There's No Trace of Me in Your Eyes

Shen Mengli kept nodding her head, yet her body unconsciously leaned into Ye Feng's embrace. No matter how much Ye Feng tried to step back, Shen Mengli refused to let go of her arms wrapped around him.

"Mengli... if you keep holding on like this, you'll end up falling to the ground."

Ye Feng spoke with slight embarrassment. He knew there were still a few days before they would part, but he hadn’t expected Shen Mengli to be so clingy.

"I... I understand."

Hearing the hint of reluctance in Ye Feng's tone, Shen Mengli finally obediently released her hands.

Noticing Shen Mengli’s timid demeanor—as if afraid he might get angry and leave on the spot—Ye Feng immediately began pushing her wheelchair through the garden for a stroll.

"Mengli, have you been doing well at the welfare center lately?"

"Mm, Mother Director and all the children there take good care of me. Ye Feng, you don’t need to worry about me. Look, I can even stand up and walk slowly now. That just proves I’m living well here."

"......"

Gazing at the back of Shen Mengli’s head, Ye Feng didn’t need to see her face to guess the truth. The way she tightly clutched her stuffed bear told him everything.

"Mengli, come back with me."

"......"

Shen Mengli froze at his words. She truly hadn’t expected Ye Feng to say something like this. Now that Xie Yuyan was living with him, her original plan had failed. She thought she would have to stay hidden at the welfare center, waiting for the right moment to reappear.

Yet Ye Feng had still said those words to her—just like before, when he promised never to abandon her.

"Xiao Feng..."

"Come back with me, okay? Even though my injuries aren’t fully healed yet, I’m capable of taking care of you now. Just say the word, and I’ll take you home right away."

"Home... huh..."

At the mention of "home," Shen Mengli’s eyes brightened momentarily before dimming again. She knew all too well that as long as Xie Yuyan remained by Ye Feng’s side, she wouldn’t be able to get any closer to him.

"It’s... it’s better not, Xiao Feng. I’d rather stay at the welfare center until I recover completely before coming to see you. I don’t want to become a burden to you."

"You can recover just as well at home. In fact, it’d be even safer there."

"The space at home is too small... I... I wouldn’t have anywhere to stay."

"That’s not a problem. The new place is already prepared. All you have to do is nod, and I’ll—"

"That’s enough, Xiao Feng... really, it’s enough..."

Shen Mengli’s voice broke as she cut him off, her pale fingers resting on her lap as she lowered her head, unable to meet his gaze.

"You’ve already done so much for me..."

"Mengli..."

Drip, drip.

A few crystal-clear teardrops fell onto the back of her hand. Realizing this, Shen Mengli quickly wiped them away and forced a smile. "Sorry... just some dust in my eyes..."

"......"

The sight struck Ye Feng’s heart like a hammer. He didn’t understand why Shen Mengli was so unwilling to return home with him. Was she worried about being a burden? Or was it because of Xie Yuyan’s presence?

But one thing was certain—no opinion or person could change his resolve.

He would take care of Shen Mengli!

That was his promise. Their promise.

"Let’s go!"

Just as Shen Mengli thought Ye Feng might sigh in resignation or walk away frustrated, she suddenly felt herself being lifted into the air. Before she could react, Ye Feng had already scooped her up and was striding toward the welfare center’s exit.

"X-Xiao Feng?!"

Panicked, Shen Mengli called out to him, but no matter how much she pleaded, Ye Feng didn’t respond. He kept moving forward without hesitation.

"No... no, Xiao Feng! Please, don’t do this!"

"I’m your legal guardian now, Mengli. You don’t have the right to refuse me."

"Xiao Feng, I’m begging you—put me down! I really don’t want to go back!"

"Don’t worry, Mengli. I’ll explain everything to Yuyan. I’m sure she’ll understand."

"Yuyan... you’re already that close, huh..."

There was no way Shen Mengli would willingly return home. First, Xie Yuyan’s watchful eyes would leave her with no freedom to act. Even the slightest move might alert that sharp woman. Second, Xie Yuyan was her enemy—walking into her territory would be like a lamb stepping into a tiger’s den.

But most importantly, she needed to stay away from Ye Feng. Only then could she reappear when he needed her most—like a drowning man grasping at a lifeline. That was how she would prove her worth.

"Ye Feng!"

Shen Mengli suddenly wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek. The gesture made Ye Feng stop in his tracks.

"Mengli, you—"

"I know about you and Xie Yuyan."

She stated it bluntly, her arms still clinging to him.

"But... what does that have to do with us going home?"

"My feelings for you... you must’ve realized them that day by the sea, right?"

"......"

"That’s why I don’t want to go back."

In the end, Shen Mengli chose to lay her heart bare. Right now, she needed to earn Ye Feng’s trust—by speaking nothing but the truth. Because trust was the key to securing him in the future.

"But... Mengli, you—"

"I won’t let my selfish desires put you in an awkward position or cause unnecessary conflict."

She withdrew her hands, interlacing her fingers tightly.

"I’ll just silently wish for you to find the life that’s truly yours. Back when we were together, I could tell you were lost, drifting forward without direction. But now... I see..."

I see that your eyes no longer hold my reflection...