Red

When the morning light streamed through the window, Ye Feng opened his bleary eyes. The first thing that greeted him was still Shen Mengli's adorable sleeping face.

As if sensing Ye Feng's slightly heavier breath, Shen Mengli's delicate eyelashes fluttered before she slowly opened her lively eyes.

"Good morning," Ye Feng spoke first.

"G-good morning, Feng..." Shen Mengli replied softly, relieved to hear that the gloom in his voice from last night had faded. She had been afraid that yesterday's unpleasantness might have made him resent her, but it seemed her worries were unfounded.

"Are you hungry, Feng? Since you cooked yesterday, it's my turn today. I'll make some vegetable corn soup."

Just as Shen Mengli finished speaking and tried to climb over Ye Feng to get out of bed, she didn’t expect him to suddenly pull her into his arms. Caught off guard, she ended up pressed against his chest.

Listening to the rapid thumping of Ye Feng's heartbeat, Shen Mengli didn’t ask why he had done this. She simply nestled quietly in his embrace and closed her eyes.

"Mengli," Ye Feng finally murmured after a long silence.

"I'm here," Shen Mengli replied, slowly shifting to bury her face deeper into his chest.

"What is it, Feng?"

"About last night... I'm sorry..."

"Oh, that’s what you’re talking about." Shen Mengli shook her head lightly, as if dismissing his apology.

"It's okay. I was too emotional last night and ended up ignoring your feelings. I should be the one apologizing."

"No, Mengli! I—"

Mwah~

Before Ye Feng could explain, Shen Mengli sealed his lips with a kiss.

Mmm~

Only when she ran out of breath did she pull back, her face flushed. Seeing Ye Feng’s unwavering gaze fixed on her, she bit her lip and hid her face against him again.

This time, however, she leaned close to his ear, her warm breath tickling his skin.

"Let’s leave last night behind us, okay? We should look forward to the future together, shouldn’t we?"

"......"

Ye Feng fell silent for a moment before loosening his grip around Shen Mengli’s waist. Just as she thought he was letting her go, he suddenly sat up, pulling her with him.

Losing her balance, Shen Mengli let out a startled gasp and instinctively wrapped her arms around his shoulders.

"Eek!"

Once they were pressed tightly together, she finally regained her composure. Looking into Ye Feng’s eyes—completely filled with her—she instantly recognized the excitement burning within them.

"I-it’s okay..." Shen Mengli whispered, burying her face in the crook of his neck.

"If it’s you, Feng... I’ll accept anything you want to do~"

Thud!

Her words struck Ye Feng like a bolt of lightning.

"M-Mengli, just give me a moment... I need to calm down..."

He took deep, ragged breaths, trying to steady himself.

But Shen Mengli had no intention of letting him regain control. Her goal was to make sure Ye Feng’s eyes remained fixed on her—even if it meant molding him into someone who could never leave her side.

"Feng... it’s fine. Shouldn’t we add a little spice to our lives together? Besides... I’ve grown addicted to this feeling."

"Addicted? Mengli, you mean..."

"That’s right~ Ever since that day we became one, I’ve started seeing you in a whole new light."

As she spoke, Shen Mengli pressed her lips against his again, her half-lidded eyes glazed with desire.

"Feng... please, devour me~"

......

Vroom!

With a loud rumble, a small truck rolled down the muddy village road before coming to a stop on a wider path.

"Phew, all today’s deliveries are done."

The middle-aged driver stepped out, ready to head inside for a quick nap, when he noticed a group of unfamiliar women approaching him.

"Oh? Hello there, ladies. What brings you here...?"

Clearly flustered by the unexpected encounter, the man stumbled over his words.

"Hello, sir. We’ve been waiting for you for a while."

"Waiting for me? I’m just a meat vendor—you must have the wrong person."

"Don’t worry, sir. We’re looking for you specifically."

Li Mucheng spoke politely as she engaged the man in conversation.

"We have something very important to ask. Would you mind sparing us a moment? Don’t worry, we just have a few questions."

"Questions? I’m not exactly a scholar..."

The man scratched his head awkwardly, but after spotting the village elder standing behind the women, he finally nodded.

"Alright then, ladies. Ask away. I’ll answer whatever I can."

"Perfect!"

Su Yuxin’s eyes sparkled with excitement, and she immediately blurted out,

"Sir, have you seen a young man around here recently?"

"A young man? That’s a bit vague, miss. I meet plenty of young men every day—in the city, in other villages..."

"Ah! N-no, I mean... have you met someone named Ye Feng?"

"Ye Feng?"

The man frowned in thought before shaking his head.

"Never heard of him."

"Wha—? How...?"

Su Yuxin’s expression visibly fell, but Xie Yuyan quickly interjected.

"Sorry, sir. That was a bit unclear. Let me rephrase—have you noticed any strangers in the village lately? Or anyone who came to buy things from you, whether food or daily necessities?"

"Ah, now that you mention it..."

With the scope narrowed down, the man finally recalled something.

After a brief pause, he nodded.

"Actually, yes! A young girl came by a few days ago to buy meat, along with some fruits and vegetables."

"A young girl? Could you describe her? We’re searching for someone very important—please, every detail helps!"

"Hmm... She had a very sweet voice, but she wasn’t very tall. The most striking thing was her eyes—bright red, like dazzling gemstones."

"Red?!!"

All three women gasped in unison.