Chapter 26
“At your age, getting choked while eating? I’m really impressed!” Long Aotian gently patted Hu Yuying’s back and placed a glass of water next to her.
After taking a sip, the burning sensation in her throat finally eased.
Feeling a bit embarrassed, she glanced at Long Aotian, her cheeks flushed, possibly from the choking...
---
**Chapter 31: I Will Love Myself Unreservedly**
“Ugh...”
Ye Liangchen emerged from the drainage ditch. “Damn, this stone is way too rough! It’s hurting me!”
Taking a deep breath, he suppressed the discomfort in his body and glanced at the closed door of Hu Yuying’s house. He decided to head back and clean up, estimating that he had scraped his skin.
His backside felt sore and raw.
It was unbearable.
“Next time I go out, I have to bring toilet paper. There’s not a single tree around, not even a leaf in sight. Seriously, if it weren’t for the treasure girl, I wouldn’t want to come here at all.”
Muttering to himself, he left the alley. His home was quite far, and he hadn’t eaten lunch, so now his stomach was both uncomfortable and hungry.
“I’ll just wait until Monday at school. I believe Hu Yuying will understand everything I’ve done for her and will be moved to tears.”
“That kind-hearted treasure girl is like that; even the slightest kindness from a stranger can touch her for ages.”
As he spoke, Ye Liangchen exited the alley.
---
After lunch, Hu Yuying went to wash the dishes while Long Aotian stepped outside for a stroll.
He opened the door and looked around the street.
At this time of day, there were hardly any people on the streets. In this rural alley, most residents were elderly, and the view was mostly empty.
Once she finished washing the dishes, Hu Yuying stepped outside.
“He probably left because he couldn’t get the door open,” she said, looking at the deserted street.
“These kids are really too arrogant. Do you have a phone?” Long Aotian asked.
“Yeah, I do,” Hu Yuying nodded.
She then jogged back to her room.
Long Aotian glanced up at the blazing sun and decided to head inside as well.
Entering the living room, he noticed the door to the bedroom on the right was already open.
Soon, Hu Yuying emerged, carefully holding a smart touchscreen phone (a second-hand one she had reluctantly bought to stay in touch with the grandparents in the village).
Seeing the phone in Hu Yuying’s hand, Long Aotian quietly put away the button phone he had just taken out.
“Cough, cough. Add my QQ number, and save my phone number too.”
“If you need anything, just call me. We’re close by.”
The family compound and this village were separated only by a vegetable market.
It would take about twelve to thirteen minutes to walk over.
If he rode a bike, it would be even faster.
And if he happened to be helping out at the market, it would be even quicker.
Hu Yuying didn’t say anything, just added Long Aotian’s QQ number and phone number.
Looking at the first friend on her list, she felt a little flutter of excitement.
Seeing the smile on Hu Yuying’s face, it was clear that happiness could be quite simple.
Ding ding ding~
Her phone rang.
She silenced it and tucked the phone back under her pillow.
“Hey, do you need something?”
“Nothing much, I’ll be on my way then.” Long Aotian, after all, was an adult.
When the host says something like that, it usually means they have something to attend to, and it’s time for the guest to take the hint and leave.
Noticing Long Aotian was about to leave, Hu Yuying realized she might have misspoken and quickly explained, “No, no! I didn’t mean it like that. I meant, if you don’t have anything to do this afternoon, I can help you with your studies.”
As she spoke, she pointed to the exercise books on the coffee table.
She set daily study tasks for herself.
It was study time now.
Since her brother was at her house, why not study together? She could even tutor him.
“Sure.” Long Aotian nodded, as he had nothing to do if he went back.
It was better to stay at Hu Yuying’s place for tutoring and see if that group of people would come back in the afternoon.
Seeing Long Aotian agree, Hu Yuying quickly tidied up the table and shared her exercise books with him.
She had already marked several questions on them, which were all basic knowledge points she had planned to give him when they went to school on Sunday.
Now was just perfect.
These questions were ones Hu Yuying had explained to Long Aotian last Friday.
Long Aotian wasn’t slow; recalling the problem-solving methods Hu Yuying had taught him, he began to work on the problems.
Watching her brother get into the groove so quickly, Hu Yuying also focused on her studies.
Before, she had been alone, but now having someone beside her felt completely different.
Taking a deep breath, she stole a glance at Long Aotian and then returned her gaze to her work.
In senior year, they reviewed all the topics from the first and second years.
Hu Yuying was confident in her studies, so she was willing to spend more time helping Long Aotian with his questions and providing practice problems.
“This question has a simpler method; let me show you. This way, you can save more time on solving it,” Hu Yuying said, pointing to the last question.
This question was slightly more challenging than the previous ones.
When Hu Yuying explained the problem, she was very detailed, and Long Aotian watched her with a slight smile. This was the only time she felt confident.
That confidence would gradually seep into her life, becoming part of her character.
From this moment on, Hu Yuying would embark on a path entirely different from the original story.
Long Aotian initially hesitated, unsure if what he was doing was right or wrong.
But seeing the smile on Hu Yuying’s face at that moment, he felt that it didn’t matter. Hu Yuying’s life should be free.
Not just described in a few words, nor should it be limited by arbitrary constraints.
Hu Yuying paused her explanation and glanced at Long Aotian.
“Big brother, what are you smiling about?” She bit her lip, feeling a bit shy as she turned her gaze away.
“I’m smiling at you.”
Hearing this, Hu Yuying’s face involuntarily flushed.
“Hu Yuying, remember this happy moment. You must stay happy for the rest of your life. Your life is free, and I hope you continue to be filled with hope and love for everything in this world.”
Upon hearing this, Hu Yuying felt as if something within her had shattered.
Silently shattered.
It felt like the shackles that had bound her, or something else—whatever it was, Hu Yuying slowly began to learn to accept this world, gradually developing her own expectations.
“Thank you, big brother. I will. I will love myself unreservedly and cherish everything in this world that deserves love.”
“I will slowly learn to change myself. I... I am also an excellent person, and my existence still holds meaning in this world.”
These were all lessons Long Aotian had taught her over the past two days. She hadn’t forgotten, nor dared to forget. This was everything she aspired to...
Change isn’t just talk; it requires real action.
And Hu Yuying was just that; she would prove her transformation through her actions...
---
**Chapter 32: Habit is Greater than Liking**
“Done!” Long Aotian stretched lazily.
He patted his shoulders, and noticing this, Hu Yuying hesitated for a moment before remembering her duty as his assistant.
She got up and walked behind Long Aotian. “Brother Long, let me give you a massage.”
As she spoke, her hands began to knead his shoulders.
“Is this better?”
“Not bad, feels great.”
With Long Aotian’s approval, Hu Yuying felt happy and put even more effort into the massage.
Back at her hometown, she would also massage her grandfather’s shoulders after he finished working in the fields.
There wasn’t much technique; just a simple rub could help relieve tension.
And Hu Yuying felt that since Long Aotian was good to her, helping him was no trouble at all; in fact, it made her quite happy.
“All done.” Long Aotian patted her hands and then stood up, stretching his back lazily.
“It’s getting late; I should head back.” He glanced at the weather outside.
“Okay.”
She walked him to the door.
“Go on back. If you run into any trouble you can’t handle, just call me. Remember, no matter what, your safety is the most important thing.”
“I got it, big brother.” Hu Yuying looked at Long Aotian with a bright and warm smile.
Table of Contents
