Chapter 48: The Abnormality of the Phaethon Siblings

“Actually, I was just teasing you.” Zhe saw his mischievous sister’s lips twitch slightly. “I didn’t send anything to Qingfeng, and I didn’t record anything.”

“Really?!” Ling’s bright, watery eyes fixed on Zhe.

“Really...”

Zhe sighed helplessly and nodded. He’d only meant to tease Ling, to distract her.

After all, when Ling first woke up, she’d looked terribly drained...

And it worked brilliantly! He just hadn’t expected her reaction to be so strong. Girls really grow up too fast...

“Good!” Ling patted her now noticeably developed chest and exhaled deeply. Her previously sorrowful face instantly transformed into one of relief.

“My brother scared such a cute little sister!” Ling beamed at Zhe, her eyes crinkled into crescent moons, radiating warmth toward everything around her. “Shouldn’t you make it up to me?”

A bead of cold sweat rolled down Zhe’s forehead. Knowing Ling as he did, that sweet, friendly smile hid a razor-sharp blade.

If he didn’t go along with her now, he was certain something terrible would happen.

“Of course! Of course!” Zhe swallowed hard. “I’ll make up for anything!”

“Alright then! I forgive you, brother!”

The moment Ling finished speaking, the chill at Zhe’s back slowly faded.

Ling sat up abruptly and dashed over to Zhe, gesturing for him to lean down.

“When Qingfeng and the others get here, we’ll do it like this &……￥#%…@#&…￥#” After spouting a stream of nonsense, Ling drew a sharp breath and grinned wickedly. “Then I’ll be able to...%#@&@%%&!”

“But...”

“Hm?!” Ling shot him a fiercely threatening glare.

Zhe instantly saluted her like a soldier. “I swear I’ll follow your orders, Commander!”

“OK! Now we just wait for Qingfeng!” Ling sat down at the computer desk, already laughing loudly at the thought of what was coming. “Hahaha! Ha ha ha!”

“Sister...” Zhe watched her laugh like a lovestruck fool and sighed inwardly, but still spoke up. “Qingfeng and the others just left... and Nico said she’ll pay back the debt next time.”

“Wha...what?!” Ling shot upright, staring at Zhe in disbelief. But when she heard the next part, she relaxed. “No problem! Then there’s still a chance!”

Zhe felt even more helpless watching Ling’s relentless determination.

Meanwhile, Ye Qingfeng firmly refused Nico’s offer to drive him home and was walking alone down the street when he suddenly shivered.

He rubbed his arms crosswise. “Since earlier, I’ve had this persistent bad feeling.”

“Oh!”

Ye Qingfeng suddenly remembered he’d forgotten something—he still had two bags of groceries at the video store.

He’d invited them all to dinner and even suggested going to the Rabbit’s Den together. He wondered if Ling had woken up yet.

Her condition back then had been worrying—her body kept convulsing, and she’d muttered incoherent words now and then.

Ye Qingfeng immediately turned around and headed back. Luckily, he hadn’t gone far—he soon reached the video store and knocked on the door without hesitation.

This time, he didn’t wait long. The door opened from inside, and Zhe cautiously peeked out.

“Hey Zhe, I’m here to pick up...”

Before Ye Qingfeng could finish, Zhe clamped a hand over his mouth, glancing nervously at a closed door nearby, then slowly turned back and whispered, “Qingfeng, no matter what you came for—just leave now!”

“Mmmmm! (Look behind you!)”

Zhe interpreted it as: Why?!

“Trust me! If Ling sees you, something terrifying will happen.” Zhe took a deep breath and spoke seriously. “For now, never come to the video store alone. If you must come, bring Nico along—or I won’t be able to help you!”

“Mmmmmmm! (Look behind you!) Mmmmmmmmmmm (Ling’s staring at you with murder in her eyes!)”

Zhe interpreted it as: I understand! I’ll leave right away?

Huh? Why’s one character missing?

Impossible! With the unspoken understanding between him and Qingfeng, how could he possibly misinterpret his meaning?!

Zhe furrowed his brow and sank into deep thought, tightening his grip on Qingfeng’s mouth instead of loosening it.

“Mmmmm! Mmmm! (Can’t breathe!)”

Ye Qingfeng was nearly crying. Why did he have to cover his mouth? And why did he cover his nose too?! And why was he squeezing even tighter?!

Zhe wasn’t concerned with why Qingfeng’s face was turning redder—he only cared about deciphering his meaning and proving their unspoken understanding.

Wait... red face?

Zhe suddenly remembered—he and his sister had once watched a romance movie where the male lead did exactly this: covering the heroine’s mouth.

Could it be... Qingfeng actually liked him?!

But he only wanted to be good brothers! And this was way too bold!

He couldn’t possibly... eliminate the man he’d seen as his future brother-in-law!

That would betray Ling!

Can't possibly let him see his brother-in-law and then...

Zhe felt the warmth from his palm, staring at Ye Qingfeng’s flushed face.

His heartbeat suddenly accelerated uncontrollably. Could this be...?

【Ding! Ding! Ding! Zhe’s affection increased by 10%, 5%, 5%】

【Zhe’s current affection: 50%】

【Reward: Two additional lottery draws!】

“Bro—! Bro~!”

Suddenly, Ling’s voice whispered like a demon’s into his ear. Before he could react, a heavy punch slammed into his waist.

He instinctively released his grip on Qingfeng’s mouth and stumbled backward uncontrollably.

Ye Qingfeng finally, after holding his breath for who-knew-how-long, gasped in air—his flushed cheeks slowly lost some of their redness.

Ye Qingfeng panted heavily, his legs weakening, stumbling backward with each step as if he might collapse.

Ling, as if prepared, darted to his side and grabbed his arm, pulling him forcefully toward her.

Ye Qingfeng fell exactly into her arms. The weight of him pressing against her felt heavy—but to her, it brought deep comfort. A strong male scent filled the air around her, surging into her nostrils like a tide.

His warm breaths repeatedly brushed against her neck.

Her heartbeat raced like startled fawns crashing through her narrow chest, making her own breathing erratic.

Qingfeng was so hot! And he smelled so good!

Ling’s heartbeat raced like a herd of startled fawns, bolting wildly within her narrow chest, making her breath grow chaotic.

The sensation of his breath enveloping her filled her with sudden, overwhelming security.

Hehe... Qingfeng! Qingfeng~!

Ling could no longer suppress the upward curve of her lips. Her heart was swamped by a tidal wave of wicked thoughts.

【Ding! Ding! Ding!! Ling’s affection increased by 10%, 5%, 5%】

【Ling’s current affection: 65%】

【Reward: Five additional lottery draws!】

(This stretch of frequent updates left me no time to proofread carefully—several readers have pointed out typos and errors. I apologize and will review and correct the entire text today!)

Today’s chapter is released early—no need to wait until tonight. From now on, updates will be around 8 PM daily. Starting next month, I’ll maintain a steady 6k per day.)

If you find this novel worth your time, please give it a 4 or 5-star rating to help promote it. Thank you all!)

Today's update is posted early, so you don't have to wait until tonight; from now on, the book will update around 8 PM, and starting next month, it will steadily update 6k daily.

If you find this book worthy of your attention, please give it a 4 or 5-star rating to help promote it—thank you all.