Ten minutes later, Hu Yuying was holding a white bunny plushie, her delicate face filled with an unrestrained smile as she nodded at Long Aotian: "Mhm."
Long Aotian had won her over with just a small white bunny from the claw machine.
She really was easy to please.
But then again, she was willing to be pleased.
For the next three hours, Hu Yuying's smile never faded.
This was also the first time she had experienced these kinds of entertainment activities.
"Long-ge, don't bump into me, okay?" Hu Yuying pleaded as she maneuvered the bumper car.
But when she saw Long Aotian being bumped by others, she started steering her car to bump into them too.
After her first collision, she was both excited and thrilled: "Long-ge, I bumped into someone! Am I amazing?"
"You're amazing."
Hearing Long Aotian's praise, Hu Yuying suddenly felt like she really was amazing.
"Long-ge, look what I got—two cups!" Hu Yuying proudly held up her trophies to show off to Long Aotian.
"Wow, you're better than me. I didn't get anything."
Long Aotian had been aiming for the big prizes at the back but ended up empty-handed.
Hu Yuying, on the other hand, went for the easier targets in the front, and these two cups were her own achievements.
"Here, I'll give you one. You can have the yellow one, and I'll keep the pink one."
Hu Yuying generously handed one of the cups to Long Aotian.
By the time they left, it was already past five in the afternoon.
The hottest part of the day had passed, and now a gentle breeze brought a hint of coolness to the lingering heat.
The most satisfied of all was Hu Yuying—she had new clothes, new shoes, a bunny, and now cups. Today had been the happiest day for her.
Even now, her smile hadn't faded.
Seeing the joy on Hu Yuying's face, Long Aotian ruffled her long hair.
Happiness always had a way of quietly replacing worries.
Back home.
Hu Yuying tidied up the things they had brought back, boiled the two cups she had won in hot water, and then poured a glass of water for Long Aotian.
Alright.
Hu Yuying admitted there was a tiny bit of showing off involved.
But really, just a tiny bit.
Watching Long Aotian drink from the cup she had won, Hu Yuying felt a surge of pride.
She went to her room to change.
The dress was beautiful, but she still had to cook for Long-ge, and she didn't want to get it dirty.
She changed into her other clothes and pinned up her loose hair with a claw clip.
Neat and tidy.
Suddenly, Hu Yuying froze.
She pulled open her collar and looked at her pink bra in the mirror...
Belatedly realizing something, her face instantly turned bright red.
She placed her hands on her burning cheeks: "Maybe I'm overthinking it? Long-ge isn't that kind of person... right?"
At this thought, Hu Yuying was so embarrassed she couldn't lift her head.
Her mind flashed back to what Ye Liangchen had told her: ["Long Aotian just wants to play with your body..."]
She quickly shook her head.
It was such a strange feeling. Hearing Ye Liangchen say those words had made her furious.
But why, as she thought about it now, did she not feel angry but instead so shy and flustered?
She instinctively touched her bottom. Even though it had been hours since Long-ge had spanked her, why did she still feel a faint tingle when she thought about it?
Her heart started racing inexplicably, just like it had when she had helped Long-ge tie his scarf...
She opened the door just a crack and peeked out at Long Aotian.
The sound of the door made Long Aotian instinctively look toward the bedroom.
Their eyes met through the crack: "What are you doing, sneaking around like that?"
Hu Yuying jumped and quickly closed the door again, leaning against it, feeling completely at a loss.
After a while.
Long Aotian had almost finished his water when Hu Yuying finally opened the door and came out.
"What's wrong with you?"
Hu Yuying avoided his gaze, standing still, her voice soft and small: "I, I..."
Before she could finish, she felt a warm touch on her forehead.
"You're not running a fever, so why is your face so red?"
Looking up at Long Aotian, his words only made her feel her face heating up even more.
Long Aotian watched as a blush spread from her face down to her fair neck, utterly amazed: "Are you a chameleon or something?"
"I, I'm just really hot," Hu Yuying said, lowering her head like a shy kitten, nimbly slipping past Long Aotian and quickly heading outside.
"Hot?" Long Aotian watched her retreating figure: "This girl is acting so strange."
Hu Yuying hid in the kitchen, finally able to catch her breath.
Her little head was a mess.
She even started wondering, what if Long-ge really did want her body?
What would she do then?
It was all Ye Liangchen's fault for always badmouthing Long-ge in front of her, making her start imagining things.
She touched her forehead, then placed her hand on her chest: "Long-ge's heart sometimes races too..."
"What are you mumbling about?"
The sudden voice startled Hu Yuying.
She turned around nervously: "N-nothing." She wasn't sure if Long-ge had heard her.
"You're acting weird," Long Aotian said, squinting as he looked her up and down, trying to figure out what was going on.
"I'm not acting weird," Hu Yuying, already nervous, felt even more flustered under Long Aotian's gaze.
She quickly turned away to avoid his scrutiny.
Luckily, Long Aotian wasn't the type to push for answers.
Hu Yuying secretly sighed in relief. There really was a strange feeling in her heart, but she didn't know how to express it to Long Aotian.
After reviewing some material with Long Aotian, Hu Yuying started cooking.
With the ingredients on hand, she decided to make a big stew.
After dinner, it was already quite late. Since they had spent three hours playing in the afternoon, they couldn't finish the study goals she had set for Long Aotian today. They would have to start earlier tomorrow.
As she walked Long Aotian to the door.
Long Aotian suddenly stopped: "So, what were you muttering about in the kitchen this afternoon?"
"Long-ge," Hu Yuying remembered something, her face turning red as she stomped her foot in mock annoyance: "It's nothing, Long-ge. You're so nosy."
"Oho, and now you're blushing too," Long Aotian teased...
[Thank you for the gifts! I thought about it and realized I don't have much to give in return, so I'll add an extra chapter as a token of appreciation. Thank you, and sending love!]