Why is the system taking my request to photograph a cosplayer seriously?

Chapter 212 Home Visit to Hua Qing

The next morning at seven o'clock.

Baima got up early, washed up, and ran downstairs quickly.

Sister Jiang was preparing breakfast when she saw Baima come downstairs early in the morning, which surprised her slightly.

"Up so early today?"

"Something's wrong!"

Baima sat down at the dining table, grabbed a steamed bun and stuffed it into her mouth: "Sister Jiang, pack two breakfasts for me, I want to take them with me."

Two copies? For whom?

"A new friend."

Baima swallowed the steamed bun, then picked up the milk and drank it all in one gulp. She went back upstairs to change her clothes, then took out her spare computer that she usually used for gaming and began to clear the data.

Ding Heng appeared at the door, holding a cup of coffee.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm cleaning out this phone so I can lend it to Huang Yue."

"How much is this phone?"

"More than six hands, probably when you bought it."

In Baima's view, one must be sincere when making friends.

It's just a 6000 yuan phone; it should be more than enough for Huang Yue's daily use.

Ding Heng walked in and sat down, reminding him, "You're not allowed to sell it."

Baima's eyes were serious: "Brother, don't worry, I won't cheat! If I break the rules, you can punish me however you want!"

"What should the punishment be?"

"Hmm—how do you usually punish the women?"

"Go! Go! Go----"

Ding Heng took a sip of coffee and then joked, "You're really loyal to your friends."

He worried that the novelty Huang Yue brought, and the excitement of making new friends, might make Baima a little impulsive, causing her to revert to her old "splurging" approach to making friends.

"Brother, don't worry."

""

Baima could hear the teasing in Ding Heng's tone, and said very seriously, "This time I know what I'm doing, I definitely won't be a sucker!"

"Okay, just be careful."

"Uh-huh!"

Baima responded twice, then suddenly remembered something: "By the way, brother, do you know what a 'wall-mounted air conditioner' is?"

"A wall-mounted air conditioner?"

Ding Heng put down his coffee cup: "It's one of those cheap secondhand phones, you can buy it for a few hundred yuan. The functions are basically enough, but don't expect it to be anything special. People who work on construction sites or in factories usually use them, and they don't care if they lose or break them."

"oh----"

Baima nodded thoughtfully: "What about PG?"

"Don't go astray!"

"Ugh————"

After cleaning up her phone, Baima went downstairs, picked up the breakfast that Sister Jiang had packed, and prepared to leave.

Ding Heng followed behind, picking up the car keys.

"I'm going to the airport to pick someone up, so I'll drop you off first."

"Hehe, brother is so nice!"

The two got into the car and drove out of the villa area.

Bai Ma, in the passenger seat, continued fiddling with the gaming phone to make sure the data was completely wiped clean so Huang Yue wouldn't notice anything amiss.

Forty minutes later, the car stopped at the entrance of an old residential area.

Ding Heng pulled over and said, "We're here."

Bai Ma unbuckled her seatbelt, put her phone in her bag, turned to the side, and gave Ding Heng a quick kiss on the cheek.

"Thank you, brother!"

"Alright, go ahead."

Ding Heng wiped his face and smiled helplessly.

Bai Ma got out of the car, turned around and waved to Ding Heng, then ran excitedly into the residential area.

Ding Heng watched Bai Ma's figure disappear into the building's entrance, shook his head, started the car, and drove away.

Xingcheng Airport, Arrival Hall.

Ding Heng leaned against the corner of the wall, waiting leisurely, when he caught a glimpse of a familiar tall figure walking out of the passage.

Lin Man was dressed in simple casual clothes, her long silver-gray hair was tied into a low bun at the back of her head, and she wore sunglasses.

"Boss!"

She quickly stopped in front of Ding Heng, took off her sunglasses, and looked up at him coquettishly, saying, "I missed you so much~"

Ding Heng patted her head: "Alright, stop being so dramatic."

"They really want to!"

Lin Man tiptoed and gently kissed Ding Heng's lips.

Ding Heng neither dodged nor responded.

He realized that Baima's recent tricks were most likely learned from this vixen.

"Let's go, the car is outside."

Ding Heng took the suitcase and turned to walk out.

Lin Man obediently followed and affectionately took Ding Heng's arm.

After getting into the car, Lin Man's tone became slightly more serious.

"Boss, let's get down to business."

"Um."

"I sent you Hengbai Capital's earnings report for this month. Have you reviewed it?"

"I've seen it."

"How is it?"

"good."

"good?"

Lin Man raised her voice by half an octave: "Our six-month return rate outperformed the market by more than ten percentage points, and you only think it's 'okay'? Boss?"

Ding Heng chuckled softly.

Lin Man couldn't help but sigh, "To be honest, when you first asked me to invest, I was quite unsure. Looking back now, it was definitely the best decision I ever made in my life—"

Ding Heng did some calculations and asked, "By the end of the year, your assets should exceed ten million?"

"It's all thanks to the boss's good fortune~"

Lin Man leaned in again, pouting sweetly, "I'll definitely work even harder~"

"Stop being a slut!"

