I Can

Shen Mengli blinked lightly, and only after seeing Xie Yuyan emerge did her uneasy heart settle somewhat. Even so, she craned her neck, continuously peering toward Xie Yuyan’s bedroom, as she still hadn’t caught sight of Ye Feng.

"Xiao... Xiao Feng? Where is he?" Shen Mengli asked softly, her voice sweet and hesitant.

Xie Yuyan took small sips of the rice porridge, letting the warmth flow down her throat before slowly parting her lips.

"Ye Feng is probably still resting. Things got a little too intense earlier~"

"Huh? Intense? What do you mean?"

Faced with Xie Yuyan’s suggestive words, Shen Mengli tilted her head in confusion, her worry for Ye Feng growing even stronger.

"Well... Mengli, you could think of it like drinking water through a straw, and when the cup is almost empty, you do what you have to do to get the last drops."

"Ha? Yuyan, what exactly are you trying to say? Why are we suddenly talking about drinking water with a straw?"

Guided by Xie Yuyan’s words, Shen Mengli pondered carefully. She imagined herself sucking harder to get the last remnants of water from the cup when it was nearly empty...

Wait—sucking harder!

Realization dawned on her, and her eyes widened as she stared at Xie Yuyan.

"Yuyan, you..."

Seeing Shen Mengli’s shocked expression, Xie Yuyan knew she had figured it out.

"Hehe, I bet you understand this better than I do. Ye Feng’s allure is just too strong. By the time I came to my senses, it was already too late..."

"Ugh... I... I’m going to check on Xiao Feng."

Without another thought for breakfast, Shen Mengli rose from her chair and hurried toward Xie Yuyan’s bedroom. Meanwhile, Xie Yuyan happily savored the breakfast Ye Feng had prepared for her.

"Mmm~ If only I could have two breakfasts like this every day~"

......

"Xiao Feng?"

As soon as Shen Mengli stepped into the bedroom, she spotted Ye Feng sitting on the edge of the bed, looking dazed.

Sensing movement, Ye Feng lifted his gaze to meet Shen Mengli’s worried eyes.

"Mengli, it’s you..."

His voice sounded so weary that Shen Mengli almost thought he had aged decades in an instant.

"X-Xiao Feng?! Are you okay?"

"I’m fine. Just a little exhausted."

Right now, Ye Feng resembled a towering tree on the verge of collapse.

"Xiao Feng, maybe you should rest a bit more?"

"It’s alright, Mengli. I’ve already recovered somewhat. It’s just a bit too much to handle first thing in the morning without eating."

Ye Feng gave a wry smile. Life these days was no longer as unsettling as before—was this what they called "pain and pleasure intertwined"?

"O-Okay then..."

Seeing that Ye Feng wasn’t in terrible shape, Shen Mengli obediently sat beside him, intertwining her fingers with his.

"Xiao Feng... I love you so much..."

"Mengli..."

Ye Feng leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead before whispering tenderly,

"Me too."

Just as their gazes locked, unable to part, Ye Feng’s phone suddenly rang.

"!!!"

Startled, they both turned their heads away in unison. Shen Mengli quickly stood up and walked out of the bedroom, seemingly giving Ye Feng his privacy. Before leaving completely, she added considerately,

"Xiao Feng, come out for breakfast soon, okay~?"

"Got it."

After watching Shen Mengli leave, Ye Feng answered the call. A quick glance at the screen had already told him what to expect.

"Hello?"

"Ye Feng, I’ve parked the car downstairs at the apartment. Let me know if you need anything later."

Ah Fu’s voice came through the phone. Though Ye Feng was slightly surprised, this was exactly the kind of arrangement Li Mucheng would make.

"Alright, thanks for your trouble."

After a brief exchange with Ah Fu, Ye Feng stood up from the bed. Thankfully, his physical stamina was strong, and after a short rest, his energy had improved significantly.

As he stepped out of the bedroom, he saw Xie Yuyan and Shen Mengli tidying up the kitchen.

"Mengli? Yuyan? What are you two...?"

"Xiao Feng, you’re here! The porridge’s been reheated for you—hurry and eat while it’s hot. Yuyan and I are just cleaning up."

"Mm, Ye Feng, drink up. And make sure you drink plenty~"

"Yuyan, you didn’t need to add that last part..."

Ye Feng pressed his lips together in resignation. Remembering that Ah Fu was still waiting downstairs, he quickly finished breakfast and was about to wash the dishes when a pair of small hands snatched them away.

"Yuyan?"

"Alright, didn’t I say I’d handle this? You just focus on resting, Ye Feng."

With that, Xie Yuyan shot Shen Mengli a meaningful glance. Understanding immediately, Shen Mengli nodded in agreement and then looped her arm through Ye Feng’s, leading him toward the sofa.

"That’s right, Xiao Feng! You should be resting now. This is the perfect time to replenish your strength."

"......"

"Are you two babying me too much? I’m a guy—it’s not like I’m that fragile. You’re making it seem like I’m living off you or something."

"That’s not it at all! Yuyan said this is called ‘scientific pig farming’—no, wait! ‘Scientific fitness’! This way, your body will only get stronger."

"Stronger? More like you two just want a piece of me!"

Ye Feng didn’t hold back, especially since he’d caught Xie Yuyan sneaking glances at him from the kitchen.

"Mm..."

At his blunt words, Shen Mengli’s face flushed visibly, and she shook her head vehemently in denial.

"That’s not it at all! You’re the one misunderstanding, Xiao Feng! I just want you to be healthier."

"Alright, alright, I get it."

Ye Feng reached out and patted her head affectionately, his voice full of warmth. At the same time, he motioned for Xie Yuyan to come over.

Xie Yuyan paused in surprise but quickly walked to his side.

"What is it, Ye Feng?"

"Come sit and rest for a bit. We should head to Mucheng’s estate soon."

"Okay..."

The moment Xie Yuyan sat down, Ye Feng took her hand and kissed her forehead as well.

"Next time, no more sudden moves like that, got it?"

"I won’t~ ♡"

The unexpected kiss sent Xie Yuyan’s mind into chaos, and the curve of her lips betrayed her delight.