Audible but Untouchable

"Rustle, rustle..."

After stepping away from the bed, Ye Feng couldn't help but glance back at Shen Mengli, who was still sound asleep.

Though he wasn’t sure how much time had passed, Ye Feng knew this showdown with Shen Mengli had been an unprecedented stalemate. In the end, even he had felt utterly exhausted.

"Phew... This damn system is clearly out to mess with me. But why would it give such an unexpected reward at a time like this?!"

Ye Feng racked his brain but couldn’t figure it out. In the end, he quietly slipped out of the bedroom and headed to the living room for some much-needed rest.

"Phew..."

Once in the living room, Ye Feng picked up a glass of water and drained it in one go. The prolonged physical exertion had left him feeling slightly unwell.

"That’s better."

After letting out a long sigh, Ye Feng was about to get up from the couch and return to his bedroom when a door suddenly creaked open in the hallway ahead.

"Hmm?"

His attention was immediately drawn to the unexpected sound. Judging by the location, it seemed to be Xie Yuyan’s room.

"Yuyan? Is that you?"

Watching the slender figure emerge, Ye Feng cautiously called out.

As the figure drew closer, Ye Feng finally recognized who it was.

"Ye Feng... You’re still awake at this hour?"

Xie Yuyan drifted over and sat down beside him, her expression slightly uneasy.

"Yeah... Well, I got thirsty and woke up. Did you... also get thirsty?"

"Mhm... I’m so thirsty too..."

Xie Yuyan slowly rested her head against Ye Feng’s shoulder, then took a subtle sniff of his scent before raising an eyebrow.

"Ahem... cough, cough!"

Ye Feng cleared his throat, clearly trying to steer her thoughts away from that topic.

"So... Yuyan, you... know?"

"Of course I do. You two weren’t exactly quiet about it."

Xie Yuyan pouted, then pinched Ye Feng’s waist hard in displeasure.

"S-Sorry, Yuyan. Today was just... an unexpected situation, so..."

"It’s fine, Ye Feng. I’m just teasing. But you have to promise me one thing."

"Name it, Yuyan. I’ll do anything."

Ye Feng felt guilty for disturbing her tonight and spoke with sincerity.

"You said it."

Xie Yuyan’s mood brightened as she narrowed her eyes, wrapping her arms around Ye Feng’s and nestling them comfortably against her.

"......"

"What I want from you is... the most love."

"The most...?"

"Ye Feng, you know exactly what I mean. Don’t play dumb~"

Xie Yuyan shot him a resentful glare before letting go of his arm.

"Do you have any idea how much I suffered tonight? Hearing everything but being unable to join in—I hate that feeling the most!"

"Ah..."

"Anyway, tonight was your time with Mengli. I shouldn’t interfere too much. Otherwise... our dear Mengli might get upset, you know~"

With that, Xie Yuyan swayed her alluring figure back to her room, leaving Ye Feng alone on the couch, utterly bewildered.

Yuyan... has changed a lot.

After a quiet sigh, Ye Feng slowly made his way back to his bedroom. But as he tiptoed to the bedside, he found Shen Mengli—who should have been fast asleep—wide awake, her sparkling eyes fixed intently on him.

"Xiao... Xiao Feng, you’re back."

"Mengli? You’re awake? Did I wake you up?"

"Not at all."

Shen Mengli shook her head with a soft smile, then reached out and pulled Ye Feng closer.

"I just woke up."

"Oh... Well, it’s late. Shouldn’t we... get some rest?"

But Shen Mengli didn’t answer. Instead, she eagerly pressed her delicate body against his.

"Mhm, it’s time to rest... properly."

"Mengli?"

Hearing the suggestive tone in her voice, Ye Feng shuddered involuntarily.

W-What’s going on? Has Mengli... recovered already?

"Xiao Feng~"

Shen Mengli bit her slightly swollen lips, the exhaustion in her eyes completely gone as she buried herself in Ye Feng’s embrace.

"Seems like your charm has worn off, but lucky for me... I still can~"

"!!!"

Ye Feng knew exactly what she meant, but after all that exertion, he was already worn out. If this kept up, even the hardest-working ox would eventually collapse.

"Mengli, I really..."

"Sorry, Xiao Feng, but you don’t get to refuse~"

Shen Mengli pressed a finger to his lips, then sat up slightly, glancing at the still-dark night outside the window.

"The night... is still long..."