Chapter 42: Pure Landlord and Black Tenant 10: Tea Art.
Ye Ling carefully wiped the not-so-deep wound on Shao Ye's hand with an iodine cotton ball, disinfected it, applied medicinal powder, and then carefully bandaged it with clean gauze.
During the whole process, Shao Ye was extremely quiet, just looking at him quietly with his eyes as deep as pools.
"It's done!" Ye Ling breathed a sigh of relief, looking at her bandaged "masterpiece"—a clumsy but thick little white bun—with a proud tone, "Just be careful not to get it wet these few days, it'll be healed soon!"
Shao Ye moved his tightly wrapped fingers, his voice tinged with trouble: "Yeah. But... in this case, I'm afraid typing code won't work."
He paused, "The bartending work at Rosemary's place requires a lot of delicate movements, so I'm afraid I won't be able to go for the next few days."
Ye Ling was stunned: [778! What should I do? How could such an accident happen?! He can't work anymore? How will he make a living? And he'll be staying at home for several days? What should I do...]
[Uh...] 778's electronic sound was a little stuck, and it quickly scanned Shao Ye's finger. With the protagonist's strong recovery ability, it was a minor injury. If Ye Ling had bandaged it a little later, the bleeding would probably have stopped on its own!
But, how could the upright protagonist lie?
778 shook his nonexistent head, [Host! Stay calm! This is a great thing! Look, he can't go out, what does that mean?]
Ye Ling: [Does this mean... he'll be short of money? His studies will also...]
"That means he's under your surveillance 24/7!" 778 interrupted excitedly, "The difficulty of your voyeuristic mission has plummeted! You bandaged it up really well! Come on, keep up your considerate landlord persona and show your understanding and support for him recuperating at home!"
Ye Ling was a little confused by 778's logic, but she still spoke up: "It's okay! Shao Ye, just rest at home. Your health is more important! As for work... well... we'll talk about it after your hand heals."
Shao Ye pressed the corner of his lips and said, "Then I'll trouble you, Mr. Ye."
He stood up and said, "I'm going downstairs to rest."
In the basement, Shao Ye sat down at the desk.
He lifted his right hand, which was wrapped in gauze like a white bun, and placed it on the table. Then, he stretched out his flexible left hand and tapped the keyboard slowly and precisely.
At this moment, he did not need to struggle with complex codes; an unnamed document was displayed on his computer screen.
His left hand moved smoothly across the keyboard, typing out the first line of calm analysis:
[Target: Ye Ling]
Appearance: Deliberately imitating frivolous Menglang (motive unclear, suspected to be driven by external instructions, requires continued observation and verification)
[Essence: Highly innocent, extremely kind, soft-hearted and easily deceived (verified)]
Shao Ye typed, the corners of his lips seeming to curl up, but before the curve could take shape, it suddenly disappeared, and a hint of gloom passed through his eyes.
“…I do this to everyone.”
Thinking of Ye Ling's equally gentle attitude towards Shen Yuqiu, Shao Ye couldn't help but grit his teeth.
But he quickly suppressed this worry.
After all, just now, the balance finally tilted towards him - Ye Ling chose to take care of his injuries first.
Ye Ling chose him.
Thinking of this, Shao Ye's expression relaxed and he touched the "white bun" in his left hand with satisfaction.
He withdrew his hand and refocused on the screen, his left hand jumping on the keyboard again, like the most sophisticated instrument inputting instructions.
[The little golden retriever loves sweets very much, including but not limited to chocolate, honey, and various fruits...]
[Continue feeding... Appropriately displaying a state of vulnerability or need for help will stimulate sympathy and create opportunities for natural physical contact...]
[Also, in response to the Golden Retriever's special fetish, the "seduction" plan will continue.]
The rigor and purpose of this document even far surpass the noisy 778 system in Ye Ling's mind.
Shao Ye’s home cultivation began like this.
As a novice pervert, Ye Ling suddenly received such a "pervert gift package", and felt his pressure doubled.
On the one hand, although the portrait restoration materials provided by Shen Yuqiu are valuable, the actual operation still requires him to conduct experiments personally.
