Chapter 53
With a smug look on his face, he walked toward his seat, but instead of heading straight back, he took a detour around the classroom, coming in from the door side.
When he reached Wang Shuo, he saw him stuffing books into the back of his pants and couldn't help but shake his head and chuckle, “Stuffing them in now? You’re doomed!”
“Do you know how many points I scored on this exam? 318 points! Ranked 389th overall, 31st from the bottom. I’ve improved by a whole 30 places! Can you believe it?”
Wang Shuo's mouth twitched. So there was still Long Aotian at the bottom, which meant he could at least go home with some dignity, knowing someone was worse off than him.
Sure, he’d still get beaten up, but it wouldn’t be as bad.
Without Long Aotian as the last place cushion, he recalled how he had been punished for a mere small test last time, leaving him unable to sit for three days.
And this time, it was a monthly exam, a real assessment! With that thought, he gloomily stuffed two more books into his pants.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk, you might as well stuff in a few more, since I’m never going to be last again!”
Hearing Long Aotian's teasing, Wang Shuo knew exactly what he was trying to do—show off. So he replied, “Alright, we get it. You’re amazing. Just stop already.”
Long Aotian struggled to suppress a grin, adjusting his collar with a mock seriousness, trying to divert the laughter bubbling up inside him. “You know, I’m not saying this just to brag about my 318 points.”
“I just want to let you know that I’ve improved by a full 30 places—nothing more.”
With that, he clasped his hands behind his back, stood tall, and walked with a swagger, as if the wind itself was following him.
He then approached the second-to-last and third-to-last students, shaking his head in disbelief before casually stating that he hadn’t performed well this time, scoring only 318 points, ranked 389th overall, 31st from the bottom.
Just a mere improvement of 30 places.
He even emphasized again that he wasn’t trying to show off...
---
**Chapter 63: A Moment of Affection, A Moment of Emptiness**
There was no evening study session.
After announcing the grade rankings, the homeroom teacher left the remaining time for the students.
As the bell rang, Hu Yuying began to tidy up Long Aotian's desk.
Unconsciously, Hu Yuying had taken to heart Long Aotian's words: If you don’t hustle after school, there’s something wrong with you!
Before long, she had cleared his desk completely.
As they exited the campus, Long Aotian suddenly stopped and turned to look at Hu Yuying, who was following him.
Noticing his halt, Hu Yuying stopped as well. “Is something wrong, Long Ge?”
Long Aotian didn’t speak; he just looked at her earnestly.
Feeling his gaze, Hu Yuying’s heart skipped a beat, and she felt her cheeks warm.
In that moment, she caught a glimpse of affection in Long Aotian’s eyes. Though it was fleeting, it was unmistakable.
Her heart began to race uncontrollably, a strange sensation she had never experienced before, like a little deer leaping in her chest.
“Such a silly girl,” Long Aotian said, gently tapping her on the head. He took a deep breath and chuckled softly, “I’ve got some things to take care of today, so you head home by yourself.”
Hu Yuying looked at him, instinctively wanting to ask what he needed to do.
But it didn’t feel right to pry.
After all, Long Aotian had his own matters to attend to.
So she nodded obediently, “Got it, Long Ge.”
“Take that way; it’s closer to home.”
“Okay.”
Watching Hu Yuying walk away, Long Aotian opened his mouth as if to say something more, but seeing her retreating figure, he could only run his fingers through his hair in frustration before turning to head in another direction.
As she walked, Hu Yuying felt a sudden emptiness in her heart.
She couldn’t help but glance back.
Watching Long Aotian’s figure disappear into the crowd, she finally turned her gaze away.
Maybe it was just a girl’s intuition, but as she watched him fade into the throng, she felt a twinge of loneliness.
Withdrawing her gaze, she continued on her way home.
Before she recognized Long Aotian as her big brother, she had walked this path countless times, but this time, her feelings about going home felt different.
