Chapter 103
"Today, I stole some cookies from Hu Yuying. I should buy her something to eat on the way; otherwise, knowing her stingy nature, she’ll probably be starving the whole trip."
With that thought, Long Aotian nodded to himself, "What a considerate big brother I am!"
He hopped on his bike and pedaled furiously.
Arriving at the supermarket at the intersection, he came to a stop.
After securing his bike, he walked into the store.
Not long after Long Aotian entered, a figure emerged from around the corner, a girl with a backpack slung over her shoulders.
As she passed the supermarket, she glanced at the bike parked nearby, then quickly turned her gaze forward again.
After taking a few steps, she paused and looked back, a hint of confusion flashing in her beautiful eyes.
But she didn’t dwell on it and turned back to continue on her way.
Just as she stepped onto the main road around the corner, she casually glanced back again.
Long Aotian emerged from the store, a large bag of snacks in hand. "This should be enough to eat, right?"
He hung the bag on his bike and hurriedly prepared to leave.
Just as he started pedaling away...
"Long Ge, where are you rushing off to?"
He slammed on the brakes!
Long Aotian turned around.
There stood Hu Yuying, slightly out of breath but smiling brightly.
Hu Yuying smiled, gasping for air, her heart racing...
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Chapter 124: He is a really, really, really good person.
"Is that all you brought back after such a long time away?"
"Well, there’s plenty at home, so I didn’t want to carry too much. Plus, I’m heading to Kyoto soon," Hu Yuying said softly as she settled onto the back of the bike.
After saying that, she leaned closer to Long Aotian, a mix of hesitation and curiosity in her demeanor, her hands gently resting on his waist.
He could clearly feel his body stiffen for a moment at her touch, but Long Ge didn’t push her away...
Her mood instantly brightened.
After that impulsive moment when she almost lost Long Ge, Hu Yuying was now making a real effort to control herself.
But sometimes, she found it really hard...
Seeing that Long Ge didn’t say anything, Hu Yuying, feeling a mix of nervousness and determination, gently leaned her head against him.
The smile on her lips was radiant, and her previously calm heart now stirred with emotion.
"How nice."
She whispered softly, her voice barely audible, just for her own ears.
The bus station was far, but they eventually arrived.
As Long Aotian stopped the bike, the greedy Hu Yuying reluctantly released her grip. "Thank you, Long Ge."
"Why not just leave tomorrow? Why do you have to go back tonight?" Long Aotian said as he took the snacks off the front of the bike. "Here, eat on the way."
"Don’t be so polite with me! Watch out, or I’ll punch you!"
Looking at the bag of snacks in front of her, Hu Yuying chuckled and nodded. "Okay, Long Ge, I’ll be a good little follower."
"Go on in, and text me when you arrive," Long Aotian waved his hand, urging her to hurry inside.
She wanted to say another thank you to Long Ge, but when the words reached her lips, she hesitated.
Since the first time they met, she had always been thanking him.
Maybe this time, she wouldn’t say it: "Long Ge, goodbye."
The sooner she went back, the sooner she could return.
Her grandparents were her family, but on another level, in her heart, Long Ge was also family...
She didn’t look back, knowing he was surely watching her.
The timid Hu Yuying, the weak Hu Yuying, the gloomy Hu Yuying, had long become a thing of the past.
Now, Hu Yuying was confident, brave, and strong—at least in front of Long Ge, she would be confident, brave, and strong.
She never wanted to make Long Ge uncomfortable again.
Those days apart had been truly hard.
After buying her ticket and waiting at the station, Hu Yuying finally turned back.
Just like the first time they met, he was watching her...
He Jin Village was a three-hour journey—not too long, but for fifteen-year-old Hu Yuying, it felt like an eternity.
Six years walking from the countryside to the town, three years from the town to the county, and three years from the county to Haigang City. Now, she was heading even further to Kyoto. The road ahead was still long, but Hu Yuying no longer felt afraid.
Stepping out of the station, she took a tricycle home for six yuan.
From a distance, she could see two familiar figures waiting at the village entrance.
Though slightly hunched, they created a small world just for her.
"Grandpa, Grandma," Hu Yuying called out, running towards them.
Looking at their familiar faces, noticing the gray in their hair and the new wrinkles on their faces, Hu Yuying tried not to cry, but the tears flowed uncontrollably.
Grandpa’s rough hand gently stroked Hu Yuying’s head. "You’re home now, and still crying? Aren’t you ashamed?"
Grandma wiped the tears from Hu Yuying’s cheeks. "It’s good you’re back, it’s good. Let’s go home first."
Back at home, they took a good look at their granddaughter.
She had changed, and it was a big change.
There was more laughter on her face, especially the confidence and composure radiating from her—it was a stark contrast to before.
Just seeing Ah Ying like this, they knew she had been very happy these past six months.
This school transfer was a good one, a really good one.
In the past, seeing Ah Ying’s self-doubt and sensitivity, while she pretended to be happy, had pained them.
Ah Ying never spoke of it, but how could they not know? She must have faced bullying outside.
"Good, really good. My Ah Ying is still so beautiful," Grandma lovingly tucked a strand of hair behind Hu Yuying’s ear, taking a careful look at her obedient granddaughter.
"Tell Grandma about your transfer."
When the topic of her transfer came up, a glimmer of joy sparkled in Hu Yuying’s eyes. "Sure."
Though they hadn’t known each other long, it felt like there was so much to say.
Watching their granddaughter’s face light up when she mentioned Long Aotian, the gratitude and admiration in her words made them smile too.
This classmate named Long Aotian had taught Ah Ying a lot and changed her in many ways.
"Overall, he is a really, really, really good person."
"If I hadn’t met him, what would my life have been like? ... Thankfully, I met Long Ge."
Hu Yuying finished speaking, but the light in her eyes didn’t fade.
Grandma and Grandpa exchanged glances.
Having been through life themselves, how could they not understand their granddaughter’s feelings?
In rural areas, this kind of thing was quite common. Some people had children by eighteen, and most married around twenty. Those who were over twenty-two and still unmarried would be the subject of gossip.
Especially in their situation, if Hu Yuying hadn’t gotten into high school, if her grandparents hadn’t been willing to support her education, and if Hu Yuying hadn’t worked hard herself...
At her age, they would have already been looking for a match for her.
After all, they were getting old and couldn’t protect Ah Ying for too long.
Once she was married, she would have someone to rely on. (Though this isn’t universally true, it is the case for many in rural areas.)
"Are you and Long Aotian dating?" Grandma asked with a smile, noticing how different her granddaughter was when she talked about him.
Hearing this, Hu Yuying’s cheeks flushed instantly, her hands fidgeting as she stammered for a while before whispering, "N-no, he thinks I’m still too young."
Though Long Aotian had never said it, the insecure are often the most sensitive, so Hu Yuying could sense that at least at some point, Long Ge had felt something for her.
At least she was different in his eyes...
Grandma and Grandpa didn’t say much more after that.
Young people’s matters were beyond their reach now.
But seeing their granddaughter happy and having passed the exam for Kyoto University filled them with pride and joy...
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Chapter 125: I’m leaving now, I’m back.
Back in her room.
Hu Yuying glanced at the time on her phone.
After a moment of hesitation, she decided to send Long Aotian a message.
Because Long Ge had said that when she got home, she should text him to let him know she was safe.
"Long Ge, I’m home now."
After sending the message, Hu Yuying took a deep breath. At this hour, Long Ge should have been asleep by now.
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