Meanwhile, 778 was muttering in his head: "Host! Please create a 'Strength and Beauty' series featuring a top as the main character! Various human bodies, full of primitive stimulation, erotic, explicit, vulgar, and devoid of artistic beauty... When we get to the exhibition, I'll let the pure and innocent bottom give you a good slap in the face!"
Ye Ling faced the blank canvas, which made her feel even more desperate than restoring an ancient painting.
He scratched his golden bird's nest head irritably and glanced at the surveillance wall habitually.
Well... Shao Ye is at home, so I'll go see what he's doing... both to collect materials and to show concern for his recovery!
On the surveillance screen, Shao Ye seemed to be concentrating on recuperating.
He didn't even turn on the computer. He just sat against the head of the bed, holding a thick book in one hand and flipping through it quietly.
Suddenly, Shao Ye on the screen seemed to feel a little hot, or maybe because he was too absorbed in reading. He raised his hand and unbuttoned two buttons of his home clothes.
The neckline was slightly open, very carelessly revealing a small piece of chest skin.
Ye Ling's paintbrush fell into the palette with a "click", splashing a few drops of paint.
[Host! What's wrong with you?] 778 was startled.
Ye Ling had no time to pay attention to it. Because of Shao Ye's next action on the screen, he almost spit out the water he had just drunk.
Shao Ye closed the book and put it aside.
Then, he crossed his hands, grabbed the hem of his home clothes, and lifted it up neatly!
Ye Ling: “!!!”
The worst thing is that this single bed is the focus of surveillance, and there are three close-up shots taken from three different angles, showing every detail!
In the camera, Shao Ye has broad shoulders and a narrow waist, with smooth and powerful muscle lines. This is not an exaggeration deliberately sculpted in the gym, but a strong character developed from a good work and rest schedule.
This wasn't the end. Shao Ye adjusted his sitting position again, from leaning against the headboard to leaning back more lazily.
He bent one leg, his arm casually resting on his knee, and stretched the other leg naturally. This posture made his body lines more slender and powerful, his six-pack abs clearly visible, wild and lazy.
Then he tilted his head back slightly, closed his eyes, and his Adam's apple rolled, as if he was enjoying this moment of tranquility and sunshine.
Ye Ling's breathing stopped.
As a painter, even a half-baked one, this scene before me is simply... a gift from the Muse! It is the perfect combination of power and beauty!
He felt a strong urge to create suddenly rushing to his head, and pure artistic enthusiasm burned in his chest.
He grabbed the paintbrush and drew lines quickly.
[Host?! Host, what's wrong with you?!] 778 was completely stunned as Ye Ling suddenly started painting like crazy, as if she had been given a shot of chicken blood. [Wait a minute... the target... eh? The target took off his clothes? Wow! What a scale! Host! Quick! Use your fiery gaze and perverted brush to record this precious material! !]
778 was so excited that the virtual light ball flashed white light. It even felt that it must be its own painstakingly crafted "perverted tutorial" that was guiding the protagonist's behavior!
God will not let down those who work hard!
Ye Ling couldn't hear what 778 was saying at all.
The only thing left in his world was the body full of strength and beauty on the screen and the lines flowing wildly from his pen.
…
A few days later, Shao Ye's injury was almost healed, and Ye Ling's creative frenzy also ended.
778, however, wouldn't miss a single opportunity, immediately issuing a new mission: [Host! The target has resumed their activities outdoors! Execute the 'Romantic Encounter' mission! You meticulously inquire about the target's whereabouts, then feign a chance encounter, displaying your false consideration and unconcealed sass...]
Just when 778 was teaching Ye Ling seriously, in the basement.
The laptop in front of Shao Ye was displaying real-time images of the top-floor studio.
Ye Ling did not worry about the canvas as usual, nor did she observe herself through the wall of surveillance screens. Instead, she stood in front of the mirror with an expression... extremely distorted.
He tried to wink... to wink? But even with those round, hazelnut eyes wide open, they only looked innocent and simple. Combined with his trembling lips, he looked like a bewildered golden-haired bird trying and failing miserably to imitate a human expression.
