329: Chapter 328: Winning Over Ye Qingcheng's Favorability (Part 2)

Qin Yi leaned against the door panel, one hand still holding the IV drip, while his other arm was wrapped around Ye Qingcheng's waist. Ye Qingcheng held the IV drip in one hand, while her other hand was curled against her chest, pressing against Qin Yi's chest. Their bodies were almost pressed together. Light spilled down from above, casting overlapping shadows on them.

In the moment their eyes met, Ye Qingcheng felt as if a rabbit were trapped in her heart, thumping away rapidly. Even her breathing became hurried, and the faint scent of disinfectant on Qin Yi, along with a subtle trace of mint, lingered at the tip of her nose.

She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but found her throat tight, unable to utter a single word.

Just then, the hospital room door was suddenly pushed open from the outside. With a creak, several rapid footsteps rushed in.

"Young Master Qin!"

"Brother!"

"Old Four!"

"Senior Qin Yi!"

Several voices collided in the room, filled with anxiety and panic—Xu Qian, Qin Xiaoyue, and Wang Tengfei had finally arrived at the hospital.

Qin Yi and Ye Qingcheng in the bathroom were startled by the commotion, their bodies instantly stiffening. The distance between them, which hadn't fully widened yet, felt as if it were pushed by an invisible hand, causing them to jerk back two steps.

The tips of Ye Qingcheng's ears were still flushed red, and she subconsciously smoothed her clothes, her gaze drifting elsewhere unnaturally. Qin Yi gave two dry coughs and instinctively rubbed his nose, secretly rejoicing in his heart: Thank goodness they weren't caught red-handed.

Xu Qian was the first to notice something was wrong. The hospital bed was empty, and the ECG monitor was still beeping, but where had he gone? Her heart rose to her throat again. Her gaze swept across every corner of the room, finally landing on the closed bathroom door.

She walked over hurriedly, her fingers touching the doorknob, her voice filled with urgency: "Young Master Qin, are you in there?"

Qin Yi and Ye Qingcheng exchanged a look, both seeing a trace of helplessness in the other's eyes.

Qin Yi held a finger to his lips, signaling her to be quiet, then took a deep breath, trying to make his voice sound as natural as possible: "Oh, I... I'm here. Sister Qianqian, why are you all here?"

Hearing Qin Yi's voice, the people outside breathed a sigh of relief.

Qin Xiaoyue's voice immediately squeezed in, carrying a hint of a whimper and a bit of a spoiled tone: "Brother! How are you? What exactly happened? Why did you end up in the hospital unconscious out of nowhere? You scared me to death!"

"That's right, Old Four," Wang Tengfei's booming voice also rang out, "You were fine when we ate lunch together at noon, how did you end up hospitalized in the blink of an eye? Tell us, did someone give you trouble? Could it be that brat Wang Hao again?"

Following that was Xin Mingyuan's voice, steady but unable to hide the worry: "That's right, Old Four, are you okay? What did the doctor say?"

Qin Yi leaned against the bathroom wall, listening to the chorus of concern outside. He helplessly rubbed his forehead, but the corner of his mouth couldn't help but curl up, and he replied with a wry smile: "I'm fine, really, I'm fine. The doctor said I was just a bit tired. I'll be fine after the IV is finished, don't be so worried."

"What do you mean you're fine!" Qin Xiaoyue was immediately displeased, her voice rising a few notches, carrying a hint of a threat: "What kind of accident did you have? You have to tell me clearly today! Otherwise, I'm calling Uncle to complain right now and have him come ask you!"

"Hey, don't, don't!" Hearing this, Qin Yi hurriedly stopped her, secretly glancing at Ye Qingcheng beside him.

Ye Qingcheng was looking at him with a half-smile, her eyes full of playful amusement, as if saying: See? I want to see how you explain this to your sister.

Before Qin Yi could think of a countermeasure, Ye Qingcheng raised her hand to pull the bathroom door—she had no interest in hiding in the bathroom forever.

Qin Yi was startled and quickly reached out to grab her wrist. As his fingertips touched her warm skin, both of them paused for a moment.

Qin Yi lowered his voice and shouted quickly at the outside: "Um... I'm still using the restroom! You guys wait outside for a while, come in after I'm done! It's too inconvenient otherwise!"

Li Xitong outside was the first to react; her being here really didn't seem appropriate.

So, Li Xitong gave a light cough, her tone gentle and tactful: "Then, classmate Qin Yi, we'll go outside and wait for you. By the way, after Dean Liu Changshan heard the news of your hospitalization, he pushed aside his work and rushed over; he should be here soon." After saying that, she pulled Zhao Ying and Yoyo, and Yoyo pulled Zilin, and the group turned and left the hospital room.

Qin Xiaoyue, however, remained relentless and urged: "Brother! What's there to be afraid of when using the restroom! I've seen you bare-bottomed when we were little, why are you being so coy now!"

Qin Yi's face instantly darkened, and he said in a deep voice to the outside: "Is that the same thing? Being bare-bottomed when we were kids was because we didn't know any better. We're both grown up now, how can you see me like that? You little girl, say things like that again, and watch out, I'll fire you!"

