Like You♡

The sound of the torrential rain outside grew louder and louder, drowning out all other subtle noises. The occasional roar of thunder completely robbed Ye Feng of any desire to sleep, despite his initial intention to stay in a light slumber to remain vigilant.

With the storm and other factors at play, Ye Feng decided to stay awake until the rain subsided, wary of Xie Yuyan’s possible arrival. Just as he was about to turn toward the window, an unseen force suddenly pulled back his blanket, and a warm, delicate figure slipped in beside him.

"Wh—"

Ye Feng immediately focused on the shadowy figure in front of him, but the room was too dark to make out who it was. However, as soon as the familiar, sweet fragrance reached him, he knew it was none other than Li Mucheng.

"Teacher."

"Mucheng? Y-you… why are you here?"

The moment her body pressed against his chest, Ye Feng instinctively tried to retreat deeper into the couch. But the space was too cramped, and with Li Mucheng now sharing it, there was nowhere left to move. Before he could react, she wrapped her arms around him with practiced ease.

"Teacher, I’m still so scared… I can’t sleep at all without you."

Her voice trembled faintly in his ear, and with every clap of thunder, her body shivered. Her excuse seemed perfectly reasonable.

"Mucheng, I know the weather is terrible tonight, but trust me—it’ll pass soon. Just hold on a little longer, okay?"

"Okay~"

"Mhm."

"......"

After a brief silence, Ye Feng expected her to return to her own bed. Instead, she clung to him even tighter. The thin fabric of her nightgown left little to the imagination, and their close proximity inevitably led to some awkwardness.

"Um… Mucheng?"

"I’m here, Teacher."

"I said just hold on a little longer."

"Got it."

"......"

Despite his repeated hints, Li Mucheng remained unmoving, leaving Ye Feng at a loss. Just as he was about to speak more directly, she beat him to it.

"Teacher… could you let me be a little selfish tonight? I really… really want to sleep in your arms."

"Mucheng…"

Hearing the exhaustion in his voice, Li Mucheng suddenly loosened her grip and pulled away, her tone filled with remorse.

"I-I’m sorry, Teacher… I didn’t mean to trouble you. I got carried away and forgot about your injury…"

Before she could finish, Ye Feng took a deep breath, abruptly sat up, and pulled her back into his embrace. Caught off guard, Li Mucheng barely had time to blink before she was lifted into his arms.

"Teacher? You—"

"If we’re going to sleep, shouldn’t we at least do it on the bed?"

"Does that mean you’re agreeing to my request?"

Her voice held a mix of surprise and curiosity, but she still wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face against his shoulder.

"Would you rather I refuse?"

"Of course not!"

Li Mucheng immediately protested, her cheeks flushing as she murmured under her breath,

"I never want you to refuse. I just want to stay like this with you forever."

"Are you treating me like a sloth mom now? Planning to cling to me indefinitely?"

"Exactly! I’m never letting go~"

She giggled, playfully teasing him. This kind of sweet, intimate moment was everything she had ever dreamed of. Her heart raced like a deer’s, excitement bubbling within her.

As Ye Feng carried her toward the bed, she suddenly remembered something and gently cupped his cheek, earning a curious glance from him.

"Mucheng? What’s this about?"

"Teacher, doesn’t your arm hurt from carrying me? You should put me down. What if your wound reopens?"

"Don’t worry, Mucheng. A little movement won’t hurt it. Besides, the bed is just a few steps away."

With that, he carefully set her down on the mattress.

"Alright, Mucheng. I’ll just go grab my—"

The moment he turned, Li Mucheng seized his wrist and, with surprising strength, yanked him toward her.

"Mu-Mucheng, wait—"

Ye Feng stumbled forward, barely catching himself before he collapsed onto her. His hands braced against the mattress, keeping his weight from crushing her.

When he opened his eyes, he found himself staring directly into hers—deep, obsidian pools that seemed to drown him in their intensity.

"S-sorry, Mucheng, I didn’t mean to— Mmm!"

Before he could explain, she cupped his face and stretched up, pressing her lips against his in a soft, fleeting kiss.

"Mmm… ah…"

Unlike Xie Yuyan’s wild passion, Li Mucheng’s kiss was brief and tender. She then pulled the blanket over both of them, unable to resist pecking his cheek once more.

"Teacher… let’s stay like this tonight, okay?"

"Mucheng… you…"

"Hehe, sorry, Teacher. I couldn’t help myself. I’ll apologize properly tomorrow, alright?"

"Sigh…"

Ye Feng exhaled in resignation. Her actions made it impossible for him to stay upset. Every time he tried to reason with her, she’d just snuggle closer, and before he knew it, he was powerless to refuse.

In the end, he could only mask his flustered embarrassment with three simple words:

"Go to sleep."

"Okay~"

With that, Li Mucheng nestled against his sturdy frame, drifting off with a contented smile. Clearly, recent events had left her more than satisfied.

"Teacher."

"......"

Ye Feng couldn’t shake the feeling that whenever she called him like this, something was about to happen. Still, he waited for her to continue.

"Y-yes?"

"I love you ♡"

After whispering those words, she pressed a final, secretive "goodnight" against his ear and closed her radiant eyes—as if all the love in her heart was sealed within that single moment.