Chapter 254: Lingbao

“Feed you?”

“Not hungry.”

Ling pouted, speaking weakly, like an eggplant struck by frost.

Lying flat was uncomfortable, curling up was uncomfortable—no matter what she did, nothing felt right...

“You still need to eat something, just a little.” Ye Qingfeng’s eyes flickered with tenderness; his voice softened with affection as he picked up two or three noodles and held them to Ling’s lips.

“Ah—”

Ling obediently opened her mouth, sucked the noodles in, chewed slowly. Ye Qingfeng waited patiently, and once he was sure she’d swallowed, he picked up another bite.

He fed her half the bowl of noodles this way, then refused to open her mouth again—even if he pried her lips open with chopsticks, her clenched teeth blocked him out.

“Ugh... I don’t want to eat anymore!”

Ling curled up like a cat beneath the covers, whimpering pitifully.

Ye Qingfeng set down the bowl and chopsticks. “Then don’t eat. Rest well.”

Her usual portion was exactly one bowl of noodles; eating half when she had no appetite was already impressive. She genuinely had no appetite—not like a three-year-old who skips meals after snacking.

“Really? Then I want snacks!”

Ling poked her head out, gazing at Ye Qingfeng with pleading eyes that seemed to sparkle like tiny stars.

“No!” Ye Qingfeng didn’t even hesitate—he refused firmly.

“Mmm~ Qingfeng! You’re the best~”

Ling had expected this and deployed her petulance tactic—based on past experience, Ye Qingfeng would inevitably give in within three seconds.

“No!” Ye Qingfeng spoke with finality.

She froze, slightly wounded—her usual trick had no effect at all this time?

Waaah! He must not love her anymore—abandoning her right after playing with her!!

Weak from illness and some other reason, Ling’s emotions were hypersensitive now. Without another word, she dove back under the covers and muttered discontentedly:

“Hmph! Fine, I won’t eat! I’m sleepy—I’m going to sleep!”

Ye Qingfeng said nothing more, carefully tucking the blankets around her, then picked up the takeout trash and slipped quietly out of the room.

About fifteen seconds passed—until his footsteps faded completely—Ling suddenly burst out from under the covers, staring at the half-open door, pouting unhappily.

Heartless turnip! Straight man! I hate Qingfeng!!!

Her gaze drifted to the neatly tucked blanket corner; her puffed cheeks deflated. She stared up at the ceiling, eyes filled with confusion.

After fully consuming Ye Qingfeng, she’d lost her purpose. Without thinking ahead, all she wanted right now was for him to stay beside her—do nothing, just be there... with her.

His actions just now were perfectly reasonable—he brought food, fed her, she’d said she wanted to rest, and before leaving, he worried she’d catch a chill.

In the past, it was always like this. But now, for some reason, she only wanted to cling to him constantly.

Neither of them could sleep, nothing else mattered—unless she called him to come over and stay with her.

She picked up her phone, then put it down again. She wasn’t some teenage girl—though she often acted childish, deep down she was strong and independent.

Ling stared blankly at the ceiling, sighed deeply, and whispered: “It’s so painful...”

In the afternoon, when the sun blazed brightly, Ye Qingfeng left his wife inside, stepped out of the video store, vanished somewhere, then returned twenty minutes later.

He didn’t even have time to drink water—rushed straight to Ling’s room, pushed the door open cautiously, confirmed she wasn’t asleep before fully opening it.

Only when he drew near did he notice she was staring blankly at the ceiling—he’d reached the bedside and she still hadn’t noticed, lost in thought so deeply.

“Lingbao, I’m back.”

Ye Qingfeng waved his hand in front of Ling’s face, calling softly.

“Ah... it’s Qingfeng...” Ling snapped back to awareness, then gave a small huff. “Hmph! Why are you even back?”

After all, it was Ye Qingfeng’s refusal of snacks that indirectly triggered all this overthinking—she was truly, truly angry!! ╰（‵□′）╯

Ye Qingfeng blinked innocently, thinking carefully—could it be he hadn’t explained himself before leaving, causing her to sulk?

The possibility seemed high!

Girls were a mysterious breed—one moment smiling brightly, the next suddenly scowling, with reasons that made no sense, yet somehow sounded perfectly logical when spoken aloud.

Ye Qingfeng opened the food box, lifted up the steaming egg custard, and explained gently:

“I noticed your face is pale. It’s been over ten hours since you last ate. Half a bowl of noodles won’t do. I went out to buy you egg custard—please eat some?”

Afraid she’d throw a tantrum, his tone was tender and soft, as if treating her like a baby, worry rising in his eyes.

The egg custard glistened, its surface shimmering with a thin layer of oil, visible fine bits of meat, fragrant and inviting—no messy seasonings, just a few green scallion flakes as garnish.

Instantly cured Ling’s lack of appetite. Her hunger surged, and she involuntarily swallowed a mouthful of saliva.

So tender—the egg custard would be delicious mixed with rice!

A droplet fell from the edge of the bowl. Ling looked up, puzzled.

Ye Qingfeng’s cheeks were faintly flushed, beads of sweat glistened on his forehead, his breathing slightly labored.

His hair clung damply to his cheeks—his usual neat, crisp appearance vanished, replaced by dishevelment.

Ling’s heart swelled with deep guilt, like a stone dropped into a still lake, sending ripples outward. Her mouth opened slightly, frozen in place.

“What’s wrong? Still no appetite?”

Ye Qingfeng frowned in confusion.

Ling’s current state urgently needed nutrition—snacks were out of the question. After much thought, egg custard was still the best choice.

Even this doesn’t appeal... frustrating...

“No... it looks really delicious!” Ling’s mind was in chaos, her voice trembling slightly, tinged with tears. “Can you feed me?”

“Are you still in pain?”

Ye Qingfeng asked urgently, worried.

He automatically assumed her voice trembled from pain—his heart filled with anxiety and gloom.

“No...” Ling shook her head calmly, forcing a weak smile. “I want the egg custard. Feed me!”

Ye Qingfeng wanted to say more, but the words stuck in his throat, silent.

Ling was usually lively and adorable—he’d never seen her this vulnerable before, never before stepped into her inner world.

Though he didn’t understand why, he could see how incredibly strong Lingbao truly was.

He paused, then replied: “Alright.”

He took the matching spoon, scooped up a bit of custard, blew on it to cool it, then brought it to her lips. She opened her mouth and “slurped” it in.

The custard was soft and smooth, sliding effortlessly down her throat—mild in flavor, perfectly warm, with no standout qualities.

A simple, ordinary dish—but Ling felt unparalleled happiness.

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Hungry~~ Food~~ (｀Δ′)!