Chapter 99: Using Jokes to Voice What

When Ye Qingfeng joined, everyone fell silent and ate quietly—even Ai Lian, who sat with perfect poise, back straight, taking dainty bites as if embodying a lady’s grace.

The three noticing Ai Lian’s behavior exchanged strange glances.

After all, in their minds, Ai Lian was the type who’d sit if she could avoid standing, lie down if she could avoid sitting; during lunch, she’d prop her cheek on one hand, lazily shoveling rice while occasionally picking up a bite with her chopsticks.

Who can tell me what’s going on here?

If it were just a glance, it might’ve been fine—but they set down their bowls and chopsticks, staring wide-eyed at Ai Lian. Ye Qingfeng, who’d been indifferent, suddenly felt overwhelming curiosity and stole glances with the corner of his eye.

He sneaked several glances but found nothing unusual—unless you counted...

Ai Lian’s cheeks were slightly flushed.

Ai Lian had planned to ignore them, but noticing Ye Qingfeng’s repeated glances, she could no longer bear it, clenched her teeth, and gave them a forced, smileless glare. “What are you doing?”

Am I really that strange? Must you all stare at me like this? Why is it so hard to make a good impression in front of him!!

Lin: “Nothing...”

Meng Na: “Nothing much...”

Ruby: “I didn’t do anything!”

Ye Qingfeng quietly withdrew his gaze and ate in silence.

Ruby’s answer wouldn’t satisfy Ai Lian; being stared at strangely by those around her, and secretly watched by the one she cared about, stirred the old urge to flee again.

“Haha... by the way, I don’t even know your name yet?” Ruby chuckled awkwardly after Ai Lian’s glare, casually elbowed Ye Qingfeng, and stared at him with wide curiosity. “How old are you?”

After Ruby asked, every pair of eyes turned to Ye Qingfeng, silently raising thumbs in approval.

Clearly, Ruby was better at this kind of thing. Ai Lian pretended indifference, eating quietly, but her full attention was fixed on Ye Qingfeng.

Ai Lian had countless questions she wanted to ask, but she couldn’t bring herself to voice them in front of them—she was certain that if she showed even a hint of curiosity, they’d swarm her with inquiries.

She instantly crushed the thought of fleeing—knowing your enemy is the only way to truly control him!

“Ye Qingfeng, nineteen. What about you?”

Ye Qingfeng had a soft spot for energetic girls; he offered a faint smile and turned to Ruby.

“I’m Ruby!” Ruby pointed Yici at the other three, introducing them. “This one’s Lin, that one’s Meng Na, and this is Ai Lian!”

“I didn’t expect... uh...”

Ruby had opened the floodgates, but suddenly couldn’t figure out how to address Ye Qingfeng; she frowned, looking at him with obvious confusion. “Um... what should we call you?”

“Just call me Qingfeng. My friends do.”

Ye Qingfeng swallowed his food and noticed the others—except Ruby—were tense, likely due to the psychological pressure his status imposed.

“I didn’t expect you’re only one year older than us!”

Ruby scratched her cheek awkwardly.

“You’re not much younger than me—treat me like a peer. No need to be so nervous!” To ease their tension, he spoke casually, using humor to voice what he truly felt.

“You know, I have a friend with a cute little sister. Every time I hear her call him ‘big brother,’ I’m insanely jealous.”

“If someone called me ‘Qingfeng-ge,’ I’d probably buy her tea milk for the rest of her life...”

After all, to them, a man from the Peace Bureau sent to school for drills was no different from a teacher—so Ye Qingfeng made every effort to appear approachable.

And why isn’t Ruby, such a cute girl, my romance target!! System!!

What Ye Qingfeng had just said wasn’t even subtle anymore—it was blatant.

He voiced his true feelings through jest.

“So... is Qingfeng-ge secretly a little sister fanatic?” Ruby teased with a grin, then pinched her chin seriously.

“But... if I had a big brother, I’d want him to be just like Qingfeng-ge! So handsome and generous!!”

Though Ye Qingfeng hadn’t heard a single “ge~,” he felt a pang of regret—until her next sentence instantly hooked him. Ruby’s mouth was too sweet!

Spoil! Spoil her hard!

“I’ll buy you tea milk for life!”

Ye Qingfeng patted his chest and waved his hand grandly.

“Qingfeng-ge is the best!” Ruby grinned, flashing a victory sign. “Hehe!”

This exchange stunned the other three, who then glared daggers at Ruby.

Ruby, you’re making us look like fools! Do you know that!!

But after witnessing Ruby’s success, a second girl quickly stepped forward.

“Qingfeng-ge! Me too!”

Meng Na raised her hand boldly.

“Qingfeng-ge.”

Lin, seeing two friends had already moved first, immediately followed, whispering softly.

“No problem! No problem!” Ye Qingfeng instantly felt the bliss of filial affection; his lips curled upward, barely contained by a slight bite. “You two get it too!”

“Hooray!”

Meng Na cheered excitedly.

“Thank you!”

Lin, belatedly blushing, adjusted her glasses and murmured her thanks.

They agreed without hesitation, mainly because today he was a Peace Bureau officer—residents of New Eli had an innate fondness for them.

The secondary reason? Having such a generous, handsome big brother—why not?

Now all pressure fell on Ai Lian, who remained silent.

She didn’t understand! She didn’t understand! What had happened to this world?

One cup of tea milk and she’d sold herself? Wait—a lifetime of tea milk? A lifetime?!

So... she could use tea milk as an excuse to invite him out anytime... anytime?!

But calling him “big brother”... it’s just too...

If she didn’t say it, wouldn’t she just watch helplessly as they each got their own bottle of tea milk, laughing and chatting with Ye Qingfeng?!

Then there’d be no place for her beside him?!

She wasn’t interested in Ye Qingfeng... she just wanted free tea milk! Just tea milk!

Ai Lian finally mustered the courage to lift her head—three pairs of eyes locked onto her instantly, forcing her to shrink back.

“Um... Ai Lian, no need to force yourself,” Ye Qingfeng noticed her hesitation and spoke up to help. “If you want tea milk later, just come with them—it’s fine.”

Ai Lian: ??!

No! That’s not the same! And if he starts calling them Ruby, Meng Na, Lin—while addressing her as “Miss Ai Lian”?

No way!

“Qing... Qingfeng-ge...”

Afraid that lifting her head would make her retreat again, Ai Lian kept it lowered, tugged his sleeve, and whispered shyly.

(Note: Most readers perceive Ai Lian as: unbothersome, scowling, sleep-loving.)

(But around friends, Ai Lian never shows the first two traits—only her sleepiness appears!)

(And the protagonist is a walking succubus to Xi people—so when not activated, he’s more prone to shyness.)

(Question: Does Miss Lina suffer from the succubus body’s influence?????)