Chapter 28
“Then you belong to the fourth type: the companionship type of affection.”
Li Qingxue paused for a moment. “Companionship type of affection?”
“It’s a unique habit formed over a long period of time. You enjoy having the other person around you, but you don’t necessarily feel any physiological, psychological, or spiritual attraction towards them.”
“In other words, you just need a companion.”
“Let me give you a simple example. Think about how long your parents have been by your side—eighteen years. Do you like them?”
“Of course,” Li Qingxue replied without hesitation.
“Now, for instance, you enjoy listening to me talk. You just like hearing my voice. So, let me ask you, do you like me?”
Li Qingxue’s cheeks flushed slightly. How could he use such examples?
So embarrassing!
She quickly shook her head, feeling shy, but she understood what her classmate was trying to convey.
Companionship and dependence can also be a form of affection.
But this kind of affection is fundamentally different from romantic love.
Li Qingxue had finally grasped this concept.
“So, ‘liking’ is quite complex and multi-faceted; it shouldn’t be confused.”
As Long Aotian finished speaking, he took the last bite of his bread. “Take the trash with you.”
“I know.” Li Qingxue gathered the trash and placed it at her feet, glancing at Long Aotian, who still looked quite content.
“Thank you. After hearing what you said, I feel much better.”
Long Aotian nodded. “Yeah, as long as you understand, it’s worth all the breath I wasted.”
“Everyone has their own choices. Learning to understand and respect them is the key to maintaining friendship.”
Li Qingxue looked at Long Aotian. “How do you know so much? You’re just a senior in high school, but you speak with such wisdom.”
His words weren’t preachy, yet they managed to untangle the confusion in her heart.
“It’s a secret.”
“Oh.” Li Qingxue didn’t press further, understanding and respecting his boundaries.
Ding-dong~
Li Qingxue’s phone rang, a special notification sound that indicated someone important was trying to reach her.
She pulled out her smartphone to take a look.
It was a post from Ye Liangchen on her special contacts list.
【Finally made up my mind. On an ordinary day, I’ve decided to let go of someone who used to mean a lot to me. (Image of a lonely shadow)】
Staring at the post, Li Qingxue felt a moment of daze, then took a deep breath and exited the interface.
What her classmate said was right; she liked Ye Liangchen, but it was just his companionship she cherished.
Her feelings for him weren’t romantic; she should understand and respect all his choices.
Instead of continuing to act irrationally and demanding he stay by her side, that would be irresponsible of her.
With clarity in her heart, Li Qingxue suddenly felt less anxious.
If she hadn’t heard her classmate’s advice, she might have reacted in a way that would lead to misunderstandings upon seeing that post.
After all, they had known each other for nine years. How many nine-year spans does one have in a lifetime?
...
Ye Liangchen looked at the browsing history on his phone, a slight smile curling at the corners of his mouth.
Indeed, this post was visible only to Li Qingxue.
In other words, only she had seen this browsing history!
“I wonder how you’re feeling right now?”
“You must be anxious, right?”
“After all, nine years isn’t just nine days. Suddenly losing someone who has been by your side for nine years must be hard, right?”
At this point, Ye Liangchen let out a small sigh, his tone tinged with helplessness as he continued, “Even if you lose a dog you’ve raised for nine years, you’d cry your heart out. How much more for a living person like me?”
“You’ll regret it, you’ll cry. That’s a necessary part of everyone’s growth.”
“Only after losing something can you truly understand your own heart. Only after losing can you learn to cherish. Qingxue, you’re really too slow to catch on when it comes to feelings. This is the best opportunity for you to realize what’s in your heart.”
Ye Liangchen quietly waited for Li Qingxue’s message.
With his understanding of her from their years together, it wouldn’t be long before she would message him, questioning the meaning behind his post!
What did it mean when he said, 【Finally made up my mind to let go of someone who used to mean a lot to me?】
Then she would ask if he really didn’t want her anymore, if he was truly giving her up.
