"Dean, you don't need to apologize to me. I know you were just worried about Mengli and that's why you acted that way. It was also inconsiderate of me to take Mengli away without notifying you first."
Ye Feng didn't take the dean's actions to heart. Of course, he understood her concern for Shen Mengli. Anyone in her position would have been cautious.
"Mengli..."
After calming down, the dean placed her hand on her chest, taking several deep breaths before her breathing finally evened out.
"I'm the one who should apologize to you... If I had a better solution, you wouldn't have resorted to such actions... If it weren't for Mr. Ye Feng's help, I would have regretted this for the rest of my life."
The dean glanced at the utility knife by the pavilion. She had noticed it earlier that morning and didn't need to guess what Shen Mengli had intended to do with it.
"No... Dean, please don't blame yourself... It was me who acted too rashly."
Shen Mengli let go of Ye Feng's hand, pushed her wheelchair over to the dean, and hugged her.
"Dean, I've always known how much you care for me. It was my own lack of resolve that led me to do something so extreme. Now I realize my mistake, and I should be the one apologizing."
As Shen Mengli spoke, her voice trembled with emotion, and she buried her face in the dean's chest, tears streaming uncontrollably.
"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry..."
"Mengli... my dear child..."
Watching the two of them embrace and cry, Ye Feng quietly left the pavilion. He knew that the dean and Mengli would need time to talk, and it was best to give them space.
As Ye Feng walked down the corridor, intending to take a stroll, a pair of small hands suddenly wrapped around his leg. Turning around, he saw that it was Wenwen, who had seemingly appeared out of nowhere.
"Big Brother!"
Wenwen grinned, her little teeth gleaming as she smiled sweetly at Ye Feng.
"Well, if it isn't Wenwen!"
Ye Feng gently patted Wenwen's head and then crouched down to her level.
"Shouldn't you be in class right now, Wenwen?"
"I was! I just came out of the classroom and saw you in the hallway, Big Brother. Are you here to see Sister?"
"Ah... yes... that's right."
Ye Feng couldn't possibly tell Wenwen what had happened with Shen Mengli. Fortunately, the innocent and cheerful Wenwen had no clue about the situation.
"Um..."
Wenwen suddenly stood on her tiptoes and gestured for Ye Feng to lean down, as if she had a secret to share.
"What is it, Wenwen? Go ahead, tell me."
As soon as Ye Feng lowered his head, Wenwen cupped her hands around her mouth like a makeshift megaphone and whispered, "Big Brother, can I ask you for a favor?"
"Of course, Wenwen. What do you need?"
How could Ye Feng refuse such an adorable request? Besides, Wenwen was an important part of his mission, and he was more than willing to buy her something or take her out to play.
"I was wondering if you could visit Sister more often?"
"Hmm? You mean Mengli?"
"That's right!"
Wenwen nodded earnestly and continued in a hushed voice,
"Because whenever you come to the institute, Sister seems so much happier. I don't like seeing her sad all the time. Ever since you started visiting, Sister has been smiling a lot more."
Ye Feng was surprised that Wenwen's request was for him to spend more time with Shen Mengli. He couldn't help but feel touched, realizing just how much the children at the institute adored Shen Mengli.
"Wenwen, you're such a thoughtful and kind child."
"So, does that mean you'll agree to my request, Big Brother?"
"Well... what I'm about to tell you might be a little different from what you're asking for."
"A little different? What do you mean, Big Brother?"
"Ahem..."
Ye Feng cleared his throat and explained,
"It's just that I might... take Mengli away from the institute..."
"Take Sister away from the institute? What do you mean?"
Wenwen clearly didn't understand what Ye Feng was trying to say. She blinked, trying to replay his words in her mind to make sense of them.
"What I mean is... I might be taking your sister away from the institute to..."
Just as Ye Feng was about to explain further, Shen Mengli's voice echoed down the corridor.
"Big Brother is taking me away for treatment."
"Sister!"
Hearing Shen Mengli's voice, Wenwen immediately turned around and saw the dean pushing Shen Mengli toward them.
Wenwen ran up to Shen Mengli and hugged her arm, her big eyes filled with confusion as she looked up at her.
"Sister, what do you mean by treatment?"
"Big Brother has found a way to help me walk again. It means I might be away from the institute for a long time."
"Away from the institute..."
Wenwen caught the key part of Shen Mengli's words. Her cheerful expression instantly turned to one of sadness. However, the thought of Shen Mengli going away for treatment softened the blow slightly.
"It's... it's okay. As long as Sister can get better, I'll wait for you no matter how long it takes!"
Though Wenwen said this, her eyes were brimming with tears, revealing just how much she would miss Shen Mengli.
"Wenwen... thank you..."
Shen Mengli wrapped her arms around Wenwen and spoke in a gentle tone, genuinely grateful to the little girl.
On one hand, Wenwen had brought her so much joy, always staying by her side during her darkest moments and even risking danger to bring her a teddy bear. On the other hand, Wenwen had given her hope—a hope she had never dared to dream of.
"Thank you, Wenwen. I truly am grateful to you."
"Sniff... Sister, I'll miss you so much. Please get better soon, okay?"
Wenwen wiped her nose, her eyes filled with reluctance to let Shen Mengli go.
"Will you come back to visit me, Sister?"
"Of course! Whenever I get the chance, I'll come back to see you and everyone else. So, Wenwen, you must grow up to be a wonderful big sister, okay?"
Hearing Shen Mengli's words, Wenwen clenched her little fists, wiped away the tears that were about to fall, and nodded bravely, holding back her sobs.
"Mm! Don't worry, Sister! I'll grow up to be just like you!"