I Like You So Much

"Mmm~"

Xie Yuyan, lying in Ye Feng's arms, opened her drowsy eyes. Unbeknownst to her, she had fallen asleep while chatting with him. Perhaps it was the overwhelming worry during his absence, or the sheer excitement of his return—either way, as she leaned quietly against his shoulder, she gradually lost consciousness.

"Yuyan, you're awake."

Ye Feng looked down at Xie Yuyan resting on his lap. At first, he hadn’t noticed when she dozed off, but the moment she murmured his name in her sleep, he gently laid her down.

"Mm... Ye Feng..."

The sight of him instantly brought clarity to her groggy mind. Remembering how he had stayed by her side while she slept, her heart swelled with sweetness, as if she’d tasted honey.

"Yuyan, if you’re tired, should I carry you to bed?"

"No way~"

As she spoke, Xie Yuyan raised a hand and lightly brushed Ye Feng’s cheek, her face glowing with happiness.

"I just want to stay like this forever, lying on you, never leaving."

Hearing such unabashed affection, warmth bloomed in Ye Feng’s chest. His gaze met hers, locking onto her pale blue eyes.

"Darling, if you keep staring at me like that, I’ll get shy~"

"S-Sorry... It’s just that you’re so beautiful. I couldn’t help but get lost in you..."

"Heh~"

Ye Feng’s praise worked like a charm. Xie Yuyan giggled softly before wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Well then, Ye Feng, if you’re going to look at me like that, I’ll have to collect a little interest~"

"Interest... Wait—!"

The moment Ye Feng repeated the word, he realized what she meant—but before he could react, she pulled him down firmly.

Their lips met like petals gently overlapping, their breaths intertwining until the very air around them seemed to freeze...

"Mmm~"

Even though it wasn’t their first kiss, Ye Feng’s mind still went blank the moment their lips touched.

"Hah... Ye Feng... Couldn’t you at least say something? This is no fun at all... Mmm..."

During a brief pause for air, Xie Yuyan shot him a playful, mischievous look. She knew getting Ye Feng to take the initiative wouldn’t be easy—she’d have to coax him into submission with her love. And if that meant using a few little tricks now and then, so be it~

"W-What should I... Mph!!"

The innocent Ye Feng had clearly fallen into her verbal trap. The moment he opened his mouth to speak, Xie Yuyan’s eyes sparkled with triumph, seizing the chance to launch another sneak attack.

"Yu-Yuyan... Hah..."

"Mmh... lick... Hah..."

......

"Hah... Hah... Hah..."

Standing on the balcony, Ye Feng gulped down the cool night air. Just moments ago, Xie Yuyan had been like a ravenous beast, determined to devour him whole.

Too close... That was way too close!

As time passed, his ragged breathing slowly steadied.

Then, a pair of slender arms slipped around his waist from behind, embracing him.

"Ye Feng? Are you okay?"

"Yu-Yuyan..."

The rich fragrance of her scent filled his senses, stirring his barely calmed heart once more.

Xie Yuyan rested her head lightly against his back, savoring every second with him. Yet the lingering blush on her cheeks hadn’t fully faded—her dazed, tipsy expression was irresistibly alluring, like a glistening cherry.

"I’m sorry, Ye Feng... I got a little too carried away earlier. I didn’t think about how you might feel..."

"It’s fine, Yuyan. I didn’t expect to nearly suffocate either... But I don’t blame you. I didn’t dislike it..."

Somehow, Ye Feng’s voice grew softer and softer, until it was barely audible. But Xie Yuyan caught every word.

Ye Feng... If you keep saying things like that, I won’t be able to hold back my feelings... And I just barely managed to calm down.

Her gaze, half-lidded and smoldering, lingered on his back, her love for him overflowing. Without hesitation, she reached for his hand, pulling him gently away from the view.

"Yuyan?"

Before he could ask what she was doing, she was already dragging him back inside.

"Alright, it’s cold out. Time to go in, Ye Feng."

"I-I get it, but could you let go first? The mood feels a little... weird right now."

"Weird? That’s because you’re overthinking again! Right now, we should just rest and sleep."

"O-Okay..."

......

Late into the night, after freshening up, Ye Feng stepped into his room—only to find Xie Yuyan missing from the bed.

"Yuyan?"

He called her name, but there was no response.

"Strange... She was here just a moment ago."

Just as he was puzzling over her whereabouts, a shadowy figure lunged at him from behind the door.

"Hey—"

At the last possible second, Ye Feng sidestepped the attack, grabbing the assailant’s arm and flipping them onto the bed in one fluid motion.

"Oof!"

A soft gasp escaped as the figure landed. When Ye Feng finally got a clear look, he saw it was Xie Yuyan, just as he’d suspected. But unlike their earlier encounter in the hallway, her movements lacked their usual sharpness—this was clearly just playful mischief.

"Eep~"

Xie Yuyan slowly opened her eyes, gazing up at the man who had just executed such a flawless counter. A satisfied smile curled on her lips.

"You caught me, Ye Feng. And here I was, trying to surprise you."

"Xie Yuyan, don’t scare me like that! Are you trying to give me a heart attack?"

Ye Feng sat on the edge of the bed, shooting her a stern look—though his tone quickly softened.

"Are you hurt? Did the fall bother you at all?"

"......"

Lying there, her bangs covering one eye, Xie Yuyan could still see the concern in his expression as clearly as ever.

"Ye Feng..."

Her eyes grew hazy, as if veiled in mist. Then, she pressed a finger to her rosy lips, biting the lower one lightly—a picture of seductive charm.

"Good..."

"Good what?"

"Good... I really, really love you♡"