Goodbye, Little Feng

After Ye Feng sat down by Shen Mengli's bedside, Shen Mengli threw her soft, delicate body into his arms like a kitten drawn to catnip.

"Xiao Feng..."

"Ahem... Mengli, can you tell me now? Please explain everything from the beginning."

"Alright. Actually, Xie Yuyan, she—"

Just as Shen Mengli was about to speak, a sudden, urgent knock came from outside the door, followed immediately by Xie Yuyan's voice.

"Mengli? Mengli, are you there?"

"Xie Yuyan?"

Hearing Xie Yuyan's voice, Ye Feng instantly sensed something was off. Though Xie Yuyan had called Shen Mengli's name, her tone was rushed, as if she were trying to confirm something.

And why now, of all times? This was the second time she had shown up just as he visited the welfare home. Could it really be a coincidence?

"X-Xiao Feng..."

Shen Mengli hurriedly pulled herself out of Ye Feng's embrace and, before he could speak, leaned close to his ear and whispered.

"Xiao Feng, please don’t tell Sister Yuyan about what happened today, okay? I’m begging you!"

"But—"

"There’ll be time later. Let’s sort everything out together first, and then we can discuss it, alright?"

"O... okay..."

"Good. Until then, I’ll be waiting here for you. Goodbye for now, Xiao Feng."

"Huh?"

The sudden farewell left Ye Feng unsettled, though he couldn’t quite pinpoint why. Before he could figure it out, it was already too late—Xie Yuyan outside the door had grown impatient.

"Mengli, why aren’t you answering me? Did something happen? I’m coming in!"

Click.

Before Xie Yuyan could push the door open, Ye Feng stepped out from inside.

"Meng— Huh? Ye Feng?"

Xie Yuyan didn’t seem overly surprised to see Ye Feng standing there. However, a shadow flickered in her pale blue eyes as she tilted her head curiously and asked,

"Ye Feng, what are you doing here? Didn’t you say you were tutoring Li Mucheng?"

"......"

Ye Feng glanced back at Shen Mengli, who remained silent, then turned to Xie Yuyan, whose expression was one of feigned confusion. He replied calmly,

"Class ended a while ago. I just came to check on Mengli and see how she’s doing. By the way, why are you here?"

Noticing the faint wariness in Ye Feng’s gaze, Xie Yuyan realized Shen Mengli must have told him something. Forcing a smile, she stepped into the room.

"Didn’t you say before that I should find things I enjoy? Well, Mengli and I hit it off, so I thought I’d take some time to bond with her."

"I see..."

Ye Feng nodded thoughtfully, but Shen Mengli’s words had already planted a seed of suspicion in his mind. He needed to verify the truth himself.

"Yuyan, let’s head back for today. I talked to Mengli about leaving the welfare home, but she still hasn’t agreed."

"Alright. Don’t be too upset, Ye Feng. She’ll understand your good intentions someday."

"Yeah..."

Ye Feng responded quietly before turning to wave at Shen Mengli.

"Mengli, I’m leaving with Yuyan now. If you change your mind, just call me, okay?"

Shen Mengli didn’t answer. Instead, she lowered her gaze and made the teddy bear in her arms wave goodbye.

After Xie Yuyan walked out arm-in-arm with Ye Feng, faint footsteps echoed in the hallway. Soon after, the headmistress entered the room.

"Mengli? Are you alright?"

"Headmistress."

Hearing Shen Mengli’s normal voice, the headmistress relaxed slightly. Sitting by the bed, she whispered,

"Ye Feng and that woman have left. If you don’t like her, I can just refuse her entry next time."

"It’s fine, Headmistress. I have my own reasons."

As she spoke, Shen Mengli stood up from the bed and took a few steps around the room.

"How is it? Can you walk without any trouble?"

The headmistress didn’t seem surprised by Shen Mengli’s sudden ability to walk smoothly, as if she had known all along.

"Much better. I just can’t walk for too long yet."

A strange glint flashed in Shen Mengli’s crimson eyes before she turned to the headmistress.

"Headmistress, I’ll need your help from now on..."

"I understand. But Mengli, you must be careful out there on your own, alright?"

"Don’t worry, Headmistress. I’ll take care of myself."

With that, Shen Mengli pulled out her phone and handed it to the headmistress.

"Goodbye, Headmistress. Thank you for everything."

The headmistress’s eyes grew misty as she waved. "Go on, child. Go find your own happiness. This is as far as I can take you. Leave now, before anyone notices."

......

"......"

On the way home, Ye Feng couldn’t stop thinking about Shen Mengli’s farewell. He didn’t understand why she had said goodbye like that. Even if Xie Yuyan had done something behind his back, was it really so terrifying that she couldn’t just tell him outright?

Then again, he shouldn’t jump to conclusions. Xie Yuyan had always been gentle and kind in front of him—nothing like the frightening figure Shen Mengli seemed to see. Besides, he and Xie Yuyan were in a relationship now. Shouldn’t he be focusing more on her?

"Ye Feng, what’s wrong? You’ve been distracted the whole way back. Did something happen?"

Xie Yuyan bent down slightly, blinking her beautiful eyes at him with concern.

"I’m fine, Yuyan. It’s just... Mengli told me some things, and now my mind’s a mess."

"Oh? Can I ask what she told you?"

Xie Yuyan clenched her teeth but maintained her gentle demeanor, even soothingly rubbing Ye Feng’s back to calm him.

"Mengli said..."