"Are you really not coming to the institute, Mengli? Will you be alright at home alone?"
After breakfast, Ye Feng gazed worriedly at Shen Mengli, who sat on the sofa hugging a teddy bear as she looked back at him.
Honestly, he still had his doubts about leaving her alone. If anything were to happen, he’d be consumed with guilt.
"I’ll be fine, really. You’ve already asked me ten times, Xiao Feng."
Rather than finding Ye Feng’s nagging annoying, Shen Mengli felt touched by his concern. Being cared for so deeply by him filled her with nothing but joy.
"Besides, I have you here with me, don’t I?"
She raised the stuffed bear in her hands and made it wave at Ye Feng.
"W-Well… alright then. But take this, Mengli."
Ye Feng handed her the phone Li Mucheng had given him, which he fetched from the bedside table in his room.
"I mentioned this to you yesterday—it has my number saved. Call me right away if anything happens, okay?"
"Mhm. Come back soon, Xiao Feng."
Shen Mengli took the phone and placed it beside her, her eyes never leaving Ye Feng.
"I will."
Just as he was about to step out, Shen Mengli suddenly called out to him.
"Xiao Feng, there’s one more thing."
"What is it?"
"Come closer."
Though puzzled, Ye Feng obeyed, crouching down to her level. Without warning, Shen Mengli wrapped her arms around him and whispered softly into his ear, her voice barely audible:
"Be safe. I’ll miss you."
"Mengli…"
The warmth of her voice lingered in his ears, and it took him a moment to snap out of his daze after she let go.
"I’m heading out now…"
"Mhm."
Noticing the faint pink tinge on Ye Feng’s ears, Shen Mengli secretly smiled to herself.
*Xiao Feng’s blushing…*
---
"Ye Feng gege~!"
After taking a taxi to the apartment complex where Su Yuxin lived, Ye Feng was just about to enter through the main gate when a sweet voice called out from behind him.
Turning around, he was surprised to see Su Yuxin holding two ice cream cones, hurrying toward him.
"Yuxin…? Why are you—"
"No time to explain, Ye Feng gege! Catch!"
She rushed over, her hands clutching the melting ice cream. By the looks of it, time had not been kind—the treats were already dripping down her fingers.
"Quick! Hurry! It’s about to fall!"
"Stop moving around, Yuxin! Just hand it to me!"
By the time Ye Feng managed to take the ice cream, it was too late. The strawberry-flavored treat had already dripped onto the back of his hand.
"......"
The cold, sticky sensation made him inwardly groan. He knew all too well that wiping it off with a napkin wouldn’t be enough—without water, it’d just leave his hands annoyingly sticky.
To prevent further mess, he took a big bite of the remaining ice cream before turning back to Su Yuxin, who was staring intently at his hand.
"Yuxin, ni you zhi ma?" he mumbled through the mouthful.
Su Yuxin tilted her head, processing his words before her eyes lit up with realization.
"Gege, are you asking if I have a boyfriend? I don’t, you know… Ow!"
She rubbed her forehead where Ye Feng had flicked her, pouting in protest.
"Why’d you hit me? I answered honestly! I said I don’t have a boyfriend!"
Her voice carried louder than intended, and Ye Feng panicked. They were standing right at the entrance of her apartment complex, with people coming and going. If word got back to *that* family—or worse, Su Wanli—he’d be as good as dead tomorrow.
"Gulp—"
Forcing down the icy lump in his throat, he swallowed hard before clarifying,
"Yuxin, what are you saying?! I asked if you had *tissues*! How did that turn into *boyfriend*?!"
"Ohhh~!"
Su Yuxin nodded, feigning sudden understanding—though the sly glint in her half-lidded eyes suggested she’d heard him just fine the first time.
"So *that’s* what you meant! Sorry, gege~ I don’t have any tissues either~"
"Then… what about my hand—"
Before he could finish, Su Yuxin grabbed his sticky hand and cut him off.
"My bad, Ye Feng gege. Since this was my fault, it’s only right that I fix it."
"Yuxin, what are you—? Why are you holding my—?"
Confused, Ye Feng watched as her expression turned oddly determined—like a protagonist in a movie about to make a heroic sacrifice.
Then, without warning, she leaned in.
"Y-Yuxin…?"
Before he could react, Su Yuxin’s lips parted—and she *lunged* straight for the ice cream on his hand.
*Wait—wait! Is she about to—?!*
By the time he realized her intentions, it was too late. His hand was already clean.
"Mmm~!"
She pulled back, flicking her golden twin tails with a satisfied smack of her lips before beaming up at him, clearly waiting for praise.
"There! I’ve apologized properly, gege. Now you *have* to forgive me~"
"Yuxin, you—"
"Aha! No lectures, okay? I already said sorry~!"
She hurriedly cut him off, not daring to let him speak. Truthfully, even *she* was surprised by her own boldness. But in that impulsive moment, an inexplicable thrill had surged through her.
*Ye Feng gege’s scent… I love it…*
"Come on, let’s hurry to class!"
Grabbing his arm, she tugged him toward the apartment, her face burning red. To cool herself down, she took small, hurried bites of her remaining ice cream.
"......"
Seeing how nonchalant she acted, Ye Feng could only sigh and follow along, eating his own ice cream with resigned amusement.