Chapter 253

(These past few days have been busy with exams; I posted early yesterday but it didn’t pass review, and by the time it was ready, I couldn’t post anymore—this morning it auto-posted.)

Ling frowned, rolled over to her side, turning her back to Ye Qingfeng—whether it was because she found him too noisy or just coincidence, no one knew.

With a large movement, her nightdress rode up to her waist, exposing her rounded buttocks; she remained oblivious, scratching her pale flesh until the itch faded and her frown slowly relaxed.

She pressed her lips together, making a soft “smack-smack” sound, then smiled contentedly.

Ye Qingfeng slightly opened his mouth, momentarily at a loss for words—it was just an itch? He’d thought something serious had happened...

He turned and left, pulling open the door. Zhe walked past the threshold, about to greet him, when Ling’s voice sounded again from behind.

“Qing... Qingfeng is too big!...... Puke!”

Ye Qingfeng’s body stiffened, slowly turning around like a rusty robot.

“Sss! So painful! Waaah...”

“......”

“Ahahaha~ So good...”

Ye Qingfeng felt the gaze from behind—icy cold, brimming with murderous intent—and forced out a face uglier than crying.

“Zhe-ge, I swear I didn’t do anything—do you believe me?”

“What do you think?” Zhe smirked without amusement, grabbing the collar of Ye Qingfeng’s shirt. “Explain later—come with me now.”

“Where to?” Ye Qingfeng asked, trembling.

“You haven’t eaten breakfast, right? Come with me for some ramen.”

“Actually, I already ate...”

Ye Qingfeng thought he might still be able to salvage this.

“I don’t care what you think—I care what I think!” Zhe said firmly. “Come eat breakfast with me now! Any problem?!”

“No...”

Ye Qingfeng was dragged away by Zhe, Ling’s room growing ever more distant.

Ling-bao, my whole life has been walking on thin ice—do you think I’ll make it back alive?

Sixth Street, Janus District, noontime ramen shop.

Two new customers sat side by side; one wore a stern expression the whole time, the other sat hunched, motionless, like a guilty child pretending to be dead in hopes of escaping blame.

The ramen shop owner knew Ye Qingfeng and Zhe well—normally he’d chat a bit—but sensing the strange atmosphere, he chose to stay silent and just watch.

Soon, two bowls of ramen were placed on the table. Zhe picked up his chopsticks first, scooping up a huge bite, letting out a loud “slurp-slurp.”

Ye Qingfeng was already starving. Seeing Zhe eat so enthusiastically, he couldn’t hold back—he grabbed his chopsticks, lifted a strand of noodles—when a sharp sound rang out beside him.

“Qingfeng.”

Zhe set down his chopsticks and slammed them hard onto the table.

He had no choice but to put his own down, swallowed hard, and asked cautiously, “What’s wrong?”

“Are you and Ling together?” Zhe took a deep breath and asked in a low voice.

The steam from the ramen drifted constantly before Ye Qingfeng’s nose; he forced down the relentless hunger and focused on answering Zhe’s question.

Hungry! So hungry!

“We’ve been together for a long time.”

“Are you pretending to be clueless? You know what I mean—I’m not asking about that.” Zhe paused, then added, emphasizing the last two words, “Last night!”

Ye Qingfeng fell silent for a moment, then replied, “Yes.”

Upon hearing this answer, Zhe didn’t fly into a rage as Ye Qingfeng had expected—he was unnervingly calm.

“We’re both guys. You know what I’m supposed to say.”

“Mm, I’ll take good care of her.”

“Eat your noodles,” Zhe said, picking up a strand—then suddenly froze. “After you finish, take her a bowl back. I’m going out for a bit—I’ll be back tonight.”

With that, Zhe lifted his bowl and slurped the ramen loudly.

“Understood.”

Ye Qingfeng quietly slurped his noodles. He’d barely eaten a few bites when Zhe finished his entire bowl in three or four mouthfuls, set down his chopsticks, paid, and turned to leave.

He didn’t say another word. Didn’t even glance at Ye Qingfeng.

Ye Qingfeng watched Zhe’s retreating figure, understanding that he wasn’t as calm as he appeared. He lowered his eyes, staring blankly at the broth.

Most people have experienced this: when you upset a friend or see them angry, if they still have the energy to yell, it means they’re not truly furious—apologize, and it’s over.

But if they fall silent, turn away without a word, there’s no doubt—they’re furious. At that point, chasing after them won’t help; most times, you can only stay put.

If things go well, they’ll cool off in a couple of days—Zhe was exactly like that.

Ye Qingfeng and Ling were together. She was old enough—there was no reason to stop them. This was only natural.

Even if you went to extremes, Zhe wasn’t losing out!

He never had many friends to begin with, and even fewer he could truly get along with—Ye Qingfeng was one.

When Zhe found an interesting video tape, he wouldn’t be stuck watching alone in boredom—at least he’d have someone to bang.

Now that Ye Qingfeng was with Ling, he was practically family—adding another guaranteed body for future missions.

Besides, they were clearly mutual in affection—what reason did Zhe have to object?

Of course he was unhappy inside—after all, he’d raised this cabbage for years, and suddenly a pig had rooted it up—who wouldn’t be upset?

In the end, Zhe just couldn’t adjust yet.

The clearest proof? His favorability hasn’t dropped. It’s less anger, more frustration.

Ye Qingfeng slowly finished his ramen. Before leaving, he ordered a mild-flavored bowl, packed it up, and took it back to the video store.

He headed straight for Ling’s room. As he climbed the stairs and neared, he noticed the light on under her door—hurried his pace.

Ye Qingfeng saw Ling’s figure leaning against the headboard, curled up tightly, pale-faced, holding her phone in one hand, staring at something and giggling foolishly.

All his worrying was for nothing...

“Ling-bao, awake? I brought you noodles.” Ye Qingfeng walked into the room with the takeout.

Ling snuck under the covers like a thief, shoved her phone under the pillow, looked at Ye Qingfeng with a pained expression, her big, tearful eyes blinking pitifully.

“Qingfeng, I feel awful~”

“You were just laughing like an idiot—didn’t look awful at all.” Ye Qingfeng bluntly shattered her lie, walked to the bed, and handed her the noodles. “Hungry? Eat first.”

“But I really feel awful.”

Ling was clearly dissatisfied with his response. She puffed out her cheeks, turned her head away, her whole face screaming: “I’m upset—come comfort me!”

It had been barely ten minutes since she woke up. The moment her eyes opened, her whole body ached as if she’d been beaten up in the night—especially her abdomen... so painful...

So painful she couldn’t move. She’d just started to feel a little better, decided to watch funny videos to distract herself—when Ye Qingfeng walked in.