I have no objection either

"Wuu... Yu Yan, Mu Cheng, won't you say something?"

Su Yuxin paced anxiously by the sofa, murmuring as she glanced at the two seated girls. Ye Feng's earlier reaction made it clear he knew Shen Mengli had revealed his secret. If things continued this way, not only would Ye Feng and Shen Mengli's relationship fracture, but the rest of them might also be dragged into the fallout...

The mere thought sent a shiver down Su Yuxin's spine, her whole body tensing at the terrifying possibility. Yet Li Mucheng and Xie Yuyan remained eerily calm, their silence unbroken.

"Yuxin, panicking won’t help now. All we can do is wait for Teacher’s final decision and hope Mengli can soothe him..."

Li Mucheng lifted her gaze to meet Su Yuxin’s, patting the empty spot beside her.

"I understand how you feel, but we can’t intervene without making things worse."

"I... I know. I’m just so worried..."

Su Yuxin sighed softly, shuffling over to sit next to Li Mucheng before casting a tentative glance at Xie Yuyan across the sofa.

"Relax."

Xie Yuyan tossed her a reassuring look before speaking slowly.

"During my private talks with Ye Feng, I sensed a shift in his heart. He’s no longer as resistant toward us. With his secret out in the open, the weight on his mind has lightened. He wasn’t as distant as before, either. I believe Mengli will succeed."

"Mmm..."

......

As time passed, footsteps suddenly echoed down the hallway. All three girls snapped their attention toward the sound, watching as Ye Feng approached—Shen Mengli clinging to his arm. Their expressions softened, as if the answer had already been delivered.

"Ye... Ye Feng-gege..."

Su Yuxin was the first to rise from the sofa, her small hands clutching her skirt as she stared at him with pleading eyes.

"I’m sorry! I was the one who begged Mengli to do it! And about Mu Cheng and Yu Yan—"

Before she could finish, Ye Feng gently rested a hand on her head. The unexpected touch made Su Yuxin stiffen, her breath hitching. After a stunned pause, she finally dared to peek up.

"Ye Feng-gege?"

"It’s alright, Yuxin. No more apologies. If anything, I’m the one who should be sorry."

"But... why...?"

"Listen, let’s save this for later. There’s something else I need to discuss with all of you."

"O... okay."

Su Yuxin stammered her agreement, shuffling toward the far end of the sofa—only for Shen Mengli to yank her back by the wrist.

"Huh? Mengli?"

Shen Mengli offered a faint smile and a nod.

"Sit down, Yuxin. Honestly, even now you’re trying to shoulder the blame alone? If Xiao Feng weren’t here, I’d have scolded you properly."

"Wuu..."

Su Yuxin hung her head, avoiding everyone’s gaze. Her earlier words stemmed from the fact that, among them all, she felt the most distant from Ye Feng. To protect him, she’d been ready to sacrifice herself.

"Wow, Yuxin! How could you do this to us?"

Even the usually gentle Li Mucheng puffed her cheeks in frustration.

"We promised to face things together, didn’t we? No matter what happens, we don’t give up! Do you think hogging all the blame will solve anything?"

Su Yuxin parted her lips to reply but clamped them shut under Li Mucheng’s stern glare.

Seeing her subdued expression, Li Mucheng sighed after catching Ye Feng’s subtle headshake.

"Fine. Just don’t let it happen again, understood?"

"Y-yes, I got it."

Grateful for the out, Su Yuxin nodded vigorously. Meanwhile, Ye Feng guided her back to the sofa, his tone turning serious.

"Now that things are settled, let’s address the main issue. Yu Yan, Mu Cheng, take your seats too."

"Understood, Teacher."

"Mm."

The two exchanged a glance before sitting opposite Ye Feng.

Surrounded by four pairs of attentive eyes, Ye Feng felt a flicker of nervousness. Clearing his throat, he began:

"Since you’re all aware of the system within me—and the last secret I hid—it’s time we talked openly."

"First, I owe you an apology. Our meeting happened because of my own circumstances. I know it’s too late to undo things, and my attempts to make amends were flawed. If anyone holds resentment, please tell me now."

The moment he finished, Ye Feng felt a tug on his sleeve. Turning, he found Su Yuxin biting her lip, her dazzling eyes locked onto him.

"I... I..."

"It’s alright, Yuxin. Speak your mind. I know there’s distance between us—"

But to his surprise, her words were nothing like what he’d expected.

With eyes curved into crescents, Su Yuxin beamed a radiant, sweet smile.

"I like Ye Feng-gege! There’s nothing I’m unhappy about!"

Her sunny expression pierced through the gloom in Ye Feng’s heart like a scorching ray, instantly brightening his world.

......

"Ah... r-really? Thank you for still trusting me, Yuxin."

Ye Feng chuckled, ruffling her hair as she clung tighter to his arm.

"I-I feel the same as Yuxin! No complaints about Teacher!" Li Mucheng chimed in, fists clenched.

"Me too!"

Not to be outdone, Shen Mengli mirrored Su Yuxin, snuggling against Ye Feng’s other arm.

"No objections here."

Xie Yuyan was the last to respond, her calm demeanor unchanged. After all, she and Ye Feng had already shared countless private conversations—he knew her heart well.

"Everyone..."