It's an Accident

"Xiao Feng~"

The moment Shen Mengli saw Ye Feng emerge from the bedroom, her attention wasn’t drawn to his tightly clenched fist. Instead, she spread her arms as if waiting for him to pull her into his embrace once more.

If there was one thing Shen Mengli cherished most, it was the warmth of Ye Feng’s arms. Every time she felt his sturdy frame envelop her, it was like a solid, cozy little home shielding her from the wind and rain, protecting her from all danger.

"Hold me~"

"......"

Even after spending some time with Shen Mengli, Ye Feng’s heart still fluttered when she acted spoiled like this. Her soft, sweet voice and adorable appearance were simply irresistible—no one could withstand such a sight.

Ye Feng stepped closer and lifted her onto his lap. As if they had an unspoken understanding, Shen Mengli instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck without needing a single word.

"Xiao Feng... is it ready?"

"Yeah. But Mengli, are you really sure about this? Before we proceed, there’s something I want to say to you."

"I also have... so much... so much I want to tell you, Xiao Feng."

"Is that so... Then—"

"Let me speak first!"

Shen Mengli suddenly interrupted him, her eyes filled with determination.

"Okay..."

"Thank you, Xiao Feng."

She pulled his neck closer and hugged him tightly.

"The truth is, I’ve always loved... being with you. I want to go shopping with you, pick out nice gifts for you, and visit so many places we’ve never been before. No matter what, I want to make it happen! Once I can stand again... will you come with me to all those places?"

"I will."

Ye Feng held her just as tightly. He had no idea what would happen next, but he could feel the sincerity in Shen Mengli’s words. Without hesitation, he agreed. To him, an extra hope meant an extra reason to keep going.

"Hehe~"

Shen Mengli giggled happily, refusing to let go.

"Alright, I’ve said everything I wanted to. Do you still have something to tell me, Xiao Feng?"

"I want you to know, no matter what happens, I’ll always stay by your side. Don’t be afraid—I’m here for you."

"Mm."

Shen Mengli nodded excitedly, then slowly loosened her grip and shifted her gaze to the black pill resting in Ye Feng’s palm.

"This... is the elixir you mentioned?"

"Yes."

"Then... let’s do it! I’m ready!"

With that, she slightly parted her lips, clearly signaling for Ye Feng to feed her the pill.

This time, Ye Feng didn’t hesitate. Whether it succeeded or failed, he would take care of Shen Mengli. In his heart, she had already become irreplaceable.

"Ah..."

As the black pill dissolved in her mouth, Shen Mengli nestled her head against Ye Feng’s chest, quietly waiting for the effects to take hold.

Meanwhile, Ye Feng remained silent, the two of them simply holding each other in the stillness.

......

"Huh?"

At Shen Mengli’s sudden sound, Ye Feng’s nerves instantly tightened. Gripping her shoulders, he asked anxiously, "What’s wrong? Are you okay?"

"I... I’m fine. It’s just that nothing seems to be happening."

"Nothing’s happening? That can’t be!"

Ye Feng glanced in disbelief at Shen Mengli’s fair, slender legs, his eyes lingering on her round, rosy feet before quickly looking away.

"Uh... Mengli, why don’t you try tapping your knee yourself? See if there’s any reaction."

"Okay... I’ll try..."

After a brief pause, Shen Mengli lightly knocked on her knee with a closed fist—but there was no response whatsoever.

"Xiao Feng... it seems... it didn’t work?"

She shook her head, her mood sinking even as a faint sense of relief washed over her.

"No effect?! How... how is that possible? There must’ve been a mistake somewhere!"

Though the system had its flaws, the items it provided always worked. Yet this time, after taking the pill, nothing had changed. It was beyond strange.

Could the system have given him a counterfeit?

Just as the atmosphere grew tense, Shen Mengli suddenly felt a warmth bloom in her abdomen. The heat quickly spread, splitting into streams that surged through her entire body.

"Nngh~"

A soft moan escaped her lips as her body went limp, collapsing into Ye Feng’s arms.

"Mengli!"

Alarmed, Ye Feng immediately wrapped his arms around her weakened form. "What’s wrong? Is it the pill’s effect kicking in?"

"Y-yes..."

Shen Mengli leaned weakly against him, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Just now, I felt this warmth inside me, like flowing water washing over every part of my body. It doesn’t hurt, but it feels... strange."

"As long as you’re alright, that’s what matters. The pill must be working now. If anything changes, tell me immediately, understand?"

"Mm, I will."

Her lips curling slightly, Shen Mengli looked up at Ye Feng’s worried expression and couldn’t help but smile.

"Xiao Feng... are you worried about me?"

"Of course I am. How could I not be? I’m the one who gave you that pill, the one who brought you out of the orphanage, the one who practically kidnapped you. Did you think I’d abandon you now?"

"Hehe~ That’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard~"

"Enough joking around. Stay serious."

Ye Feng lightly tapped her forehead with a finger, signaling for her to settle down.

"Got it."

As the playful mood faded, Shen Mengli lay quietly in his arms, focusing on the pill’s effects. The warmth coursing through her felt like it was purging impurities from her body, bringing an unprecedented sense of comfort.

"Nn..."

A soft sigh slipped out before she could stop it. Realizing what she’d done, she quickly glanced at Ye Feng—only to find him deliberately avoiding her gaze, his own face tinged with awkwardness.

"X-Xiao Feng, that... that was an accident..."