Polar Reversal

"After all I've said, you still don't believe me?"

"N-no! It's not that!"

Li Mucheng was terrified that Ye Feng might grow impatient with her, fearing she'd lose him again.

"It just feels... too surreal to me. Like an unattainable luxury."

"It's not as exaggerated as you make it sound."

Ye Feng then steered the conversation toward Li Mucheng herself—there were things he still wanted to clarify.

"Do you usually get medical checkups?"

"Ch-checkups? Not really... I never paid much attention to that."

"I see..."

Ye Feng nodded thoughtfully at her response.

"O-oh, right..."

Li Mucheng seemed to recall something, clenching her fists as she stammered.

"C-can I... still call you... teacher?"

"Mm."

"Ugh..."

Hearing his answer, Li Mucheng nearly burst into tears—except she'd cried so much before that now, even when overwhelmed, the tears wouldn't come.

Finally... finally, Teacher has forgiven me! I thought I'd spend the rest of my life drowning in regret and pain.

Her heart was a whirlwind of emotions. On one hand, she'd gotten back the very person she'd pushed away—joy and excitement mingled with sorrow and remorse.

On the other, she worried about how to interact with Ye Feng moving forward, desperate to avoid repeating past mistakes. Still, this was already a good start.

I still have a chance! This time, I won’t let my emotions control me. I won’t lose him again!

"T-teacher... thank you."

"No need for thanks, Mucheng. I haven’t done anything. As for lessons, they’ll have to wait until next week. There are... complications."

"I... understand."

Li Mucheng obediently didn’t pry into what those "complications" were, though curiosity gnawed at her. She knew better than to push her luck—Ye Feng giving her this chance was already a miracle. She wouldn’t ruin it with careless words.

"Then... promise me you’ll stay safe, okay? If—if anything dangerous happens, call me. I’ll talk to my father. No matter the cost, I’ll help you!"

"You really don’t have to, but I appreciate the sentiment. My life is fine as it is."

"Your life now..."

The moment he said it, images of Xie Yuyan and Ye Feng together flashed in Li Mucheng’s mind. Once, they’d filled her with rage and confusion. Now, they barely stung—she knew it was all her own fault.

"Teacher must be... really happy now."

"Yeah. I am."

"......"

The air between them, which had softened, suddenly turned heavy.

BANG!

The clinic door burst open. Ah Fu rushed in, panic written across his face.

"Ye Feng! Is the young mistress alright?!"

"I’m fine, Ah Fu. No need for dramatics."

Li Mucheng waved him off, and Ah Fu clamped his mouth shut, panting. He’d sprinted here the second he parked, fueled by Ye Feng’s earlier description—he’d have grown extra legs if he could.

"Since you’re here, Ah Fu, I’ll leave the rest to you. Mucheng’s fine—just needs proper rest to heal faster."

Ye Feng rose from his chair. He’d already wasted too much time; Xie Yuyan would be waiting.

"Understood. Young mistress—"

Ah Fu turned to Li Mucheng, but she cut him off.

"Teacher!"

"What is it? Something else?"

Ye Feng glanced back, curious. Her urgency suggested something important.

"I just... wanted to say thank you. For everything. Being your student... it made me so happy!"

"......"

Ye Feng gave a slight nod and walked out, leaving a bewildered Ah Fu and Li Mucheng—her lips curled into a faint smile.

Only when Ye Feng vanished from sight did Ah Fu whirl around, frantic.

"Young mistress, you scared me half to death! Why’d you come here without telling anyone? If something happened to you—"

"Enough, Ah Fu. It’s over. Now... I’m starting fresh."

Li Mucheng pushed aside the blanket and carefully stood, gripping the bedframe.

"I won’t disappoint Teacher again. Never..."

......

Ring ring!

Ring ring!

Ye Feng had just reached his apartment when his phone buzzed. The caller? Xie Yuyan, who’d been waiting far too long.

Guilt pricked him. He’d lost track of time because of Li Mucheng. He quickly answered.

"Hey—"

"Darling, it’s been hours. Did you get lost? Or... did you forget where home is?"

"No, Yuyan, I just got back. Earlier, I—"

"Oh? Back at the apartment but still wandering? That eager to avoid me?"

"Let me explain. The reason I’m late is—"

"Because you were busy getting cozy with Li Mucheng? Even hugging her, hmm?"

The voice didn’t just come from the phone—it echoed behind him.

Ye Feng spun around. Xie Yuyan stood barely a few steps away, phone in hand.

"What’s wrong? You look shocked. Did I interrupt your little reunion?"

"You followed me?"

Ye Feng stared, baffled.

"Oh? Is that a problem? My apologies for inconveniencing you."

"Why? Why would you do this? Trust is the foundation of our relationship!"

"Trust?"

Xie Yuyan smirked, as if he’d told a joke.

"Does your idea of trust involve sneaking off with other women?"