Chapter 125
"Don't get any darker; if you do, you'll turn into charcoal," Li Qingxue said with a hint of annoyance as she appeared on the video call.
Seeing her, Long Aotian couldn't help but wonder if all pretty girls were immune to tanning.
"Oh my, who is this? Rolling your eyes all the way to the sky, huh?"
In response to Long Aotian's teasing from afar, Li Qingxue playfully bit her lip and shook her little fist at the screen, but still asked, "Are you doing okay?"
Long Aotian knew exactly what she was referring to and stretched his arms, saying, "I'm in great shape."
"Such a show-off," she huffed, then vanished from the video frame.
It seemed Hu Yuying was still nearby, judging by her gaze.
"How have you been these days?"
"Pretty good, just sometimes it's really hot," Hu Yuying replied, feeling comfortable enough to speak freely with Long Aotian.
"When the holidays come, I'll take you out for some good food."
"Sure," Hu Yuying nodded. It wasn't just about the food; it was the excitement of finally getting to see Long Aotian.
But honestly, rather than spending a lot of money eating out, she would prefer to cook for him herself.
Unfortunately, she lacked the tools, and rent in Kyoto was exorbitantly high.
Hu Yuying had come to Kyoto hoping to settle down and find a part-time job while renting a place. After all, if she worked part-time, she worried about affecting her roommate's schedule.
But after learning about the rental prices in Kyoto, she dared not dream any longer.
"What's with that expression? Are you unhappy about going out for good food?" Long Aotian noticed Hu Yuying's sudden sigh and thought she was becoming cuter by the day.
"Nothing much, just that it's been a while since you had my cooking," Hu Yuying mused, thinking that if Long Aotian could eat her meals regularly, he would never lose weight.
He had actually gained some during the summer break...
"When I have money, I'll buy a big house here, and then you can cook for me every day," Long Aotian joked with a smile.
"Ha! If you buy a house here, I'll be your cleaning lady every day," Li Qingxue's voice chimed in through the video call.
The housing prices in Kyoto were sky-high; it would take a fortune.
Li Qingxue might believe in renting, but buying a house? That was hard to swallow.
"Well, if that's the case, I guess I'll have a free housekeeper."
"Pfft, housekeeper? More like a housekeeper beauty!" Li Qingxue shook her head. "Wait, you haven't even bought a house yet. What are you talking about, housekeeper beauty..."
Noticing Hu Yuying's serious expression, she nudged her shoulder playfully. "No way, you actually believe that?"
"Uh-huh," Hu Yuying nodded earnestly. She had always unconditionally trusted Long Aotian because, in her eyes, he was truly impressive.
"See? You should learn from Yuying and have a little faith in me, okay?"
"Alright, alright, I’ll have a little faith in you," Li Qingxue reappeared on the video, her face scrunching up in mock disdain, but the curve of her lips was undeniably perfect.
"Not sincere at all! Yuying is the best; she believes in me!"
The words were casual, but they made Hu Yuying's heart flutter, a faint blush creeping onto her delicate face.
Long Aotian said she was part of his family?
Even if he didn't mean it that way, hearing it felt beautiful in her heart.
"You're a grown man, and you're still worried about these things. Fine, I’ll believe in you too. Is that good enough?" Li Qingxue said, turning her head away in a haughty manner.
It was just a casual video chat, yet it was filled with joy, unknowingly transcending ordinary friendship.
Hu Yuying knew.
Li Qingxue knew.
But Long Aotian, caught in the middle, remained oblivious.
He could guide others because he understood everything, yet he couldn't see through his own situation, precisely because he understood too much.
So, one shouldn't be too pure; sometimes, it's essential to learn to care for oneself.
Don't be so caught up in comforting others while your own life is a mess.
Hu Yuying understood this a little, which is why she always unconditionally believed in Long Aotian—a form of love in itself.
Li Qingxue also understood this a little, which is why she brought joy to Long Aotian—a form of care in itself.
Even Lin Wanning, who had only recently met him, was slowly trying to understand this boy she found confusing yet felt safe with.
In truth, those who understand everything often suffer the most...
---
Chapter 151: A Bit Pitiful, A Touch of Melancholy
Just as they were talking, Long Aotian's phone rang.
The video froze momentarily before the signal dropped.
Looking at the caller ID, Long Aotian felt a mix of helplessness and amusement.
It was Lin Wanning. Ever since he took this little sister under his wing, she had been calling him almost every day.
The seemingly aloof campus beauty was actually quite clingy behind the scenes; if this got out, no one would believe it.
Once he answered, Lin Wanning's unique voice came through the phone. "Hey, bro, let’s go out for dinner!"
"I found a really affordable barbecue place this time. No refusing! Last time you treated me, so this time, if you say no, I’ll have to talk bad about you."
Lin Wanning had her principles; even though she called him "bro," she wouldn't just let him treat her to meals or anything else.
As she put it, even if she was taking advantage, there should be limits. Besides, she didn't call him "bro" just to take advantage.
Otherwise, if she casually hinted, many boys would be eager to treat her.
"Got it, let’s do it a bit later. I just finished and haven’t showered or changed yet; I’m all sweaty."
After getting Long Aotian's agreement, Lin Wanning hung up.
As soon as the call ended, a message from Hu Yuying popped up on the screen.
After a moment's thought, he decided to call her back.
When the call connected, Hu Yuying cautiously asked, "Did something happen with you just now?"
"Nothing much, just a friend called to say she wants to go out for dinner."
"By the way, when the holidays come, I’ll introduce you all."
Li Qingxue rolled her eyes. "Introducing us means the other person is a girl, right?" Her gaze towards Long Aotian turned disdainful.
Hu Yuying's beautiful eyes sparkled with a hint of concern as she looked at Long Aotian. "Are you going out to eat with another girl?"
That pitiful expression on Hu Yuying's face left Long Aotian momentarily stunned, and he quickly smiled to explain.
Of course, he omitted the part about getting hurt on his back.
"She's a nice girl; calling me 'bro' probably makes her feel a bit guilty. But I think this gratitude is a bit too much."
Li Qingxue had already heard about this from Long Aotian, so she wasn't surprised.
But she was even more curious about that girl.
"Did you get hurt at all?" Hu Yuying's gaze had been fixed on Long Aotian since he started speaking.
"Of course not! Your bro here knocked that bully down with one punch!" He gestured animatedly on the video, making sure Hu Yuying could visualize it.
He illustrated vividly which fist he used, and after finishing, he looked at Hu Yuying on the screen with a grin. "So, how about it? Am I impressive or what?"
"Impressive," Hu Yuying replied, her laughter mirroring the joy on Long Aotian's face.
Her smile was like a gentle spring breeze, soft and comforting.
"That's great."
Long Aotian murmured to himself. The Hu Yuying of now was a far cry from the gloomy girl who used to follow him around with her head down.
In less than a year, he had witnessed all her changes.
He felt a mix of pride and satisfaction, knowing he had played a part in her growth.
---
"Of course, I always keep my word, and this amount of money is nothing compared to what I’ll have in the future."
"This stock will definitely rise, but that's just pocket change. The key is that my future girlfriend will be a top star in the entertainment industry," Ye Liangchen said confidently.
"Is that for real? If you’re that amazing, why do you still need to borrow our money?"
"Exactly! My monthly allowance is just this much, and you want to borrow a hundred at once."
Hearing their comments, Ye Liangchen scoffed, "You guys are thinking too small."
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