Chương 226: The Wonderful Uses of the Shadow Authority

Ji Ying pondered for a moment, then seemed to remember something and looked at the girl in his arms, asking, "Yu Qing, do you remember when Zi Xuan mentioned hugging me the night we first met in your room?"

"You dare bring this up again?!"

Upon hearing this topic, Su Yuqing immediately bristled like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. She nudged Ji Ying with her head in annoyance, her tone filled with intense jealousy: "I kindly helped you out of your predicament before because I saw how troubled you were, and now you dare to bring up that sore spot?!"

"Give me the honest answer right now!" She stretched out her slender hand and poked Ji Ying's flat, smooth stomach, her tone carrying a hint of threat.

"Why did you let her hug you so readily back then? If you can't explain it clearly, I'll punish you properly tonight."

As she spoke, the soft touch made her unable to resist squeezing it again.

Ji Ying noticed the other person's increasingly restless little hand and quickly grabbed it. Then, she sighed helplessly and explained, "I was just about to explain this to you, so don't move."

She cleared her throat and began to recount the events of that night to Su Yuqing in detail.

"—When I explained to her that I wasn't an enemy and then shared the information about Mirror Lord and the mole within the Bureau of Extraordinary Events, she still seemed very serious and professional."

"Just when I thought we could end the conversation, she suddenly said she was under a lot of pressure from hearing this information and wanted to hug me, her 'friend,' to ease the pressure."

"That cunning woman, using such a lame excuse to get close to you, especially when you've only known each other for a short while—it's absolutely despicable!"

Upon hearing this, Su Yuqing gritted her teeth and said angrily, as if she had already imagined Ye Zixuan's scheming appearance at that time.

Then, she turned her suspicious gaze to Ji Ying and asked impatiently, "And then? You just—half-heartedly—agreed to her? So, you were just attracted to her figure—"

"That's not how it is!" Ji Ying interrupted Su Yuqing's far-fetched speculation with an annoyance, explaining with a headache, "Of course I also thought her reason was strange, so I firmly refused at first, but—" She paused, recalling Ye Zixuan's composed demeanor when explaining her behavior, and her tone became complicated.

"Later, Zixuan explained to me that as an inspector, she was also a high school student, and she was in a state of high tension for a long time, both in her work and studies."

"So, in order to avoid being overwhelmed by the pressure, she unconsciously developed a kind of—well, you could say a habit."

She said she is used to immediately detaching herself from that highly focused work mode after confirming that it is safe or that the task is over, and then using the highest efficiency to restore her energy and mood.

"And her way of recovering is generally to hug something soft and cute to release the pressure that has been building up inside her."

Therefore, her seemingly frivolous and ulterior motives at the time were, in essence, perhaps simply the actions of an exhausted young girl seeking momentary comfort in a somewhat clumsy but, for her, most efficient way.

After listening quietly to Ji Ying's detailed analysis, Su Yuqing's expression gradually changed from a slightly dissatisfied and jealous look to a more complex one.

She tilted her head, looking at Ji Ying with suspicion, and asked, "So—you mean, the reason that woman was hugging and cuddling you was just because she was under too much pressure and wanted to relax with a 'pillow'?"

"Hmm, although it sounds a bit unbelievable, I think this is probably the closest explanation to the truth." Ji Ying nodded solemnly.

"Hmph, that was only the case that night," Su Yuqing pouted in dissatisfaction.

"Now her heart is completely devoted to you, and she even said she wants to be the most special person in your heart—Xiaoying, you really have a lot of sins."

"Uh—" Ji Ying laughed awkwardly, unsure how to respond to that sentence.

Su Yuqing remained silent for a moment, seemingly still processing this somewhat bizarre conclusion.

Then, she stared intently at Ji Ying with a scrutinizing gaze, and asked with some unease, "This time—you really aren't hiding anything from me anymore, are you?"

"For example, did that woman actually say or do something else to you?"

"No! Absolutely not!" Ji Ying immediately shook his head repeatedly like a rattle-drum, assuring her with unwavering conviction.

Su Yuqing finally felt relieved and nodded gently: "Alright, then I'll—reluctantly believe you."

She paused, her eyes suddenly darting around, and a mischievous smile appeared on her face. She muttered to herself, "But I really didn't expect that seemingly serious guy would have such a little secret. I feel like this weakness—I can make good use of it in the future."

