Chapter 98
"That must be your old friend, right? To be honest, his taste is really questionable." Li Qingxue heard this and immediately noticed it, and Long Aotian also caught on.
In truth, Long Aotian didn’t have any strong feelings about Ye Liangchen. Even after an unpleasant incident at school, he hadn’t given it much thought.
But since Hu Yuying disliked him, he found himself inexplicably feeling a bit of disdain as well.
"Wow, I didn’t expect you to remember him," Li Qingxue said, a bit shy.
Actually, she had a pretty good eye for friends; otherwise, she wouldn’t have made so many. But Ye Liangchen’s behavior over the past six months had indeed been quite off-putting.
"Of course I remember! Just the other day, I sold him some clothes and scammed him out of 299 yuan."
Thinking about this, Long Aotian couldn’t help but recall the moment he handed the money to Hu Yuying, her crescent-moon eyes sparkling with joy.
A smile crept onto his face.
"You sold clothes?" Li Qingxue asked, a hint of disbelief in her voice.
"There’s nothing I can’t do!" he replied confidently.
Li Qingxue pouted, "You’re so bad! But I’m still shocked he could actually come up with 299 yuan."
Don’t mention being shocked; the little girl was pretty surprised herself, Long Aotian thought.
With that thought, his smile widened. "It’s getting late; let’s go."
"Okay." Li Qingxue stood up and began to pack her things.
"See you! Ride carefully," Long Aotian waved and left first.
"Alright, goodbye." Watching Long Aotian’s retreating figure, Li Qingxue whispered to herself.
Then she remembered something and quickly grabbed her phone, snapping a picture of Long Aotian waving goodbye.
The sunset cast a warm orange glow across the horizon, bathing the earth in its light, while the silhouette of the boy radiated confidence and a carefree spirit.
Satisfied with the photo, Li Qingxue turned and rode her bike down the road, now awash in warm orange hues.
When she reached her apartment building, Long Aotian didn’t stop. He passed the vegetable market without pausing, and as he entered a familiar alley, he gradually slowed his pace.
Standing in front of the door, he took a deep breath and exhaled heavily.
He knocked on the door.
No response.
Peering through the crack, he could see a tricycle and the goods that had been piled on it, now neatly organized.
"Is anyone home?"
Long Aotian withdrew his gaze and sat down on a stone by the door.
After a long while, as the sky darkened further, he stood up and walked east down the alley.
He remembered the path Hu Yuying had taken him on before, which included crossing a railway track.
Climbing up to the platform, he headed toward the exit on the other side.
Long Aotian didn’t stop; he didn’t know where he should go now, so he decided to wander a bit.
Maybe he’d run into that little girl again.
As night fell, the city lights began to glow, transforming the once-dark world into a vibrant spectacle.
It was noisy, but full of life.
"Here come the city inspectors!"
Someone shouted.
Long Aotian glanced over.
He watched as the street vendors scattered in a hurry.
Some hopped onto tricycles, others on electric bikes, and some... were sprinting away, dragging a woven bag behind them, panting heavily...
**Chapter 118: The Last Whisper**
Running while glancing back to see if the inspectors were chasing them, she turned around just in time to bump into someone, dropping the woven bag she was holding.
Quickly, she looked down and whispered, "Sorry, sorry."
She bent down to pick up the bag.
But a large hand reached down first and grabbed it.
Hu Yuying froze for a moment, then slowly looked up, following the hand.
The anxious expression on her face quickly transformed into joy.
The girl smiled, and her laughter seemed to spill over, as if she wanted to etch that moment into the very bones of the person in front of her.
She lightly tapped the top of the girl’s head, "What are you standing there for? Run!"
As she spoke, she slung the woven bag over her shoulder.
Seeing the figure in front of her, Hu Yuying’s previously dim eyes sparkled with countless brilliant lights, and she nodded vigorously, "Okay."
The two of them ran side by side down the bustling street, under the colorful lights, until they reached the railway track.
Only then did they stop, panting heavily.
Long Aotian set the woven bag down and took deep breaths.
He looked up at Hu Yuying, who seemed to have been watching him the whole time.
At that moment, their eyes met, and they both laughed simultaneously.
Their laughter was soft yet calm.
It was a joyful sound, yet it felt so gentle.
Like a glass of aged wine, rich with flavors, ultimately distilled into a simple, shared smile.
Sitting on the platform, Hu Yuying couldn’t stop moving.
She pulled out a bottle of water from the woven bag and also took out a piece of cardboard to fan Long Aotian.
The evening temperature was nothing like the heat of the morning or noon, but after such vigorous activity, a layer of sweat had formed.
"What do you want to eat tonight, Long Ge?" she asked.
She didn’t pry into anything else; she simply wanted to know what Long Aotian felt like eating.
This kind-hearted girl, with her pure smile, made Long Aotian feel warm and relaxed.
"Let’s have some congee, the lean meat kind."
Long Aotian didn’t ask Hu Yuying how she had been these days; he knew how fierce the competition was for street vendors.
When the inspectors came, everyone scattered.
When they left, they would continue searching for a spot...
Especially seeing Hu Yuying struggling to drag the woven bag, trying her best to keep up.
Thinking back to how lazy he had been at home these days, Long Aotian felt a strange heaviness in his heart.
"Alright."
Hu Yuying was always obedient in front of Long Aotian; whatever he said, she would do.
Taking a deep breath, she cautiously glanced at him and asked, "So, shall we head home?"
She hadn’t shown any fear when being chased by the inspectors earlier.
Now, in front of him, she was so careful, and Long Aotian couldn’t help but chuckle, "Am I really that scary?"
"Not scary at all," Hu Yuying shook her head and smiled.
"Let’s go." Long Aotian slung the woven bag over his shoulder and jumped down the steps, walking ahead.
Hu Yuying followed closely, "Long Ge, let me help you."
"Get away! If someone sees us, they’ll think Long Aotian can’t even carry a woven bag!"
"Then can I fan you?"
"No need."
"Does Long Ge want to take a break and drink some water?"
"If you keep nagging, I might just hit you! We’ve only walked a few steps, and you want me to rest? Are you implying something?"
"I’m not, Long Ge." Hu Yuying blinked her innocent big eyes, pursed her lips, and fell silent, obediently following Long Aotian.
As they walked under the streetlights, she subtly inched closer to him, their shadows merging...
Seeing this, Hu Yuying’s lips curled up, her eyes crinkling with joy, a mix of happiness and a hint of silliness.
Once they returned to their place, from the moment they stepped through the door, Long Aotian felt a wave of relief wash over him.
Hu Yuying hurriedly helped him set down the woven bag.
"Long Ge, go wash your hands first. I’ll make the lean meat congee."
After saying this, Hu Yuying dashed into the kitchen, turning on the lights in the living room as she went.
After washing his hands, Long Aotian skillfully made his way to the kitchen and opened the fridge.
He nodded to himself, pleased.
There was meat and vegetables; he hadn’t shortchanged himself.
Little did he know, Hu Yuying prepared fresh vegetables every day.
She knew that one day Long Ge would come over, and she didn’t want to disappoint him with a lack of good food.
Watching Long Aotian’s actions, a glimmer of pride flashed in Hu Yuying’s bright eyes.
Before long, she had the lean meat congee ready.
Long Aotian devoured two bowls; it had been too long since he had eaten, and the little girl’s cooking was just to his taste.
Once he finished, Hu Yuying quickly polished off her last bite and began to clear the dishes.
After putting them in the kitchen, Hu Yuying walked into her bedroom and came out holding a small notebook.
"Long Ge, this is my earnings from these past few days."
Table of Contents
