Shen Mengli's Concerns

"Me... Mengli?! Am I seeing things? Is this real?"

The director trembled as she reached out and clasped Shen Mengli's small hands tightly in her own. Years of exhausting work for the children's sake had left the director's hands wrinkled and calloused, yet Shen Mengli could still feel their warmth. It nearly brought her to tears, but with Ye Feng standing beside her, she didn’t want him to see her blushing like this.

"Yes, Mother Director."

The shadows in Shen Mengli’s heart had long since dissipated under Ye Feng’s care and support. Now, she faced her life with the perspective of someone whole again.

Holding the director’s aged hands, Shen Mengli’s eyes seemed to hold a thousand unspoken words, but in the end, she only said one thing: "I’ll hold onto everything I have this time. I won’t let it slip away again."

The director knew exactly what Shen Mengli meant. Once, she had a happy life and family—until that tragedy struck...

"Yes, I believe in you, child."

The director smiled faintly, her heart swelling with pride for Shen Mengli.

"Oh, Mr. Ye Feng, please allow me to thank you properly. No matter what, you must accept this gesture."

Before Ye Feng could refuse, the elderly director bowed deeply to him. Ye Feng quickly stepped forward to help her up, saying, "Director, you’re embarrassing me! How could I possibly deserve such a bow? Please, stand up."

But before he could fully lift the director, Shen Mengli followed suit and bowed to him as well.

"Mengli, you too? Get up!"

"Xiao Feng, just accept this from me and Mother Director. This is my gratitude—for the orphanage and for myself."

"You two... Alright, alright, I can feel your sincerity now. Please, stand up. Any more of this and I’ll lose years off my life!"

After finally helping the director up, the group made their way into the orphanage. The children were overjoyed to see Shen Mengli, especially Wenwen, who excitedly dragged her off to the garden.

Before they left, Ye Feng reminded Shen Mengli to be careful and not overexert herself if there wasn’t something sturdy to hold onto.

Meanwhile, the director led Ye Feng to her office.

"Mr. Ye Feng, the reason I brought you here is to return this card to you."

The director pulled a card tucked between the pages of a book from her drawer and handed it to him.

"I know this comes from your kindness, but I can’t accept such a large sum. You and Mengli have your own lives to build, and your previous donations haven’t even run out yet."

"Director, you’re mistaken."

Ye Feng crossed his arms, clearly unwilling to take the card back. His expression turned serious as he spoke.

"It’s precisely because of outstanding teachers like you that children like Mengli—and all the others here—were given a helping hand when they were most vulnerable. You’ve taught them to see the world with kindness. So I don’t want these children, or you, to ever worry about survival. Surely you don’t want them to wonder where their next meal is coming from?"

"......"

Ye Feng’s words struck a chord, and the director could no longer argue. She simply nodded in agreement.

Seizing the moment, Ye Feng pressed on. "So, Director, there’s no need to hesitate. I’ll take care of Mengli’s needs. Right now, the children need this support more. Please, keep the card."

"If you insist, Mr. Ye Feng, then I won’t refuse any longer."

The director’s eyes filled with resolve, as if she’d made up her mind.

"Thank you, Mr. Ye Feng."

......

"Big Sis, do you like Big Brother?"

Wenwen’s sudden question while they were admiring the garden startled Shen Mengli, who had been glancing toward the hallway. Flustered, she stammered, "Wenwen! What—what are you saying? You’re too young to be talking about 'liking' anyone! Be careful, or I’ll scold you!"

"Big Sis is lying!"

Wenwen stepped in front of Shen Mengli, her big, innocent eyes staring up at her.

"You’ve been distracted this whole time! You’ve looked at the hallway at least ten times! You definitely like Ye Feng!"

"Shh! Wenwen, keep your voice down! I’ll really get mad if you keep this up!"

Shen Mengli hadn’t expected a child to make her blush so hard. She glared at Wenwen in embarrassment.

"Hehe, Big Sis, your face is red."

"It’s just hot out!"

"Pfft..."

Watching Wenwen’s smug expression, Shen Mengli clenched her fists, barely holding back her frustration. Finally, she pulled Wenwen close and whispered, "Fine! I admit it—I really like Xiao Feng, okay?"

"Hehe."

Wenwen’s eyes sparkled mischievously as she grinned at Shen Mengli and winked.

"Big Brother, did you hear that? Big Sis said she really likes you!"

"B-Big Brother?!"

Shen Mengli froze, her entire body stiffening. Slowly, like a rusted machine, she turned her head to look behind her.

But there was no one there. Her face burned even hotter as she realized Wenwen had tricked her.

Turning back to Wenwen’s cheeky grin, Shen Mengli pinched her chubby little cheeks in mock anger.

"You little troublemaker! How dare you trick me? I’ll teach you a lesson!"

"Giggle… Sorry, Big Sis, I was wrong… Hehe…"

......

"What? Mengli, you’re not coming back today?"

After finishing his conversation with the director, Ye Feng had gone to the garden to take Shen Mengli home—only to hear she wasn’t leaving.

"That’s right."

Shen Mengli nodded slightly, her voice quiet.

"It’s… because I want to spend the day with Wenwen. It’s been so long, and she has so much to tell me. But don’t worry, Xiao Feng—you can come pick me up anytime you’re free."

"I see… Well, if that’s what you want, I’ll come get you tomorrow."

"Okay…"

Shen Mengli lowered her eyes, unable to meet Ye Feng’s gaze. The real reason she stayed was to confirm whether the visions in her hallucinations were real. And given Ye Feng’s skills, she knew she’d only be a burden if she went with him. Worse, she was certain that to that shadowy figure, she was the spark that would ignite everything. The safest choice was to wait here, quietly, while also working to regain her strength—to truly stand on her own.