Be Honest with Each Other

"Hehe~"

After everything was over, the two of them sat on the sofa. Ye Feng absentmindedly watched the news on TV, while Li Mucheng beside him propped her chin in her hands, gazing intently at him.

Ye Feng rolled his eyes at Li Mucheng in exasperation. From their earlier conversation, he already knew that Li Mucheng would never remain just his student forever—her feelings for him wouldn’t change. Her persistent gaze was fixed on him, unwavering.

The only difference was that Li Mucheng had shed her former arrogance and haughtiness, replacing it with gentleness and grace.

"You’ve changed a lot too, Teacher."

Li Mucheng suddenly spoke up, still staring at him. The remark caught Ye Feng off guard, and he quickly asked, "Oh? Then tell me, Mucheng, what exactly has changed about me?"

Li Mucheng scooted closer to Ye Feng, and under his watchful eyes, she reached out and took his hand, placing it in her own palm. A happy smile spread across her face.

"You’re not as lost as before. Your eyes seem much more determined now."

"Eh? Really?"

Listening to Li Mucheng’s words, Ye Feng couldn’t help but reflect on his recent state. Ever since realizing that the girls around him harbored an obsessive possessiveness toward him, the gentle indulgence he once used to compensate them had faded. In the past, he would agree to almost any request and went out of his way to care for them—until the first dark seed sprouted...

"Yes."

Li Mucheng cupped Ye Feng’s hand and gently pressed it against her cheek, smiling at him.

"At first, Teacher, you were so gentle with me—with all of us. But after everything that happened, your attitude changed. And it was because of that change that I realized my own mistakes. If I had to put it into words... the reason I was able to return to normal was because of you. When your kindness suddenly disappeared that day, my heart ached as if I’d lost something precious. I drifted through my days in a daze... and at one point, there was even a voice in my head urging me to just take you for myself, no matter what..."

"But then I remembered the disappointed look on your face that day, and I came to my senses. I cast those terrible thoughts aside, and that’s how I became who I am today."

Ye Feng didn’t pull his hand away from Li Mucheng’s cheek. Her explanation cleared up many things in his mind, and a vague idea began to form—only to be immediately shattered by Li Mucheng’s next words.

"Teacher, I love you."

"!!!!"

By the time Ye Feng snapped out of his daze, he found Li Mucheng’s beautiful peach-blossom eyes fixed on him. Her deep gaze reflected nothing but his own image, as if she wanted to imprint him into her very sight. But this time, there was no trace of the shyness or nervousness from before—only calm certainty. Her composed demeanor suggested she already knew the answer, yet she still chose to voice her feelings.

"So you finally said it."

Ye Feng paused. He had been prepared for Li Mucheng’s confession. He knew full well that now was not the time for love, not when he was still so lost. Besides, the fate tied to his system proved he didn’t deserve love in the first place. Rather than dwelling on romance, he needed to figure out what path to take next.

"Mucheng, I—"

"Shh~"

Just as Ye Feng began to speak, Li Mucheng pressed a finger to his lips and smiled softly.

"I’m not asking for an answer, Teacher. I just wanted to tell you how I feel. Before, I didn’t dare say it—and I didn’t dare hear your reply, because I was terrified you’d disappear from my world. But now it’s different. I can feel that you’ll always be with me, just like when you saved me from those bad people all those years ago. Right?"

"......"

Ye Feng fell silent for a moment before nodding slightly.

"Yeah. If you’re ever in danger, I’ll come for you right away. After all... you saved me once too."

His last words were barely a whisper, but Li Mucheng’s sharp ears caught them.

I saved Teacher?

The statement left Li Mucheng deep in thought. She didn’t understand what Ye Feng meant.

Is he talking about how I rescued him from Xie Yuyan? But he said "once before"... Have I saved him in the past?

Not wanting to confuse Ye Feng, she pushed the question aside for now and instead wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly.

"Thank you, Teacher. I’m so happy... really, so happy~"

Feeling the softness of Li Mucheng’s body against him, Ye Feng gently patted her head.

"Alright, alright. Since we’ve got nothing else to do, want to go out for a walk with me?"

"Mmm~ Teacher, I told you not to pat my head! I’m not a kid anymore!"

"Oh? Really? But you don’t seem to be resisting much."

At his teasing, Li Mucheng’s already pink cheeks turned as red as ripe apples, and she buried her face in his chest.

"T-Teacher... you’re always teasing me... meanie..."

"!!!!"

The coquettish tone in her voice sent a jolt through Ye Feng's heart. He had never heard Li Mucheng speak in such a sweet, flirtatious manner before.

Since when did the proud young miss of the Li family become as docile and adorable as a kitten? Is this really the same Li Mucheng I know?

"Ugh..."

Suddenly, Li Mucheng realized the world had gone silent—save for the rapid thumping of Ye Feng’s heartbeat and her own quickened breaths.

"Hm?"

Curious, she slowly lifted her head from his chest—only to immediately duck back down in embarrassment when she saw the stunned look on his face.

Ahhh! Teacher saw me acting like this! So embarrassing!!!

"Mucheng? How about that walk?"

"O-okay..."

......

"How has my daughter been lately?"

Meanwhile, in the CEO’s office of Li Corporation, Li Jing set down a document and raised an eyebrow as he inquired.

"Miss Li is safe. Ye Feng is also recuperating at the estate. As for that woman, we’re still tracking her down."

"Good. As long as she’s unharmed."

Li Jing’s voice carried the authority of a man used to command.

"Ensure both Mucheng and Ye Feng are protected. Not a single misstep is allowed!"

"Understood!"