Can't finish the cake

Seeing the dagger, Ye Feng's body instinctively trembled, as if struck by some sudden stimulus.

Well, I pour my heart out for you, and you repay me with a knife? Good thing I came back early, or I’d have suffered...

"What’s the deal with this knife?"

Ye Feng stared expressionlessly at the dagger on the floor before shifting his gaze to Xie Yuyan, who couldn’t meet his eyes.

"I... I was actually going to use it to cut the cake... Would you believe me, Ye Feng?"

"What do you think?"

"Wuwu... I’m sorry..."

"Sigh."

By now, Ye Feng had grasped Xie Yuyan’s state of mind. But he couldn’t just beat her up, could he? The only option was to try and soothe this guilt-ridden woman with words.

"Xie Yuyan."

"Yes!"

"Come here."

"Ye Feng?"

Hearing his commanding tone, Xie Yuyan timidly raised her head. This was the first time Ye Feng had ever spoken to her like this.

Under Xie Yuyan’s anxious gaze, Ye Feng slowly opened his arms and said gently, "What are you standing there for? Want me to hug you?"

"Wuu... Ye Feng!"

Xie Yuyan hadn’t expected Ye Feng to not be angry with her at all. She’d thought today would end in disaster because of her reckless actions, yet he forgave her rudeness.

Unable to contain the joy of having him back, Xie Yuyan threw herself into Ye Feng’s warm embrace.

"Xiao Feng!"

Feeling the trembling of the delicate figure in his arms, Ye Feng knew Xie Yuyan was still shaken. He patted her back reassuringly. "There, there, it’s alright now."

"Mmm..."

"Yuyan, promise me you won’t act so impulsively again, okay? No more dangerous stunts, or I’ll really get mad."

"I—I promise, Ye Feng! I won’t cause you any more trouble... I really won’t..."

"Good. Remember your words."

Ye Feng stroked Xie Yuyan’s hair softly before shifting to a tender tone.

"It’s getting late. Time for dinner. Do you want cake first or the meal?"

"Cake!"

Without hesitation, Xie Yuyan chose the cake, pulling away from Ye Feng’s arms to gaze at him affectionately.

"I missed my chance once. I won’t let it slip away again!"

"Alright."

......

"Mengli? Mengli?"

"Ah!"

Shen Mengli snapped her head up at the headmistress’s voice, slowly regaining focus.

"Headmistress? What’s wrong?"

"Mengli, is something bothering you? You’ve been distracted lately."

"N-no, not really..."

Shen Mengli tried to deflect, but under the headmistress’s knowing gaze, she quickly faltered.

"I’m sorry, Headmistress... There is something..."

"Would you like to talk about it?"

The headmistress sat quietly beside Shen Mengli, as if piecing things together. "If I had to guess, it’s about Mr. Ye Feng, isn’t it?"

"Mm... mmm..."

Shen Mengli struggled to speak but eventually nodded meekly.

"What happened with Mr. Ye Feng?"

"Xiao Feng... he... he’s going through something."

"Something caused by himself, right?"

"......"

This time, Shen Mengli didn’t answer, but her silence spoke volumes.

"Sigh... I warned Mr. Ye Feng about this before, but he didn’t listen."

"Headmistress, what did you tell Xiao Feng?"

"I said..."

......

"Ye Feng, you’re so gentle~"

"......"

Xie Yuyan’s words made Ye Feng pause, as if they’d triggered a memory.

"Ye Feng?"

Resting her head on his shoulder, Xie Yuyan reached up to touch his cheek curiously.

"Yeah, I’m here. Looks like we won’t finish the cake."

Ye Feng snapped out of his thoughts and glanced at the last untouched slice—though this time, he wasn’t eating alone.

"Ye Feng..."

Seizing the moment, Xie Yuyan leaned in and planted a soft kiss on his cheek.

"The cake... is delicious~"

......

"Mr. Ye Feng’s greatest strength is his gentleness—and also his downfall."

The headmistress sighed, frustrated that Ye Feng hadn’t heeded her advice.

"That’s just how Xiao Feng is... If it weren’t for his kindness, I’d never have met him. But he shows that gentleness to everyone... and that’s why I can’t stop overthinking."

Shen Mengli looked up at the headmistress.

"Headmistress, can you give me some advice? I don’t... I don’t want to lose Xiao Feng. I absolutely refuse!"

"Mengli..."

The headmistress closed her eyes, thinking for a moment before offering a solution.

"Your chance will come only when Mr. Ye Feng chooses to stop being gentle."

"When Xiao Feng stops being gentle..."

Shen Mengli murmured the words, slowly realizing their meaning.

Right... Only when Xiao Feng’s kindness leads to disaster will he finally see the truth. And when he’s drowning in despair, I’ll be the one to pull him back. Then, his heart will belong to me alone.

"Xiao Feng..."

Seeing the faint smile on Shen Mengli’s lips, the headmistress finally relaxed. All she wanted was Shen Mengli’s happiness—everyone else was irrelevant.

"Thank you, Headmistress. I know what to do now."

"I’m glad you understand. Will you be exercising today as usual?"

"Mhm!"

......

"Teacher..."

Li Mucheng lay alone on her bed, clutching a fox mask in her hand, her heart carved with deep wounds.

"Why... Why did you hide it from me? Why were you with other women when I knew nothing about it?"

"I loved you... I loved you so much. Why did you betray me? Teacher... why?"

Her once bright, obsidian-like eyes now seemed veiled in an eerie mist, growing darker and more unfathomable.

"Hehe... hehe..."

"If this is how you want it, Teacher, then don’t blame me~ I thought we’d be happy together, but I guess that was just a dream. Don’t worry—I’ll make sure your eyes stay fixed on me, and only me~"