Chapter 269: Zhu Yuan: How Did You Get In?

Since joining the Peacekeeping Bureau, Zhu Yuan has been diligent and responsible in her work, never complaining about overtime, and enthusiastically helping residents solve problems during patrols.

Day after day, year after year.

Her motivation to persevere was not the slowly increasing salary, but the duty of being a peacekeeping officer.

You can’t have both fish and bear’s paw; as a peacekeeping officer for the residents of New Aelidu, she was flawless—worthy of a perfect score—but as Ye Qingfeng’s girlfriend, she had even less time for basic companionship.

They barely had time to spend together.

She felt she owed Ye Qingfeng emotionally, and since there was no other way to make up for it, a growing sense of guilt slowly took root.

Setting reason aside, her busy work left them with almost no chances to meet, yet the feelings she buried deep inside only grew stronger.

They were building up until they were about to overflow!

On her way home, she kept pulling out her phone to check messages, only to put it away in disappointment each time; the closer she got to home, the faster she walked, as if Ye Qingfeng were waiting right outside her door.

As she neared her door, Zhu Yuan slowed her steps, hoping Ye Qingfeng would be waiting outside; with each step up the stairs, her heart grew more anxious.

Will he be there?

Zhu Yuan rounded the corner and peeked out—no one was at the door. Her long-held smile collapsed. She shook her head, dismissing her chaotic thoughts, and pulled out her key to unlock the door.

Huh? Didn’t I lock the door this morning?

She didn’t think much of it, pushing the door open as usual—then the hum of the range hood filled the air, and since the door was unlocked, her alertness shot up immediately.

Burglars? These days, thieves are so bold they dare break into a peacekeeping officer’s home!

Zhu Yuan drew her sidearm from her waist, tiptoed forward, and crept toward the sound; once certain the “thief” was inside, she lunged forward and shouted:

“Don’t move! Raise your hands—hands... Qingfeng?”

Ye Qingfeng immediately dropped the spatula, raised both hands above his head, frozen in place; hearing the familiar voice behind him, he instantly recognized who it was.

“Officer Zhu Yuan, don’t shoot! I’m a law-abiding citizen! A very good one!!”

He turned around shakily, pretending to be terrified.

Seeing the misunderstanding was over, Zhu Yuan holstered her gun and couldn’t help but let out a soft “pfft” laugh at Ye Qingfeng’s appearance.

“Qingfeng, when did you get here—?” Her smile froze. “Wait, wait! How did you even get in?”

“Uh… I picked the lock…”

Ye Qingfeng hung his head, embarrassed.

“I just… I wanted you to come home and have dinner ready. I thought I’d surprise you…”

“More like a scare, if anything…”

Silence fell, icy and heavy. Neither spoke. Ye Qingfeng had planned a lavish dinner as a surprise reunion; to Zhu Yuan, it felt like a shock.

She’d been looking forward to a happy evening after work, only to find someone had broken into her home—and it wasn’t a stranger, but her long-absent boyfriend.

Seeing Zhu Yuan didn’t respond, Ye Qingfeng quietly turned off the gas behind him. When he turned back and caught her gaze, he immediately dropped his head, feigning ignorance—like a child caught doing something wrong.

“You… never mind…”

Zhu Yuan understood Ye Qingfeng meant well; the scolding words stuck in her throat.

“Rationally speaking, I should take you back to the Bureau—but right now, I’m your girlfriend, so—”

She took a deep breath and smiled brightly.

“Thank you for putting so much effort into dinner. It looks delicious!”

“You’re not just trying to lower my guard so you can arrest me later, right?”

Ye Qingfeng exhaled in relief, putting on a mock-frightened expression.

Her reply was a skyward eye-roll.

At the dinner table, Ye Qingfeng and Zhu Yuan sat facing each other; plate after plate of delicious food steamed with enticing aromas—but neither lifted their chopsticks.

“Yuanbao? Is it not to your taste?”

“No, I just didn’t expect you could cook,” Zhu Yuan swallowed hard. “And it looks amazing.”

“Of course! For anyone else, this meal would cost twenty or thirty thousand Ding Ni—but only Yuanbao gets it for free!”

Ye Qingfeng puffed out his chest proudly, clearly confident in his culinary skills.

“Really? Then I’d better taste it properly.”

Zhu Yuan picked up a piece of red-braised pork and, without hesitation, shoved the entire chopstick into her mouth.

Rich but not greasy, tender and sweet.

Mmm! So good!

Even after swallowing, she couldn’t stop savoring it, unconsciously licking her lips, eyes fixed longingly on the dish.

“Can I have another piece?”

“I made this especially for you! What kind of question is that? Eat as much as you want!”

Ye Qingfeng feigned annoyance, stood up, and piled several pieces onto her bowl; the white rice, coated in glossy sauce, each grain distinct and plump, made her appetite surge.

“What if I gain weight from eating too much?”

Zhu Yuan pretended to be reserved, but her constantly swallowing throat betrayed her true desire.

Gain weight?

Ye Qingfeng’s gaze seemed drawn to Zhu Yuan; below the table, he was fully covered, but above it, he wore his Peacekeeping Bureau uniform.

Nothing was exposed—and yet, it made her curves stand out even more, glowing with collagen!

“Tsk tsk! Yuanbao, you’re being so humble!” Ye Qingfeng said. “So many women envy your figure—legs for days, chest for days!”

“Are you trying to die? What are you saying?!”

Zhu Yuan’s cheeks flushed slightly as she pouted.

“Fine, fine, let’s just eat!”

Neither had a huge appetite, and three or four dishes would’ve been plenty—but Ye Qingfeng prepared a full table: four dishes, one soup, and a cold appetizer.

They were both stuffed, yet barely made a dent in the food.

“Qingfeng—burp—” Zhu Yuan quickly covered her mouth, then scowled to hide her embarrassment. “It’s all your fault for cooking so well! Now I ate too much—I’ll blame you if I get fat!”

“Alright, alright—I take full responsibility. So, Miss Plump-Yuan, what’s your plan tonight? Go out, or stay in and watch a video tape?”

“You’re the one who’s plump! Tomorrow. Today I need to sleep early.” Zhu Yuan propped her chin on her hand. “Go take a shower first. I’ll wash the dishes.”

“You’re the one who’s plump! Tomorrow—tonight you need to sleep early.” Zhu Yuan propped her chin up. “Go take a bath first; I’ll handle the dishes.”

Ye Qingfeng rushed to his suitcase, rummaged through it, gathered his gear, and was just stepping toward the bathroom when Zhu Yuan suddenly called out:

“Qingfeng, make yourself at home.”

“No way—I’ll pay rent. How about I cook dinner every day?”

“That’d be perfect… uh, fair enough.”

Zhu Yuan imagined coming home exhausted every day to a delicious meal waiting—happiness waved at her.

In the days that followed, their private time matched that of a passionate couple, yet outwardly, they lived like an old married pair.

Ye Qingfeng openly rated: Yuanbao scores nine out of ten overall—because she’s just too busy.

Seven days a week, she averaged less than half a day off per month…

(This week’s arc ends—this is the author’s promise!—)

This week it will be finished—that’s the author’s promise!