The Man in the Dark

"Mmwah~"

A soft sound escaped near Ye Feng's lips, but after just a moment, Shen Mengli pulled back shyly and nestled against his chest, murmuring under her breath.

"There... are you satisfied now, Feng...?"

"Huh? That’s it?"

Clearly, Shen Mengli’s timid gesture left Ye Feng unimpressed. He gently lifted her chin with one hand.

"I don’t feel satisfied at all."

With a teasing grin, he pinched her cheek lightly before whispering into her ear.

"Does Mengli’s love for me only amount to this much?"

"N-no... that’s not true! I love you so much..."

"Then why did you only give me a peck? Seems like you don’t love me at all."

Faced with Ye Feng’s provocation, Shen Mengli nearly shook her head in a panic, terrified he might doubt her feelings. But then she noticed—despite his stern words, the playful smile never left his face. Realization dawned on her: this was all a ploy to make her take the lead.

"Feng~! Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to! You just want me to take the initiative, don’t you?"

Caught red-handed, Ye Feng didn’t bother hiding it. After a brief pause, he nodded.

"Exactly. I prefer it when Mengli’s the bold one~"

"Mmm..."

His blunt honesty left Shen Mengli speechless. After hesitating for a long moment, she finally propped herself up on his arms and slowly sat up.

"Splash—"

The sound of water rippling filled the quiet bathroom as Shen Mengli rose. Under the hazy glow of the lights, her delicate figure was illuminated, and Ye Feng’s pupils constricted in awe.

"Mengli... you’re so beautiful..."

"Idiot... saying something like that now... it’s embarrassing!"

She shot him a sultry glance, one hand pressed against her chest as if to steady her racing heart. After taking a deep breath, she spoke slowly, as though steeling herself.

"I... I’m ready."

The words seemed more for herself than for him.

"Splash—"

Water lapped against Ye Feng’s chest as a shadow fell over his vision—followed by the tender press of soft lips.

"Hnng..."

Shen Mengli poured all her strength into that kiss, collapsing into Ye Feng’s arms moments later. Yet her lips remained locked onto his, refusing to part.

"Mmm..."

Ye Feng stroked her silvery hair gently, while her scorching breaths fanned against his skin, igniting a restless heat in his chest.

Time seemed to stretch endlessly before Shen Mengli finally pulled away. Dizziness washed over her, and she slumped against Ye Feng’s shoulder.

"Haah... haah..."

Watching her gasp for air, Ye Feng patted her back apologetically. "You okay, Mengli? Sorry for making you go that far—"

Before he could finish, her lips sealed his again. To his shock, the shy, flustered Shen Mengli was gone—replaced by a woman burning with desire, nuzzling deeper into his embrace.

"Mmwah... heh..."

"M-Mengli?!"

Ye Feng’s eyes widened as he stared at her sudden transformation.

Is this really the same Mengli I know? Since when did she become so... aggressive?

Just as he was about to stop her fervent advances, a white cloth draped over his face.

Wait—a cloth? Don’t tell me Mengli is—!

The faint scent of her lingered on the fabric. As Ye Feng reached to pull it away, Shen Mengli pinned his hands down, her warm breath tickling his ear.

"No touching~ This is my time now~"

With that, she guided his hands back into the bathtub. The sound of splashing water filled the room as darkness swallowed the world outside...

"Achoo!"

Ye Feng stood on the balcony in a thin T-shirt, his mind replaying everything that had just happened. After such an intense encounter, he’d expected to shower together—only for Shen Mengli to purr in a sultry voice:

"You go ahead, Feng~ Our night together has only just begun~"

What kind of monster have I awakened?!

A shiver ran down his spine as he recalled the look in her eyes. Beneath the overwhelming love was something else—a chilling intensity he’d never seen in her before. Or perhaps...

He’d simply never unleashed it. If she truly embraced that side of herself, the consequences would be... catastrophic.

"Ding."

The sudden chime of the system snapped him out of his thoughts. Though puzzled, he quickly pulled up the interface—after all, it had been silent for so long.

But when the system panel materialized before him, the brief message made his eyes widen in disbelief.

[Collection Unlocked: "The Shadowed One" — Shen Mengli]