk and matcha intertwined.

Perhaps because Kelin had been exercising, the aroma was unusually strong.

So intoxicating!!!

“Eh? Ehh! That... that Qingfeng guy...”

Kelin cried out in panic: “Did you get it wrong?! You’re not supposed to lean on Kelin!”

“Aww~ Just rest your head, Kelin, it’s fine.”

As he spoke, Ye Qingfeng tightened his grip, giving Kelin no chance to escape.

“You don’t want me to tell Uncle Wolf about your earlier rudeness, do you?!”

Ye Qingfeng grinned like a villain.

“Wah! Okay, please don’t tell Mr. Leikarn! Kelin won’t move at all!”

This scene was identical to the one at the video rental shop.

It proved Kelin really did respond to this tactic.

Kelin clearly wasn’t used to it yet, but over time, her body gradually relaxed.

Of course, “relaxed” was relative—she couldn’t be as loose as Ai Lian, but at least she wasn’t so stiff that sitting became exhausting.

Suddenly, she remembered something and turned to ask: “Does ‘Uncle Wolf’ mean Mr. Leikarn?”

“Mmmh!” Ye Qingfeng smirked proudly. “Isn’t that the perfect term? It fits Leikarn’s image perfectly.”

“But giving people nicknames is impolite...”

Kelin whispered a gentle reminder.

Ye Qingfeng tilted his head in surprise, blinked rapidly several times, then realized she was serious—his expression turned between amused and exasperated.

He knew nicknames were impolite—he’d never said “Uncle Wolf” to Leikarn’s face. “Uncle Wolf” wasn’t really a nickname; it was more like a code name, a deeper form of address.

Maybe Leikarn actually liked this term?

After all, it was so fitting, so vivid!

“Don’t you think ‘Uncle Wolf’ is perfect? And ‘Big Wolf’ sounds even worse!”

Ye Qingfeng began earnestly making up nonsense again.

“Huh... maybe you’re right...”

Kelin nodded, dazed and innocent.

“When you meet Mr. Leikarn later, want to try calling him that?”

Ye Qingfeng suggested, like an accomplice inciting a minor to commit a crime.

“N-No! Kelin can’t do it!”

Kelin immediately retreated into her shell, staring at the floor in silence.

No matter what he said, she pretended not to hear.

Ye Qingfeng instantly lost interest and fell quiet, staring blankly at the ceiling.

As time passed...

Kelin leaned against Ye Qingfeng’s shoulder, her breathing growing steady; he savored the softness—and reluctantly enjoyed the scent.

The atmosphere was utterly harmonious.

Ai Lian, meanwhile, acted like a guard, leaning against the wall near the entrance, holding her breath, constantly monitoring the outside.

This calm didn’t last long—when a light, rapid footstep sounded, Ai Lian snapped her eyes open and peered outside.

Ye Qingfeng recognized the sound instantly; after a brief memory search, he confirmed it was Ies.

He’d gone on dozens, if not hundreds, of missions with this Bambu—its footsteps were uniquely fast and tiny.

Ye Qingfeng turned his head, saw Kelin sleeping peacefully on his shoulder, and abandoned the idea of warning Ai Lian.

Besides, she wasn’t impulsive—if she recognized Ies, she wouldn’t make any unnecessary moves; she’d stay leaning against the wall.

As for the scissors he’d thrown at Mao You earlier, he assumed it was Leikarn’s order—Ai Lian was a classic energy-conservation type; she wouldn’t act without reason.

Of course, this was only his guess—he had no confirmation, and he had no intention of asking later. The matter was closed.

As Ye Qingfeng expected, Ai Lian saw Ies running in, noticed its frantic pace, and initially thought something was chasing it—she scanned the surroundings warily.

Once she confirmed no anomalies nearby, she lowered her gaze and returned to leaning against the wall.

Her movements were crisp, efficient—as if losing even a second of rest would have serious consequences.

The footsteps drew nearer. Ye Qingfeng calmly turned his gaze as Ies dashed through the door, its tiny steps quick and light, circling once at the entrance.

The moment it saw Ye Qingfeng, its yellow ring-shaped eyes glowed brighter, and it sprinted to his feet.

“Shh!” Ye Qingfeng raised a finger. “Fuel’s already set—half of it was Kelin’s effort. Let her rest a bit longer.”

“There! The generator’s over there. You handle the rest—go on, hurry.”

Ye Qingfeng pointed toward the generator and gently nudged Ies’s head.

“O—K!”

Gao Chao whispered.

Ies slowed its pace, approached the generator, and began operating it.

Ye Qingfeng estimated this wouldn’t take long—he might as well wake Kelin now, give her a moment to prepare; it was better than startling her awake suddenly.

“Kelin~ Little Kelin~ Wake up.”

Ye Qingfeng lifted his arm, pressed his palm gently against Kelin’s fluffy hair, and stroked it softly.