“Yuxin, I didn’t mean to criticize you. Please don’t say that.”
Ye Feng quickly interjected.
“I just wanted to remind you—compared to when we first started lessons, you’ve improved so much.”
“Brother Ye Feng... you’ve always been so gentle.”
Su Yuxin couldn’t help but chuckle softly as she watched Ye Feng desperately try to cheer her up. She twirled in her dress, hands clasped behind her back.
“Hehe, you’re still the best to me~”
“Yuxin, do you really think I’m gentle?”
“Hmm?”
At first, Su Yuxin didn’t think much of Ye Feng’s words, but after a moment, she caught the implication.
The word “also” meant someone else had said the same thing to him.
Realizing she wasn’t the first, Su Yuxin gritted her teeth but forced a curious smile. “Oh? Why would you say that, Brother Ye Feng? Has someone else told you that before?”
“Ah... well... yes... but I didn’t really think much of it.”
Ye Feng laughed awkwardly.
*It must be Mucheng... Is she still not letting go? Doesn’t she understand the concept of first come, first served? I always put her first before, and this is how she repays me?*
*Tch... No wonder no one wants to talk to her. I must’ve been blind to ever call her a friend.*
While mentally scorning Li Mucheng, Su Yuxin stepped forward and looped her arm through Ye Feng’s, as if clinging to him could soothe her simmering anger.
“Brother Ye Feng, let me walk you out? If we bother the security guard to open the gate, there’ll be all that tedious registration stuff. It’ll be much easier if I’m with you.”
“Mmm... thanks, Yuxin. But, uh, your hand...”
Ye Feng felt uneasy—Su Yuxin’s smile seemed forced, like she was smiling just for the sake of it.
“I just want to spend more time with you. It’s so boring being alone at home.”
“Alright, let’s go...”
Ye Feng let her have her way. After Su Yuxin changed into her boots, the two headed toward the villa district’s main gate.
The walk was silent. Su Yuxin clung tightly to Ye Feng’s arm, clearly reluctant to see him leave.
“Brother Ye Feng.”
“Hm?”
“Can I come to your place tomorrow?”
*Thud.*
Ye Feng’s heart skipped a beat, but he quickly recovered.
Having Su Yuxin over wasn’t a problem in itself, but with Shen Mengli now staying at his place, he’d essentially have to take care of two people. Worse, Shen Mengli’s condition made it inconvenient for outsiders to visit. Still, not wanting to upset Su Yuxin, he chose his words carefully.
“How about this, Yuxin? After all these lessons, you deserve a break. Why don’t we go out and do something fun tomorrow?”
“......”
When Su Yuxin didn’t respond immediately, Ye Feng assumed she disliked the idea. Just as he was about to backtrack, she suddenly jumped with excitement.
“Yes! Perfect!”
“Y-Yuxin?”
Her outburst caught him off guard.
“Of course! I’ve always wanted to go out with you! But Father’s always been so strict—I hardly ever get to leave...”
*Ah, so that’s it. The downsides of being a rich kid, huh?*
“Don’t worry, Yuxin. Tomorrow’s your chance. Though, I’m not sure what you’d enjoy, so the experience might be...”
“That’s not true!”
Su Yuxin cut him off.
“As long as I’m with you, Brother Ye Feng, anything would be fun! Since you suggested it, I’ll come find you tomorrow~”
“N-No, I’ll come pick you up instead. CEO Su would feel better that way. Otherwise, if he sends bodyguards to tail us, you won’t enjoy yourself.”
“Hmm... you’re right.”
Su Yuxin fell right into his reasoning, oblivious to the rejection. Her mind was already racing with plans for their “date.”
“So just wait for me at the gate, okay?”
“Got it! See you tomorrow, Brother Ye Feng~”
By then, they’d reached the gate. Su Yuxin waved goodbye, watching until Ye Feng disappeared into a taxi before skipping back home.
She had *a lot* of preparations to make for tomorrow.
As for Li Mucheng? She could wait for their wedding invitation.
......
In the taxi, Ye Feng checked his phone—the sun was nearly setting. Worry gnawed at him. *How’s Mengli doing?*
*I should call.*
*Ring... ring...*
No answer. The call timed out, and panic surged.
*Did something happen?!*
“Driver, step on it.”
He redialed, leaning forward.
“Kid, we’re in the city. Speeding’s not—”
“I’ll pay extra.”
“Hold on tight, pal. This ride’s the fastest in Shu City!”
......
“Mmm...”
Shen Mengli stirred on the sofa, blinking awake.
“Did I fall asleep?”
She sat up, scanning the room. No sign of Ye Feng. Outside, the sky blazed with dusk.
“He’s still not back... He promised he’d hurry.”
Her disheveled hair veiled her face, but the loneliness in her eyes peeked through.
*Wait—Xiao Feng said to call if I needed him!*
Clutching the teddy bear to her chest, she grabbed her phone from the coffee table.
Flipping it over, she froze. The screen was flooded with notifications—dozens of missed calls, all from “Ye.”
“Huh? X-Xiao Feng? When did...”
She’d accidentally left it on silent. Heart pounding, she frantically hit redial.