Red-Skinned Duck Shen Mengli

"Drip, drip..."

As Ye Feng stepped out of the shower, he toweled off his damp hair and made his way toward the bedroom.

Now that Shen Mengli's health issues had been resolved, he could finally breathe a sigh of relief. Though the side effects of that pill remained unknown, for now, as long as nothing went wrong, it was a good sign.

"Hmm, life has been relatively peaceful lately. But for some reason, the progress bars in the catalog are all stuck at 99%. Is it like a game where certain conditions need to be unlocked first? The bars below are uneven—some high, some low. And what exactly is this 'exploration value'? After all this time, there's been no movement at all. It's like groping through the dark."

After pondering for a while, Ye Feng still couldn't find any clues. He glanced at the blanket-covered figure facing away from him and sighed in relief.

It seemed Mengli was already asleep. At least this time, he wouldn't have to deal with another awkward situation like last time.

The thought made Ye Feng feel drowsy. Tomorrow, he still had a full day of tutoring Li Mucheng—there was practically no time to rest.

He pulled back the covers and climbed into bed. Just as he was about to close his eyes, Shen Mengli's voice suddenly spoke up behind him.

"Xiao Feng..."

"Huh? Mengli, you're still awake? Did I disturb you?"

Ye Feng turned over and met a pair of crimson eyes staring back at him, realizing she had turned to face him.

"No, it's not that you disturbed me. I was waiting for you to come back."

In the darkness, neither could see the other's expression, leaving only tone to convey emotion.

"Mengli, I told you there's no need to wait for me. You should just sleep when it's time..."

"Xiao Feng."

Shen Mengli abruptly cut him off, then hesitated before continuing.

"I... I don't know why, but I still feel cold."

"What? Still cold? That shouldn't be..."

Ye Feng frowned and lifted the blanket, checking the room temperature before speaking again.

"Mengli, is it the side effects acting up again?"

"Mmm... probably..."

After answering, Shen Mengli's gaze drifted away briefly before snapping back.

"Xiao... Xiao Feng, can you help me?"

"How can I help? Do you want me to give you my blanket?"

"Huh?"

"Like this."

Without waiting for an explanation, Ye Feng quickly pulled his own blanket over and draped it over her, making sure no drafts could get in before nodding in satisfaction.

"Better? Warmer now?"

W-warmer? I'm practically sweating...

Of course, Shen Mengli couldn't say that out loud. Her real intention was simply to share the same blanket with him.

"But Xiao Feng, what about you? You'll catch a cold like this!"

Shen Mengli sounded genuinely worried.

"Maybe you should just..."

"It's fine, Mengli. I'm tough. Besides, I don't feel that cold. This is enough. More importantly, are you still cold? Do you need me to layer more clothes on you?"

"N-no, that's not necessary."

Shen Mengli fanned herself, her breath coming out in short, heated puffs as if she were about to suffocate.

"Alright then. Goodnight, Mengli. Call me if you need anything."

"Xiao Feng..."

"Yeah?"

"I... I'm still cold..."

Her voice was so weak it sounded like she was on the verge of collapse.

"What?! Still? Hang on, I'll grab some extra clothes..."

Just as Ye Feng moved to get up, a small hand tugged at his sleeve. Shen Mengli exhaled shakily and murmured,

"Xiao Feng... I think... what we did earlier would work better. Extra clothes won't help."

"Earlier?"

Ye Feng replayed the day's events in his mind before it finally clicked.

"You mean... hugging?"

"Mmm..."

Shen Mengli nodded, wiping the sweat from her forehead.

"No! Absolutely not!"

Ye Feng rejected the idea outright.

"Normally, maybe, but Mengli, we're in bed! That’s just... too much. It wouldn’t be right."

"O-okay... I'm sorry, Xiao Feng. I shouldn’t have asked."

Her voice dropped, dejected, before she turned away with visible effort, her body trembling violently as if freezing.

"Mengli..."

Ye Feng hesitated, watching her shiver uncontrollably. The side effects seemed to be worsening, and here he was, refusing to help when she needed him most—after promising to protect her.

But Mengli was still a girl. Wouldn’t this kind of contact be...

"Ugh..."

A soft whimper snapped him out of his thoughts. Shen Mengli sounded like she was truly suffering. Ye Feng could no longer hold back.

"Mengli, I thought about it. Maybe if we keep some distance, it’d be okay."

Silence lingered before she finally replied,

"But I’d just be causing trouble for you."

"It’s no trouble. I promised to take care of you. If I let you suffer like this, I’d be breaking that promise. As long as we’re careful, it should be fine."

"Then... alright."

By now, Shen Mengli felt like a roasted duck—her face burning, her skin steaming. If Ye Feng hadn’t relented, she might have passed out from the heat.

"Then... forgive my rudeness."

"Mmm..."

Ye Feng nervously lifted his blanket, pausing only when his hand brushed against hers.

This... This is the only way. For Mengli’s sake.

Steeling himself, he pulled the covers aside—just as Shen Mengli suddenly turned and faced him.

"Mengli? You’re turning—"

"Thud."

With a relieved sigh, she threw her arms around him, clinging tightly despite the sweat dampening her skin. She wouldn’t let go.

At least not until morning.