Use this to test a person's character?
What man could withstand such a trial?
Big Duck Duck's husband could.
Ye Feng kept his eyes on his nose and his nose on his heart, maintaining a calm and detached demeanor.
No matter how bewitching or tempting Mobius became, he refused to look again.
My wife and Officer Elysia are right over there. She surely wouldn't dare to do anything reckless.
Ye Feng dragged a chair over and sat in an open space, well within Bronya's line of sight.
Officer Mobius wasn't annoyed. She shot Ye Feng a seductive smile and moved her lips without a sound.
Ye Feng could read them. She was saying: You can't escape, little white mouse~~
Over on the other side, the discussion finally concluded. Big Duck Duck and Officer Elysia walked over, telling Ye Feng that they were preparing to take action this afternoon.
"Dear?"
Big Duck Duck noticed that Ye Feng's expression was a little off and couldn't help but call out to him instinctively.
As for why she used such a term in front of the two officers, Bronya herself wasn't sure.
Even when they were alone, the Bronya with "no memory" would feel shy using such an address.
"N-nothing…"
"He's probably just a little nervous, now that he's about to face the criminal."
Mobius was like a supple, seductive snake, her slender body swaying slightly as she spoke, exuding charm.
"Relax, it will be alright," Elysia said encouragingly.
Mobius stood up. Her snow-white, slender feet tapped against her high-heeled sandals, her crimson toenails reflecting a glossy sheen. She gracefully walked over to Ye Feng and, right in front of Big Duck Duck, raised a hand and tapped her husband on the chest.
"That's right. How could we possibly let you fall into the hands of a criminal? Please leave it to us. You can leave~ anything to me~"
Big Duck Duck couldn't help but narrow her eyes.
Officer Mobius's gesture made her a little uncomfortable.
She stepped between her husband and Mobius, separating them.
"Then I'll be troubling you, Officer Mobius."
Mobius retracted her hand, her pair of vertical pupils staring at Bronya as she thought: Such a possessive Big Duck.
The corners of Mobius's lips curved up, her face filled with a suggestive smile.
"You're welcome. It's my duty."
Mobius was growing more and more expectant.
She really wanted to devour Ye Feng right now.
However, this was like fine wine; the more it "fermented," the more mellow and fragrant it would become.
---o---
Tianqiong Grand Hotel.
It was a five-star hotel situated in the most prosperous district.
Bordering the Qingpu River, it stood out conspicuously among the dense cluster of skyscrapers.
At night, looking down from the floor-to-ceiling windows, the brilliant, glittering lights of the city reflected on the river's surface, creating an incredibly romantic atmosphere.
Aside from its superior location and attentive service, its security measures were also top-notch.
Once the door was locked, no one would disturb you, no matter what you did inside.
Ji Lin had washed herself clean until her whole body was fragrant.
She wrapped a bath towel around her body, her long black hair cascading down like a waterfall.
The crisp scent of water vapor mingled with the young woman's natural fragrance.
She looked utterly impatient.
Ji Lin was apprehensive.
She had toiled like an ox for so many days, and soon she would be able to turn the tables and squeeze her master dry.
Of course, this had nothing to do with affection or lust.
It was purely a release, an act of resistance.
Although the specific act to be performed was a bit strange… Ji Lin had long since grown accustomed to that sort of thing.
What mattered was the meaning behind the act!
That's right.
Before, she was coerced, but today could be the first shot fired in the counterattack!
It was a milestone of an act.
Alright, this was just Ji Lin's way of comforting herself.
The ancient sage of Shenzhou knew perfectly well in her heart that no matter what words she used to embellish it, no matter what reasons she used to conceal it, it was ultimately an act of immoral degradation.
For herself, and for her master…
Smack.
She slapped her own cheeks hard. Don't think so much.
At this point, you want to back out? Can you even turn back?
It was already… impossible to go back.
Ji Lin clenched her fists.
If that was the case, then she would see it through to the end!
This time, she would do to her master everything he had ever done to her.
After all,
"This servant is the one in charge now."
However, just as Ye Feng entered and before she had a chance to speak, the door was burst open by two police officers, and Ji Lin was pinned to the floor.
Ji Lin was in a sorry state. Her bath towel had been torn loose, draped messily over her shoulders like a robe, failing to even cover her chest.
She was escorted away just like that, passing Bronya on the way out.
When Bronya saw the fleeting expression on Ji Lin's face, she couldn't help but freeze on the spot.
Ji Lin's gaze was complex.
But there was no resentment for a plan that had fallen short, nor was there the unwillingness of a criminal being caught.
