Back to the Welfare Home

The moment Ye Feng touched Shen Mengli's feet, his movements froze in place.

Although the sensation was undeniably pleasant... his actions would surely be misinterpreted as those of a pervert with ulterior motives!

"What's wrong, Xiao Feng? Haven't you finished putting on my socks yet?"

Seeing that he hadn't moved for a while, Shen Mengli began to worry that she might have been unclean, causing Ye Feng discomfort. She quickly turned her head back, concerned.

"Is it because I'm not clean enough?"

"Not at all! Mengli, your feet don't smell at all! In fact, there's even a faint, pleasant fragrance..."

Ye Feng wanted to explain himself to reassure Shen Mengli, but he suddenly realized that his explanation was veering dangerously close to sounding even more perverted. He quickly corrected himself.

"I... I mean they're very... appetizing... no! I mean they're very clean!"

"R-really? Then I'll leave it to you, Xiao Feng..."

Realizing that he might mess things up if he kept rambling, Ye Feng hurriedly put on the other sock for Shen Mengli. After making sure everything was fine, he stood up.

"All done. We can head out now."

"Mm, then... I'll rely on you, Xiao Feng."

Having been carried like a princess once before, Shen Mengli opened her arms toward Ye Feng. To make it easier for him to carry her, she leaned her body slightly forward.

"Mm..."

Ye Feng pursed his lips and lifted Shen Mengli from the couch. The girl's long white hair cascaded over his arm. Although she had only done some light grooming today, Shen Mengli's scent was still sweet and fragrant. Could this be the legendary special trait of a beautiful girl?

Just as Ye Feng was about to carry Shen Mengli out of the room, she suddenly hooked her arms around his neck and brought her cherry lips close to his ear.

"Xiao Feng... thank you..."

"I've told you so many times, there's no need to thank me. Mengli, why are you always so polite?"

"Anyway, I'll repay you, so you must wait until the day I can repay you, okay?"

"Alright, I'll wait for that day."

"Mm~"

.......

On the way to the orphanage, passersby cast wary glances at Ye Feng. In their eyes, he looked like a suspicious pervert, while the girl in his arms seemed like an innocent, pure beauty deceived by a villain. To avoid unnecessary misunderstandings, Ye Feng chose a less crowded path. Otherwise, being mistaken for a pervert and getting caught would be disastrous.

Although it took a detour, Ye Feng managed to arrive at the orphanage gate in time. Just as he was about to knock, Shen Mengli stopped him.

"Xiao... Xiao Feng..."

"Huh? What is it, Mengli?"

Ye Feng looked down, slightly confused, as Shen Mengli held his hand.

"If we go through the main entrance, the children will see us... Could you... take me through the backyard like yesterday?"

"No problem, but you'll need to hold onto my clothes tightly. I'll have to climb over the wall."

"Mm... then I'll leave it to you."

"Hmph!"

When they reached the backyard wall, Ye Feng steadied himself and glanced at the blind spot by the wall. With a slight run-up, he stepped on the corner of the wall and pushed off with force, landing safely on the grass in the garden like a leaping antelope.

"So... so that noise yesterday was you, Xiao Feng? I had no idea you were so skilled."

"Hehe, thanks for the compliment."

Ye Feng smiled proudly and carried Shen Mengli toward the pavilion.

Just as Ye Feng had said, Shen Mengli noticed that the orphanage director was already standing in the pavilion, staring blankly at the corridor.

"Go and let the director know you're safe. She must be worried sick about you."

Ye Feng whispered.

"Mm."

Shen Mengli nodded faintly without saying much.

When Ye Feng carried Shen Mengli to the edge of the pavilion, she looked at the director and softly called out, "Director Mom."

"Mengli!"

The director, who had been lost in thought, trembled as if struck by an electric current the moment she heard Shen Mengli's voice. She turned around, her face filled with panic, and looked at Shen Mengli.

Ye Feng didn't say much, simply placing Shen Mengli back into her small wheelchair. Just as he was about to apologize to the director, he didn't expect her to suddenly spread her arms and shield Shen Mengli behind her, looking at Ye Feng with a wary expression.

"Why did you take Mengli away without a word? What did you do to her?"

"Ah... Director, I can explain..."

"I won't listen to your nonsense anymore! I thought you were a kind person, but I never expected you to..."

"Director Mom!"

At that moment, Shen Mengli spoke up from behind, interrupting the director. She then pushed her wheelchair to Ye Feng's side and tightly grasped his hand.

"Xiao Feng is a good person... Director Mom, please don't misunderstand him. If it weren't for Xiao Feng saving me when I wanted to take my own life, I might not even be in this world anymore."

"W-what?! Mengli, you wanted to take your own life? W-why?"

"Because I felt like I was causing too much trouble for you, Director Mom, and everyone at the orphanage. I didn't want to leave everyone... I didn't want to go to an unfamiliar world. I'd rather die in this place full of laughter and joy than leave it."

"Mengli..."

"But Xiao Feng suddenly appeared and saved me... so Director Mom, please don't blame Xiao Feng. The fault lies with me for being too selfish. Now I realize I was wrong..."

Shen Mengli buried her head, looking like a child who had done something wrong, but her grip on Ye Feng's hand tightened even more.

Thank goodness... thank goodness everything is still here. Most importantly, Xiao Feng... he'll stay with me... forever...

Feeling Shen Mengli's tight grip on his hand, Ye Feng didn't pull away. He knew that what Shen Mengli needed most right now was encouragement and support, so he spoke up as well.

"Director, first of all, I apologize for taking Mengli away without your knowledge. However, I truly acted out of a desire to help her."

"The reason I didn't inform you immediately was partly because Mengli was on the verge of an emotional breakdown at the time. I was afraid that waking everyone up might lead to further complications. On the other hand, Mengli and I are good friends, and after a night of talking, she's no longer inclined to do something as reckless as what happened last night."

"Ah..."

After processing the situation, the director finally understood what had happened. She let out a sigh of relief and bowed deeply to Ye Feng.

"I'm the one who should apologize. I'm sorry, Mr. Ye Feng. I misunderstood you."