Teacher, please have some water. 02

"Ye Feng, since Meng Li has said it like this, we should be even more understanding of her. Though I don’t know why Meng Li made such a choice, perhaps she’ll come to realize it in the future."

Xie Yuyan stood up and walked over to Ye Feng, taking his hand as she glanced at Shen Mengli, who sat motionless in her wheelchair.

"Meng Li, Ye Feng and I kept going on like this because we’re worried about you. I hope you won’t get annoyed with us for being so nagging."

"Of course not, Sister Yuyan. In my heart, I’ve always felt your care and Ye Feng’s concern for me. I don’t want my stubbornness to hurt you either. As for going home... let’s talk about it later."

"Mm."

Xie Yuyan’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction at Shen Mengli’s response. In her judgment, Shen Mengli had already fallen into a state of self-doubt. The fact that Meng Li had once again called herself a burden in front of Ye Feng showed that her initial resolve had weakened. Xie Yuyan even felt that Shen Mengli was the easiest of the three to handle.

But that was only natural. With Shen Mengli’s physical condition, it was impossible for her to maintain such strong convictions. Fortunately, she wasn’t a difficult opponent—otherwise, given how much Ye Feng seemed to like her appearance, as if drawn to her by some inexplicable attraction, things might have been more complicated.

"Ye Feng, it’s getting late. Let’s not tire Meng Li out any further, alright? We’ve talked for so long—she should get some rest now."

"You’re right, Yuyan, but..."

"Don’t worry, Ye Feng. For some reason, I felt an instant connection with Meng Li when we met today. If I have time, I’ll come visit her again. You can rest easy."

"I see..."

Ye Feng took a deep breath, steadying his flustered emotions. Though his mind was still clouded with unanswered questions, panicking wouldn’t help. For now, he needed to go home and carefully piece together the events of the day. There had to be some hidden truth behind all this.

"Well, Meng Li, I should head back. If anything comes up, just tell the director to contact me like before, or..."

"I know, Ye Feng. Don’t worry about me—I can take care of myself."

Shen Mengli gently cut him off, her tone as soft as always.

"Sister Yuyan, thank you so much for taking care of Ye Feng all this time. I’m truly grateful."

"It’s the least I could do. Goodbye for now, Meng Li~"

Xie Yuyan linked arms with Ye Feng and walked out of the room. Shen Mengli, still in her wheelchair, waved until their figures disappeared before turning toward the bed.

Only when her small hand touched the phone hidden beneath her pillow did Shen Mengli finally relax. From Ye Feng’s reactions today, she knew he had already begun suspecting her recent unusual behavior—exactly what she wanted, a catalyst for her plans.

Luckily, Xie Yuyan had been too preoccupied with Ye Feng to notice Shen Mengli’s true intentions. Even now, she probably still believed Meng Li was merely showing weakness.

......

"Yuyan, don’t you think something’s off?"

As they walked home, Ye Feng glanced at Xie Yuyan, who was absentmindedly clinging to his arm.

"......"

"Yuyan?"

"Ah!"

Only when Ye Feng called her name a second time did Xie Yuyan snap out of her thoughts, turning to him with a questioning look.

"What is it, Ye Feng?"

"What were you thinking about just now? You seemed so lost in thought."

"It’s... it’s nothing. I was just wondering why Shen Mengli refuses to come back. Is it because of me?"

"N-no! Don’t think like that, Yuyan. Meng Li must have her own reasons. Maybe one day she’ll change her mind?"

Of course, Ye Feng wouldn’t tell Xie Yuyan the reason Shen Mengli had given. In this matter, neither of them was truly at fault.

"Mm... thank you, Ye Feng. After meeting Meng Li today, I somehow feel like we really clicked. It’s all because of you that our once-gloomy lives have become so much brighter. To us, you’re like our savior."

"I’m nowhere near as amazing as you make me out to be. It was all just coincidence."

Ye Feng seemed reluctant to continue the topic and quickly shifted the conversation.

"Yuyan, let’s eat out tonight. We can even take a stroll around afterward."

Seeing that Ye Feng didn’t want to dwell on it, Xie Yuyan didn’t press further. She couldn’t fathom what secrets he was still keeping from her, even now.

"Sure! Then I’m going to make you treat me to something fancy~"

"No problem!"

Ye Feng dropped his earlier question, but deep down, he couldn’t shake the feeling that both Shen Mengli and Xie Yuyan were hiding something from him.

......

"Huh? We’re changing locations?"

It was the weekend, time for Ye Feng’s tutoring session with Li Mucheng. When he arrived at her apartment, Ah Fu was already waiting outside with the car.

"Yes. The young mistress is in the car. Starting today, lessons will resume at the estate."

"The estate? But it hasn’t been that long—has it already been repaired?"

"Technically, it should’ve taken more time, but the young mistress used a certain... ability."

"What ability?"

"The power of money."

"......"

Click.

The car door opened, and Li Mucheng stepped out from the back seat.

Her eyes, once swollen from crying, were now clear. Today, she wore an elegant black dress—upon closer inspection, the exact same one she had worn when they first met. She looked just as ethereal and refined as ever, untouched by worldly concerns.

"Teacher."

Li Mucheng smiled faintly at Ye Feng and gave a small wave.

"Good morning, Mucheng."

Ye Feng returned the greeting.

"Please, get in. We can talk more in the car."

"Alright..."

For some reason, the sight of the car brought back unpleasant memories, and Ye Feng hesitated before finally climbing in.

Vroom.

As the engine roared to life, Ye Feng’s heart pounded—until a glass of water suddenly appeared before him.

"Teacher, here’s some water."