Everyone Falls in Love with You

"Wh...what?! Make all of us fall in love with you, Ye Feng?"

Shen Mengli frowned in confusion at Ye Feng's sudden statement, her delicate brows knitting together as she pressed further.

"Ye Feng, we’ve already fallen for you. Is someone among us pretending?"

"Of course not. The system has an exact numerical measure of your affection toward me. For example, Mengli, your affection level is 99%. Aside from Li Mucheng, the others are also at 99%."

"Wh...what? Ninety-nine percent?"

Hearing Ye Feng's response, Shen Mengli was slightly taken aback. She hadn’t expected his concern to revolve around a mere number.

"Affection level? Ye Feng, could you explain this first? My head’s a bit fuzzy."

"Alright... The affection level represents how much you like me. Since it’s a system, it quantifies your feelings with numbers. And 99% is one of those metrics. According to the mission’s requirements, I need to raise everyone’s affection to 100% to receive the reward."

"So, Ye Feng, you’re saying... aside from Li Mucheng, none of us have reached full affection?"

"That’s right."

Ye Feng answered honestly, then continued in a reluctant tone.

"Though I don’t know how to reach the so-called 100% affection, the system essentially wants me to keep bouncing between the four of you to achieve it. But I don’t want to do that."

"......"

"At first, I lost myself, forced into this mission. But after spending time with all of you, I realized what I was doing was hurting you in ways I couldn’t see. The backlash I got was deserved. From then on, I stopped caring. No matter what pressure comes, I won’t bow to it again."

"But... what if the punishment it inflicts on you..."

"Then that’s my fate."

Ye Feng replied calmly, even offering Shen Mengli a faint smile.

"Now, I just want to live the remaining time the way I choose. Mengli, you’ll support me, won’t you?"

"Mm! No matter what choice you make, I’ll stand by you."

Shen Mengli answered without hesitation, her response swift and firm.

"Thank you, Mengli."

Ye Feng stepped forward and wrapped his arms tightly around her. Listening to his steady heartbeat, Shen Mengli understood—he truly no longer cared about his own fate.

"It’s alright, Ye Feng. Now, can we eat cake together? Let’s put aside these unhappy things and face life positively!"

"Alright."

......

As time passed, night fell. When the bedroom door opened, Ye Feng finally made his way to the bed.

"Phew..."

Still steaming from his shower, Ye Feng slipped under the covers and pulled Shen Mengli into his arms. Gazing into her radiant eyes, he couldn’t help but sigh.

"Nothing beats a hot bath. Mengli, do you want to go to the beach tomorrow? This time, we can stroll along the shore together."

A flicker of emotion passed through Shen Mengli’s eyes. It was clear Ye Feng’s suggestion had stirred something in her, but she quickly buried it.

"Ye Feng, as romantic as that sounds, because of you, I can’t go anywhere far for a while."

She pouted, feigning annoyance.

"Huh? Because of me? But Mengli, I haven’t done anything. Why say that?"

"It’s because the day before we came back, you didn’t hold back at all. My legs still hurt."

She muttered under her breath.

"Oh... that..."

Ye Feng scratched the back of his head awkwardly, then pressed a kiss to her forehead.

"Sorry, I’ll hold back next time. It’s just... your charm is too much to resist."

"Ye Feng, you think sweet talk will make me forgive you? Tomorrow, you’re making breakfast as punishment!"

"Yes, ma’am! Miss Mengli~"

"Idiot!"

Shen Mengli pouted again before burying herself in his arms, falling silent.

Thinking she wanted to rest, Ye Feng held her close and drifted off, his worries now completely dissolved. Unbeknownst to him, after he fell asleep, Shen Mengli quietly opened her eyes.

Ye Feng... forgive me for lying to you. For you, I’d give everything. As long as you stay by my side...

"What? Mengli, you’re going to Li Mucheng’s estate?!"

Early in the morning, after breakfast, Ye Feng stared at Shen Mengli in disbelief as she sipped her milk.

He couldn’t understand why she’d suddenly make such a request, and an uneasy feeling crept into his heart.

Is she planning to reveal my secret to the others? No, Mengli wouldn’t do that. She’s never liked Xie Yuyan and the others—she even finds them irritating. After all, Xie Yuyan once nearly...

"Relax, Ye Feng. Today, I just want to talk to Li Mucheng about her funding for Hope Orphanage."

"Funding the orphanage?"

"Yeah. Didn’t you know? When I visited the orphanage last time, the headmistress told me the Li Group had generously supported them before. I just want to thank Li Mucheng on her behalf."

"Li Mucheng did something like that? She never mentioned it to me. But she’s always been kind-hearted, especially after correcting her mistakes."

"Maybe that’s why her affection reached 100%..."

Shen Mengli murmured, then quickly added to ease Ye Feng’s doubts, "Out of all of them, Li Mucheng is the only one I can talk to. The others? I can’t stand them."

"Then... Mengli, should I come with you?"

Ye Feng asked tentatively.

"Of course! I’d love for you to come. That way, I can flaunt you in front of Li Mucheng and make sure she gives up on you for good!"

Shen Mengli puffed out her chest, her tone full of determination.

Since when did Mengli become so feisty...? She’s almost turning into a schemer...

"So, Ye Feng, shall we go now~?"

"Ahem..."

Imagining the scene of Shen Mengli confronting Li Mucheng, Ye Feng shook his head.

"W-well, Mengli, I think I’ll pass. Today, I’ll visit Wenwen and the others at the orphanage. I also need to talk to the headmistress about something."

"Oh... I see... Well, alright then..."

Shen Mengli pouted in disappointment.