Living Together

"I know you all care deeply about progress. But I don’t want this to become some mandatory goal we must achieve. That’s not the outcome I’m looking for." Ye Feng revealed his thoughts, his expression turning troubled.

"Rather than focusing on progress as a task, I’d much prefer if we could get along more harmoniously. Every time I see you all hiding your sadness, it weighs heavily on my heart."

"Brother Ye Feng..."

After hearing Ye Feng’s words, Su Yuxin and the others fell silent, stumbling over their words as they struggled to respond.

Just as the atmosphere grew stifling, the faint sound of footsteps came from behind the sofa. Li Mucheng, sitting across from them, had been lost in thought about how to help everyone understand her feelings when she suddenly looked up and noticed Xie Yuyan approaching from the hallway.

"Ye Feng..."

With a gentle touch, Xie Yuyan placed a hand on Ye Feng’s shoulder, and the next moment, he felt something soft press against him.

"Yu... Yuyan? You’re awake!"

Realizing it was Xie Yuyan behind him, the sternness in Ye Feng’s gaze immediately softened.

"Mmm... I heard everything you just said."

"R-really? Well, Yuyan, do you have any thoughts?"

"My thoughts? Do you really want to hear them, Ye Feng?"

"Of course. Everyone has the right to voice their opinions, and you’re no exception."

Xie Yuyan nodded thoughtfully, glancing at the three pairs of eyes fixed on her before speaking calmly, "My thoughts are simple—I just want to be with you, Ye Feng."

"Eh? That’s... that’s it?"

"What else? That’s all I need. I’m not a greedy person, after all."

"No, no, Yuyan, you misunderstood. I was asking about the mission progress..."

"If it’s about progress, then of course we should complete it, but I’d prefer to let things unfold naturally. The more we obsess over it, the more likely we are to rush and make mistakes. So I believe we should accomplish it gradually, without forcing it."

"I see..."

Though Xie Yuyan’s answer wasn’t explicit, at least she was still in favor of completing the mission.

"But Ye Feng, I think you’re wrong about one thing."

Xie Yuyan leaned down, cupping Ye Feng’s chin in her hands as their eyes locked.

"The final decision should be ours to make. Your words just now were undermining our confidence! If you ever say something like that again, don’t blame me for being harsh!"

Ye Feng knew exactly what she meant by "harsh." Faced with Xie Yuyan’s assertive demeanor, he quickly backed down.

"S-sorry, I just wanted to share my perspective. If there was any misunderstanding, I apologize to everyone."

"It’s not that serious, Ye Feng. You’re making me sound like some kind of tyrant..."

Xie Yuyan flusteredly hugged Ye Feng’s head, resting her chin on his shoulder as she muttered under her breath.

"I’m not blaming you. I just think you’re overcomplicating things. It was wrong of me to unsettle everyone at a time like this."

"Ye Feng..."

Just then, Li Mucheng, still seated on the sofa, suddenly spoke up—loudly. "Teacher!"

"Huh? Mu... Mucheng? What is it?"

Startled by the volume of her voice, Ye Feng turned his attention away from Xie Yuyan. Seeing Li Mucheng with clenched fists and a determined expression, he couldn’t help but tense up.

Is she... about to say something earth-shattering?

Time seemed to freeze as the air in the living room grew heavy. Finally, Li Mucheng parted her lips and spoke. "Teacher, I have something to say. This concerns all of our lives."

"Ah... go ahead, Mucheng. I’m listening."

Under Ye Feng’s gaze, Li Mucheng declared, "Teacher, I want all of us to live together."

"Live together?"

The other girls were stunned by Li Mucheng’s suggestion, never expecting her to propose such an idea. But soon, their eyes all turned to Ye Feng.

Ye Feng, of course, noticed their gazes. After a brief moment of consideration, he nodded.

"Sure."

"R-really?!"

Li Mucheng clearly hadn’t anticipated such an immediate agreement. But her shock quickly melted into joy, a bright smile spreading across her face.

"Mmm. If it makes everyone’s lives better, then I have no objections. But Mucheng, before asking me, you should’ve checked with the others fi—"

Before Ye Feng could finish, his arms were seized by two figures—Shen Mengli and Su Yuxin, clinging tightly to him.

"This is wonderful! Now I can see Brother Ye Feng every day~"

"Xiao Feng, no matter where you go, I’ll follow you."

"W-well... then it’s settled?"

"Of course."

Xie Yuyan’s voice came from behind Ye Feng, followed by her slender arms wrapping around his head.

"Ye Feng, from now on, we’ll be even closer~"

"Cough, cough, cough..."

As Ye Feng broke into a fit of coughing, the living room erupted in laughter once more.