Tomorrow's Conversation

After a quick tidy-up, Li Mucheng stepped out of her room and into the living room. When she spotted Xie Yuyan, she nodded in greeting.

"Good afternoon."

Xie Yuyan, now seemingly accustomed to life at the estate, took a sip of coffee from the table.

"Xie Yuyan, you... why are you here?"

"What? Don’t want me to come?" Xie Yuyan raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a faint smile as she observed Li Mucheng’s surprised expression.

"N-no, that’s not what I meant. The teacher is returning today—shouldn’t you be at home?"

"Home? A place without Ye Feng can hardly be called home."

Her tone carried a hint of melancholy.

"Of course I know Ye Feng is coming back today. But staying in that house feels so cold. I don’t even know why I ended up here—maybe my heart has gradually accepted this kind of behavior."

"Xie Yuyan, are you saying..."

"Mm, it’s exactly what you’re thinking. Just being able to see Ye Feng is enough for me. But if there’s a chance to try harder, I’ll give it my all."

"O-okay... It’s good that you think that way. The teacher would surely be moved if he knew. I believe as long as we don’t exhaust him like before, everything will work out."

"Mm, I hope so."

"But Xie Yuyan, aren’t you planning to see the teacher? Didn’t you and Shen Mengli agree to talk about that matter concerning him?"

Li Mucheng asked softly. Though she was more composed than the other two in terms of mindset, Xie Yuyan’s calmness in critical situations was something she couldn’t match.

"We did agree, but today is their first day back. If I go, I’ll draw Ye Feng’s attention. I’ll talk to Shen Mengli after today."

"Alright, then I’ll leave this matter to you. I’ll have the guest room prepared later—you can stay here tonight, Yuyan."

"Mm, thank you, Mucheng."

......

"Sister, Wenwen missed you so much~"

Wenwen clung to Shen Mengli like a little koala, refusing to let go. The other children were equally excited by Shen Mengli’s arrival. Though they didn’t understand how she could stand now, they were simply happy their beloved sister could move freely like them.

"Alright, Wenwen, you’ve been hugging me for so long. You’re grown-up now—you need to set a good example as an older sister."

"Wuu..."

Hearing Shen Mengli’s gentle reprimand, Wenwen reluctantly pulled back, though her eyes lingered on Shen Mengli’s face.

"Sister, I just missed you so much. I wasn’t trying to be clingy on purpose."

"I know, Wenwen. You’ve been very good today. I missed you too, you know."

Shen Mengli smiled, stroking Wenwen’s head while casting a playful glance at Ye Feng across from her. Her eyes seemed to say, See how popular I am?

But Ye Feng remained unfazed, merely quirking his lips in silent amusement.

"Big Brother!"

Once freed from Shen Mengli’s embrace, Wenwen didn’t linger—instead, she dashed over to Ye Feng, arms outstretched with excitement.

"I want Big Brother to hug me!"

"Huh? Wenwen, you..."

Though puzzled, Ye Feng treated Wenwen like a beloved little sister and was about to lift her onto his lap when—

Shen Mengli reacted lightning-fast, snatching Wenwen back by the collar and pulling her into her own arms again.

"Mm... Sister?"

Wenwen blinked in confusion. Hadn’t Shen Mengli just told her to let go?

"Wenwen, I thought about it again—we haven’t seen each other in so long. Sister wants to hold you a little longer today, okay?"

"Mm... Okay."

"Good girl~"

Watching Shen Mengli’s swift change in demeanor, Ye Feng could only shake his head in amusement.

Is Mengli actually jealous? But she looks so adorable like this.

After playing with the children for a while, Shen Mengli suggested heading home. The director didn’t stop them, only pulling Shen Mengli aside for a few quiet words before seeing them off.

The moment they stepped out of the orphanage, Shen Mengli clung tightly to Ye Feng’s arm, pouting.

"Finally, I can hold you properly, Xiao Feng~ Do you know how long I’ve had to hold back in there? If the kids weren’t watching, I’d have buried myself in your arms and never moved."

"Listen to you. Weren’t you just lecturing Wenwen about being mature? Now you’re copying her."

"That’s because I love you too much~"

Not letting him continue, Shen Mengli deployed her ultimate weapon—sincerity—forcing Ye Feng to change the subject with a resigned chuckle.

"Alright, let’s go home. I’ve already contacted the landlord—luckily, she hadn’t found a new tenant before we moved out. We can move right back in."

"Mm... I don’t really care where we live. I’m just curious—have the others not reached out to you?"

"The others? No, but they definitely know I’m back. Everything’s normal, so don’t worry too much, Mengli."

"Mm... I was just asking."

Shen Mengli glanced at the waiting car, quietly suppressing her unease. So far, everything was proceeding smoothly, with no complications. It seemed the others were serious about discussing things properly this time.

"Xiao Feng, tomorrow I’d like to take some time to thank Li Mucheng. After all, she arranged the driver for us, and... I have something to say to her."

"Oh? That’s fine, but don’t you want to rest for a few days? Should I come with you?"

"Don’t worry, Xiao Feng, I’ll be fine. Let me go alone."

"If you insist... alright."

Ye Feng respected her decision, nodding before guiding her back into the car.