Sunlight slanted in from the horizon, and the skyscrapers of Arc City shimmered in the glow of the evening sunset.
The top floor of a large, flat-style apartment building overlooking the Qingpu River was a symbol of luxury and wealth.
The clear, floor-to-ceiling windows not only reflected the setting sun but were also marked with four palm prints.
"So you're saying, if I spend one night a week with them, they won't release the video?"
"…That's what she said."
Ye Feng smiled, his fingers gently stroking Bronya as he spoke in a soft voice, "Is Big Duck Duck really worried about something like this?"
"Something like this?"
Bronya turned her head to look at her husband's smiling face, and her expression immediately soured into a pouting duck-face.
He's still smiling?!
Doesn't he think this is outrageous?
Or is it true, just as Kiana used to say back in school, that men are all just pigs?
Then again, Kiana didn't have a boyfriend back then…
But regardless, Ye Feng's carefree, smiling face was making Bronya a little unhappy.
"Why are you smiling?"
"I was just thinking of something happy."
"Hmm?"
Big Duck Duck pressed her palms against the glass, lifted a black-stockinged foot, and stomped down hard on Ye Feng's instep.
"You must be very happy that Ji Lin is so beautiful, right?"
"Hiss~"
Ye Feng sucked in a sharp breath.
In truth, it didn't hurt.
In fact, the sole of Big Duck Duck's foot was soft and supple, and her petulant stomping actually felt rather pleasant.
"If Big Duck Duck were still wearing high heels, I'd really have to go see an orthopedist."
"…Nngh… Hmph!"
Ye Feng covered Big Duck Duck's hands on the glass, his fingers sliding deep between hers.
"It's because Big Duck Duck took the initiative to tell me. That makes me very happy. If you had really intended to solve this all by yourself, instead of letting us face it together as husband and wife…"
"…Then what?"
"That's not important. There's no point in making assumptions about things that didn't happen. The important thing now is how to deal with this woman, Ji Lin, who's lusting after my body."
"…Then what are you… mmm~ planning to do?"
Ye Feng straightened his back and said forcefully, "We absolutely cannot yield to this kind of coercion, even if it means we both go down in flames."
Hearing Ye Feng's resolute refusal, Big Duck Duck was, of course, very happy in her heart.
Besides, her subconscious reason for not telling him earlier was probably a fear that he might "helplessly, half-heartedly agree," right?
After all, such beauty was right there for the taking.
With Ji Lin's gentle, virtuous, and ethereal aura, combined with her stunningly exquisite face, it was a sight to inspire pity even in Bronya.
But she never expected that woman would become so crazy over her husband.
"…If the video… gets leaked… mmm, then, then~ ahh~ what about… Aratoh?"
Smack!
Hearing this, Ye Feng gave Big Duck Duck a firm smack, feigning anger. "In your heart, who's more important, me or the game?"
"…Huh?"
As a genuine Russian, a killer and hacker raised on the snowy plains, devoid of sentiment, Bronya had never encountered this 'tactic' before.
Her brain went haywire on the spot.
She immediately lowered her head in shame. That's right, what time is it for me to be thinking about that…
Seeing Big Duck Duck looking like she had done something wrong, Ye Feng comforted her, "Alright, I know you were thinking of me. Aratoh is our shared dream. How could we let some villain destroy it!"
Bronya turned her head and looked straight at her husband, her gray eyes reflecting his face completely.
In the company, he was her subordinate, but he made her feel incomparably safe.
A harbor.
The warmth of home.
Mutual support and reliance.
This was probably the meaning of marriage.
---o---
After they both showered and changed, they went to the local police station.
That's right.
"When you encounter something like this, you can just call the police. There's no need to overcomplicate things."
"Eh?"
Bronya was astonished.
The police? …That was a path she had truly never considered.
What kind of police could be more reliable than a Valkyrie, who possessed extraterritorial rights?
"I know an officer. She has an intense sense of justice. All evil will be brought to justice!"
"…Is, is that so."
That officer might be just as Ye Feng described, but Bronya was a little doubtful of her capabilities.
Could coming here really solve a problem that even a master hacker like her found tricky?
"Relax, it'll be fine."
Ye Feng led Bronya through the police station's main hall and directly to an office on the third floor.
Sitting there to receive them was… a fairy with flowing pink hair?
She was as beautiful as a fairy!
That was Bronya's first impression.
She had a full, curvaceous figure, and even in her police uniform, it was difficult to hide her impressive physique.
Her black-stockinged thighs were especially noteworthy. Unlike the usual smooth roundness, they had a hint of fleshiness to them.
This slight meatiness was, contrary to expectation, even more alluring.
A uniform plus black stockings. She was clearly a police officer, yet she exuded a unique, intoxicating aura, like fine red wine.
"Hello, Mr. Ye Feng. This is the Forensic Vanguard. Elysia, at your service."
That's right, it was none other than Elysia.
She had learned from Mobius that Ye Feng was playing another "world simulation" and had volunteered to join.
Originally, Ye Feng had intended to give this role to Cangxuan.
Letting Cangxuan pass judgment on the "lust-crazed" Ji Lin… hehe, just thinking about it was amusing.
After all, police investigations require evidence, and it just so happened that Ye Feng had the video of Ji Lin coercing Big Duck Duck…
But since Elysia had volunteered, Ye Feng decided not to be that much of a bastard.
?
At this moment, a question mark floated above Big Duck Duck's head.
Was this how the police department in Arc City operated?
She didn't know; after all, she had almost never had any dealings with them.
Bronya felt that something was a little off, but this confusion quickly vanished.
The door was locked from the inside. In this sealed room, they sat across from Officer Elysia and explained the matter of the coercion.
"My, my, this is quite a major case."
Elysia sat up straight, her white-gloved hands neatly folded. "The citizens of our Arc City are simple and honest, friendly and harmonious. I never thought someone who would resort to such unscrupulous means for their own selfish desires would appear here."
After saying this, Elysia gave Ye Feng a pointed look.
"Yes, Officer Elysia, please help us."
"Of course. A stubborn flower will never lose its color in a storm, and your determination will surely allow your true self to bloom in this desperate situation. I will definitely bring the criminal to justice!"