Ding Heng lightly slapped Lin Man across the face, then pinched her cheek and squeezed it a little harder: "I'll deal with you tonight."

Lin Man felt pain, but did not resist at all, only obediently responding.

"Yes, boss!"

As the vehicle started, Lin Man turned to ask the others.

"Where's Yan hope? Hasn't she returned to Xingcheng yet?"

"They haven't replied yet."

"Where's Wenjing?"

"It's also in Zhuzhou."

""

"Where is Sister Hua Qing?"

"Back in my hometown."

Lin Man blinked, her tone ambiguous: "So that means I can have the boss all to myself tonight?"

Ding Heng joked, "Aren't you afraid you won't be able to handle it?"

Lin Man licked her lips.

"It's okay, I'll say it again—the boss doesn't need to treat me like a human being."

Ding Heng smiled but didn't reply.

He brought up the system interface in his mind.

Crown of Thorns: Lin Man

[Current Status: A Princess Defiled by Worldly Affairs]

[Penalty Value: 85%]

Atonement Value: 3%

[Refuge Value: 47%]

So far, Lin Man's stats have been easy to farm, except for her redemption value, which hasn't shown much movement.

The penalty value, in particular, only slowed down after exceeding 80%.

The reason for the slowdown is simple: some behaviors that were considered punishment in the past are now considered rewards for Lin Man.

Lin Man suddenly interrupted Ding Heng's thoughts.

"Boss, if you really don't want to play 1v1, we can go find Sister Qing."

"Why are you looking for her?"

"Give her a big surprise."

Lin Man smiled slyly: "I guarantee I'll make the boss happy."

Ding Heng raised an eyebrow: "Is this appropriate?"

"What's inappropriate about it?"

Lin Man said sourly, "Boss, can you please stop being so biased? You treat me like I'm not human all the time, but when I go to see Sister Qing, I have to think twice before doing anything."

Ding Heng sighed: "The main problem is Hua Qing's family—"

"Don't worry, boss."

Lin Man interrupted him, her tone confident: "I have a way to reassure Sister Qing's family and get her to come out with us."

"What method?"

"It's a secret~"

More than six hours later, the black Mercedes drove into Fenghuang Ancient Town.

Bluestone-paved roads, stilted houses, and the Tuojiang River flowing quietly.

It was too hot, so there weren't many tourists in the ancient town; people strolled around the streets in twos and threes.

Hua Qing's mother, Hou Wangyan, was originally a member of the Fenghuang Tourism Song and Dance Troupe. Later, she partnered with others to open a travel agency. As the Fenghuang tourism boom subsided and social media emerged, the old-fashioned travel agency lost its business. Now, Hou Wangyan is basically retired and living at home.

Lin Man was looking at the navigation on her phone when Ding Heng, who was standing next to her, couldn't help but ask her a question out of curiosity.

"Where did you get Hua Qing's address?"

"We've investigated this before."

"you----"

"Hehe—Boss, drive to that intersection."

-

Lin Man smiled sheepishly and quickly changed the subject.

She was glad she hadn't offended Hua Qing too badly, otherwise Ding Heng probably wouldn't have let her off the hook.

Although they haven't let it go yet—

Ding Heng slowed down and drove along the narrow street, eventually stopping in front of a self-built residential building.

It's a six-story building with an outdated design.

The first floor is a warehouse converted from a garage. The roller shutter door is half-closed, and you can vaguely see several rows of clothes racks with all kinds of colorful clothes hanging on them.

Ding Heng turned off the engine and took out two gift boxes from the trunk.

Lin Man got out of the passenger seat, tidied her clothes and makeup, and took Ding Heng's arm again.

"Let's go."

The two went upstairs and stopped on the left side of the fourth floor, raising their hands to knock on the door.

"Knock knock knock".

Footsteps came from inside, and the door opened.

Hua Qing was wearing a loose, light gray loungewear dress, her long hair was down, and her face was bare.

She looked at Ding Heng, then at Lin Man beside her, and stared in disbelief.

"you----"

"Sister Qing!"

Lin Man released Ding Heng, pounced on him, and wrapped her arms around Hua Qing's neck.

I missed you so much!

"you----"

Hua Qing was struggling to breathe under Lin Man's weight, but she couldn't push him away, and her face was full of confusion.

"Lin, Lin Man—what are you doing—"

I miss you!

Lin Man released her, smiling as she waved the gift bag in her hand: "I came here especially to see you."

"Qingqing, who's here?"

Footsteps approached from afar, and Hua Qing's mother, Hou Wangyan, emerged from the inner room.

She's in her early fifties and takes good care of herself.

"Hello, Auntie!"

Lin Man relaxed her arms and greeted Hua Qing with a sweet smile: "I'm Lin Man, a teammate of the Hua Qing Lake Normal University dance team. Auntie, you must have seen me before, right?"

Hou Wangyan looked Lin Man up and down, feigning surprise.

"Oh—Lin Man, right!"

She had seen her daughter's dance troupe perform and had a particularly deep memory of Lin Man.

Firstly, Lin Man's alluring appearance makes her hard to ignore.

Secondly, Lin Man is the worst dancer in the entire dance troupe.

