Why did the system take my request to take photos with a cosplayer seriously?

Page 215

Hua Qing's face flushed red instantly.

Of all people to see her in such an embarrassing outfit, it had to be Lin Man who noticed!

She wanted to say something, but didn't know what to say, so she could only stare intently at the milk tea cup in her hand, as if she wanted to stare a hole through it.

Lin Man, on the other hand, was completely at ease. She pulled out a chair next to Ding Heng, sat down, put her shopping bags aside, and crossed her legs, saying, "Handsome, we meet again."

Ding Heng smiled and said, "What a coincidence."

"It's a coincidence."

Lin Man's gaze then drifted to Hua Qing, and she clicked her tongue twice: "Captain, your outfit... if it weren't for the handsome guy sitting here, I really wouldn't have recognized you!"

Hua Qing bit her lower lip and squeezed out a sentence through gritted teeth: "What's it to you?"

"It's none of my business, I just find it novel."

Lin Man looked at her with a smile: "I've known the captain for so long, and this is the first time I've seen you dressed like this. How about we take a picture together and post it in the group chat so everyone can see?"

"Don't……"

Hua Qing lowered her head, wishing she could bury her face in the milk tea cup.

Ding Heng changed the subject at the opportune moment: "Lin Man, what are you doing here?"

"Let's go shopping. It's almost Chinese New Year, so I have to buy myself something and maybe meet up with someone I met online."

Lin Man shook the shopping bag in her hand, her gaze shifting between Ding Heng and Hua Qing: "What about you two? On a date?"

Ding Heng nodded readily: "Yes."

Lin Man gave an "Oh," her tone devoid of emotion.

Just as she was about to say something more, the door to the milk tea shop was pushed open again.

A petite figure skipped in, wearing a gray and white polka-dot fleece coat, looking charming and adorable.

Pema.

Ding Heng was stunned.

Bai Ma clearly hadn't expected to run into Ding Heng here; she stopped in her tracks, her eyes widening in surprise.

"Brother?!"

She jogged over, looked at Ding Heng, then at Hua Qing, and finally her gaze settled on Lin Man.

"Sister Man? You two know each other?"

Lin Man smiled and waved to her: "Bai Ma, come, sit here."

Baima sat down next to Lin Man, looking completely bewildered.

Ding Heng asked curiously, "Bai Ma, do you know Lin Man?"

Bai Ma nodded: "Sister Man is the owner of the escort shop I frequent, and she's the only one who knows I'm a girl."

Ding Heng raised an eyebrow, his gaze towards Lin Man filled with surprise.

Lin Man has a knack for business, running a companion service shop?

Bai Ma whispered a few words in Lin Man's ear, probably asking her how she knew Ding Heng.

Lin Man gave a brief explanation, and Bai Ma nodded after listening, then turned her gaze to Hua Qing.

She looked him up and down several times, her pupils lighting up.

"Sister-in-law, you look so beautiful in this outfit!"

Baima spoke sincerely and excitedly: "You like this style too? I love it! Look, look, this is what I'm wearing today!"

She tugged at her fluffy coat and pointed to her thick-soled leather shoes.

"Sister-in-law, where did you buy this sweater? The color is so perfect! And this skirt, the pleats are so pretty! You usually wear Hanfu, I thought you didn't like this style!"

Hua Qing was overwhelmed by Bai Ma's enthusiasm, and her face flushed even more.

She wanted to explain that this wasn't her own aesthetic sense, but rather that Ding Heng insisted she wear it.

But the words caught in his throat, and he could only mumble, "Um... I'll try it occasionally."

Baima's eyes lit up even more: "How about we wear them together next time?"

Hua Qing was completely at a loss for words.

Ding Heng came to her rescue at the right moment: "Bai Ma, your sister-in-law is usually very busy practicing dance, so don't bother her unless it's important."

Baima said "Oh," a little disappointed, but quickly cheered up: "Then you can look me up when you have time, sister-in-law!"

Hua Qing forced a smile, inwardly grumbling about Ding Heng over and over again.

The group started chatting.

Bai Ma chattered away with Lin Man about fashion and games, which Hua Qing found difficult to handle, her expression growing increasingly stiff.

Ding Heng leaned back in his chair, occasionally chiming in with a few words, but mostly just watching the spectacle.

The table was calm and peaceful.

Under the table, Lin Man quietly took off her shoes and gently brushed her toes against Ding Heng's calf.

Ding Heng remained unfazed and continued listening to Baima's rambling.

Lin Man's foot moved up his calf, gently caressing him through his trouser leg, her movements unhurried and deliberate.

Ding Heng glanced at her, while Lin Man pretended to drink her milk tea with her head down, as if nothing had happened.

A few seconds later, she put down her cup and naturally reached out to take the milk tea that Ding Heng hadn't finished drinking.

"Ding Heng, what does this drink taste like? I want to buy some too."

She brought the straw to her lips, took a small sip, and then put it back—the whole process was seamless.

Hua Qing's pupils contracted slightly.

She stared at the milk tea that Lin Man had touched, her lips twitching.

This vixen isn't even hiding her seduction of her own man anymore!?

Bai Ma also noticed this scene, glancing at Lin Man and then at Ding Heng, a hint of confusion flashing in her eyes.

Lin Man met Hua Qing's gaze and smiled innocently: "Captain, what's wrong? Do you mind?"

Hua Qing didn't say anything, but just gripped the milk tea in her hand even tighter.

Ding Heng said that Lin Man targeted her because of her birthday that year, and she even seriously considered whether to find an opportunity to apologize to Lin Man.

But now—

Hua Qing's guilt vanished instantly.

Apologize?

What apologies?

That damn vixen!

Lin Man noticed the change in Hua Qing's emotions, but instead of restraining herself, she intensified her behavior.

She looked at Ding Heng with seductive eyes: "Handsome, are you free later? Come with me to pick out some clothes, I can't make up my mind by myself."

Before Ding Heng could speak, Hua Qing interjected, "He's busy."

Lin Man blinked, looking completely innocent: "Captain, I didn't ask you."

Hua Qing was speechless, and the expression on her face was extremely interesting.

Baima watched in stunned silence, completely baffled by the relationship between these people.

She tugged at Ding Heng's sleeve and whispered, "Brother, what exactly is going on?"

Ding Heng calmly replied, "Nothing's wrong."

Bai Ma looked at him suspiciously, clearly not quite believing him.

Lin Man stood up at the opportune moment: "I'm going to the restroom."

Hua Qing immediately stood up and said, "I'll go too."

The two women exchanged a glance, their eyes clashing in mid-air, neither giving way to the other.

Lin Man smiled and turned to walk towards the restroom.

Hua Qing followed, her pace much faster than usual.