Chapter 270: Qingyi Investigates a Disappearance Case—Does She Encounter Danger in the Hollow?

As the time they spent together decreased, both cherished the remaining moments intensely, and their relationship surged forward during the second weekend after Ye Qingfeng moved in.

Ye Qingfeng took the initiative; under Zhu Yuan’s half-hearted resistance, he reaped the fruits of victory, causing her to take a full day off the next day—her superior approved without hesitation.

And he asked: Is one day enough? Should you take a few more days off?

Zhu Yuan ignored her weakened body and declared firmly: “One day is enough. I’ll make up the leave next week.”

Her superior understood her nature and said nothing more, merely advising her to rest well before hanging up.

It must be said that Zhu Yuan serving as a peace officer is a stroke of luck for the Peace Bureau.

Ye Qingfeng felt some dissatisfaction, but did not show it.

In his view, Zhu Yuan’s sense of duty was too strong—as if the residents of New Elihu couldn’t survive without her. Of course, it was precisely because of this that she was whole.

This routine lasted more than half a month, and Ye Qingfeng had idled away just as long—there was no help for it; it was simply too blissful.

Slacking off for a moment is delightful; slacking off forever is endlessly delightful!

Aside from normal cooking and housework, he had no other tasks to perform. Zhu Yuan had no objections—even subtly approved.

In her eyes, life was this way: she guarded the residents of New Elihu outside, while Qingfeng guarded their little home.

Financially, there was no issue. Neither was a big spender. Zhu Yuan’s monthly salary, after covering Qingfeng’s grocery and pocket money and her own expenses, still had leftovers.

In addition, there were task bonuses and year-end awards, various miscellaneous benefits and overtime pay—by year’s end, they could fully afford a three-bedroom, one-living-room apartment.

After a few more years, Zhu Yuan would be promoted to leadership, becoming an office-bound position with significantly more free time. They discussed then having a child together.

Before that, they had to pass her parents’ approval by year’s end.

Ye Qingfeng patted his chest and promised—he secretly broke into a cold sweat.

He was at the age where meeting the in-laws was inevitable. This was terrifying!

Zhu Yuan seemed to sense Ye Qingfeng’s nervousness and softly reassured him:

“Don’t worry! My parents are very easygoing. I’ll prep them in advance. Don’t laugh, but they’ve been pressuring me to find a partner these past few years. Just relax!”

Parents—somehow, they seemed rare in New Elihu...

“Should I find a real job? Won’t your parents mind me living off you?”

“It’s up to you! As long as you want it, I’ll support you unconditionally. Besides, you’re marrying me, not my parents.”

“Are you worried that Ding Ni won’t be enough when we buy a house?”

Zhu Yuan sat down close beside Ye Qingfeng, naturally leaning against his shoulder.

“Don’t worry. My parents will chip in some Ding Ni. Besides, once I’m promoted to leadership, my salary will double.”

“Yuanbao~” The tough guy pouted.

“Alright, alright. Just don’t mind that I’m so busy and rarely have time to be with you.”

Zhu Yuan helplessly curled her lips into a sweet smile.

Another week of shameless bliss passed. On Wednesday morning, Ye Qingfeng lay in bed with his legs crossed, watching a funny video on his phone, grinning like an idiot.

After half an hour, he put down his phone and decided to take a nap.

For this period, he had to wake at five a.m., rushing to prepare breakfast and Zhu Yuan’s lunch. She woke around six, they ate breakfast together, then she left for work around seven.

Before three p.m. was his free time—he usually played on his phone, then took a nap, waking between twelve and one p.m., ate a light dinner, then faced two scenarios.

One: if it was too hot or raining, he’d stay in bed scrolling his phone.

Two: if it was overcast or cloudy, he’d go out for a stroll, buy groceries for dinner, then return to cook.

Ye Qingfeng glanced out the window, guessing the afternoon might get even hotter. He immediately abandoned the idea of returning to the video store to find Ling. He put down his phone, pulled the blanket over himself, and just closed his eyes when the phone rang.

Damn it! Why now? Why not earlier or later?

“Who is it? What do you want?”

He didn’t even check the caller ID, swiped to answer, and snapped irritably.

“Emergency! I’ll keep it brief!”

Ling blurted out urgently:

“Qingyi asked me to help investigate a disappearance case. I controlled Ies and entered the Hollow with her. The mission went smoothly—until the ether concentration suddenly spiked, and communication was cut off just now.”

“She may be in danger inside the Hollow. You need to help bring her out!”

Ye Qingfeng lazily sat up. Ling’s story had too many holes—he found it hard to believe at first glance. But to be safe, he needed to prepare for departure.

As he dressed, he asked:

“A Peace Bureau needs Shengjiang’s help to investigate a disappearance? Do you think I’m that stupid? Or is this just an excuse to lure me into the Hollow and kill my husband?”

“I’m not joking!”

Ling snapped sharply, then quickly explained:

“Bombs have been vanishing en masse. After Qingyi traced them, she discovered a criminal gang stealing bombs to dismantle and illegally sell their parts.”

“Before contacting me, Qingyi went to the Peace Bureau—but since only bombs were missing, they refused to classify it as a disappearance case. So she posted the task on Shengwang. I happened to see it and recognized her as Qingyi, so I took the job!”

“We successfully dismantled the gang, but midway, Ies was affected by ether mist and the sudden rise in ether concentration. It suffered ether corrosion and lost connection.”

“Regardless of whether Qingyi herself is being corroded, without a Radish or Shengjiang guide, no one can find the Hollow’s exit.”

Ling held her breath, explaining the full story, then gasped for air as she finished:

“In short—it’s urgent. If Qingyi is in danger inside the Hollow, the Peace Bureau’s investigation will eventually trace back to me and my brother. Qingfeng—only you can help!”

During the last mission to find Rui’en, Ye Qingfeng slipped away early—without a Radish or Shengjiang guide—he still moved freely through the Hollow.

This clearly suggested he might possess a device similar to an HDD system.

“I understand. Leave the rest to me. Goodbye.”

Ye Qingfeng shed his usual laziness. His brow furrowed slightly. He pulled on a coat, then hung up the phone with a solemn expression.