"..."
No—you clearly understand very well!
Ye Feng was speechless and skipped the topic."Yotsuba, are you willing to believe me?"
Yotsuba raised a hand to her mouth and coughed lightly, then said seriously,"Even though Ye Feng is a peeping pervert, he doesn't seem like a bad person."
"???"
Ye Feng's face darkened."Yotsuba, that's enough!"
"Haha—"
Yotsuba immediately burst into a crisp, cheerful laugh, clutching her stomach."Ye Feng's expression is so funny..."
Funny, huh?
With a dark expression, Ye Feng reached out without hesitation, pinched Yotsuba's soft cheek, and pulled—
"Wah—stop—!"
Yotsuba let out a pitiful cry, eyes wide, looking at him helplessly.
Ye Feng withdrew his hand and snorted."Still being mischievous?"
Yotsuba rubbed her cheek and puffed out her face slightly."Ye Feng is bullying me."
To be honest, Ye Feng felt a little regret.
They had only just met, and his action earlier really was a bit too intimate.
That was impulsive.
But when he noticed Yotsuba's expression, he paused slightly—her brows were full of amusement. There wasn't the slightest hint of anger at all.
"You're not mad?"
"Eh—?"
Yotsuba froze for a moment, then puffed out her cheeks again."Of course I'm mad. Ye Feng is bullying me."
Mad, and… that's it?
Ye Feng looked at Yotsuba, not knowing what to say. Was this girl broad-minded—or just dense?
After a moment, Yotsuba asked curiously,"Hey, hey—does Ye Feng want pictures of Itsuki?"
"Just so you know, those kinds of pictures are not allowed."
If those aren't allowed, does that mean other pictures are? You're really selling out Itsuki here—she'd cry if she knew!
"No."
Ye Feng turned serious."Next, Yotsuba, come with me to a place."
"G-go… go where?"
A blush quietly spread across Yotsuba's face. She instinctively took a few steps back, eyes full of vigilance.
She thought he wanted pictures of Itsuki, and now he was suddenly inviting her somewhere else…
No way she'd let her guard down!
Yotsuba stammered,"Anyway… I can't go with you…"
What if he dragged her to that kind of place? She definitely couldn't resist him.
In fact, if Ye Feng truly wanted someone, it would be far too easy—hypnosis, memory manipulation… countless methods. He could even make someone comply willingly.
But that would be crossing a line.
That would mean losing the right to be human.
So he never abused his power.
Ye Feng said in a low voice,"But Yotsuba already agreed."
"Ugh…"
Yotsuba covered her face in shame."I'm sorry, I'll go home and suffocate myself as punishment."
"It's too late."
Ye Feng sighed inwardly, glanced up at the crack in the sky, then suddenly grabbed Yotsuba's wrist. The smile on his face vanished.
"I'll apologize properly later…"
"Eh? W-wait—"
So strong… I can't resist at all…
Yotsuba panicked.
She stared at Ye Feng, their eyes meeting—and her struggling suddenly stopped.
Such a sad look…
Why would he show that kind of expression…?
Ye Feng gathered his thoughts and revealed a bright, reassuring smile."With me here, it'll be fine…"
Yotsuba instinctively pressed a hand to her chest, suddenly feeling uncomfortable.
"Let's go!"
So warm…
Is this what a boy's hand feels like?
When Yotsuba came back to her senses, she realized she was already walking into the park with Ye Feng.
At this hour, the park was already deserted. As far as the eye could see, there was almost no one around.
Yotsuba took a deep breath and calmed herself.
No.
Ye Feng definitely wasn't that kind of person—otherwise, he wouldn't have shown that look…
Wait!
They're going into the woods?!
Seeing Yotsuba tense up, Ye Feng explained,"To avoid being seen and causing unnecessary trouble, we need somewhere secluded…"
Wait!
What exactly are you planning to do that you're afraid of being seen?!
Yotsuba stopped, nervous."Sorry… Ye Feng, I can't go in there."
"This place is fine."
"What? You actually like doing it out in the open—"
"It's starting."
The next moment, the scenery around them blurred.
A cold wind blew past, carrying with it a heavy, foul air.
Ye Feng glanced around and asked,"Yotsuba, what were you just saying?"
"Sorry! I didn't say anything!"
Yotsuba was embarrassed—but the next instant, her attention was completely stolen by their surroundings.
Her eyes widened as she took it all in.
Under a blood-red moon, they stood in a city reduced to ruins.
Collapsed skyscrapers, broken bridges with rusted railings, abandoned cars scattered haphazardly across the streets…
The earth was cracked open, ash swirling in the wind like countless mosquitoes swarming the air.
"Th-this… what place is this?"
Yotsuba couldn't help moving closer to Ye Feng.
For a moment, she couldn't process it at all—she felt like she was dreaming and hadn't woken up yet.
So cold!
Yotsuba shivered and hugged herself, staring blankly at the terrifying ruined city.
"This is… the Boundary."
A coat appeared out of thin air in Ye Feng's hands, and he draped it over Yotsuba's shoulders.
She instinctively clutched it. Warmth spread through her body as she looked up at Ye Feng with pale cheeks and moved even closer to him.
"Ye Feng… a-am I dreaming?"
"Sorry. This isn't a dream."
Ye Feng looked up at the sky—something was gathering there.
As expected…
It appeared.
Ye Feng clenched his fist subconsciously. He had sensed the Boundary's abnormality earlier—and this disturbance had been caused by Yotsuba. It was very similar to something he had encountered before.
That was why he had given up on visiting their home.
A warmth brushed against his palm. Ye Feng came back to his senses and looked down at Yotsuba beside him.
She was gripping his hand tightly and whispered,"Ye Feng… could you not look at me like that?"
"Like that?"
Ye Feng paused."What… kind of look?"
Yotsuba lowered her head and said softly,"That sad look… it hurts to see…"
There is a kind of sadness that doesn't need tears or screams—just looking into someone's eyes is enough to feel it.
After their mother passed away, Itsuki, Nino, Miku, and Ichika all had that same look.
So Yotsuba knew.
"A sad look… me?"
Ye Feng's breathing faltered. He looked away and gently removed her hand."You're mistaken."
With that, he walked away.
Yotsuba was about to follow, but sudden drowsiness washed over her. Her eyes widened as her vision blurred—
"Ye Feng…"
She collapsed to the ground. At some point, a thin blanket had appeared beneath her.
"Humans are creatures who find it hard to face themselves."
"Until the very brink, they'll never know how strong they truly are."
Ye Feng stopped.
His aura had undergone a complete transformation.
If at school he was lazy, aloof, indifferent, even troublesome—
Then now—
He was a cold, merciless emperor.
Killing intent surged outward like a raging storm, sweeping across everything in its path.