The Nutrient Called Gentleness

"Alright, Mengli, it's okay."

Ye Feng held the injured Shen Mengli tightly in his arms, his heart aching as he watched her tear-streaked face.

"Why go through all this trouble? I never want you to be unhappy for any reason. To me, living a peaceful, simple life together is more than enough."

"Wuu..."

Shen Mengli nuzzled against Ye Feng's chest, her voice soft and pleading.

"I just wanted to prove that I can do just as much for you as they can!"

"Mengli, you shouldn’t think like that."

Ye Feng gently patted her back, breathing in the delicate fragrance of her hair.

"You’ve already done so much for me. If it weren’t for you, I might have died in that river long ago. Isn’t the fact that you saved my life enough?"

"I... I didn’t mean it like that."

Shen Mengli tugged at Ye Feng’s collar and lightly thumped his chest in frustration. She couldn’t tell if he was pretending not to understand or if he truly missed the meaning behind her words.

"Honestly... Must I spell it out for you? You’re so mean, Xiao Feng..."

"Mengli, you mean...?"

"I mean I want to satisfy you, Xiao Feng! In every way—physically and emotionally!"

Shen Mengli nearly shouted the words, startling Ye Feng with her sudden intensity.

"......"

Hearing such a bold confession, Ye Feng was momentarily speechless. It wasn’t until Shen Mengli pressed a kiss to his cheek that he snapped out of his daze.

"Xiao Feng... I know my body isn’t as strong as those other women’s, but please... don’t hold back with me, okay? This is all I can offer you."

As Ye Feng remained silent, Shen Mengli’s heart clenched as if gripped by an invisible hand, her breath hitching in fear.

"Mengli."

After a long pause, Ye Feng finally spoke, his voice heavy.

"My only wish is to live a good life. I don’t need you to do anything for me. Every day I’ve spent with you has been free of worries—in fact, I’ve cherished every moment. So please, don’t think like this. Having you by my side is more than enough."

"R-Really? Am I truly as good as you say?"

"Of course."

Ye Feng gazed at the fragile Shen Mengli, then leaned down to kiss her forehead, hoping to chase away her doubts with tenderness.

"Who wouldn’t adore someone as sweet as you? Isn’t that right, my lifesaver?"

"Lifesaver..."

At the nickname, Shen Mengli’s face flushed bright red. Feeling Ye Feng’s gaze, she quickly covered her cheeks with her hands.

"D-Don’t call me that!"

"Why not? Isn’t that what you are?"

"Wuu..."

As Ye Feng leaned closer, Shen Mengli finally lowered her hands, tilting her head up to meet his eyes with a defiant blush.

"Oh? What are you planning, Mengli?"

"I... I’m going all out!"

With that, she pressed her lips firmly against his.

......

"Teacher..."

Li Mucheng stared at the photo of Ye Feng on her phone, whispering his name over and over.

"Why... Why didn’t you tell me any of this? Did you never trust me? Then why did you keep saying you wanted to atone? What made you act this way?"

Knock knock.

Just as Li Mucheng muttered to herself, a soft rapping came at the door, followed by Xie Yuyan’s voice.

"Li Mucheng, are you asleep?"

Xie Yuyan? Why is she looking for me now?

With that thought, Li Mucheng called out in response, slipping on her slippers before opening the door.

"What is it? Do you have any leads?"

She stepped aside, gesturing for Xie Yuyan to enter.

Once inside, Xie Yuyan retrieved something from her arms.

When Li Mucheng looked closely, she realized it was Ye Feng’s mask.

"Xie Yuyan?"

"I went back and brought this with me. I wanted to return it to you."

Li Mucheng took the mask, murmuring a quiet "Thank you."

"Mhm... If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave."

Xie Yuyan turned away, her expression troubled, but before she could step out, Li Mucheng stopped her.

"Wait!"

"What is it?"

"If we find Teacher... what will you do?"

"I... I don’t know."

Xie Yuyan shook her head, her eyes clouded with uncertainty, a far cry from her usual confidence.

"Strangely, now that we might actually find him, I’m afraid to face him. What if he hates me? Everything he’s been through is because of what I did."

"Teacher will forgive you. He’ll accept your apology."

"I hope so."

Xie Yuyan gave a self-deprecating smile. She had already betrayed Ye Feng’s trust twice—who wouldn’t despise her for that?

"Let me know if you find anything. I should get some rest."

Just as she stepped forward, a hand suddenly gripped her wrist. When Xie Yuyan turned back in surprise, she found Li Mucheng smiling gently at her.

"Don’t worry! I’ll help you!"

"Huh? Help me? But... why?"

"Because we’re the same. We met because of Teacher. Don’t you want to uncover his secrets and stand by him?"

"Of course I do... but I..."

"If you’re sincere, Teacher will forgive you. You know what kind of person he is, don’t you?"

"I do... How could I forget? Ye Feng... He’s always been so kind. To me, he’s everything."

"Then it’s settled. We’ll find Teacher together and make things right, okay?"

"Li Mucheng..."

"Just call me Mucheng, alright, Yuyan?"

"......"

Xie Yuyan stared at Li Mucheng, her kindness overwhelming, and suddenly burst into tears.

"I’m... I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!"

"It’s okay. If you want to thank anyone, thank Teacher. Without the kindness he showed us, how could we learn to be kind to others?"

Far away, Ye Feng remained unaware—that among the seeds he had planted in these girls’ hearts, one had blossomed into something called tenderness.