Chapter 280: Always by Your Side

“Welcome to the team, child.” The mayor paused. “If possible, let Qingfeng temporarily join your Air Six Division for a while—he needs some experience, and his strength is sufficient to aid your cultivation.”

“What do you think?”

“I personally welcome him.” Star Seer Ya walked to Ye Qingfeng’s bedside, a hint of admiration hidden in her eyes. She handed him the blade; only after he took it did she continue, “But we must first ask for Moon City Liu’s opinion.”

“Reasonable. Wait for the Air Six Division’s response.”

“Alright, I’ll reply as soon as possible.”

With that, Star Seer Ya turned and left.

After giving a few more instructions, the mayor hung up the phone. Then Leicaen spoke a few words of concern, and before leaving, he reminded him:

“Just a heads-up—your heroic deeds are already known to them. They’ll all arrive within half an hour. Think up an explanation. Ai Lian is very worried.”

“Understood. I won’t run away.” Ye Qingfeng said.

Leicaen turned toward the door, a faint smile tugging at his lips. He stopped, turned his head slightly, and said, “Good luck!”

As he slowly closed the door, Ye Qingfeng listened to the fading footsteps and exhaled deeply.

“Phew—finally some rest.”

“Ding-ding-ding, bang—!”

Before Ye Qingfeng could close his eyes, a flurry of footsteps approached. The door burst open from outside. Ai Lian, dressed in her school uniform, wore an expression of rare anger on her usually cold face.

“You bastard Qingfeng—!”

Without hesitation, she grabbed his collar, eyes blazing with fury, pupils burning like wild flames—a cornered beast enraged, making the hair on his neck stand on end.

“Calm down, calm down!”

Ye Qingfeng raised both hands above his head, surrendering instantly.

“Bang—!”

Ai Lian swung her iron fist without warning—a swift strike. A large bump rose on Ye Qingfeng’s head. He dared not touch it, shrinking and trembling.

“Are you hurt anywhere?”

Seeing Ye Qingfeng’s condition, Ai Lian couldn’t help but let out a “pfft” laugh.

“Yeees~”

Ye Qingfeng looked pitiful.

“Where? Is it serious?”

“On my head. It hurts so much...”

“Then you might as well die!”

Ai Lian’s face froze. Her eyes rolled so far up they nearly vanished.

Then she went on for a long while, complaining bitterly about his reckless solo actions.

Still not satisfied, she punched him once more before storming off, finally appeased.

Soon after, the members of the Hare House, Ling and Zhe siblings, and Zhu Yuan arrived one after another, all equally displeased with Ye Qingfeng’s actions—scolding him while asking about his injuries.

The large bump on his head was unmistakable; they assumed it was from fighting the Wraiths, and urged him to rest well, promising to celebrate once he was discharged.

In truth, Ling and the others planned to stay and care for him, but he refused, claiming he needed to be alone—the real reason being he wanted to act quickly.

Only Ye Qingfeng knew his body was hardly injured—on the contrary, it was healthier than ever before.

After everyone left, the ward grew quiet and cold, starkly different from the high-level meeting now underway. The mayor, armed with Ye Qingfeng’s testimony, informed the other members.

Though the mayor held the greatest authority, some still raised objections—such as thoroughly investigating Ye Qingfeng’s origins, background, and full strength.

All were rejected by the mayor.

The conglomerates and Defense Army had the right to interfere, but the benefits outweighed the risks—in short, forcibly taking him was unnecessary; better to leverage this situation for some gain.

The city’s new combat strength would be compensated elsewhere, not excessively, but enough to be a pleasant surprise for the other two sides.

In short, Ye Qingfeng’s joining the city administration was now a done deal.

Meanwhile, in a hospital room in New Aelido, Ye Qingfeng had just finished the nurse’s evening meal. He locked the door and prepared to check the system’s details.

『System comparison: Changes in myself and others before and after the Hollow Expansion halted.』

【Ding! Host has used all thirty lottery draws.】

【Details available in personal panel.】

【Total debt: 8.79 million Ding Ni】

【Qing’s affection increased: 15%】

【Current affection: 90%】

【Current total lottery draws: 10】

“Tch!”

Ye Qingfeng skimmed the system’s information. Aside from suddenly owing nearly 9 million Ding Ni, little else had changed.

And this debt likely came from—the long blade standing beside his bed.

So expensive—!

“But it’s not all bad. Getting a proper weapon was inevitable anyway. I just wonder if I can get the mayor to reimburse me.”

Ye Qingfeng smiled helplessly.

“Even if I could, I couldn’t bring myself to ask—!”

He had no idea how much cost and sacrifice the mayor had endured to suppress this. He’d always planned to join the city administration eventually—but not this suddenly.

