The Heartache Flickering in the Eyes

"What's the point of whether you're worthy or not? Whether the teacher forgives you or not, we still have to rescue him! You're the one who put him in danger. I'm only here to bring him back. The one who ultimately decides whether to accept your apology is the teacher."

Li Mucheng shoved Su Yuxin aside. Even talking to her for this long was a waste of precious time that could be spent rescuing Ye Feng. She had no interest in playing therapist here.

"Su Yuxin, what you choose to do in the end is up to you. Let’s put our issues aside for now—I’m going to save the teacher. If you’re scared, have someone take you home."

With that, Li Mucheng strode past Su Yuxin, who was trembling uncontrollably. She couldn’t care less about what choice Su Yuxin would make. Right now, her mind was occupied by only one person—Ye Feng.

Please wait for me, teacher. I’ll definitely save you from that madwoman Xie Yuyan. Just hold on until I get there, okay?

"Young Mistress? Young Mistress, are you alright? Should I report this to the CEO right away? If the CEO finds out, he’ll definitely demand an explanation from Li Corporation."

The bodyguard by Su Yuxin’s side stepped forward worriedly after Li Mucheng left, checking on her condition. But the next moment, Su Yuxin lifted her head again, her gaze firm as she stared toward the distant mountains.

"Keep searching. Even if we have to dig through this entire mountain, I will find Ye Feng! Li Mucheng is right—apologies mean nothing. Only action can prove anything."

"But... Young Mistress, your health—"

"No more excuses. Follow me up the mountain now! I’ll make Xie Yuyan pay!"

"Yes!"

......

"Haah... Haah..."

Ye Feng tilted his head back, staring at the thicket around him. After all this time, Xie Yuyan still hadn’t emerged from the bushes. Though he was puzzled, at least it meant he was still safe for now.

Just as he thought this would continue indefinitely, a dark figure stepped in front of him.

Hah... So she finally couldn’t hold back anymore?

When Ye Feng lowered his head to examine the figure before him, a dagger suddenly plunged into the soil at his feet with a sharp "whoosh."

"Not bad. Seems like you’re behaving much better now, darling. I do love it when you’re this obedient—it saves me the trouble and speeds things up."

Xie Yuyan swayed her slender figure as she sat down beside Ye Feng. Just when he thought she was about to kiss him again, she unexpectedly reached into his pocket instead.

"Xie Yuyan, do you want to know why I didn’t resist much this time?"

Ye Feng could clearly feel his phone being snatched from his pocket. Hoping to distract her, he quickly spoke up—but it was already too late.

"I don’t care to know right now. But I’ve found something much more interesting~"

Xie Yuyan held up Ye Feng’s phone, inspecting it closely in front of him. Sure enough, she found a small card tucked into the side slot and pulled it out with a flick of her fingers.

"......"

Watching her actions, Ye Feng showed little reaction, only blinking tiredly before taking a deep breath.

"My, my, what do we have here?"

Xie Yuyan waved the card playfully in front of him, her voice dripping with mock curiosity.

"So this is why you weren’t nervous at all—you were prepared all along~"

"But to think you’d willingly let someone tamper with your phone... How enviable. I’d love to leave my own little marks all over you too, Ye Feng~"

Seeing Ye Feng close his eyes in silence, Xie Yuyan smirked in triumph. Suddenly, a razor-sharp throwing knife appeared in her hand. With a flick of her wrist, she sent it flying toward him.

"Whoosh—"

The blade whistled past Ye Feng’s ear, but no sound of impact followed. When he cautiously opened his eyes to see where it had landed, he found the knife embedded deep in the stuffed strawberry toy beside him.

"What? Now you’re taking your anger out on a plushie?"

Ye Feng scoffed coldly. With the tracking device Li Mucheng had planted on him now disabled, he had one fewer card to play. To dispel Xie Yuyan’s suspicions, he finally spoke again.

"Darling, why must you always misunderstand me? I was just helping you clear out the trash~ Why don’t you take a closer look at what’s inside that strawberry?"

"Xie Yuyan, what are you playing at?"

Ye Feng shot her a wary glance, but she remained leisurely unfazed. Frowning, he turned his attention to the plushie—only to spot a small electronic device hidden inside. The sight made him recall the moment Su Yuxin had first given it to him.

Hah... How amusing. You all went through so much trouble just to monitor my every move...

"Well, darling? See? I wasn’t lying~"

Xie Yuyan watched as a flicker of desolation crossed Ye Feng’s eyes, secretly delighted. This was exactly the effect she wanted—mutual distrust would only make it easier for her to claim him for herself.

"Alright, now that we’ve talked enough, it’s time to move. For the sake of our happy future together, I hope you’ll be a good boy and follow me quietly, okay?"

"Hah... If I had the strength to walk, do you really think I’d still be your captive?"

Ye Feng’s tone was mocking as he met her gaze, his meaning clear: If you want me to move, you’ll have to drag me yourself.

"Tsk... What a hassle. But I don’t mind."

Xie Yuyan sighed before grabbing Ye Feng by the collar and yanking him forward. The harsh scraping sound of his body being dragged made Ye Feng wince—his injuries flared up instantly. If this kept up, forget about any hidden tricks, he’d be lucky to even muster the energy to swallow a healing pill.

"Let go! I’ll walk!"

"Hehe, that’s more like it. I never wanted to be rough, but what can a delicate girl like me do? You’ll just have to bear with it, Ye Feng~"

True to form, under her relentless pressure, Ye Feng had no choice but to comply. Xie Yuyan helped him up, brushing the dirt off his clothes with a tenderness that contrasted sharply with the cold calculation in her eyes—one he couldn’t see.