Chapter 268

Afterward, Ye Qingfeng effortlessly intercepted the Wraith of Infamy, Renn successfully severed the airship’s controls, and Ling gained the friendship of Victoria Housekeeping.

+1 Friendship with the Cunning Rabbit House

+1 Friendship with Renn

Ailen was granted paid leave and spent the entire day lazily slacking off.

Lina received the seed of love, which took root in her heart, and she believed that soon she would launch an offensive toward Ye Qingfeng.

Kelin... she... she...

Indeed, no tangible gains—just like paid leave.

Only Leikain worked himself to exhaustion and gained nothing.

From the moment they entered the Hollow, he faithfully protected Ies’s safety, then struggled up the airship, barely managed to stop it, and helped extract the people.

Just as everything ended and he was about to catch his breath, Ye Qingfeng stepped into his view, reminding him of the mayor’s mission.

His body shattered, and his heart shattered even more.

Only Leikain achieved the “Time Suffered” milestone!

Good news—Mission to Save the Cunning Rabbit House completed; all members survived with no reward.

Bad news—Perman escaped.

In the past, Ling had few agents to choose from; aside from those she already knew, the only recent options were Bai Zhi Heavy Industry and the Cunning Rabbit House.

The former excelled in construction, while the latter’s unreliability was deeply ingrained.

Thus, the dependable Ye Qingfeng became the top choice—obedient, unobtrusive, and with formidable combat power—allowing him to rise to the position.

Now there was a new option—Victoria Housekeeping.

Kelin, the preferred agent for low-tier tasks.

High-tier tasks

This was not Ling’s or Zhe’s idea—it was Ye Qingfeng’s own decision. Using his vacation as an excuse, he decisively moved out of the video store and went to join Zhu Yuan.

Ling wept bitterly, hugging Ye Qingfeng’s leg: “Qingfeng—how will I live without you?!”

Ye Qingfeng saw through Ling’s scheme at a glance.

“How much?”

“Tens of thousands is not too much, a few thousand is not too little—heehee!”

After the Renn recovery incident, the video store was closed, electricity bills tripled, and Ding Ni earned not a single coin.

The already impoverished household suffered further.

The only good news was that Ye Qingfeng refused to take the task fee.

Ye Qingfeng casually tossed a stack of Ding Ni—estimated at over fifty thousand—patted Ling’s round head, and dragged his suitcase away.

As he opened the door, before stepping out, music blared suddenly: “Come Home Often ~ Come Home ~”

Did I knock over the speaker? ????ДO???

He took the subway, followed Zhu Yuan’s address, and arrived at her door precisely at noon. Nervous and guilty, he pulled out a wire, glanced around to confirm no one was nearby, and opened the door effortlessly.

He had originally agreed to pick her up after work, then return to her place to rest before going out to eat.

Ye Qingfeng planned to surprise Zhu Yuan—he would buy groceries and cook, so she could eat immediately upon returning.

He changed into the slippers from his space backpack, pushed the suitcase into the living room, sat on the sofa scrolling through his phone, and waited until the right time to go buy groceries.

Of course, he didn’t forget to send Zhu Yuan a message.

Ye Qingfeng: [Yuanbao~ I might not be able to pick you up tonight. I’ll be late. If you’re hungry, eat first.]

[Got it, I’ll wait for you.]

Zhu Yuan replied amid her busy schedule, too occupied even to read Ye Qingfeng’s message, and continued working—until she lost track of time. Just before quitting, Qingyi reminded her.

She then remembered Ye Qingfeng was coming today.

As for how Qingyi knew... don’t ask...

“Senior Qingyi, Qingfeng is moving in today, so please take over the rest of my work.”

Zhu Yuan neatly packed her things, not looking up, her tone tinged with apology.

She loved helping others but hated burdening anyone—even Qingyi, someone close to her.

“Don’t worry, go ahead—I’ll handle the work!”

Worried Zhu Yuan would list more tasks, Qingyi immediately pushed her out the office door, assured her everything was fine, then slammed the door shut.

Zhu Yuan’s lips parted slightly, ready to say more, but the door slammed shut right before her nose. After hesitation, she turned away.

The security officers she passed stared in astonishment, watching her leave the bureau. Once she vanished from their sight, they exchanged glances.

What happened? Senior Zhu Yuan left work early?!

It was as unbelievable as encountering rebel raiders in the Hollow, only to be rescued by a benevolent Wraith and escorted out.

Absurd!

Meanwhile, in the office, Qingyi sighed deeply at the mountain of paperwork.

That brat Qingfeng owes me another favor.

She gathered her energy to finish early and enjoy a quiet night, flipping through the documents—then noticed something odd.

How were all these completed? What work was left unmentioned?

Surely she wouldn’t ask me to deliver files?

Confused, Qingyi called Zhu Yuan.

Zhu Yuan hurried home, quickening her pace. As she reached the subway entrance, her phone rang—she felt a bad premonition.

Could it be overtime? Don’t imagine the worst—maybe it’s Qingfeng calling!

She pulled out her phone and looked—her worries eased considerably.

Senior Qingyi?

“Hello—Senior Qingyi, what’s up?”

“Uh... weren’t all the files on the desk already done?”

“Yes!”

“I mean, do I still have work to do?”

“When have you ever done work?”

“Never mind, I’m hanging up.”

Qingyi hung up decisively.

“Thanks for the trouble” ≠ actual trouble—sometimes it’s just politeness.

Zhu Yuan boarded the subway, sat down, and noticed an elderly woman without a seat. She immediately stood and helped her sit, then finally checked Ye Qingfeng’s message.

Eagerly opening the chat, she found nothing but work group messages—no personal reply.

She tapped out a message to him.

[Qingfeng, I’m off work. When will you come?]

[Can we eat nearby tonight?]

[I’ll treat you to a big meal after work tomorrow, and Saturday I’ll go shopping with you for essentials.]

[Are you there? Are you there.jpg]

She sent several messages in a row—no reply. After waiting, her mood sank, but she quickly rallied.

Qingfeng must still be busy—maybe he’s on his way and can’t check his phone. Maybe he’ll see it soon!

By the time she got off the subway, Ye Qingfeng still hadn’t replied. Zhu Yuan, dejected, put away her phone and walked quickly toward home.