Chapter 34: Ling

“It’s the Public Security Bureau people...”

Ye Qingfeng twitched his lips and spoke plainly.

“Qingfeng, get some rest—I’m going to sleep now, ha—!”

Nico turned and walked away without a hint of hesitation, covering her mouth as she yawned.

“...”

I give up...

Time for a bath and sleep. Today was truly a miserable day, but I’ve learned one thing: the shorter you are, the harder you hit.

He took a comfortable bath, then lay down happily on his bed, pulling out his phone to check for messages.

First was Zhu Yuan’s message, telling him to send a message once he got home to confirm his safety, to rest early, and to remember to apply ointment.

Seeing Zhu Yuan’s message, Ye Qingfeng’s heart warmed instantly; after replying quickly, he opened his chat window with Zhe.

He was somewhat surprised that Zhe would message him.

The gist was that Zhe had finished watching the video tape he’d given him, was very satisfied, and invited him over for a visit when he had time.

Ye Qingfeng immediately agreed—after all, besides building goodwill, he also held the identity of a Rope Master, and cultivating a good relationship with him was clearly more beneficial than harmful.

There was also a friend request labeled “Ling.” He remembered this girl quite clearly—she’d bled from the nose and fainted; maybe she wasn’t in good health.

Ye Qingfeng didn’t think much of it and tapped “accept.” He’d barely logged out to browse the RopeNet when Ling sent a message.

When he read Ling’s message, he was utterly baffled...

At the Six-Fen Street Video Store, Ling was watching a video tape, but kept glancing at her phone—frequently, and with noticeable regularity.

“Ding!”

Ling snatched up her phone, saw her friend request had been accepted, ran to Zhe’s door, shoved it open, and shouted excitedly into the room:

“Brother! Look! My friend request got accepted!”

“I’ve told you a hundred times... can’t you knock before coming in...?”

Zhe groaned helplessly, clutching his chest.

“That’s not important! Look, look! Qingfeng accepted my friend request!”

Ling excitedly held her phone up to Zhe’s face. But as soon as the screen left her view for even a second, she feared Ye Qingfeng might send a message and she’d miss it—she yanked her arm back, eyes locked on the screen.

“I didn’t see anything! And Qingfeng’s friend request was even my recommendation to you—what are you trying to say, sister?”

The phone had barely been held up to Zhe for two seconds before it was pulled away—how could he see anything? Besides, if Qingfeng replied to his message, he had to tell someone?

“By the way, Qingfeng just replied to my message.”

Zhe waved his phone in front of Ling’s face, clearly showing off—Qingfeng had replied to him first, and only after a while did his sister burst into the room.

Anyone could see who mattered more to Qingfeng!

“What?!!”

Ling had been thinking about what to write for her first memorable message to Ye Qingfeng—now, hearing Zhe say this, she lunged forward, trying to snatch his phone to check their chat and get inspiration.

“Too naive! I’m not letting you see my chat logs with Qingfeng!”

Zhe sidestepped as if he’d anticipated it, one hand pressing down on her head, the other holding the phone high above—leaving her not the slightest chance.

Ling flailed her arms in circles for a while, then, seeing Zhe had no intention of showing her, gave up.

“Stingy! I’m not talking to you anymore! Hmph!”

Ling pouted, turned her head away, and plopped onto the bed, arms crossed, letting out a soft huff.

“I won’t let you see it—but what’s this all about, sister?”

Zhe didn’t relax his guard for a second, fearing a surprise attack—he locked the phone in a safe. Inside were all the Ding Ni he’d saved over the years; to prevent his sister from spending recklessly, he hadn’t told her the password.

In short, his chat logs with Ye Qingfeng were now perfectly secure!

“It’s none of your business... hey, why hasn’t Qingfeng replied to me yet?!”

While Zhe was locking the phone, Ling had already composed her message and sent it to Ye Qingfeng, eyes glued to the screen, afraid she’d miss his reply.

“Let me see what you sent?” Zhe leaned curiously beside her.

Ling: God! No... Qingfeng, I bought you a white suit. When can you come over and try it on? See if it fits. [Ling’s chibi shy emoji]

Ye Qingfeng: ?

Zhe: ?

“Sister... have you developed feelings for Qingfeng?”

Zhe asked as gently as he could.

“Eh—! How did you figure it out?!” Ling blushed furiously, covering her cheeks. “By the way, why hasn’t Qingfeng replied yet...?”

Ye Qingfeng: Uh... maybe skip the fitting, but I’ll come visit sometime. Sorry for the trouble...

Ling: No trouble at all! Message me when you’re coming—I’ll pick you up!! [Hearts hearts]

Zhe: Oh no, my sister’s turned into a love-struck fool?!

Ye Qingfeng: She likes me, right? Are girls today really this direct?

The drowsiness he’d just felt vanished instantly. He’d suspected it, but hadn’t confirmed it yet!

Of course, asking her directly was out of the question—what if she replied: You’re imagining things! I’d never like someone like you...

It was also too late to bother Nico-jie...

So there was only one option left!

‘Xiao Zhi, Xiao Zhi! Do you think...?’

【Disturbing me at this hour? You must be ready to die!!】

‘Calm... calm down! Good news!’

Ye Qingfeng broke into cold sweat, muttering shakily to himself.

He suddenly realized how problematic it was for the system to be so humanized...

【Better be good news! Or else... heh heh!】

‘Ling seems to like me... but I’m not sure...’

【Tell me! What happened?!】

Ye Qingfeng’s lips twitched involuntarily—he hadn’t expected the system to react so strongly. Just a moment ago it sounded like it wanted to kill him; now it was practically drooling for gossip.

He explained the whole situation to the system, then held his phone up so the system could see his chat with Ling.

Ohhh—! Who knew Ling-sister had a yandere side?! Incredible!

‘So? What do you see?! Don’t just sit there!!’

Ye Qingfeng, seeing the system stay silent for so long, felt his heart rise to his throat.

【There’s potential! But I’ll warn you—don’t be too direct, or you’ll trigger the opposite effect. Still, since she already likes you, the process won’t be slow.】

‘No problem! Hehehe! My irresistible charm!’

Ye Qingfeng lay on his bed, grinning like an idiot, drool dripping unnoticed.

【Heh...】

Half... no, most of it’s my doing!

Forget this idiot—I’m going to sleep and get my beauty rest.

（The ones already confirmed to be won: Ling, Anbi, Nico, Zhu Yuan. Readers, let us know who you’d like to see next.）