More than anything, there seemed to be a sense of release.
As if to say, "It's okay. I can finally stop trying now."
Big Duck Duck turned and watched Ji Lin being led away, feeling that something was out of sync.
The air was filled with a subtle sense of incongruity.
"What's wrong?" Ye Feng straightened his clothes and walked to Bronya's side.
"Don't worry, your dear me wasn't taken advantage of by her."
Big Duck Duck stared blankly in the direction they had gone. "…It was too smooth."
"What?"
"Everything went too smoothly. It was as if… it were all a pre-arranged script."
"Huh? Isn't it good that it went smoothly?"
Ye Feng couldn't help but say, "Does Big Duck Duck want a plot full of twists and turns, to see your husband get toyed with in all sorts of ways?"
"Eh? N-No, that's not it."
Bronya hurriedly waved her hands.
"Then what is it?"
"Bronya can't quite put her finger on it, it's just…"
"Just what?"
Bronya opened her mouth but couldn't describe the feeling.
Finally, she shook her head. Really, I should stop thinking about such nonsensical things.
"Mm, it's nothing."
Then, Big Duck Duck broke into a smile. "Dear, you're right. As long as you're okay, that's all that matters. Let's go home."
She proactively linked her arm with Ye Feng's and walked toward the elevator.
There could be no better ending than this.
The criminal was arrested, and the police would soon have full control of all saved videos.
Even if there were potential accomplices, they wouldn't dare show their faces now.
Yes, this was good.
---o---
Tomorrow was the open beta launch for Aratoh.
But Bronya fell ill.
She had a fever of 40°C.
Bronya, whose physical constitution was usually far beyond that of an ordinary person, was now lying in bed, breathing out cloudy, hot air.
Ye Feng took care of her for an entire night, and by the next morning, her condition had improved.
"Hmm, it's gone down a little from last night. It's only 39° now."
Bronya's body felt like it was on fire, and she wanted to kick off the blanket for some air.
"Don't move. Drink some porridge first."
Ye Feng had thoughtfully cooked a thick millet porridge.
The white, viscous porridge was perfect for a patient to replenish their nutrients.
Bronya drank it all. It tasted a bit strange, but her weak body did feel nourished.
"I never thought Bronya would get a fever… It's been a very long time since this happened."
"It's probably because you've been under extreme mental stress recently, and then you suddenly relaxed all at once, which caused your body to break down."
Ye Feng gently wiped the corners of Bronya's mouth, then replaced the towel on her forehead with one freshly dampened with warm water.
"Get some proper rest now."
"But… today is the day Aratoh launches…"
"Now is not the time for that!"
Ye Feng pushed Big Duck Duck back down onto the bed.
His stern demeanor made Bronya feel a fatherly warmth.
Although she had no memory of her father, she doubted it could have been as warm as this.
For a rare moment, Bronya wore the expression of a demure maiden. She clutched the blanket gently, only her eyes showing.
She gave a soft "Mm."
She lay quietly on the large, soft bed, the gentle warmth of the covers making her feel exceptionally comfortable.
Her eyelids gradually grew heavy, and soon she sank into a deep sleep.
---o---
The sunlight on her face felt warm, and the incessant chirping of insects reached her ears.
Bronya slowly opened her eyes. The gentle afternoon sun of early winter wasn't dazzling, but it still took her a few seconds to focus.
She was still immersed in the afterglow of a "beautiful dream."
The criminal was brought to justice, and Aratoh, the game she had made with her husband, had a smooth open beta launch.
Everything was heading in a wonderful direction…
Bronya turned her head to the side. Kiana was talking to a feather.
"Don't be angry. Class Rep is a blockhead like that. Besides, if you suddenly ran up and said you knew me, I'd find it strange too."
"I'm not angry," the feather replied in a crisp, female voice.
"Then why have you been so downcast this whole time?"
"I know it's a bit sad… My sister, Ji Lin, and I were gone for five thousand years. For all that time, Hua was all alone…"
"Aiyah, what's the point of thinking so much about the past? The most important thing for us now is to help Class Rep get her memory back, Danzhu."
"Burning memories, activating [Fenghuang Down]… is irreversible…"
"Huh? How can it be irreversible?"
Kiana remembered that in Ye Feng's special edition of Honkai Impact 3rd, Class Rep had recovered her memory.
"Don't worry. Even if we can't think of a good way right now, we can always get that dog-bastard to help."
"Dog-bastard… Are you referring to the Dark God of 'that world'?"
"Dark God? Hmm, not a bad title. It fits."