"Hmph, annoying! I'm just worried about you! You ungrateful wretch!" Qin Xiaoyue said, stomping her foot, and followed Li Xitong out of the room.

Seeing this, Xin Mingyuan quickly smoothed things over: "Uh, well, Old Four, we'll wait for you in the corridor. Just call if you need anything." After saying that, he also retreated, pulling Wang Tengfei along with him.

Wang Tengfei scratched his head and added in a muffled voice: "Old Four, don't be polite if you need any help, we're all right outside!" As the voice fell, the hospital room door was finally gently closed, leaving only Xu Qian standing outside the bathroom door.

The air was quiet for a few seconds before Xu Qian's voice sounded again, filled with cautious concern: "Young Master Qin, are you really okay? I heard Captain Ye say you were unconscious for quite a while; your body must not have recovered yet. Will you get dizzy staying in there for so long? Why don't you open the door, and I'll come in and help you? I can help hold the IV drip."

Qin Yi felt a warmth in his heart, but then he thought, if Xu Qian came in and saw him and Ye Qingcheng together in the bathroom, that would be impossible to explain.

So, Qin Yi hurriedly refused, his voice even carrying a hint of urgency: "Uh, no, I'm fine! Really, no need for help. Sister Qianqian, you go out and wait for me too, I'll be done soon!"

Xu Qian stood outside the bathroom door, her heart full of doubts.

She and Qin Yi had long since crossed the boundaries of ordinary lovers; what intimate scenes hadn't they seen? Why was it that she couldn't even wait for him outside the bathroom now?

Just as she was distracted, her gaze unintentionally swept past the hospital bed—there was a stylish women's handbag resting there, with fine leather, obviously not a cheap item.

A woman's sixth sense instantly became alert: She hadn't seen Ye Qingcheng or Shen Jianan when she arrived, so whose bag could this be? Shen Jianan? Or Ye Qingcheng?

A thought suddenly popped into her mind: Qin Yi not letting her stay in the room, could it be... there was someone else in the bathroom with him?

This thought was like a thin needle, pricking her heart gently. The nervousness when she first learned of Qin Yi's unconsciousness, the ecstasy when she heard his voice, were all replaced by an indescribable sense of loss.

But since Qin Yi didn't want her to know, as Qin Yi's woman, she should keep her place. She took a deep breath, her fingertips curling slightly: Yes, what right did she have to complain?

One was the daughter of the Modu Public Security Bureau chief, the other was a heaven-favored daughter from the Zhao Family of the Capital, and she was just an ordinary girl selling cars at a 4S dealership, without background, without power. How could she compare to them?

She suppressed the bitterness in her heart, trying to make her tone sound calm: "Then... okay. I'll go out too. You guys..." Realizing she had said the wrong thing, she immediately corrected herself, "Just call us when you're done in there." After speaking, she turned around with light steps, and when she closed the hospital room door, she was extra careful, afraid of disturbing the people inside.

In the bathroom, Ye Qingcheng looked at Qin Yi, raised an eyebrow, and said with a teasing tone: "Your girlfriend seems to have guessed that there's more than just you in here. Don't you plan to explain?"

Qin Yi sighed helplessly and spread his hands: "Isn't that because of you? If you hadn't followed me in, would there be so much trouble?"

"Are you blaming me?" Ye Qingcheng pointed at her own nose, both angry and amused, "I kindly helped you hold the IV drip, and it turned into my fault? Fine, I won't argue with you here, I'm leaving." As she spoke, she raised her hand to pull the doorknob.

Qin Yi quickly stepped forward and grabbed her wrist. As his fingertips touched her warm skin, both of them paused. "Don't be impulsive!" Qin Yi said urgently, "If you go out now, doesn't that mean we're directly exposed?"

Ye Qingcheng lowered her head to look at the wrist he was holding, then raised her eyes to look at him, her gaze carrying a hint of mockery: "Why? Do you feel that since nothing happened between us, and we were misunderstood, you're at a loss?"

"No, no! I definitely didn't mean that!" Qin Yi quickly let go of her hand, awkwardly rubbing the back of his head, "I meant, I'll go out first and lead them away, then you can sneak out. That way, no one will know, how about that?"

Ye Qingcheng looked at Qin Yi's dilemma, suddenly curled her lips, and a strange stubbornness appeared in her eyes. She didn't speak, just walked toward Qin Yi step by step.

Qin Yi was unnerved by her look and subconsciously backed away until his back hit the cold door panel.

"You... why are you looking at me like that? Is there something on my face?" He raised his hand to touch his face, muttering to himself.

Ye Qingcheng stopped, her body leaning forward slightly, and the distance between them closed instantly—so close that he could clearly smell the faint fragrance on her and feel her warm breath.

"Qin Yi," her voice was a few degrees lower than usual, carrying an unquestionable seriousness, "For so many years, there has basically been no man who could make me, Ye Qingcheng, take a second look. You are the first exception. You have successfully piqued my interest. From now on, don't think about getting rid of me."

