A Painting Blended with Red and Blue

"Yu Yan? What are you doing here?"

Ye Feng looked at Xie Yuyan with confusion, who had suddenly appeared. Logically, she should have been at home right now. Moreover, how had she even found his location? Was this all just a coincidence?

"I came to visit Meng Li," Xie Yuyan replied casually, revealing the reason for her presence.

"Visit Meng Li?"

Ye Feng didn’t quite understand her words and turned to glance at Shen Mengli. However, from the stiffness in Shen Mengli’s expression, there was no trace of joy at Xie Yuyan’s arrival.

"Oh, Ye Feng, you’re not getting it."

Xie Yuyan lifted her long legs and stepped into the room, then walked straight to Ye Feng’s side and wrapped her arms around his. With her other hand, she waved lightly at Shen Mengli in greeting.

"Hello, Meng Li. I suppose this is our first time meeting in person. You really are as lovely as they say."

"......"

After a long silence, Shen Mengli finally spoke hesitantly.

"H-Hello, Sister Yu Yan..."

"Yu Yan, hold on. You still haven’t answered my question."

Feeling Xie Yuyan pressing herself against him, Ye Feng sensed the atmosphere around them shifting strangely. From what she had just said, it seemed this was her first time coming here.

"Alright, fine. The truth is, I came here mainly to visit Meng Li. I took the chance while you were giving Su Yuxin her lessons, but who knew I’d run into you here?"

"Visit Meng Li?"

"Exactly. Meng Li and I have only ever exchanged greetings over the phone before. Seeing is believing, and since you’ve told me before that Meng Li isn’t in the best health, I thought I’d come take care of her in your place."

Xie Yuyan’s words were filled with genuine concern for Shen Mengli, as if she truly saw her as a younger sister. Hearing this, Ye Feng didn’t detect anything amiss.

"So, Ye Feng, what were you two talking about just now? Meng Li doesn’t seem too happy about my arrival."

"Don’t overthink it. Meng Li will understand once we explain things properly."

Seeing that Xie Yuyan wasn’t hostile toward Shen Mengli, Ye Feng thought this might be a good opportunity to persuade Shen Mengli again. But before he could speak, Shen Mengli cut in first.

"N-No, I’m really happy Sister Yu Yan came to visit me... Thank you for your kindness... Last time..."

Shen Mengli suddenly shuddered, as if recalling something terrifying, and quickly corrected herself.

"Last time, Xiao Feng mentioned he wanted me to meet you someday. I never thought it’d be today. You and Xiao Feng really suit each other—both in looks and personality."

"......"

Xie Yuyan blinked in surprise, but seeing Shen Mengli’s nervous, rabbit-like demeanor, she couldn’t help but smile softly.

"Oh? It seems we share the same thoughts, Meng Li. What a lovely coincidence to meet someone like you."

With that, Xie Yuyan tugged lightly at Ye Feng, who was frowning slightly beside her.

"By the way, Ye Feng, didn’t you say you wanted to bring Meng Li home to take better care of her? I think that’s a great idea. I’d love to chat with her and share some happy moments together."

"Uh..."

Though that had been his original intention, Ye Feng hesitated at Xie Yuyan’s suggestion. Whether it was because of Shen Mengli’s earlier words or Xie Yuyan’s presence, he found himself wavering again.

"N-No need, Sister Yu Yan! I don’t want to intrude on your life with Xiao Feng. He already mentioned this to me, and I refused."

"Eh?! Why would you refuse, Meng Li? Didn’t you live with Ye Feng before? While I wasn’t around?"

Xie Yuyan tilted her head slightly, feigning surprise as she shot Shen Mengli a questioning look.

"I don’t want to be a burden because of my health..."

"Meng Li."

Ye Feng’s voice was barely audible as he murmured her name upon hearing the word "burden." In the past, when they had lived together, Shen Mengli often referred to herself as a weight dragging him down. But after he gave her the Marrow-Cleansing Pill, she stopped saying such things—because she believed she could one day become a normal person like him. It had resolved a deep-seated worry in her heart.

Yet now, she was saying it again. Logically, it made no sense.

Unless there was only one explanation—

These words weren’t meant for him. They were meant for Xie Yuyan.

But why would Meng Li say this to Xie Yuyan? And earlier, she had abruptly cut herself off after mentioning "last time," as if avoiding a sensitive topic. Was there some secret here that he didn’t know about?

Countless clues tangled together, flooding Ye Feng’s mind with too much information. He couldn’t shake the feeling that an invisible hand was guiding him down a path full of forks—each one leading to a dead end, as if shaping his fate.

Just as Xie Yuyan and Shen Mengli both turned their gazes toward him, Ye Feng spoke.

"It’s fine, Yu Yan. If Meng Li doesn’t want to, we shouldn’t force her."

The moment he said this, a flicker of light passed through both women’s eyes—though each concealed it well.

"Eh? But... Meng Li..."

"It’s alright, Sister Yu Yan."

Shen Mengli lowered her head, her hands clutching tightly at the hem of her white dress.

"I appreciate your kindness, but I have my own principles. I hope you can understand."

Hearing the stubbornness in her voice, Xie Yuyan narrowed her eyes slightly, as if scrutinizing something. Finding nothing unusual, she finally released Ye Feng and stepped closer to Shen Mengli, smiling gently as she stroked the girl’s silky white hair.

"Very well. If that’s how you feel, as your sister, I’ll support you unconditionally."

"Thank you, Sister Yu Yan..."

Shen Mengli forced a smile as their eyes met—

Blue and red intertwining like a beautiful painting...