"Huh? Boss Dai, what's all that banging and clanging for?" Oscar happened upon Dai Mubai repairing the door and came closer to ask out of curiosity.
"Shh, keep your voice down. Xiao Ao, don't go in just yet. Someone's resting inside." Dai Mubai hurriedly covered Oscar's mouth, afraid he would enter the dormitory and disturb Qin Ye's sleep.
"Mmph, mmph. Boss Dai, what are you doing?" Oscar finally managed to get Dai Mubai to uncover his mouth. "So what if someone's resting? Isn't that what dormitories are for? Is there something wrong with me wanting to rest inside too?" Oscar was utterly lost, unable to figure out what Dai Mubai was trying to do.
Dai Mubai grew awkward at his words and could only steel himself and hold Oscar back. "Anyway, Xiao Ao, just trust me this once. You can't go in right now. If you really want to rest, take my card and spend the night somewhere else." As he spoke, Dai Mubai handed Oscar his membership card, something Oscar found simply unbelievable.
"No way! Boss Dai! Since when were you this generous? Oh, I get it. There must be a girl you like lying in our dorm right now, right? Hey, I understand. I won't interrupt you two, then. See you tomorrow." Oscar jokingly kissed the membership card Dai Mubai had given him and walked off with a smug, mischievous air.
"You little brat, watch your mouth!" Dai Mubai wanted to chase after him, but then he remembered Qin Ye was still inside. If Qin Ye woke up and discovered he hadn't finished fixing the door, he might well fly into a rage.
After weighing his options, Dai Mubai obediently went back, picked up his tools, and resumed repairing the door. Qin Ye had long since grown accustomed to terrible sleeping conditions in Slaughter City, so the noise Dai Mubai made didn't affect him at all.
Dai Mubai's obedient behavior cemented Oscar's misunderstanding. In the distance, Oscar covered his mouth and snickered. "Hehe, what tigress has Boss Dai run into to make him so obedient all of a sudden? Whatever, I won't bother the two of them. Let's see how much money Boss Dai has left on his card. I'm going to splurge tonight."
With that, Oscar left the academy alone.
Night fell, and a bright full moon hung high in the sky. Qin Ye woke up in bed.
"Ahh! That was a good sleep!" Qin Ye stretched luxuriously, rolled out of bed, and headed out of the room. Seeing the wooden door restored to its original condition, he instinctively offered a few words of praise. "Not a bad repair job. That workmanship could give a carpenter a run for his money."
Qin Ye pushed open the door and spotted Dai Mubai sleeping against the wall outside. The sound of the door opening woke Dai Mubai as well.
"Huh? Brother Ye, where are you going this late? Do you need any help?" Dai Mubai scrambled to his feet, brushed the dust and wood shavings from his clothes, and bowed to Qin Ye as he spoke.
"No need. Just go back and sleep." Qin Ye strode away, then suddenly glanced back at Dai Mubai partway down the path. "Don't follow me. If I catch you, you're done for."
"Yes!" Dai Mubai immediately stood at attention.
As Qin Ye's figure vanished into the night, Dai Mubai forcibly suppressed his curiosity and returned to the dormitory. He lay down on his large bed and soon drifted off to sleep.
Snoring away, Dai Mubai could never have imagined that Qin Ye was going to see Zhu Zhuqing, the very girl he had been pining for that day-and show her footage of his depravity. "If he found out, wouldn't he go straight off the deep end and try to beat me up? Haha."
Since Dai Mubai was under the Heart Demon's influence, his Corruption Value would gradually accumulate over time, so Qin Ye no longer needed to use Zhu Zhuqing to farm it. Rather than let him interrupt his tryst, he might as well take the opportunity to nurture his relationship with Zhu Zhuqing.
Qin Ye walked alone beside a small river in Shrek Academy, whistling as he strolled beneath the bright moonlight.
"This life really is pleasant. It's not as exhilarating as Slaughter City, but it sure is comfortable. I get to bully the protagonist and flirt with the heroine. Hehe, these days couldn't be better."
As he walked, Qin Ye carefully surveyed the scenery around him. If things went as expected, Zhu Zhuqing should be somewhere nearby.
Suddenly, Qin Ye sensed something and discreetly glanced toward a large tree ahead. Zhu Zhuqing was hiding nervously in its shadow.
"Hehe, the kitten took the bait." Qin Ye continued whistling to himself as he slowly walked forward.
Zhu Zhuqing was already under the Heart Demon's influence. Whenever she came within a certain distance of Qin Ye, he could sense her without her sensing him, which was why he approached her so openly.
"Q-Qin Ye." Zhu Zhuqing nervously stepped out from behind the tree, her gaze somewhat flustered. "Wh-what a coincidence. You're out for a walk too." Her face flushed bright red as she spoke. She wasn't good at lying, and her fingers kept rubbing together nervously. Forcing herself to stage a chance encounter was terribly awkward.
At that moment, Zhu Zhuqing wished she could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.
Fortunately, Qin Ye was a seasoned player who could show a newbie like Zhu Zhuqing the ropes.
"Yes, what a coincidence, Zhu Zhuqing. I never expected to run into you here." Qin Ye stepped forward to greet her. "The moon is quite beautiful tonight. Want to take a walk along the river with me?" He offered Zhu Zhuqing his right hand.
"I... all right." Zhu Zhuqing shyly placed her hand in his. Her pretty face was already as red as an apple, and she didn't dare look up into Qin Ye's eyes.
Qin Ye, however, didn't seem bothered. Taking Zhu Zhuqing's cool little hand, he led her along on a stroll. They walked for a long while, but Zhu Zhuqing still wouldn't speak, giving Qin Ye the chance to break the silence first.
"Zhu Zhuqing."
"Ah?" Zhu Zhuqing jumped. "What is it?"
"Do you think the moon is beautiful tonight?" Qin Ye turned to ask, his eyes fixed on Zhu Zhuqing.
"The moon?" Zhu Zhuqing raised her head. "It's quite beautiful."
"Is it? That was what I thought at first too." Qin Ye paused. "But now, I suddenly don't think it's beautiful anymore. Do you know why?"
"Why?" Zhu Zhuqing asked instinctively, but a moment later, she understood why Qin Ye had said that.
Suddenly, Qin Ye slipped an arm around Zhu Zhuqing's waist, caught her wrist, and drew her into his embrace. Their faces were so close they almost touched.
Qin Ye gazed at her tenderly and said softly, "Because I've found a more beautiful moon. In my heart, no moon, however full, could ever be as deliciously lovely as you, Zhu Zhuqing."
"Ah! Y-you, you... don't say things like that. I-I'm not the moon." Zhu Zhuqing herself had no idea what she was saying anymore. All she knew was that her head felt terribly hot, and she was on the verge of fainting.
"Hehe, it doesn't matter. In my eyes, you're the most beautiful." With that, Qin Ye gently kissed Zhu Zhuqing's crimson lips.
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