Can You Pat My Head Again

"Wife, do you think I was wrong?"

Su Wanli cast a pleading look at Liu Yue, hoping to hear the answer he wanted from his wife.

"Not at all. In my eyes, you did nothing wrong, dear."

Liu Yue stood up and moved behind Su Wanli, gently massaging his shoulders as she spoke in a soothing tone.

"The reason I didn’t go upstairs to check on Yuxin was because I thought she should stay safely at home. Of course, my priority is our daughter. For her safety, I wouldn’t let her leave the house in such dangerous times either."

"But Yuxin, she..."

"Don’t worry. Yuxin is very understanding. Maybe once her emotions settle, she’ll realize how much you care for her."

"I hope so..."

......

"Right now, forget about going outside—I can barely even step out of my own room."

Back in her room, Su Yuxin held a phone to her ear, seemingly in conversation with someone.

"Oh?"

Xie Yuyan’s seductive voice drifted through the phone.

"You want to go see Ye Feng now?"

"Of course! It’s been two whole days since Brother Ye Feng has been with Li Mucheng! I know her personality all too well—she’s definitely up to something again! If I don’t stop her, she might..."

"No, you can’t go. At least not now."

Su Yuxin hadn’t expected Xie Yuyan to reject her idea and asked in confusion, "Aren’t you afraid Li Mucheng will do something extreme like before?"

"She won’t. Because she knows this is a rare opportunity for her. She won’t waste it."

"But that’s exactly why I should go! What if Li Mucheng sweet-talks Brother Ye Feng into falling for her tricks?"

Su Yuxin’s face flushed with urgency as she clenched her small fists.

"Going now would only disrupt our plans."

Xie Yuyan’s tone remained calm, as if Su Yuxin’s words couldn’t stir any emotion in her.

"Right now, Li Mucheng and Ye Feng are on high alert. If you casually drop by to visit him, they’ll only grow suspicious. By now, Ye Feng has probably already guessed my movements. All we need to do is lay low for a while."

"Hmph! Fine!"

Su Yuxin snorted, her face full of displeasure. She stomped over to her vanity, grabbed the strawberry plushie on the table, and hugged it tightly before burying herself in her bed.

Xie Yuyan knew all too well that a spoiled young lady like Su Yuxin had a stubborn personality. To keep her impulsive thoughts in check, she had to say what Su Yuxin wanted to hear.

"Don’t worry. Ye Feng will be ours sooner or later. And when that happens, the one suffering will be Li Mucheng."

......

"It’s alright, Mucheng. I can handle this myself."

"Teacher, don’t be stubborn! As your student, it’s my duty to ensure your safety!"

"Are you sure this is a student’s duty?"

"Ah, don’t focus on the details! I just want to help you, okay?"

With that, Li Mucheng snatched the ointment from Ye Feng’s hands and carefully picked up a pair of scissors to remove the bandages on his arm.

As the tightly wrapped gauze was peeled away layer by layer, the wound beneath was revealed. A gruesome gash came into view, and though it showed signs of slow healing, Li Mucheng’s heart ached as if a blade had pierced her own chest.

Her small hands trembled as she gently rested them near Ye Feng’s wound and asked in a soft, wavering voice, "Teacher... does it hurt?"

"It was painful at first, but with the medicine, it’s much better now."

Hearing the tremor in her voice, Ye Feng quickly smiled, trying to lighten the mood.

"Alright, Mucheng, don’t stare at such a scary wound. And the smell isn’t pleasant either. Just hand me the medicine—I’ll take care of it."

Just as Ye Feng reached out with his other hand to take the bottle, Li Mucheng unexpectedly pulled it back.

"I can do it!"

She clenched the bottle tightly and nodded at Ye Feng.

"I’m not scared of seeing your wound. I just... I feel terrible remembering what I did before. I thought I’d live the rest of my life drowning in regret, but you still gave me a chance to make things right."

Her voice was thick with tears as two streams rolled down her cheeks. Seeing this, Ye Feng knew he had to comfort her quickly—or else he’d be stuck consoling her for a long time.

"Come on, Mucheng, didn’t I already tell you it’s fine?"

He raised his other hand and gently patted her head. His touch seemed to be the best remedy for her sorrow, as her tears stopped almost instantly.

Remembering she still hadn’t applied the ointment, Li Mucheng ignored her own tears and carefully poured some onto her palm before slowly bringing it to Ye Feng’s wound. Meanwhile, Ye Feng wiped away the tear-streaks from her face, turning her into a little mess.

Feeling the cool sensation on his arm, Ye Feng knew she was applying the medicine, so he pulled his hand back slightly to give her a better view. The two of them leaned in close, creating a scene as warm and harmonious as a painting.

"T-Teacher... how does it feel?"

"How does it feel? Well... it doesn’t feel like much. But having your help makes me happy. Seeing how far you’ve come, Mucheng... I’m really proud."

"Ugh... I told you I’m not a kid anymore!"

Li Mucheng pouted playfully, though the blush on her cheeks was unmistakable.

"Teacher, let me wrap the new bandages for you now."

"Alright."

Just as Li Mucheng tore open a fresh roll of gauze, she suddenly lifted her gaze, staring intently at Ye Feng as if she had something to say.

"What’s wrong?"

Ye Feng immediately sensed her hesitation and asked directly. He thought she might still be weighed down by guilt and wanted to resolve it once and for all. But to his surprise, Li Mucheng suddenly blurted out,

"Teacher... c-can you pat my head again?"

"Eh?"