Learn I Want to Learn

"Alright, alright, Mengli, stop shaking me—I'll tell you!"

The director's arm was being tugged back and forth by Shen Mengli like an unshakable adhesive plaster. Seeing the earnest curiosity in Mengli's wide eyes, the director finally shared her observation.

"Mengli, haven’t you noticed how Ye Feng always freezes for a second whenever he meets your gaze?"

"Eh? Really?"

"Seems like you haven’t been paying close enough attention. From the very first day Mr. Ye arrived at the institute, I noticed his reactions slow down whenever he sees you."

"Seriously?! But what does that have to do with him having feelings for me?"

"Then let me ask you, Mengli—how do you feel when you lock eyes with him?"

"I... I feel happy..."

"Why happy?"

"Mmm..."

Shen Mengli pursed her rosy lips and murmured shyly,

"Because... because Xiao Feng is looking at me..."

"Exactly."

The director smiled knowingly.

"How is that 'exactly'?! Director Mom, you’re not making any sense!"

Mengli pouted, clearly impatient. The director’s words had only stoked her curiosity further.

"Oh, Mengli, you silly girl."

The elderly director tapped her forehead lightly.

"It means Mr. Ye is captivated by you. Your looks or personality must really be his type~"

"His type..."

Shen Mengli’s mind flashed back to the day she had impulsively kissed Ye Feng. At the time, she’d been too flustered and exhilarated to notice his reaction.

Now she vaguely recalled how serious he had seemed—yet beneath that stern expression, there had been a hint of shyness.

Could it really be...?

"Really?! Director Mom, are you serious?!"

"I can’t say for certain, but this is just a woman’s intuition speaking."

"I want to learn!"

"Hm?"

"I want to learn! Whether it’s intuition or judgment, I want to master it all!"

A burning desire for knowledge coursed through Shen Mengli.

"Well... alright. You are at that age, after all."

After a moment’s thought, the director finally agreed. A man as remarkable as Ye Feng would surely have no shortage of admirers. If Mengli—frail and inexperienced—wanted to stand a chance, she’d need every advantage. And since Mengli was practically her own child, she couldn’t let her fall behind.

"Director Mom had quite a few suitors back in the day, you know~ So don’t worry—I won’t let you lose at the starting line."

"Director Mom..."

Shen Mengli watched as the usually gentle and caring woman transformed before her eyes, her gaze brimming with determination.

......

"Perfect timing."

Standing outside Su Yuxin’s apartment, Ye Feng checked his phone and nodded in satisfaction. Seeing no sign of Yuxin yet, he idly scrolled through his notifications—until one headline caught his attention.

"Man Brutally Murdered in His Own Home—Shockingly, the Killer Was..."

The rest of the title was cut off, and curiosity got the better of him. He tapped it.

The full headline loaded:

"Killer Was... Wild Mushrooms He Picked Himself!"

"......"

Ye Feng stared blankly before closing the app.

Maybe I should just admire the scenery...

Before long, the crisp sound of leather boots echoed through the villa district. Glancing up, he spotted a petite figure sprinting toward him from the entrance.

"Ye Feng-gege~!"

Su Yuxin dashed over in a frilly pink Victorian-style dress, her golden twin tails and white lace socks making her look like a doll straight out of a fairy tale.

"Sorry for making you wait, Ye Feng-gege!"

"It’s fine. I just got here."

"No! Being late is being late!"

Yuxin lifted her chin stubbornly, stepping closer with an oddly serious expression.

"So to make sure I don’t repeat this mistake, please punish me like last time!"

"Huh? Yuxin, what are you talking about? It’s just a minor delay—punishment would be way too harsh."

"Mistakes deserve consequences! That’s an immutable law. If people are always forgiven, what’s the point of punishment?"

She clasped her hands over her flushed cheeks and whispered coyly,

"Maybe... tie me up with rope again? I think I need a proper lesson~"

"......"

Ye Feng sighed and resorted to the ever-effective karate chop to silence her.

"Ow... Ye Feng-gege, you’re so cruel!"

"Don’t even start. I wouldn’t have to do this if you didn’t spout nonsense."

"I don’t care! If you don’t punish me properly today, I won’t let this go!"

Has this girl developed some weird kink or something?

Defeated, Ye Feng relented. "Fine. As punishment..."

"Yes?!"

"...Go buy me a milk tea."

"Tch—"

"Did you just tch at me?"

"That was your imagination! Milk tea, right? Got it! Wait here, Ye Feng-gege~"

With a nod, Yuxin scampered off toward a nearby dessert shop. Ye Feng considered following, but she turned and waved him off.

"Teacher, just stay put! I’ll be right back~"

Cupping her hands like a megaphone, she called out before vanishing into the shop.

......

Ding-a-ling!

The sweet chime of a bell announced the door’s opening.

"Welcome— Oh, Miss Yuxin! What would you like today?"

The staff greeted her warmly—clearly, she was a regular.

"Two strawberry milk teas, please. Extra sugar in one~"

"Right away!"

Moments later, the clerk handed her a takeout bag.

"Thanks!"

Yuxin accepted it, then promptly headed for the restroom.

"Um... Miss Yuxin, you can leave the drinks here if you need to—"

"It's fine, I just popped in to wash my hands real quick ♡"

......