Tools Turn Against Their Masters

Chapter Excerpt

“So, can we just move past today? Don’t put too much pressure on yourself, Mengli. You only need to live for yourself.”

“Xiao Feng... you’re so kind...”

Shen Mengli nodded softly, as if agreeing with Ye Feng’s words.

“Alright, since you’re fine now, I can relax. But next time, please keep your phone ringer on, okay? Otherwise, I’ll really worry about you.”

“Mm, I understand.”

“Well then, I should start preparing dinner. Mengli, is there anything you’d like to eat?”

Ye Feng rolled up his sleeves and stood from the couch, heading toward the kitchen. But when Shen Mengli didn’t respond for a long while, he turned back, puzzled.

“Mengli?”

“Ah!”

Shen Mengli lifted her head, flustered, and waved her hands.

“I... I’m fine with anything. Just whatever’s easy.”

“Oh... alright then. Next time, let me know if you have a craving, okay?”

“Mm.”

As Ye Feng’s figure disappeared into the kitchen, Shen Mengli raised a hand to lightly touch her lips, as if savoring some lingering taste.

What I wanted to taste... I’ve already had. Anything else doesn’t matter now.

......

Thud.

“I’m home.”

Su Wanli, returning from work, kicked off his boots and loosened his tie, exhaustion weighing heavily on him.

“Father!”

The moment he switched to slippers, a sweet, cooing voice echoed from the staircase—instantly rejuvenating him.

“Ah, my daughter truly knows how to warm her old man’s heart. Such a sweet little cotton-padded jacket.”

The sound of hurried footsteps confirmed his hopes. Su Yuxin rushed down, her face eager as she skidded to a stop in front of him.

“Oh, careful, my dear! I know you’re excited to help your tired father, but don’t hurt yourself.”

Su Wanli grinned, extending his briefcase toward her.

“Fa... Father!”

But Su Yuxin ignored the briefcase, clasping her hands together earnestly.

“Tomorrow... can I go out and have fun for the day?”

“Hm? Fun? But Yuxin, you’ve always been so eager for your classes. Why the sudden change?”

Su Wanli was puzzled, though secretly pleased. At least his daughter wasn’t obsessing over that person—Ye Feng—for once.

“Aiya, Father, don’t ask so much! Just say yes or no!”

“Yes, of course! But it’s dangerous to go alone. Why don’t I take the day off too? Your mother and I can—”

Before he could finish, Su Yuxin bounced excitedly.

“Yay! Thank you, Father! But I won’t be alone—I’m going with Brother Ye Feng! So you don’t need to worry about me. It’s settled then! I’ll go pick out an outfit~”

With that, she scampered back upstairs, leaving Su Wanli frozen in the doorway, briefcase still outstretched.

He stood there, staring blankly at the empty staircase, as though he’d aged a decade in seconds.

“A... a nightmare. This must be a nightmare...”

......

“Xiao Feng... you’re really not mad at me?”

After dinner, Shen Mengli pouted at Ye Feng, who sat on the opposite end of the couch.

“Huh? Why would I be mad? Mengli, are you overthinking again?”

“Then why are you sitting so far away? You’re obviously keeping your distance on purpose.”

“That’s not it at all! I just don’t want another accident like today.”

“But this just means you don’t trust me...”

“Sigh... fine, fine, I’ll move closer.”

Ye Feng relented, shifting over. Immediately, Shen Mengli inched toward him, her movements slow but deliberate.

“Xiao Feng, I noticed you were on your phone earlier. Was something interesting happening?”

“Oh, that?”

Ye Feng saw no reason to hide it.

“I promised one of my students I’d take her out tomorrow. I was just checking for places we could go.”

“......”

Shen Mengli’s grip tightened slightly. Her imperfect body could never offer the same experiences as a healthy girl’s. The mental image of some unfamiliar girl clinging to Ye Feng’s arm twisted like a knife in her heart.

But Ye Feng, ever considerate, quickly added:

“Mengli, don’t worry. Once I have time, I’ll take you out too. Don’t let others’ opinions define you. You’re you—you don’t need to live by their standards.”

His reassurance soothed her unease, if only a little. Yet the fear remained. Ye Feng might stay by her side at home, but in the outside world? She could never truly keep him. And if someone else seized the chance to steal him away... how could she stop them?

“Mm, I’ll remember your words. Then... could you take me to the institute tomorrow? I’ll wait for you there.”

“Are you... sure?”

“It’s fine. But since you’re spending so much time with your student... could you spare a little more for me afterward?”

“Of course. The moment I’m done, I’ll come straight to you.”

Ye Feng’s tone was firm.

“Mm. Then I’ll rest easy.”

......

Somewhere on a remote island...

“Worthless... every last one of you!”

A lavishly dressed woman, her makeup flawless, hurled a wineglass to the floor. The men kneeling around her didn’t dare breathe too loudly.

“Weeks! And you can’t even capture one person?! Worse—your own base gets raided! The so-called ‘elites’ of this organization can’t even handle a single rogue tool?!”

The silence deepened. No one wanted to provoke the Mistress’s wrath.

“Speak! Have you all lost your tongues?! That trained mutt is rebelling—trying to kill its master! And you just cower here?!”

Heh... hehehehe...

~%?…;#’☆&℃$︿★? [Garbled text]