The Lively Pudding

"Ah."

Ye Feng let out a heavy sigh, his throat feeling slightly parched. He lifted the blanket and got out of bed.

As the faint sound of footsteps gradually faded from the bedroom, Shen Mengli, who had been feigning sleep with her eyes closed, suddenly opened them...

"Gulp... gulp... hah."

After finishing the cold water he had just poured, Ye Feng stepped onto the balcony. The cool night breeze washed over him, easing the melancholy in his heart.

Being bound by this system was no way to live—he needed to hurry and complete tasks to earn more life time. Even though he currently had over half a year’s worth, it still wasn’t enough for him.

Now, aside from Yu Xin, he had unlocked the profiles of everyone else. Earlier, Ye Feng had taken the time to check Shen Mengli’s profile display. Like Xie Yuyan and Li Mucheng, hers also showed two separate progress bars.

However, while the other two had consistently received progress rewards, Shen Mengli’s progress had already reached an astonishing 99% upon unlocking—yet the system hadn’t given any rewards this time. Unless… had the system bundled the rewards when he completed the "Kidnap Shen Mengli" mission?

But aside from life time, the only other reward was that Bone Marrow Restoration Pill. Thinking about it now, he had really gotten the short end of the stick.

Sigh, life was getting harder by the day. Tomorrow, he had to go out with Yu Xin, and who knew what would—

Wait! Outing!

Ye Feng latched onto this keyword, and a perfect plan to "kidnap" Su Yuxin began forming in his mind.

If the system’s kidnapping criteria required the victim not to realize who he was for it to count as a success… then all he had to do was separate from Su Yuxin during their outing, tie her up, and then "accidentally" reveal himself so she could escape safely!

With the initial idea in place, Ye Feng gradually refined it into a foolproof kidnapping plan.

Sorry, Yu Xin… I’ll make it up to you later…

The thought of subjecting the sweet and well-behaved Su Yuxin to such treatment made Ye Feng’s conscience twinge. But in the end, he clenched his teeth and steeled himself.

Hopefully, everything would go smoothly.

After closing the balcony door, Ye Feng returned to his bedroom. When he pulled the blanket over himself, he suddenly noticed how unusually warm it was.

"Huh?"

Just as he was puzzling over it, a small hand reached around his waist from behind and clung tightly to him.

Since Ye Feng was wearing a short-sleeved shirt to sleep, he could clearly feel the warmth of that hand—and the soft, supple body pressing against his back.

It was like a wobbly pudding, swaying gently with the motion of a spoon.

"Mengli..."

"..."

"Mengli?"

"Hehe… Mr. Teddy..."

"Mr. Teddy?"

Ye Feng froze at the drowsy murmur from behind him. He gently pried Shen Mengli’s hand away to make room to turn over and see what was going on.

When he did, he found Shen Mengli lying under his blanket, eyes shut, fast asleep. The teddy bear she had been holding had somehow ended up on the floor.

"Did she get confused in her sleep…?"

Ye Feng got out of bed, picked up the teddy bear, and tucked it back into Shen Mengli’s arms. He then pulled the blanket over her properly before finally lying back down and closing his eyes.

Only then did Shen Mengli quietly slip the teddy bear under the covers.

......

"I’m sorry for the trouble, Director."

"Ye Feng, what are you talking about? I’m just grateful you brought Mengli back. Besides, you’re already a familiar face to the children here. You’re always welcome."

"Thank you… I’ll be back by evening."

"Of course. Mengli, aren’t you going to say goodbye to Ye Feng?"

The director looked down at Shen Mengli, who sat in her wheelchair. Suddenly, Shen Mengli reached out and grasped Ye Feng’s hand tightly, staring straight at him.

"Xiao Feng… be careful on your way."

"Mm, Mengli, be good, okay?"

"Okay."

......

After their simple farewell, Ye Feng left through the gate. Shen Mengli watched his retreating figure until he disappeared from sight before finally lowering her gaze.

"Alright, Mengli, let’s head inside now."

"Okay, Mom Director."

Along the way, they exchanged greetings with some of the children—even Wenwen, who was heading to class. Eventually, the director wheeled Shen Mengli to her favorite spot in the orphanage: the depths of the garden.

"Back here again…"

As Shen Mengli took in the familiar surroundings, a wave of nostalgia washed over her. Strangely, the place she had once loved no longer felt as perfect as before. If not for Ye Feng’s special circumstances, she would have much rather stayed at his house.

Even without the beauty of the garden, being at home with him felt far more comforting.

"Mengli… how have you been lately?"

The director sat down beside the pavilion, her voice warm with concern for the child she cherished most.

"Thank you for asking, Mom Director. Xiao Feng has been taking really good care of me. But…"

"But what?"

"But it’s always been him looking after me. I can’t do anything to help him, and it makes me feel so guilty just watching."

Seeing Shen Mengli’s downcast expression, the director quickly understood how things had been for her at Ye Feng’s home. Clearly, his meticulous care had left Shen Mengli feeling flustered and indebted.

"Mengli, you need to understand—Ye Feng didn’t choose you because he expected anything in return. He just wanted you to have a better life."

"I know that… but I still want to do something for him."

"Hehe… it seems you’ve grown up, Mengli."

The director smiled, recognizing the hints of something deeper in Shen Mengli’s expression.

"So, how does it feel? That flutter in your heart?"

"Huh? W-what flutter?! Mom Director, don’t say nonsense…"

Though she denied it, the way Shen Mengli clutched her teddy bear gave her away—she just didn’t dare admit it outright.

"Mengli, did you really think I wouldn’t notice? From what I can tell, Ye Feng holds very special feelings for you too."

"R-really?!"

At those words, Shen Mengli immediately dropped her act. She pushed her wheelchair closer, eyes wide with hope.

"Mom Director, please, tell me more~"