Intentional Kiss

"Beep... beep..."

Just as Shen Mengli heard the dial tone from her phone, the door behind her suddenly swung open, followed by a figure stumbling in.

"Haah... haah... haah..."

The abrupt noise startled Shen Mengli, leaving her momentarily frozen. But when she focused, she realized the person rushing in was none other than Ye Feng.

"Xiao... Xiao Feng?"

Ye Feng let out a long breath of relief at the sight of Shen Mengli unharmed. The moment he'd stepped out of the car, he had sprinted home without pause—thankfully, she was safe.

"Mengli, thank goodness... you're okay..."

"Xiao Feng, you..."

Shen Mengli took in Ye Feng's exhausted expression and instantly understood. Tentatively, she asked,

"Was it because of the call?"

Ye Feng didn’t speak, only giving a slight nod.

"I knew it... I-I’m so sorry, Xiao Feng! I accidentally fell asleep, and my phone was on silent..."

Shen Mengli’s voice trembled, on the verge of tears, but before she could finish, Ye Feng stepped forward and pulled her into a tight embrace. The sudden gesture left her speechless, her guilt and explanations dissolving into silence.

"Xiao Feng... I’m sorry..."

Shen Mengli wrapped her arms around him in return, berating herself for not waking up sooner.

Feeling the rapid rise and fall of Ye Feng’s chest, her heart ached as if pierced by needles. Not only had she failed to share his burdens, but she’d also made him worry like this.

"Wah... X-Xiao Feng, I’m sorry..."

"Mengli?"

As Ye Feng calmed down, he realized his reaction might have been too intense. Just as he was about to let go, he noticed tears streaming down Shen Mengli’s face.

"M-Mengli, don’t cry! Did I scare you just now?"

He started to lean back, only to feel Shen Mengli’s hands firmly gripping his back. Then, with a sudden shift, she pressed her delicate frame against him.

"M-Mengli, let go—I’m going to fall—"

Thud.

A heavy sound echoed as they tumbled to the floor. Ye Feng grunted, instinctively shielding the back of Shen Mengli’s head with his hand while she lay nearly fully atop him.

"Mengli, are you hurt?"

Ye Feng looked up, meeting Shen Mengli’s captivating crimson eyes as she gazed down at him from his chest.

"Xiao Feng... I... I..."

A strange sensation flooded her as she registered their position. Placing her hands on Ye Feng’s chest, she slowly pushed herself up.

"What’s wrong, Mengli? Are you feeling unwell? Should I take you to the hosp—"

Before he could finish, Shen Mengli gently cupped his face with her delicate hands.

"M-Mengli?"

"It’s nothing, Xiao Feng. I’m just... so happy. Meeting someone as kind as you—I must be the luckiest person in the world."

"Alright, Mengli, the floor’s cold. Let me carry you back to the sofa..."

"Mm."

Flustered by her unexpected praise, Ye Feng sat up, carefully angling himself away from her head.

Yet Shen Mengli seemed to have the same thought, tilting her head in the opposite direction—only for their foreheads to accidentally bump together.

"M-Mengli!"

"X-Xiao Feng?"

Face-to-face, so close they could feel each other’s breath, the air between them grew thick.

"S-Sorry... I didn’t think you’d also..."

"Mm... I didn’t expect you to either..."

They shared an awkward glance before turning their heads in sync—only to collide again.

"......"

"Mengli, it wasn’t on purpose this time, I—"

Ye Feng leaned back, intending to lift her, but Shen Mengli suddenly seemed to steel herself. She pressed her hands over his, stopping him, then tilted her head forward—closing the distance between them.

"Meng— Mmph—"

"Mmm..."

Their lips met, soft and hesitant. Ye Feng’s eyes widened in shock as Shen Mengli, eyes shut, pressed herself closer. Only then did he snap back to reality, swiftly maneuvering around her arms to carry her to the sofa.

"Mm..."

Shen Mengli slowly opened her eyes, taking in Ye Feng’s flustered expression. Realizing what she’d done on instinct, she hurried to explain before misunderstandings could arise:

"X-Xiao Feng, is this... what you wanted? I-I didn’t understand your actions earlier, but... I just wanted to make you happy..."

"Uh—"

Her words made Ye Feng swallow his initial response. According to her, she’d misinterpreted his movements as a desire to kiss her—and so, to please him, she’d taken the initiative.

Though her reasoning felt a bit forced, the deep blush on her cheeks and her darting eyes seemed too genuine to be an act. Besides, someone as innocent as Mengli couldn’t possibly be scheming.

"I-I’m sorry, Xiao Feng... I shouldn’t have overthought things. After causing you so much worry and doing something so shameless... maybe I should just disappear..."

Her self-reproach only deepened Ye Feng’s guilt.

"Hey hey hey! Don’t say that, Mengli. What happened was just an accident. There’s no need to blame yourself."

"No! What I did to you was unforgivable!"

"Mengli, listen to me carefully, okay?"

Ye Feng sat beside her on the sofa, his voice gentle but firm.

"If you say it was unintentional, then I believe you. I know you’re always trying so hard to help me, but I don’t want you carrying such a heavy burden because of me. What I want is for you to think more about yourself—not just focus on others and neglect your own feelings."

"Xiao Feng... you’re doing it again..."

Shen Mengli buried her face, too embarrassed to look at him.

"You’ll spoil me rotten like this."

"And what’s wrong with spoiling someone as sweet and thoughtful as you? Even the headmistress dotes on you—doesn’t that prove you’re already doing more than enough?"