Chapter 255: Rejuvenated Lingbao

The room was silent, both sides unmoving; Ye Qingfeng scooped up spoonfuls of egg custard as Ling’s lips kept opening and closing.

Like a robot programmed with fixed routines—commonly called the “two-machine duo.”

Only after the last spoonful was fed into Ling’s mouth did Ye Qingfeng set down the bowl and ask, “Finished? Thirsty?”

“Done, not thirsty,” Ling replied, shaking her head.

“Rest well. I’ll wash the container.”

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

Waiting a few seconds without a response, he turned to leave—his foot hadn’t even stepped forward when a sudden tug came from behind.

“What’s wrong?”

Ye Qingfeng turned around in confusion.

He’d deliberately waited a moment to confirm she had no other needs before rising to leave.

Living at the video store had been genuinely easy; apart from the occasional hollow request, the only real duty was watching the shop.

He didn’t need to handle meals personally, and his free time had increased exponentially compared to his days with the Jiaotu .

Who wouldn’t love such a leisurely life?

Zhe and Ling often confessed they were obsessed with his cooking, repeatedly begging him to make another meal—all of which he refused, citing the lack of a kitchen.

Considering Lingbao’s frail health and urgent need for nourishment, he’d reluctantly decide to show off his cooking tonight.

When packing the ramen, he’d asked the shop owner if he could borrow the kitchen; the owner gladly agreed. Now Ye Qingfeng planned to go buy groceries, cook the meal, and by the time he returned, Zhe would likely be back.

The three of them could finally enjoy a proper meal together.

Ye Qingfeng set aside all other matters, focusing entirely on Lingbao.

Her small hand gripped his sleeve tightly, her large, luminous eyes fixed on him without a word—like a tiny, hungry kitten begging for milk.

Her gaze brimmed with longing for him, as if pleading: Please, stay with me, okay~?

Ye Qingfeng frowned slightly, a wave of self-reproach rising—not toward the fragile, pitiful Lingbao, but toward himself for failing to notice this for so long.

Tsk! Qingfeng, Qingfeng!

How could you miss that Lingbao needed your attention? She’s right here, needing you—and you’re such a fool!

“Lingbao~ I’m sorry. I didn’t notice.”

Ye Qingfeng hurriedly bent down, slid his arms under her back, drew her gently into his arms, and rested his chin against the crown of her head, rubbing lightly.

“Can you forgive me?”

His tone was as gentle as a calm sea, radiating boundless tolerance.

“Then tell me, what did you do wrong?”

Ling wrapped her arms around Ye Qingfeng’s waist, tilted her head up, pouted her lips high—so perfectly curved they could hang a bottle of oil.

She hadn’t thought much of it before; she wasn’t some delicate little girl. But now that Ye Qingfeng had softened, she suddenly felt terribly wronged!

Hmm~ perhaps this was the unique, unshakable confidence only a loved child could have.

“What? You’re questioning me now?”

Ye Qingfeng feigned annoyance in retort.

“Waaah~ Xiao Fengzi is being mean to me!”

Ling knew perfectly well he was pretending; she buried her face in his chest and launched into a fake, sobbing whine.

He still pretended a little—Lingbao didn’t even bother pretending anymore.

Ye Qingfeng felt a quiet relief; at least she’d regained her vitality, no longer limp and wilted like a drooping leaf.

“Alright, stop crying. Stop pretending.”

“Mmm! Don’t tap my head!”

Ling covered her forehead with both hands, pouting, utterly wounded.

“Still pretending?” Ye Qingfeng pinched her cheeks, pulling them sideways—firm yet smiling, “Smile for little master now!”

Ling lifted her gaze and smiled sweetly, like a flower blooming in spring, filling the air with a delicate sweetness.

“This is how I like to see you.”

“Now that the little lady has fulfilled Master Feng’s request, shouldn’t she receive a reward?”

“You pick the dish—I’ll cook you dinner myself.”

“Really?”

Ling’s eyes sparkled.

Since her last visit to the Jiaotu with her brother, tasting Ye Qingfeng’s home-cooked meals, the perfect texture and flavor had never left her memory!

Ling savored the memory of that meal, her throat involuntarily swallowing twice, a glistening strand of saliva seeping from the corner of her lips, glinting in the light.

Hehe~ pork knuckle, braised pork belly!

“I’m going to buy groceries now. Come with me?”

Ye Qingfeng smiled knowingly.

Oh my, whose little greedy munchkin is this? So adorable she’s practically bubbling.

“I’m coming! I’m coming!”

Ling shot out of bed with a *whoosh*, raising her arms and shouting.

“What? Feeling better already?”

Ye Qingfeng smirked.

“Feeling bad? Nothing matters in front of food!”

Ling slipped her pale feet into slippers and dashed out the door—no trace of illness remained. The moment her figure vanished past the doorway, her head popped back in.

“Don’t sneak off! I’ll wash up and change clothes—ten minutes!”

Her adorable gaze locked onto him, voice urgent, terrified he’d slip away, waiting for his reply.

“Alright, alright~ go ahead, no rush.”

Ye Qingfeng waved his hand.

“Hehe! Qingfeng’s the best!”

Before her words faded, she vanished—her light, swift footsteps receding quickly.

Hey, Ling’s grown up—why’s she still acting like a little girl?

Perhaps that’s exactly her charm; vitality is what you use to describe children.

It’s fine. Unlike Qingyi, who wears a child’s face but acts like an old man or woman all day—hey, is this some kind of spiritual Xiao Malah...?

Ye Qingfeng shook his head, his gaze sweeping the room: messy sheets and blankets, clothes scattered everywhere, finished video tapes piled before the TV.

Chaotic, yet full of life.

He lowered his raised arm, leaned back on the sofa, exuding laziness, and pulled out his phone to pass the time.

Clean the room? Necessary?

If he cleaned today, the room would be messy again in two days—better to lie down and play with his phone. Laziness feels good now, and endless laziness feels endlessly good.

He’d lived too long in hardship; comfort now felt unfamiliar.

He used to say hardship was a blessing—but in his view, forcing yourself to suffer when there’s no need was idiotic.

If money’s enough and a woman’s by his side, why must he suffer?

Since Lina revealed her feelings in the Bala Building, publicly confessing her emotions, she’d become noticeably more proactive on Qiaokao.

In her words, with her current perspective, at her age, there were almost no men who met her standards.

She didn’t demand high looks or savings—no fixed personality requirements.

The most crucial point: he’d eaten her cooking. Ye Qingfeng believed that alone would eliminate most men.

He happened to meet all her criteria, and Lina was at an age of fierce desire—direct yet slightly subtle.

Most of her messages were invitations to visit.

For someone else, Ye Qingfeng might have wondered if this was a romantic encounter—but for Lina, in the past...

(Compared to the beginning, has there been progress in plot or writing? Where else needs improvement?)