Shenhe looked at the three of them, her brow furrowed in puzzlement. "What are you doing here?"
I knew she'd ask that. What should I say? I can't exactly admit, "Hehe, I was actually tailing you," or who knows what she'd think.
Don't panic... Just say this.
Qin Yu smiled. "Good morning, Shenhe! What a coincidence. Actually..."
"Actually, Fishy Treasure and I are on a date!" Hu Tao blurted out.
Huh? Who's on a date with you? Stop daydreaming with your eyes open!
"A date?!" Yanfei gasped, her voice cracking.
What kind of date? Just between friends, or...? No, that's impossible. It definitely couldn't be that kind of date. The thought flashed through Yanfei's mind, and she felt a strange sense of relief.
"Is that so," Shenhe replied calmly.
What's with the flat reaction? Oh... right. It's just a date between female friends. Nothing to make a fuss about.
Yanfei's reaction was inexplicably strong, but Qin Yu assumed she was simply startled. Hu Tao's explanation seemed designed to conceal the truth. Qin Yu understood everything.
Still, she couldn't help but grumble inwardly. Hu Tao, couldn't you have come up with a better excuse?
Good thing everyone here is straight. What if they misunderstood?
This is unbearable.
Since Hu Tao had taken this tack, Qin Yu decided to play along. "Yeah, we're on a date. Just wandering around."
"Huh?" Yanfei reacted strangely again.
The first time, Qin Yu could chalk it up to shock, but why was she so animated this time?
Then, Yanfei suddenly adopted an "I see" expression, nodding to herself as if conducting an internal Q&A session. Is she getting weirder?
Is there anyone normal around here? Qin Yu sighed inwardly.
Shenhe, on the other hand, hadn't jumped to any conclusions. She simply saw nothing wrong with Qin Yu hanging out with her friend, and was secretly relieved they didn't know what she was planning. If Qin Yu found out about the gift beforehand, the surprise wouldn't be much of a "surprise" anymore.
Hu Tao thought to herself, "At least Yanfei reacted a little, but Qin Yu and Shenhe are completely unfazed. How boring... Wait, I've got an idea!"
"Exactly! Just like this—holding hands while we wander around," Hu Tao said, her hand gliding like a playful snake to grasp Qin Yu's left hand.
Ugh, what's this person doing? Qin Yu grumbled inwardly. Is she a child? Doesn't she have any sense of shame?
"Holding hands..." Yanfei muttered, her eyes closed and brows furrowed in concentration.
This... this is normal enough between girls, right? If a man did this, it would be a bit strange. But Hu Tao seems so eager to show off. Does she have some ulterior motive? Yanfei wondered suspiciously.
Shenhe's gaze lingered on Qin Yu and Hu Tao's clasped hands. After a moment of contemplation, she stated bluntly, "Her hand does indeed make one feel relaxed and at ease."
"Exactly!" Yanfei agreed.
Why have they been talking about me non-stop since earlier? Enough already! Qin Yu's ears burned with embarrassment. Unable to endure it any longer, she decided to change the subject.
"S-Speaking of which, what have Shenhe and Yanfei been up to?"
Hu Tao felt a pang of regret, never expecting Shenhe and Yanfei to react this way.
Still, it was rather amusing. The unexpected turn of events added its own kind of charm.
Yanfei placed her hands on her hips. "Me? I just wanted to check on you, see how you've been doing lately. I never imagined we'd run into each other here. Seeing you healthy and well puts my mind at ease!"
Qin Yu replied warmly, "Thank you for your concern, Yanfei. Seeing you makes me happy too."
Evaluation: D- (Yanfei)
Yanfei's thoughts raced. Satisfied? Satisfaction implies desire... If seeing me satisfies her, does that mean she secretly craves my presence? Longs to see me? And a mere fleeting desire could never truly be satisfied.
So, she really, really wants to see me?! A blush crept across Yanfei's cheeks.
Evaluation: D+ (Yanfei)
Here we go again, Qin Yu thought, resigned. Another inexplicable evaluation boost. I really should be used to this by now.
Hu Tao chuckled. "If Fishy Treasure weren't healthy and well, she'd have to rely on just being pretty. So staying healthy is definitely the better option!"
Is this... her way of showing concern?
Thank you—not really. Couldn't she have phrased it better? Qin Yu thought. Even though what she said was perfectly reasonable, how does Hu Tao always manage to make even the most sensible statements sound so... bizarre?
Qin Yu forced a smile. "Ahaha, thanks for your concern, Hu Tao."
"You're welcome~"
What nerve!
Shenhe hesitated before speaking. "I... came down the mountain to take care of some business in the city. I heard Yanfei's voice earlier, so I came to see what was going on. And then I ran into you two."
Just as I thought. Qin Yu sighed inwardly, noticing that Shenhe was deliberately concealing her true purpose.
She probably doesn't want anyone to know. But that's fine! I'll pretend I didn't notice anything and quietly hint at the perfect gift for her. Don't worry! Qin Yu felt confident.
