The next day, Long Aotian took Hu Yuying to another market fair.
This time, Long Aotian didn’t stay at their stall but wandered around several clothing stalls nearby.
Hu Yuying obediently sat on a small stool, watching as Long Aotian handed out cigarettes and chatted with the vendors. She couldn’t hear what they were saying, but everyone seemed to be laughing happily.
When the crowd began to gather, Long Aotian finally returned to his stall and turned on the loudspeaker.
The catchy sales pitch and dirt-cheap prices instantly drew attention.
The morning passed in a blur of busy activity.
At lunchtime, Long Aotian carried a few pieces of clothing and visited a couple more stalls.
After some negotiation, he returned with a middle-aged man in tow.
Only then did Hu Yuying realize that Long Aotian had sold the remaining stock—T-shirts for ten yuan each and pants for fifteen—to this man in bulk.
"If it weren’t for having to report to school soon, I’d love to keep selling for a couple more days," Long Aotian said, squatting as he counted the clothes with a grin.
"Who would’ve guessed? Really, who would’ve guessed?" the man muttered between puffs of his cigarette, double-checking Long Aotian’s count.
With his street-smart demeanor—handing out cigarettes, cracking jokes—you’d never know Long Aotian was still a student if he hadn’t mentioned it.
Long Aotian kept a few mismatched pieces for himself. "We’ll wear these. That’s it for now."
Once the count was confirmed, the man promptly paid up without hesitation.
Businessfolk were sharp—he knew he’d still turn a profit at this price. More importantly, his stall was nearby, and he’d seen how well these two young sellers had done earlier.
With the money safely tucked away, Long Aotian and Hu Yuying left.
As they walked off, they faintly heard: ["...ran off with his sister-in-law..."]
The two couldn’t help but chuckle at the familiar market banter.
"Long Aotian, where are we going now?"
"Home, of course."
Back at the house, Long Aotian loaded the last bits and pieces onto the tricycle, ready to haul them away later.
"Long Aotian, come eat," Hu Yuying called softly, lifting the bamboo curtain as she watched him still tidying up.
"Coming." He set down what he was holding, dusted off his hands, and headed over.
"Wash your hands first. I’ve already served the food."
When Long Aotian returned to the living room after washing up, he found Hu Yuying lost in thought, her chin propped on one hand.
"What’re you spacing out for? Eat up," he teased, assuming she just wasn’t used to the sudden downtime.
"Feeling restless with nothing to do? Take my advice—cherish this brief peace. Once you graduate, you’ll be swamped nonstop..."
"Long Aotian."
Hu Yuying called his name quietly, then looked up, hesitating.
"What’s up?"
Facing his questioning gaze, she bit her lip. "Long Aotian, I... I might need to go home for a while. I won’t be able to cook for you."
She wanted to visit her family but couldn’t shake her worry for him.
Ever since that day on the street when she’d met him and they’d gone home together...
The lean pork congee she’d made—he’d devoured two bowls in one go.
After knowing him this long, Hu Yuying had picked up bits about his home life.
Two rough-around-the-edges men—she couldn’t help fearing they wouldn’t take proper care of themselves...
(Proof of how essential a woman’s presence was at home...)
"Pfft! You scared me for a second—I thought it was something serious!
"Don’t worry, I won’t starve without you."
He brushed it off, though her concern warmed him. With Hu Yuying around, he’d almost felt like the head of a household, free from all trivial worries...
"Let me know when you’re leaving. I’ll see you off."
"No need, Long Aotian. You’ve already helped me so, so, so much. I can manage on my own..."
For some reason, the words struck him like a final farewell.
"Alright, my little sidekick’s all grown up. Time to spread your wings," he joked, though the humor fell flat.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Long Aotian backed the tricycle out of the gate.
"I’m off."
"Okay. Be careful, Long Aotian."
Watching him leave, Hu Yuying suddenly mustered her courage: "Long Aotian, I’ll come back soon! I’ll cook for you again!"
The tricycle rumbled into the distance. She took two hurried steps forward, breathless—had he even heard her?
Only when he vanished from sight did she snap out of it and return inside to pack.
Not that there was much to pack anyway.
A backpack, some cash, a book, two photos, and two sets of spare clothes.
On the other side.
Long Aotian parked the car, unloaded the items from it, and then returned to his room.
The old man hadn’t come back yet, leaving the house empty and quiet.
He took off his clothes, planning to take a shower first.
After the shower, he returned to his room, lay on the bed, and let out a long sigh.
Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted the biscuit tin on the stool.
Surrounding the stool were a few unassuming ‘rabbit’ biscuits (specifically picked out to avoid hurting his teeth).
“I stole Hu Yuying’s biscuits today. I should buy her some snacks for the road, or else someone as petty as her might end up starving the whole way.”
With that thought, Long Aotian nodded to himself. “I’m such a considerate and responsible big brother!”
He hopped on his bike and pedaled furiously down the road.
Stopping at the intersection supermarket, he parked his bike and headed inside.
Not long after Long Aotian entered, a figure carrying a backpack emerged from around the corner.
As they passed the supermarket, they glanced at the bicycle parked outside before continuing on their way.
After a few steps, they paused and looked back again, this time with a flicker of confusion in their pretty eyes.
But they didn’t dwell on it and turned to keep walking.
Just as they rounded the corner onto the main road, they couldn’t help but glance back once more.
Long Aotian walked out of the supermarket, lugging a big bag of snacks. “This should be enough to last her, right?”
He hung the bag on his bike and hurriedly prepared to leave.
Just as he started pedaling—
“Long Aotian, where are you rushing off to?”
Screech! He slammed on the brakes.
Long Aotian turned around.
There stood Hu Yuying, her backpack strapped on, breathing slightly heavily but wearing a bright, radiant smile.
Hu Yuying laughed, her breath uneven, her heart pounding wildly in her chest...