CHAPTER 32: CHAPTER 32 JOKE

After dinner, Su Yanyi returned to her bedroom where several shopping bags lay on the bed. She opened each one, finding all the items she needed.

There were pajamas of little rabbits, giant pandas, tiny turtles, and even a monkey-shaped set, some two-piece and some one-piece, but overall, they could all be described as cute.

Which set to wear first? Would Qin Jiran find it amusing? This was Su Yanyi really putting herself out there, willing to sacrifice a bit of her dignity occasionally for the sake of making Qin Jiran smile.

"[Master, these clothes are so cute! How about you wear the little turtle one first? That green shell is just too adorable!]" Zero Zero One’s excited little voice made Su Yanyi’s mouth twitch. She could only hope that Qin Jiran’s taste was the same as Zero Zero One’s.

Wearing the turtle pajamas, Su Yanyi pushed open the door to Qin Jiran’s study. Qin Jiran was on the phone. His gaze reflexively shifted to the doorway, then his eyes widened, and he stood there, stunned, unable to hear the voice on the other end of the line.

"You, you..." Qin Jiran felt at that moment that his vocabulary was woefully inadequate; he simply didn’t know what to say!

The voice on the other side of the phone grew louder, asking Qin Jiran what he said, which finally jolted Qin Jiran back to reality. He hurriedly told the person on the phone they would talk later and hung up.

"You continue with your work; don’t mind me," Su Yanyi said, taking a seat on the couch in the corner with great composure.

Qin Jiran’s gaze cautiously swept over Su Yanyi, taking in the green turtle outfit completely, and after a mental struggle, he tried to act nonchalant, "Nothing’s the matter. Did you need anything from me? How about having corn porridge tomorrow morning? Fresh corn, it’s pretty good."

Upon hearing there was food, Su Yanyi was quite pleased, but seeing Qin Jiran’s composed expression, she felt a bit disappointed.

Why wasn’t he laughing? Could it be she wasn’t ridiculous enough in this silly outfit?

Su Yanyi, feeling rather defiant, got up from her seat and walked directly in front of Qin Jiran, staring at him.

Qin Jiran felt a bit edgy under her gaze and took a step back, his eyes fixed solely on Su Yanyi’s face, not daring to look lower. He feared if he saw her in the turtle outfit, he might not keep his composure and might laugh, which would be terrible if Su Yanyi thought he was mocking her – he didn’t want any more misunderstandings.

Su Yanyi was even more disappointed, realizing she probably looked anything but funny and that her decision to wear this stupid outfit was indeed foolish.

"You keep busy," she said, then turned and walked away. If this approach wasn’t working, she’d have to try something else.

Left behind, feeling confused, Qin Jiran stood in his study. It was only after he was sure Su Yanyi had left that the corners of his mouth started to curve upwards. He just couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

But then, just after discarding the clothes, Su Yanyi heard the System’s voice.

"[Congratulations to the host for completing a task. One point added. The current points total is seven. Please continue the good work, host!]"

Qin Jiran, are you slow in the uptake? Su Yanyi stood somewhat dazedly in place, fuming in her mind.

"[Master, do you want to pick up your clothes?]" Zero Zero One asked weakly.

"Ahem, since he laughed, it’s time to change tactics." That stupid costume, wearing it once is enough, but the thought that Qin Jiran’s laughter seemed to be at her expense again, for doing something foolish, made Su Yanyi feel her image was getting more and more pathetic.

At that moment, what Qin Jiran was thinking was that he should have captured Su Yanyi’s just now appearance for posterity, Her in a turtle costume was simply too cute. Would she ever wear it again in the future? If he saw it again, he definitely had to remember to hold back his laughter, he absolutely couldn’t let Su Yanyi know that he found such joy in her outfit.

Su Yanyi was a woman of action. Having made a plan to make Qin Jiran laugh, she wasted no time in trying hard to do so. Therefore, the very next evening, right after dinner, Su Yanyi showed up again in Qin Jiran’s study. However, this time she was dressed very normally, in cotton home-wear that looked very comfortable. Qin Jiran glanced at her and, despite feeling a bit disappointed, also felt that this was the most normal Su Yanyi.

Qin Jiran was accustomed to asking Su Yanyi if she came to see him for anything, since she never sought him out without a reason before, but recalling Su Yanyi’s recent odd behavior, he swallowed the question he was about to ask and instead offered, "Sit, would you like some tea?"

As he spoke, Qin Jiran had already poured a cup of tea for Su Yanyi. He liked to brew a pot of tea and go to his study after dinner, and today he brewed black tea, which Su Yanyi probably wouldn’t find too disagreeable.

Su Yanyi didn’t refuse and took a sip before calmly saying, "I’ll tell you a few jokes."

Qin Jiran blinked, feeling that auditory hallucinations were really a nuisance, occasionally surfacing to worry people.

Without waiting for Qin Jiran’s response, Su Yanyi started telling the jokes.

"A journalist was interviewing the director of a mental hospital and asked: ’How do you determine whether a patient has fully recovered?’ The director replied: ’We give them a test. We fill a bathtub with water and place a teaspoon and a big bowl beside it for them to empty the water from the tub.’ The journalist said dismissively: ’Well, obviously, the big bowl is the way to go!’ The director looked at him and said slowly: ’A normal person would just pull the plug on the tub...’"

Su Yanyi’s voice was cool and clear, enunciating each word precisely. Though she was telling a joke, it felt as if she were reciting a poem—very pleasing to the ear, which made Qin Jiran completely immerse himself in the quiet atmosphere, completely ignoring the content of the joke.

So when Su Yanyi looked at Qin Jiran expectantly, she found only his deep gaze with no hint of a smile.

Why isn’t he laughing? Could it be the joke isn’t funny?

"If that one wasn’t funny, I’ll tell another. Listen carefully this time!" Su Yanyi was well-prepared, having specially searched for many jokes on Baidu, determined to keep telling them until Qin Jiran laughed.

"Two mental patients, A and B, recovered at the same time. The chief psychiatrist told them: ’If one of you relapses, the other must immediately take him back to the hospital.’ Suddenly one day, the doctor’s phone rang. It was A: ’It’s terrible, from this morning B has been crawling in my toilet, insisting he’s my toilet bowl!’ The doctor urgently said: ’Quick, bring him to the hospital!’ After a pause, A replied: ’Then, then wouldn’t I be without a toilet bowl?’"

This time, due to Su Yanyi’s specific reminder, Qin Jiran listened very carefully, and then he found himself unsure of what expression would be appropriate to show.

...