"You're really something, Xiao Feng..."
Listening to Ye Feng's caring words, Shen Mengli initially wanted to cover her face to hide her shyness, but seeing how seriously he was savoring the porridge, she ultimately let her flushed cheeks remain visible to him.
"Mmph! Xiao Feng, you're impossible! Just stay here and focus on recovering, alright? If you keep thinking about things unrelated to your well-being, I’ll have to feed you myself~"
Ye Feng was momentarily stunned by Shen Mengli's remark. Though he intended to quickly change the subject, the sight of her bashful expression stirred a different thought in his heart.
"Mengli, I know you're concerned about my health, but you should take care of yourself too."
"Don’t worry, Xiao Feng. Even if my physique isn’t as strong as yours, right now, you’re the one who needs to recover. Only when you’re better can we truly enjoy life, right?"
"......"
Hearing this, Ye Feng fell silent, simply nodding before obediently opening his mouth.
"That’s more like it. Xiao Feng, you shouldn’t feel like there’s any debt between us. All I want is for us to live a carefree life."
After feeding him the last spoonful of porridge, Shen Mengli used her sleeve to gently wipe away the traces at the corner of his mouth.
"Mengli? Aren’t you worried about dirtying your clothes?"
"Why would it be dirty? It’s just wiping your mouth, silly."
With that, Shen Mengli stood up from the bedside, holding the empty bowl, and smiled at him.
"Xiao Feng, I’m afraid today’s meal had to be light since you just woke up and shouldn’t eat too much yet. But in a few days, I’ll cook you a proper feast!"
"Mengli, I had no idea you could cook! Did you learn from the headmistress?"
"Ah, as expected, nothing escapes you, Xiao Feng."
She set the bowl aside and adjusted the blanket over him.
"Back at the orphanage, I often helped my foster mom in the kitchen. Sometimes, I’d secretly pick up a few cooking tricks. Never thought they’d come in handy today."
"You’ve always been diligent in everything, Mengli. The porridge was delicious."
"I’m glad you liked it! I’ll learn any dish you want—just name it, and I’ll make it for you!"
Seeing the determination in her eyes, Ye Feng couldn’t bring himself to dampen her spirits. He nodded warmly. "Alright, I’ll leave it to you then."
"Mhm!"
Overjoyed, Shen Mengli threw herself into his arms, burying her face against his neck while he was still sitting up after the meal, inhaling his scent greedily.
"Don’t worry, Xiao Feng. Your body... and your heart—leave everything to me!"
"Who taught you to pause like that..."
Though he teased her, this time, Ye Feng didn’t push her away. He noticed that despite her cheerful demeanor, her body trembled slightly as she clung to him. From her reaction, he understood she hadn’t fully recovered from the trauma of his near-death experience.
Suddenly, a warm arm wrapped gently around her, pulling her closer against his chest. The fading blush on Shen Mengli’s cheeks reignited instantly.
"Mm... X-Xiao Feng... what are you doing?"
"Nothing. I just felt like holding you."
He patted her back soothingly. True to his words, Shen Mengli’s voice trailed off, followed by a quiet stillness.
Ye Feng wanted to check on her, but the soft hands gripping him tightly and the slight shift in her posture held his attention.
"Sniff... sob..."
Her shoulders began to quiver. Realizing she was crying, Ye Feng’s heart ached, and he hurried to comfort her.
"Hey, Mengli, you were fine earlier. Why the tears now? I’m right here—no need to fear me leaving or anything like that."
"B-But... Xiao Feng, I’m scared. Terrified. I just want to protect you, to keep you safe from harm. If something like that day by the river ever happens again... I’d lose my mind!"
Her restrained sobs, far from dramatic, only deepened Ye Feng’s guilt. From the start, he’d sensed her unwavering care for him—every thought, every action centered around his well-being. Truthfully, he was deeply moved. With her, he could finally let go, embracing the peaceful life he’d always yearned for.
"Don’t worry, Mengli. I’ve gained some perspective too. Maybe... this is how things were meant to be."
"Mm..."
She stifled her tears, replaying his words in her mind. Though his tone was light, something felt off—an unspoken hesitation she couldn’t quite pinpoint.
"I’m glad you think so, Xiao Feng. But remember my promise: if you ever face trouble, tell me, okay? Just like you saved me, I’ll be there for you. This isn’t about repaying a debt. I just... want to walk hand in hand with you into the future."
