Li Mucheng's Answer

"What do you mean by this, Mucheng?" Ye Feng looked puzzled at Li Mucheng, who was bowing her head, waiting for his touch.

"Hehe, actually, this is just a way to distract you, Teacher. That way, you won’t focus on the pain from your wound."

Li Mucheng tilted her head up toward Ye Feng, pursed her lips, and spoke in an expectant tone.

"Please don’t hold back, Teacher! I’ll gratefully accept this gift~"

Hiss... Why does Mucheng’s phrasing sound a bit off?

Ye Feng frowned slightly. It seemed that if he didn’t pat her head, the bandage on his arm wouldn’t get wrapped properly. This girl was clearly waiting for him.

"Alright, alright, I’ll do it, okay?"

Ye Feng raised his hand and stroked Li Mucheng’s head as usual. Meanwhile, the girl, still bowing her head, wore a satisfied expression.

"Ehehe~ Teacher’s hand is so warm~"

Li Mucheng lifted her head, squinting her eyes as she savored Ye Feng’s touch. But then it struck her—Ye Feng’s wound still hadn’t been bandaged. If bacteria got in now, it’d be bad. So she quickly snapped out of her blissful daze.

"Teacher, wait a moment. I’ll bandage your wound right away."

"Oh?"

Ye Feng thought his head-patting technique had worked wonders. Maybe he should try this approach more often when asking for favors.

After Li Mucheng finished wrapping the bandage, she tied a neat little bow at the end and nodded in satisfaction. "All done!"

"Mucheng, it’s just a small wound. No need to get so worked up."

"Teaaacher!!"

Li Mucheng’s gentle demeanor instantly sharpened, her eyes turning fierce as an overwhelming aura enveloped the oblivious Ye Feng.

Realizing he might have misspoken, Ye Feng hastily stood up, making up an excuse to leave. "Ahem, Mucheng, since the bandage is done, I think I’ll take a short rest now..."

Just as he turned to go, Li Mucheng grabbed the hem of his shirt. Ye Feng awkwardly glanced back.

"Ah! Wh-what is it, Mucheng? Something else?"

"Are you trying to run away?"

"Run away? Ha! Of course not! A real man like me would never do something so cowardly. Besides, I’m not going anywhere—how is that running away?"

"Hmph! No matter what, you’re not allowed to leave!"

Li Mucheng stubbornly clung to Ye Feng’s arm, pressing herself against him. But Ye Feng didn’t react much. Though she was a rich young lady, in one particular aspect... she wasn’t quite as fortunate.

"Teacher, you’re such an idiot! When it comes to protecting me, you’re so careful, afraid I’ll get even a scratch. But when it’s about yourself, you’re so careless! Don’t you realize there are people besides you who worry about you too?"

"Mm..."

This time, Ye Feng didn’t argue back. He just stood there quietly, listening to Li Mucheng’s outburst.

"Don’t think acting all mature and composed makes you seem so dependable! Even you have moments of confusion, and I’ll be there for you when you need me!"

After Li Mucheng finished, the room fell into silence, broken only by her own rapid breathing.

"......"

Only then did Li Mucheng snap back to reality, realizing she had just spoken so disrespectfully to Ye Feng. As a student, how could she dare talk to her teacher like that? Worse, this wasn’t the time for emotional outbursts. Yet, whenever it came to Ye Feng, her rationality seemed to be swallowed by some unseen darkness.

No! I have to apologize right now. Hearing those words must have hurt him. If I don’t fix this, I might lose him again!

"I-I’m sorr—"

Before she could finish, Ye Feng gave her a reassuring smile.

"It’s alright, Mucheng. I’m touched."

"Eh?"

Li Mucheng’s mouth fell open. She never expected Ye Feng to say something like that. Confusion swirled in her heart—along with a tiny spark of excitement.

"Even though we’ve only spent a couple of days together recently, I can feel the trust and care you’ve had for me from the very beginning. It reminds me of our time in class. Looking back, everything I’ve done feels worth it. I don’t regret any of it."

Ye Feng’s cryptic words—talking about things being "worth it" one moment and "no regrets" the next—left Li Mucheng’s brain completely short-circuited. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t decipher his meaning. Maybe only Ye Feng truly understood.

"Time really flies, doesn’t it?"

Ye Feng smiled nostalgically—but the next second, Li Mucheng threw herself into his arms.

"Mucheng?"

"No regrets..."

"Huh? What are you mumbling? And you’re hugging me a bit too tightly..."

Ye Feng tried to pry Li Mucheng’s hands off his waist, but she kept burrowing into his chest, making it impossible to free himself with just one hand. Then, her voice grew louder.

"I don’t regret it either!"

"Don’t regret what?"

"I don’t regret the time I’ve spent with you, Teacher! And I don’t regret the choices I’ve made!"

Li Mucheng tilted her head up, flashing Ye Feng a sweet smile while nuzzling her cheek against his chest.

"I’ll protect you! I’ll protect you, Teacher! And all the days we’ll spend together from now on. So... will you walk forward with me, hand in hand?"

"Mucheng..."

Ye Feng was momentarily stunned by her sudden outpouring of words. But he quickly composed himself. The emotions swirling in Li Mucheng’s eyes were too complex to ignore. She had laid her heart bare without forcing an ultimatum—her ambiguous phrasing left room for retreat, silently assuring him she wouldn’t resort to extremes like before.

"I understand. Then I’ll protect you properly too, Mucheng."

Ye Feng resumed his familiar gesture, gently patting her head—his unspoken answer clear.

"I... I see."

A flicker of disappointment crossed Li Mucheng’s eyes, but she quickly masked it. As much as she hated the idea of "forcing" Ye Feng...

"Teacher, I won’t give up! I’ll keep trying until the day you accept me."

"......"

Mucheng’s stubbornness really hasn’t changed at all.

Ye Feng withdrew his hand from stroking Li Mucheng's hair, realizing she had rejected his first proposal. There was no point in continuing the affectionate gesture now.