Can't Live Without You Anymore

"Xiao Feng..."

In the dead of night, Shen Mengli, who had been sound asleep, suddenly opened her eyes, clutching her pounding chest as she gasped for breath. She had slipped into another illusion—one eerily identical to yesterday's. Once again, Ye Feng collapsed before her...

Though a part of her subconscious recognized the familiarity of the scene, the illusion remained painfully vivid.

As Shen Mengli steadied her breathing, the unease in her heart gradually subsided. Slowly, she turned halfway and cast her gaze toward Ye Feng, who lay sleeping on the other bed. He was facing her, eyes closed in peaceful rest. Shen Mengli bit her lip, hesitating over something unspoken.

I... I just want to be by Xiao Feng's side...

I... I can't bear to be apart from him anymore...

If I sneak over quietly without waking him, wouldn’t that be fine? I’ll just slip back before morning, and no one will ever know!

With that thought, Shen Mengli immediately sprang into action. She could no longer endure the days of being unable to cling to Ye Feng.

Outside, the soft patter of rain seemed to conspire in her favor, providing the perfect cover. Seizing the opportunity, she threw off her blanket and quietly slid her legs out from the warmth of her bed.

"Huff... huff... huff..."

Shen Mengli kept a vigilant watch on Ye Feng’s every movement. At the slightest stir from him, she would freeze instantly. Yet, despite her caution, her heart raced wildly. This was the first time she had ever dared to do something like this. Strangely, though, the thrill of acting without Ye Feng’s knowledge filled her with an inexplicable delight—one that only grew more addictive the longer she indulged in it.

Tap.

The moment her bare feet touched the icy floor, she shivered violently but quickly adjusted. Drawing on the strength she’d regained during her recovery, she gripped the edge of the bed, struggling to stand.

Hang in there! Even if I have to crawl inch by inch, it’ll be worth it as long as I reach Xiao Feng...

The chill from the exposed air and the damp weather outside had long since seeped into her bones, making her tremble uncontrollably. But the thought of nestling into Ye Feng’s embrace drowned out any discomfort.

If I just use the bedside table to pull myself up, it should be fine, right? Come on, Shen Mengli—you can do this!

Clenching her fists, she braced her hands against the nightstand and pushed herself up. But her legs, unaccustomed to bearing such weight, wobbled violently. Just as she lost her grip and began toppling toward the floor—

Thud.

A strong hand suddenly seized her arm.

"Mm...!"

Shen Mengli had already resigned herself to crashing onto the floor and waking Ye Feng, squeezing her eyes shut in defeat.

I... I really can’t do anything right, can I...?

"Are you okay?"

A familiar voice murmured beside her ear. Her eyes flew open in shock, locking onto Ye Feng, who had sat up in bed and was now staring at her with a mix of concern and exasperation.

"X-Xiao Feng? You... you...?"

She hadn’t expected him to catch her—let alone wake up at all. Stunned, she stammered, unable to form a coherent sentence.

"Mengli, you..."

Ye Feng sighed, swinging his legs off the bed and scooping her up into his arms. The moment he felt the chill radiating from her body, he realized she must have been sitting by the edge for a long time.

"Xiao Feng..."

Shen Mengli clutched the front of his shirt, her face flushing scarlet. In a voice barely above a whisper, she asked,

"Did... did you know all along?"

"Of course I did."

Ye Feng shot her an unimpressed look as he carried her to his bed, tucking her under the covers with practiced ease.

"I saw you the second you got up. Honestly, what am I going to do with you?"

"I’m sorry... I caused you trouble again..."

Shen Mengli pulled the blanket up to her nose, peering at him with only her eyes visible.

"Then, care to explain why you did this? If I hadn’t woken up in time, what if you’d fallen? You need to take better care of yourself."

"Sorry... Don’t be mad, Xiao Feng."

Her pitiful tone softened Ye Feng’s resolve, and his voice gentled.

"Fine. But at least tell me why you came over so suddenly."

"Because I had another nightmare."

"A nightmare?"

Ye Feng turned to glance at the rain outside, then nodded slowly.

"I see. But next time, talk to me first, okay?"

"Okay. Then... can I ask for one more tiny indulgence?"

Shen Mengli batted her lashes, deploying the full force of her pleading gaze. Ye Feng inhaled deeply before finally relenting.

"Fine. But we’re keeping the blanket between us—just like we did back home."

"Mm... alright~"

A sly glint flickered in her eyes. She knew all she had to do was lure Ye Feng into bed. Once there, his gentle nature would ensure she’d get her way eventually.

Rustle. Rustle.

After Ye Feng climbed in with his own blanket, they exchanged quiet goodnights. But within moments, he felt a warm presence press against his back.

"Mengli. Breaking the rules already?"

"Sorry, Xiao Feng~ Next time, I promise~"

She wrapped her arms around his waist, molding herself against him as if trying to merge into his very being. A smug smile curled her lips as she nuzzled closer.

Ye Feng swallowed hard. The pressure of her clinging so tightly was impossible to ignore. Resigned, he rolled over to face her. Awkward as it was, it beat the alternative.

"Hehe~"

Shen Mengli giggled softly at the sight of Ye Feng squeezing his eyes shut, pretending to be asleep.

"Laugh all you want. Now go to sleep."

He cracked one eye open to mutter the command.

"Okay~"

With that, she leaned in, brushed a featherlight kiss against his cheek, then burrowed into his chest, finally still.

"......"

Ye Feng waited until he was certain she wouldn’t pull another stunt before relaxing. Breathing in the faint scent of her hair, he, too, drifted off.

Outside, the rain tapered off as they slept, and the shared warmth of the blankets gradually chased away the cold that had clung to Shen Mengli earlier. That night, for the first time in a long while, no illusions haunted her dreams...