Well, now I'm the bad guy

“Wh...what?! Huh? Do I...do I really look good?”

Upon hearing Ye Feng’s comment, Shen Mengli, who had been speaking calmly just moments ago, suddenly grew flustered. She tried to pull her hand free from his grip to cover her face.

Ahhh... Xiao Feng praised me... I’m so embarrassed...

“Of course!”

Ye Feng nodded emphatically.

“I have to say, Mengli, with this hairpin, you look like a celestial maiden descended from the heavens—ethereal and utterly enchanting.”

“Mmm... Xiao Feng, don’t flatter me like that. I’m not as beautiful as you say.”

Shen Mengli had intended to hide her face to keep Ye Feng from noticing her blush, but no matter how she moved, his grip on her wrist remained firm, as if he’d forgotten he was holding her. In the end, she could only turn her head away, avoiding his gaze.

“Hm?”

When Ye Feng finally snapped out of his daze, mesmerized by Shen Mengli’s beauty, he realized his hand had been holding hers all along. Seeing her flushed cheeks, he quickly let go, retracting his hand in apology.

“Sorry, Mengli. I was so captivated that I didn’t even notice. My bad.”

“It’s... it’s fine. I don’t mind.”

Shen Mengli murmured in a voice as soft as a mosquito’s hum. Hearing Ye Feng say he’d been “captivated” sent her heart racing uncontrollably.

“Thank you, Xiao Feng. I really love the gift you gave me.”

“Ah... I’m glad you like it. Well, Mengli, I’ll head to the kitchen now. Ahem...”

Ye Feng, sensing the awkward tension in the air, swiftly changed the subject and made his way toward the kitchen.

“Okay...”

Only after Ye Feng had completely disappeared did Shen Mengli finally exhale slowly, patting her chest to calm herself down.

Yet, his words—You look really good—lingered in her mind, impossible to shake off.

He said I look good... Xiao Feng said I look good...

“Hehe.”

Unable to suppress a giggle at the memory, she quickly covered her mouth and glanced around to make sure Ye Feng hadn’t caught her silly smile. Then, she wheeled her chair toward the kitchen.

Sizzle—

With the simple stir-fry of tomatoes and eggs finished, Ye Feng plated the dish. As he turned to set it on the table, he suddenly noticed Shen Mengli staring intently at him.

“Mengli? Are you hungry? Dinner’s almost ready.”

“I-I’m not that hungry! I just wanted to see you, Xiao Feng.”

“Oh? Really?”

Just then, a loud growl erupted from someone’s stomach. Shen Mengli stiffened, blinking rapidly as she scrambled to explain.

“I’m really not that hungry!”

Grrroowl~

“Mmm...”

“Xiao Feng, you have to believe me! It wasn’t me! It was... it was this!”

Her face burning red, she lifted the teddy bear in her arms and squeezed its belly.

“Yes! That’s right! It was the bear!”

“Mengli, that excuse is a little too far-fetched, don’t you think?”

“Wuu...”

Seeing her on the verge of tears, Ye Feng quickly played along.

“Y-yes! It was definitely the bear! As expected of Mengli, figuring out the culprit so fast!”

“Mean Xiao Feng...”

Sticking her tongue out at him, Shen Mengli hurriedly wheeled herself away, fleeing the scene of her embarrassment.

......

“Mengli, is the food not to your liking? Why are you staring at me like that?”

Sitting at the dining table, Ye Feng grew slightly puzzled as Shen Mengli continued gazing at him.

“No... I... I want to eat with you, Xiao Feng.”

“Oh, is that all? Don’t worry about formalities here. Just relax and do as you like.”

“That’s not what I meant...”

Slowly wheeling herself closer to Ye Feng, Shen Mengli picked up her bowl and murmured under her breath.

“I... I mean I want to eat right next to you...”

“Uh...”

Feeling her arm nearly brushing against his, Ye Feng coughed awkwardly.

“Mengli, are you sure you want to be this close? My arm...”

“N-no? I get it...”

Her spirits dampened, Shen Mengli set her bowl down and began wheeling herself away. Seeing this, Ye Feng couldn’t bear to refuse her any longer and quickly relented.

“Wait! Mengli, come back! I was just saying—it’s fine if you’re closer!”

He reached out to stop her, though a keen observer might have noticed Shen Mengli’s hands weren’t even on the wheelchair’s wheels.

“R-really? You won’t scold me for it?”

She blinked up at him with wide, pitiful eyes, looking every bit like an innocent maiden wronged by a villain.

“Of course not! You can eat wherever you want—who am I to stop you? Wait, wha—Mengli, what are you doing?!”

Mid-sentence, Ye Feng watched in alarm as Shen Mengli braced her hands, seemingly preparing to get out of her wheelchair. With no other seating nearby, he instinctively reached out to steady her.

“Hup!”

With a determined grunt, Shen Mengli shifted under Ye Feng’s protective hold—and promptly settled into her new spot, leaving him utterly stunned.

“Since you said I could sit anywhere, it’d be rude not to take you up on it! So... I’ll sit here!”

“M-Mengli! Don’t mess around!”

Ye Feng tensed as Shen Mengli lounged comfortably on his lap, her soft, delicate frame pressing against him.

“G-get back in your chair! How am I supposed to eat like this?”

Too flustered to even touch her, he could only protest verbally. But Shen Mengli, having claimed her spot, had no intention of budging.

Frowning, she glared at him as if deeply offended.

“Xiao Feng, what’s your problem?! You said I could sit wherever I want, and now you’re taking it back? What kind of person do you think I am—someone you can just summon and dismiss as you please?!”

Ye Feng opened his mouth to retort, but under her withering glare, he promptly shut it again.

Great. Now I’m the bad guy.