Meng Li... Do you want to stand up

"I'm sorry, Xiao Feng..."

Shen Mengli sat at the dining table, her fingers tightly gripping her chopsticks without moving, her head lowered as she murmured softly.

"I didn’t mean to talk about you behind your back..."

"Ah~"

Ye Feng waved his hand dismissively, clearly not bothered by Shen Mengli’s words at all.

"Mengli, you’re always so cautious. Do we really need to worry about these things between us? From now on, don’t say such formalities—it makes us seem like strangers."

"Xiao Feng..."

Hearing Ye Feng’s words, Shen Mengli didn’t react much, as if she had already expected him to say this. She raised her head and looked at him.

"Just as the headmistress said!"

"Huh? What did the headmistress tell you?"

"Xiao Feng is always so gentle... honestly!"

Shen Mengli set her chopsticks down on the bowl and angrily wheeled her chair over to Ye Feng, waving her small fist at him in mock fierceness.

"Do you even know how much malice there is in this world? Especially for someone as kind as you—it’s dangerous! Some people might have already tricked you into circles!"

"Mengli..."

"I’m not deliberately trying to judge the people around you. I just don’t want you to be deceived by those with ulterior motives. They take advantage of your kindness and generosity!"

Shen Mengli spoke passionately, her words filled with concern for Ye Feng. He naturally sensed her goodwill and smiled, nodding at her.

"Thank you, Mengli. I’ll be careful."

"Mmm... As long as you realize the problem, that’s good. Maybe you think I’m nagging... but I just don’t want you to get hurt."

"Mengli is very gentle too."

"Ah! I... I’m only like this with you! If it were anyone else, I wouldn’t say such things..."

"So, can I take it that your treatment of me is one-of-a-kind?"

"One-of-a-kind..."

Shen Mengli repeated the words softly, her cheeks flushing with shyness. She neither confirmed nor denied it, only picking up the bowl and chopsticks from the table and mumbling with her head down.

"Let’s... let’s eat."

"Okay."

Watching the flustered Shen Mengli, Ye Feng couldn’t help but laugh. He knew how much she cared for him, and he felt the same. The two of them were like pillars of support for each other in this world—neither could do without the other.

"Mengli."

"Mmm..."

Shen Mengli had just taken a small bite of rice when she heard Ye Feng call her name. Turning her head, she saw him gazing intently at her.

Huh? Huh?!

Xiao... Xiao Feng is looking at me!

I’m... I’m so happy!

But... but it seems like he wants to say something. Why does he look so hesitant?

"What’s wrong, Xiao Feng? You look like you’re thinking about something serious."

When Ye Feng didn’t speak, Shen Mengli sensed that whatever he was about to say might be heavy. She set down her bowl, reached out, and tightly grasped one of his hands in both of hers.

"Don’t worry, Xiao Feng. Everything will be okay. And I’m here with you, remember? If you ever need help, just call me. As long as it’s within my power, I’ll do anything!"

Shen Mengli gave a sweet smile, as if encouraging him to speak his mind.

"Mengli, are you sure you want to hear this? What I’m about to say might have a big impact on your future."

"It’s fine, Xiao Feng. Even the worst-case scenario—I’ve already made peace with it back at the orphanage. No matter the outcome, I won’t blame you."

Shen Mengli seemed prepared, sitting in her wheelchair as she waited for Ye Feng to speak. Though her words were calm, the way she clutched his hand betrayed her unease.

"Mengli, maybe we should—"

"No!"

Shen Mengli frowned, her emotions flaring as she pressed her hands against Ye Feng’s thighs, her tone resolute.

"Xiao Feng, you can’t just bring this up and then take it back! Whatever it is, I’m ready. Please tell me everything, word for word."

"Alright then."

Under her insistence, Ye Feng cast aside his hesitation and looked at her seriously.

"Mengli... do you want to stand up?"

......

"Ring ring!"

Meanwhile, in the Li Corporation’s skyscraper, Li Jing was busy handling work at his desk when his phone suddenly rang. Initially planning to ignore it, he glanced at the caller ID and immediately stopped what he was doing, quickly answering the call.

The reason was simple—the caller was his daughter, Li Mucheng.

"Mucheng! What brings you to call at this hour? Is something—"

Just as a tired smile spread across his face, Li Mucheng’s icy voice cut in.

"Why?"

"Huh? Mucheng, could you clarify a bit?"

"Fine. I’d like to ask why you arranged for Teacher to tutor Su Yuxin."

"Su Yuxin... you mean..."

At her mention, Li Jing seemed to realize what she was referring to—his decision to assign Ye Feng as Su Yuxin’s tutor without informing Li Mucheng.

"There’s a reason for this. Since Ye Feng’s teaching methods were so effective, Su Wanli asked me if he could continue tutoring Yuxin on weekends. I thought since Yuxin is your close friend, it wouldn’t be a big issue, so I—"

"Not a big issue? Hah... and you call this not a big issue?"

"Teacher was supposed to be tutoring only me. But Su Yuxin saw him and decided to snatch him away. And now, instead of refusing Uncle Su, you actually helped her. What a wonderful father you are."

"Mucheng..."

Li Jing was momentarily speechless. He knew full well how Li Mucheng felt about Ye Feng, but Su Wanli was an old comrade who had stood by him through life and death. Besides, while he recognized his daughter’s affection for Ye Feng, the latter had shown no signs of romantic interest.

If his daughter recklessly pursued an unattainable happiness, she’d only end up heartbroken. In the end, he only cared about Li Mucheng’s well-being.