“I’m sorry, we’re better off as just friends.” He would use this line to respond to her.
“Such style!” Ye Liangchen secretly praised himself.
But after waiting for a long, long time, Li Qingxue still hadn’t sent him any questions.
Ye Liangchen began to feel a bit impatient.
“Is she really crying that long?”
After thinking for a moment, he edited another post, still visible only to Li Qingxue.
【Let’s end it here. I choose dignity! (Image of a lonely shadow)】
...
Chapter 34: Don’t Hit Me, I’ll Behave
Time: Sunday afternoon, 3:30 PM.
Location: Hu Yuying’s home.
Looking at the chat box on her phone screen, Hu Yuying placed her fingertip on it, then quickly pulled away.
Taking a deep breath, she looked into the mirror. “Hu Yuying, you need to learn to be thick-skinned. Even if you get rejected, it’s okay.”
“And Long Ge said that you can contact him whenever you want!”
“Go for it! Go for it! Go for it!”
Summoning her courage, she quickly typed: “Long Ge, what time are you planning to go to school?”
“Can we go together?”
After sending the message, Hu Yuying felt as if all her strength had been drained from her body.
She lay on her bed, her fair face framed by her long, dark hair, creating a strikingly beautiful contrast.
Ding-dong~
The unique notification sound from her special contacts rang out.
Hu Yuying froze for a moment, then took a couple of deep breaths and picked up her phone.
Seeing Long Ge’s reply, her beautiful eyes curved into crescent moons as she quickly responded, “Okay, I’ll wait for you.”
After sending that message, she jumped up, changed out of her clothes, and put on her school uniform.
Then she gathered her books and practice papers in the living room, slung her bag over her shoulder, and walked out the door.
There were two routes Hu Yuying could take to school. One went through the west side of the alley, passing by the vegetable market and the rental apartments.
Her brother lived in those rental apartments, so it was on the way to school.
The other route was the one she usually took, going through the east side of the alley. This path passed by a railway crossing, which had a lot of small shops, but it was a bit shorter. However, it was in the opposite direction of Long Ge.
Turning off her phone, Long Aotian changed into his school uniform and waited for about ten minutes before heading downstairs.
He stood at the entrance of the complex, waiting in the shade of a sign.
“Long Ge.”
A voice filled with a hint of joy called out.
Long Aotian turned to see Hu Yuying waving energetically at him from a distance.
“Let’s go.”
“Okay.” She still liked to follow behind Long Aotian, like a little tail.
Suddenly, Long Aotian stopped in his tracks, and Hu Yuying, who was following closely, bumped into his back.
“Sorry, Long Ge! I didn’t see you!” Hu Yuying’s first reaction was to apologize.
Long Aotian chuckled as he looked at her. “Why are you always trailing behind me?”
Hearing this, Hu Yuying stepped to the right and cautiously asked, “Is it okay if I walk here?”
“Nope.”
Seeing Hu Yuying trying to move to the left, Long Aotian directly grabbed her arm and pulled her to his side. “Walk here.”
The contrast between their heights, one tall and one short, created an endearing scene under the glow of the setting sun.
Hu Yuying was puzzled. “But Long Ge, I see other people’s little followers walking behind their older brothers.”
“It’s fine; I’m more democratic.” The term “follower” was just something Long Aotian casually said; he never actually considered letting Hu Yuying be his follower.
He didn’t expect her to take it so seriously.
“You’re so nice, Long Ge.”
Looking at the pure admiration shining in Hu Yuying’s eyes, Long Aotian felt the need to lecture her a bit.
So he stopped walking and looked at her earnestly.
Hu Yuying, who had been walking alongside him, quickly took two steps back to maintain a parallel position and looked up at him.
“There are many good people in the world, but there are also quite a few bad ones. Just because someone shows you a bit of kindness doesn’t mean you should automatically consider them a good person, you know?”
In school, that might be fine, but once you step into society...
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