Each Has Their Own Troubles

Ye Feng never expected Xie Yuyan to suddenly kiss him. What made it even more uncomfortable was the taste of his own blood in her mouth—the strong metallic tang made him recoil. But seeing Xie Yuyan’s intoxicated gaze, he could only turn his head away.

Yet Xie Yuyan seemed unwilling to let him go, following his movement to press her lips against his again. After what felt like an eternity, she finally pulled back reluctantly, perhaps remembering his poor physical condition.

"Ye Feng... I'm sorry... I got carried away again."

"......"

Though Ye Feng badly wanted to scold her right now, his inability to move forced him to suppress his anger and speak calmly.

"Don’t do this again... And Xie Yuyan, go wash up. Look at the state you’re in! Anyone would think you’re a vampire!"

"Mmm... I understand. I’ll go now."

Relieved that Ye Feng wasn’t holding it against her, Xie Yuyan let out a quiet sigh and turned toward the door. Only after she left did Ye Feng exhale deeply, taking in the chaotic mess around him with a mix of exasperation and relief. At least Xie Yuyan had finally come to her senses—otherwise, she might have torn the whole house apart.

Suddenly, the memory of Xie Yuyan’s forceful kiss replayed in his mind, followed by the image of Shen Mengli doing the same earlier. His thoughts grew even more tangled.

Why can’t girls these days show a little restraint? Look at Li Mucheng—respectful and proper! Why do they all treat me like some pushover?

Glancing at the scattered cotton fluff on the bed, Ye Feng had no idea how to deal with it. Injured and exhausted, he didn’t have the energy to move.

"Ye Feng... I... I’m clean now..."

Before long, Xie Yuyan reappeared in the doorway, this time with a meek and hesitant demeanor, as if afraid Ye Feng would lecture her about what had just happened.

"Fine. We’ll deal with the house later. What matters is that you’re back and unharmed."

"Mmm~"

"But Xie Yuyan, are you sure no dangerous people are after you?"

"Ye Feng, don’t worry about that. I won’t bring you any trouble."

"Come here."

"Huh? W-why?"

"No questions. Just come here."

"Oww... Ye Feng, be gentle... It hurts..."

Thunk.

After receiving another flick on the forehead as a "reward," Xie Yuyan clutched her head, pouting with a hint of resentment in her eyes.

"Xie Yuyan, you’ve really gotten full of yourself!" Ye Feng snapped.

"Do you think just because you took down the Shadow Pavilion alone, you’re invincible? That you can always fight off a hundred enemies by yourself?"

"......"

"What do you mean by 'won’t trouble me'? So if another group like the Shadow Pavilion shows up, you’ll disappear again? And call it 'protecting me'? Do you really think I’m that kind of person?"

"I’m sorry, Ye Feng. Don’t be angry. I was just talking nonsense."

"Even nonsense isn’t allowed! Don’t think I don’t know what’s going through your head! I already told you—whatever difficulties come, we’ll face them together. If you shoulder everything alone, what does that make me? Are our promises just words to break whenever you feel like it?"

"I... I know I was wrong. I won’t say things like that again. Please calm down, Ye Feng."

Xie Yuyan placed a hand on Ye Feng’s arm, giving it a gentle shake as she spoke with remorse.

"This is your last warning! If you disappear without a word again, or hide anything dangerous from me, just wait and see! I’ll flick your forehead until it swells up like a lionhead goldfish—I swear on my name!"

"Mmm... I understand..."

Despite Ye Feng’s scolding, Xie Yuyan had never felt happier. The sheer depth of his concern for her made every hardship worth it.

"Alright, I won’t lecture you further. Just think carefully about what you should and shouldn’t do. And clean up this mess—got it?"

"Got it."

Seeing Xie Yuyan’s earnest attitude, Ye Feng said no more. After reminding her to take care of herself, he drifted into sleep, his body utterly drained from his injuries and the emotional toll. Merely staying conscious enough to speak had been a struggle. Only after settling the most urgent matters did he finally close his eyes and succumb to exhaustion.

Watching him, Xie Yuyan’s heart ached. She stepped closer to tuck the blankets around him, silently cursing herself for going too far and leaving Ye Feng in such a state.

......

"Big sister, please eat something?"

Wenwen looked worriedly at Shen Mengli, whose anxious expression hadn’t eased since Ye Feng left. Like a woman possessed, Shen Mengli sat alone by the pavilion, staring into the distance, her desolate figure heartbreaking to see.

"Xiao Feng... still hasn’t replied? Did something happen? Should I ask the headmistress...?"

Shen Mengli barely registered Wenwen’s presence. The moment Ye Feng left, she had already calculated the time it should take for him to get home. But with no word from him for so long, how could she not panic?

"Could it be... Could the illusion have become reality? No... No! I have to find Xiao Feng... I never should’ve let him go alone! Without news of him, I’ll go mad!"

Just as Shen Mengli was about to head to the headmistress’s office to borrow a phone, she spotted the elderly woman walking toward her down the hallway.

"Headmistress..."

"Mengli, dear, Mr. Ye Feng asked me to pass on a message."

"Xiao Feng sent a message? What did he say? Is he alright?"

"Of course he’s fine. If he called, that means he’s safe."

"That’s... That’s good... Though I wish I could’ve heard his voice..."

A trace of disappointment tinged Shen Mengli’s words. She felt a flicker of irritation that Ye Feng had relayed his message through the headmistress instead of speaking to her directly.

"Stupid Xiao Feng... You couldn’t even spare a moment to talk to me? After all my worrying, you’re just horrible!"

......

"That should do it."

Ye Feng slowly set down his phone. The first thing he did upon waking was remember that he’d forgotten to reassure Shen Mengli of his safety. Fortunately, his body was recovering—thanks in no small part to his abilities. Seizing the moment, he hurriedly sent word of his safety. There were still matters to discuss with Xie Yuyan later...