They moved through the corridors with an easy familiarity, their shoulders occasionally brushing as they walked. The sound of their mingled laughter echoed softly against the sterile walls, creating ripples of astonishment among the few officers still working late.
To those who knew Zhu Yuan, the scene was nothing short of revolutionary. The woman known for her unwavering professionalism and serious demeanor now moved with a relaxed grace, her features softened by genuine amusement. The handsome stranger beside her seemed to have unlocked a side of her none of her colleagues had ever witnessed.
They complemented each other perfectly—her disciplined bearing balancing his casual charm, creating a harmony that felt both surprising and inevitable.
Ye Qingfeng reached the reception room first. With a fluid motion, he turned the handle and opened the door, then stepped aside with a slight bow that was both respectful and intimate. "After you," his gesture seemed to say.
Zhu Yuan paused, her professional composure momentarily disrupted by the unexpected courtesy. Then her expression melted into a warm, unguarded smile that reached her eyes.
"Thank you," she said, her voice carrying a new softness. As she stepped past him, the movement caused a subtle shift in the fabric of her leather trousers, emphasizing the powerful curve of her thigh.
The door clicked shut behind them, sealing them in a suddenly intimate space. The institutional room transformed into a private sanctuary, the silence between them growing thick with unspoken possibilities.
After a moment that stretched just beyond comfortable, Ye Qingfeng broke the quiet. "I have a confession to make," he began, his gaze dropping momentarily before meeting hers with appealing honesty. "I'm still finding my way around New Eridu, and honestly... I'm not entirely sure how to get home. Would it be too much trouble for you to see me back later?"
The truth was simpler yet more embarrassing—he had Nicole and Anbi's numbers nowhere but in his memory, and his memory had failed him at the crucial moment.
Zhu Yuan's reaction began as a suppressed tremor, then blossomed into full-bodied laughter that seemed to surprise even herself. She turned away, shoulders shaking, before the amusement overwhelmed her completely.
"Ye Qingfeng!" she finally managed, wiping tears of mirth from her eyes. "Only you would ask a police officer you just met for a ride home!"
"But think of the security benefits," he countered, playing along with her mood. "Who would dare bother us with an officer present?"
As her laughter subsided, Zhu Yuan realized the shift that had occurred between them. The formal boundaries of officer and civilian had dissolved, leaving something more personal in their wake. It reminded her of school days when shared absurdity could bridge any distance.
"Alright," she agreed, her eyes still sparkling. "But fair warning—I'll be changing out of uniform first. The official version of me is clocking out for the day."
[Ding! Zhu Yuan's favorability increased by 5%. Current favorability: 25%]
"Then it's settled," Ye Qingfeng said, his expression turning unexpectedly serious. "Your safety becomes my responsibility."
---
Outside, a cluster of officers pressed against the door, their professional dignity abandoned in favor of gossip-fueled curiosity.
"Did you hear that?" one whispered urgently.
"He said he'll take responsibility for her!"
"Responsibility for what?"
"Her happiness,obviously! What else?"
The speculation ceased abruptly as light footsteps approached. A petite figure with twin tails stood watching them, head tilted in curiosity.
"Shouldn't you all be heading home?" she asked, though her tone held more amusement than authority.
Scrambling to create space, the officers offered weak excuses about fatigue and door-leaning, but made no move to actually depart.
Shaking her head slightly, the newcomer opened the door and stepped inside—then froze at the scene before her.
The intimate atmosphere was palpable, the connection between the two occupants so visible it seemed to color the air around them. What shocked her most was recognizing the usually reserved Zhu Yuan as one half of this cozy picture.
"My apologies..." she said before she could stop herself.
The effect was immediate. Zhu Yuan sprang to her feet, her professional mask slamming back into place. "Senior Qingyi!"
Ye Qingfeng rose more slowly, his analytical gaze taking in the woman Zhu Yuan had addressed so formally. She stood barely taller than a child, yet carried an air of quiet authority. Her twin tails framed a face of delicate features—pale skin, luminous eyes, and lips the color of cherry blossoms.
Her uniform defied convention: a sleeveless top that revealed a slender midriff, paired with shorts that seemed more suggestion than garment. His eyes caught on the faint seam lines around her thighs, sparking questions about their nature.
But his assessment was cut short by the system's abrupt notification:
[Ding! Potential Love Interest: Qingyi]
[Initial Favorability: 0%. Decreased by 5% due to host's behavior. Current Favorability: -5%]
[Warning: The host's observational patterns have been deemed inappropriate!]
The message carried a unusual sharpness, suggesting he'd already made a critical misstep with this particular officer.
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