Consciousness Emerged

"Mengli..."

Ye Feng initially wanted to ask Shen Mengli what had happened, but when he noticed her gaze fixed on him with a look of terror, he swallowed his words.

"No... don't... don’t become like that!"

Shen Mengli suddenly reached out and tightly grasped Ye Feng’s wrists, her pupils trembling as she spoke.

"Ye Feng, don’t go there anymore... they’re dangerous! Extremely dangerous!"

"Mengli, did you... have a nightmare?"

After confirming that Shen Mengli was unharmed, Ye Feng cautiously inquired.

"I’ve been at home the whole time and haven’t gone anywhere. And who are 'they' you’re talking about?"

"It’s..."

Just as Shen Mengli was about to describe the visions from her dream, she realized that even if she told him, Ye Feng likely wouldn’t believe her. She herself wasn’t entirely convinced either, yet the dream had felt so vivid—as if she had truly lived through it.

"N-no, it’s nothing. Just as you said, Ye Feng, I had a nightmare."

In the end, Shen Mengli chose to keep the dream to herself. Whether it was real or not, only time would tell.

"That’s good. How are you feeling now, Mengli? Your legs... any improvement?"

"Mm... let me check..."

At Ye Feng’s words, Shen Mengli threw off the blanket covering her, revealing a pair of flawless legs. Ye Feng, sitting by the bed, stood up awkwardly, his face tinged with embarrassment.

"H-how is it?"

"......"

Shen Mengli first tried to sense her body, shifting slightly on the bed to test whether her legs showed any signs of movement. But the result was the same as before—utterly lifeless.

"N-no effect yet. But maybe it’s just too soon? There’s still hope."

To keep Ye Feng from losing heart, Shen Mengli forced a lighthearted smile, though the faint disappointment in her expression was unmistakable.

Still no progress, huh? Well, it’s no surprise. For someone like me, a full recovery is probably just wishful thinking.

"How could this be..." Ye Feng muttered under his breath.

The system might cause some trouble now and then, but the items it provides are genuine. If it said the pill would have a marrow-cleansing effect, then Mengli should’ve at least felt something by now.

"M-Mengli, this might sound sudden, but can I ask you for a favor?"

Seeing Ye Feng’s hesitant demeanor, Shen Mengli tilted her head curiously. "Of course! But what is it? You look a little... off."

"Ahem... well, it depends on whether you’re comfortable with it."

Ye Feng coughed awkwardly before sitting back down on the bed.

"It’s... could I touch your legs?"

Realizing how improper his request sounded, he quickly added, "I just want to check if you have any sensation. Please don’t misunderstand!"

"T-touch my legs?!"

Shen Mengli blinked rapidly, her earlier gloom instantly replaced by overwhelming shyness.

Noticing her intense reaction, Ye Feng worried he’d come across as a creep. He hastily waved his hands in apology. "Sorry, Mengli! Forget I said anything. That was way out of line—"

"I-it’s okay..."

Shen Mengli’s soft voice cut him off. Her face flushed visibly as she turned her gaze toward the window, avoiding eye contact.

"I... I think you’re right. Just relying on my own judgment isn’t accurate. And I know you’re only trying to help. S-so... it’s fine!"

"O-oh..."

Ye Feng froze for a moment before processing her words. He hadn’t expected her to agree so readily, but now wasn’t the time to overthink it. Since he was the one who’d given her the Marrow-Restoring Pill, he owed it to her to see this through.

"Then... Mengli, focus on whether you feel anything. I’ll try to avoid any... misunderstandings."

"Okay..."

With her permission, Ye Feng turned his attention to her legs, swallowing hard.

As the tension thickened, he pushed aside all distractions and began examining her condition.

"H-how about now? Any reaction in your knees?"

"Ah!"

The warmth of Ye Feng’s palm sent a jolt through Shen Mengli. She whipped her head back toward him, eyes wide with astonishment.

"Yes! I can feel your hand!"

"Really?!"

Overjoyed, Ye Feng lightly tapped her smooth, delicate skin.

"And now? Can you still feel it?"

"Yes! I can!"

Shen Mengli nearly shouted in excitement, her voice and expression brimming with exhilaration.

"Ye Feng, can you try again? I... I haven’t felt anything in my legs for so long!"

"Sure..."

Rustle.

"How about this? Can you feel everything?"

For some reason, Ye Feng’s resolve crumbled the moment his fingers brushed against her skin. The soft, jade-like texture was almost addicting.

"Mhm, I can feel it all... but..."

"But what?"

"I still can’t move my legs..."

"That might be..."

Ye Feng pondered briefly before offering a theory.

"Maybe it’s because you haven’t used them in so long that your brain forgot how to control them. But since the sensation is back, it means the pill is working gradually. Given time, you might walk again like normal."

"Yes! I believe you, Ye Feng!"

Now filled with hope, Shen Mengli was overjoyed—though her mind kept wandering back to the lingering warmth of Ye Feng’s touch.

His hands feel almost magical... Why does it feel so... nice...?