"Hey, handsome..." Ye Ling supported himself with one hand, lowered his voice to himself in the mirror, and tried to make his voice low and magnetic. "...What a coincidence, you also like this store... Ahem!"
He seemed to be choked by his own saliva and started coughing violently, his face turning red.
Shao Ye was holding the water cup at hand and had just taken a sip when he saw this scene unexpectedly and almost choked himself.
He forced himself to suppress the itch in his throat and the urge to curl up the corners of his mouth, but his shoulders still shrugged uncontrollably.
But at this moment, an abnormal warning suddenly popped up in an independent monitoring window.
The strange data flow ripples... were unusually active during the time when Ye Ling was practicing his greasy lines.
The smile on Shao Ye's face disappeared instantly, his brows furrowed slightly, and his fingers slid and clicked quickly on the touchpad to bring up a more detailed data tracking interface.
Gradually, a vague but bold guess took shape in his mind.
Could it be that Ye Ling's ridiculously clumsy, perhaps even completely unnatural, greasy behavior... wasn't really his intention? Instead, something was... forcing him to perform a certain task?
It took a long time before Shao Ye relaxed his tightly furrowed brows.
This was too bizarre to jump to conclusions. He needed more observation to be completely sure.
After finishing his practice, Ye Ling changed into a clean white shirt and prepared to go out to carry out the "chance encounter" mission.
He had just gone downstairs when he heard a slight noise at the entrance.
Shao Ye was facing away from him, slightly bent over, changing his shoes. As if hearing footsteps, Shao Ye stood up and turned around.
Their eyes met in the air.
There was no surprise on Shao Ye's face, his expression was calm and natural, as if it was just an everyday greeting.
"Mr. Ye, are you going out too? I'm going to the school library to look up some information. It'll probably take me an hour or two." He paused and casually explained where he was going. "After I finish looking up the information, I plan to go to Time Cafe and have a drink before coming back."
Ye Ling's eyes lit up: [778, he actually told me directly! The specific time and place! !]
[Nice!] 778 exclaimed, [Host! This isn't just a matter of timing, location, and people! The protagonist personally navigated and reserved a location for you! Go! To seize this chance encounter, use the perfect posture you just practiced and get greasy!]
Ye Ling was infected by 778's excitement and didn't bother to figure out why Shao Ye was so "considerate". She just felt that the dawn of the mission was just around the corner.
He tried to keep a straight face, nodded to Shao Ye, and said in a steady voice, "Okay. Then... be careful on the road."
In the afternoon, the sky seemed to have a hole in it, and heavy rain poured down without warning.
Holding the transparent umbrella she had bought temporarily, Ye Ling walked towards the Time Cafe, following the navigation.
Half his body was soaked, his white shirt sticking to him, outlining his shoulders and a vague waist. His golden hair was also dampened by the rain, a few strands sticking to his smooth forehead.
He pushed open the door of the cafe and saw Shao Ye sitting in a booth by the window with a cup of coffee and a laptop in front of him.
"Classmate Shao Ye!" He walked over and blinked indifferently, "What a coincidence, you also like the coffee here? It's true... life is full of encounters! We can meet even in such heavy rain, it seems that there is indeed a special fate between us!"
Shao Ye raised his head when he heard the voice.
The first time he saw Ye Ling, she looked a bit disheveled. Her hair was disheveled, and her white shirt was almost transparent and stuck to her body...
"clatter."
Shao Ye almost knocked over the coffee cup next to him.
Those deep eyes suddenly darkened and his Adam's apple rolled violently.
He used almost all of his self-control to force the desire and anger surging in his eyes back into the abyss.
His face quickly returned to its calm expression: "...Mr. Ye? Why are you so wet? Sit down quickly."
He stood up naturally, took the still dripping umbrella from Ye Ling's hand, put it on the umbrella stand at the door, and waved to the waiter: "Please give this gentleman a cup of hot cocoa and a clean towel."
Ye Ling was a little confused by Shao Ye's series of natural and considerate actions, and obediently sat down opposite Shao Ye.
