Big trouble is brewing

Watching a dark silhouette slowly emerge from the apartment building, even the well-trained Ah Fu failed to notice it. If not for the automatic hallway light flickering on, he might still have been apologizing to Ye Feng.

"Ah Fu, who are you calling?"

Li Mucheng's icy voice rang out, sending an involuntary shiver down Ah Fu's spine. Though her expression gave nothing away, Ah Fu, having served as her bodyguard for years, knew all too well that Li Mucheng was like a powder keg at this moment—one tiny spark would ignite an explosion.

"Young Miss, I was just—"

"I won’t ask again."

"I was calling Ye Feng."

Ah Fu instinctively straightened his posture and confessed, adhering to the unspoken rules of his profession.

"Oh? So late at night, and the teacher still has the mood for small talk? Could it be he’s celebrating after deceiving me?"

Li Mucheng let out a cold laugh, her dark, fathomless eyes resembling a stagnant swamp—anyone who stepped into it would slowly sink and be consumed.

She extended her hand toward Ah Fu, her silent demand unmistakable: she wanted his phone.

"Uh... cough..."

Ah Fu feigned discomfort, clearing his throat before obediently handing the phone over.

Li Mucheng knew exactly what game Ah Fu was playing—sending a signal to Ye Feng. But none of that mattered now.

"What’s wrong, Teacher? Why call at this hour?"

Hearing Li Mucheng’s voice, Ye Feng faltered, at a loss for words. He hadn’t expected her to be here.

"Ah... Good evening, Mucheng. There’s something I wanted to talk to you about."

"Good evening, Teacher."

Li Mucheng maintained her poise, greeting him politely before her tone turned glacial—so cold that even through the phone, Ye Feng felt a chill seep into his bones.

"It’s already so late. Isn’t it improper for you to disturb me now? Whatever it is, let’s discuss it tomorrow, alright?"

"Mucheng, actually, all of this—"

"Teacher."

Li Mucheng cut him off, unwilling—or perhaps unable—to hear his explanation.

"Tomorrow... We’ll talk... Alright?"

"......"

Ye Feng realized the gentle Li Mucheng he once knew was gone. Reluctantly, he acquiesced.

"Fine. Understood."

"Good. I expect you to be punctual. Goodnight, Teacher."

"Goodnight... Mucheng..."

The call ended abruptly, leaving Ye Feng to exhale in relief, his nerves finally uncoiling. Staring out at the night, his thoughts were a tangled mess.

This is bad. Really bad. But why is Mucheng reacting so strongly? Isn’t Yu Xin her close friend?

His agitation grew, an invisible hand tightening around his heart, suffocating him.

What’s wrong with me? Why do I feel so uneasy? Maybe I’m just exhausted...

Drip... drip...

The sound of water droplets snapped him out of his thoughts. Turning, he saw Shen Mengli standing there, clad in the white dress he’d recently bought her. Her damp silver hair cascaded like a shimmering galaxy down her shoulders.

"Mengli, you’re done showering?"

"Mm. You looked troubled, so I came to check. Is everything alright?"

Hugging the teddy bear she’d taken from the couch, Shen Mengli spoke softly, every movement cautious. An inexplicable intuition told her Ye Feng was inching toward a precipice—unaware of the danger ahead.

"Of course, everything’s fine."

Gazing at his little angel, Ye Feng’s unease gradually settled. Pocketing his phone, he headed back inside.

"Come on, let’s dry your hair."

"Mm..."

Disappointment flickered in Shen Mengli’s eyes when he avoided sharing his thoughts, but she mustered a smile. She understood—what he needed now was silence.

Whirr...

As the hairdryer hummed to life, warm air tousled her silky strands.

Basking in the warmth and Ye Feng’s gentle strokes, Shen Mengli tilted her head slightly, swaying like a contented kitten. Even his lightest touch could brighten her entire day.

Click.

Once satisfied her hair was thoroughly dry, Ye Feng turned off the dryer.

"All done. You should head to bed. I’ll take a shower soon."

"Okay. Thank you, Xiao Feng."

"No problem. Sleep well?"

"Mm! Goodnight."

After exchanging goodnights, Shen Mengli wheeled herself into the bedroom. Normally, she’d insist on Ye Feng carrying her to bed, but tonight, she wouldn’t trouble him further.

So pretty...

Clutching the crystal hairpin in her palm, Shen Mengli smiled blissfully. At the orphanage, the most she’d ever used was the director’s hair tie—luxuries like this were beyond her dreams.

Though she’d initially protested when Ye Feng gave it to her, what girl could resist something that made her feel beautiful—especially when it was for someone she adored?

"I’ll treasure this forever..."

The memory of Ye Feng handing her the hairpin flashed in her mind. Carefully placing it on the nightstand, she hugged her teddy bear and climbed into bed.

"Mm..."

Only after hearing the shower running did she inch toward Ye Feng’s side of the bed, slipping under his blanket...

Sigh...

Fresh from the shower, Ye Feng toweled off and exhaled heavily. Today was a disaster. Tomorrow’s lesson with Li Mucheng will be nothing but resentment. Collapsing onto the couch, he stared blankly at the ceiling.

What a mess...

Just as he’d resolved the issue with Yu Xin, he’d stumbled into another with Li Mucheng—and his peace offering hadn’t even reached her. Worst of all, Li Mucheng wasn’t as easily placated as others. After making so much progress, he’d undone it all in one fell swoop.

Exhausting doesn’t even begin to cover it.