This Can't Go On Any Longer

Afterwards, Ye Feng, who had originally intended to keep watch, somehow fell asleep in Li Mucheng's warm embrace. When he woke up, the relentless thunderstorm from the night before had vanished outside the window, replaced by a sliver of sunlight peeking through the curtains and falling beside his eyes.

Morning already? I can’t believe I ended up falling asleep. Why am I less cautious now than before? This shouldn’t be happening. And to think I slept through such a dangerous situation yesterday—what a grave mistake.

Just then, Li Mucheng in his arms also stirred awake, her drowsy eyes meeting his.

"You're awake, Mucheng."

"Mmm."

Li Mucheng nuzzled her face against Ye Feng’s neck, letting out soft, coquettish murmurs.

"I love you the most, Teacher."

"Alright… alright, Mucheng, stop fooling around."

Feeling the ticklish sensation on his neck, Ye Feng lightly tapped her head, signaling for her to move away. But Li Mucheng, as if enchanted, only pressed closer, her face now inches from his.

"Teacher."

Her tender, honeyed voice sent shivers down his spine, as if she wanted to melt entirely into him.

Just as Ye Feng was about to forcibly separate the unruly Li Mucheng, she suddenly trembled, her body going limp before collapsing weakly into his arms.

And Ye Feng knew exactly why she had gone still. His face flushed red as he shot her an exasperated glare.

With neither of them speaking, the room fell into silence. After what felt like an eternity, Li Mucheng, still nestled against him, cautiously lifted her head and whispered into his ear in the faintest voice possible, "T-Teacher… I didn’t mean to."

"Mucheng, do you really have to bring that up now? Stay still from this point on, and later, hurry up and get out of bed to wash up."

Ye Feng kept his eyes shut, forcing all distracting thoughts out of his mind. Right now, Li Mucheng had stepped on a landmine—if she moved even slightly before the fuse was disarmed, Ye Feng was certain disaster would strike.

"I… I can get up now. I won’t disturb your rest anymore, Teacher."

Li Mucheng pouted and tried to sit up, but Ye Feng’s large hands clamped down on her shoulders. Despite his quick reflexes, he was a fraction too late.

"Eep…"

Before his eyes, Li Mucheng’s body went slack again, her eyelids fluttering as she slumped against him, her gaze hazy.

"Mucheng, didn’t I tell you to rest for a while first?! Why can’t you just listen to me?!"

Ye Feng spoke awkwardly, but the corners of Li Mucheng’s lips curled up in secret delight.

"O-Okay… I understand, Teacher."

"Good. Then starting now—mmph!"

Before he could finish, Li Mucheng’s lips pressed against his, their faces drawing closer until they merged into one.

"Mwah…"

"Mu—mmph…"

It took a long while before Li Mucheng finally pulled away, lifting her head to meet Ye Feng’s wide-eyed stare. In a small, guilty voice, she explained, "Teacher… this isn’t my fault."

"Not your fault?! So it’s mine, then?!"

Ye Feng frowned. When Li Mucheng had kissed him, he had tried multiple times to push her away, but with the landmine still active, he had been forced to focus on disarming it. Yet instead of cooperating, she had only made things harder for him—how could he not be furious?

"It’s because of you, Teacher."

"Hah—"

Ye Feng couldn’t help but laugh in exasperation at her words, poking her sweat-beaded forehead.

"Then please enlighten me, Mucheng—how exactly is this my fault?"

"Teacher… do you really want me to say it?"

Li Mucheng lowered her head, not daring to meet his eyes. Seeing this, Ye Feng assumed she was just making excuses and grew even more stern.

"What? Are you backing down because you don’t have a real reason?"

"Tch—"

To his surprise, Li Mucheng didn’t concede. Instead, she seemed almost mocking.

"Hey! You spoiled little brat, if you can’t give me a proper explanation today, I’ll make sure to teach you a lesson!"

"Well, since you insist… fine."

Li Mucheng bit her lip, her face burning as she confessed the truth.

"It’s because Teacher plucked my heartstrings… in the literal sense."

"Huh?"

Ye Feng raised an eyebrow, clearly not understanding. But the moment he recalled what had happened earlier, it all clicked. Now he knew why Li Mucheng had been so reluctant to explain.

"Mucheng, you—!"

"See, Teacher? You were the one who made me say it. So you can’t blame me."

Li Mucheng rested quietly against his chest, her cheeks still flushed, as if lost in thought.

"So… do you still think it’s my fault?"

"Mucheng… let’s just stop talking about this, okay?"

Ye Feng turned away, curling up with his back to her, his embarrassment plain on his face.

"If that’s what Teacher wants, then fine."

Li Mucheng rarely saw Ye Feng so flustered, and she couldn’t help but giggle behind her hand. Still, she wrapped her arms around him from behind.

"Mucheng? Didn’t I tell you to get down?"

"I know. But there’s one more thing I haven’t said yet."

"W-What is it?"

The moment the words left his mouth, Ye Feng regretted asking—but it was too late.

Li Mucheng leaned in, her body pressing lightly against him. Though there was no real weight to it, the whisper that grazed his ear was nothing short of devilish.

"If Teacher ever needs help… I’m always available. I’ll be waiting for the day you come for me~"

"!!!"

That demonic murmur burned like a brand into Ye Feng’s heart. By the time he steadied himself, Li Mucheng had already vanished without a trace.

"Phew…"

Only once she was gone did Ye Feng finally exhale in relief. In just a few short days with Li Mucheng, he felt like he was being devoured whole. She hadn’t been this skilled before—where had she learned all this?

Moreover, Ye Feng could tell that Li Mucheng was carefully toeing the line. Whenever he grew angry or stern, she slipped away like a slippery eel, always escaping just in time. Yet at the same time, she was slowly, steadily drawing him deeper into her tender embrace.

No. This can’t go on. If it does… the one who’ll get hurt in the end is Mucheng. Just like Xie Yuyan back then…