Xie Yuyan's Punishment

"Ye~~ Feng~~"

As Ye Feng set down his phone, Xie Yuyan returned to the bedroom from the living room. Noticing his distracted expression, she felt a twinge of irritation but quickly suppressed it. After all, it was already a stroke of luck that he had forgiven her for today’s incident. The last thing she wanted was to push him further away.

"Ah, Xie Yuyan, where did you go?"

"I was cleaning up the living room... I’m really sorry for making such a mess earlier."

"It’s partly because we didn’t communicate well. But next time, don’t act so impulsively. If it weren’t for my..."

Ye Feng suddenly cut himself off, noticing that despite Xie Yuyan’s guilty expression, her eyes were fixed intently on him—as if she were scrutinizing something.

"If it weren’t for what?"

"Ah... nothing, never mind."

Ye Feng brushed it off with a laugh and steered the conversation elsewhere.

"Xie Yuyan, what are your plans for the future? Like pursuing hobbies or figuring out your life?"

Seeing that he wouldn’t reveal what was on his mind, Xie Yuyan’s face fell with disappointment. But then it struck her—her own actions had probably scared him, damaging their relationship. The thought made her want to slap herself. If only she had waited patiently for Ye Feng to return, maybe things would have turned out better.

"Xie Yuyan?"

"Ah! Sorry, Ye Feng, I zoned out for a second."

Snapping back to reality, she sat beside him, tilting her head.

"Ye Feng, what did you just say? I didn’t quite catch it."

"Sounds like you weren’t listening at all."

Ye Feng muttered under his breath before repeating himself.

"So? What do you think, Xie Yuyan?"

"Me? In the future... no matter what happens, as long as I can stay by your side, I’ll go anywhere."

"......"

When Ye Feng remained silent, Xie Yuyan quickly changed the subject. In her mind, his lack of response was the best response.

"Ahaha... Ye Feng, I’ll go cook. While I was away, I learned a bunch of new dishes~ I’ll make sure you fall in love with my cooking from now on."

"Mm..."

Ye Feng knew that Xie Yuyan’s calm demeanor was only temporary. The slightest provocation could make her snap. He’d have to wait until his injuries healed before addressing things properly.

Xie Yuyan left the bedroom and entered the kitchen, her mind replaying the moment she had plunged a knife into Ye Feng’s chest. She had been certain he would leave her forever—but then, something unbelievable happened. The blade had slowly been pushed out, the wound healing miraculously, leaving only fresh blood on the knife. After confirming he was alive, she bandaged him up and laid him gently on the bed...

"Ye Feng... what other secrets are you hiding? If things really escalate beyond repair, will I even be able to control him? I can’t let my emotions take over again. I have to stay calm... until I uncover all of Ye Feng’s secrets. Only then can I decide what to do."

Having steeled her resolve, Xie Yuyan began preparing an elaborate dinner. After being apart for so long, she wanted Ye Feng to feel the warmth of home again. She would make up for every lost moment—because she could sense his heart drifting elsewhere.

......

As dusk fell, the fading light gave way to an undercurrent of unrest, silently stirring in the shadows of Ye Feng’s life.

"Mm... did I fall asleep again?"

Ye Feng rubbed his bleary eyes, his mind clearing as he woke. After Xie Yuyan left the room, exhaustion from his injuries had pulled him under. Now, gazing at the darkened sky outside, he finally roused.

"Ye Feng, you’re awake."

Xie Yuyan’s voice whispered beside him, her warm breath brushing his ear, jolting him further awake.

Turning toward the sound, he found her sitting cross-legged on the floor, arms folded on the edge of the bed as she leaned in, her luminous eyes locking onto his. Unlike Shen Mengli’s gaze—which was like a tempest, alternating between turbulence and serenity—Xie Yuyan’s eyes held a hypnotic allure. Every time he met Shen Mengli’s stare, he felt himself losing ground, as if teetering on the edge of an abyss. If not for his self-control, he might have already...

"Ye Feng~"

Xie Yuyan noticed his distant expression and knew his thoughts had wandered. At a moment like this, he dares to space out? Unbelievable!

Before he could react, she cupped his face, forcing his attention back to her.

"Right now is our time. I won’t allow your eyes to stray from me!"

"Xie Yuyan? Wait, I just zoned out for a second—"

"I don’t care! Who gets distracted mid-conversation? You’re clearly in the wrong here, so... I’m punishing you!"

"Punishing? Xie Yuyan, hold on— Mm—"

Before he could finish, she closed the distance, pressing her lips lightly against his. Though just a fleeting touch, her goal was achieved.

"Consider this my interest~ How could you punish me when you’re the one at fault? If you mess up, I’ll punish you too! That’s only fair!"

"But that’s not even a punishment! That’s just—"

"Oh? Just~ what?"

Her sultry voice curled around him, her smirk daring him to challenge her.

"Nothing... you’re right, Xie Yuyan. I slipped up, so your logic checks out."

"Right~ So from now on, if you ever fall short, it’s only fair that I get to punish you, yes?"

"......"