7

"Hello!"

Ji Ying reminded her somewhat helplessly, "Yu Qing, you should know that I'm telling you these things not so you can use them as new leverage to tease Zi Xuan, right?"

"Hmph, it was just a joke! Look at how nervous you are!" Su Yuqing rolled her eyes at her and turned her head away.

She glanced at Ji Ying's worried and helpless expression out of the corner of her eye, and finally sighed softly, muttering, "Okay, okay, I know. Since you're so considerate of her, I'll reluctantly be a little gentler with her from now on."

"Then I'm relieved."

Ji Ying nodded gently with a smile, feeling relieved that the relationship between the two girls might improve in the future.

Unexpectedly, Su Yuqing suddenly raised her head, a malicious glint in her eyes again, and said with an incredibly sweet smile, "But, since you let her hug you willingly back then, it means you already got to experience it properly, right? Zixuan's figure—doesn't it feel amazing to lean against it?"

"... ——" Ji Ying subconsciously swallowed, a very ominous premonition welling up inside her.

Seeing the other person's dismayed expression, Su Yuqing's smile grew even brighter. Giving Ji Ying no chance to explain, she continued, "Although we've settled the matter of the photos, the fact that you chose to hide such an important thing from me, and that I had to help you out of that predicament just now—"

"Shouldn't we—do a proper calculation? My dear Xiaoying?"

She gazed expectantly at the irresistibly cute face before her, already imagining a series of amusing scenarios that might unfold—for example, Xiaoying, under her coaxing, would stammeringly and angrily explain that it wasn't like that, or she might simply pounce on her in a fit of rage and start a fight— Regardless of the type, she is absolutely confident that she can easily "suppress" the other party, enjoy their even cuter and more interesting reactions, and revel in the pleasure of being the "victor."

However, to Su Yuqing's utter surprise, Ji Ying's expression quickly returned to calm after a brief moment of astonishment.

She didn't even try to struggle; she just lay there motionless, as if she had completely given up resisting.

"Huh?" Su Yuqing was immediately confused; the script was completely different from what she had expected.

She subconsciously reached out and gently poked Ji Ying's smooth, soft cheek, asking curiously, "Xiao Ying, why are you suddenly like this? Are you sleepy?"

Ji Ying remained motionless, not even lifting her eyelids, and replied in a flat tone, "Alright, I know you don't really want to settle the score; you just want an excuse to keep teasing me, right?"

"Stop wasting time. Do whatever you want. Do you want me tickled, or do you want me to pinch your cheeks?"

Or maybe blow air into my ear like last time? It's fine, do whatever you want.

"It's just a hassle to finish everything at once so I can go to bed early."

ha?!

Su Yuqing was completely stunned. She stared blankly at Ji Ying's sprawled, salty appearance, feeling as if her powerful punch, which she had been preparing for a long time, had landed solidly on soft cotton without making a sound.

"What kind of attitude is this?!" she shouted, somewhat exasperated.

"What attitude can I have?" Ji Ying's voice remained calm and unwavering.

"Anyway, you won't listen to anything I say, and resisting will only excite you more, so I might as well save my energy."

"Hurry up, I have to get up early tomorrow."

"you--!"

Su Yuqing pounced on him angrily, straddling Ji Ying's body and looking down at the uncooperative guy beneath her with a superior posture.

"Are you about to start? Please be gentle." Seeing this, Ji Ying even gave a very "thoughtful" reminder.

Hearing this, Su Yuqing felt inexplicably angry. She reached out and pinched Ji Ying's soft cheek hard.

Ji Ying's cheeks were pinched until they were slightly deformed, but her expression remained unchanged. She only gave a perfunctory response from her throat.

"oh."

Su Yuqing suddenly felt bored and, unwilling to give up, increased her strength. She then reached out and skillfully tickled the soft, ticklish spot on Ji Ying's waist and abdomen.

Ji Ying's body trembled slightly from the sudden stimulation, but she still bit her lip tightly, trying her best to keep her expressionless, only letting out a muffled groan from her nose.

"————" Su Yuqing was somewhat exasperated. She leaned down and brought her face close to Ji Ying's ear, complaining, "Why are you like this?! You don't react at all, how boring!"

