Chapter 255: Baby Ling Regains Her Vitality

The room was silent, both parties wordless; Ye Ye Qingfeng scooped spoonful after spoonful of steamed egg custard while Ling's lips moved constantly.

Like robots programmed with set routines, commonly known as a two-person machine.

Until the final spoonful entered Ling's mouth, Ye Ye Qingfeng set down the bowl and naturally asked, "Finished eating? Thirsty?"

"Done, not thirsty," Ling replied, shaking her head.

"Rest well; I'll wash the meal box."

Ye Ye Qingfeng nodded in understanding, picked up the meal box, and stood up.

After waiting a few seconds without hearing a response from Ling, he turned to leave, but before his foot could take even a single step, a sudden pull came from behind.

"What's wrong?"

Ye Ye Qingfeng turned around in confusion.

Just moments ago, he had specifically waited, confirming she had no other requests before rising to depart.

During this time living at the video store, life was truly relaxed; aside from the occasional Hollow-related commission, the only real work was minding the shop.

No need to be responsible for every meal, and with freely disposable time, life was vastly better than the days spent at Cunning Hares.

Who wouldn't like such a leisurely and carefree life?

Zhe and Ling often expressed how desperately they craved his cooking, repeatedly begging him to make another meal, only for him to refuse every time citing the lack of a kitchen.

Considering Baby Ling's weak constitution and urgent need for nutritional supplementation, tonight he would reluctantly show off his culinary skills.

When packing the noodles, he had asked the shop owner if he could borrow the kitchen, and the owner readily agreed; Ye Ye Qingfeng planned to head out now to buy groceries, and by the time he returned and finished cooking, Zhe should be back as well.

The three of them could take this opportunity to enjoy a proper meal together.

Ye Ye Qingfeng temporarily set aside other matters, focusing his attention entirely on Baby Ling.

Her small hands tightly clutched the hem of his clothes, her large, watery eyes staring straight at him without speaking, like a little kitten mewling for food.

Her eyes were full of longing for him, as if saying: Please, will you keep me company?

Ye Ye Qingfeng's brows furrowed slightly; a feeling of blame arose spontaneously, directed not at the delicate and pitiful Baby Ling, but at himself for failing to notice for so long.

Tsk! Ye Qingfeng, oh Ye Qingfeng!

How could you fail to notice that Baby Ling needed care? She needs your companionship right now; you're truly damn useless!

"Baby Ling~ I'm sorry, I didn't even notice."

Ye Ye Qingfeng hastily bent down, slipped his arms under hers to support her back, gently pulled her into his embrace, and rested his chin on her crown, rubbing lightly.

"Can you forgive me?"

His tone was as gentle as a calm sea surface, bringing infinite tolerance.

"Then tell me, what did you do wrong?"

Ling wrapped her arms around Ye Ye Qingfeng's waist, lifted her head, and puckered her lips so high that the beautiful arc could practically hang an oil bottle from them.

Originally she didn't feel anything was wrong; she wasn't some delicate Miss, but the moment Ye Ye Qingfeng, who was actually in the right, softened his stance, she instantly felt extremely aggrieved!

Sigh~ perhaps this is the unique fearlessness possessed only by children who are doted upon.

"What? Now you're questioning me?"

Ye Ye Qingfeng retorted, feigning anger.

"Boohoo~ Little Feng is being fierce to me!"

How could Ling not see he was pretending; she lowered her head, buried her face in his chest, and immediately produced a fake, tearful whimper.

He at least made some effort to pretend, while Baby Ling couldn't even be bothered to pretend properly.

Ye Ye Qingfeng felt somewhat gratified; at least she had regained her vitality, unlike before when she resembled a wilted vegetable leaf.

"Alright, wipe those tears and stop pretending."

"Ow! Don't flick my head."

Ling covered her forehead with both hands, pouting her mouth, looking extremely aggrieved.

"Still pretending?" Ye Ye Qingfeng pinched her cheeks, dragging them outward, his forcefulness mixed with laughter, "Hurry up and give your master a smile!"

