“How is it, Ye Feng? This dish is something new I recently learned. Let’s see if it suits your taste.”
Xie Yuyan rested her hands on the table, gazing intently at Ye Feng, who was sitting at the dining table still looking a bit dazed, as if nothing had just happened.
“Xie Yuyan... earlier...”
“Hmm?”
“Never mind... it’s nothing.”
Ye Feng let out a heavy sigh, his mood weighed down. He knew Xie Yuyan’s feelings for him were somewhat special, but he had already subtly made it clear to her that he couldn’t involve himself in matters of love.
“I know what you’re worried about.”
Xie Yuyan gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, closed her eyes, and spoke her mind.
“It’s your right to reject me, and I can’t interfere with that. But it’s also my right to pursue what I want. I won’t change my mind just because of what you said. I’ll keep going until you agree. So... be prepared from now on!”
She opened her eyes, her gaze filled with unwavering confidence, as if telling Ye Feng that she would succeed one day.
“You... sigh...”
Ye Feng could only sigh and say no more. As Xie Yuyan had said, while he could reject her, it didn’t mean she couldn’t pursue what she wanted.
“Hehe, so how’s the dish? Give me your honest opinion.”
“It’s really good.”
“That’s great~”
(^～^)
Xie Yuyan smiled with her eyes slightly narrowed, her path forward becoming even clearer in her heart.
......
“What... what’s going on?”
Finally having a day off, Ye Feng opened the system panel in his spare time. At first glance, everything seemed as calm as usual. But when he looked again, he noticed that the number under Xie Yuyan’s progress bar had somehow changed from 20% to 30%. When did that happen?
Seeing the progress change, Ye Feng gradually realized that what he had previously thought was a bug might actually be normal and likely represented something significant, though he still didn’t know what it was.
“It seems to be progressing slower than the upper bar, so it probably isn’t something that increases just by spending time together. And even at 30%, there’s no reward. Does that mean the reward only comes at 100%? That must be it... It seems like a pretty big prize...”
“Ye Feng, what are you looking at?”
While Ye Feng was muttering to himself, Xie Yuyan walked over to the sofa. Seeing him spaced out and distracted, she thought something might be wrong. But when she called out to him, he snapped back to reality, which made her slightly suspicious. She made a mental note of his behavior.
“Huh? Oh, it’s nothing. I was just thinking about some things, that’s all.”
“Is that so...”
Seeing that Ye Feng didn’t want to tell her, Xie Yuyan didn’t press further. She took out her phone and sat on the sofa, playing with it on her own.
“By the way, Xie Yuyan, I might need to go out later.”
“Go ahead...”
“......”
“I might come back a bit late.”
“Okay.”
“Is there anything you want me to get for you...”
“No.”
“......”
Seeing Xie Yuyan’s demeanor, Ye Feng didn’t need to think hard to know she was in a mood.
“What’s wrong? I didn’t say anything out of line, did I?”
Xie Yuyan put down her black-screened phone and shot Ye Feng a glare. It was clear that from the moment she picked up the phone, she hadn’t been using it at all. Her attention had been entirely on Ye Feng the whole time.
“Huh? Oh, it’s nothing. I was just thinking about some things, that’s all.”
Hearing Xie Yuyan’s words, Ye Feng felt a sense of déjà vu. After a moment, he realized she was throwing his own words back at him.
“Sorry, my attitude earlier wasn’t great.”
Ye Feng turned to Xie Yuyan, who was still fiddling with her black-screened phone, and spoke up.
“It’s not because of your attitude... I just... I just wish you’d rely on me a bit more.”
Xie Yuyan put down her phone, lowered her head, and muttered softly.
“I know you have things you don’t want to talk about, and I understand that. But... I don’t want to see you looking so troubled. No matter what difficulties you’re facing, you can tell me. You’re not alone anymore. I can help too.”
“So that’s what it is. I thought you were upset because of my attitude.”
Ye Feng hadn’t expected Xie Yuyan to care so deeply about him, even noticing when he looked troubled.
“I am a little upset... because you’re not being honest with me... And! Why do you suddenly want to go out? What are you planning to do?”
“We’re running low on groceries. I’m going to the supermarket to buy some.”
“I... I want to come too...”
“No, you can’t.”
Ye Feng firmly shook his head, cutting Xie Yuyan off before she could finish.
“You know how special the situation is right now. I can’t put you in danger just for your safety. Let’s wait until this whole gang situation is over, okay?”
“Fine... but be careful on your way.”
“Don’t worry, it’s just grocery shopping. Nothing will happen.”
*Click*
After the door closed tightly, Xie Yuyan lifted her legs onto the sofa, resting her head on her knees and wrapping her arms around her legs as she closed her eyes.
“What could be making Ye Feng look so troubled? Could those punks have done something outrageous to him? No... I need to think of a way...”
As she pondered, a sudden idea struck her, and her eyes widened as if she had thought of something brilliant.
That’s right! I did take a surveillance course before. All I need to do is plant a tiny listening device on Ye Feng without him noticing, and I’ll know everything!
Hehe... The thought of doing something sneaky to Ye Feng is kind of exciting~
Just you wait, Ye Feng. If you won’t tell me the truth, I’ll dig it out myself!
......
“Phew, these groceries should last us a week.”
Ye Feng stepped out of the supermarket carrying bags filled with various ingredients. Now that he had a steady income, he could afford to buy better-quality meat and fish, which was a nice way to improve their meals.
As he walked home, a thought suddenly crossed his mind.
“Maybe I should buy a cake for Xie Yuyan? I think most girls like desserts, right?”