I'm Doomed

"Mengli..."

Ye Feng gazed at Shen Mengli, who had acted as his pillow all night to ensure he could rest comfortably. His heart was already overwhelmed with turbulent emotions.

She must have stayed awake the entire night, keeping watch over him, and even now she was smiling at him...

"Mengli...you didn’t have to go this far for me."

"How could I let Xiao Feng shoulder everything alone? As...friends, we should help each other, right?"

"Friends...?"

Hearing Shen Mengli define their relationship, Ye Feng quietly sighed in relief. After what happened yesterday, he still felt an indescribable unease. He didn’t know how to face her anymore.

"What? Judging by your expression, Xiao Feng, you don’t want to be friends with me?"

"Of course not. Aren’t we already friends?"

"Yes, very...very good friends."

For some reason, Ye Feng sensed something strange in Shen Mengli’s words. But now that the knot in his heart had loosened, as long as she didn’t think of anything beyond friendship, everything would remain as it was.

Though Ye Feng told himself they were just close friends, after that unusual night, Shen Mengli’s presence in his heart would grow immeasurably...

Shen Mengli seemed to have anticipated this. Seeing Ye Feng’s unease fade, her rapid breathing finally steadied. This meant her plan to claim Ye Feng had succeeded. Now, all she had to do was carefully maneuver each step until she was the only one in his eyes.

"Mengli, you haven’t slept all night. You should rest now."

Worried about Shen Mengli’s condition, Ye Feng pushed aside the awkwardness from last night and softly urged her.

"Alright...but aren’t you going to teach your students, Xiao Feng?"

"Yes, something unexpected happened, so I need to explain. But are you really okay like this?"

Hearing Ye Feng’s concern, Shen Mengli’s exhaustion momentarily lifted, replaced by a sweetness in her heart as if she had eaten honey. Still, to prolong their interaction, she feigned weakness.

"I’m...fine. Don’t worry about me, Xiao Feng. I can take care of myself."

After saying this, she slowly raised her hands and lightly pushed against Ye Feng’s chest, as if urging him to leave.

"How can I not worry when you’re like this? Are you feeling unwell? Should I take you to the hospital?"

Ye Feng looked at Shen Mengli’s fragile state—like a wilted flower—and all other thoughts vanished. Seizing the moment while she was dazed, he scooped her up into his arms.

"Ah!"

Startled by the sudden movement, Shen Mengli gasped and clutched Ye Feng’s collar tightly. Realizing it was him, she relaxed but quickly tapped his shoulder, signaling him to put her down.

"Xiao Feng! No! Put me down!"

"But Mengli, you—"

"I told you I’m fine! I’m just sleepy..."

Seeing the worry on Ye Feng’s face, Shen Mengli giggled, wrapping her arms around his neck and burying her face against him.

"It’s okay. I’ll be fine after some sleep."

"Are you...really sure?"

"Mmm...Xiao Feng, can you promise me one small request?"

"Of course."

"Can you hold my hand until I fall asleep?"

Watching Shen Mengli snuggle against him, Ye Feng pressed his lips together and softly replied,

"Okay..."

......

After gently tucking Shen Mengli into bed, Ye Feng sat beside her as she turned her head to gaze at him, her small hand gripping his tightly, her eyes filled with unspoken emotions.

"Xiao Feng."

"Hmm?"

"I’ll wait for you to come back."

"Alright."

With that, Shen Mengli slowly closed her eyes, memorizing Ye Feng’s face before drifting off. Soon, her breathing steadied into a peaceful rhythm. Just as Ye Feng was about to leave, he noticed a blissful smile curve her lips, as if she were dreaming of something wonderful.

She was his sweetness; he was her light.

Once certain she was sound asleep, Ye Feng carefully placed her hand under the covers and quietly slipped out of the room.

After leaving bread and milk from the fridge on the table, he quickly freshened up, changed, and headed out. As his hand touched the doorknob, he suddenly remembered something and hurried back to the living room.

Staring at the gift bag on the coffee table, he murmured, "Almost forgot this. I wonder if Mucheng will like this agate bracelet."

"Hum~ hum~"

Meanwhile, in a high-end apartment, a young woman with long black hair sat on the sofa, gazing at a fox mask in her hands while humming a faint tune, as if anticipating something.

......

Standing before the luxurious apartment building, Ye Feng felt an inexplicable sense of dread, his body tense with discomfort.

Maybe it’s just my imagination?

With that thought, he walked toward Li Mucheng’s building. Before long, he spotted Ah Fu waiting at the entrance.

"Hey, good morning, Ah Fu."

"......"

Ah Fu cast him a cold glance before looking away, devoid of his usual warmth and humor. He spoke flatly,

"The young mistress is waiting for you. Hurry up."

"What’s wrong with you today? Did something happen last night? Did Mucheng dock your pay?"

As Ye Feng stepped closer, Ah Fu instinctively retreated.

"If there’s nothing else, don’t disturb my work. I don’t have time for nonsense."

"......"

Ah Fu’s eerie demeanor unsettled Ye Feng. Just last night, Ah Fu had encouraged him to apologize to Li Mucheng. Now, he seemed like a different person. Ye Feng lowered his voice.

"Is something wrong? Blink if there’s trouble."

The moment he finished speaking, Ah Fu’s eyelids fluttered rapidly like an engine revving, and his lips twisted into an unnatural grin, as if warning Ye Feng of the hell awaiting him.

*Gulp.*

Ye Feng swallowed hard, his hair standing on end. Suddenly, he felt a scorching gaze upon him. Lifting his head, he followed the sensation...

There, behind the glass window, stood Li Mucheng, staring down at him with eyes obscured by dark shadows, her emotions unreadable.

*I’m doomed.*