"Does Kiana interact with the Dark God often?"
"You bet!"
It was more than just "interacting."
She could count every single hair on his body.
"What kind of existence does Kiana think the Dark God is?"
"Hmph, a perv… cough, cough."
Kiana hurriedly corrected her wording. Otherwise, Danzhu would ask, "How do you know he's a perv?" and then everything would be exposed.
"He's a guy who's always up to no good. But if you have a favor to ask, he'll definitely agree."
"…I see."
Danzhu wore a thoughtful expression.
In the past, the Dark God didn't seem like a bad person.
"Hey, Bronya, you're awake."
Bronya was sitting up in bed, staring blankly, simply watching Kiana and the feather.
Amnesia…
In her dream, she had also lost her memory.
That feeling was indeed unsettling and confusing.
"Class Rep lost her memory?"
"Yeah. Right, let me introduce you. This is Danzhu, one of Class Rep's old friends. But Class Rep doesn't have her old memories."
"..."
Bronya tilted her head, looking at the glowing feather.
She had read Danzhu's story on the Schicksal intranet and knew she was living on Chiyou Islet, but this was their first time meeting.
"Bronya Zaychik. A pleasure to meet you."
"Hello! I'm Danzhu, and I love ACG. I heard you like playing games too?"
Danzhu was very lively and remarkably good at making friends.
With just a few words, she was getting along with everyone.
"Bronya, why do you look so dazed?"
Bronya held her forehead.
Was it the effect of the dream?
She had a fever.
She was being cared for gently by her husband.
And Aratoh was about to launch.
How wonderful.
"It isn't that 'ehe' dream again, is it?" Kiana teased.
Chong Chong herself didn't realize it, but she hoped that Bronya was also being troubled by "adolescent hormones."
That way, everything she herself did would be justified!
Because—that's just what adolescence is like.
However, what she got in return was Bronya's calm gaze.
It even held a kind of… serenity that she had never seen before.
Yes, serenity.
The kind of serenity one feels after getting everything they wanted, sitting contentedly in their small house and gazing at the dusk.
Chong Chong was stunned.
What is this?
She started to feel agitated, though she didn't know why.
Bronya, however, returned a gentle smile. "No, I was just thinking about some things."
"Whoa, Bronya, what's wrong with you! Your smile is so creepy," Kiana grumbled.
There was a saying in the Far East: Has Bronya been possessed by a ghost?
---o---
She opened her eyes again.
It was already late, and the room was dim.
But her husband was sitting by the bed, his head propped on his hand, dozing lightly.
Bronya looked at Ye Feng, and a smile bloomed from the bottom of her heart.
As if sensing Big Duck Duck's gaze, Ye Feng opened his eyes.
He asked with concern, "How are you? Are you still feeling unwell?"
"No, I'm much better."
Big Duck Duck propped herself up and sat on the edge of the bed, looking at Ye Feng. "Just now, I dreamed about our school days again."
Ye Feng turned on the bedside lamp and brought over a glass of warm water. The warm light made the room feel exceptionally cozy.
Ye Feng asked, "Did you dream of Chong Chong or Mei?"
Bronya took the glass and took a small sip.
She was still a little bothered by why her husband would call them so intimately.
"Since when did you become so close with them?"
Ye Feng took out a thermometer to measure Bronya's temperature.
Beep. The electronic display showed her current temperature.
"Still 39°… Me, Chong Chong, and Mei? We've been like this for a long time. See, Big Duck Duck's head is still a little muddled."
Bronya carefully observed her husband's expression. It was completely open and frank.
He even seemed to find her question strange… Sigh, what exactly was the relationship between the four of us before?
Never mind. I'm sure I'll understand eventually.
"How is Aratoh doing?"
"Sales are good, and the reception has been extremely enthusiastic. You could say it's thriving."
Ye Feng replied happily.
The anxiety in Bronya's heart finally settled.
"Really? That's great… Hmm? Dear, is there something else?"
Bronya saw her husband's fidgety demeanor and asked.
"Well, to celebrate the successful launch of Aratoh… I have an unrefined suggestion and a bold idea."
"Mm, we really should celebrate properly."
Big Duck Duck sat on the edge of the bed, her silver hair draped over her shoulders, her beautiful face even more moving in the warm light.
"The unrefined suggestion is…"
"When you have a cold, you just need to sweat it out, and you'll be fine."
Bronya blinked her eyes, and then asked:
"…And the bold idea?"
Ye Feng looked at Big Duck Duck with a fiery gaze and smiled shyly. "I want to try 39 degrees."
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