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

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With the show recording imminent, she was unwilling to stay with her teammates, preferring to squeeze out time to spend with him rather than face them in the van.

Off-camera interactions are probably negligible, and they're not even bothering with the pretense.

Ding Heng withdrew his gaze, started the car, and drove away from the TV station.

After the last class in the afternoon, Ding Heng drove to Zhongnan University to pick up Zhao Yanxi, and they returned to their duplex apartment by the Xiangjiang River together.

As soon as I opened the door, the aroma of food wafted out.

Wenjing, wearing an apron, was busy in the kitchen, while the clay pot on the stove was bubbling and steaming.

Hearing the door open, the little white rabbit poked its head out and smiled at the two of them: "You're back? Just ten more minutes."

Zhao Yanxi took off her coat and threw it on the sofa, then slumped into it, saying, "I'm starving... I had a full afternoon of classes, and I only had a sandwich for lunch."

"Don't you always say you want to lose weight?"

Wenjing brought out a plate of sliced fruit from the kitchen and placed it on the coffee table: "Have something to eat first."

Footsteps echoed down the stairs as Lin Man descended.

"The boss is back?"

She sat down next to Ding Heng, picked up a piece of apple and fed it to him: "Why are you so late today?"

"There's a bit of traffic on the road."

Ding Heng reached out and pinched her cheek, gently stroking it and praising, "Your makeup looks good today, you look quite innocent."

Lin Man squinted her eyes, looking like she was enjoying herself.

Zhao Yanxi leaned closer to win his favor: "Sister Man, can you stop acting all cutesy as soon as you get back?"

"What do you mean?" Lin Man said innocently. "I just said hello to the boss and you're jealous now."

"You call that a greeting?"

"What's it called?"

"Call……"

Zhao Yanxi struggled for a long time but couldn't come up with a suitable word.

Lin Man laughed and gently patted Zhao Yanxi's thigh: "Alright, alright, I won't fight you for food tonight, okay?"

"That's more like it..."

Zhao Yanxi gave a smug hum.

As the group played together more and more times, their comments became increasingly unrestrained, ranging from crude to explicit.

In the past, Zhao Yanxi would have blushed and spat in anger, but now she can respond without batting an eye.

Wenjing brought the dishes out of the kitchen, and the four of them sat down around the table.

Zhao Yanxi was the first to pick up her chopsticks: "Hmm... Xiao Jingjing's cooking skills are getting better and better."

Eat more.

Lin Man picked up another piece of food for her and turned to Ding Heng: "By the way, boss."

"Ok?"

"Do you want to get a bigger bed in your room? I didn't think it through... It feels a bit cramped when the few of us are sleeping in it."

Wenjing almost choked on her soup: "Isn't that unnecessary?"

Zhao Yanxi echoed Lin Man, saying, "I think it's necessary! Don't you guys think it's not good to experience it together as a group?"

What's wrong with it?

"There are too many people, sometimes...it feels a bit chaotic."

"How dare you say that?"

Wenjing rolled her eyes at her: "You're always the one who shouts the loudest."

Zhao Yanxi retorted, unconvinced: "Who said that? Sister Man's voice isn't any quieter than mine!"

"Don't change the subject."

Lin Man pondered, "I think Yan hope has a point. Too many people definitely affect the experience! How about... we take turns?"

"Rotation?"

Zhao Yanxi blinked.

Lin Man began to make arrangements: "Seven days a week, with Sister Qing not around, the three of us will each pair up and take turns, so that everyone can get a good rest and have a good experience."

Zhao Yanxi thought about it seriously: "Then how should it be done? By drawing lots?"

"The lottery is too random. What if someone keeps getting a bad draw?"

"Then how do you suggest we take turns?"

"Let's go in order. Monday and Tuesday, me and Wenjing; Wednesday and Thursday, you and Wenjing; Friday and Saturday, me and you; Sunday, a free-for-all."

Lin Man spoke in a serious tone, as if she were arranging a work meeting.

Wenjing blushed deeply: "You...you guys, can you please not talk about this at the dinner table?"

"Where shall we talk?"

Zhao Yanxi said matter-of-factly, "There are no outsiders in the house."

"Zhao Yanxi!"

Wenjing reached out to pinch her, but Zhao Yanxi laughed and dodged.

Ding Heng didn't say much from beginning to end.

Ultimately, no matter how the arrangements are made, the final decision rests with him.

Suddenly, Ding Heng's phone rang, and the caller ID on the screen displayed: "[Sister Long is a dragon, not a milk dragon]".

The atmosphere in the restaurant suddenly froze.

None of the three girls spoke, but all three pairs of eyes were simultaneously fixed on Ding Heng's phone.

Ding Heng stood up without changing his expression: "I'll take this call."

He picked up his phone, turned around, and walked towards the balcony, the glass door closing gently behind him.

After a few seconds of silence in the restaurant, Zhao Yanxi spoke first, her tone sour: "They're even discussing taking turns, but I guess since the men aren't home tonight, none of us will get to eat."

Wenjing said softly, "It can't be that bad... Maybe something's just going on."

"Something's up? Yes, something is up. You probably didn't know Long He was in Xingcheng recording a show today, did you?"

Zhao Yanxi pouted: "And did you notice the expression on Ding Heng's face when he looked at the caller ID just now? It was clearly not quite right."

Lin Man put down her water glass and casually remarked, "I have a feeling there might be an extra person at home tonight."

"How about we make a bet?"

"What are you gambling?"

"Let's each gamble for one day!"

"Row!"

Zhao Yanxi and Lin Man gave each other a high five, making a crisp sound.

On the balcony, the night breeze was slightly cool.

Ding Heng pressed the answer button and held the phone to his ear: "Bro, what's up?"

"Nothing much... just calling to ask what you're doing."

Long He's voice was softer than usual, as if he was afraid of being overheard.

Ding Heng leaned against the railing, gazing at the distant river: "Stop being so wishy-washy, just say what you need to say."

Long He said awkwardly, "Um...brother, do you have a place to stay for the night?"

Ding Heng frowned slightly: "What?"

"It's hard to explain in a short time."

Long He sighed: "Anyway, there's a problem with the hotel arranged by the company. You know, it's inconvenient for me to use my ID to stay at other hotels. If I get photographed, it'll be trending on social media again."

Ding Heng glanced back at the three girls in the restaurant. Zhao Yanxi was looking this way. When she met his gaze, she quickly looked away.

"Okay, I'll arrange it for you..."

His original intention was to have Long He stay at the Chujiang Hotel for one night; arranging a room there would be a simple matter of a word for him.

Before he could even speak, Longhe beat him to it.

"Is your house... still habitable now?"

"My home?"

Ding Heng was taken aback.

Longhe was probably referring to his parents' old house...

"Row."

Ding Heng agreed: "Where are you now? I'll come pick you up."

Long He gave an address, his voice urgent: "Then hurry up, I'll wait for you."

"Ah."

Ding Heng hung up the phone, pushed open the glass door, and walked back to the restaurant.

The three girls all turned around at the same time.

Zhao Yanxi asked first, "Are you going out?"