He wiped his hair and cheeks clumsily, messing up his wet blond hair even more. A few strands of hair stuck up unruly, and with his dazed look, he looked particularly... tangled.
He watched Shao Ye sit back across from him and continue typing away, his heart racing: [778… He doesn't seem… surprised? Did I mess this up?]
[Nonono! Host!] 778 excitedly analyzed, [Look, he took the initiative to help you hold an umbrella and ordered a hot drink! This is definitely a friendly sign! It means the distance between you two has narrowed significantly! Keep it up, keep up your hypocritical consideration!]
Ye Ling: “…”
He looked down at the marshmallows slowly melting in the hot cocoa, then stole a glance at Shao Ye's cold and hard eyebrows across from him.
He smacked his lips, picked up the hot cocoa and took a big sip.
At this moment, Shao Ye hit the last enter key, slowly raised his head, and opened his thin lips: "By the way, you said... a special fate?"
Shao Ye repeated what Ye Ling had just said, with a half-smile: "Mr. Ye's 'fate'... is it that you clearly brought an umbrella, but still got soaked? Or like in the Misty Fragrant Hill, you slipped and fell in front of me, and still said..."
Across the small round table, he deliberately dragged out his tone and uttered the name that made Ye Ling wish she could disappear on the spot: "My... little wild cat?"
“Puff—cough cough cough!!!”
The hot cocoa in Ye Ling's mouth spurted out without warning.
He hurriedly grabbed a towel to cover his mouth, coughing so hard that his neck to the tips of his ears turned red like a thermometer.
Shao Ye considerately took out a tissue and handed it to Ye Ling across the table: "Drink slowly, be careful of the heat."
Ye Ling lowered her head and tried to shield her burning face with the cup.
Shao Ye drank his coffee calmly, but his eyes would pause slightly when they passed over the wet hem of Ye Ling's shirt and the mud-stained trouser legs.
"Mr. Ye," Shao Ye put down his coffee cup, "your clothes are all soaked. It's easy to catch a cold. I don't think the rain will stop any time soon."
He pointed out the window at the still pouring rain and said, "There's a shopping mall not far ahead with a lot of brand name stores. How about... we go over there and have a look? I'll buy you some dry clothes to change into."
He paused, then added sincerely, "Just consider it... a thank you for providing such a nice place to live, and for such a low rent. I've been wanting to express my gratitude, and this is the perfect opportunity."
"Ah? Buy me clothes?" Ye Ling suddenly raised her head and waved her hands flattered, "No, no! It's too expensive! I can just change when I get home..."
"The journey back is not short, and you'll easily get sick if you stay wet like this." Shao Ye's eyes revealed just the right amount of worry. "Besides, Mr. Ye has helped me so much, and this is just a small token of my gratitude. If you refuse, I'll... feel bad."
ah……
Seeing the loss revealed in front of her by this strong and unyielding young man, Ye Ling's heart, which was not hard to begin with, softened instantly.
[Promise him! Host!] 778 also urged, [Remember, reciprocity is the key! Buy him some too! Let him wear the clothes you picked and imbue him with your perverted scent…]
Ye Ling looked at Shao Ye, then thought about his own wet and sticky clothes, which was indeed uncomfortable. He hesitated for a moment and nodded: "Well... well, thank you, classmate Shao Ye."
The corners of Shao Ye's lips curved upwards quickly: "Okay, I'll listen to Mr. Ye."
The two of them paid and left the cafe. Shao Ye naturally took over the task of holding the umbrella, tilting most of the umbrella towards Ye Ling. The two walked shoulder to shoulder into the crowded shopping mall.
Shao Ye had a clear goal and took him directly into a simple and comfortable high-end men's clothing store. The salesgirl was well-trained and greeted him with a polite smile.
"Please pick out a set of comfortable and warm clothes for this gentleman in the right size." Shao Ye said to the salesperson, his eyes sweeping over Ye Ling's half-dried shirt, "He needs to change immediately."
"Okay, sir, please follow me." The shopping guide skillfully brought out several sets of matched clothes.
