The Girl Who Didn't Want to Get Better

"How... how is it?"

"So warm..."

Feeling the warmth of Ye Feng's large hand, Shen Mengli had already let her mind wander elsewhere. Only when she realized she'd misspoken did she stammer to correct herself.

"I... I didn’t mean anything else by it. I just meant that my legs can feel the temperature now."

Shen Mengli's voice grew quieter and quieter, until it was almost inaudible by the end.

"I see... that’s good..."

Ye Feng also sensed the subtle atmosphere and quickly withdrew his hand. Instantly, the bedroom fell into silence.

After a moment, just as Ye Feng opened his mouth to break the awkward tension, Shen Mengli happened to speak at the same time.

"Mengli, I—"

"Ye Feng, I—"

"......"

The two looked up and locked eyes, and before long, they both burst into laughter.

"Haha..."

Shen Mengli wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes with her fingers, pursing her lips as she spoke.

“Ye Feng and I really have a tacit understanding, don’t we?”

"Ah... Mengli, you go first."

Ye Feng scratched the back of his head, sounding a little embarrassed.

Strange. Why do I feel like I’ve become so awkward around Mengli the longer we spend time together?

"Alright. I was hoping you could help me walk a little, Ye Feng. I want to feel what it’s like to stand on my own feet."

"That’s no problem at all. Just wait a moment, Mengli—I’ll get your slippers."

"Mhm."

Watching Ye Feng hurry out of the bedroom, Shen Mengli reached for the small teddy bear plush beside her pillow. Gazing at its adorable face, the corners of her lips curled up slightly.

"It really feels like a dream... I thought I’d never be able to stand up again in this lifetime... If I really can stand, Ye Feng will definitely be happy for me. And then..."

Just as she spoke, Shen Mengli’s pupils suddenly constricted, as if she had imagined something unpleasant.

If I really can stand... does that mean Ye Feng will see me as a normal person? Then he wouldn’t care for me the way he does now!

At that thought, the joy in Shen Mengli’s heart vanished without a trace, replaced by a deep sense of dread.

No! Absolutely not!

If that happens, maybe Ye Feng won’t hold me anymore. He won’t dry my hair for me, and he won’t sleep in the same bed with me...

Right then, Ye Feng walked back in, holding a pair of slippers. After setting them down by the bed, he stood up and turned his gaze toward Shen Mengli, who was watching him intently.

"Alright, Mengli, I’ve got the slippers. Do you want me to help you up now?"

"Ah... y-yes..."

After a brief hesitation, Shen Mengli nodded at Ye Feng.

"Then... I’ll trouble you, Ye Feng."

"Don’t worry about it."

Ye Feng helped Shen Mengli sit up, then stood in front of her, speaking with slight nervousness.

"Mengli, could you raise your arms for me? I’ll hold you as you stand, so you can get used to the feeling of touching the ground. Is that okay?"

"O-okay..."

Following Ye Feng’s instructions, Shen Mengli lifted her arms. But the initial joy on her face had been replaced by visible worry.

Thinking she was afraid she wouldn’t be able to stand, Ye Feng reassured her, "Don’t worry, Mengli. Everything will be fine."

"Mhm..."

With that, Ye Feng bent slightly, wrapping his arms around Shen Mengli’s waist and gently lifting her. Her feet touched the ground, sending a cool sensation through her.

"H-how is it? Can you stand steady, Mengli?"

Since Ye Feng was holding her in this position, he couldn’t see her movements—he could only gauge whether she was standing on her own by the way her weight pressed against him.

Shen Mengli, of course, wouldn’t miss the chance to be close to him. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing herself against him as if trying to merge into his body. At the same time, her legs trembled slightly, making it seem like she could only stand with his support. Without Ye Feng as her "crutch," she would lose her balance and fall.

"Phew..."

Seeing this, Shen Mengli actually felt relieved—even a little happy. At least for now, she could still stay close to Ye Feng the way she always had...

"Ye... Ye Feng, I... I can feel it."

"How does it feel?"

"It’s just... without your support, I still can’t stand steady. But my legs and feet... they have feeling now."

"Hold on a second, Mengli. Let me carry you to the living room first. We can talk more there."

After hearing Shen Mengli’s description, Ye Feng had a rough idea of her condition. Considering she still needed to regain her strength, he picked her up as usual and carried her toward the dining table.

Meanwhile, Shen Mengli rested her head against his chest just like always. Though she felt a little guilty toward him, to her, Ye Feng was everything. She just wanted to stay by his side—nothing more.

"Here, be careful."

Ye Feng gently set Shen Mengli down on a dining chair. Just as he was about to take his own seat, her arms around his neck didn’t loosen.

"Mengli? You can let go now."

“Ye Feng... you won’t dislike me, will you?”

Suddenly, Shen Mengli spoke up, her voice filled with melancholy and sorrow.

"Mengli, how could I ever dislike you? Why would you even think that?"

Ye Feng reached up and gently pried her hands away, pulling his chair closer so the two could sit side by side.

"Because I was given such a precious medicine, but my body is recovering so slowly... To me, it feels like I’m wasting it..."

"Don’t think like that, Mengli."

Ye Feng patted her head reassuringly.

"First of all, in today’s world, you’re the only one who’s regained sensation like this. That alone is already a huge step forward compared to before. And like you just said—with my help, you were able to stand, weren’t you? After so long without using your legs, it’s only natural that they’d need time to readjust. With a little more practice, you’ll definitely recover bit by bit."

"Really?"

Shen Mengli lifted her head, her captivating crimson eyes gazing at Ye Feng with a pitiful look that stirred an overwhelming urge to protect her.

Of course. I believe it won’t be long before you can walk like anyone else. And when that happens, everyone at the welfare home will be so happy for you.

"And what about you, Ye Feng? How will you feel?"

"Me?"

Ye Feng stood up as he spoke, walking behind Shen Mengli. Before she could react, he returned from the kitchen with a bowl of fish soup he’d prepared earlier, placing it in front of her.

"I’ll make sure you’re well-fed and healthy. By then, you’ll be the most radiant girl in the whole world. How’s that? Sounds pretty exciting, doesn’t it?"

"......"

As Shen Mengli gazed at the steaming fish soup in the bowl, she felt a sudden sting in her nose before finally breaking into a smile.

"Yes, it's quite touching."