What she always wanted was that unique, playful, and intimate interaction with the person she liked most, to see the other person's cute expression of being both shy and angry because of her teasing.

Instead of bullying someone who is completely defenseless and like a wooden puppet, as is the case now.

Originally, she had prepared at least eighteen follow-up "persecution" plans in her mind, intending to enjoy more of Xiaoying's adorable reactions.

Now, the opponent has chosen to surrender directly, leaving him with no way to use his superb "martial arts skills." This feeling is truly humiliating.

Su Yuqing reluctantly pinched and poked Ji Ying here and there, but the other party remained unresponsive, like a delicate rag doll, letting her do as she pleased.

Finally, she herself felt increasingly bored, and could only slump off Ji Ying in a huff, forcibly pulling this extremely uncooperative "pillow" into her arms, muttering, "—So boring! Idiot A-Che! Idiot Xiao Ying!"

A brief silence fell over the room, broken only by the two people's steady, soft breathing.

After a while, just as Ji Ying was hesitating, wondering if he had gone too far with his actions and really angered the girl, Su Yuqing's voice suddenly rang out.

"Xiaoying—" She gently rested her head on Jiying's shoulder and asked in a muffled voice, "When will you recover?"

"Restore?" Ji Ying was somewhat bewildered and didn't react for a moment.

"It's about turning back into A-Che!" Su Yuqing snuggled into Ji Ying's arms and whispered, "I—I miss A-Che a little."

Jiying asked, somewhat puzzled, "Isn't I right here?"

"No—" Su Yuqing gently shook her head, burying her face even deeper.

"What I want to see is the real A-Che."

"Even though we've only seen each other for two days, I really want to see him again, and sleep with him like we used to."

"What's wrong?" Ji Ying smiled indulgently, teasingly asking, "You're starting to complain about my current appearance now that I'm not playing along with your nonsense?"

Su Yuqing immediately raised her head and retorted with dissatisfaction, "No, you're so cute right now that it's unbearable. I like both Xiaoying and Ache very much."

"But—Xiaoying and Ache give me different feelings, I just suddenly really, really want to see Ache—" Hearing the girl in his arms speak words filled with sincere emotion, Ji Ying fell silent.

Yes, even if the inner soul is the same person, "Ji Ying" can never replace "Lin Che".

She couldn't offer Yuqing the most reassuring hug with her broad chest and warm hands like Lin Che, nor could she respond to all of her dependence and coquetry with the natural attitude of a lover like Lin Che.

Thinking of this, a bold idea suddenly popped into Jiying's mind.

Perhaps—it's not entirely impossible.

Looking into Su Yuqing's slightly dim eyes, she gave a mysterious smile and said softly, "Yuqing, please close your eyes, okay?"

"Huh? Why?" Although Su Yuqing was a little confused, she still obediently closed her eyes as instructed.

"Okay, that's enough."

The next moment, she heard a very familiar boy's voice in her ear.

Su Yuqing's body stiffened abruptly, and she opened her eyes in utter astonishment. What came into view was a handsome face with a gentle smile.

The small figure in the light blue pajamas beside me had vanished without a trace, replaced by Lin Che in loose loungewear!

"Ah, Ah Che?!" Su Yuqing stammered, pointing at the boy in front of her, her mind in unprecedented chaos.

"What's going on? Weren't you supposed to be unable to change back?!"

"I really can't go back to being the same."

Looking at Su Yuqing's adorably shocked and bewildered expression, Lin Che's smile grew even gentler.

"However, since my Yuqing misses me so much, of course I should find a way to fulfill your wish, shouldn't I?"

Su Yuqing stared blankly at the face she missed so much, feeling the familiar scent emanating from it. Her mind was still a little foggy, and she asked in a daze, "What's going on?"

"I told you before, didn't I? My Shadow Authority" can create shadow clones that are exactly the same as the original body.

"Lin Che" explained, "Then—I can also have this clone cover my current body, temporarily achieving this effect of turning back."

He leaned forward slightly, bringing his face close to Su Yuqing's ear, and deliberately lowered his voice to ask, "So, is this the kind of me you wanted to see?"

As he spoke, he reached out and gently yet undeniably pinched the girl's smooth, delicate chin, forcing her to keep her eyes fixed on him.

