The two, engrossed in conversation, eventually found themselves at the restaurant without realizing it. They chose an empty table and sat down. Once again, Ye Qingfeng and Zhu Yuan fell into a polite back-and-forth over the menu—until Qingyi finally couldn't take it anymore. She snatched the menu from their hands and decisively placed the order herself.
Qingyi pushed aside the oversweetened milk tea, poured herself a cup of plain tea, and took a long sip—finally feeling her composure return a little.
She wasn't sure why, but despite her usually steady temperament, she'd felt quietly agitated several times in just this short span.
Thanks to Zhu Yuan's explanations along the way, Ye Qingfeng had roughly grasped that this petite girl named Qingyi was actually a robot—and also Zhu Yuan's colleague.
Zhu Yuan then briefly introduced Ye Qingfeng to Qingyi. Aside from his name and a few harmless details, however, she wasn't sure what else to add.
"So she's actually a robot?"
Ye Qingfeng leaned slightly toward Zhu Yuan, his voice lowered as if sharing a secret.
"So a child robot?"
At that moment, Qingyi felt that having such sensitive auditory sensors wasn't always a blessing. The calm she'd just recovered vanished instantly. Unconsciously, her grip tightened—and the teacup in her hand shattered with a crisp crack.
[Ding! Qingyi's favorability has decreased by 5%. Current favorability: –5%]
Zhu Yuan, momentarily flustered by Ye Qingfeng's sudden proximity, hadn't clearly heard his words. The sound of breaking porcelain brought her back to the present.
"Senior Qingyi, are you alright?"
She quickly stood and moved to Qingyi's side, wiping the spilled tea and carefully gathering the broken pieces.
While Zhu Yuan was tidying up, Ye Qingfeng and Qingyi exchanged a look across the table.
Qingyi felt an inexplicable irritation rising—truth be told, she'd been mildly annoyed ever since running into Ye Qingfeng.
To her, Zhu Yuan was practically a sister. It wasn't that she hadn't considered the possibility of Zhu Yuan having a boyfriend someday—but this guy in front of her? Absolutely not!
And right now, he was still staring! Was he trying to pick a fight? She'd had enough!
He was clearly trying to steal Zhu Yuan away. Well, she wouldn't allow it.
If Ye Qingfeng could have heard Qingyi's thoughts at that moment, he would've loudly protested his innocence.
Because just then, he was being thoroughly lectured by his system and had no intention of provoking Qingyi at all.
[Are you trying to get us killed? I told you to work on your targets, not treat them like kids!]
'But she looks like one! And earlier you were calling me "Host"—now you're not even pretending?'
Ye Qingfeng's expression was one of pure helplessness, but from Qingyi's perspective, it looked more like condescension: Fine, I won't argue with a child.
[What I call you is irrelevant! Explain yourself first! Even I wouldn't let that slide!]
'Alright, alright—I'll apologize to Qingyi later, okay?!'
[You… did it ever occur to you that my actual age could make me your grandmother? And that "child" you mentioned—her mental age could easily make her your grandmother too?!]
"What?! You could be my grandma?! And you've still acting cute?!"
He didn't think the system would lie about something like that. The thought of an entity old enough to be his grandmother speaking in such a sugary tone made him deeply uncomfortable. His face twisted, and the words slipped out before he could stop them.
…Oh no.
"Hmph… you—!" Qingyi let out a short, sharp exhale, then gritted her teeth. She rose slowly, a collapsible three-section staff already in her hand. "You've got some nerve!"
But after a brief pause, she put the weapon away. Instead, she lunged forward, tackled Ye Qingfeng to the floor in one swift motion, and planted herself firmly on his stomach, a dangerous smirk playing on her lips.
"Die!"
Seeing Ye Qingfeng still dazed, she didn't hesitate—raining down punches on him.
"Wait… wait! What's happening?!"
Only when the pain registered did Ye Qingfeng hurriedly raise his arms to shield his face. He hadn't reacted at all before being taken down, and he couldn't understand what he'd done to deserve this.
"Let's talk this through! Stop! Stop!" When Qingyi showed no sign of relenting—in fact, her punches seemed to be gaining force—Ye Qingfeng called out for help. "Zhu Yuan, save me!"
Zhu Yuan had just finished cleaning up the shards when she saw Qingyi tackle Ye Qingfeng. Her mind went blank until his cry snapped her back.
"Senior Qingyi, stop!"
She rushed over, wrapped her arms around Qingyi's waist, and pulled her back.
Before being fully separated, Qingyi made sure to land a couple more solid kicks on Ye Qingfeng, finally feeling somewhat appeased.
"Um…"
A waitress who had just reached the doorway stood frozen, holding a tray of food. The scene before her delivered a heavy blow to her young heart. She didn't know whether to enter or retreat…
Anyone working in this district knew the two inside—the famous Zhu Yuan from the Public Security Bureau and her partner, Qingyi.
In the public eye, they were righteous officers. To Ethereals, they were dreaded enforcers.
In the waitress's mind, they had been towering idols. Now, they were apparently fighting over a man.
Yes, her imagination had already woven an entire dramatic love triangle.
Finally, the three in the room noticed the waitress at the door. Trying to act as if nothing unusual had happened, they each took their seats and turned to look at her.
Oh no… are they going to silence me?
"Miss, if you don't bring the food in soon, it'll get cold."
Ye Qingfeng could see the waitress trembling slightly, probably frightened by something. But his stomach was growling with hunger, and he thought he was being considerate by reminding her.
"R-right away…!"
The waitress took a deep breath, steadied herself inwardly, then hurried in with the tray. She set the dish down with practiced speed, dashed back out, and made sure to close the door firmly behind her.
"I'm alive…" Leaning against the door, she remembered there were more dishes to deliver to that room. She quickly pulled out her phone and texted her best friend, pouring out every dramatic speculation racing through her mind.
It wouldn't be long before rumors began to spread: Qingyi, discovering she was the other woman, finds her rival in love is none other than her own partner, Zhu Yuan. Consumed by passion and betrayal, she unleashes her fury on the man caught in between.
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