I won't let him get hurt again

"What!?"

Even the usually composed and prepared Xie Yuyan was stunned by Ye Feng's words.

"Ye... Ye Feng, what did you just say? 'No longer exist'? How is that possible!"

"It's true, Xie Yuyan. I’m not lying to you. At this point, do I even have any reason to deceive you?"

Ye Feng seemed to have anticipated their reactions, as their expressions mirrored Shen Mengli's earlier response.

"No, Ye Feng, I don’t think you’re lying. I just feel like this... this 'no longer existing' thing is so unfair..."

"Unfair?"

Ye Feng hadn’t expected Xie Yuyan’s first thought to go there, but he could only smile wryly.

"Since when has the world ever been fair?"

"Teacher... why are you being forced to do something you don’t want to do? Is there any way to get rid of it?"

Li Mucheng looked at Ye Feng with visible concern, her emotions laid bare—unlike Xie Yuyan, who kept hers restrained.

"Of course, there’s no way. If I could break free from it, I would’ve done so long ago. But..."

"But?"

"Ah... never mind."

Ye Feng suddenly recalled the system’s reward: if all the girls' affection for him reached 100%, the time limit on his life would be lifted entirely.

But now, he had resolved not to treat these girls as mere mission objectives anymore. He wouldn’t complete this so-called task. What he wanted was freedom—to live without regrets.

"Alright, do any of you have other questions?"

"......"

Seeing that Ye Feng didn’t want to elaborate, Li Mucheng didn’t press further. She quietly tucked the matter away, planning to discuss it with the others later when Ye Feng wasn’t around.

"Ye Feng, if we listen to you... will you come back?"

Just as the atmosphere grew heavy, Su Yuxin spoke up. Her lips trembled slightly as she gazed at Ye Feng with hopeful eyes, as if her pitiful expression might sway his heart.

"If I do return, it’ll only be for a short while. Living in the mountains isn’t good for Mengli’s health."

"Xiao... Feng?"

Shen Mengli, nestled in Ye Feng’s arms, had initially thought he was reconciling with the other three. Just as her heart began to sink, she hadn’t expected him to suddenly mention her. Overwhelmed with joy, her love for him deepened even further. Without hesitation, she kissed him again—right in front of the others.

But before she could, Ye Feng gently placed his hand on her head, stopping her.

"If it weren’t for Mengli, I probably wouldn’t even be alive right now. Even if I had survived, without her guidance, I’d never have escaped the darkness. So, to me, Mengli is the most important person."

The... most important person!

Hearing Ye Feng’s blunt declaration, Shen Mengli’s earlier worries vanished instantly. A faint blush crept onto her cheeks.

Xiao Feng just called me his most important person... and he said it in front of everyone! I... I’m so happy...

Though her heart was racing, for the other three, his words were nothing short of devastating. Who could bear hearing the person they loved openly prioritize someone else?

Yet they knew this was the consequence of their own actions. The boomerang they’d thrown had finally come back to strike them.

"Then... Ye Feng, will you at least stay here for a while longer?"

Su Yuxin stammered, her voice noticeably weaker. His earlier words had made it clear where his heart truly lay.

"Mm, I still need to discuss things with Mengli over the next few days. We can talk more tomorrow, alright?"

"O... okay, Ye Feng. Please take care of yourself, alright?"

"Don’t worry, Yuxin. Thanks for your concern."

"O... okay. I’ll... I’ll go outside for a bit. I want to see the scenery."

As she spoke, Su Yuxin’s eyes welled up with tears. Unable to endure the pain any longer, she stood up and rushed out of the cabin.

"Yuxin! Sorry, Teacher, I need to go after her."

Li Mucheng wanted to stop Su Yuxin, but she moved too quickly. Left with no choice, Li Mucheng excused herself and hurried out after her, leaving Xie Yuyan alone in the cabin.

"Ye Feng..."

"Yeah."

"Can... can we ever go back to how things were before? Without you, I’ve never even stepped foot in that house. If you make your decision tomorrow... I’ll keep a room ready for you."

"Xie Yuyan, I appreciate your kindness. But let’s leave all decisions for tomorrow, alright? My mind’s a mess right now."

"Is it because of the secret?"

"Mm."

"Alright... I won’t disturb you any further. But before I go, could I speak with Shen Mengli for a moment?"

"With Mengli?"

Ye Feng lowered his head, casting a questioning glance at Shen Mengli. To his surprise, she didn’t resist. Instead, she agreed readily.

"Sure."

"Mengli, are you really okay with this?"

"It’s fine, Xiao Feng. I believe Yuyan-jie just wants to talk. You can leave us alone for now."

"Alright... Mengli, call me if you need anything. I’ll go check on Mucheng and the others."

"Mm, go ahead."

Shen Mengli gave him a reassuring look. Only after Ye Feng left did her smile fade. She turned to Xie Yuyan, her expression cold.

"Speak. What do you want now?"

"Shen Mengli, you’ve misunderstood me. The way I am now—"

"Don’t forget what you did to me at the orphanage."

Shen Mengli cut her off sharply, her tone icy.

"Do you really think I’d trust someone who almost killed me?"

"I... I’m sorry..."

"Save your apologies. I don’t want them."

Shen Mengli’s hostility made it impossible for Xie Yuyan to have a proper conversation. But Xie Yuyan knew that, of all of them, Shen Mengli held the most resentment toward her—and she had no one to blame but herself.

"Shen Mengli, let me apologize first. The way I treated you before was too extreme, and I—"

"I said I won’t accept it! Xie Yuyan, don’t waste your breath. I’ll never forgive you. Someone as dangerous as you... I won’t let Xiao Feng near you again. I won’t let him get hurt anymore."