Passing by the freight platform near the train tracks, Hu Yuying didn’t rush home. Instead, she sat on the platform, picked up a stone, and tossed it toward the train tracks.
Her mind was filled with the image of Long Aotian gently tapping her head, the affection in his eyes shining through.
With each stone she threw, her gloomy mood seemed to lift, as if she were casting away the heaviness in her heart.
---
“Qian, how’s it going?” Ye Liangchen felt a bit nervous. After coming out of the restroom, he had changed from his school uniform into a white shirt and black jeans.
This outfit made him look even more handsome.
Even so, Ye Liangchen was still a bit anxious, constantly adjusting his hair in front of the mirror.
“Chen Ge, what’s with the fuss today?” Gao Quan asked, watching Ye Liangchen fussing over his hair.
Not going home after school but instead changing clothes and checking himself out in the mirror—Gao Quan just couldn’t understand it.
“Forget that for now. What do you think of my look today? Am I handsome or what?”
Ye Liangchen didn’t even look up from the mirror as he spoke.
“Handsome, but why did you part your hair in the middle? It looks kind of weird.”
Gao Quan’s mouth twitched as he watched Ye Liangchen wet his hair and style it into a middle part, which made him look like a character from an anti-Japanese drama...
Ye Liangchen chuckled lightly, “You don’t get it. This hairstyle will be in vogue in three to five years. By then, many celebrities will be sporting it. This is what we call fashion.”
“Fashion, you know? It’s all about the ‘fa shen’ (fashion).”
“Too bad I don’t have a hairdryer; otherwise, I’d fluff it up a bit more, and you’d see just how ‘fa shen’ it really is.”
Ye Liangchen was in a good mood today, so he shared a bit more with Gao Quan than usual.
But seeing Gao Quan’s confused expression, he realized he still didn’t understand anything.
But that didn’t matter; as long as he looked out for him, that was enough.
With that thought, Ye Liangchen took a deep breath. “Alright, you head home first. I’ve got some things to take care of today.”
“What things?” Gao Quan couldn’t help but ask.
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll surprise you later,” Ye Liangchen said, glancing at the time before heading out.
He had spent a bit too long on his look today, but thankfully, he was still on schedule!
“Go on home, and wait for your surprise from Chen Ge,” Ye Liangchen called back to Gao Quan as he dashed downstairs.
Gao Quan watched Ye Liangchen’s retreating figure, especially how his hair bounced as he ran, reminiscent of the chickens flapping their wings at his grandparents’ house...
Shaking his head, he hurried downstairs too.
But Ye Liangchen was quick, and from a distance, Gao Quan saw him run out of the school gate, heading in the opposite direction of home.
As he jogged along the road, feeling the wind tousle his hair, a smile slowly crept onto his face.
He hadn’t forgotten today’s date; he had waited far too long for this day.
His treasure girl, you’ve suffered during this time, but it’s alright. We’re finally going to meet, just like the paths of fate crossing.
Little master, there’s more to this chapter, so please click to the next page to continue reading; it gets even more exciting!
Even though you’ve been coerced by Long Aotian this time, it’s okay; you will always be my treasure girl.
With excitement bubbling inside him, Ye Liangchen quickened his pace.
Breathing a bit heavily, he looked around, took a deep breath to steady himself, and prepared to present his best self.
Exhaling a deep breath, he stepped inside.
“Who can a wounded heart love? No one knows the pain of being uncared for!”
This thought had no place in dreams, but in this moment, Ye Liangchen couldn’t help but express it.
Because this sentiment perfectly captured his current feelings.
With his hands in his pockets and a smile on his lips, he walked slowly forward.
To the place where their fates had intertwined in the past.
This time, he would hold on tightly!
Arriving at the platform, Ye Liangchen pretended not to glance left but instead looked up at a 45-degree angle, spreading his arms wide as if to embrace the sky.
He did this entirely to elevate his presence, hoping to catch his treasure girl’s attention!
With that thought, a smile slowly formed on his lips as he gradually lowered his arms, returning to a self-embrace.
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