"Ahem, let's get back to the matter at hand. I believe it's highly likely that your pursuer is the one targeting Miss Qin, but it's still just a possibility. The reality might be different. For example, it could be someone you don't remember, but who shares profound memories with you."
"Someone I don't remember? Hmm, I really don't have any recollection of that."
Could something like that even happen? Someone I don't remember having a deep connection with me... Isn't that amnesia? But I've never experienced amnesia!
Yanfei shrugged. "Then let's set that aside for now. The important thing is, from what I've gathered, one of the parties involved isn't benevolent. They won't hesitate to act ruthlessly."
Qin Yu swallowed hard. Yanfei said solemnly, "In other words, Miss Qin, your life could be in danger!"
After all, that black-clad woman wouldn't hesitate to kill, Yanfei thought.
My life in danger?! H-how could this happen...? Who exactly is it? Tsk, this is troublesome. I'm out in the open while they're lurking in the shadows. I don't even know where to start.
Qin Yu said anxiously, "Life in danger..."
"Normally, we should report this to the Millelith, but stirring up trouble might alert them prematurely. Wait, I've got it!"
"Eh? Miss Yanfei has figured something out? How impressive!"
Yanfei scratched her cheek. "No need to praise me. I've just pieced together a few things."
"Tch, have you become immune to praise?"
"After entering society, compliments become rare. There are plenty of people who would love to be praised!"
"I've finally sorted out my thoughts. It seems I'm the only one who can handle this quest."
Yanfei pinched her chin, her mind clearer than ever. "If we entrusted it to the Millelith, they might sense something amiss and take action. That kind of unpredictable development is terrifying—who knows what might happen..."
That seemed right.
"Giving it to the Adventurer's Guild isn't ideal either, since they're also a faction."
Yanfei patted her chest. "Only someone like me, an ordinary civilian, would avoid drawing excessive attention. After all, look at us—we're close in age and both women. If we walked down the street together, people would just assume we're friends!"
"I see!" Qin Yu exclaimed, finally understanding.
This explained so much.
The sender had chosen Yanfei, a civilian, over expert adventurers or the Millelith precisely because of her civilian status and the fact that she possessed a Vision.
"As expected of Miss Yanfei..." The words nearly slipped out, but Qin Yu quickly swallowed them back.
Since Yanfei had grown immune to praise, it was best to keep the compliments to a minimum.
"Ehehe, not really," Yanfei suddenly said with a giggle.
"Hmm?"
"Uh?"
What's going on here?
"Cough, cough, cough, cough—!"
She suddenly started coughing. What was happening?
Qin Yu was completely bewildered but still asked with concern, "Are you alright? Is something wrong?"
"Choked... I choked."
Ha? Choked on air? This woman... I thought she was serious, but she's just another weirdo.
Yanfei covered her face with one hand, utterly embarrassed.
She couldn't bring herself to explain. She had expected Qin Yu to follow up her "I see" with the usual praise, but instead, she had reflexively blurted out that silly remark.
I can't face anyone now.
Fortunately, Qin Yu didn't seem to notice.
"Um, why did you suddenly laugh earlier? Oh, did something come to mind?"
"Let's get back to the main topic!"
Yanfei slammed her hand on the table and stood up, but then realized it was impolite. After a quiet apology, she sat back down and said earnestly, "What do you think, Miss Qin Yu? While being a bodyguard isn't exactly my area of expertise, if I'm the only one who can do it, I'll accept the quest. And you won't need to pay anything, as it's the sender's commission."
Yanfei added, "Of course, it ultimately depends on your decision. If you refuse, there's nothing I can do..."
Should she accept? Qin Yu pondered.
She had never imagined she would find herself in such a situation, and even now, it felt like a farce.
Yet Yanfei's reputation was beyond reproach. A legal expert couldn't survive without credibility. Every word she spoke could be trusted.
More importantly, Yanfei was one of Qin Yu's "cuddle targets."
Compared to Hu Tao, Yanfei was clearly easier to handle—even more so than Shenhe. A few well-chosen words could earn Qin Yu points. If they spent more time together, wouldn't she be able to rake in points?
Now that she knew someone was targeting her, she needed to strengthen herself quickly.
There was no reason to let such an easily won woman slip through her fingers! Wait, don't misunderstand—she just meant it would be easy to become good friends and farm affection points.
As for whether Yanfei could actually protect her, Qin Yu held no illusions.
She couldn't rely on others; her life was her own responsibility.
So, while she felt a pang of guilt, Qin Yu fundamentally hoped Yanfei wouldn't try to protect her, but rather keep her company and let her casually farm points.
Of course, there was no need to voice these inner thoughts.
Qin Yu had already made up her mind.
"...Alright, thank you for your trouble. I trust you, Miss Yanfei." She stood up and extended her hand.
A handshake. Yanfei nodded and rose to meet it.
Their hands clasped.
Yanfei had shaken countless clients' hands before, but this time, she felt inexplicably embarrassed. If Qin Yu had somehow glimpsed her earlier flood of rambling thoughts—a thousand-word torrent of nonsense—she might have bolted out the window on the spot.
She really doesn't have mind-reading abilities, does she? Yanfei wondered anxiously.
Then, unexpectedly, Qin Yu placed her other hand on top of Yanfei's, enveloping it completely. Yanfei blinked rapidly, too stunned to utter a word.
Huh? Huh? What's going on? Confusion mingled with her surprise, creating a chaotic swirl in her mind.
Maintaining this ambiguous grip, Qin Yu smiled warmly. "Thank you, Miss Yanfei, for agreeing to protect me. But I hope we can be more than just protector and protected—I want us to be friends! If you're willing, would you consider being my friend?"
"A... a friend!? Ah, of course, that's no problem at all..." Yanfei's gaze drifted nervously.
I can't calm down at all!
But Qin Yu had no intention of letting her calm down. Seizing the moment, she pressed on, "Really? I'm so happy! I'm entrusting my life to you, Miss Yanfei. Please take good care of me from now on!"
Yanfei exhaled as if trying to dissipate the heat from her face, and smiled. "That's quite a responsibility, but rest assured, whether it's combat or the law, you can rely on my skills."
"Mm!"
[Evaluation: B+]
Hmph... B+? Not bad, I suppose.
As for entrusting my life to you? As if.