What are you sighing for

"Xie Yuyan, I have to admit you've really changed a lot."

Ye Feng withdrew his hand and sighed as he looked into Xie Yuyan's eyes, which were filled with nothing but him.

"Really? Then, Ye Feng, does that mean you can forgive me now?"

Hearing Ye Feng's response, Xie Yuyan's heart leaped with joy. She stepped closer to him, gazing up with pitiful, pleading eyes.

"Didn't I say it's all in the past? And Xie Yuyan, don’t stand so close to me."

Feeling Xie Yuyan's body nearly pressed against his, Ye Feng hastily leaned back. Fortunately, she obediently moved away.

"Sorry, Ye Feng, I got a little too excited."

"It's... it's fine. I should probably go check if the others have arrived. I’m starting to worry since Shen Mengli hasn’t shown up yet."

"O-okay... I’ll go with you."

Xie Yuyan’s heart ached at the affectionate way Ye Feng referred to Shen Mengli. Once upon a time, he had addressed her with the same tenderness—until she had carelessly thrown it all away.

"No need, Xie Yuyan. Just stay seated."

"O-okay then..."

The moment Ye Feng stood up, perhaps due to his flustered state, he stumbled before even steadying himself, accidentally knocking into the table leg. Unable to regain his balance, he tumbled forward.

"Ye Feng!"

Thud!

A loud crash echoed as he hit the floor—yet strangely, he felt no pain. It was as if he had landed on something soft, like a pile of cotton.

"Huh?!"

Looking down, he realized Xie Yuyan had somehow caught him, cushioning his fall while she herself crashed onto the hard floor.

"Xie Yuyan?"

"Ye Feng, are you okay?!"

They spoke in unison before falling into an awkward silence.

After what felt like an eternity, Ye Feng finally broke the tension, scrambling to his feet.

"Xie Yuyan, why would you do that? Do you have any idea how much that must’ve hurt? What if you got seriously injured?"

"Ye Feng..."

Still lying on the cold floor, Xie Yuyan’s expression bloomed like a delicate flower, radiant and breathtaking.

"Are you... worried about me?"

"Now’s not the time for that! Get up and let me check if you’re hurt anywhere."

"Okay~"

Xie Yuyan giggled, her eyes crinkling as if the pain meant nothing to her. With Ye Feng’s help, she rose to her feet.

"No sprains or scrapes?"

Ye Feng quickly scanned her up and down, though her sportswear made it impossible to spot any injuries.

"Um... I’m not sure. Probably not?"

"Good. Xie Yuyan, what were you thinking? Do you want to get hurt?"

Ye Feng glared at her in exasperation, clearly displeased with her recklessness. Yet she simply smiled, accepting his scolding without protest.

"Sorry, Ye Feng. I just... acted on instinct. I’d do anything to keep you from getting hurt, no matter the cost."

"You’re insane. Absolutely insane."

Ye Feng clenched his fist midair before finally letting it drop with a resigned sigh.

"Xie Yuyan, haven’t I told you to put yourself first? Nothing in this world is more important than your own well-being."

"There is."

"Don’t start with that nonsense. Sit back down right now—or do I have to make you behave?"

"Alright, alright. Don’t be mad, Ye Feng. See? Everything’s fine."

"Are you sure you’re not hurt anywhere?"

"Well... actually, there is one place..."

"Why didn’t you say so sooner? Where does it hurt?"

Ye Feng leaned in, concerned. He never expected Xie Yuyan to go this far for him—though, knowing her stubbornness, changing her mind would be harder than scaling the heavens.

"Here..."

Xie Yuyan’s eyes shimmered softly as she placed a hand over her chest, right above her heart.

"......"

"Xie Yuyan, are you messing with me?"

"I’m serious! Ever since I saw you were safe, my heart... it’s been aching."

"Sigh... Just go sit down and rest. Maybe it’ll pass."

"O-okay..."

Xie Yuyan knew even this small interaction was slowly mending the rift between them. She couldn’t rush things now—Ye Feng’s feelings mattered more than her impatience.

Watching Xie Yuyan obediently comply, Ye Feng finally relaxed. Dealing with her was like punching cotton—no matter how much force he mustered, it never seemed to land.

As Xie Yuyan moved past him, Ye Feng noticed a leaf stuck to her back from the fall. He reached out to remove it—only for her to turn around abruptly.

Flick

Thump~

"Mm... Y-Ye Feng?"

Xie Yuyan shuddered instinctively, her usually composed face flushing crimson in an instant. Her lips parted slightly, as if struggling to find words.

"!!!"

Ye Feng hadn’t anticipated this mishap either. He stumbled back, waving his hands frantically.

"S-sorry, Xie Yuyan! I was just trying to—"

"It’s... it’s fine."

To his surprise, Xie Yuyan cut him off, lowering her head as the room grew thick with tension. Biting her lip coyly, she murmured,

"You... you can, you know... if it’s what you want..."

"Want what?!"

Thankfully, Ye Feng’s quick thinking shattered the spell before Xie Yuyan could fully lean into her seductive act.

"That was an accident! There was a leaf on your back—I was just trying to remove it!"

"But it doesn’t have to be an accident..."

"It was! A genuine, 100% accident!"

Seeing how adamant he was, Xie Yuyan reluctantly dropped the subject.

"Fine... sigh."

"Why are you sighing?!"