Ling raised her eyes and offered a sweet smile, like a flower blooming in spring, filling the air with a fresh, sweet scent.

"This look is much more pleasing to the eye."

"Since this humble lady has satisfied Young Master Feng's request, shouldn't there be some kind of reward?"

"You pick the dishes, and I'll personally cook a dinner, how about that?"

"Really?"

Ling's eyes sparkled with light.

Ever since that day she went to Cunning Hares with her brother and tasted the meal personally prepared by Ye Ye Qingfeng, the perfect texture and flavor had remained unforgettable to this day!

Ling recalled the delicacies of that day, her throat involuntarily bobbing twice, a trace of crystal-clear drool seeping from the corner of her mouth, shimmering with fragmented light under the lamp.

Hehe~ Big pork knuckle, braised pork!

"I'm going to buy groceries now; want to come together?"

Ye Ye Qingfeng smiled with understanding.

Oh my~ whose little glutton is this? So cute it's bubbling over.

"I want to go, I want to go!"

Ling zipped out of the blanket with a "whoosh," raising her arms high as she shouted.

"What's this? Your body doesn't feel uncomfortable anymore?"

Ye Ye Qingfeng asked with a teasing smile.

"Uncomfortable? In front of delicious food, it means nothing!"

Ling slipped her pale feet into slippers and dashed out of the room at high speed; where was any sign of sickness? Just as her figure disappeared from the doorframe, she suddenly popped her head back out.

"No sneaking off! I'll wash up and change clothes, then we can leave; ten minutes!"

Those cute little eyes shot straight at him, her words rushing out urgently as if afraid Ye Ye Qingfeng might sneak away, staring intently at him while awaiting his reply.

"Alright, alright~ Go quickly, no rush."

Ye Ye Qingfeng waved his hand.

"Heehee! Ye Qingfeng is the best."

Before her voice had even faded, her figure vanished in an instant, the light and rapid rhythm of her footsteps gradually receding into the distance.

Sigh, how old is Ling now? Why does she still act like a little girl!

Perhaps that is precisely where her charm lies; isn't "bursting with vitality" a phrase used to describe children?

It's quite nice; unlike Senior Qing Yi, who sports a baby face yet lives every day like an old man or woman. Sigh—does that count as a spiritual version of a small horse carriage...

Ye Ye Qingfeng shook his head, his peripheral vision sweeping across the entire room: messy sheets and bedding, clothes scattered haphazardly, and watched videotapes piled up in front of the television.

It was chaotic, yet brimming with the breath of life.

He lowered the arm he had just raised, leaned back lazily on the sofa, and pulled out his phone to kill time.

Clean up? Is it really necessary?

Even if I clean today, the room will surely be a mess again within two days; might as well lie down and play on my phone for a while. Slacking off feels good for a moment, but slacking off forever feels good forever.

In the past, I endured hard days for so long that I haven't yet adapted to days of enjoyment.

People used to say enduring hardship is a blessing, but in his view, forcing oneself to suffer when there's no need is pure stupidity!

As long as there's enough money and a woman by my side, I must ask: is suffering truly unavoidable?

Ever since that incident at the Ballet Tower, when Lena revealed her heart and openly confessed her feelings for him before everyone, she has been much more proactive toward him afterward.

In her words, given current standards, there are almost no men of this age who meet her criteria for a spouse.

She doesn't demand too much regarding the other party's looks or savings, nor does she have fixed requirements for personality.

The most crucial condition is being able to stomach her cooking; Ye Ye Qingfeng believed this alone would eliminate the vast majority of people.

Coincidentally, he met all the requirements, and since Lena was at an age of ravenous desire, her direct approach carried just a hint of subtlety.

Most of her messages were invitations for him to visit her home.

If it were anyone else, Ye Ye Qingfeng might have overthought it, wondering if some romantic encounter awaited, but since it was Lena, in the past...

(Compared to the beginning when I started writing this long ago, have I improved? Regarding the plot, writing style, and other aspects, where else do I need to make improvements?)