Before the words faded, Ye Qingcheng suddenly stood on tiptoe, wrapped her hands gently around his neck, and pressed her lips directly onto his.

Qin Yi froze completely, his brain blank. Even after Ye Qingcheng let go, he still hadn't reacted.

Ye Qingcheng looked at his dumbstruck appearance, a triumphant smile curling on her lips. She raised her hand to push Qin Yi aside, roughly shoved the IV drip into his arms, turned, and pulled open the bathroom door.

She walked quickly to the hospital bed, picked up her handbag, and walked out of the hospital room without looking back.

Outside the room, the waiting crowd heard the movement and thought it was Qin Yi coming out, so they looked up, only to see Ye Qingcheng in her capable uniform.

Ye Qingcheng scanned the crowd calmly, her gaze finally landing on Xu Qian's face, the corners of her mouth slightly raised, and she reached out as if to greet her.

Before Xu Qian could reach out, Qin Xiaoyue suddenly stepped forward, blocking Xu Qian, staring at Ye Qingcheng vigilantly, and threw a series of questions like a machine gun.

"You are Ye Qingcheng? What kind of accident did my brother have? How did he end up in the hospital? Does it have anything to do with you? Why didn't I see you in the room just now? Where did you come from?"

Ye Qingcheng raised an eyebrow, retracted her hand, and said in a flat tone: "Your brother's accident involves Security Bureau secrets; I can't say. As for where I came from, you can ask your brother; he knows best. Since you're all here, I'll take my leave. By the way, Qin Yi's IV drip is almost empty; he can be discharged once it's done."

After speaking, she ignored the surprised looks of the crowd and walked with head held high toward the operating room, her back dashing, without any hesitation.

It wasn't until Ye Qingcheng's figure disappeared at the end of the corridor that Xu Qian was brought back to her senses by Qin Xiaoyue's shouting. "Sister Qianqian! Sister Qianqian! What are you daydreaming about?"

Xu Qian came back to her senses, her eyes still a bit dazed: "Ah? You... what did you just say?"

"I'm asking if you want to go in and see my brother!" Qin Xiaoyue looked at her with concern, "Your complexion is not good, are you feeling unwell?"

"No, no, I'm fine." Xu Qian shook her head and pushed open the hospital room door to walk in.

The others very tactfully stopped, not following Xu Qian into the room.

As Xu Qian walked into the room, the crowd outside looked at each other, and the atmosphere instantly became subtle.

Qin Xiaoyue couldn't help it first and stomped her foot: "What is this! We rushed over in such a hurry, and he, on the other hand, was in the bathroom with another woman... and even let Sister Qianqian run into them! It's too much!"

Wang Tengfei swallowed his saliva and hurriedly defended Qin Yi: "Xiao Yue, don't overthink it, things might not be what you think. Maybe Old Four just needed to pee, and since he had an IV drip in his hand, it was inconvenient, so Captain Ye just helped him hold it... Isn't that right, Old Three?" As he spoke, he winked at Xin Mingyuan.

Xin Mingyuan quickly nodded in agreement: "Yes, yes, yes! That's exactly it! Don't we know Old Four's character? He treats Xu Qian so well, he's definitely not someone who would two-time!"

Zhao Ying, who had been silent, also spoke, her tone serious: "I also believe in Senior Qin Yi. He is sincere to others, he's definitely not a playboy. Moreover, that Captain Ye just now, her eyebrows reveal a heroic spirit; one look and you can tell she's an upright person, she shouldn't be someone who would insert herself into others' relationships."

"Upright? Heroic spirit?" Qin Xiaoyue retorted unconvinced, "She walked out of the room so swaggeringly, wasn't that just declaring her sovereignty to us? She even wanted to shake hands with Sister Qianqian, that was clearly a provocation!"

Once these words were out, everyone fell silent—Qin Xiaoyue's words, although harsh, didn't seem entirely unreasonable. The atmosphere in the corridor became awkward again.

Inside the room, Xu Qian just walked to the bathroom door and saw Qin Yi staring blankly at the mirror.

Qin Yi was, of course, not reminiscing about Ye Qingcheng's sudden kiss just now. Rather, the moment Ye Qingcheng left, the System notification in his mind suddenly rang.

[Ding! Congratulations to the host, detected Ye Qingcheng's favorability towards the host has increased by 10 points, current favorability is 90!]

[Ding! Task to increase Ye Qingcheng's favorability completed, obtained rewards: Mental Energy +3, Stamina +2, Special Lottery Chance +1!]

Qin Yi was stunned—he originally thought Ye Qingcheng's favorability wouldn't be so easy to max out, he didn't expect to complete the task so quickly! After the shock, he immediately ordered in his heart: "System, perform the special lottery immediately!"

The next second, his consciousness sank into his Sea of Consciousness, and a huge golden lottery wheel appeared before his eyes, the pointer spinning rapidly. As the wheel slowly stopped, the System notification sounded again:

[Ding! Congratulations to the host, obtained special item: golden dragon longevity tripod fragment!]