Thank You, Yuyan

"Ye Feng... I know from the very beginning, you've always treated Mu Cheng as your student. Whether it's from what Ah Fu told me or what I've personally observed, that much is clear."

Li Jing spoke with heartfelt sincerity.

"But Mu Cheng lost her mother at a very young age, and ever since then, I made up my mind to give her a happy life. So whether it's who she likes or the kind of life she wants to live, I won’t stand in her way. And with your appearance, Ye Feng, I’ve come to feel that Mu Cheng’s judgment is sound. Gradually, I’ve started to think that you and Mu Cheng being together is a good decision."

"But... Uncle Li, I..."

Before Ye Feng could finish, Li Jing interrupted him.

"I actually understand your dilemma, Ye Feng. As a father, I want to fight for Mu Cheng a little more. You might not know this, but Su Wanli has also taken a liking to you these days. Every time we meet at gatherings, that old man always ends up arguing with me. Today, I called you here partly for Mu Cheng’s sake, and partly for your own."

"For my own? Uncle Li, what do you mean?"

"Just be sincere with Mu Cheng. As for your own way of living, the two of us old men won’t interfere too much."

"Huh?"

Li Jing’s sudden remark left Ye Feng stunned in his chair. Deep down, he felt Li Jing was hinting at something.

"You’ll have to figure that out yourself. Just don’t mistreat my daughter, or I won’t let you off easy!"

With that, Li Jing stood up from his desk, sighed deeply, and left the room first, leaving a bewildered Ye Feng behind.

"......"

That’s it... it’s over?!

It took Ye Feng a long time to process what had just happened. Sitting in the chair, he couldn’t calm down. Li Jing’s final words seemed like an ultimatum—if he took good care of Li Mucheng and Su Yuxin, Li Jing and Su Wanli wouldn’t give him too much trouble. Was this their way of making him give a silent promise to set their minds at ease?

"Ah, why does it feel like the weight on my shoulders keeps getting heavier? Well, no use overthinking it. I should go settle what needs to be settled first, or else misunderstandings might arise later."

Ye Feng muttered to himself as he stood up and walked out the door.

......

"Ahem..."

After leaving the office, Li Jing showed no signs of leaving. Instead, he took the elevator to the top floor of the building. Opening a door, he coughed lightly at the figure standing with his back to him by the floor-to-ceiling window.

Hearing the sound, the figure turned slightly, revealing a deep voice. "How did it go?"

"Don’t worry. The boy has good character. I’ve told him our thoughts, and the rest is up to them."

"Ah..."

The figure sighed heavily before turning around completely—it was none other than Su Wanli, who hadn’t been seen in a long time. His thick brows were furrowed, and he looked nothing like the composed corporate president. Instead, he resembled a weary father weighed down by worries.

"Old Li, do you think what we’re doing is right? I don’t deny Ye Feng’s character, but will this really turn out well?"

"Do you trust him or not?"

"Of course I do, but..."

"If you trust him, then don’t question it further. All we need to do is pave the way for the children."

"Alright..."

With that single word from Su Wanli, the room fell into dead silence once more.

......

"Hey, Ye Feng, you’re finally out! If you’d taken any longer, I might’ve caught a cold from the wind out here."

Ah Fu, who had been rubbing his hands at the building’s entrance, immediately approached when he saw Ye Feng emerge. But noticing Ye Feng’s solemn expression, he quickly dropped his playful tone.

"What’s wrong? Did the master say something harsh to you?"

Ye Feng shook his head and replied absentmindedly, "Ah Fu, you go back first. I need some time alone."

"That won’t do! The master specifically ordered me to ensure your safety!"

"I’m really fine, Ah Fu. I’ll walk the rest of the way myself. There are some things I need to sort out."

Seeing that Ye Feng was adamant, Ah Fu had no choice but to return to the estate alone.

Watching the car disappear into the distance, Ye Feng stood still for a moment before glancing toward a narrow alley in the distance.

"Honestly... this girl really knows how to make things difficult."

Instead of heading home, Ye Feng strode straight into the pitch-black alley.

Standing at the entrance, he peered into the darkness before finally calling out, "Yuyan, it’s time to go home."

For a while, the alley remained silent, as if Ye Feng had been talking to himself.

But he didn’t leave. Instead, he added, "If you don’t come out now, I’m leaving without you."

"......"

A few seconds later, faint footsteps echoed from the depths of the alley. Gradually, a figure emerged from the shadows, stepping closer until the dim light revealed a delicate yet melancholic face.

"Ye... Ye Feng... I’m sorry..."

Ye Feng hadn’t expected Xie Yuyan’s first words to be an apology. But he didn’t blame her. Instead, he pulled her into a tight embrace, leaving her stunned.

Xie Yuyan had braced herself for Ye Feng’s anger, thinking he would resent her for breaking her promise. When she heard him call her name at the alley’s entrance, her heart sank into despair, her mind blank with dread. But to her shock, Ye Feng had hugged her—his voice gentle, as if this were nothing more than an unbelievable dream.

"Ye... Ye Feng?"

"Shh, don’t speak. Just let me hold you."

His words left her frozen, but she wrapped her arms around him tightly, savoring the warmth she never thought she’d feel again.

They stayed like that until a cold breeze brushed against their faces, prompting Ye Feng to finally let go.

"Thank you, Yuyan."

"Eh?!!!"