The Melancholic Maple Leaf

"So no matter what difficulties you encounter, Teacher, you can always come to me. I'll spare no effort to help you."

Li Mucheng stood up from the couch as she spoke.

"Alright, it's getting late. You should head home now, Teacher. I'll be waiting here for you again tomorrow."

"Mm, thank you, Mucheng."

Ye Feng took a deep breath. The sincerity in Li Mucheng's words eased much of the tension he felt from the system's notifications. After bidding her farewell, he left the manor.

"Teacher..."

Watching Ye Feng's retreating figure, Li Mucheng murmured worriedly.

"Why does it feel like something's off about him? Did he recall something unpleasant? No! I must strengthen my resolve—I can't let Teacher down!"

......

"99%"

On his way home, Ye Feng opened the system panel again. His gaze fixed blankly on the 99% affection levels displayed for the three other girls, and a wave of anxiety washed over him.

Initially, his interactions with these girls had all been arranged by the system. Through what it called "kidnapping," he was forced to get close to them and steadily increase their affection. But what was the system's true purpose? Despite the term "kidnapping," his actions bore no resemblance to it. If anything, it felt more like... salvation?

The once icy Li Mucheng, the assassin Xie Yuyan, and the physically frail Shen Mengli—all had changed because of his companionship. But as the director had warned, these girls had grown attached to him because of his kindness, even resorting to extreme measures to keep him. None of this could be separated from the system's influence.

Suddenly, a terrifying scene flashed through Ye Feng's mind—the girls fighting ruthlessly to possess him, no matter the cost.

"No! This can't go on!"

Snapping back to reality, Ye Feng shuddered. He finally understood the consequences of his passivity. Now, he had no choice but to take protective measures. The last thing he wanted was to wake up one day locked in a dark room—that would be his worst nightmare.

Yet, upon reflection, apart from Li Mucheng and Xie Yuyan, who had acted aggressively, the other two girls had been gentle and obedient. Especially Shen Mengli, whose affection had always been tender, never showing the same extremes as the others.

Could he have misjudged? Maybe their behavior was just a matter of personality?

Ye Feng's thoughts tangled like a knotted ball of yarn, impossible to unravel. Then, a place surfaced in his mind—perhaps the only place where he could find peace.

......

"Ding-ling"

The chime sounded, and the gate swung open.

"Mr. Ye Feng?"

The director looked pleasantly surprised to see him at the door, but the exhaustion in his eyes immediately told her he had been through something.

"Are you here to see Mengli?"

"Yes, thank you for your trouble."

"Please, come in."

Ye Feng had returned to where Shen Mengli was. In his memories, every moment spent with her was serene. Though they hadn't known each other long, her captivating crimson eyes soothed his restless heart like a gentle lullaby.

Perhaps it was because Shen Mengli herself disliked noise, making their time together naturally peaceful. That was why he had come here.

"Mr. Feng~ When do you think Feng will visit me?"

Shen Mengli cradled a teddy bear in her arms, animating it with her hands.

Then, pouting, she adopted a playful voice for the bear.

"Miss Mengli, Feng has his own life now. If you bother him, you’ll only cause him trouble. It’s best to keep your distance."

"No... I can't!"

Shen Mengli immediately cut off the bear.

"I won’t leave Feng... I know he’s with that beautiful sister Yuyan now. And I know I shouldn’t interfere—that my condition only burdens him. Just like Sister Yuyan said..."

Her enthusiasm for the roleplay faded. She hugged the bear tightly, as if it were Ye Feng himself, letting her silvery hair veil her face.

"Hehe~"

Then, lifting her head with a soft giggle, she gazed at the fountain before her and whispered,

"Actually... just watching Feng from afar is enough for me. Being by his side is already a luxury. One shouldn’t be greedy, right~?"

"Me... Mengli..."

Just as she finished speaking, a familiar voice called from behind.

"......"

Seated in her wheelchair, Shen Mengli’s lips curled briefly before she composed herself.

"Really, what’s wrong with me lately? Not only am I dreaming about Feng, but now I’m hearing things too. By now, Feng must be at home, living happily with Sister Yuyan..."

"Mengli, it’s me... Ye Feng."

"Eh?!"

Shen Mengli stiffened, her entire body freezing in shock. Slowly, she turned her head—and there he was, standing behind her with a troubled expression.

"F-Feng?!!!"

Ye Feng took a seat beside her in the pavilion.

"Good afternoon, Mengli."

"Feng, you—you—"

Her cheeks flushed crimson, and she averted her eyes, too flustered to meet his gaze.

"Why are you here?"

"Not welcome?"

"N-no! Of course not... I just didn’t expect you today..."

When Ye Feng stayed silent, she pressed further.

"Did you... hear what I said earlier?"

"Most of it, yeah."

"From where?"

"Hmm... starting from 'Mr. Feng.'"

"That’s everything!!!!"

Shen Mengli covered her face in embarrassment, letting out a muffled whimper.

"Uuu... I can’t face anyone now!"

Watching her adorable reaction, Ye Feng couldn’t help but laugh along with her.

Maybe I was wrong. Maybe their personalities were just coincidental after all...