Crimson Rose

"My acquaintance with Meng Li was... quite accidental."

Ye Feng summarized how he first met Wenwen, then later got to know Shen Mengli at the orphanage, followed by the Old Dean's request, and finally bringing Shen Mengli home. Of course, he omitted any mention of the system.

"So... just like that, you took her in?" Xie Yuyan asked incredulously. She knew Ye Feng fairly well. In her eyes, he wasn’t the type to act out of pure kindness for everything. Though she didn’t understand why he had saved her, she knew he wouldn’t just help someone in such a situation without reason—unless he was forced.

It was almost as if some rule compelled him to act. But these were just speculations. She’d have to meet this girl named Shen Mengli before drawing any conclusions.

"Ah... so that’s how it is. Our Ye Feng is really..."

Xie Yuyan’s words dripped with jealousy as she let go of Ye Feng’s arm and suddenly settled onto his lap, nestling into his embrace. She traced circles on his chest with her fingertip.

"So~ gentle~"

Gentle again? Ye Feng frowned inwardly while hurriedly pushing her shoulders.

"Xie Yuyan, stop messing around and get off! Is this how you treat an injured person?"

"Ehh~ I’m not that heavy. What’s the harm in sitting on your lap for a bit?"

Snap

A crisp flicking sound echoed, and the living room fell silent.

"Mean Ye Feng, always bullying me."

Sitting at the far end of the sofa, Xie Yuyan turned her back to him, muttering under her breath like a wronged little girl. Her pitiful expression was enough to melt anyone’s heart—but Ye Feng employed the most effective countermeasure: averting his gaze. This way, he avoided the fluster of meeting her eyes and got a moment’s peace.

After her complaint, Xie Yuyan sneakily glanced at Ye Feng and clenched her fists in frustration. Taking advantage of his diverted attention, she inched closer before speaking again.

"Ye Feng, why aren’t you saying anything? Do you really not want to talk to me?"

Yet silence was all she received. Realizing Ye Feng was deliberately avoiding her, Xie Yuyan dropped the act and suddenly clung to his arm.

"Xie Yuyan?"

The familiar pressure broke Ye Feng’s composure. He turned to see her eyes closed, wearing a blissful expression.

"Didn’t you say I was bullying you? Why are you back?"

"I... I..."

She stammered, scrambling for an excuse before giving up entirely and blurting out,

"I like it! Not your business!"

"......"

After a long pause, Xie Yuyan finally lifted her head. Meeting Ye Feng’s gaze, she smiled softly and whispered,

"Ye Feng... after all this time, I’ve found you again. From now on, I’m sticking with you. Don’t even think about making me leave—unless... unless I die."

Snap

The same sound rang out again, though much lighter this time.

Ye Feng glared at her pouting face. "Xie Yuyan, can you stop saying things like that? You’re safe now. If anything happens in the future, I’ll help you. Just live your life well—you’re not an assassin anymore. You’re just an ordinary girl."

"Thank you, Ye Feng~"

Xie Yuyan beamed, relishing his concern. She wished he’d give her everything he had.

"I really like... being with you. I won’t leave you again, and you better not leave me either~"

"I’ll help wherever I can, but could you loosen your grip? My arm’s about to break."

"Hehe~ Sorry, sorry~ Got a little carried away~"

She released his arm and stood up from the sofa.

"Rest here for a bit, Ye Feng. I’ll go arrange my things."

"Mm... but Xie Yuyan, about your place..."

Before he could finish, she cut in, "Not the time for that! We’ll talk later. I just got back—give me a transition period. Besides, your injury is my fault too. I should at least wait till you recover before making plans."

"Alright then."

Ye Feng nodded. Given his condition, he really couldn’t manage much. Though his wound was healing quickly, sudden movements still strained it. Everything else would have to wait until he got better.

At that thought, he realized he needed to check the system for any updates. With one less decoy doll, he’d lost a lifeline. He used to scoff at the system’s rewards, but now they seemed invaluable. Without that doll, he’d have been a goner...

Hmm~

Xie Yuyan hummed as she began organizing her belongings. She’d make sure those vixens knew who truly owned this place. Anyone daring to encroach on her territory wouldn’t get off easy.

......

The moment Ye Feng opened the system, a gift notification popped up—labeled Evasion Reward. In the illustrated catalog, under Crimson Rose, he spotted a number: Evasion Count: 1.

Evasion Reward? Wasn’t this supposed to be in the exploration catalog? And what’s this Crimson Rose? It wasn’t there before. Where did this evasion count come from?

Lost in thought, his gaze inadvertently drifted toward Xie Yuyan, who was pulling a towel from the living room cabinet. Sensing his stare, she smirked and wiggled her fingers in a playful wave.

!!!

Ye Feng snapped his eyes away, a realization dawning.

Crimson Rose... Could that be Xie Yuyan’s alias?