But was the relationship between Hua Qing and Lin Man really that good in the past?

"Aunt."

Lin Man spoke intimately, like a family member: "My boyfriend and I came to Fenghuang for a visit, and since Sister Qing happened to be home, we came without telling you beforehand. Sorry to bother you."

"I won't bother you, I won't bother you."

Hou Wangyan greeted, "Come in and sit down, don't stand at the door—is this your boyfriend?"

"Hello, Auntie, my name is Ding Heng!"

Ding Heng placed the gift on the entryway cabinet and nodded slightly to Hou Wangyan: "I came in a hurry and didn't prepare anything, just a small token of my appreciation."

Hou Wangyan carefully examined Ding Heng—tall, spirited, and spoke politely, like a child from a respectable family.

"Come, come, sit down, don't stand."

Hua Qing bit her lip, her eyes filled with hostility.

After Lin Man pulled this stunt, how is she going to bring Ding Heng home in the future?

"Sister Qing, what are you standing there for? Come in."

Lin Man turned around, and Chong Huaqing waved.

Hua Qing took a deep breath, closed the door, and followed him inside.

The interior decoration is in the popular style of the early 20th century, with several Hunan embroidery pieces hanging on the walls, as well as a wall of honor displaying the trophies and certificates of Hou Wangyan and her daughter Hua Qing.

"Auntie was really beautiful when she was young."

Lin Man stood in front of the wall of honor and praised it sincerely.

"I'm getting old."

Hou Wangyan waved his hand, inviting them to sit down.

"Tea or water?"

"That's fine, Auntie, don't bother."

Lin Man sat down on the sofa, and Ding Heng sat down next to her.

Hou Wangyan brought out fruit from the kitchen and placed it on the coffee table.

"Please eat the fruit, don't be shy."

"Thank you, Auntie."

Lin Man picked up a grape, but instead of putting it in her own mouth, she held it to Ding Heng's lips.

"ah----"

Ding Heng opened his mouth to catch it and chewed it.

Hou Wangyan saw this and immediately understood—the two young people were deeply in love!

He then looked at his daughter with a resentful expression.

Hua Qing looked bewildered: "Mom, why are you looking at me like that?"

"Nothing —"

Hou Wangyan sighed softly.

When will Hua Qing bring someone back? She doesn't want to graduate with a master's degree and still be a virgin.

Lin Man looked around and asked, "Where's Uncle? Isn't he home?"

"He went out to run some business."

Hou Wangyan brought over tea again: "It's just Hua Qing and me at home, and we're getting bored. Your presence will liven things up."

"That's perfect!"

Lin Man picked up her teacup and took a sip: "Auntie, would you like to go out for a walk with us later?"

Hou Wangyan shook her head: "I'm an old woman, I won't bother you young people."

Lin Man took Ding Heng's arm again and snuggled closer to him: "Honey, where shall we go later?"

Ding Heng coughed twice: "I'll do as you say."

"My words—"

Lin Man lightly traced her fingertips on Ding Heng's arm, her posture suggestive.

Hua Qing saw this and felt extremely awkward.

Although she and Lin Man had already been "frank with each other," it was still in front of her mother—

"By the way, Sister Qing."

Lin Man suddenly asked, "How long has it been since you and your boyfriend last saw each other?"

Hua Qing was drinking water when she heard this and almost choked. She quickly put down her glass and glared fiercely at Lin Man.

Lin Man blinked innocently.

Hou Wangyan reacted the most: "Hua Qing, you're in a relationship!?"

'

Hua Qing stammered, "Um... I guess so..."

"What do you mean by 'sort of'?"

Hou Wangyan frowned: "Don't you know whether you've talked about it or not?"

"We talked."

Hua Qing lowered her head and honestly admitted it.

"When did this happen?"

"last year----"

"last year?"

Hou Wangyan raised her voice: "Why didn't you tell your family?"

"It's not stable yet—"

"Still not stable after a year?"

Hua Qing remained silent.

Hou Wangyan took a deep breath and turned to Lin Man.

"Xiaoman, have you met her boyfriend?"

"I've seen it before!"

Lin Man nodded repeatedly, her tone exaggerated: "Sister Qing's boyfriend is amazing!"

"What makes it outstanding?"

"Um----"

Lin Man counted on her fingers: "He's handsome, tall, and good to Sister Qing. His family is also well-off; they own an investment company in Hong Kong and even rented an apartment and bought a car for Sister Qing in the capital so she could focus on rehearsals—"

Ding Heng sipped his tea quietly, without blushing or skipping a beat.

Hou Wangyan became increasingly surprised as she listened, and turned to look at Hua Qing.

"real?"

Hua Qing nodded reluctantly.

"Um----"

"When are you going to bring it back for me and your dad to see?"

"We'll see, it's not certain yet."

What does "not certain" mean?

Hou Wangyan said urgently, "With your stubborn temper, don't let them get away!"

"mom!"

Hua Qing's face flushed red.

"Auntie, don't worry. Sister Qing is so beautiful, how could her boyfriend possibly run away?"

Lin Man, always eager for a good show, never missed an opportunity to stir things up.

"You agree, right, Ding Heng?"

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