Chapter 75: Face-Switching to Flatter?

Just then, Qing Yi pushed open the door and immediately saw Ye Qingfeng sitting in her seat—outrageously!

Drinking tea from her cup, tea she had brewed herself!

Her hard-won sense of calm instantly flared up again, and when Ye Qingfeng saw Qing Yi, he opened his mouth but was momentarily speechless.

More precisely, he didn’t know what to call her.

Qing Yi? Their relationship hasn’t reached that point!

Officer Qing Yi? That felt too distant... After all, she was, in theory, a romance target—thinking of this, Ye Qingfeng almost wanted to curse!

Just by her appearance, she looked like someone over three years old, yet he was told she was actually grandmother-level—this might even be an understatement, possibly even older.

And she wasn’t even human! What could she even do?

Play chess and drink tea with her?

...Billy didn’t say anything about you...

Should he really call her “Grandma Qing Yi”? Maybe he’d even get a red envelope during the New Year...

Ah! What am I thinking?!

『System, what’s Qing Yi’s affection level again?』

【Ding! Qing Yi’s affection: -5】

【Advice: Spend more time with her to raise affection. Too low affection may turn to hatred—and even murderous intent!!!】

（Finally, my screen! Xiao Zhi, what about me?）

What? Why didn’t you say this earlier?!

I was already ready to give up! Then you suddenly give me an affection system, and now you tell me low affection is dangerous?!

Ye Qingfeng decided to stop thinking and just apply the formula: use Zhu Yuan’s term—it wouldn’t feel awkward and would show respect to Qing Yi!

He didn’t even need to think—this was clearly Qing Yi’s seat, meaning these tea utensils were hers too?

“Cough! Please sit, Senior Qing Yi!”

Ye Qingfeng immediately flashed a bright smile, quietly placed the teacup back on the table, and stood up to invite Qing Yi to sit down.

Zhu Yuan: ???

Qing Yi: ???

Top-tier face-switching?

Ye Qingfeng managed to get out of there intact mainly thanks to reading people and navigating social dynamics!

He charmed all those big brothers, uncles, and grandpas into good moods, and since he learned quickly, they were all willing to teach him a bit of their secret skills.

Except when he joined the Rabbit’s Den, he never bothered otherwise—or rather, he’d already given up!

As always: don’t dwell on the past; focus on the present and enjoy the future!

A flicker of unusual emotion passed through Qing Yi’s eyes—she had always clashed with him, and now seeing this ingratiating smile, she felt an inexplicable sense of satisfaction!

Fine! She’d let bygones be bygones. Since Ye Qingfeng had made the first move, she’d reluctantly forgive him.

After all, which adult gets angry at a child?

【Ding! Qing Yi’s affection increased by 10%】

【Current affection: 5%】

Qing Yi crossed her arms and walked over naturally to sit down; as soon as she sat, Ye Qingfeng picked up the teapot and went to the water dispenser, pouring the used tea leaves into the trash.

He grabbed a roughly equal amount of fresh tea leaves from a nearby canister, poured hot water into the pot, and carefully carried it back.

Brewing tea was truly outside Ye Qingfeng’s knowledge—he’d had no chance to practice there, but he’d watched the warden serve guests several times.

“Senior Qing Yi, please have some tea.” Ye Qingfeng recalled the scene and mimicked it, pouring her a cup. “I’m not familiar with this—please, go ahead!”

Zhu Yuan stared, utterly baffled by Ye Qingfeng’s sudden change.

Still, she had no intention of interfering—after all, if their relationship improved, she was more than happy to see it.

“Indeed.”

Qing Yi could tell Ye Qingfeng’s technique was clumsy, but the basic steps were mostly correct. Since he’d gone to such effort, she couldn’t remain cold.

She lifted the cup, took a small sip, and a hint of satisfaction appeared in her eyes—though she showed none, saying coolly, “Not bad.”

【Ding! Qing Yi’s affection increased by 5%】

【Current affection: 10%】

The taste wasn’t perfect, but acceptable—Qing Yi’s approval of Ye Qingfeng grew slightly.

Now, they were barely at the level of acquaintances...

Zhu Yuan, who had been secretly watching, saw they were getting along well, withdrew her gaze, and returned to her unfinished task.

This was the proper way to interact with Senior Qing Yi. Recalling how Ye Qingfeng had treated her before, she was surprised she hadn’t slapped him already...

Ye Qingfeng silently poured another cup and brought it to Zhu Yuan, gazing at her with hopeful eyes, “Zhu Yuan, try my tea!”

“Thank you! I’ll try.”

Zhu Yuan set down her work, smiled sweetly, lifted the cup, and took a small sip, savoring it as she compared it to Senior Qing Yi’s tea.

She had no real knowledge of tea—she’d simply drunk it often because Senior Qing Yi loved brewing it, and each time she got a cup, she couldn’t say whether it was good or bad.

If she had to say something, it wasn’t as good as Senior Qing Yi’s, but Ye Qingfeng’s wasn’t far off.

Zhu Yuan looked at Ye Qingfeng with approval, “Not bad! I think it’s quite tasty!”

Ye Qingfeng secretly rejoiced, a faint smile on his face, “I’m glad you like it, Zhu Yuan!”

Indeed, Yan Bao’s words were always sweet to hear!

Zhu Yuan noticed Ye Qingfeng had to stand because there weren’t enough chairs—she’d have to get another one next time.

“Let Senior Qing Yi take you on a tour of the Public Security Bureau—I still have a bit more to finish.” Zhu Yuan glanced at her task progress, then looked between Ye Qingfeng and Qing Yi, instantly thinking of the perfect solution. She turned to Qing Yi with a pleading look, “Could you please help, Senior Qing Yi?”

“It’s fine...” Qing Yi gave a slight nod, then turned her questioning gaze to Ye Qingfeng. “Consider it thanks for the tea—agreed?”

“Y-yes, of course!”

Ye Qingfeng could only agree, going along with Qing Yi’s suggestion.

Compared to touring the Public Security Bureau with Qing Yi, he’d rather stay with Zhu Yuan—it felt more comfortable.

Mainly because he really didn’t know Qing Yi at all!

Excluding daily interactions with Nico and Anbi, Zhu Yuan was the person Ye Qingfeng knew best in this world—even though he’d seen her fewer times than Ling.

But their daily WeChat chats never stopped, and he had to constantly act respectful and filial to raise her affection.

He didn’t exactly hold a grudge, but he still felt deeply annoyed!

Just don’t give him any leverage—he’d pinch her cheeks hard if he ever got the chance!

Even though he knew Qing Yi’s true age was enormous, every time he saw her current appearance, he still treated her like a child.

Put simply, since that incident, he’d completely abandoned his kindness toward strangers.

He treated all strangers with appropriate suspicion—who knew if they’d harm him?

PS: Tap to request updates. If you’re not leaving comments, give a 4 or 5-star rating to support (*￣3￣)?

Hungry~~ Food~~ (｀Δ′)!