Angry Ye Feng

"Ah! Yuxin little sister is so adorable~ In that case, I'll accept your kindness on Ye Feng's behalf," Xie Yuyan suddenly intercepted the milk tea Su Yuxin was handing to Ye Feng, snatching it before he could take it.

"!!!"

Su Yuxin was about to flare up when Xie Yuyan's next words stifled her reaction.

"Ye Feng hasn't been feeling well lately and has quite a few dietary restrictions. So he can't drink things like milk tea, right, Ye Feng?"

Feeling Xie Yuyan's gaze shift toward him, Ye Feng, though confused by her actions, nodded along.

"Yeah, Yuxin, you—"

"It's Su Yuxin little sister! Ye Feng, your memory really isn't the best, is it?" Xie Yuyan immediately cut him off, emphasizing the words "Su Yuxin little sister" with extra weight.

"Ah... right, Su Yuxin little sister."

"......"

Hearing this grating address, Su Yuxin's previously curved eyebrows instantly furrowed.

"Xie Yuyan jie-jie, how Ye Feng ge-ge chooses to address me is his own right. You can't possibly control his thoughts and force him to do things he doesn't want to, can you?"

"Su Yuxin mei-mei, no need to get so worked up~" Xie Yuyan replied smoothly, swaying the milk tea in her hand leisurely as she spoke.

"The reason I said that is simply because, well, Ye Feng and I are together now. Certain things require a bit more attention to daily behavior. Otherwise, I might get very jealous. Isn't that right, darling?"

Before Ye Feng could respond, Xie Yuyan reached out and tightly clasped his hand, shooting Su Yuxin a look that screamed territorial claim. The air between them grew thick with tension, as if gunpowder had been lit.

"Yuyan, Yuxin, could you both listen to me for a second?"

"Ye Feng, don't speak."

"Ye Feng ge-ge, please don't interrupt."

They spoke almost in unison, leaving the already bewildered Ye Feng at a complete loss. He never expected what was supposed to be a simple thank-you visit to Su Yuxin would spiral into this mess.

"Su Yuxin mei-mei, do you even know what shame is? As the young lady of a prominent family, isn’t this kind of talk a bit inappropriate?"

"Oh, Xie Yuyan jie-jie, you’re certainly one to talk about shame. Trying to control Ye Feng ge-ge's thoughts and dictate his actions—that’s your idea of shame?"

"Tch—"

The moment their eyes met, it was as if an electric current crackled between them, tightening the already awkward atmosphere further.

Just as things were about to explode, a stern voice cut through the tension.

"Enough!"

Ye Feng’s sharp gaze swept over them, his commanding tone instantly subduing the hostility between the two. Both girls immediately softened, adopting meek expressions as if terrified of displeasing him.

"I’m sorry, Ye Feng, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have said those things here," Xie Yuyan said, her voice contrite. Having known Ye Feng the longest, she understood his temper better than anyone. He rarely got angry, but when he did, she knew better than to push further. She had no intention of testing his patience—better to play the docile lamb and nuzzle up to him.

Not to be outdone, Su Yuxin mimicked her, clinging to Ye Feng’s other arm and pouting up at him with teary, emerald-green eyes.

"Ye Feng ge-ge, I’m sorry, please don’t be mad! It’s all my fault. I promise I won’t act spoiled like this again."

"Tsk—"

Even as they each claimed one of Ye Feng’s arms, their silent battle continued—just shifted from open warfare to subtle skirmishes.

"......"

Ye Feng, who had been ready to lay down the law, was left speechless by their immediate surrender. It was like winding up for a knockout punch only to find his target had vanished, leaving him swinging at air.

Well, as long as they stopped fighting, that was enough.

Sighing, he gently pried their hands off and gave them both a scrutinizing look.

"I don’t want to see this kind of hostility between you. Yuyan, you know perfectly well that without Yuxin’s help, I wouldn’t have been rescued so quickly. The whole reason we came today was to thank her. And Yuxin, Yuyan might not be the best with words—some of what she said might’ve upset you, so let me apologize on her behalf."

"I-It’s fine, Ye Feng ge-ge! I can tell Xie Yuyan jie-jie is a really good person at heart."

"Exactly. Ye Feng’s right. Yuxin mei-mei is so cute—I’d love to treat her like a little sister."

They exchanged smiles, instantly transforming into the picture of harmony. Though the sudden shift was baffling, Ye Feng decided to take it at face value.

"Alright then, as long as you two get along."

Then, turning to the pouting Su Yuxin, he added, "Oh, Yuxin, about the tutoring—I’ll have to pause it for a while."

"Eh? Pause the lessons?!"

The words struck Su Yuxin like a blow to her weakest spot, her voice trembling.

"W-Why? Why pause them? Ye Feng ge-ge, do you not want to teach me anymore? Did something happen? Did I misunderstand something... The only time I get to see you is during lessons. Why are you taking even that away from me...?"

"Whoa, whoa! Yuxin, it’s not like that!"

Ye Feng quickly cut off her spiraling muttering. The way she was talking reminded him way too much of Xie Yuyan and Li Mucheng—was this what people called a "darkening" moment?

Meanwhile, Xie Yuyan stood with her arms crossed, silent. Though Ye Feng’s casual address of Su Yuxin irked her, she knew his earlier explanation had partly defended her. She couldn’t ruin her image over something so petty.

After all, building a reputation was easy—maintaining it was the hard part.

"Ye Feng ge-ge is just lying to me! You do dislike me, don’t you? That’s why you’re saying this!"

Tears welled in Su Yuxin’s large, jade-green eyes, the kind that would make anyone want to comfort the heartbroken girl.

"Absolutely not! At least let me finish, Yuxin."

Ye Feng stepped forward and gently patted her head. To him, Su Yuxin had always been like a delicate doll—someone he treated like a little sister.