"Life is often unsatisfactory, eight or nine times out of ten, and one can only grow by constantly breaking free from adversity. You're already doing great," Long Aotian said softly. "At the very least, you've shown me your resilience and independence."
The bitterness in her heart came and went quickly. Hu Yuying sniffled, no longer crying or feeling wronged.
"Will you come for dinner tomorrow, Brother Long?" Hu Yuying gradually loosened her grip around Long Aotian and asked in a small voice, stealing glances at his expression as she spoke.
"Hm?" The sudden shift in topic was a bit too abrupt.
One moment she was tearful, and the next, she was worried about whether he’d come for dinner?
Still, Long Aotian replied, "We’ll need to report to the university soon. These next few days, let’s clear out the remaining stock first to free up some time. Don’t you still have to go home for a bit?"
Hearing this, Hu Yuying nodded gently. "Mm, thank you, Brother Long."
"What for?" Long Aotian chuckled.
"For remembering," Hu Yuying said earnestly.
Seeing her serious expression, Long Aotian lightly tapped her head. "Don’t be so naive. And don’t let yourself get carried away just because someone shows you a little kindness. Never underestimate the ugliness of human nature."
"Then is Brother Long a bad person?" Hu Yuying asked, her eyes glimmering with amusement.
The question made Long Aotian pause. Faced with the trust in her gaze, he hesitated before saying, "I have my bad side too."
"But I believe in you, Brother Long." There was a touch of endearing innocence in her voice as she expressed her pure, unwavering trust.
Long Aotian found it somewhat amusing that she could trust him so completely. "What if I sold you off one day? You’d probably still naively count the money for me."
"That’s fine. I’d just run back myself."
"What if you couldn’t?"
"Then I’d wait for Brother Long to come find me."
"Are you stupid? If I sold you, why would I come looking for you?"
Hu Yuying smiled sweetly. "Because I believe in you."
Long Aotian didn’t know how to respond.
He could feel Hu Yuying’s unconditional trust in him.
In a way, it wasn’t good—trusting too much could be dangerous.
Yet, in another way, it was comforting—being trusted so completely.
Humans are such conflicted creatures, constantly torn between choices, tangled in their own contradictions...
"Get some rest early. Tomorrow, we start our money-making plan!"
"Okay!" Hu Yuying clenched her fists, full of determination.
"Goodbye, Brother Long." She waved vigorously as she watched Long Aotian’s retreating figure.
"See you tomorrow." He waved back before disappearing into the alley.
This time, his departure felt different.
There was a sense of lightness, as if a weight had lifted.
"I’m back." Pushing open the door, Long Aotian saw the old man munching on braised pork. "You shouldn’t eat greasy food before bed. I’ve already eaten, so I’ll just wash up and sleep."
The old man hesitated mid-bite, then burst into laughter. "Brat, you seem to be in a pretty good mood today."
After showering, Long Aotian lay in bed, frowning slightly at his phone. "Why hasn’t she asked if I got home yet?"
Just as the thought crossed his mind, a message arrived.
Li Qingxue: *"I just checked—T University isn’t too far from A University. How are you planning to get there?"*
*"My dad’s driving me. Since we’re heading the same way, we could ride together."*
*"It’s our first time in a city so far from home. It’d be nice to have someone familiar around."*
Long Aotian thought for a moment before replying: *"Thanks, but no need to trouble you. We’ll catch up once we’re in the capital."*
He appreciated the offer, but accepting a ride would mean adjusting to their schedule. Since Li Qingxue’s family was driving her directly to the capital, they’d likely leave days early—enjoying the journey as a trio, sightseeing along the way.
Even if she meant well, he couldn’t just tag along with Hu Yuying in tow.
He’d already looked it up—there was a direct train from Haibin City to the capital. He and Hu Yuying would take that.
Li Qingxue: *"No worries. It’s just nice knowing someone in a strange city."*
After sending the message, she hesitated, fingers tightening around her phone before finally adding: *"Oh, by the way… have you finished the cookies? I could bring you more tomorrow."*
The moment she hit send, Li Qingxue dove under her blankets, cheeks inexplicably warm. She didn’t know why, but asking something like that made her feel… shy.
Reading the message, Long Aotian smirked. As if reminded of something, he pulled a rabbit-shaped cookie from his pocket, squeezing it lightly to test its firmness...
*"Maybe another time. Tomorrow’s all about work—gotta clear out the remaining stock before we leave."*
Under her covers, Li Qingxue heard her phone chime.
Peeking out cautiously, the flutter in her chest gradually settled. *"Selling clothes?"*
*"Yeah, selling clothes."*
*"Where?"*
*"A bit far—Pingchang Town."*
*"Oh."* She pouted slightly. Pingchang Town *was* quite a distance. *"I’ve been to the market there once, but it was ages ago. I barely remember it now."*
*"I’ll take pictures for you tomorrow."*
Seeing this, Li Qingxue’s lips curved into a smile. *"Promise?"*
*"When have I ever lied to you?"*
She clenched her fists. *"You always tease me like I’m a kid, like you think I’m silly..."*
After sending it, she huffed at her screen. *"I’m not silly at all!"*
Exiting the chat, she opened her photo gallery, scrolling through today’s snapshots.
Her gaze lingered on one—a silhouette of a boy against the sunset, arm raised high. Unconsciously, her eyes softened into crescents.
......
Long Aotian set his phone aside, pulling a blanket over his stomach as he prepared to sleep.
Just as he closed his eyes, another notification chimed.
He reached for his phone.
Hu Yuying: *"Goodnight."*
*"Goodnight,"* he replied.
In the dark room, the glow of the screen illuminated a youthful yet faintly alluring face.
*"Sweet dreams, Brother Long,"* the girl whispered into the darkness, her voice tender and lingering.
That night, it felt as though everything had returned to how it once was...