Compared to the conglomerates or the Defense Army, joining the city administration was undeniably wise.

Ye Qingfeng stopped overthinking and pulled out Qingyi’s memory backup of the young girl, and the juvenile original body?

“Tch—this face is so similar! Exactly like Qingyi’s.” He pinched his chin, intrigued. “Honestly, this face with a little dress is adorable!”

“Quick, insert Qingyi’s memory backup and see the effect!”

Ye Qingfeng inserted the crystal chip, eagerly awaiting activation.

A pair of clear, bright eyes slowly opened. She instinctively sucked her fingertip, her curious gaze sweeping the room until it settled on Ye Qingfeng.

“Daddy!”

Ye Qingzhi rushed into Ye Qingfeng’s arms, cooing.

“Ahh~ Little Zhi!”

His heart melted!

“Little Zhi?”

Ye Qingzhi clung to him, eyes wide, brows slightly furrowed, lips pouting, her soft face as if it could be squeezed for juice.

So—adorable! My poor old heart!!

“That’s right~ That’s your name.” Ye Qingfeng enunciated slowly, “Say it with me: Ye—Qing—Zhi!”

“Ye Qingzhi!” She pointed to herself, then to Ye Qingfeng, “Daddy—!”

“Yes, yes!”

“Where’s Mommy? Will Mommy not want me anymore...?”

Ye Qingzhi’s mood instantly sank, her voice trembling with a hint of tears, her big, tearful eyes looking ready to burst into sobs.

Ye Qingfeng quickly soothed her: “Little Zhi is so adorable—how could Mommy ever not want you? She’ll be here any moment.”

“Really?”

“Really, really! I promise!”

With that, Ye Qingfeng pulled out his phone and quickly sent Qingyi a message: come quickly and see our child.

“Ah—! It’s Mommy!”

Before he could even send the message, Little Zhi’s cry interrupted him. Following her pointing finger, he saw Qingyi standing at the doorway.

“Mommy!”

Ye Qingzhi broke free from Ye Qingfeng’s arms, toddling forward and crashing into Qingyi’s embrace—with a loud “thump,” her forehead turned bright red.

“Ouch... it hurts...” She pouted, giggling softly.

Ye Qingfeng couldn’t suppress his grin. He struggled to hold back laughter as Qingyi stared blankly at the little girl clinging to her, begging for hugs.

“There, there~ It’s okay!”

Though her mind was full of questions, her body instinctively wrapped around Ye Qingzhi, soothing her gently.

“Mm!”

Ye Qingzhi wrapped her arms around Qingyi’s waist, rubbing her cheek against her repeatedly.

“Who is she?”

“Our daughter!”

“Even if she shares my model and appearance, she’s only a sister—not a daughter.”

“That’s nonsense! I built her body, and she’s using your memory backup—just in juvenile form!”

Ye Qingfeng smirked triumphantly.

“...”

“Does Mommy not like Qingzhi?”

“Of course not. Mommy loves Qingzhi the most.” Qingyi’s fingertip brushed through her hair. “Mommy needs to talk to Daddy. Can Qingzhi wait quietly for a moment?”

“Okay!”

Ye Qingzhi nodded firmly, obediently lying still against Qingyi.

“You didn’t need to save me.” Qingyi’s gaze turned to Ye Qingfeng, lips lightly pressed. “I’m not human. Even if I lose this body, it’s no great loss—but you...”

“Don’t be so formal!”

Ye Qingfeng strode up to Qingyi, squatted down, and pinched her chin with one hand, feigning displeasure: “Didn’t you say mechanical bodies deserve human rights too? Now that I’m giving it to you, you’re not happy?”

As he spoke, his fingers pressed slightly, making Qingyi’s soft, bouncy lips pout sharply.

“But you can’t… mm…”

Her cheeks pinched, Qingyi’s words came out muffled; before she could finish, Ye Qingfeng cut her off firmly. Yet as she felt the touch of his lips, not a trace of reluctance stirred in her heart—she followed instinct and closed her eyes.

Ye Qingfeng covered Ye Qingzhi’s eyes with one hand, while the other curled behind Qingyi’s head to prevent her from pulling away.

“Pop—!”

Long moments passed before they parted. A faint blush rose on Qingyi’s cheeks, replacing her usual calm composure with a touch of shy charm.

“With Qingfeng by my side, I never understood how long the moon’s affection could last,” Qingyi gripped Ye Qingfeng’s hand and pressed it to her cheek, her heart trembling. “May I forever stand beside you, never leaving your side—will you allow it?”

“Yes.”

Ye Qingfeng, still separated from Ye Qingzhi, held Qingyi tightly and murmured his reply.

“By the way… being confessed to by a female robot feels weird in every possible way…”

—— END OF THIS NOVEL ——