Two Journey Tickets

"How are you feeling now?"

Shen Mengli held onto Ye Feng's shoulder as they walked slowly together, her steps now far steadier than before.

"I'm much better than before, all thanks to you, Feng."

Shen Mengli leaned against Ye Feng's shoulder, her voice sweet and soft. Her deep crimson eyes seemed to want to pull him in entirely.

"I'm glad you're recovering bit by bit. I’m really looking forward to the day you fully recover."

Seeing Shen Mengli become stronger and more talkative, Ye Feng felt genuine relief. To him, she was like a beloved younger sister, and as her "older brother," he would do everything in his power to fill her life with hope.

"I’m also looking forward to the day we go to the seaside together. I believe it’ll be the most beautiful moment of my life."

"Yeah."

Ye Feng smiled warmly. Shen Mengli was no longer the lifeless person she had been at first—perhaps this was her true self all along.

Seeing her so full of anticipation, a thought flickered in Ye Feng’s mind, but he quickly pushed it away.

"Mengli, it’s about time. Didn’t you say you wanted to take a bath today? Should we go now?"

"Sure. Could you help me set up the shower chair?"

"Of course, no problem."

Ye Feng readily agreed and was about to head to the bathroom when Shen Mengli suddenly tugged at his sleeve.

"Wait, Feng... today, could you also dry my hair for me?"

"Sure thing. Didn’t I tell you before? You can ask me for these small favors anytime."

"Mhm."

Hearing his words, Shen Mengli’s heart swelled with happiness. She already knew he’d agree, but she just wanted to hear him say it out loud.

After preparing everything for Shen Mengli, Ye Feng quietly stepped out onto the balcony and opened his phone.

"If I remember right, I can book travel tickets online now, right? Since Mengli mentioned it, maybe I should surprise her with a trip in the next few days?"

Originally, Ye Feng had planned to continue Shen Mengli’s rehabilitation training. But after learning about her wish today, he resolved to personally take her to see the ocean—unaware that this decision would unknowingly steer both him and Shen Mengli away from an impending crisis...

After successfully purchasing two tickets for a seaside trip, Ye Feng turned to head back inside. By now, Shen Mengli should be finishing her bath. Suddenly, his phone rang. When he checked the caller ID and saw "Su Yuxin," he was slightly surprised.

"Why is Yuxin calling me now? Unless..."

Remembering that Li Mucheng had discovered he was tutoring Su Yuxin, Ye Feng had a rough idea of what this was about. He pressed the answer button and waited for her voice.

"Hello? Yuxin?"

"Ye... Ye Feng... it’s me..."

Su Yuxin’s voice on the other end was choked with tears, as if she had just been crying.

"Yuxin? Are you crying?"

"N-no... I just... I just... sniff..."

Hearing her break down, Ye Feng grew concerned and quickly asked, "Yuxin, don’t cry. I’m here. Is this about the tutoring?"

"H-how did you know?"

"Sigh... I figured."

Hearing her tone, Ye Feng sighed deeply. He didn’t need to guess—Li Mucheng had probably confronted Su Yuxin about it.

"Yuxin, did Mucheng say anything harsh?"

"Ye Feng, what do you mean? Are you defending Li Mucheng now?"

At his words, Su Yuxin’s fragile tone suddenly sharpened, the shift happening in an instant.

"That’s not what I meant. I just know Mucheng sometimes struggles to control her emotions, so I was worried she might have upset you."

"Ye... Ye Feng, are you worried about me?"

Su Yuxin’s voice softened again, sounding like a wronged victim.

"Of course I’m worried about you. Mucheng found out about the tutoring two days ago, and she’s been unstable since. Honestly, this is my fault..."

"No, it’s not your fault! It’s mine. If I hadn’t insisted on having you as my tutor, you wouldn’t be in this mess."

"Don’t blame yourself, Yuxin. I chose to tutor you willingly. But since I broke my promise, the one who owes an apology is me."

"Ye Feng..."

Hearing him shoulder all the blame, Su Yuxin’s lips trembled with heartache. If not for the distance, she would have hugged him tight and poured out her feelings—but for now, all she had was this phone call.

Ugh, if only there was a camera watching Ye Feng all the time...

Wait! Dad’s people have those surveillance devices, right? Maybe I should ask them to set one up soon.

Lost in thought, Su Yuxin suddenly heard Ye Feng’s puzzled voice.

"Huh?"

"What’s wrong, Ye Feng? Are you in trouble?"

When he didn’t respond immediately, Su Yuxin panicked, imagining Li Mucheng barging into Ye Feng’s home and taking him away. Given Li Mucheng’s erratic behavior, nothing was off the table.

"Ah, no... nothing. A strong wind almost blew my phone out of my hand just now. I’m still here—you can keep talking."

Feeling warmth press against his back, Ye Feng turned to see Shen Mengli hugging him from behind, pushing a small cart. He gestured to his phone, and she nodded vaguely before clinging to him even tighter.

"......"

"Oh... I thought something happened. Never mind. Let’s talk about Li Mucheng during our next tutoring session. That’s all for today."

"Yuxin, wait—about the tutoring—"

Before Ye Feng could explain that he planned to bring Li Mucheng to her house on Thursday, Su Yuxin had already hung up. When he tried calling back, the line was busy.