"Oh dear, it seems Yanfei has interrupted our date," Hu Tao said, shaking her head.
"Wait, is this my fault? Hmm... maybe it is. Sorry, sorry—but what's so bad about interrupting?" Yanfei asked, puzzled. Isn't this just a casual stroll with friends?
Hu Tao avoided a direct answer, instead smiling mysteriously. "What do you think?"
Is this... not just a normal outing between friends?! Yanfei's brain suddenly went into overdrive.
Qin Yu felt exasperated. Why does Hu Tao have to be so vague? She interjected, "You're not interrupting anything. Actually, it would be great if Yanfei joined us."
Yanfei snapped out of her daze. Hu Tao was trying to tease me! But hearing Qin Yu's words, her mood brightened.
"Really?"
Qin Yu smiled. "Of course. What about you, Shenhe?"
Qin Yu decided to ask anyway, even though Shenhe was still preparing a gift for her new friend and probably wouldn't accept.
As expected, Shenhe hesitated for a moment before shaking her head. "No... I have some personal matters to attend to."
A wave of disappointment washed over Qin Yu, but he quickly suppressed it. He couldn't let Shenhe feel any pressure. In moments like this, it was best to respond casually.
"Ah, that's alright. We can go together next time," Qin Yu said with a smile.
Shenhe stared intently at Qin Yu, a flicker of indecision flashing in her eyes.
Hmm? Does she have something she wants to say? If so, why not just spit it out? Why the hesitation...?
Could she be worried about me? Hmph, there's no need for that.
Qin Yu thought to himself, while outwardly asking with concern, "Is something wrong? Is there something you want to tell me?"
"Well... I'm not sure if you still remember our previous agreement."
At that moment, Hu Tao inexplicably pulled Yanfei aside to a nearby shop, creating some distance between them.
Agreement? Qin Yu scrambled to recall, feeling uncertain but feigning confidence. "You mean the one about hanging out together?"
The agreement they made to hang out, just the two of them.
Why bring it up now? Qin Yu wondered casually, twirling a strand of her hair. Has she already set a date and is inviting me out? This could be a great opportunity to earn some Points. A faint flicker of anticipation bubbled within her.
Shenhe nodded slightly.
Qin Yu smiled. "What about it?"
"Are you free tomorrow?"
Tomorrow?! But I have work tomorrow! Why invite me out on a weekday when I'm supposed to be resting? I can't just say no outright.
Think of something... Ugh, guess I'll have to go back to work after all.
I'll work overtime tonight and ask Lady Ningguang if I can swap my day off to tomorrow.
But I already invited Yanfei. If I suddenly leave now, she'll definitely be disappointed...
No choice. I'll hang out with her for a bit first, then go back to work!
With a plan in mind, Qin Yu beamed. "Of course I'm free! But could you tell me what we'll be doing?"
This way, I can come up with a good strategy to earn Points efficiently.
"I want you to meet someone."
"Meet someone?"
Why would she want me to meet someone? Could it be...? A wave of disappointment washed over Qin Yu like a bucket of cold water as a possibility dawned on her.
So that's it. She wants to introduce me to her new friend. I feel like such an idiot.
Well, I might as well see what kind of person they are. As long as they're decent.
After all, I'm just... Qin Yu scoffed inwardly, then forced a casual smile. "Sure, what time tomorrow?"
"At dawn."
Are you trying to kill me?
Even Lady Ningguang isn't up at that hour. Who could possibly wake up so early? Oh, right... I can't get up that early! Ah, whatever! I'll just go along with it. Qin Yu abandoned all attempts at reasoning.
"I-I understand. I'll meet you then, right?"
"Mm."
After chatting with Shenhe for a few more minutes, Hu Tao and Yanfei returned with four meat buns. Shenhe finished hers, thanked them, and left.
"What were you two talking about earlier?" Yanfei asked curiously. "It sounded like some kind of agreement."
"Yeah, I'm accompanying Shenhe tomorrow," Qin Yu replied.
"Huh? Aren't you supposed to be working tomorrow?" Yanfei asked, surprised.
Of course I am! That's why I have to work overtime today! Qin Yu thought miserably, but she raised two fingers in a V sign, feigning triumph. "Two whole days off!"
Hu Tao seemed to see through her act, shaking her head wistfully. "The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor is so much better. We don't even have to work during the day."
So that means working at night? No thanks.
After strolling around with Yanfei and Hu Tao for a while, Qin Yu excused herself, claiming she had "some personal matters to attend to," and hurried back to Yujing Terrace.
"I need to get to the Jade Chamber immediately! Let me through!"
The gatekeeper blinked in confusion. "Oh, uh, sure..."
"Thanks!"
Back at the Jade Chamber, Qin Yu quickly changed into her uniform.
"Huh? I thought you had the day off today, Qin Yu. Why are you changing into your uniform?" Baishi asked, surprised.
"Overtime," Qin Yu replied with a self-deprecating smile.