Ye Feng understood the weight of her confession. Now, free from past burdens, he no longer cared about missions or systems. Having brushed against death, he saw through life’s illusions.
He wouldn’t chase after some collector’s prize at the cost of hurting others—or himself. From now on, he’d live for himself, unshackled.
"Alright. But before that, Mengli, can I ask you a favor?"
"What is it? You don’t need to seek my permission for anything, Xiao Feng."
"Fine, fine. I just wanted to ask if my clothes have dried yet. Staying like this is getting a bit... uncomfortable."
A strange glint flickered in Shen Mengli’s eyes, swiftly concealed.
nto another world, I bought a slave for the first time, never expecting the silver wolf girl to be so cute... Lin Feng: I know it's cold, but you don't have to sneak into my bed! Yuna: Just sharing body warmth, if you dare do anything naughty, I'll definitely...
rowess are unmatched, commanding a million-strong army! Yet, the Emperor wants to depose him for the sake of a false prince? Hold on, are you throwing me into some female-oriented romance plot? How can I tolerate this? With a grand wave of his hand—the Nine Clan Extraction Technique! Slander the Emperor? Very well, all of you shall die! ... The False Prince: "Although I am not the biological son, Father and Mother love me more. The throne should be mine!" The Female Lead: "Qin Xiao, you are the Emperor, and I am a commoner. If you wish to marry me, you must abdicate. Otherwise, you will never have me!" The Empress: "After we divorce, you must give me half the empire!" The Transmigrator Consort: "You worthless Emperor, why should I kneel to you? All men are equal—I advise you to be kind!" The Great General: "The enemy general is my childhood sweetheart. For her sake, I willingly abandon the frontier defenses!" The Retired Emperor: "Although Yu'er was adopted, I prefer him. Qin Xiao, you should abdicate and let him become Emperor!" ... Very well! So this is how you want to play? Facing this twisted world of female-oriented tropes, Qin Xiao grins and raises his hand to unleash—the Nine Clan Extraction Technique! I am the Emperor. Why would I bother reasoning with you? Seal the gates! Leave none alive!
tions: attribute allocation, analysis, proficiency, and simulation. Specializing in mechanical alchemy, from crafting sorcerous battle armor to handcrafting mechanical maidens, his mechanical legion conquers endless realms... Relying on his wits, he begins with a student-teacher romance, wins over a female director, enslaves a female assassin and a underworld queen, becoming the husband of a Grand Duchess... He enslaves the Goddess of Magic from the divine realm, developing his power simultaneously in both the Wizard World and the Realm of Gods...
young master of the Shen family—a figure of immense power and wealth beyond measure—and awakened the "Destined Ultimate Villain System"! His starting scenario? Running into his icy fiancée who shows up with a mountain-descending divine doctor to break off their engagement. The divine doctor arrogantly taunts: "What does your Shen family have besides a bit of stinking money? You're not even worthy of tying Qingxue's shoelaces!" Shen Fei just smiled. He completely defied the usual script: "Fine, I agree to break off the engagement. Also, notify the finance department to withdraw all investments from the Su family." Minutes later, with its capital chain severed, the Su Group teetered on the brink of bankruptcy! The once aloof and proud ice queen CEO was thrown into utter panic. That very night, she went to Shen Fei's villa, casting aside all dignity to beg and plead desperately... From then on, in this world teeming with Sons of Destiny, Shen Fei embarked on a path of extreme dimensional suppression! A mountain-descending divine doctor? Peerless medical skills? Shen Fei: "Reporting you for practicing medicine without a license! I'll gladly take your ancient medicinal cauldron and twin sister assassins." The Crooked-Smiling Dragon King? Commanding a hundred thousand soldiers with a single order? Shen Fei: "Illegal assembly and suspected treason! Let a fleet of attack helicopters sanitize the area and teach you what the state apparatus really means!" A reborn tycoon? Knows all the golden opportunities of the next decade? Shen Fei: "A trillion in capital to reverse and pump the stock market, making you blow your margin and jump on the very first day of your rebirth!" What Chosen Ones? What bearers of Heavenly Fortune? In Shen Fei's eyes, they're all just chives (i.e., suckers/marks) waiting to be harvested! Shen Fei: "Sorry, but as the Destined Ultimate Villain, I don't play by the rules of honor. I only play the game of dimensional suppression."
