"It's fine. Helping you escape the Hollow was just Nicole's commission. There's no need—" Wise instinctively declined the videotape Ye Qingfeng offered. During the polite back-and-forth, his eyes inadvertently glanced at the tape.
This... Isn't this that documentary that's been out of print for years?! The one I've always wanted to watch!
"I'm not very knowledgeable about videotapes myself, but you clearly are an expert!" Ye Qingfeng immediately noticed the subtle shift in Wise's expression—his eyes full of desire yet his face showing hesitation.
"Please take it!" Ye Qingfeng directly shoved the videotape into Wise's arms and quickly stepped back two paces, not him a chance to return it.
"Well then... I'll accept it. Um..." Though somewhat embarrassed, Wise's hands were utterly honest, already discreetly slipping the tape into his pocket.
"Bro, you're really into this kind of artsy documentary, huh? I've watched this one. I liked it a lot!"
While he didn't know much about videotapes, he understood people.
A brother and sister running a video store—chances were, one or both of them really loved watching tapes. Plus, from his observations, the brother was likely the one in charge.
Even if Wise didn't like this particular type of documentary, its collectible value alone made it hard to refuse.
"Yes! Let me tell you..." Hearing Ye Qingfeng's words, Wise's eyes suddenly lit up. The tape he'd just hidden was pulled back out, and he began enthusiastically recommending several other documentaries he loved.
...
Two guys of similar age, after a simple "bro," were chatting animatedly as if they'd known each other forever, despite it being their first meeting. If Nicole hadn't grown impatient waiting in the car and rushed over to drag Ye Qingfeng away by the ear, Wise would have probably invited him for a meal, then bought some snacks and drinks to watch the tape together.
Before leaving, Ye Qingfeng also pulled out an ordinary but nicely patterned necklace and gave it to Belle. She initially wanted to refuse too, but before she could react, he was already being dragged to the car by his ear.
Wise watched the receding figure of Ye Qingfeng, feeling a tinge of disappointment. Due to certain circumstances, he'd never really had a friend he could connect with on this level. After all, few guys were into these art-house documentaries.
And talking with him had felt... really comfortable.
At a certain point, their viewpoints aligned. A simple, pure friendship began from that moment.
Ah... I never expected him to like this genre too. We met too late! Brother Qingfeng!
[Ding! Wise's Favorability has increased: 20%. Current Favorability: 20%]
[Ding! Belle's Favorability has increased: 10%. Current Favorability: 10%]
The two notifications sounded in Ye Qingfeng's mind just as he settled into the car.
"Bro, you were acting a bit strange today..." Belle pouted, resting a hand on her chin. "You were way too enthusiastic about Qingfeng..."
"Huh? Was I?" Wise was completely unaware of his own unusual behavior. Right now, he just wanted to hurry up and watch that documentary so he could discuss the plot with Ye Qingfeng next time they met. "Belle, figure out dinner for yourself tonight. I can't wait to watch this documentary now!"
"Oh no! Brother couldn't be..." Belle watched Wise sprint upstairs, the corner of her mouth twitching involuntarily. "...drugged by that guy, could he?"
"Ah, whatever. I'll just go get some ramen." Belle turned and headed toward her favorite ramen shop, planning to take a closer look at the necklace Ye Qingfeng gave her along the way. "Hmm! It really is quite pretty."
The siblings simultaneously had a thought:
Wise: Someone who likes artsy documentaries can't possibly be a bad person!
Belle: Someone who gives her pretty necklaces can't possibly be a bad person!
Meanwhile, someone somewhere let out a sigh of relief:
"Subtly tweaking their consciousness was a bit tricky, but still a breeze for me. Making them view Ye Qingfeng more favorably—simple and effective! I really am a genius!"
"Wait up!"
Before Belle could reach the ramen shop to fill her stomach, a group of people rushed toward her in unison from a distance.
"Nicole? What's up?" Belle tilted her head slightly, looking at Nicole who stood before her, panting slightly. "Did you forget something? Or is there something to add?"
"Qingfeng! The necklace you gave me is really pretty! I love it!" Before Nicole could answer, Belle shot a sweet smile toward Ye Qingfeng standing behind the trio.
She hadn't paid much attention to Ye Qingfeng before, but now, looking carefully, she realized he was quite handsome!
For some reason, an image suddenly flashed in her mind.
Ye Qingfeng, dressed in a white suit, a white top hat, a white cape, and finally, wearing a monocle.
Then, with a magician's flair, he presents her with a rose, saying: "Might this beautiful lady accept this lovely flower?"
And the moment she accepts it, a deep, magnetic voice whispers in her ear.
"Since you've accepted my rose, does that mean this lady is prepared to have her heart stolen?"
AHHHHHHHHHHH!
Take it! Just steal me away already!
Belle suddenly felt a warm rush from her nostrils. Crimson blood slowly trickled down her nose. She finally snapped back to reality and quickly raised a hand to cover it.
"Phaethon, are you okay?" Nicole asked with concern, seeing Belle—who had just been spacing out—suddenly get a nosebleed.
"Manager, why are you bleeding? Were you thinking about something..." Billy, relieved it was just a nosebleed, started with a mischievous grin, but was cut off by Anby beside him: "Shut up, Billy!"
Belle was already mortified at having a nosebleed in front of the whole Cunning Hares group. Now, with Billy seemingly guessing exactly what she'd been thinking, her already flushed cheeks turned several shades redder in an instant, her earlobes turning bright red.
She frantically patted her clothes, searching for a tissue, but found nothing. Meanwhile, a trickle of red seeped through her fingers.
Ah! I want to die!
"Hold on! Phaethon, I think I have tissue..." Nicole reached into her pocket, searching. Just then, several tissues suddenly appeared in front of Belle. Ye Qingfeng had pulled a pack of tissues from his spatial backpack and grabbed a handful, offering them to her.
"Miss Belle, stop the bleeding first!"
Belle snatched the tissues from Ye Qingfeng's hand, turning her back to handle it alone.
"Tha..." After a moment, having managed a rough cleanup, Belle slowly turned around, about to thank Ye Qingfeng. But the moment she lifted her head and saw his face—identical to the one in her fantasy. The blush instantly flooded back across her cheeks. For some reason, steam seemed to rise from the top of her head.
"Are you alright?" Ye Qingfeng, now noticing Belle's strange state, took two steps forward to stand before her.
His face, the one that could supposedly enchant countless young women, gradually enlarged in Belle's pupils until it filled her entire field of vision.
Belle's entire face visibly turned beet red. Her pupils dilated, and her breathing grew rapid.
The next second, her eyes snapped shut, and her body swayed uncontrollably backward, collapsing.
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A/n: New content and Story posted on my patreon go check it out!
patreon.com/deadlygoober