The Gaze in the Dark

Seeing Ye Feng remain silent, Su Yuxin understood that his silence was already his answer to her. To prevent the atmosphere from becoming awkward, she straightened Ye Feng's slightly bowed posture and mustered all her strength to force a smile at him, though the light in her eyes had dimmed from before.

Why... Brother Ye Feng, why are you treating me like this? I love you so much—I was even willing to give you everything I have. So why did you choose Li Mucheng instead? Didn’t she hurt you before? How does she deserve a second chance to earn your love, while I can only watch from the sidelines as you two grow closer? Xie Yuyan was right... Brother Ye Feng, you’ve never truly given your heart to me. Why... why are you doing this to me?

"It's okay, Brother Ye Feng. I was just joking earlier. Let’s go try the next ride—today, I’m determined to experience every attraction in this amusement park!"

Just as Su Yuxin put on a sweet smile again and was about to lead Ye Feng away, he suddenly pulled her back.

"Mm...?"

Su Yuxin turned her head in surprise, only to see Ye Feng staring at the ground with a grave expression, lost in thought.

"Brother... Brother Ye Feng?"

His demeanor softened Su Yuxin’s heart despite herself. Tears welled up in her eyes as she clung to his arm, her voice trembling.

"I... I’m sorry, Brother Ye Feng. I ruined the mood. I shouldn’t have said those things earlier."

"No... It’s not your fault, Yuxin."

Ye Feng shook his head and guided her to sit on a bench by the walkway. Watching her concerned gaze, he let out a heavy sigh.

"Yuxin, I know... I know how you feel about me. But I really can’t accept your feelings."

"Why?"

Su Yuxin pressed without hesitation, her earlier resolve to maintain the cheerful atmosphere now replaced by stubborn determination.

"Because I can’t drag you down. You’re a good girl, Yuxin. You deserve a better life."

"Then why is it okay for you to drag Li Mucheng down? Doesn’t she deserve a better life too?"

The moment Su Yuxin uttered those words, Ye Feng fell silent. The reason he had accepted Li Mucheng wasn’t because her love had moved him—it was because she had already lost her innocence to him. Though he had been unconscious at the time, the deed was done, and he couldn’t simply dismiss it as a dream.

But could he tell Su Yuxin this? Even if she could keep it a secret, he couldn’t bring himself to reveal it. Knowing her personality, she might resort to even more extreme measures than Li Mucheng had. It was better to let her give up on him. Still, Ye Feng admitted that when he had kidnapped Su Yuxin in the sewer that day, he had been deeply moved by her understanding nature. But that didn’t justify tainting such a pure-hearted girl.

"I’m sorry, Yuxin... I can’t give you what you want."

"Brother Ye Feng..."

His calm words cut through Su Yuxin’s heart like countless sharp blades, stabbing relentlessly into her chest. The emerald depths of her eyes darkened further.

So... Brother Ye Feng, are you saying that if I become a bad girl, you’ll accept me? Then I understand what I must do. Xie Yuyan was right—the only way to make you realize who truly loves you is to seize you for myself. Thank you for your answer, Brother Ye Feng. The path in my heart has suddenly become so clear.

......

Abruptly, Su Yuxin’s trembling ceased. The hand clutching Ye Feng’s sleeve slowly loosened, and her soft lips parted as she replied in a sweet voice, "I... I understand. I’ve been nothing but trouble for you all this time. Thank you for taking care of me."

Ye Feng was taken aback by the sudden change in her demeanor. He wanted to say something comforting but stopped himself. He knew that any further words would only make things worse. Swallowing hard, he stood up and said, "Let’s keep going, Yuxin."

"Okay~"

This time, Su Yuxin didn’t cling to his arm. Instead, she skipped ahead before turning back with a bright smile.

"Next... I want to ride the merry-go-round! Is that okay, Brother Ye Feng?"

"Sure."

Watching her cheerful figure walk away, Ye Feng felt as though something was missing. The lively sparkle in Su Yuxin’s eyes seemed to have dulled...

"Am I imagining things? Or has she really let go?"

Unable to shake his unease, Ye Feng followed her, carefully observing her behavior.

"Ugh... My head feels so dizzy~"

After the ride, Su Yuxin clutched her head, pouting in discomfort.

"That’s what happens when you ask the staff to set the swing to maximum intensity. Everyone else rides gentle horses, but you chose a wild stallion. Of course your head would spin at that speed."

Ye Feng guided her to a bench and crouched down in front of her.

"I’ll go get you some hot water to help with the dizziness. Stay here and wait for me, okay?"

Su Yuxin let out a soft huff and muttered under her breath, "I don’t need your concern..."

Though her words were faint, Ye Feng heard them. Ignoring her sulking, he turned away without another word. Soon, he returned with a cup of warm water.

"Here, drink some."

Su Yuxin hesitated, eyeing him warily before turning her head away without accepting the cup.

Unfazed, Ye Feng knew she was still upset over his earlier rejection. A little tantrum wasn’t unusual for a girl her age. He gently pressed the cup to her lips.

"Mmm..."

Feeling the paper cup against her mouth, Su Yuxin reluctantly lowered her head.

"I don’t—"

"Be good. Drink."

At the sound of his tender voice, an inexplicable ache surged in Su Yuxin’s chest. Tears shimmered in her eyes before she could stop them.

What... What’s wrong with me? I was determined to harden my heart, so why is this happening? I should have refused! Why... why did I give in?

Her heart resisted fiercely, yet when Ye Feng held the cup to her lips, she finally relented, taking small sips of the warm water. Unbeknownst to them, every moment of this exchange was being watched by a pair of unseen eyes...