The Constructed Haven of Tenderness

"Ye Feng..."

Shen Mengli, who had been quietly nestled beside Ye Feng, suddenly spoke up at this moment.

"What is it, Mengli?"

Hearing her voice, Ye Feng lowered his head slightly. Only when he saw the troubled expression on Shen Mengli's face did he withdraw the hand that had been stroking her hair.

"It's alright, Mengli. You can tell me anything. Haven’t we already been completely open with each other?"

"Mmm..."

After hesitating for a while, Shen Mengli finally voiced the question weighing on her heart.

"Ye... Ye Feng, I... I don’t mean anything by it, but I just wanted to ask... what exactly happened during those days when I disappeared?"

"......"

Seeing Ye Feng fall silent, Shen Mengli thought he was upset with her for bringing it up. She quickly backtracked, "I’m sorry, Ye Feng. I shouldn’t have mentioned this now. Next time—"

"No, Mengli."

Ye Feng hadn’t expected her to retreat so quickly and shook his head in denial.

"I’m not annoyed, and I don’t blame you for asking. I was just thinking... whether telling you about it might affect you."

"Is... is that so?"

"Yes. After all, what happened during those days left me utterly exhausted—mentally and physically. I never imagined things would turn out this way. I never realized I was the only one kept in the dark."

"Ye Feng..."

Seeing the desolation in his eyes, Shen Mengli quickly slipped out of his embrace. Then, she pulled his head gently against her chest, stroking his back in slow, soothing motions, as if trying to calm him through touch alone.

"It’s alright... I’m here with you now. Whatever it is, we’ll face it together. So please, tell me about these troubles, okay? Let’s share the burden."

"Mengli..."

Ye Feng lifted his head and gazed deeply into Shen Mengli’s eyes. The tenderness in them made his chest tighten, as though something had seized his heart. A warmth spread through his entire body, and only when he regained his senses did he realize a single tear had slipped down his cheek.

Shen Mengli didn’t say anything more. She simply raised a hand and wiped the tear away with delicate care, her every movement brimming with affection. Finally, she cradled his face and whispered softly, "To me, you’ll always be my Ye Feng. You don’t need to change for anyone else’s sake. Just be yourself."

"Be myself..."

Ye Feng repeated her words under his breath, his mind flashing back to the moment he arrived in this world—how he had been fighting for survival ever since. And now, not only had he failed to protect the life he wanted, but he had also entangled these girls in emotions he never intended. His attempts at making amends had only deepened their feelings, nourishing their attachment like fertilizer to a budding plant. In the end, he had brought this upon himself.

"It’s... too late now."

A self-deprecating smile tugged at his lips. The clarity in his eyes had dimmed, veiled by a thick fog of resignation.

"The dean’s words still echo in my ears. He warned me that one day, my kindness would come back to haunt me. And now... I truly regret it."

"Ye Feng..."

Shen Mengli knew she, too, had been touched by his gentleness. Still, she pressed a soft kiss to his forehead.

"Enough, Ye Feng. What’s done is done. There’s no need to torment yourself over them anymore. Here, with me, you can be the real Ye Feng."

"Yeah... the real me..."

Ye Feng exhaled deeply, as if expelling the weight of his past self. Then, he closed his eyes and let himself sink into the warmth Shen Mengli offered.

"Thank you, Mengli. Without you, I would’ve already—"

"Ah, Ye Feng, you’re stealing the words I was supposed to say~"

Shen Mengli giggled, her demeanor growing bolder as she sensed his heart opening to her. She dipped her head, brushing her lips against his in a fleeting kiss before pulling away. The sudden contact made Ye Feng’s eyes fly open in surprise.

"Mengli, you—"

"Ye Feng, you should know—without you, there would be no 'me' as I am today. Everything I have stems from you. Remember that. Consider this kiss a reward for our heart-to-heart talk. And don’t forget... we’re each other’s saviors, alright~?"

Watching her playful, radiant expression, Ye Feng couldn’t help but smile—a rare sight. "You’ve changed so much, Mengli. You’re far more lively and cheerful now."

To his surprise, Shen Mengli shook her head, as if disagreeing. "I haven’t changed at all. I’ve always been like this. It’s just... I only show this side of myself to you~"

The moment the words left her lips, she noticed a faint blush dusting Ye Feng’s cheeks.

Under her intense gaze, Ye Feng coughed awkwardly. "Ahem... Mengli, do you mind if I rest a little longer? I still feel somewhat tired."

His shyness only endeared him more to Shen Mengli. But she wouldn’t push him further—not yet. She wanted him to step willingly into the gentle paradise she was weaving for him, until he could no longer resist. There was still a long road ahead, after all.

"Of course you can. I told you—here, you can do whatever you wish."

With that, she tucked the blankets around him and slipped off the bed.

"I’ll take this chance to prepare something nourishing for you. You haven’t eaten properly in days, so you’ll need to regain your strength."

"Alright... thank you, Mengli."

Ye Feng didn’t refuse her kindness. His heart, soothed by her words, had begun carving a new path. Perhaps staying here with Shen Mengli, in this peaceful haven, wouldn’t be such a bad fate after all.

"I told you not to be so formal with me."

Pouting adorably, Shen Mengli grabbed a cloak from a hook on the wall and draped it over her shoulders. Before leaving, she glanced back at Ye Feng, whose eyes were now closed. A soft smile curved her lips as she mouthed three silent words:

"I love you."