Debate

"Yuxin..."

This time, Ye Feng didn’t push away Su Yuxin as she threw herself into his arms. Instead, he quietly stroked her golden hair, breathing in her familiar scent.

Mmm, it really is Yuxin—even her shampoo carries that faint strawberry fragrance.

"Ye Feng..."

Noticing Ye Feng’s prolonged silence, Su Yuxin assumed her impulsive gesture had made him uncomfortable again. Slowly, she lifted her head from his chest.

"I’m sorry. I acted selfishly again."

"Don’t think like that, Yuxin. As long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters to me."

Gazing at Su Yuxin’s cherubic face, Ye Feng chuckled and pinched her plump cheeks playfully.

"Even if you sometimes pull little pranks, as long as they’re not too excessive, I don’t mind one or two now and then."

"Ye Feng..."

Seeing that Ye Feng showed no trace of impatience, the tension in Su Yuxin’s heart gradually eased.

"Thank you."

......

"Good evening, you two. I’m the manager of this restaurant. How may I assist you?"

After resting briefly on a bench, Su Yuxin and Ye Feng made their way to a dining establishment in the mall’s food court. Despite Ye Feng’s protests, Su Yuxin had reluctantly given up her desire for a private dining room. As she perused the menu, a man in formal attire approached their table, speaking in a respectful tone.

"Hmm..."

Su Yuxin set the menu down and turned to Ye Feng.

"Ye Feng, is there anything you’d like to order?"

"I’m fine with anything."

"Then I’ll just pick randomly, okay?"

After Ye Feng nodded, Su Yuxin skimmed through the menu once more before addressing the manager.

"In that case, we’ll have one of every dish—"

"W-Wait! Hold on!"

Ye Feng swiftly snatched the menu from her hands.

"Yuxin, that’s way too much food! There’s no way we can finish all that between the two of us!"

"It’s just because I don’t know what you like, Ye Feng. To be safe, I thought I’d order everything~"

Su Yuxin propped her chin on her hands, thoroughly amused by Ye Feng’s flustered reaction, her short legs swinging playfully beneath the chair.

"Ahem..."

Ye Feng flipped through the menu before turning back to the manager.

"I’ll have a steak and a side of cold broccoli salad, please."

"Very well, sir. And for the young lady?"

The manager gave a slight nod before shifting his attention to Su Yuxin. The reason he had personally attended to them was obvious—even a glance at Su Yuxin’s attire made it clear she came from wealth. As a restaurant manager, keen observation was his forte.

"I’ll have spaghetti bolognese and a strawberry ice cream cake."

"Certainly. Your orders will be ready shortly."

Once the waiter left, Ye Feng exhaled in relief. "Yuxin, your ordering style is just as extravagant as Mucheng’s. I know you mean well, but this is a bit excessive."

"I’m nothing like Mucheng!"

Ye Feng’s words seemed to strike a nerve, and Su Yuxin quickly rebutted. It appeared any mention of Li Mucheng was a topic she’d rather avoid.

"Ye Feng, I’ll listen to you... so could you please not bring up Mucheng around me anymore?"

"Huh? But I thought you and Mucheng were good friends?"

"......"

Su Yuxin fell silent for a moment before continuing.

"I just don’t like it when you compare me to Mucheng. I know she’s prettier than me, comes from a better family, and even... even the tutor I have—you—were originally found by her."

"So I don’t... don’t want to hear her name. Someone like me could never measure up to her."

"That’s not true."

Ye Feng cut in gently.

"Huh? Ye Feng?"

"It’s nothing like what you’re saying, Yuxin. To me, you and Mucheng are completely different."

Ye Feng comforted her like an affectionate older brother, surprised to hear such self-deprecation from her.

"Yuxin, you’re vibrant and full of life, like a butterfly dancing through flowers. You bring joy to those around you, so please don’t ever think like that again, okay?"

"Ye Feng..."

Su Yuxin sat perfectly still, her eyes locked onto Ye Feng’s face, his reflection clear in her gaze. After a long pause, she finally broke into a soft, knowing smile.

"Hehehe, I like you the most, Ye Feng~"

Ye Feng didn’t find anything unusual about her words. To him, Su Yuxin was like a mischievous little sister—playful, occasionally pulling pranks, so he took this as just another expression of her affection.

"Oh, right! Ye Feng, what did you think of the movie today?"

Remembering the most important question she’d yet to ask, Su Yuxin quickly steered the conversation away from her earlier remark.

"The movie? Well, story-wise..."

"That’s not what I meant! I meant the characters—what do you think about them?"

"You mean what the female lead did to the male lead?"

"Mm-hmm!"

Su Yuxin nodded eagerly.

"Well..."

Ye Feng pondered for a moment before sharing his thoughts.

"Personally, I didn’t like it. That kind of obsessive, controlling love doesn’t consider the other person’s feelings at all. A relationship like that is doomed to fail. And you saw the ending—it was the worst possible outcome."

"But I don’t think it was a bad ending! The female lead still ended up with the male lead, didn’t she?"

"That’s where you’re wrong, Yuxin. First, unlawfully confining someone and mentally manipulating them is illegal. And if two people are in love, they should understand each other—not resort to such extreme actions."

"But it’s the male lead’s fault for getting involved with other girls! He deserved what he got!"

Su Yuxin pouted, her gaze at Ye Feng carrying a hint of something unreadable.

Huh? Why do I suddenly feel a chill down my spine?

Ye Feng shifted slightly before continuing. "But didn’t you notice, Yuxin? Every conflict in the story was based on a misunderstanding. The male lead tried to explain, but the female lead refused to listen. That’s what drove them apart and led to disaster."

"Hmph~"

Su Yuxin pursed her lips, her eyes still fixed on Ye Feng as if calculating something.

Darn it... So Ye Feng doesn’t have those kinds of... preferences? Then why did he act that way with me at home before? I just don’t get it.