Becoming a Victim Oneself

After the two got out of the car, Ye Feng led Li Mucheng toward the apartment entrance. At this point, Li Mucheng still seemed dazed from her nap, walking unsteadily.

Just then, Ye Feng suddenly noticed an anxious face at the apartment door. Upon closer inspection, he realized it was Ah Fu, who was clearly looking for him.

"Ah Fu?"

"Oh heavens, so the young mistress is with you!"

Ah Fu glanced at Li Mucheng standing beside Ye Feng and finally let out a sigh of relief, though his eyes held a hint of reproach as he stared at Ye Feng.

"Ye Feng, how did the young mistress end up with you? I’ve been searching everywhere for her and almost reported it to the Master!"

"Uh... well..."

"Ah Fu, I was the one who went to see the teacher."

Li Mucheng rubbed her sleepy eyes and explained.

"This has nothing to do with the teacher. And don’t report it, understood?"

"Yes, Miss..."

Following Li Mucheng’s order, Ah Fu gave Ye Feng a helpless look, as if silently asking him to guide her better, before returning to his post.

"Let’s go, teacher. We should head inside."

"Mm... alright..."

The moment they stepped into the house, Li Mucheng suddenly turned and hugged Ye Feng tightly.

"Mucheng?"

"Teacher, I’m sorry... I was too reckless today. I sneaked out to see you without telling you and caused you so much trouble. I really am sorry."

Ye Feng almost waved it off and said it was fine, but remembering Ah Fu’s earlier look, he swallowed his words and instead replied, "Mucheng, it’s good that you recognize your mistake. Just don’t do this again. If you want to come over, just let me know in advance, okay?"

"Yes, I understand."

Seeing that it was about time, Li Mucheng released Ye Feng and walked toward the coffee machine.

"Teacher, what would you like to drink? Coffee... or juice?"

"Uh... just water. I can’t handle strong flavors this early in the morning."

"Alright. Then you can go upstairs first, teacher. I’ll join you shortly."

"Sure."

Ye Feng didn’t find anything unusual and certainly didn’t suspect Li Mucheng. His mind was preoccupied with finishing the lesson quickly while also worrying about Su Yuxin.

Now that Li Mucheng knew about his tutoring sessions with Su Yuxin, he wondered if the two had properly talked things out.

Something about their so-called "close friendship" felt off. What kind of friends keep secrets from each other?

After Ye Feng went upstairs, Li Mucheng stared at the cup of coffee and the glass of water, then pulled out a small packet of powder from her pocket, narrowing her eyes slightly.

Since she had already laid a solid foundation, this method could come to an end. If not for Su Yuxin’s sudden appearance, she wouldn’t have resorted to such means in the first place! She wanted a genuine relationship with her teacher, not this...

Though her body had gradually grown accustomed to it—even developing an unusual dependence on her teacher—she didn’t want a teacher who only slept. That wasn’t the kind of love she desired.

With that thought, Li Mucheng tore open the packet and poured its contents into the coffee.

The teacher had once said that the best way to divert suspicion was to position oneself as the victim. She had remembered that lesson well.

After ensuring the powder dissolved completely, she carried both cups upstairs.

"Teacher, here’s your water."

Li Mucheng handed Ye Feng the glass while downing her own coffee in one go, leaving him stunned.

"Mucheng, isn’t that too bitter to drink like that?"

"It’s fine, teacher. I’m used to it. I just need the caffeine because I’m so tired today. I don’t want to lose focus during your lesson."

Just listen to that! Such dedication to learning—who else but Li Mucheng deserved the title of model student?

Touched by her words, Ye Feng still reassured her, "Mucheng, you really don’t have to push yourself like this. If you’re tired, you should rest. Honestly, our lessons right now are mostly theoretical. Missing one won’t hurt. Don’t overwork yourself—look at me, I collapsed yesterday probably from pushing too hard. You have to take it easy."

"You’re still so kind, teacher."

Li Mucheng clasped her hands together and smiled faintly, warmed by his concern.

"I understand, teacher. I won’t force myself. But you should do the same—if you’re not feeling well, don’t push yourself either."

"Alright, let’s start the lesson now."

"Yes."

......

As the two occasionally exchanged thoughts on survival strategies, time slipped by quickly.

"Teacher, what should you do if there’s only one prey but many hunters?"

"Well..."

Ye Feng pondered for a moment before arriving at an answer.

"First and foremost, don’t panic! If you lose your composure just because there are more competitors, that’s the worst mistake you can make!"

"Mm, and then?"

Li Mucheng’s eyes sparkled as she listened intently.

"Next, you have to be swift, precise, and ruthless! No hesitation, no mercy, no detours. Otherwise, you’ll fall behind, and even the smallest misstep could cost you the game."

"......"

"And finally, the most important thing is..."

"Is?"

"Luck!"

"Lu... Luck?"

"Exactly!"

Ye Feng nodded emphatically.

"You must find this answer surprising, right? Why is luck the most important? Because when prey is chased by multiple hunters, it doesn’t have time to think. The moment it hesitates, it’s already been spotted. So it just runs blindly—but it’ll inevitably run straight into one of the hunters. If someone else gets to it first, well, that’s just bad luck."

"So in the end, the most crucial factor... is luck!"

"I see..."

Li Mucheng nodded thoughtfully, clearly taking his words to heart.

"But these are just my personal thoughts. Like I always tell you, Mucheng, a teacher is just a guide. The path you take is ultimately up to you."

"Mm... I understand, teacher. Thank—"

Before she could finish, her body suddenly collapsed backward onto the floor.

"Mucheng!"