Arriving at Yanfei's office, Yanfei brewed a cup of tea and then asked, "By the way, I haven't asked yet—how exactly am I supposed to help you?"
Yanfei shook her head. "I've seen Liyue Opera before, but I don't know much about it."
Nervous and restless, Qin Yu snapped out of her daze and replied, "There's no need to do anything special. Once I'm in character, just interact with me as you normally would."
Yanfei nodded in understanding, though she still found it odd.
She wasn't very familiar with Liyue Opera, but her general impression was that actors usually rehearsed with scripts. Still, she figured immersing herself directly into a role could probably enhance her acting skills too.
Acting, after all, is the technique of performance. And technique, at its core, is a familiar process: understanding, application, mastery... If one becomes accustomed to entering a character, that would indeed qualify as mastering the technique.
"Alright, I get it," Yanfei said with a smile.
"And..." Qin Yu hesitated.
"Hm?" Yanfei tilted her head.
"No, never mind," Qin Yu quickly retracted her words.
Yanfei looked puzzled. Qin Yu's sudden change of heart made her even more curious.
In truth, Qin Yu had wanted to say:
If you ever feel uncomfortable, please tell me.
But then she realized this request would only burden Yanfei, making her consciously focus on the matter and creating unnecessary anxiety.
That wouldn't do.
Yanfei ultimately refrained from pressing further, instead shifting the conversation: "Shall we begin now?"
"Mm-hmm."
A fleeting doubt crossed Qin Yu's mind: Will this even work? But she knew she'd only find out by trying.
It's just an experiment anyway.
Adopting this experimental mindset, Qin Yu felt her tension ease. She tentatively reached up and began to remove the metaphorical "mask" she always wore.
As she did, an indescribable sense of unease surged through her, instinctively resisting the act. Perhaps it was because she had stayed within her comfort zone for too long.
But Qin Yu suppressed this feeling and took a deep breath.
"Done," Qin Yu said.
"Hmm..."
Was there any difference? Yanfei studied Qin Yu more closely.
Qin Yu awkwardly averted her gaze, avoiding eye contact.
"I don't feel any change," Yanfei said.
Ha?
"There is," Qin Yu insisted.
Oh, oh! Her tone and inflection have changed! The usual Qin Yu's voice carried a sense of warmth and vitality. Now, rather than cold, it was flat and indifferent.
Just ordinary.
Her acting is actually pretty good! Yanfei thought, feeling a slight flutter of excitement.
She recalled the smile she had seen when Qin Yu pinned her down earlier. She wanted to see it again, but she didn't know if Qin Yu would grant her wish.
"Indeed, there's a change. This is actually pretty good," Yanfei praised.
After all, it wasn't exactly acting in the truest sense.
"It's alright..." Qin Yu replied.
"It reminds me of how you used to be. You could handle the Iceberg Type, and now... the Flat Type? You've mastered that too! Qin Yu, I think you'd make an amazing actress. With such talent, if you found the right role, you'd definitely become a huge star! Hehe!" Yanfei chuckled.
Though Qin Yu knew Yanfei wasn't being sarcastic, her words still left a subtle, peculiar taste in her mouth.
"Is that so?" Qin Yu asked stiffly.
"Hmm? You hadn't noticed? But it proves you have a natural gift for this field! I've heard that for geniuses, things ordinary people struggle with come effortlessly. As for me, I could never do what you do," Yanfei added.
"I think being different is a good thing."
Being like me would be terrible.
Yanfei smiled. "I agree! It's fascinating to interact with people who are different. Of course, there will always be misunderstandings, but reaching mutual understanding through communication is what makes human relationships truly rewarding."
What a chatterbox!
Yet Yanfei's constant chatter actually put Qin Yu at ease. What Qin Yu dreaded most was the sudden silence between them, when not a single word was spoken.
But then, Yanfei fell silent.
Why did she stop talking?
Yanfei crossed her arms and glanced at Qin Yu. She was actually a bit nervous.
Qin Yu claimed she was practicing her acting, but her somewhat unnatural reaction had a strangely genuine feel. It made Yanfei feel like she was truly seeing another side of Qin Yu.
Once the conversation stopped, Yanfei didn't know how to resume.
I need to think of something to say. Otherwise, this is going to get awkward.Let me think... Yanfei mentally sifted through possible topics.
But for Qin Yu, even this brief silence felt like an eternity.
The longer the silence stretched, the more uneasy she grew.
