A Crisp Slap

"Vroom, vroom, vroom!"

The moment the lead black sedan came to a stop at the amusement park entrance, a deafening roar of engines followed as an entire fleet of identical vehicles swiftly approached from behind.

"Young Mistress! Over here!"

Ah Fu, who had been anxiously waiting at the gates, frantically waved his arms upon spotting the familiar car, hoping to catch the attention of its occupants. After Ye Feng had entered the amusement park, Ah Fu had been keeping watch over the perimeter. When he noticed the security personnel stationed outside suddenly turning in unison and rushing into the park—as if obeying some urgent command—he knew something had gone terribly wrong.

Just as he pulled out his phone to report the situation to Li Mucheng, he learned she was already on her way. However, due to his lowly status, the guards at the entrance refused to let him in, no matter how desperately he pleaded that lives were at stake. It wasn’t until Li Mucheng arrived that Ah Fu finally felt a glimmer of hope.

Rushing to the car door, Ah Fu saw Li Mucheng step out before he could even speak. "Something’s happened to the teacher. Follow me," she said curtly.

"Yes!"

The urgency in Li Mucheng’s voice confirmed the gravity of the situation. Without another word, she strode toward the security checkpoint at the entrance, her expression icy.

"Open the gate!"

Li Mucheng shot a cold, murderous glare at the guard, her tone dripping with menace.

"Right away, Young Mistress Li. Our young lady is already waiting for you inside," the guard replied, quickly unlocking the iron gate after verifying her identity.

"Su Yuxin... What a fool!" Li Mucheng muttered under her breath, disdain lacing her words.

Did Su Yuxin really think these half-hearted precautions could stop her? She was the one who had let the tiger escape the mountain. She was the reason things had come to this. A useless, meddlesome fool.

Before long, Li Mucheng spotted Su Yuxin standing in the amusement park square, her face twisted in anguish, as she arrived via the park’s shuttle service.

Likewise, Su Yuxin had seen the shuttle approaching from afar. There was no mistaking it—her former best friend, Li Mucheng, was here.

"Mucheng!"

Gone was the arrogance and resentment Su Yuxin had once harbored. Now, she was nothing but a sobbing wreck, clinging to Li Mucheng like a lifeline, her grip desperate as she repeated, "Save... save Ye Feng! He... he chose to take Xie Yuyan to the back mountain to protect me. Now he’s missing, and I don’t know if he’s alive or dead. I’ve already sent a search team into the woods, but..."

"Hah... Now that things have gone wrong, you finally realize your mistake?" Li Mucheng snapped, her voice sharp as a blade. "You took Ye Feng’s kindness for granted and trampled all over it! And now, Xie Yuxin has swooped in to claim her prize. Did you really think she had no ambitions? Hers are far greater than yours!"

Li Mucheng didn’t bother with formalities, scolding Su Yuxin like a child.

"Listen well, Su Yuxin. If anything happens to Ye Feng, I will never forgive you—not in this lifetime. His gentleness toward you was never an excuse for your recklessness. It’s only because he chose to treat you with kindness that we’re even standing here today."

"I... I know, Mucheng. You’re right. I was wrong from the start. I never should have teamed up with Xie Yuyan against him..."

"What?!"

Li Mucheng had been about to mobilize a team to search for Ye Feng. With the survival skills he had taught her, she might still be able to track him in these dense woods. But when Su Yuxin admitted to conspiring with Xie Yuyan, Li Mucheng exploded. She grabbed Su Yuxin by one of her golden twin tails and yanked her forward, forcing their faces inches apart.

"Su Yuxin, what did you just say? You and Xie Yuyan had a plan from the beginning?"

Su Yuxin had no intention of hiding it anymore. Drowning in guilt, all she wanted now was for Ye Feng to return safely. No matter what punishment awaited her, she would accept it—because she was the one who had truly hurt him.

"M-Mucheng, I’m sorry... I..."

Su Yuxin whimpered in pain as her hair and body were jerked forward, but she didn’t resist or curse Li Mucheng. Instead, she hung her head, tears of regret streaming down her face.

"I was blinded by my own desires. I agreed to Xie Yuyan’s terms because I wanted Ye Feng for myself. I was the one who planned this whole amusement park scheme. It’s all my fault! I’m sorry!"

SLAP!

A sharp, resounding slap echoed across the square. The sound instantly set both factions on edge, weapons bristling.

"Let go of Young Mistress Yuxin!"

"Try laying a finger on Young Mistress Mucheng, I dare you!"

Amid the tension, Su Yuxin’s tearful voice cut through.

"Everyone, stand down! I’m the one who caused this disaster. I deserve this punishment. All of you—retreat!"

"But Young Mistress Yuxin—"

"Are you deaf?! I said... RETREAT!"

"Y-Yes..."

Reluctantly, her subordinates backed away, though their eyes remained locked on Li Mucheng’s group, ready to intervene at the slightest sign of danger.

"M-Mucheng... That was a good hit. Maybe only you can wake me up from my delusions."

Her cheek burning, Su Yuxin instead buried herself in Li Mucheng’s arms, sobbing uncontrollably.

"I’m sorry, Mucheng... I’m so sorry! I never thought things would turn out like this for Ye Feng! Hit me again—I deserve every bit of this retribution!"

"......"

Li Mucheng clenched her teeth, trying to shove Su Yuxin away, but the girl clung to her with unshakable strength. Finally, Li Mucheng could only ball her fists and scream in frustration.

"Su Yuxin, do you think an apology fixes anything?! Ye Feng is in danger right now! Slapping you ten times won’t change that! The only thing that matters now is rescuing him from Xie Yuyan’s clutches. If you really want to atone, then pray he forgives you."

"......"

Su Yuxin timidly lifted her head, her swollen eyes filled with remorse. In a voice barely above a whisper, she murmured,

"Do... do I even deserve that?"