The Darkened Xie Yuyan

“Are you saying that Mu Cheng’s change is due to Ye Feng’s guidance?”

“Yes, Master. Ever since Ye Feng became the young lady’s tutor, her personality has gradually improved. But from what I’ve observed these days, I think…”

Ah Fu stopped speaking here, afraid that his words might upset Li Jing.

“Are you suggesting that Mu Cheng has feelings for Ye Feng?”

Li Jing could tell from Ah Fu’s hesitant expression and voiced his own speculation.

“Yes, Master. It seems the young lady has developed feelings for Ye Feng.”

“Sigh…”

Li Jing let out a deep sigh, suddenly looking several years older.

“Master, how should we handle this?”

“What’s your opinion?”

“I only follow your orders, Master.”

Ah Fu didn’t dare to cross Li Jing’s boundaries now. As a bodyguard, his only duty was to carry out his employer’s tasks.

“Speak your true feelings. That’s an order.”

“Yes…”

Ah Fu almost gritted his teeth as he spoke.

“I think… the reason the young lady has become who she is now is all because of Ye Feng. If we separate Ye Feng from her, I fear the young lady might become extremely angry and do something drastic.”

“Mu Cheng is indeed capable of such actions.”

Li Jing laughed bitterly, then gazed at the family photo on his desk, staring at the image of his late wife and smiling faintly.

“Let Mu Cheng do what she likes. But keep an eye on Ye Feng. If he does anything inappropriate to her, restrain him immediately.”

“Understood.”

……

“Click”

Ye Feng turned the key and entered the house. Earlier, he had noticed suspicious individuals lingering near the apartment building. It seemed the organization hunting for Xie Yuyan was still unwilling to give up.

“Ye Feng, you’re back~”

As soon as Ye Feng closed the door, he felt a strong pressure from behind.

Xie Yuyan hugged him from behind, her unease dissipating. She was happy today because Ye Feng had kept his promise to return on time.

“Xie Yuyan? You’re not asleep?”

“Not yet.”

Xie Yuyan let go of Ye Feng and happily sat back on the sofa, patting the edge of the couch to signal him to sit down.

“You must be tired from work. Come and rest for a while.”

“Why do you seem especially different today?”

Ye Feng sat down on the sofa, looking at Xie Yuyan with suspicion. When had she become so lively?

“That… that’s because you kept our promise, so I’m happy.”

As she spoke, Xie Yuyan glanced subtly at the bedsheet hanging on the windowsill. Ye Feng noticed this and followed her gaze.

“Huh? Isn’t that my bedsheet? Why is it hanging there?”

Ye Feng stood up and walked over curiously, touching the sheet to find it damp and smelling of laundry detergent. Clearly, it had been washed.

“This… this…”

Xie Yuyan, caught red-handed, clasped her hands behind her back, stammering and unsure of what to say.

“Xie Yuyan, did you wash my bedsheet?”

Seeing that she had been discovered, Xie Yuyan nodded reluctantly.

“Yes… I did…”

“Why? I remember washing it just last week.”

“Because… because… I’ve been staying at home and felt guilty for not doing anything for you, so… I took the liberty of washing your bedsheet. That’s all!”

Xie Yuyan puffed out her chest confidently, her tone carrying a hint of pride.

“I’ve told you not to feel so burdened. If you keep thinking you owe me something, it’ll only make me uncomfortable. So please, don’t think like that, okay?”

“Why… why are you always so kind…”

Hearing Ye Feng’s gentle tone, Xie Yuyan’s gaze softened, like a kitten craving its owner’s affection. She instinctively buried her head and inched closer to Ye Feng.

“What? What did you say? Speak up… Hey, you…”

Just as Ye Feng leaned in to hear better, Xie Yuyan suddenly buried herself in his chest.

“Xie Yuyan, you…”

“Ye Feng, do you think this is fate?”

“Forget fate for now. Can you step out of my arms first? Let’s talk properly.”

Ye Feng was increasingly aware that Xie Yuyan was becoming bolder. He was a man in his prime, and her actions were like a lamb walking into a lion’s den. Wasn’t she so cautious before? How had she become like this!

“Let’s talk like this.”

Xie Yuyan buried her nose in Ye Feng’s clothes, inhaling his scent deeply. Her mind was filled with his presence, and she murmured softly.

“Ye Feng, I’m really struggling to hold back. Do you know why I washed the bedsheet today? I really wanted to…”

Just as Xie Yuyan’s deep blue eyes were about to turn into hearts, a faint, pleasant fragrance suddenly interrupted her thoughts.

“Another… another one?”

Xie Yuyan froze in place, her eyes wide. The fragrance felt like a slap across her face.

“Why… why?”

Xie Yuyan pushed away from Ye Feng’s chest, tilting her head like a lifeless puppet. Only her mouth moved, while everything else remained still.

Why, Ye Feng? Why? Aren’t you my fate? Shouldn’t it be my scent on your clothes?

Who is this woman? Another student of yours? Why do they all leave their scent on your clothes? Do you teach by hugging them?

“Why… why… why… why… why…”

Xie Yuyan repeated the word like a broken machine.

“Xie Yuyan? What’s wrong with you?”

Ye Feng felt a chill down his spine, sensing that Xie Yuyan had become a different person.

“It should be me… it should be me… only my scent should be there!”

Xie Yuyan’s pitch-black eyes were like stagnant water, devoid of life. Seeing this, Ye Feng decided to subdue her first and figure things out later. After all, he was no match for her in a direct confrontation.

Just as Xie Yuyan reached for something hidden in her clothes, Ye Feng made his move, stepping forward to grab her wrist.

But Ye Feng didn’t notice the water droplets Xie Yuyan had accidentally spilled while hanging the bedsheet earlier. Wearing slippers, he slipped and fell just as he was about to grab her wrist.

“Ouch…”