The Gear That Changes Destiny

Forget it, I’ll just call Yu Xin when she’s free.

With that thought, Ye Feng put down the phone in his hand and gave Shen Mengli, who was clinging to him, a stern look.

“Mengli, I hope you can give me a reasonable explanation.”

“Mmm… I couldn’t find you after my bath, so I came here.”

“Then why did you hug me while still wet? You could’ve just waited for me on the couch.”

“Because you didn’t look too happy, and I wanted to give you a warm hug.”

Shen Mengli’s voice grew quieter toward the end. Truthfully, she just wanted to be close to Ye Feng. Right now, she wished she could turn into a soft little creature and cling to him forever.

“Thank you, Mengli. I appreciate the thought, but…”

Ye Feng’s tone shifted as he flicked her forehead lightly, then scolded her with mock severity.

“Mengli, you’re already in poor health, and now you’re running around the balcony with your hair still wet? With this wind, you’re practically asking to catch a cold! Do you realize that during your recovery, you should be taking care of yourself instead of pushing your limits like this? Are you trying to defy me?”

Shen Mengli was left speechless by his lecture, but she knew every word came from concern. After a pause, she murmured, “I’m sorry.”

“Do you understand now?”

“Yes…”

“And if it happens again?”

“Then I’ll be a little pig!”

“Hmph, you said it yourself!”

Only after extracting this promise did Ye Feng nod in satisfaction. He wasn’t trying to punish her—he just wanted her to understand that she needed to rest and recover, not push herself recklessly.

“Alright, let’s go inside. It’s time for me to dry your hair.”

“Okay~”

This was the moment Shen Mengli had been waiting for. Whenever Ye Feng dried her hair, she couldn’t help but imagine them as a couple, naturally slipping into the role of his girlfriend.

Buzz…

After a while under the warm airflow, Shen Mengli’s silky hair gleamed as radiantly as ever. Even Ye Feng found the task soothing.

“All done! Mengli, you go ahead and sleep. I need to take a shower too.”

“Mm, okay.”

Just as Shen Mengli turned toward the bedroom, Ye Feng stopped her.

“Ye Feng?”

Her face slightly flushed from her bath, Shen Mengli gazed into his captivating eyes, holding her breath in anticipation.

Is he going to…?

“Mengli.”

Ye Feng looked at her seriously, then spoke under her expectant gaze.

“Sleep early tonight.”

“……”

“Th-that’s it?”

“What else did you think I’d say?”

“Stupid Ye Feng!”

Shen Mengli huffed and dodged past him, her carefully built-up emotions shattered by his blunt remark. She stomped off to the bedroom alone.

“This girl, always so dramatic.”

Ye Feng shrugged helplessly and headed to the bathroom.

“Punch you! Punch you!”

Once in bed, Shen Mengli vented her frustration by pummeling a stuffed bear, as if it were Ye Feng himself. Only after its head was thoroughly knocked sideways did she finally relent.

Staring at the defeated “Ye Feng,” she waved a triumphant fist.

“See? That’s what happens when you mess with me! If there’s a next time, I’ll… I’ll beat you up again!”

Then, softening, she pulled the bear into a hug, leaning down to whisper near its ear with cherry-red lips.

“Sorry… but you shouldn’t have made me mad. Don’t do it again, okay~?”

“Alright, now… bedtime~”

……

A while later, Ye Feng stepped into the room, refreshed from his shower. As he approached the bed, he paused, scanning the dimly lit space for any sign of Shen Mengli. Only after confirming her absence did he relax—lately, she’d taken to ambushing him under the covers, and he’d grown wary of her playful surprises.

Pulling back the blanket, he climbed in. He needed proper rest tonight; tomorrow would be an early start, and Mengli was in for quite the surprise.

Just as he closed his eyes, though, he sensed an intense gaze fixed on him. Turning, he found a pair of crimson eyes staring unblinkingly from the other pillow.

“Mengli! You’re still awake?”

Startled, Ye Feng realized their faces were nearly touching—she’d been motionless just moments ago.

“Mm. I… I want to sleep with you.”

He was about to refuse when he noticed her trembling voice. She seemed genuinely unwell.

“Are you feeling sick?”

“Mm… It’s like before… so cold…”

“What?!”

Ye Feng sat up and pressed a hand to her forehead.

“No fever… Maybe the blankets aren’t enough?”

“I don’t know. It’s just like yesterday. It’s fine, Ye Feng. I can tough it out.”

“Sigh… Mengli, if you don’t mind… we can do what we did last night.”

“R-really? But… maybe I shouldn’t…”

“It’s fine. Just until you’re better. Might still be side effects.”

“O-okay then… I won’t hold back.”

Blushing, Shen Mengli wriggled under his blanket. A closer look would’ve revealed she’d only covered half her body earlier, leaving the rest exposed—hence the chill.

As she nestled against Ye Feng’s chest, he confirmed how icy her skin was, save for the warmth where she’d huddled. The side effects weren’t fading easily.

Awkwardly, he asked, “Warmer now?”

“Mm, so warm~”

“G-good. Sleep well.”

“Goodnight, Ye Feng.”

“Goodnight.”

……

In the pitch-black night, a deafening roar pierced the silence. Inside the business class cabin of an airliner, a tall, alluring woman sat with her legs crossed, gazing at a string of phone numbers in her hand.

"Hmm... I’ll wait until we’re almost there to call him. I’m sure he’ll be pleasantly surprised by then~"