At times like this, Hu Tao would often do something to get her attention—like tugging lightly on her hair or leaning over her shoulder to ask random, trivial questions out of boredom.
Hu Tao would forcefully steer the conversation, leaving Qin Yu with nothing to do but respond.
But Yanfei was different. She wouldn't force Qin Yu to follow her lead. Qin Yu couldn't bear to remain passive any longer and felt she needed to take the initiative to ease the tense atmosphere.
At that moment, Qin Yu's gaze drifted once again to Yanfei's smooth, bare stomach.
This is it.
With this thought, Qin Yu gently poked Yanfei's side with her index finger.
Evaluation: S+
"Ah!" Yanfei jolted, nearly leaping up in shock.
That reaction was quite amusing.
Flushing crimson, Yanfei covered her side and exclaimed hurriedly, "W-why did you suddenly poke my stomach? You startled me!"
"It's because..."
"Because?"
Qin Yu whispered, "It was just a whim."
"Just a whim?" Yanfei muttered.
What else? A long-planned scheme?
Yanfei couldn't resist touching her side. Though surprised, she felt an inexplicable sense of joy. There's something wrong with me for feeling this way, she thought, but I hope Qin Yu will do it again.
But she could never bring herself to say such a thing aloud.
"If it weren't so sudden, it wouldn't be so bad," Yanfei said.
Not so bad? Qin Yu couldn't help but ask, "So, if it's not sudden, I can touch?"
"Uh... I-I don't see what's so special about touching it, but if you really want to, it's not like I'd stop you! Just... please don't poke me suddenly, especially around my side—it's really ticklish," Yanfei said, her gaze flitting between Qin Yu's face and the coffee table.
She's actually letting me?
If it were me, I'd definitely refuse. And if it were Hu Tao, she'd probably demand, 'Let me touch yours too!' right here and now, Qin Yu mused inwardly.
She really did want to touch it. Since Yanfei had given her permission, there was no need to hesitate too much, right?
Thinking this, Qin Yu reached out and pressed her palm against Yanfei's abdomen.
The distinct sensation of soft warmth, the dual sensations of healthy skin and a smooth, supple texture... It sounded strange, but these were just her honest thoughts.
Yanfei leaned back against the sofa, her head tilted down as she watched Qin Yu's hand glide over her stomach. Her heart raced, her cheeks flushed, and she couldn't resist closing her eyes to suppress the growing embarrassment.
Evaluation: SS
The texture really is amazing! Qin Yu continued to think to herself, noticing that Yanfei had closed her eyes.
Why are her eyes closed? Is she asleep?
Her gaze drifted to Yanfei's side, then back to her face. Still closed.
Suddenly, a mischievous idea struck her. Yanfei had said not to poke her suddenly, so...
I'll pinch her.
"Waaah!?" Yanfei's whole body jolted, her eyes snapping open.
She was about to complain to Qin Yu—I told you it's ticklish on my side! Why did you pinch me anyway?!
But when Yanfei saw the genuine smile on Qin Yu's face after successfully teasing her, she found herself speechless. She couldn't help but find Qin Yu utterly adorable, and even being teased didn't feel so bad.
"Scared you?" Qin Yu asked with a gentle smile.
"M-hm... as compensation, I want to pinch you too!"
"No way."
"That's kind of unfair," Yanfei grumbled, her dissatisfaction stemming from the imbalance—Qin Yu could touch her, but she couldn't touch Qin Yu. It felt inherently unjust.
"Does it bother you?" Qin Yu asked, her voice tinged with anxiety.
"No, no, I just think it's unfair."
"Oh, I see."
Qin Yu visibly relaxed.
As for Yanfei's complaint about "unfairness," she chose to selectively ignore it.
"Speaking of which, Yanfei, have you encountered any work-related issues recently?" Qin Yu abruptly changed the subject.
"Ah, there have been a few, but I'm used to them. I can handle them easily. No need to worry about me," Yanfei replied instinctively, following Qin Yu's lead.
Only then did she belatedly realize the conversation had shifted.
Is this a little cunning?
So, this is the kind of role Qin Yu wants to play? Whether it's teasing, this cunning maneuvering, or that nonchalant tone, it all feels a bit too real.
Could it be that...
Ha! No way! Yanfei dismissed the absurd thought that had popped into her head.
Yet she couldn't help but think, if that were true... it wouldn't be so bad after all...
Evaluation: SS+