Temporarily Safe

After the private doctors left, Li Mucheng picked up the medical report once more and scrutinized it carefully. Only after confirming everything was in order did she finally let go of the anxiety that had been weighing on her.

"Phew..."

She exhaled deeply, handing the report to Ah Fu beside her before turning toward the medical ward where Ye Feng was resting. As she walked, she spoke to Ah Fu, who followed closely behind.

"Any updates on that woman?"

"According to the latest intel from the field, there’s still no trace of the target. The only signs left at Ye Feng’s residence were from much earlier."

"Keep looking. Shu City is vast—I refuse to believe we can’t find a single person! Also, increase security around the estate. That woman is anything but ordinary."

"Understood! I’ll relay the orders immediately."

Ah Fu nodded and promptly strode down the hallway.

Click.

The sound of the ward door opening made Ye Feng jerk his head up, as if triggered by some instinctive reflex. Only when he saw it was Li Mucheng did he relax back onto the bed.

"Teacher."

The moment she saw him, Li Mucheng called out to him in a sweet voice.

"Mn. Mucheng, have you finished handling your matters?"

Ye Feng turned his head slightly to look at her as she approached, his voice soft. After speaking, his gaze drifted to his heavily bandaged arm, wrapped like a dumpling, then to the beeping machines surrounding him. Anyone who didn’t know better would think he’d been admitted to intensive care!

"By the way, Mucheng, it’s just a minor injury. Was all this really necessary?"

"Teacher, it’s precisely because you’re always so careless that people take advantage of you!"

Li Mucheng pouted, sitting on the stool beside his bed. Gently, she traced her fingers over the bandages on his arm.

"Whether it’s a minor or major injury, you should take it seriously—especially when the attacker is such a ruthless villain!"

After her indignant outburst, she suddenly seemed to remember something. Under Ye Feng’s watchful gaze, she leaned forward, resting her head on the edge of his bed.

"Mucheng?"

Seeing her like this, Ye Feng assumed she was exhausted. Using his uninjured arm for support, he pushed himself up slightly.

"Hm? Teacher, what are you—?"

Li Mucheng lifted her head in confusion, blinking tiredly. She looked utterly drained.

"You must be exhausted, Mucheng. Why don’t you go back and rest? I’ll be fine here alone."

"No! I won’t abandon you like this!"

"That’s not what I meant. You misunderstood."

Her vehement reaction made Ye Feng drop the idea of sending her away.

"But Mucheng, you can barely keep your eyes open. If you push yourself like this, your health will suffer."

"Don’t worry about me, Teacher. I’m not sleepy at all! I just need a moment to rest after the long car ride."

"Alright… but promise me you’ll go rest properly if you start feeling drowsy, okay?"

"Of course, Teacher. I know my limits."

With that, Li Mucheng straightened up from the stool. After checking that the surrounding machines were functioning normally, she settled onto the edge of Ye Feng’s bed.

"Teacher, if these machines are bothering you, we can turn them off. All your vitals are stable, and lying in a hospital bed isn’t as comfortable as a proper room."

"Well…"

Ye Feng considered her suggestion before nodding. Staying in the ward indefinitely wasn’t ideal, and having a private room would aid his recovery—not to mention giving Li Mucheng a proper place to rest.

"Fine. But before that, can I ask you for a favor?"

"Of course! No matter how many favors, as long as it’s for you, Teacher."

"Ahem… Earlier, I called both you and Yu Xin to warn you to stay safe. I was afraid Xie Yuyan might resort to extreme measures. Now that you’re unharmed, I’m worried about Yu Xin’s situation. Could you check in on her for me? And… could you also look into whether anything’s happened at Hope Orphanage?"

As he spoke, an image of Shen Mengli flashed through his mind. Of the three, she was the one he feared for the most.

For one, her frail condition made it nearly impossible for her to care for herself. Secondly, Xie Yuyan had targeted her first. Though Ye Feng hadn’t seen any blood on Xie Yuyan when she scaled the orphanage wall, he couldn’t shake his concern for Shen Mengli’s safety.

"Oh… I see. Alright, I understand."

A trace of disappointment flickered in Li Mucheng’s heart at his words. She didn’t like hearing other women’s names from Ye Feng’s lips. But then, as if struck by a thought, she asked hesitantly:

"Teacher… can I ask who you called first?"

"Of course it was you. Why? Because you—"

"I get it now, Teacher~"

The gloom on Li Mucheng’s face instantly vanished, replaced by a bright smile as she cut him off.

I was first… See? Staying by Teacher’s side really does make him care more about me! If only I’d realized sooner…

"Mucheng? Are you alright?"

"Mn! I’m fine, Teacher. I’ll call Yu Xin right away!"

"Thank you."

As Li Mucheng pulled out her phone to dial Su Yuxin, Ye Feng fell silent, holding his breath as he waited for a response.

Beep… Beep…

The monotonous dial tone filled the air, and both their expressions grew tense. Just as the call was about to time out, Su Yuxin finally picked up.

"Hello?"

Her voice came through clearly, sounding completely unruffled.

"Mm…"

Li Mucheng glanced at Ye Feng’s expectant nod before speaking.

"Are you okay?"

"Li Mucheng, what’s your point? If you have something to say, just say it."

"I didn’t mean anything by it. I just wanted to make sure you’re safe. You’ve already gotten Teacher’s call, right?"

"Obviously. Is there a problem?"

"Tch."

Su Yuxin’s grating tone made Li Mucheng click her tongue in irritation. She was tempted to hang up immediately—every word exchanged with Su Yuxin made her skin crawl.