The Wind is Changing

Shen Mengli anxiously tugged at Ye Feng's sleeve, every little sound making her tremble with fear. His sudden change in demeanor had left her flustered, and now she nuzzled against his leg like a pitiful kitten.

"Xiao Feng... Please don't push me away... I beg you, don't leave me..."

Hearing the plea in Shen Mengli's voice, Ye Feng looked at her with a complicated expression. Finally, he spoke: "Mengli, I’m not trying to distance myself from you on purpose. I don’t dislike you, it’s just... I can’t..."

Ye Feng trailed off, unsure how to gently explain his dilemma. On one hand, there was Xie Yuyan, who had vanished long ago. On the other, his current circumstances left him unable to guarantee even the most basic safety, let alone a stable future.

"Can’t?"

Shen Mengli latched onto that word, gripping Ye Feng’s sleeve with all her strength and pulling him closer.

"Mengli, you—"

Before Ye Feng could finish, Shen Mengli buried her face in his chest. After a moment, she lifted her gaze, her eyes soft as she whispered, "It’s okay... It’s really okay, Xiao Feng. As long as you’re hesitating, I’ll keep waiting—until the day you make your decision."

"Mengli... I’m sorry..."

Her words left Ye Feng’s eyes stinging. He hadn’t expected her to still treat him with such tenderness despite everything. The guilt in his heart only grew heavier, like an expanding wound.

"Silly Xiao Feng! You haven’t done anything to wrong me, so why apologize?"

Shen Mengli took his hand and placed it over her heart, tilting her head with a gentle smile. The earlier vulnerability in her expression had completely vanished.

"Maybe our heart-to-heart didn’t go perfectly this time, but I’ll be just like you were with me before. No matter how you change, no matter what hardships you face, my arms will always be open for you. Because... Xiao Feng, you’re the most important person to me."

"......"

The warmth of Shen Mengli’s small hand and the brightness of her smile dispelled some of the fog in Ye Feng’s heart. The ocean waves crashed against the shore once more, washing away the restlessness and sorrow in the young man’s soul.

"Thank you, Mengli."

......

"Xiao Feng, I want to see the ocean under the night sky again tonight~"

Shen Mengli nestled her head against Ye Feng’s chest, her legs swaying slightly. Though she could now move her thighs a little, standing up was still difficult.

"No way. The sea breeze at night is too cold, and I didn’t bring any thick clothes for you. At most, we can watch from the hotel balcony. I won’t risk you catching a chill for something like this."

"Eh~ Xiao Feng cares about me that much?"

"Ahem... Mengli, stop squirming, and don’t lean so close."

As he carried her back to the hotel, Ye Feng found himself chatting with her effortlessly. Perhaps it was because the weight in his heart had lightened, or perhaps it was gratitude toward her—but one way or another, his attitude toward Shen Mengli had returned to its usual attentive warmth.

"Tch, you’ve held me so many times already, and now you suddenly have a problem with it? I think you’re just tired of me."

"Don’t say things that could be misunderstood!"

Ye Feng turned his face away, avoiding her gaze. Every time he looked into Shen Mengli’s captivating crimson eyes, he felt drawn in, as if under some inexplicable spell.

"Fine, fine. But I’m not letting go~"

Before long, they arrived at their hotel suite. To avoid unnecessary closeness, Ye Feng had deliberately booked a room with two separate beds—much to Shen Mengli’s initial displeasure, though she eventually let it go.

"Mengli, what do you want to eat later? I’ll prepare it ahead of time."

Ye Feng walked to the balcony, gazing at the beach scenery as he spoke. Truthfully, he was still avoiding contact with her—both physical and visual.

"I don’t have anything specific in mind. Whatever you choose is fine."

Shen Mengli watched his back, her tone calm. She pulled a small teddy bear from her wheelchair into her lap, idly poking its cheeks with her fingers.

"Stupid Xiao Feng, mean Xiao Feng~"

"......"

From the corner of his eye, Ye Feng noticed her actions and knew she was subtly complaining about him. But he pretended not to care, crossing his arms as he stared at the vast blue ocean.

Time slipped by unnoticed, and soon night fell. The once-clear sky was now shrouded in dark clouds. Ye Feng frowned at the sudden change in weather, an uneasy premonition settling in his chest.

"The weather’s turning awful out of nowhere. Good thing we didn’t go out. Looks like rain’s coming..."

"Hmm..."

Ye Feng slowly drew the curtains and turned to see Shen Mengli already asleep in bed. A faint smile tugged at his lips before he quickly schooled his expression. Tiptoeing over, he carefully tucked the blankets around her.

If it thunders, it might wake her up... Let’s hope this rain doesn’t last long...

"Mengli? What’s wrong?"

At Ye Feng’s voice, Shen Mengli blinked her drowsy eyes open. But when she fully came to, she realized they were now inside an elevator.

"Xiao Feng? Where are we...?"

She tilted her head in confusion, looking back at Ye Feng standing behind her.

"We’re home. We left the hotel a while ago. You slept so deeply you got disoriented."

Ye Feng chuckled in response.

"Home? But..."

Before Shen Mengli could voice her bewilderment, a chime sounded, signaling their arrival at their floor.

"Alright, we’re here. After a long day, it’s time to rest. We can talk more inside."

Ye Feng spoke first, pushing Shen Mengli’s wheelchair toward their door. But as they reached the entrance, Shen Mengli’s heart suddenly raced with unease. A shadowy figure flashed through her mind.

"Ah..."

"What’s wrong, Mengli? Are you feeling unwell?"

Noticing her shudder, Ye Feng bent down in concern. He fished out his keys, unlocking the door while murmuring nervously,

"Hold on, Mengli. I’ll get it open right away."

Click.

The moment the door swung open, Shen Mengli’s pupils constricted—as if she had seen something horrifying...