The next morning, Ye Feng woke up early as usual, keeping to the habit he'd cultivated long ago. After getting dressed in his workout gear, he headed out for his morning run.
In his previous life, this was the kind of leisurely existence he'd always longed for—one that he now enjoyed so effortlessly.
"Hey, Ye Feng! What are you doing here?"
Ye Feng was jogging leisurely through a large garden within the villa complex when he heard Lin Shiyun's surprised voice behind him.
Shiyun was overjoyed. Due to her family's influence, she, too, enjoyed a morning run every day for fitness. But she hadn't expected to spot the familiar figure of Ye Feng up ahead. Gathering her courage, she called out, and he actually stopped—it really was him, running in her area.
"Hey, good morning, Shiyun! Out for a run, too?" Ye Feng's eyes lit up, seeing Lin Shiyun in her athletic attire. She seemed to radiate a different charm entirely.
"What, are you saying only you're allowed to run here and not me?" she teased, wrinkling her cute little nose as she pouted.
"No, no, it's not that," Ye Feng chuckled. "It's not like I own this place, of course you're allowed to run here—especially if you're a beauty."
"You!"
Hearing his playful tone, Shiyun prepared to chase after him and give him a good scolding. Ye Feng laughed, "It's an honor to jog with a beautiful woman. Mind if I join you?" With that, he began running again.
Shiyun gave a soft snort but kept pace, grateful he'd slowed his steps for her. With his current strength at the early stage of internal force mastery, he didn't know exactly how strong he was, but his physical endurance was certainly beyond hers.
The early morning was filled with life. As they ran, Ye Feng noticed elderly residents practicing sword forms, while groups of older ladies had gathered with a large speaker to dance to their morning routines.
Ye Feng chuckled to himself. "Even in the villa district, this square dancing craze is unstoppable. And to think these wealthy folks enjoy it, too."
"Young man! Out running with your girlfriend, I see," called out an old man in traditional Chinese clothing, who was practicing Tai Chi nearby. "Such youthful energy!"
Flustered, Lin Shiyun's face turned bright red. She quickly explained, "Oh no, sir, we're just classmates who happened to meet on a run."
Ye Feng, equally embarrassed, nodded in agreement. "Yes, that's right, sir—we're just good friends, not a couple."
The elderly man gave a hearty laugh, dispelling the awkwardness. "Young man, this girl is lovely—if you like her, pursue her. And you, young lady, if you like him, don't hesitate. Don't wait until it's too late and regret it for the rest of your life, like I did."
He began sharing tales of his youth, leaving Ye Feng feeling helplessly cornered. Yet Lin Shiyun listened so intently she was nearly moved to tears.
After bidding farewell to the old man, they resumed their run, though an unspoken silence now lingered between them. For Ye Feng, it was the lack of a topic—despite his intelligence, his emotional intuition was far less refined. And as for Lin Shiyun, she was lost in the elderly man's words: "Don't wait until it's too late…"
Finally, it seemed she'd made up her mind. Stopping suddenly, she turned to Ye Feng with a shy smile.
"Ye Feng," she said softly, "I don't want to miss this."
"Miss what?" he asked, clueless.
"Alert: Lin Shiyun's affection for you has just increased by 10 points. Current affection: 85. Success rate for confession: 90%."
"Huh? What's going on?" Ye Feng immediately entered the system space, asking the system brain.
"Master, you really are dense! Obviously, it's what that old man said—it's your perfect opportunity! Why don't you confess?"
Realizing his foolishness, Ye Feng quickly exited the system.
"You really are a fool," Shiyun muttered, pouting as her face flushed a deep red, then hastily started to run away.
"She sounds just like the system," he mused, still puzzled. But as her figure retreated, realization struck him.
With a quick dash, he caught up and took her delicate hand in his.
"What are you doing?" she whispered, shyly.
"Shiyun, I like you. Be my girlfriend—I'll do everything I can to make you happy."
In that moment, he felt transported back to a summer long ago, on a school field, though much had changed since then.
"Are you serious?" she asked, her eyes filled with hope.
"Yes, it's real—more real than pearls. I swear it," he replied, lifting four fingers in an oath.
She chuckled softly, falling into his arms and playfully pounding her fists against his chest.
"It's all your fault!" she said shyly. "You made me feel this way!"
Ye Feng grinned mischievously, lifting her chin. "Do you like me?"
"No," she replied, pouting.
"Oh, is that so? Well, too bad—you're in my arms now, and you're not going anywhere," he said, lowering his head to capture her lips in a kiss.
After a long moment, they finally pulled apart, leaving Ye Feng looking at her with a satisfied smile.
"You rascal," she whispered before breaking free of his embrace, her face flushed. "Pervert."
"Don't run! If I catch you, you're in trouble!" he laughed, chasing after her.
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