What Have I Done...

"Gulp"

"Whimper"

......

When Xie Yuyan opened her eyes and saw Ye Feng fast asleep, she couldn't help but sniffle.

"He’s finally asleep. If I hadn’t done this today, Ye Feng might have found out about certain things. It’s better if he doesn’t know."

After murmuring to herself, Xie Yuyan slowly sat up from the bed. She carefully tucked Ye Feng in before quietly slipping off the mattress.

"Honestly, I just wanted to hold him and sleep until morning. But because of those shameless vixens interfering with our happiness, they even dared to cross the line right in front of me! If I don’t teach them a lesson, they’ll only grow bolder!"

As she spoke, Xie Yuyan untied the hairband holding her bun, letting her dark locks cascade down and frame her face.

"Really, there were better ways to make Xiao Feng fall asleep. If it weren’t for my injury not fully healing, I wouldn’t have had to waste it like this..."

"Wait, no—it’s not a waste. It’s more like... reasonable recycling. Thinking about it that way, it’s actually quite logical."

With that, she tiptoed away from the warm, cozy bed, pausing only to cast one last reluctant glance at Ye Feng before leaving the bedroom.

The moment Ye Feng disappeared from her sight, the faint smile on Xie Yuyan’s lips vanished. Her gentle gaze sharpened into something icy, as if she had reverted to the ruthless assassin once known by the codename "Cold Serpent."

"Li Mucheng, it’s time to settle the score between us. I’ve never even treated Ye Feng like that, yet you... No, no—what you did to him is unforgivable. Don’t think this will end simply... I’ll make you pay."

Before long, Xie Yuyan arrived at a storage cabinet in the living room. Retrieving her concealed combat gear and dagger, she melted into the shadows.

Soon after, a slender black figure reappeared by the dining table, immediately grabbing a glass of water and downing it in one go.

"Cough... That’s better..."

......

"Outrageous! Absolutely outrageous!"

Li Jing glared furiously at Ah Fu and the group of bodyguards standing before him with bowed heads, venting his anger.

Upon learning what his daughter had done to Ye Feng, even the usually composed Li Jing couldn’t contain his fury. Though his words were directed at Ah Fu and the guards, the real target of his reprimand was Li Mucheng, who sat silently on the sofa, her head lowered in uncharacteristic quiet.

"Is this how you protect the young mistress? Aiding and abetting such reckless behavior! You’ve disgraced us all! How do you expect others to see us after this? Is this how humans should act?"

Ah Fu knew Li Jing’s tirade was meant for Li Mucheng’s ears—they were merely scapegoats, a way for him to indirectly lecture her about the gravity of her actions.

"My apologies, Master. This is my fault! I failed to recognize the problem in time. If punishment is necessary, punish me!"

"What good will punishing you do? The damage is already done—do you think it can be undone?"

Li Jing slammed his desk, his gaze flickering toward Li Mucheng. But her vacant expression told him she wasn’t listening.

"Sigh."

He exhaled heavily, his heart aching for his daughter. Despite his love for her, he had no idea how to correct her behavior. Ironically, Ye Feng—her tutor and bodyguard—had done a far better job than he ever had. Yet... he still couldn’t comprehend why she had resorted to such extremes.

"Master, the responsibility lies with me! If I hadn’t been negligent—"

"Enough!"

Li Jing cut Ah Fu off with a wave of his hand.

"Leave us."

"...Yes."

Seeing his master’s resolve, Ah Fu had no choice but to withdraw, leaving only Li Jing and Li Mucheng in the office.

Tap. Tap.

Li Jing circled his desk and sat across from Li Mucheng on the sofa. After a long pause, he finally spoke, his voice strained.

"Mucheng... why?"

"Why what?"

She lifted her eyes to meet his, her gaze swirling with unreadable emotions.

"Why would you do this? Don’t you realize how vile this situation is?"

A flicker of anger surfaced in Li Jing’s voice, but Li Mucheng’s indifference only deepened his frustration.

"......"

"Sigh. Mucheng, I’ve known about your feelings for Ye Feng for a long time. I never interfered because I wanted you to find your own happiness. But this... this is beyond unacceptable."

At the mention of Ye Feng, Li Mucheng finally reacted.

"I... I didn’t want it to be like this. But Teacher... he was hiding things from me, spending time with other women behind my back. It hurt... so much. Before I knew it, things spiraled out of control. It was like another voice in my head kept saying that if I didn’t act, someone else would take him away from me..."

"And that justifies such an inhumane act?"

"......"

"Mucheng, did you ever stop to consider Ye Feng’s feelings? Love isn’t about forcing your will onto someone else. It’s about mutual understanding, growth, and harmony—just like the bond you and Ye Feng once shared when he first became your tutor."

"Teacher..."

Li Mucheng whispered his name, her eyes locking onto Li Jing’s.

"Father... if I apologize to Teacher now, sincerely... do you think he’ll forgive me?"

"No."

Li Jing answered without hesitation.

"Ye Feng cared deeply for you. He worked tirelessly to pull you out of that cold, distant shell you used to hide in. And how did you repay him? When you threw tantrums, he indulged you. When you were in danger, he risked his life to protect you. When you felt alone, he stayed by your side. That was his trust, his affection for you. But Mucheng... what did you do to him? You know better than anyone."

"I... what did I do...?"

Her pupils constricted as Li Jing’s words dredged up every memory of her time with Ye Feng. In an instant, tears streamed down her face.

"WHAT HAVE I DONE?!"