Chapter 35: Strike

In the following days, nothing special happened, but several people’s affection levels increased.

“System, replay the affection level updates from these past few days.”

【Ding! Starting broadcast:】

【Nico’s affection increased by 5%, current affection: 55%】

【Anbi’s affection increased by 5%, current affection: 45%】

【Billy’s affection increased by 5%, current affection: 45%】

【Zhe’s affection increased by 10%, current affection: 30%】

【Ling’s affection increased by 5%, current affection: 40%, gained two lottery draws.】

Zhe and Ling’s affection increased through messaging and chatting; he also didn’t forget to nurture his bond with Zhu Yuan, but since her affection was already quite high, messaging no longer raised it.

By the way, the highest affection now belongs to Sister Nico, followed by Zhu Yuan.

Nico lives under the same roof as Ye Qingfeng and eats plenty of his meals—her high affection isn’t surprising—but it’s surprising that Zhu Yuan, whom he rarely sees, still has such high affection.

Compared to Sister Nico, who never paid him a single wage, Zhu Yuan is truly kind to him!

But today morning, the firearms Sister Nico agreed to buy finally arrived; Ye Qingfeng stared at the package before him, his heart pounding with excitement.

“What are you standing there for? Open it right away! If there’s a problem, the delivery guy hasn’t gone far yet!”

Nico, still bitter from having just paid Ding Ni, spoke with a sharp, resentful tone.

“Sister Nico, you’re truly the only one who cares for me!”

Ye Qingfeng turned his gaze firmly toward Nico, yet felt a strange sense of familiarity in those words.

“What are you saying? You’re giving me goosebumps!”

Nico’s cheeks instantly flushed faintly red; though her heart warmed, she still put on a disgusted expression.

“Just open it already. It’s a bit late, but consider it your welcome gift to the Hare’s Den!”

Nico, never one to be shy, quickly recovered and walked over to Ye Qingfeng’s side, giving his shoulder a light—she thought—tap, speaking with casual cheer.

Ye Qingfeng nodded vigorously, eagerly tearing open the package on the table; inside lay a sleek Msrk Desert Eagle, with several extra magazines beside it.

He immediately snatched it up, playing with it, his excitement beyond words.

This feel! So cool!

“Enough, enough! Put it away—we’re going out now!”

Nico watched his ecstatic expression, fearing he might accidentally discharge it; seeing Anbi and Billy already downstairs and ready, she remembered they still had a mission to complete.

“Got it!”

Ye Qingfeng eagerly agreed, clutching the package as he sprinted upstairs, rushed into his room, carefully placed the package on the floor, turned to leave—then turned back, stuffing the pistol and all magazines into his space backpack.

Just in case! Yes! Yes! After Sister Nico took on the mission, she never told him what it was! What if this one’s extremely dangerous? What if Billy and Anbi, those two idiots, get captured? This will be my moment to be the hero and save the damsel!

I’ll raise my pistol at the villains, standing protectively before weak and helpless Sister Nico—she’ll surely burst into tears!

Then she’ll insist on marrying me out of gratitude—should I accept?

Hehehe!

“Ye Qingfeng! What are you doing up there? Get down now!”

Just as Ye Qingfeng was lost in fantasy, Nico’s impatient shout came from downstairs.

“Coming, coming!”

Ye Qingfeng dashed down the stairs, silently grumbling.

Sister Nico’s temper is so fierce—whoever marries her will lose both their fortune and their life! Even if she offers herself to me, I won’t accept!

“I feel Qingfeng is thinking something improper...”

As Ye Qingfeng passed Anbi, she suddenly spoke.

Ye Qingfeng froze, then sighed in relief when no one paid attention; he reached out and pinched Anbi’s cheeks, kneading them like dough.

“Nope! Anbi, don’t say nonsense! Understood?”

Anbi offered no resistance to his excessive gesture, simply nodding gently.

“I’ll make you a hamburger tonight.”

Seeing Anbi’s compliance, Ye Qingfeng released his evil hands, in high spirits as he headed for the door.

Right! After spending this time together, he’d discovered that as long as he didn’t go too far, he could do anything to Anbi—though he still wouldn’t dare go too far.

Not because he feared Anbi would draw her blade—white hilt in, red hilt out!

As Ye Qingfeng and Anbi boarded the car in turn, Nico stomped the accelerator; the vehicle shot forward and soon arrived at their destination.

Even though the place was unmistakably familiar—it was the Phaethon siblings’ garage!

Are we entering the Hollow again?

“Sister Nico, why are we here?”

Though Ye Qingfeng had his suspicions, he still asked Nico for confirmation.

“Why ask so many questions? Get out now!”

Nico rolled her eyes, unfastened her seatbelt, and stepped out first.

What’s this? Afraid I won’t dare enter the Hollow again? So she won’t even tell me beforehand?

Ye Qingfeng mentally cheered himself on; though he never wanted to enter the Hollow again in this life, things were different now!

“You’re here! Qingfeng? Is he joining you inside the Hollow this time?”

At that moment, the Phaethon siblings emerged from behind the house; Ling had just stepped out, glancing around as if searching for something, then retracted her wandering gaze as she reached Nico.

“He’s in the car. Qingfeng isn’t entering the Hollow with us—is it troublesome to leave him here with you?”

Nico didn’t turn around, simply raised her thumb backward.

“Too... cough! Not troublesome at all! No problem whatsoever!”

Ling’s eyes sparkled with excitement, though she restrained herself—yet her tone still couldn’t help but lighten.

Ye Qingfeng, having overheard their entire conversation from the car, flung open the door with a loud bang, instantly drawing everyone’s attention; under the gaze of multiple eyes, he walked up to Nico.

“Sister Nico, what’s that talk for? I’m a member of the Hare’s Den too!”

Seeing Ye Qingfeng’s righteous stance, Nico felt deeply satisfied—but still firmly refused.

“No! You’d only cause trouble if you went in!”

Ever since Ye Qingfeng’s last performance inside the Hollow, she still thought it was too soon for him—he needed at least some self-preservation ability before being allowed to join them inside.

“Rare to see Sister Nico this serious.”

Billy whispered to Anbi beside him.

Anbi stated the truth without expression, “But Sister Nico is right.”

“Hey, Anbi!”

Billy immediately tugged Anbi’s sleeve, but she didn’t understand his intent; her emotionless voice continued.

“If Qingfeng enters the Hollow with us, the mission’s success rate will drop by 37.5%.”