Ye Ling changed into a clean white and off-white thin cardigan in the fitting room. The light-colored clothes made his skin look even whiter, and he felt soft and warm.
He tugged at the corner of his clothes awkwardly and walked out.
Shao Ye had been standing outside the door waiting. When he heard the noise, he immediately raised his head. When his eyes fell on the refreshed Ye Ling, he froze for a moment.
"...I look good in this color." Shao Ye's voice was a little deeper than usual. He stepped forward and said, "Mr. Ye looks great in this color."
Ye Ling's face flushed again, and she replied vaguely: "...Thank you."
He hurriedly changed the subject, "By the way, I want to get you a set of clothes too! What style do you like? Casual or?"
Shao Ye readily agreed: "Teacher Ye is an artist, and his vision is definitely better than mine. Please help me choose, I trust your taste."
Ye Ling carefully examined Shao Ye. Shao Ye was tall, long-legged, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist, a natural fit for clothes. His austere temperament actually suited him better to clean-cut, hard-lined styles.
But Ye Ling's aesthetic leaned towards bright and colorful. He hesitated, his gaze wandering before settling on a smoky gray turtleneck. It was calm yet not dull.
"Try this one?" Ye Ling handed it to Shao Ye uncertainly. "And these casual pants, they should...should match well?"
Shao Ye didn't object and took the clothes: "Okay."
The waiting time seems a bit long.
Ye Ling sat on the sofa in the lounge, his mind a mess. 778 was still chattering away, instructing him on how to use "help picking clothes" to create ambiguous physical contact, such as "accidentally touching his Adam's apple while helping him adjust his collar," which made Ye Ling blush.
The door of the fitting room finally opened.
Ye Ling looked up when he heard the voice, and his breathing subconsciously stopped.
Shao Ye walked out. The high-necked cashmere sweater fit his body perfectly, and the high collar wrapped around his slender neck, adding a touch of abstinence and elegance.
"Wow..." Ye Ling unconsciously let out a small exclamation, her eyes sparkling.
Shao Ye walked up to him and looked down at him: "Teacher Ye is indeed an artist, he has a good eye."
"Ahem..." Ye Ling felt dizzy from the praise. She looked away uncomfortably and muttered softly, "That's...that's all."
[Wow!] 778 was bored, and the sound of eating melons suddenly echoed in Ye Ling's mind. [Is this the legendary top-level tea art? It seems like a sincere compliment, but it's actually a precise sniper! No wonder they say men love green tea. Who can resist it? Even our little male bird is not immune to this...]
"What green tea?! Where's the tea in Shao Ye!" Ye Ling immediately retorted indignantly in his mind, repeating the same lines 778 had brainwashed him with before, "He's your Jinjiang's top protagonist! The leader of the male ethics class! A flower of Gaoling, a man of poverty, perseverance, and excellent character and learning! He's sincere, grateful, and polite..."
Shao Ye looked at Ye Ling, whose face was slightly red and whose eyes were wandering, yet she was trying to pretend to be calm, and the smile in his eyes deepened.
He said to the salesperson in a straightforward manner, "Just these two sets, check out."
Because Ye Ling was in a daze, Shao Ye used his own card for both sets of clothes.
Ye Ling reacted and wanted to rush to pay, but was stopped by Shao Ye with a gentle but firm words, "I agreed to thank you."
The two were about to leave the mall with their shopping bags when a slightly exaggerated and contrived voice suddenly rang out:
"Teacher Ye?! It's really you! Oh my god, what a coincidence!"
When Ye Ling heard the sound and looked over, his scalp instantly went numb.
Walking towards him were the models and their lackeys who had previously enthusiastically recommended themselves to him at the "Missia" club and wanted to be his "muse"!
The one in the lead was the seductive man who had been wearing a sequined bodysuit and twisting his waist to stick to him. Now he was wearing an even more flashy printed shirt and looked excited.
The group of people gathered around him, and when they saw the shopping bags in Shao Ye's hands and his expensive new clothes, the jealousy and sourness in their eyes almost solidified into substance.
