Hu Yuying couldn't help but giggle foolishly as she glanced at the people around her, stealing occasional looks at Long Aotian. It all felt a bit surreal—Long Aotian had suddenly appeared by her side. Now, walking together, it was as if they had returned to their days in Haiwan City. Though the surroundings were unfamiliar, she didn’t feel the slightest bit of fear.
"What’s so funny?" Long Aotian wasn’t oblivious to her little antics and spoke with mock annoyance.
"I missed you, Long Aotian."
The words caught Long Aotian off guard, but seeing the joy in Hu Yuying’s eyes, he found himself replying without thinking, "Long Aotian missed you too."
The moment the words left his mouth, both Hu Yuying and Long Aotian froze in surprise.
Then Hu Yuying broke into a bright, radiant smile. Under the glow of the setting sun, their shadows stretched long across the ground. She tilted her head slightly, and their shadows touched, as if one was resting against the other’s shoulder.
"Long Aotian, I’m so happy today," Hu Yuying murmured softly.
"Yeah," Long Aotian replied, scratching his head with a grin. Though he clearly looked just as happy, he stubbornly refused to admit it outright.
That expression of his—more than any toothy grin—made him seem utterly radiant.
"Just a little. Not a bit more than that!" Long Aotian answered with exaggerated seriousness.
Hu Yuying quickly stepped in front of him. "Liar! You’re totally happy too!"
"Oh? You calling me a liar? You asking for a beating?" Long Aotian’s tone was tough, but his lips twitched with amusement.
"Long Aotian~~ Can’t you stop threatening to beat me all the time?"
"Are you seriously whining now?"
"Will you still beat me if I whine?"
"Behave, and I won’t."
"Then I’ll be the best-behaved."
"Fine. I’ll let you off this time."
The young man and the girl wandered through the unfamiliar city, their hearts brimming with dreams of the future and endless possibilities.
"Are we eating here?" Hu Yuying eyed the upscale mall ahead, the well-dressed crowds making her feel out of place. More than that, she worried about Long Aotian spending too much.
"Cheapskate. Long Aotian’s treating you."
"Long Aotian, let’s go somewhere else. Anywhere’s fine as long as we get full," Hu Yuying quickly tugged at his sleeve.
She still remembered the terrifying way Long Aotian had splurged when they’d strolled through Haiwan City’s shopping district. And when they’d first arrived in Capital City, if Qingxue hadn’t been there, she would’ve dragged Long Aotian away from that ridiculously expensive duck dish.
Long Aotian pinched her cheek playfully. "Long Aotian’s treating you. Eat well, put on some weight. You’re greedy for money, shamelessly ogling me, yet too stingy to eat properly."
Being pinched by Long Aotian felt so nice.
Still, she weakly protested, "But I eat just fine!"
It wasn’t a complete lie—A University’s cafeteria was both delicious and affordable.
"If you eat well on your own, shouldn’t Long Aotian treat you even better? Otherwise, what’s the point of calling me Long Aotian?"
"Are we going or not? If not, I really will beat you."
"Fine, fine~" Hu Yuying stole another glance at Long Aotian before reluctantly walking forward. Follow current novᴇls on 𝖓𝖔𝖛𝖊𝖑~𝖋𝖎𝖗𝖾~𝖓𝖊𝖙
To her, what they ate didn’t matter—only who she ate with.
And if it was with Long Aotian, she’d do her best to save him money.
"What’re you muttering? Long Aotian hasn’t beaten anyone in a while. Don’t give me a reason, or one punch might make you cry for days."
Hu Yuying wasn’t actually scared. She knew Long Aotian couldn’t stand seeing her cry—he’d panic, flounder, and he’d never actually hit her.
But even so, she played along, pretending to be terrified, because only then could she shamelessly stick by his side.
Long Aotian led her through the mall, stuffing her with food at every turn.
"Long Aotian, I really can’t eat anymore," Hu Yuying groaned, genuinely overwhelmed.
Every dish he thought was delicious, he bought for her.
And while it was delicious, her stomach had limits.
She couldn’t shake the feeling that Long Aotian was trying to make up for all the time they’d spent apart in a single day.
Even if it was just her imagination, the thought made her heart swell with happiness.
She peeked at Long Aotian again. Pure bliss.
After their feast, Long Aotian led her out of the mall.
The moment they stepped outside, Hu Yuying felt a weight lift off her shoulders.
"Long Aotian, is that a park over there? Let’s take a walk to digest," she suggested.
She didn’t want their time together to end so soon.
"Sure," Long Aotian agreed. Not because he didn’t want to go back yet—just because walking off a meal sounded reasonable.
The park was spacious, filled mostly with elderly folks and children.
To the left were recreational facilities—a large open area and semicircular stone seating.
Straight ahead lay a small grove, beyond which was an artificial lake, with even more space stretching behind it.
But Long Aotian and Hu Yuying didn’t venture far, stopping at the lakeshore.
"Careful!" Long Aotian quickly steadied her. "You okay?"
Hu Yuying’s lashes fluttered as she smiled up at him. "I’m fine."
If not for the tears glistening in her eyes, Long Aotian might’ve believed her.
Hu Yuying ducked her head sheepishly. "Am I just… really clumsy?"
"Who trips while walking?"
"Yeah, you’re hopeless. What would you do without Long Aotian? Can’t even take care of yourself."
He helped her over to a large rock by the lake and sat her down.
"Did you twist your ankle?" Long Aotian crouched in front of her, concerned.
Dazed, Hu Yuying nodded.
Only when Long Aotian’s hand closed around her ankle did she snap back to reality. A shiver ran through her, and she instinctively tried to pull away.
"What’s wrong?" Long Aotian looked up, puzzled.
Hu Yuying’s heart raced. Where his fingers touched, her skin burned, the heat creeping up her leg.
Her breath hitched, and she couldn’t meet his gaze. The tips of her ears, hidden beneath her hair, flushed crimson.
"I… I… didn’t wash my feet today…"
[January 1st, 2025—Happy New Year! Wishing everyone peace, joy, luck, health, and prosperity. Most importantly—be happy!]
"Scenes unchanging year after year, loved ones remaining by your side season after season. Please take your seats, everyone—the 2025 train is charging up. Countdown: 3, 2, 1… Power on, let the journey begin!"