The Undercurrent Beneath the Ship's Hull

Shen Mengli could still vividly remember the illusionary dream she had the night before.

Ye Feng, who seemed to be living a peaceful life, had finally discovered the undercurrents beneath the surface. Disappointed and frightened, he chose to flee in panic to avoid being imprisoned once more by the women who harbored selfish desires for him. But just when he thought everything was safe, it was already too late. In the end, under the relentless pursuit of an inescapable net, he fell into a rushing river, battered and wounded. The scene shifted as the currents carried him to this shallow shore.

"It should happen within the next few days... It seems the trigger for this outcome was the video Xiao Feng saw."

At this point, Shen Mengli pulled out her phone from her pocket, checked that she hadn’t received any messages, and then turned it off.

"Well... All that's left is to wait and see how things unfold..."

......

"Hehe~"

Xie Yuyan narrowed her eyes slightly, wearing an expression of pure contentment as she gazed at the simmering pot of pork rib soup. The glow on her cheeks suggested she had recently experienced something... invigorating.

"Haa..."

At the same time, Ye Feng stepped out of the bathroom. After letting out a long exhale, he slowly walked up behind Xie Yuyan, wrapped his arms around her, and gently rested his head on her shoulder.

Xie Yuyan, as if she had anticipated his arrival, wasn’t startled by his embrace. Instead, she kept her attention on the pot, speaking in an exceptionally tender voice: "Doesn’t a hot bath ease the fatigue in your body and mind? Just rest well today, Ye Feng. I’ll take care of everything else."

"It’s fine. Just holding you like this already clears my head."

Breathing in Xie Yuyan’s fragrance, Ye Feng closed his eyes and quietly leaned against her back. Xie Yuyan lifted a hand and placed it over his.

"I’ve never seen you this clingy before, Ye Feng. Who knew you had such an adorable side?"

"Ahem! Yuyan, your choice of words is a bit off! How can you describe me as 'adorable'?"

"Tehe, just speaking my mind~ Don’t take it so seriously, Ye Feng."

As she spoke, a peculiar glint flashed in Xie Yuyan’s beautiful eyes. She tilted her head and planted a kiss on Ye Feng’s cheek.

"Yuyan?"

"Could you help me set the table, Ye Feng? Dinner will be ready in just a little while."

"Mm, leave it to me."

Not wanting Xie Yuyan to overexert herself, Ye Feng immediately turned to arrange the tableware, giving her a moment to step away.

"Ye Feng..."

Xie Yuyan murmured his name, her eyes brimming with deep remorse in that instant. Then, she reached into her apron pocket and, after a brief moment, pulled out a small packet of powdered substance.

"I’m sorry, Ye Feng... Please forgive my rudeness. I just... want to make sure our life together is more secure..."

As the powder dissolved into the steaming pork rib soup, Xie Yuyan swiftly took out a pill and swallowed it herself.

......

"So, Ye Feng, how does the soup smell?"

Once everything was ready, Xie Yuyan first ladled a bowl of soup and placed it beside Ye Feng.

"With your cooking, could it ever taste bad? Just the aroma alone makes my mouth water!"

"Hah, seems you’ve got a silver tongue after all. I thought you’d just be like a block of wood, only saying 'it’s good.'"

Ye Feng clicked his tongue in mock exasperation. "Yuyan, can’t you think a little better of me? Do I really seem that awkward?"

"Who knows? That’s why you need nutritious meals to keep your body healthy. Now, hurry up and taste the soup. I spent a long time on this."

"Then I definitely can’t let your efforts go to waste!"

Savoring the rich scent, Ye Feng lifted the bowl, blew on the steaming broth, and took a small sip.

"Well?"

Xie Yuyan leaned in eagerly, clearly waiting for his feedback.

"Hmm..."

Ye Feng pondered for a moment, took another sip, then set the bowl down and gave her a thumbs-up.

"Perfect! The sweetness of the corn, the tender fall-off-the-bone ribs—it’s like a tidal wave crashing over my taste buds. I feel like I could down three bowls of rice with this!"

"It’s not that exaggerated~"

Xie Yuyan covered her mouth with a giggle, happily accepting his praise.

"Yuyan, don’t just stand there. You’re the chef—you should enjoy your masterpiece too. There’s a whole pot to share."

"Alright, alright~"

Xie Yuyan served herself a bowl and began sipping it in front of Ye Feng.

"Mmm, it really is rich and flavorful. My whole body feels warm after drinking it."

"That’s all thanks to your amazing cooking. Meeting someone as wonderful as you is truly my good fortune."

"That’s my line..."

"Huh? What did you say? Sorry, your voice was too soft."

"Ah! Nothing."

Xie Yuyan shook her head quickly.

"I said it’s the least I can do. Let’s eat before everything gets cold."

"Sure."

After dinner, the two nestled together on the sofa, too exhausted from their earlier conversations to speak.

"Ye Feng."

Suddenly, Xie Yuyan spoke up, resting her head on his shoulder as she gazed at the night sky outside the balcony.

"Yeah?"

"Do you think... we’ll be together forever?"

"Of course? Why are you suddenly saying things like this? Don’t dwell on unnecessary worries, okay? Overthinking will only poison your peace of mind."

"But... what if..."

"No 'what ifs.' Yuyan, remember—what matters is what’s real. Hypothetical fears don’t reflect reality. Isn’t it better to live in the moment and experience things firsthand?"

"But if we don’t consider the possibilities, what if reality turns into a nightmare or disaster?"

"Then we’ll change it! We’ll keep changing it until everything is right!"

Ye Feng’s tone grew firm, his words resolute.