"Now—haven't I appeared as you wished?"

His warm breath gently brushed against Su Yuqing's earlobe, accompanied by a magnetic whisper, instantly turning her fair neck a lovely pink.

"" She could clearly feel her heart pounding uncontrollably in her chest, and her cheeks quickly became hot from the sudden impact.

She had to admit that although she really liked "Xiaoying's" adorable and irresistible appearance, the one she could easily manipulate, she was still more attracted to A-Che, who treated her in such a domineering way.

Just as Su Yuqing subconsciously wanted to close her eyes to receive the upcoming kiss, she suddenly seemed to remember something and shuddered.

Immediately, she forcefully shook off Lin Che's hand that was pinching her chin, the movement so fast it even created a gust of wind, and then turned around quickly as if she had been electrocuted, turning her back to him.

"Forget it! The thought that Ah Che is actually a complete girl inside makes me feel nauseous. You should just change back already!"

"ha?!"

This time, it was Lin Che's turn to be completely stunned.

Wait a minute—disgusting?!

I—I painstakingly transformed myself back to the way you most wanted to see to fulfill your wish, and the result—you actually said I was disgusting?!

He immediately felt a wave of disappointment, and somewhat resignedly removed his shadow disguise, reverting to his petite and adorable shadow form. He then said irritably, "Alright, I'm back. Are you satisfied now?"

However, Su Yuqing remained with her back to her and did not turn around, only letting out a muffled "hmm".

"Um?"

Seeing her unusual behavior, Ji Ying thought for a moment, then a knowing, mischievous smile appeared on her face. She suddenly leaned close to her and teased, "Oh? Then why don't you dare turn your face around?"

Could it be... that she's shy?

"Who, who's shy?! I'm just—I'm just sleepy!" Su Yuqing retorted stubbornly, but her guilty look and slightly trembling voice had already revealed her true thoughts.

Looking at her like this, Ji Ying suddenly felt that all the resentment he had been "persecuted" for so long was released at this moment, and a sense of satisfaction from getting revenge welled up inside him.

She continued her teasing relentlessly, "Are you really just sleepy? But your face—why is it so red? Even your ears are bright red! Let me see!"

As she spoke, she reached out and forcibly turned Su Yuqing's body around so she could properly appreciate the other's adorably embarrassed expression.

"No, don't look!"

Sure enough, Su Yuqing was covering her face tightly with both hands, and judging from the skin peeking out between her fingers, her cheeks and ears were already as red as ripe apples.

"Pfft—" Ji Ying grew increasingly smug. She leaned close to Su Yuqing's ear and continued to tease her with a hint of mockery, "Oh dear, your face is all red, and you still say you're not shy? Yuqing, you really are—" That's not frank at all.

"Waaah————" Su Yuqing let out a mournful cry of resentment, finally unable to bear it any longer. She suddenly sat up in bed, her eyes, which were misty with shyness, glaring angrily at the guy in front of her who had gotten the better deal and was now acting innocent.

"You little brat—I'll teach you a lesson you won't forget! Take this!"

As she shouted, driven by shame and indignation, she stretched out her hands and launched her most skilled attack, which was also the most lethal to Ji Ying.

"Ouch! You—you're doing that again! Don't tickle me there! It tickles! Hahaha—stop it!"'

So, before Ji Ying could enjoy his triumph for long, he tragically fell victim to Su Yuqing's inhumane "tickling attack" and cried out for mercy.

After another round of laughter and playful banter, the room finally returned to silence.

Su Yuqing finally stopped, satisfied, and then skillfully hugged the "pillow" that she had exhausted and felt weak all over tightly, adjusting it to the most comfortable position.

This time, she didn't make any unnecessary movements or say any flirtatious words. She simply held the petite girl in her arms quietly, her face filled with deep affection.

Before long, Ji Ying felt that the girl in his arms was breathing steadily and lightly, as if she had fallen into a deep sleep with a satisfied smile.

She gazed quietly at Su Yuqing's peaceful and beautiful sleeping face so close to hers, a reassuring and doting smile appearing on her own face.

Afraid of disturbing her, she remained silent, only raising her hand to gently tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear, and silently saying in her heart, "Goodnight, Yuqing."

Then, she slowly closed her eyes.