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

Lin Man got up, went to her small wine cabinet, took out a bottle, then went to the kitchen to start cooking, and finally brought out a few dishes of side dishes.

A few slices of ham, a small bowl of dried apricots and nuts, a few slices of cheese, and a plate of sliced ​​braised beef.

"I need to sober up first."

She placed each item on the coffee table one by one, her movements quick and practiced: "Please wait a moment, boss, I'm going to change my clothes."

Lin Man put down the decanter and turned to walk into the bedroom.

The door was ajar, and the soft clatter of clothes hangers coming from inside, followed by the rustling of fabric.

Ding Heng withdrew his gaze, picked up the remote control from the coffee table, turned on the TV, and aimlessly changed channels.

A few minutes later, the bedroom door opened.

Moonlight white satin V-neck shirt, the crossover neckline creates a perfectly relaxed and effortless style, and the loose lantern sleeves hang gently down along the arms.

A black satin ribbon is tied into a fluffy bow at the waist, highlighting a slender waistline that complements the high-waisted shorts in the same color scheme, creating a look that is both neat and sweet.

She stepped barefoot onto the floor, returned to the coffee table, knelt down again, picked up the decanter, and poured a third of the wine into the glass in front of Ding Heng.

Ding Heng picked up his wine glass and suddenly looked at the photo frame on the coffee table.

The frame contains a family photo, with a backdrop of a tacky photo studio setup featuring artificial mountains and water.

The couple in the photo are both in their early thirties, a perfect match in terms of looks, and their features clearly resemble Lin Man's.

Ding Heng picked up the photo frame, his gaze falling on the little girl between the two.

Around ten years old, she wore two pigtails and a pink princess dress; a pure beauty in the making.

Ding Heng praised, "You were so cute when you were little."

Lin Man raised her hand, subconsciously trying to take the photo frame back from Ding Heng's hand, but then stopped in mid-air, her fingers curling slightly.

She leaned her head against Ding Heng's thigh, her long silver-gray hair cascading down her chest, and said in a coquettish tone, "Am I not cute right now?"

Ding Heng put the photo frame back and picked up his wine glass again.

"Aren't you going to pay respects to your father these two days for Qingming Festival?"

"Didn't the boss say you had arrangements and needed to be available at any time? How could anyone dare to act on their own?"

"What are you saying?"

Ding Heng was originally going to accompany Zhao Yanxi, but Zhao Yanxi was forced by her mother to go back to pay respects to her ancestors. Wen Jing also had Wen Shu, who was on vacation, by her side, so it was inconvenient.

That's why Lin Man was kept on standby at all times...

"How about I give you half a day off tomorrow? Or I can just go with you?"

Lin Man was stunned.

Politeness? A test? Or genuine sincerity?

Lin Man couldn't figure it out for a moment, and subconsciously thanked him, "Thank you, boss."

The system interface quietly appeared in Ding Heng's mind.

[Refuge Value: 1%]

Ding Heng glanced at the numbers, his expression remaining unchanged: "Pour another cup."

Lin Man snapped out of her daze, picked up the decanter again, and poured the wine into the glass.

Ding Heng picked up his wine cup, about to bring it to his lips, but suddenly stopped.

"Is the dress you're wearing expensive?"

Lin Man was about to quote a price in the five figures, but she swallowed her words back.

"Is it expensive...?"

She raised her head, her smile alluring: "It all depends on whether the boss likes it or not."

Ding Heng smiled with satisfaction and raised his wine glass above Lin Man's head.

The next second, the wine poured over the rim of the glass.

Dark red liquid fell onto her head, trickling down her silver-gray hair, soaking her forehead, branching out along the sides of her nose, sliding down her cheeks, gathering at the tip of her chin, and dripping down one drop at a time.

Lin Man subconsciously closed her eyes, her breathing becoming rapid.

But she dared not move, not even breathe too heavily, letting the wine pour down evenly, wetting her little by little...

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The third day of Qingming Festival was a sunny day.

The car drove out of the cemetery and slowly drove down the mountain road.

Lin Man was driving, dressed simply and cleanly, with no makeup and slightly red eyes.

Ding Heng sat in the passenger seat, quietly staring at the system interface in his mind.

Crown of Thorns: Lin Man

[Penalty Value: 21%]

Atonement Value: 0%

[Refuge Value: 1%]

"Lin Man".

"Ok?"

She responded with a sound, without turning her head.

Do you think I went too far last night?

"Is that the truth?"

"Ah."

"A little."

"Then aren't you angry?"

"Well……"

Lin Man thought for a moment and said seriously, "As long as the boss likes it, that's fine."

They really know how to endure.

Ding Heng thought to himself, not entirely surprised.

Lin Man was already obsessed with Hua Qing, let alone the blood feud involving her parents...

Just now, at her father's grave, Ding Heng saw Lin Man cry for the first time. She looked pitiful, which made him feel sorry for her.

But isn't this foolish fox at all worried that he won't be able to avenge her?

The car drove out of the mountain pass and merged into the main road.

"There's something else I need to ask you to do."

"what?"

"The 10th is Hua Qing's birthday, and she will be coming back from the capital. I'd like to decorate her house and prepare a surprise, so I might have to trouble you."

"I don't know what she likes."

Lin Man rarely talked back. Although she still had a docile expression on her face, the corners of her mouth had unconsciously turned down.

Like a child whose toy has been taken away, but too embarrassed to say it outright, he exudes a pitiful and aggrieved air.

Ding Heng said calmly, "You've been watching her for so long, how could you not know?"

Lin Man pursed her lips and simply pretended not to hear.

She could tolerate being Ding Heng's secretary, but she couldn't possibly have to be Hua Qing's maid as well, could she?

Ding Heng's voice turned cold: "What did I say that day?"

Lin Man answered softly, "Let me reconcile with Hua Qing, so we can see each other again in the future..."

"This is our chance."

Ding Heng softened his tone and gently advised, "Don't throw a tantrum over such a trivial matter."

The car stopped at a red light, and Lin Man seemed to be caught in some kind of dilemma.

"I'll send you her address and door code to your phone. I'll also find you a few helpers."

Ding Heng took out his phone and gave a final instruction: "Get it done before the 8th, then I'll come and inspect it!"

The light turned green, and Lin Man slammed on the gas pedal, squeezing out four words through gritted teeth.

"Yes, sir!"

…………

Lobby of Chujiang Hotel.

Zhao Yanxi leaned back on the sofa armrest in the rest area, scrolling through her phone listlessly.

Wenjing sat quietly beside her, gazing at the gate, waiting for the man to appear.

Hua Yue slumped in the single sofa, lazily yawning.

Finally, the revolving door turned, and Ding Heng strode into the hotel.

Zhao Yanxi immediately jumped up from the sofa, threw her phone into Wen Jing's arms, and pounced on her.

"Brother Ding Heng!"

The girl buried her face in Ding Heng's arms.

After not seeing each other for several days, she had a lot to say, but as soon as she opened her mouth, she caught a glimpse of someone else behind Ding Heng.

That damned vixen—Lin Man!

Zhao Yanxi stepped out of Ding Heng's arms, her enthusiasm instantly cooling down.

"Brother Ding Heng, didn't you agree to spend time with me alone? Why did you bring someone else along?!"