The next few days passed uneventfully, though the favorability of a few individuals had quietly risen.
System, replay the favorability increase notifications from the past few days.
[Ding! Starting playback:]
[Nicole's favorability increased by 5%. Current favorability: 55%]
[Anby's favorability increased by 5%. Current favorability: 45%]
[Billy's favorability increased by 5%. Current favorability: 45%]
[Wise's favorability increased by 10%. Current favorability: 30%]
[Belle's favorability increased by 5%. Current favorability: 40%. Reward: Two lottery draws.]
Wise and Belle's favorability had increased through steady messaging and chatting. Of course, he hadn't neglected Zhu Yuan either, though perhaps because her favorability was already relatively high, simple texts no longer moved the needle.
Currently, Nicole held the highest favorability, with Zhu Yuan a close second.
Living under the same roof with Nicole, and having her eat his cooking most days, her high favorability wasn't too surprising. What was surprising was Zhu Yuan, whom he rarely saw, having favorability that high.
Compared to Nicole, who still hadn't paid him a single salary, Zhu Yuan was definitely treating him better!
But this morning, the firearm Nicole had promised him finally arrived. Ye Qingfeng stared at the package on the table, his heart racing with excitement.
"What are you just standing there for? Open it! If there's a problem, the delivery guy hasn't gone far!"
Nicole, who had just paid a hefty sum, was in a foul mood, her tone dripping with resentment.
"Nicole, you're seriously the best to me!"
Ye Qingfeng turned to look at her with firm conviction, though the phrase felt oddly familiar.
"What are you saying?! It's giving me goosebumps!"
Nicole's cheeks instantly flushed a light pink. Though inwardly pleased, she still wore a poor look.
"Hurry up and open it. It's a bit late, but… consider it a welcome gift for joining the Cunning Hares!"
Never one for sentimentality, Nicole quickly composed herself, walked over, and gave Ye Qingfeng's shoulder what she thought was a light, encouraging pat.
Ye Qingfeng nodded vigorously and eagerly tore open the package. Inside lay a sleek Mk. 23 Desert Eagle, accompanied by several spare magazines.
He immediately picked it up, examining it with undisguised thrill—no words could capture his excitement.
This texture! So cool!
"Alright, alright! Put it away for now. Come with us—we're heading out!"
Seeing his exhilaration, Nicole worried he might accidentally discharge it. Noticing Anby and Billy coming downstairs, geared up and ready, she remembered they had a job to do.
"Got it!"
Ye Qingfeng agreed readily, hugged the package, and dashed upstairs. He hurried into his room, carefully set the box down, turned to leave, took two steps, then doubled back to stash both the pistol and all the magazines into his spatial backpack.
Just in case! That's right! Nicole never tells me the details of a commission after accepting it! What if this mission is super dangerous and those two goofballs, Billy and Anby, get captured? That'll be my moment to shine as the hero!
I'll point my gun at the villains, standing protectively in front of a helpless Nicole. She'll definitely be moved to tears!
And then she might offer herself to me out of gratitude… Should I accept?
Hehehe!
"Ye Qingfeng! What are you doing up there?! Get down here now!"
Just as Ye Qingfeng's imagination was running wild, Nicole's impatient shout echoed from downstairs.
"Coming, coming!"
Ye Qingfeng hurriedly dashed down, silently complaining.
Nicole's temper is so fierce. Whoever marries her would probably end up with neither her nor the money! Even if she offered herself, I wouldn't take it!
"I feel like Qingfeng is thinking something bad…"
As Ye Qingfeng passed by Anby, she suddenly spoke up.
Ye Qingflin stiffened imperceptibly, relieved when no one else seemed to notice. He directly reached out and pinched Anby's cheeks, kneading them like dough.
"Nope! Anby, don't say things like that! Understood?"
Despite Ye Qingfeng's excessive actions, Anby didn't resist at all and simply nodded.
"I'll make hamburgers tonight."
Pleased with Anby's compliance, Ye Qingfeng released his kneading and cheerfully headed for the door.
That's right! Over these past few days, he'd discovered that as long as he didn't cross a certain line, he could pretty much do anything to Anby. Of course, he didn't dare test where that line was since he cared for Anby and wouldn't do something like that to her.
As Ye Qingfeng and Anby got into the car one after the other, Nicole stepped on the gas. The vehicle sped off and soon arrived at their destination.
The place looked familiar—wasn't this the Phaethon siblings' garage?!
Were they entering a Hollow again?
"Nicole, why are we here?"
Though he had his suspicions, Ye Qingfeng still asked for confirmation.
"Why so many questions?! Get out!"
Nicole rolled her eyes, unbuckled her seatbelt, and got out first.
Why so mean?! Is she afraid I'll chicken out if we enter a hollow, so she's not telling me in advance?
Ye Qingfeng silently psyched himself up. Even though he never wanted to step into another Hollow in this lifetime, things were different now!
"You're here! Where's Qingfeng? Is he coming into the Hollow with you this time?"
Just then, the Phaethon siblings emerged from behind the house. As soon as she appeared, Belle began glancing around as if searching for something. When she reached Nicole, she finally stopped her wandering gaze.
"He's in the car. Qingfeng isn't going into the Hollow with us. Would it be too much trouble to have him stay here with you?"
Nicole pointed a thumb backward without turning around.
"Too… ahem! No trouble at all! Not a problem in the slightest!"
Belle's eyes sparkled with excitement, though she tried to restrain her emotions. Her tone, however, remained light and cheerful.
Having heard their entire conversation from inside the car, Ye Qingfeng pushed the car door open with a loud bang, instantly drawing everyone's attention. Under their collective gaze, he walked up to Nicole.
"Nicole, what do you mean by that?! I'm a member of the Cunning Hares too!"
Seeing Ye Qingfeng's serious expression, Nicole felt a bit conflicted but still firmly refused.
"No! You'll only get in the way—you'd be useless!"
Given Ye Qingfeng's performance during their last Hollow visit, she felt it was still too early for him. At the very least, he needed some proper self-defense capabilities before she'd consider letting him tag along.
"Boss Nicole being this serious is rare."
Billy whispered to Anby beside him.
"But what Boss Nicole says is a fact." Anby said expressionless
"Hey, hey! Anby!"
Billy immediately tugged at Anby's sleeve, but she didn't get the hint. More emotionless words spilled from her lips:
"If Qingfeng follows us into the Hollow, the success rate of this mission will decrease by 37.5%."
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