Though it's unlikely, could Yanfei have awakened something she shouldn't have?
Ending our friendship to start a "newer" relationship? Isn't that practically confessing she wants to be my girlfriend? No, no, no! That won't do at all.
I absolutely will not become that kind of woman.
But if that's really what she meant, how should I respond?
"I'm sorry, I can't accept." Would saying that be best? If I can't accept, it's probably best to be direct and clear about it.
Even if it might strain our relationship and make things awkward.
While Qin Yu was still pondering, Yanfei quickly added, "Don't misunderstand! What I mean is... you see, we initially started interacting because of the contract, right?"
"Huh? Ah, right..."
Was there really such a thing?
Qin Yu remembered something like that, but to be honest, she hadn't given it much thought. If Yanfei hadn't brought it up, she probably wouldn't have remembered it later.
Still, that's great! It seems Yanfei isn't looking for a girlfriend after all.
Relieved, Qin Yu asked, "What about it?"
"But we're really close now, aren't we?"
"Mm, that's true..."
Yanfei said earnestly, "So I was thinking, maybe we don't need to maintain that contract anymore."
The contract... she must be talking about that letter.
Looking back, Yanfei had decided to protect Qin Yu after receiving a mysterious letter, and Qin Yu had accepted. Recalling this, Qin Yu felt a wave of nostalgia, yet couldn't help but chuckle inwardly.
Hmph, I never intended for Yanfei to protect me in the first place. Nor did I expect anything from anyone.
To Qin Yu, the whole matter was trivial and inconsequential.
But Yanfei seemed to take it very seriously.
Qin Yu picked up her fishing rod, placed the still-wriggling fish into the bucket, and then feigned curiosity. "So, once a friendship is established, there's no need to maintain it?"
Yanfei nodded.
Though she seemed to understand Yanfei's point, Qin Yu couldn't resist teasing her. "Does that mean Yanfei thinks she doesn't need to protect me anymore?"
"Absolutely not!" Yanfei hurriedly protested.
Whoa, she's really flustered.
Though I probably looked just as flustered earlier... No, absolutely not. I was perfectly calm, just confirming things, Qin Yu convinced herself.
"Haha, you're so flustered! I get it now, Yanfei. You don't want money to taint our friendship, right?" Qin Yu remarked, thinking of her own relationship with Keqing.
"Exactly! Even without this, I'd do my best to protect you, Qin Yu. After all, we're good friends, aren't we? But having this thing just feels... weird," Yanfei said.
No need for protection.
Evaluation: B
Qin Yu twisted a strand of hair around her finger, thinking, Since Yanfei feels this way, it can't hurt to agree. I don't mind either way.
"Alright, I have no problem with that. But hearing you say our bond is so strong we don't need any formal contract... it makes me so happy," Qin Yu smiled.
Makes her so happy? Yanfei blushed and touched her hair self-consciously. "You're making me a little embarrassed, but... I feel the same way."
Evaluation: A-
She's so easy to convince.
As Qin Yu basked in the joy of earning more Points, she suddenly remembered something else.
"What about the letter, then?"
"I want to find the sender and refund part of the money. After all, I don't feel like I've been fulfilling their quest properly—sometimes we don't even meet!"
Yanfei nodded vigorously. "As the saying goes, 'No merit, no reward.' I couldn't live with myself if I took payment without doing the job."
"Some might call it foolish, but my own peace of mind and happiness come first! Otherwise, with my reputation, my consultation fees would have doubled. I'm not that cheap."
Indeed, mood was paramount.
"So, do you have any leads?"
Yanfei hesitated, stammering, "N-no, I can only confirm it's someone extremely wealthy who's been watching you. Sigh, no leads, but plenty of pigs."
"Ahahaha."
Qin Yu chuckled along with Yanfei's joke, then fell into thoughtful silence.
Back then, Yanfei warned me I might be being watched.
Yet since then, no one has come looking for trouble. Could it be because I had already made contact with Ningguang by then, and the other party hesitated? Or was it all a false alarm to begin with?
Come to think of it, if it were her, she might very well do something like this.
Even though I couldn't recall any past memories of her at the time, she had clearly never forgotten.
For someone born into a prestigious family and now holding a high position, setting aside this much Mora each month would hardly be a burden.
The more Qin Yu thought about it, the more convinced she became that this was the most likely explanation.
"I have a guess about the sender's identity," Qin Yu said.
"Really? How did you figure it out?"
Qin Yu smiled. "Because I know what kind of person she is. Shall we go confirm it later? I hope we won't disturb her too much."
"Sure, let's fish first... Oh, right! Since you've agreed, does that mean we're just pure, good friends now?" Yanfei glanced sideways at Qin Yu, watching her reaction.
"Mm-hmm."
Did she really need to ask that? But... pure, good friends...?
Guilt surged from the depths of Qin Yu's heart, stabbing her chest like a dagger. Feeling the sharp pang, she couldn't help but say, "Yanfei, there's something I want to tell you..."
"What is it? Did you run into some trouble? Tell me, I'll see if I can help," Yanfei said, patting her chest confidently.
Qin Yu opened her mouth to continue, but then realized she hadn't prepared a proper excuse.
"I... I need to think about how to say it. I'll tell you later," she said, stalling for time.
But now there was no turning back.
Yanfei found it odd. What could possibly be making Qin Yu so hesitant? She was genuinely concerned. But since Qin Yu wouldn't speak, she couldn't press the matter.
Could it be a life-changing matter she wants to discuss?
Come to think of it, Qin Yu had always been popular.
After becoming Ningguang's secretary and shining brightly in the battle against Osial, her popularity had only increased. However, due to her elevated status, few dared to pursue her as a partner.
Only those from noble families or with immense wealth would likely have the courage to approach her.
Thinking this through, Yanfei suddenly felt a tightness in her chest. Not quite understanding what it was, she dismissed it as the ordinary feeling of not wanting her friends to be taken away.
"Hmm, whenever you're ready," Yanfei said with a smile.
Then how about a month from now? No, three months later...
No, that's too long.
If I don't hold myself accountable now, I'll just keep procrastinating. It's easy to forget trivial matters, but this... this I can't let slip away.
Besides, the longer I delay, the more this itching feeling in my heart will torment me. It's better to cut the Gordian knot quickly.
In any case, I need to come up with a convincing reason.
Thus, Qin Yu continued to fish, lost in thought as she stared at the water.
After a long while, no fish had taken the bait.
Strange, why aren't there any fish? Puzzled, Qin Yu reeled in her line to check, only to discover the reason:
She hadn't put any bait on the hook.