25: Are you asleep? I'm coming in.

Moonlight, like a thin veil, gently spilled into the room through the dappled leaves, casting patches of silvery light and shadow on the floor.

The door was ajar, letting out a faint, dim yellow glow.

Zhang Qingning stood quietly at the doorway, her feet seemingly nailed to the ground, with no thought of peeking.

She was simply a little worried about Zheng Yiyun.

"Nothing bad happened, did it? It's so late, and the room light is still on, and the door isn't properly closed..."

She frowned slightly, her eyes filled with concern.

She slowly walked to Zheng Yiyun's room door.

Zhang Qingning took a deep breath, raised her fair, slender arm, and gently knocked on the door.

The "thump-thump" of the knocking sounded exceptionally clear in the silent night, like a pebble dropped into a calm lake, creating ripples and breaking the night's tranquility.

At this moment, inside the room.

The previously warm atmosphere was like a bonfire suddenly scattered by a strong wind, instantly becoming cold and silent.

Suddenly, the "thump-thump" of the knocking sounded, like a heavy hammer, striking hard on Jiang Feng and Zheng Yiyun's hearts, breaking the previously warm atmosphere in the room.

"Who's knocking so late?"

Zheng Yiyun's heart "thumped," as if something had violently clenched it.

She widened her eyes, her face full of panic, and her body unconsciously trembled.

"Could it be Qing Ning? She wouldn't have seen... No, no, she definitely wouldn't have..."

The more she thought about it, the more frightened she became, her hands tightly gripping the hem of her clothes, her knuckles turning white from the effort.

Zheng Yiyun tremblingly looked towards the door, and that glance almost made her faint.

The door wasn't properly closed?!

A cold breeze seeped in through the crack in the door, making her shiver, the chill seemingly crawling up her spine all the way to her head.

"Oh no, oh no, what should I do?!"

Her mind was like a tangled mess, impossible to sort out.

"Mom, are you asleep?"

Outside the door, Zhang Qingning persisted, asking aloud.

Her voice was clear and bright, exceptionally distinct in the silent night, like a sharp sword, piercing directly into Zheng Yiyun's heart.

Zheng Yiyun and Jiang Feng exchanged glances, their faces filled with shock.

Jiang Feng, after all, was a seasoned general, and at this critical moment, his true scumbag nature finally revealed itself.

In a few breaths, he adjusted his mood and regained his composure.

The more flustered, the more mistakes one makes!

Don't panic when something happens; this is a scumbag's basic skill.

He had to quickly come up with a solution; he couldn't let this situation get out of control.

Now was not the time for Zheng Yiyun and Zhang Qingning to have an honest talk; they weren't brainless harem novel vases, but women with their own independent personalities...

The Shura field wasn't ready yet!

Jiang Feng's brows furrowed slightly, his brain rapidly working, quickly thinking of countermeasures.

But Zheng Yiyun opposite him was not so calm.

Her pretty face instantly turned pale, without a trace of blood, like a blank sheet of paper.

Her delicate body also unconsciously trembled, like a leaf shivering in the cold wind, as if it could be blown away at any moment.

What to do...

How sad Qing Ning would be!

If she knew about Jiang Feng and me...

How could I face her in the future?

The more she thought, the more flustered she became, fine beads of cold sweat appearing on her forehead and sliding down her cheeks, like broken pearls, unstoppable.

A wave of despair washed over her: How could I be so unlucky, to be discovered by Qing Ning at this very moment!!!

Compared to the panicked Zheng Yiyun, the battle-hardened Jiang Feng appeared much calmer.

Unfortunately, Zheng Yiyun was completely immersed in her own panic at this moment and did not notice Jiang Feng's change.

Jiang Feng knew he had to act, or it would be too late.

He quickly lowered his voice, saying firmly:

"I'll hide under the covers, just for now, and we'll talk after Qing Ning leaves... Auntie, please manage your expression, don't show any abnormalities; it'll be fine."

As he spoke, he also reached out and put his arm around Zheng Yiyun's shoulder, trying to calm her down.

Auntie Yiyun, you must pull yourself together; don't mess up at this critical moment.

After all, the relationships between Jiang Feng, Zheng Yiyun, and Zhang Qingning had just begun to warm up; if the two women were to meet now, a Shura field would erupt, and it would definitely be over!

This was a battle that could not be lost!

Zheng Yiyun's body stiffened slightly; she looked up, her eyes filled with worry and fear, her lips trembling slightly, and her voice carrying a hint of a sob:

"This... can this work? Xiao Feng, why don't you hide in the bathroom?"

She couldn't help but think that hiding in the bathroom might be safer, after all, the covers were too easy to be discovered.

If Qing Ning found Jiang Feng in the covers, then not to mention jumping into the Yellow River, even jumping into sulfuric acid wouldn't wash it clean!

"What should I do, I'm so confused, how did I do such a thing?"

She bit her lip regretfully, almost drawing blood.

Jiang Feng shook his head, a hint of helplessness in his eyes.

He frowned, his tone unyielding:

"No, the room door isn't closed properly; if I go to the bathroom, not only will it make too much noise, but I could easily be discovered when passing by! It's safer to hide under the covers."

He patted Zheng Yiyun's shoulder, trying to offer her some comfort.

Going to the bathroom now was too risky.

It was safer to hide under the covers; as long as Auntie didn't show any flaws, it should be possible to hide it.

Thinking of this, Jiang Feng frowned, his tone unyielding:

"Auntie Yiyun, listen to me, I'll hide under the covers, and you must not show any abnormalities!"

"Alright... I hope Qing Ning won't discover anything."

Zheng Yiyun nodded helplessly, her body still trembling slightly, her heart filled with unease.

She prayed silently, her hands unconsciously gripping the hem of her clothes.

With that, Zheng Yiyun picked up the quilt and slowly covered it.

Her movements were a bit slow, as if the quilt weighed a thousand pounds.

Her hands trembled slightly, and each pull of the quilt seemed so strenuous.

Zheng Yiyun's heart settled a little.

As long as Xiao Feng was hidden well, Qing Ning shouldn't discover anything.

But soon, she felt a bit awkward.

After all, there was a man hidden in the room; no matter how she thought about it, it felt wrong...

"Are you asleep? Can I come in?"

Outside the door, Zhang Qingning's voice continued to come, sounding like a death knell, instantly making Zheng Yiyun's heart leap into her throat.

She felt like her heart was about to pound out of her throat, and her breathing became rapid.

She took a deep breath, her hands unconsciously gripping the quilt tightly, her knuckles turning white from the effort, trying to make her expression look natural.

Then, Zheng Yiyun said towards the door:

"Qing Ning... you... you come in!"

Her voice was a little shaky, carrying a hint of guilt.

Zhang Qingning pushed open the door and walked in.

She was wearing a light nightgown, her hair casually draped over her shoulders, looking exceptionally fresh and elegant.

She looked around, her perky little nose twitching, as if sniffing for something.

Zhang Qingning wrinkled her nose, feeling a little confused.

She looked around, trying to find the source of the smell.

Then, Zhang Qingning saw Zheng Yiyun leaning against the headboard, covered by the quilt, with a slightly unnatural smile on her face.

The smile was like a mask, forcibly worn on her face, looking awkward no matter how one looked at it.

Zhang Qingning felt a little confused:

Why is Mom so strange today? Am I overthinking it?

It seemed like something extraordinary had just happened here?

She tilted her head, her eyes full of confusion.

..........

—— — —

PS: To all you Yanzus, this book has been sent to the little black room for the second time. Please add it to your bookshelf! If it's on your bookshelf, you can still read it even if it's in the little black room!

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