Eradicate the root of the problem

"To change it... Yes, if there are any obstacles in my way, then I just need to overcome them, right?"

Xie Yuyan's lips curled slightly upon hearing this, clearly misinterpreting Ye Feng's words. She even began to believe that Ye Feng was encouraging her to actively confront and overcome these difficulties for the sake of a happy future.

"Yuyan, that’s the right mindset. If you keep avoiding problems, they’ll never be resolved. In fact, they’ll only leave behind more trouble. What we need to do is uproot them completely!"

"Mhm! I didn’t expect your perspective to align so closely with mine, Ye Feng. Since you put it that way, I feel much more at ease."

"Huh?"

Xie Yuyan’s response left Ye Feng momentarily baffled. All he’d done was offer her some motivational advice—how was that "aligned"? Why did it feel like they were having two entirely different conversations?

"Oh, it’s nothing, Ye Feng. I’ve figured things out now."

Xie Yuyan rose from the couch, took Ye Feng’s hand, and led him toward the bedroom.

"Thank you for your suggestion, Ye Feng. I finally understand what I need to do."

"Uh... Yuyan, maybe you should tell me what you’re planning? Something feels off here..."

As Ye Feng followed her into the bedroom, a sudden, leaden heaviness crashed over his head.

"Ugh..."

"What’s wrong, Ye Feng? Are you okay?"

Noticing the drug taking effect, Xie Yuyan turned to him with feigned concern.

"This... this feeling is..."

Ye Feng clutched his forehead with one hand, his body swaying unsteadily. The dizziness was all too familiar to someone like him, who’d weathered countless battles. He knew immediately—he’d been drugged.

"You must be exhausted, Ye Feng. Let me help you lie down. Once you wake up, everything will be better."

"Why... why?"

Ye Feng grabbed her arm, his eyes wide with disbelief.

"Hmm? What are you talking about, Ye Feng? I don’t understand."

"Why would you do this?!"

The fatigue gnawed at his body, and his grip on her wrist weakened.

"You’re just tired, Ye Feng. Rest now."

Xie Yuyan guided his limp body onto the bed, avoiding his gaze.

"No... Yuyan, don’t do this. Don’t do anything reckless. Can’t we just live peacefully?"

In his final moments of consciousness, Ye Feng desperately tried to reason with her, but Xie Yuyan was beyond persuasion. She stood up slowly.

"I’m sorry, Ye Feng. I’ve always been insecure. I can’t stand seeing other women near you—they’ll ruin our happiness. And didn’t you say we should overcome obstacles?"

"No... Xie Yuyan..."

A wave of overwhelming drowsiness pulled him under, and Ye Feng lost consciousness before he could stop her.

"I’m sorry, Ye Feng. You must hate me now, don’t you? But I have no choice. I can’t tolerate the way they look at you—filled with desire."

With one last glance at Ye Feng, Xie Yuyan stepped into the adjacent room, where the weapons she’d brought back earlier lay waiting.

......

"Mmm..."

Ye Feng’s eyelids fluttered as consciousness gradually returned. Despite the grogginess, he forced himself upright, clutching his throbbing head.

"Yuyan... Xie Yuyan!"

The moment he regained his senses, he called out her name, hoping for a response. But only silence answered.

This is bad! She must’ve done something reckless! I have to stop her!

From their earlier conversation, Ye Feng deduced Xie Yuyan had gone after one of the three other girls. His first task was figuring out where she’d gone.

"My phone! Right—my phone!"

He frantically patted his pockets, intending to call the others and check if they were safe.

Whether due to overconfidence or oversight, Xie Yuyan hadn’t taken his phone. Thanks to his contacts’ alphabetical order, the first call went to Li Mucheng.

"Ring."

The call connected almost instantly, and Li Mucheng’s voice came through.

"Hello? Professor, it’s late—is something wrong?"

"Mucheng, are you okay?!"

"Eh?"

Confusion laced her voice. The abrupt question left her at a loss.

"I... think so?"

"Listen, Mucheng, find somewhere safe to hide. If anything happens, contact me immediately, understand?"

"But Professor, what’s going on—"

"Promise me, Mucheng."

"Okay... I promise."

"Beep—beep—"

The call ended abruptly, leaving Li Mucheng bewildered. Still, she obeyed, rushing toward the manor’s emergency exit in her fluffy animal pajamas...

Meanwhile, Su Yuxin’s phone rang next.

"Hello? Brother Ye Feng, are we going to the amusement park?"

"No, Yuxin. You might be in danger. Are your parents home?"

"Dad’s working overnight, and Mom’s away on business. She won’t be back until tomorrow."

"There’s no time to explain. Go somewhere safe and call me if anything happens, okay?"

"O-okay..."

"Beep—beep—"

Relieved that Li Mucheng and Su Yuxin were unharmed, Ye Feng dialed Shen Mengli next. But her phone was off. The silence sent a chill down his spine, freezing him in place.

"No... it can’t be. Yuyan wouldn’t..."

As he muttered to himself, a message notification popped up—from the orphanage director. Hands trembling, Ye Feng opened it. It was a video, filmed in the hallway outside Shen Mengli’s room, featuring both Shen Mengli and Xie Yuyan.

His heart stopped. With unsteady fingers, he pressed play...