Keep Accurate Accounts

"Bang bang bang!"

After what felt like an eternity, Ye Feng gradually snapped out of his daze upon hearing the knocking at the door.

Had Shen Mengli and the others returned so soon?

Without hesitation, Ye Feng opened the door, and sure enough, the two stood before him, carrying groceries and daily necessities. What surprised him most was the bright smiles on both Shen Mengli and Xie Yuyan's faces.

"Mengli? Yuyan? You're back already?"

"We didn’t have much to buy in the first place," Shen Mengli replied, taking the bags from Xie Yuyan’s hands before extending her own toward Ye Feng.

"Ye Feng, you’re really not being very gentlemanly. Yuyan and I have been carrying these all the way back—we’re exhausted!"

"S-sorry! I was lost in thought just now."

Realizing his oversight, Ye Feng quickly took the shopping bags from Shen Mengli and stepped aside to let them pass.

"Thanks for your hard work, Ye Feng~"

Seizing the opportunity while his hands were full, Shen Mengli stood on her tiptoes and planted a quick peck on Ye Feng’s cheek. Then, turning to Xie Yuyan, who looked stunned, she whispered something before slipping into Xie Yuyan’s bedroom while Ye Feng was still processing what had happened.

"......"

Still holding the bags, Ye Feng awkwardly met Xie Yuyan’s gaze. For some reason, ever since Shen Mengli had spoken to her, Xie Yuyan’s expression had shifted—something about it felt off.

"Uh… what’s up with Mengli? What did she just say to you?"

"Hmm…"

Xie Yuyan blinked slowly, her eyes glinting with a hint of mischief as she looked at Ye Feng.

"Do you really want to know, Ye Feng?"

"Cough… N-never mind. I don’t actually need to know. I’ll just put the groceries in the fridge first. I’ll help with dinner later."

Ye Feng tried to brush off her question, but just as he turned to leave, Xie Yuyan suddenly closed the distance between them.

"Xie Yuyan?!"

"Ye Feng…"

Her face drew closer, forcing Ye Feng to retreat until his back hit the wall.

"Xie Yuyan, calm down! I didn’t expect Mengli to suddenly—"

"Do you know what Mengli told me earlier?"

Xie Yuyan cut him off, her alluring demeanor on full display, like a blooming flower in full radiance.

"Gulp."

Ye Feng swallowed hard, inhaling the faint, elegant fragrance drifting from her as he stammered, "W-what did she say?"

"She said… she’s leaving it to me~"

With that, Xie Yuyan leaned in and pressed a deep kiss onto Ye Feng’s other cheek before pulling away just as quickly.

"Yuyan, you…"

Her face flushed crimson in an instant, her heart swelling with affection for Ye Feng—and the thrill of finally being close to him again after so long.

"I’ll leave the rest to you, Ye Feng. Mengli and I still have a lot to talk about. I’ll make sure you accept me again, little by little."

"Yuyan…"

As Xie Yuyan stepped back with a faint smile, she followed Shen Mengli into the bedroom. A moment later, the sound of their hushed conversation drifted out.

"Sigh."

Resigned to what had just happened, Ye Feng didn’t dwell on Xie Yuyan’s kiss. Instead, he quietly carried the groceries to the kitchen and began preparing dinner.

......

"M-Mengli… Are you really okay with this?"

Sitting on the edge of the bed, Xie Yuyan glanced nervously at Shen Mengli, who remained expressionless. She hadn’t expected Shen Mengli to say something like that earlier—it seemed she was genuinely trying to accept her.

"Of course I’m not completely fine with it," Shen Mengli admitted. "But for Ye Feng’s sake, I’m trying to adjust my feelings. I’ll do my best to reach that 100% affection level too."

"I… I’ll try as well. It’s hard not to feel conflicted about this."

"Yeah. By the way, Yuyan, what’s your plan for tonight?"

"Tonight? What do you mean…?"

"Sleeping arrangements, of course. We only have two rooms, you know~"

"T-two rooms…"

"Exactly. But there are three of us, so it’s a bit of a problem."

Shen Mengli narrowed her eyes playfully, waiting for Xie Yuyan’s response.

"Even if you’ve accepted this, you’re still the owner of this house. So, I’ll leave the sleeping arrangements entirely up to you~"

"Me? No, no! In that case, Mengli, you should share a room with Ye Feng. I don’t mind at all."

"Oh? That won’t do. Besides, if Ye Feng found out, he’d never agree."

"Then what should we do? Maybe I could go stay with Mu Cheng…"

Just as Xie Yuyan was lost in thought, Ye Feng suddenly appeared in the doorway. Both girls turned to see him standing there, arms crossed, watching them calmly.

"Y-Ye Feng?"

Leaning against the doorframe, Ye Feng sighed. He had only come to call Xie Yuyan to help with dinner—after all, he still had to go out later—but instead, he walked in on them plotting about sleeping arrangements.

"So this is what you’ve been discussing all this time? You’re scheming about me now?"

"N-no, Ye Feng! We were just joking around!"

Xie Yuyan shook her head frantically, desperate to dispel his suspicions, and shot Shen Mengli a pleading look.

Shen Mengli hadn’t expected Ye Feng to overhear so clearly either. Flustered, she nodded along.

"Y-yeah! We were just kidding!"

"Kidding? Mengli, do you really think I’d believe that?"

"Whimper… Ye Feng~"

"Cut it out!"

Seeing Shen Mengli about to resort to her usual coquettish tactics, Ye Feng stopped her firmly. His tone turned serious as he addressed Xie Yuyan, who sat frozen on the bed.

"Xie Yuyan, come with me. The ingredients are ready. Mengli, you go set the table. We’ll settle this after I get back."

Ye Feng thought he had the upper hand—until he noticed the sudden shift in their expressions the moment he finished speaking.