"Back when the kids were born, we thought if one was a boy and the other a girl, we could become in-laws. But now, not only did we end up with two daughters, but they both fell for the same guy. That kid sure has some skills," Li Jing said with a laugh, patting Su Wanli on the shoulder. At the same time, he noticed a servant approaching with two bowls of corn porridge and some stir-fried vegetables.
"Alright, it's time for Mucheng and the others to eat. Let's take a stroll, brother, and you can fill me in on the information you've gathered."
"Sure."
...
"Please enjoy your meal," the servant said as she placed the tray on the dining table in the hospital room before leaving. Li Mucheng picked up a bowl of corn porridge and some vegetables, then walked over to Ye Feng.
"Teacher, you haven't eaten in a while. It's time to have something."
"Ah, thank you, Mucheng. Just hand me the bowl."
Though Ye Feng was weak, he still had enough strength to eat. As he reached out to take the bowl, Li Mucheng suddenly pulled it back.
"Mucheng? Why won't you give me the bowl?"
Ye Feng looked at her with confusion, but there was something off in her innocent gaze.
(˵¯͒〰¯͒˵)
"Tehe~"
Li Mucheng's face turned slightly red as she held the bowl. She scooped up a spoonful of porridge and blew on it gently.
"Mucheng, what are you..."
"I'm helping you eat, of course! Didn't you hear the doctor say you need to rest properly? It seems like you don't care about your health at all!"
"Wait, wait, wait!"
Ye Feng was caught off guard by Li Mucheng's sudden assertiveness. Why was she treating him like he was completely incapacitated?
"Mucheng, you've got it wrong. I can eat just fine on my own. There's no need for..."
"No! The doctor's advice is the best way to help you recover. I won't allow you to risk your health any further!"
Without giving Ye Feng a chance to explain, Li Mucheng brought the spoon to his lips, a faint smile playing on her lips.
"Come on, Teacher! It's just a meal. No big deal."
"But you haven't eaten either. Why don't we each eat our own... mmm..."
Before Ye Feng could finish, Li Mucheng shoved the spoonful of porridge into his mouth, almost making him choke.
"Mucheng! You..."
"What's wrong, Teacher? Is the porridge too hot? It shouldn't be. I blew on it for a long time."
Li Mucheng eagerly scooped another spoonful from the bowl and, without cooling it, put it straight into her own mouth.
"Mmm... not too hot at all~"
"Cough... cough..."
Ye Feng was stunned by her actions. Hadn't she realized she was using the same spoon he had just used? Surely a young lady like her would notice something like that!
"Mucheng, I just used that spoon!"
"What's the big deal? Taking care of a patient requires selflessness."
"I think you might have misunderstood the meaning of 'selflessness'..."
After much insistence from Ye Feng, Li Mucheng finally agreed to feed him with a new spoon.
"How about it, Teacher? Are you full now?"
"Enough... enough... I can't eat anymore..."
Ye Feng quickly waved his hands, afraid that even a second's delay would result in another spoonful from Li Mucheng.
"Ah... you're full already? Alright then."
Li Mucheng seemed a little disappointed, as if she hadn't had enough fun.
"I really am full, Mucheng. You should eat too. You haven't been resting well these past few days."
"Okay then."
Li Mucheng reluctantly started eating her own meal. Unbeknownst to Ye Feng, she continued using the same spoon without switching it out.
"Mucheng, do you really like porridge? You seem to be enjoying it so much."
"Huh? Not really~"
After swallowing a mouthful, Li Mucheng licked the remaining grains of rice off the spoon, giving Ye Feng a subtle look.
"It's just that, like you, I haven't eaten in a while, so I'm a bit hungry."
"Is that so..."
Ye Feng didn't press further, but as Li Mucheng ate, he suddenly remembered something and asked,
"Mucheng, how many days was I unconscious?"
"Three days. Didn't I tell you that earlier?"
"Three days? Oh no!"
Ye Feng suddenly remembered Xie Yuyan at home. He hadn't been back for three days and had no idea how she was doing.
"My phone... where's my phone?"
"Oh... your phone is on the nightstand."
Li Mucheng pointed to the smartphone she had prepared for Ye Feng, feeling quite pleased with herself.
"Huh?"
Ye Feng realized that his original phone was still at home, and the one he had with him was the one Li Mucheng had given him. The problem was, he hadn't used it much and hadn't even saved Xie Yuyan's number. He would have to wait until he recovered to check on her. He could only hope she hadn't done anything foolish.
"What's wrong, Teacher? You look pale."
"It's nothing, Mucheng. I just thought I'd lost my phone. Glad it's here."
"Mm."
Soon, Li Mucheng finished her bowl of porridge. Normally, she didn't eat much, but with Ye Feng's spoon, every bite seemed extra sweet. If the bowl hadn't been empty, she felt she could have eaten another whole serving.
After calling the servant to clear the dishes, Li Mucheng returned from freshening up. Ye Feng suddenly noticed that she was wearing a hospital gown just like him. He recalled that when he had saved her, she hadn't been seriously injured, but she had sprained her ankle. Concerned, he asked, "Mucheng, does your ankle still hurt?"
"My ankle? It's fine now. I applied some ointment, and it healed by the next day."
As she spoke, Li Mucheng walked over to Ye Feng's bed. Just as he thought she was about to say goodbye and return to her own room, she locked eyes with him.
"Uh..."
"Stare..."
(≖_≖)
"Mu... Mucheng?"
Just as Ye Feng was about to ask what she was doing, Li Mucheng gently placed her hand on the edge of his bedsheet. In an instant, she pulled back the covers and slipped into his bed with lightning speed.
"Eh? Eh!!!!!"
What on earth just got in here?!