Li Mucheng's Punishment

"Of course! After all, this gift was specially prepared for you, Li Mucheng. It’s your right to open it."

"Well... then I won’t hold back."

Li Mucheng carefully took the red silk box handed to her by Ye Feng and opened it in front of him.

Inside, an exquisitely crafted agate bracelet came into view. Even though Li Mucheng had long grown indifferent to luxury items, she still froze at the sight of this bracelet.

"Li Mucheng, do you not like it? I can get you something else another day..."

"It’s beautiful."

Li Mucheng cut Ye Feng off, reaching out with her delicate fingers to lift the bracelet from the box.

"Thank you, Teacher. This bracelet is the best gift I’ve ever received since I was little~"

She fastened the agate bracelet tightly around her wrist and even gave it a playful shake in front of Ye Feng.

"So, Teacher, does it look good?"

"Yes, very pretty."

Ye Feng smiled and nodded at her.

"But you’re exaggerating, Li Mucheng. At the end of the day, it’s just an accessory. How could it compare to other expensive things?"

"Teacher, I can’t agree with you on that."

Li Mucheng placed her hands on her hips and leaned forward, frowning at Ye Feng.

"The value of a gift isn’t measured by money—it’s measured by the sentiment behind it. For example, if I gave you a villa versus a piece of clothing I personally picked out for you, the meaning would be completely different, wouldn’t it?"

"Huh? Is that even a question?"

"Right? So..."

"Obviously, I’d choose the luxurious villa!"

Ye Feng blurted it out without a second thought—deliberating any longer would’ve been an insult to money.

"......"

Dark lines instantly crept across Li Mucheng’s face as she narrowed her eyes, staring at Ye Feng with a deceptively sweet smile.

"So Teacher is that kind of pragmatic person, huh? By your logic, as long as someone offers enough money, you’d sell yourself out to anyone?"

"Not necessarily. But if it’s someone as beautiful and capable as you, Li Mucheng, I’d have no problem selling myself out however you want!"

Ye Feng kept joking, but he gradually noticed the strange look in Li Mucheng’s eyes—like an eagle circling its prey in the sky.

"Oh?"

The corners of Li Mucheng’s lips curled up. Before Ye Feng could react, she lunged at him.

"Eh? Mu—"

Just as Ye Feng opened his mouth to clarify, Li Mucheng pounced on him like a starving wolf.

Thud.

The two of them tumbled onto the bed. By the time Ye Feng regained his senses, Li Mucheng was already hovering over him, her hands planted on either side of his head, a strand of her black hair brushing against his cheek.

"Li—Li Mucheng?! What are you doing?! Get up, quick!"

"Hmm? But didn’t Teacher just say you’d sell yourself out to me however I wanted? Isn’t this exactly what you meant?"

"Ah, come on, I was just joking! Of course I understand what you meant—‘the gift may be small, but the thought is what counts.’ I know all that."

Realizing he’d gone too far, Ye Feng scrambled to explain. The situation between him and Li Mucheng was dangerously ambiguous now.

"Teacher says it was a joke, but what if I took it seriously? How about you just... indulge me a little?"

"Li Mucheng, stop messing around. Jokes can go too far, you know."

Sensing the atmosphere growing increasingly charged, Ye Feng quickly reasserted his authority as her teacher, rapping his knuckles lightly against her forehead with a stern expression.

"Hehe~"

At this, Li Mucheng finally pulled back, covering her mouth as she giggled at Ye Feng.

"I never knew Teacher could be so flustered. I was just giving you a taste of your own medicine."

"Ahem, alright, alright. Playtime’s over—"

Just as Ye Feng sat up, a familiar wave of dizziness struck him—this time far worse than before. He clutched his head, pinching his arm in an attempt to stay conscious.

Li Mucheng, who had just finished teasing him, seemed prepared for this. She quickly steadied him with both hands, her voice laced with concern.

"Teacher, what’s wrong?"

"It’s nothing, Li Mucheng. I just feel dizzy again..."

"Dizzy again?! That can’t be! Something must be wrong with your health. Stay here—I’ll call a private doctor right away!"

Panicked, Li Mucheng released him and turned to rush out, but Ye Feng grabbed her wrist and pulled her back.

"Teacher?"

She turned to look at him, her worry deepening as she watched his head loll weakly.

"N-no need... Li Mucheng, I just need to rest. Calling a doctor is too much..."

By now, Ye Feng could barely speak, his words slurring together.

"What should I do then? Teacher, you’re scaring me..."

Li Mucheng stomped her foot anxiously, seemingly at a loss.

"Don’t... worry... Li Mucheng... I’ll... be fine..."

With the last of his strength, Ye Feng tugged her back to the bedside before collapsing onto the bed, consciousness slipping away.

"......"

Li Mucheng sat frozen for a moment, then gently nudged Ye Feng’s motionless body with her delicate hands.

"Teacher? Teacher, are you still there?"

Only silence answered her.

Once certain Ye Feng had truly passed out, Li Mucheng finally shed her sheep’s disguise. Her eyes softened with affection as she gazed at his unconscious form.

"Teacher, I originally planned to take things slow with you... but this is all your fault. Why did you have to go teach Su Yuxin? Is she even worthy?"

As she spoke, she pressed herself against Ye Feng’s chest, listening to the rhythmic beating of his heart before wrapping her arms tightly around him.

"Don’t worry, Teacher. No one can take you away from me. But since you broke our agreement, I’ll have to punish you accordingly~"

Here, she placed both hands over her own heart, closing her eyes as if savoring something.

"Can you hear it, Teacher? My heartbeat is all for you. We’re like a waltz of love—constantly resonating, endlessly entwined..."