Best Friends No More

"I didn't mean it that way..."

"So, you're saying I can stay here?"

Xie Yuyan seized the opportunity to speak up as soon as Ye Feng expressed his stance. It was clear from her eager tone that she really wanted to stay in Ye Feng's place.

"Well..."

Although Ye Feng wanted Xie Yuyan to find a safer place, considering how close this location was to where he had rescued her, he had to think about the tasks that lay ahead for Xie Yuyan. What if another emergency like that rescue mission occurred and he couldn't be there in time? That would be disastrous.

"I don't mind you staying here, but don't you care about the quality of life here? Besides, I'm a man, don't you think some awkward situations might arise?"

"Oh?"

Xie Yuyan raised an eyebrow and smiled mischievously.

"Like what?"

"Like... well, situations where we might end up being too close for comfort. Don't you feel uncomfortable about that?"

Xie Yuyan was about to immediately say she didn't feel uncomfortable, but after thinking it over, she decided not to act rashly. She still didn't know how Ye Feng really felt about her.

"There's no other way, is there? Maybe... I could find a job after I recover from my injuries?"

"That won't work. You're probably already the top target for the authorities. There are definitely many eyes watching you. If you show even the slightest sign of weakness, all your previous efforts will be in vain."

"Then what should I do? I can't keep burdening you like this."

Xie Yuyan bowed her head in shame, appearing to apologize for the trouble she had caused Ye Feng, but deep down, she had other thoughts.

Ye Feng, since you say that our meeting was fate, does that mean we won't be separated? It's like we're characters in a scripted story, already connected by destiny.

"Don't worry, there will always be a way."

"Alright then... okay~"

"Alright, I'll go to the mall later and get you some proper clothes. It's not right for you to keep wearing mine."

"I actually find them quite comfortable."

"You may be comfortable, but when I need to wear them, they'll be all stretched out. Do you think I can still fit into them? They're getting... stretched because of you."

"(￣▼￣)"

Xie Yuyan's lips curled into a mischievous smile, but she finally relented.

"Alright, fine. But consider this shirt a gift from you to me~"

"Sure, I have plenty of t-shirts anyway."

"Oh, Ye Feng, there's something I want to ask you."

"Later, I'll prepare breakfast first. Go wash up; I've already prepared all the necessities for you."

"Okay."

Xie Yuyan sat on the sofa, watching Ye Feng head to the kitchen. This, she thought, was the life she wanted. Maybe for her, this was her home.

......

"Miss, look at this data. Shouldn't we apply the previous formula? Miss?"

"Ah! I'm sorry, teacher, what did you just say?"

"Sigh."

The middle-aged woman wearing glasses shook her head helplessly at Li Mucheng's absent-minded state.

"Miss, your mind isn't here with me. I think it's getting late, so I'll come back another time."

"I'm sorry, teacher, I was spacing out."

Li Mucheng spoke sheepishly. She didn't know why, but every time she had a moment to herself, she would think about Ye Feng. Those beautiful memories felt like a looping movie, constantly replaying in her mind.

"Miss, you weren't just spacing out. Your attention was never on me. I admit you're very smart, but we still need to get through the lessons."

"I'm sorry, teacher."

"I'll take my leave now, Miss. I hope you won't be like this next time."

After the teacher left, Li Mucheng sighed in embarrassment. Ever since she returned from the hospital, her heart had been in turmoil, as if something was blocking her chest and she couldn't breathe.

Why is this happening? What is Ye Feng doing right now! No... I need to see him!

Feeling increasingly uneasy, Li Mucheng was about to call Ah Fu to take her to Ye Feng when she unexpectedly found Su Yuxin standing outside her room when she opened the door.

"Yuxin? Why are you here?"

"Mucheng, we're best friends, right?"

"Of course, why do you ask?"

Li Mucheng sensed something was off from Su Yuxin's expression and happily wrapped her arm around her best friend's.

"It's rare we have time today, why don't we go shopping together?"

"Actually, Mucheng, I need to talk to you about something."

Su Yuxin pulled away from Li Mucheng's grasp, and her smile froze. She led Su Yuxin into the room, closed the door, and sat down to look at her. After a while, she spoke softly, "What is it, Yuxin? What do you want to talk about?"

"Mucheng, why did you lie to me?"

Su Yuxin came straight to the point, not wanting to beat around the bush, as that would only hinder her from getting the answers she wanted.

"What? Yuxin, don't overthink things. When have I ever lied to you? We're best friends, aren't we?"

"You're still lying to me now!"

Seeing Li Mucheng's attitude, Su Yuxin felt even more hurt and shouted out loud.

"You promised you wouldn't hide anything from me, but you've changed! You've changed so much! You're not the same Mucheng as before!"

Li Mucheng, feeling unjustly accused by Su Yuxin, was naturally upset. Her temper wasn't the best to begin with, and if it weren't for the fact that the person in front of her was Su Yuxin, she would have already ordered someone to escort her out.

"Yuxin, don't be unreasonable. I'm still me!"

"No, you're not! The old Mucheng wouldn't lie to me. Now, I feel like you're deliberately keeping your distance from me! You weren't like this before."

Su Yuxin stared deeply into Li Mucheng's eyes, tears welling up, as if trying to bring her best friend back.

"Yuxin, stop talking nonsense. I'm still me, the same as before, now and always. If you're here to talk about this, then I'm sorry, but I can't stay."

Li Mucheng also got angry and stared back defiantly.

"You're still hiding things from me... then I'll just be blunt, and don't blame me for ruining our friendship!"

Su Yuxin stood with her hands on her hips, wearing a Western-style dress, looking at Li Mucheng.

"First, explain who that tutor is? Why haven't I ever heard about them?"

"Tutor?"

Li Mucheng immediately realized who Su Yuxin was referring to and her eyes sharpened.

Could it be that the reason I've been feeling uneasy is because of this?

"Who told you about it?"