Long Aotian suddenly felt a chill run down his spine, freezing him momentarily—a primal instinct sensing danger.
"Long Aotian, you’re so mean!" Hu Yuying pouted, refusing to let it go. The photos he’d taken from that angle were downright unflattering.
"Brother, you went too far this time," Lin Wanning added with a hint of quiet resentment.
No girl disliked looking pretty, and they all cared about their image. But Long Aotian’s top-down shots made them appear short, plump, and with oddly elongated faces—utterly unappealing, the kind of photos they’d never taken before.
So ugly they couldn’t even bear to look.
After venting, the two girls turned to Li Qingxue, surprised that the usually lively and outspoken girl hadn’t scolded Long Aotian yet. Normally, Li Qingxue would’ve been the first to protest.
Noticing Hu Yuying and Lin Wanning’s gazes, Li Qingxue clenched her small fists, her bright face now flushed crimson as she stammered, "Y-you... you shameless jerk!"
Almost instinctively, her eyes flickered toward Long Aotian’s pants, noticing the slight bulge. She trembled slightly before quickly grabbing Hu Yuying and Lin Wanning, pulling them away.
Too embarrassed. Too mortified. She didn’t even know how to face Long Aotian right now.
This time, even Hu Yuying didn’t defend Long Aotian. The three girls stood united against him.
Watching their retreating figures, Long Aotian opened his mouth but couldn’t find the right words. "It wasn’t on purpose! And you’re the one who grabbed me—how does that make me the shameless one?" he muttered under his breath.
Just then, Li Qingxue came running back.
Seeing her approach, Long Aotian shook his head with an amused sigh. "Finally here to apologize? I—ow!"
Before he could finish, Li Qingxue shoved her phone into his hands and stomped on his foot. "Don’t think I didn’t hear that! And... and I wasn’t doing it on purpose either!"
With that, she turned and sprinted away.
Long Aotian couldn’t help but laugh in exasperation. "Hey, are we still taking photos or not?"
At his words, the three girls quickened their pace.
They really didn’t dare anymore. If those unflattering photos ever got out, they’d be utterly humiliated.
Watching them hurry off, Long Aotian chuckled. "Guess I might’ve gone a bit too far this time."
"Even my little followers don’t trust me now."
He unlocked the phone and opened the gallery. The embarrassing photos of the three were still there—they hadn’t deleted them.
Lazily trailing behind them, Long Aotian enjoyed the peaceful afternoon, his mood unusually light.
The three girls huddled together, whispering complaints about him.
Though reluctant to admit it, Hu Yuying found it oddly fun to gossip about Long Aotian with them.
"Long Aotian is actually really nice. He just acts like a mischievous kid sometimes."
Having known him the longest, Hu Yuying understood his personality well.
When serious, he was mature and composed.
He could take her to another city to source clothes for resale, negotiate with complete strangers, and even pull off the most ridiculous street vendor pitches. In her eyes, no one their age could match him.
But when he wasn’t serious? Utterly exasperating.
Still, nobody was perfect, and Hu Yuying didn’t consider this a flaw. In her heart, it was just part of who he was.
"Yeah, yeah, Long Aotian is the best. To you, he’s practically the greatest guy in the world," Li Qingxue teased.
Hu Yuying glanced back at Long Aotian, who was following at a distance, and bit her lip softly. "Well... he is," she murmured.
Lin Wanning smiled. "Brother is really wonderful."
As she spoke, her usual icy demeanor melted away, her smile radiant.
Seeing her , Li Qingxue paused before breaking into a grin.
That guy... really was the best.
"Hey, I can hear you, you know!" Long Aotian called out.
The three girls stopped in unison, turning back with mischievous smiles. "Liar!"
Could anything in the world be more beautiful than this?
Bathed in the golden hues of the setting sun, their laughter filled the air. Long Aotian stared at them, momentarily lost in thought.
At some point, without realizing it, he’d fully embraced this world.
This was no longer just the setting of a novel—it was a living, breathing world.
To him, the three girls weren’t just "heroines" from a story. They were his precious sisters.
And sometimes... they made his heart skip a beat.
Noticing his dazed expression, the three girls covered their mouths, giggling in triumph.
They loved seeing him stunned by their charm.
Slowly, Long Aotian raised his phone.
The moment froze in time—capturing the most beautiful years of their lives.
She saved it in her phone gallery—a stark contrast between beauty and plainness.
Watching Long Aotian smile as he glanced at his phone, the trio gathered around him again. ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹•𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑒•𝙣𝙚𝙩
They were all pleased with the photo and urged Long Aotian to send it to them immediately.
Though the picture only showed three people, they knew there was more to it than met the eye.
Eventually, Long Aotian led the trio out for a meal.
"Ugh, Long Aotian! Fine, we’ll eat, but did you have to hit my head?"
"Heh." Long Aotian let out a faint, mocking chuckle.
"This is revenge! Blatant revenge!"
Hu Yuying gently patted Li Qingxue’s head. "It’s okay, I’ll blow on it so it won’t hurt."
Hearing this, Li Qingxue glanced at Long Aotian—had she hurt him earlier?
She quickly shook her head. No, blowing on it would be dangerous!
"You guys go in first. The food here is pretty good," Long Aotian paused, speaking to the trio behind him.
Once they entered, he turned and walked into a nearby shop.
"Qingxue, your face is so red! Don’t be mad at Long Aotian, okay? I’ll scold him for you later," Hu Yuying said, noticing Li Qingxue sitting quietly with flushed cheeks.
"It’s nothing, just a little hot."
Lin Wanning paused at those words. Hadn’t she used a similar excuse before?
"Just the heat, really?" she asked with a light laugh.
Li Qingxue nodded quickly. "Mhm."
People only answered that fast when they were brushing something off.
Lin Wanning was certain—it wasn’t the heat. So what was it, then?