"We've already hooked our fingers and made a promise. If anyone breaks their word, they'll be a little dog," Hu Yuying said, hooking her finger with Long Aotian's and looking at him with bright eyes.
It seemed like this was something worth celebrating.
"Are you really that happy about it?" Long Aotian chuckled. It was his first time seeing someone so willing to waste their study time to help others and feel so delighted about it.
Hu Yuying gazed at Long Aotian, her clear eyes remarkably pure, always showing her most genuine self without reservation.
"Each of us has a purpose in this world, and that's true for you and me."
"And for me right now, helping Brother Long study and get into college is something really meaningful."
Long Aotian was taken aback. These were words he had once told Hu Yuying.
He never expected her to remember them and use them back on him. He couldn't help but laugh softly.
During the time Hu Yuying was overseeing Long Aotian's studies, Ye Liangchen from Class 1 finally couldn't sit still anymore.
The lunch hour was approaching, yet Hu Yuying still hadn't come to see him.
That would have been fine, as Hu Yuying was a shy, reserved kind of girl.
But Li Qingxue hadn't come to see him either, which was quite puzzling.
Gao Quan had seen Li Qingxue sneak glances at him.
Her personality was the complete opposite of Hu Yuying's, and they had known each other for so long; there was no way she would be shy or reserved.
He had even taken the initiative to talk to her and given her a chance to step down, so logically, Li Qingxue should have had a lot of complaints to vent.
But why hadn't she spoken to him after two classes?
Realizing this, Ye Liangchen couldn't bear it any longer.
It was time for him to take action.
He stood up and walked over to Li Qingxue, not saying a word but standing in front of her, looking straight ahead without glancing at her.
Li Qingxue looked at Ye Liangchen standing beside her and raised her eyes to meet his. "Do you need something?"
Hearing Li Qingxue speak to him, Ye Liangchen took a deep breath and said in a heavy voice, "You know, in my heart, you're still my friend."
"So as a friend, I feel obligated to remind you. Long Aotian isn't a good person. You'd better stay away from him."
Li Qingxue looked at Ye Liangchen, recalling the memory of the young man lying on the grassy field with two leaves covering his eyes, lazily soaking up the sun, calmly guiding her through her thoughts.
"I know. Don't worry, I have my own judgment."
At this, Ye Liangchen almost lost his composure.
What he wanted to hear wasn't this. He had given Li Qingxue a way out, and she should have said something about how she had been uncomfortable... how she missed him... and so on.
What did she mean by "I have my own judgment"?
Was she implying she didn't believe him?
He furrowed his brow. "Anyway, I've warned you. If you don't listen and end up regretting it, don't cry and don't come looking for me."
At this point, Ye Liangchen gave a bitter smile. "Giving up the habit of helping others, enjoying a happy life. I won't meddle in your affairs anymore."
Some people will only turn around after hitting a wall.
Do you really have to wait until Long Aotian gets entangled with you, until he reveals his true nature, before you regret it?
Alright then, I won't meddle in your affairs anymore.
Originally, this time around, I just wanted to slightly hurt your feelings, to end the "chasing after my husband's love tragedy" earlier, but it seems it was all just my own wishful thinking.
I'll wait for you to feel remorseful, cry in regret, and beg for my forgiveness, experiencing both mental and physical torment, and then I'll redeem you.
Only then will you fully understand how good I am!
Having known each other for nearly a decade, this was the first time Ye Liangchen had spoken to her like this.
Li Qingxue wasn't an overly sensitive person, but hearing these words, how could she feel good?
A week ago, they were still the best of friends, chatting about everything...
Seeing Ye Liangchen's resolute departing figure, Li Qingxue's eyes reddened.
"What's wrong with you, Qingxue?"
"Ye Liangchen, you're being too harsh!"
"You've made Qingxue cry."
Hearing Wang Rui's voice, Ye Liangchen's steps paused for a moment.
But this time, he didn't look back.
Li Qingxue was crying because he was giving up on her completely.
She had felt his stance and was upset, regretting it, and that's why she choked up.
He gave a bitter smile. Indeed, everything had returned to the trajectory of his dream.
Taking a deep breath, he slightly angled his head to reveal his sharp jawline and said in a calm, even tone, "No one will always stay by your side, but I hope you make decisions you won't regret in the end."
He then left the classroom directly.
Ye Liangchen's actions left the classmates in the classroom in disbelief.
Initially, they thought that when Ye Liangchen made his ninety-ninth confession, it was just another tactic to pique Li Qingxue's interest, a kind of reverse psychology to attract her attention.
But from his attitude today, it seemed like he truly didn't plan to continue liking Li Qingxue!
Li Qingxue, her eyes slightly reddened, looked up at the ceiling, not wanting her tears to fall any further.
If it had been her before, she would have been extremely angry with Ye Liangchen.
But now, there was no anger, just a bit of sadness.
Because she knew Ye Liangchen was right.
He wouldn't always stay by her side; he had his own life and pursuits.
Since she couldn't give Ye Liangchen the response he wanted, it was selfish to demand that he treat her the same as before.
That wasn't right; it was a harm to Ye Liangchen and an irresponsible attitude on her part.
"Are you okay, Qingxue?" Wang Rui quietly consoled her.
Li Qingxue sniffled and forced a smile. "I'm fine."
She then wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.
"Ye Liangchen is being too much. It's just that you didn't accept his confession. Does he have to act like this?" Wang Rui said indignantly.
Hearing this, Li Qingxue's gaze stirred.
It wasn't just her.
If she hadn't met Long Aotian, she might have thought the same thing as Wang Rui.
She might have thought: I just didn't accept Ye Liangchen's confession. Does he have to treat me like this?
Long Aotian's mature thoughts always seemed to see the essence of problems.
He never spoke ill of anyone, only finding the root of the issue. If she could understand it, then she had understood it.
If she couldn't, she would only go further down the wrong path.
Fortunately, she had found the essence of the problem and had come to understand it...
Looking at Wang Rui, she held her hand. "This isn't Ye Liangchen's fault. He was just giving me a warning as a friend."
"It's me who's having trouble accepting this change. It has nothing to do with him."
After all, Ye Liangchen had always been very good to her.
If someone who had always been good to you suddenly turns cold, the emotional gap could indeed make one feel sad.
But if you set aside the distressing emotions, you'd find that what Ye Liangchen said was actually right...
He just treated her as an ordinary friend, no longer as someone he favored.
He was just warning her to stay away from Long Aotian, or else she would regret it later, and she shouldn't blame him for not having warned her beforehand.
Just like when Wang Rui had also advised her to stay away from Long Aotian...