"Teacher Ye, you are really busy. It's been a long time since we went to Midiexiang!" The seductive man said coquettishly, but his eyes were like knives piercing Shao Ye. "Is this... a new friend?"
Another lackey immediately chimed in: "Hey, this outfit is nice, isn't it? Did you just buy it? Teacher Ye, you are so kind-hearted. Even this..."
He looked Shao Ye up and down. Although Shao Ye had an outstanding temperament, his aloof and cold aura was incompatible with them, which made them instinctively reject him and deliberately want to belittle him. "...He looks like a poor country bumpkin, and you are willing to support him? Bring him out to see the world?"
"That's right, Teacher Ye, you have such high standards. If you want to find a muse of inspiration, you have to look like us..." Another model puffed out his chest, hinting at something.
Ye Ling opened her mouth, but was completely speechless and completely panicked.
He subconsciously looked at Shao Ye, fearing that he would be angry or embarrassed.
Unexpectedly, there was no expression of anger on Shao Ye's face. Instead, when Ye Ling looked over, he lowered his eyes slightly and pursed his thin lips. His whole aura instantly changed from calm and reserved to forbearing and innocent, even... aggrieved?
Suddenly, Shao Ye raised his head. He didn't look at those provocative people, but turned slightly to face Ye Ling.
"My clothes?" He pointed at the smoky gray turtleneck sweater on his body. "This is what Teacher Ye picked out specially for me."
He glanced at the other shopping bag Ye Ling was holding, which contained her wet clothes. He added, "Teacher Ye's own clothes were soaking wet, but she thought of helping me choose them first... and they fit me perfectly. Teacher Ye is really kind."
The smiles on the faces of the group of models and lackeys suddenly froze.
What? Teacher Ye picked it out for him personally? Teacher Ye got soaked herself and still took care of him first?!
The flirtatious man's face turned red and white, and he pointed at Shao Ye, his fingers shaking: "You...you..."
Shao Ye seemed not to notice the other party's loss of composure. Instead, he frowned slightly and looked at Ye Ling: "Teacher Ye, I'm sorry. Did I... cause your friend to misunderstand? It's all my fault. I've put you in a difficult position."
That posture made her look like a little white flower who was afraid of causing trouble to her benefactor.
Seeing Shao Ye's self-blaming and depressed look, even though Ye Ling was just a little bird, his desire to protect her instantly exploded.
"That's impossible! Shao Ye, please don't think that!" He straightened his back and retorted eagerly. When he turned to the group, his tone was even more uncommonly tough. "He is a very important tenant and friend of mine! Please speak with respect!"
The group of people looked at Shao Ye, who was pretending to be innocent after getting the advantage, and then looked at Ye Ling's attitude of obviously defending him. They felt a mouthful of blood stuck in their chest and they were so angry that they almost fainted.
The voluptuous man in the lead glared at Shao Ye fiercely, then looked at Ye Ling who was defending him, and finally squeezed out a sentence from between his teeth: "Okay! Teacher Ye, as long as you are happy. Let's go!"
After saying that, the group of people turned around and left angrily, their backs revealing a strong sense of sourness.
Only after confirming that all the annoying guys had disappeared did Shao Ye slowly turn back.
He looked at Ye Ling, whose cheeks were slightly red because she was defending him. There seemed to be stars in his deep eyes, and the corners of his mouth raised in an obvious arc.
This smile was different from any previous polite or playful smile. It came from the heart, pure and bright, lighting up his handsome face.
Boom! My heart skipped a beat.
Blood quickly rushed to Ye Ling's cheeks, and he felt so dizzy that he almost couldn't stand.
However, the next second, he suddenly remembered the role he played - a perverted landlord who installed more than a dozen cameras in the other person's residence!
Ye Ling looked away as if burned, not daring to look at Shao Ye's eyes that seemed to see through everything and were filled with smiles that were only for him.
if you can……
He secretly made up his mind.
You must treat Shao Ye better within your ability!
But he didn't notice that the moment he turned his head, Shao Ye's gentle smile disappeared without a trace, and a layer of coldness that kept strangers away once again enveloped his body.
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