The Darkened Li Muchen

"If only this cozy little life could last forever," Ye Feng murmured to himself as he prepared to hail a taxi by the roadside. Just then, an icy voice sounded in his ear.

"Teacher, what do you mean by 'lasting forever'...?"

"Eh? That voice—"

Startled by the all-too-familiar tone, Ye Feng whirled around.

"Mu Cheng?!"

He exclaimed her name in disbelief, never expecting Li Mucheng to appear behind him so suddenly.

"Te... Teacher..."

At his address, a faint glimmer flashed in Li Mucheng's clouded eyes before fading away.

"What were you muttering about just now, Teacher? If it's something interesting, why not share it with me?"

"Ah..."

Ye Feng forced a chuckle. "It’s nothing, really. I was just thinking about my future—planning to move to a new place, that’s all."

"Is that so? I thought maybe you were living with some girl," Li Mucheng replied lightly.

"......"

Her words left Ye Feng frozen. There was an unmistakable edge to her tone, and... wasn’t he actually sharing a place with Xie Yuyan right now? How had she guessed so accurately?

"Teacher, what’s wrong?"

Li Mucheng tilted her head, feigning innocence as she studied him.

"It was just a little joke. No need to look so serious."

"Ah! I was just lost in thought. Anyway, Mu Cheng, since we’ve met up, shouldn’t we head to Su Yuxin’s place now?"

"Mhm, you’re right. Then please follow me, Teacher. I’ve arranged a car just for you."

A strange glint flickered in her eyes before she turned and strode toward a parked sedan.

Ye Feng nodded, trusting her without question. To him, Li Mucheng was his most cherished student—why would she ever harm him?

Thud!

The car door shut, and the vehicle pulled away from Ye Feng’s apartment. But its direction wasn’t toward Su Yuxin’s home—not that Ye Feng noticed, engrossed as he was in conversation with Li Mucheng in the backseat.

......

"Hmm... If I’m not mistaken, Teacher should already be on his way~"

Meanwhile, Su Yuxin stood outside her neighborhood gate, clutching two strawberry milk teas and occasionally rising on her tiptoes to peer down the road.

After Liu Yue’s advice the previous night, she had resolved to confess her feelings to Ye Feng.

"I’m... so nervous. Should I give him the tea first or confess right away? Ahhh, this is too hard..."

As time passed, the warmth of the drinks in her hands faded.

"This... this isn’t right. He should’ve arrived by now. Is there traffic? Maybe I should call..."

Ye Feng was never late. His absence unsettled her. Setting the teas on a bench, she pulled out her phone and dialed his number.

Beep... Beep...

The line rang endlessly, but no one answered.

What’s going on? Why isn’t he picking up? Did he fall asleep or something?

......

"Teacher, here’s some water."

"Thanks, Mu Cheng."

Li Mucheng watched as Ye Feng drained the cup, then exhaled softly.

"Teacher, do you remember what you once taught me? That when facing difficulties, we must take the initiative, or else we’ll always be controlled by them?"

"Of course I remember. Every lesson I’ve shared with you, from the day we met until now, is etched in my mind."

Ye Feng smiled tenderly, his gaze lingering on her coldly beautiful face.

"I still remember when we first met—sitting under that tree by the lawn, enjoying the breeze. That scene is unforgettable."

"Why... why did you only remember now...?"

"Eh? What did you say, Mu Cheng?"

Ye Feng blinked in confusion as tears shimmered in her eyes.

"I’m sorry, Teacher... I’m so sorry..."

For a fleeting moment, her gaze cleared, bright and intense—like the last cry of a summer cicada—before dimming again.

"Mu Cheng? Are you alr—"

Before he could finish, a wave of dizziness crashed over him.

"Huh? What’s... happening? My head... Mu Cheng, you—"

Clutching his temples, he bit his lip hard, drawing blood to stay conscious.

"The drug works fast, doesn’t it? Care to guess what you just drank, Teacher?"

Her tone was playful, a stark contrast to her usual composure.

"You... spiked the water?!"

"Full marks, Teacher~"

Li Mucheng reached out, caressing his cheek with intoxicated reverence.

"I’m your proudest student, after all. The herbs in that water? You taught me about them yourself."

"No... impossible!"

Ye Feng’s eyes widened in horror, fragments of past blackouts flashing through his mind. He felt struck by lightning. Never had he imagined this side of her.

"Why... why would you—"

"Because this is all your fault!"

Her voice cracked, her trembling body betraying her despair.

"I was the first one by your side! The first! So why... why won’t you accept my love? Why do you welcome those women who fawn over you? Only I truly love you, Teacher. Only me..."

"Mu Cheng... listen to me. Stop this. It’s not too late to turn back."

As the drug dragged him under, his vision blurred, his thoughts unraveling.

Why... how did it come to this...