Chapter 127
After speaking, she released Long Aotian's arm, her body feeling as if it had suddenly been set free. Only then did she realize how fiercely her heart was racing.
“Why?” Long Aotian still couldn’t understand what was happening; he was a bit dazed by the suddenness of it all.
Lin Wanqing blushed and, feeling a bit shy, explained softly, “Today, couples get half off.”
Hearing her explanation, Long Aotian felt a mix of amusement and helplessness.
“Bro, stop laughing, or we’ll get caught.”
For some reason, his laughter made her cheeks burn even hotter. It felt as if her little scheme had been discovered...
Being naturally shy and a bit flustered, she quickly stood up. “I’m going to the restroom. Can you help me grill the meat?”
...
**Chapter 153: Sadness Flows Like a River**
Lin Wanqing hurried out of the restaurant. [The restaurants inside the mall don’t have restrooms.]
Once outside, the flush on her face finally faded a bit. It seemed that as long as she wasn’t in front of Long Aotian, it was easier to keep her composure.
She glanced back at him and saw he was already selecting ingredients, preparing to grill meat for her. A smile crept onto her lips, and her steps felt lighter.
It didn’t matter if her brother didn’t know how to date; Wanqing could be there for him, little by little...
As the escalator moved slowly upward, her gaze fell upon a sharply parted hairstyle.
His hair was meticulously styled, especially the part that revealed his scalp, which stood out prominently.
As the escalator continued its ascent, he came into full view—dressed neatly, his clothes impeccably arranged. A hint of confidence graced his lips, and he held a rose in his hand.
He scanned the surroundings, seemingly searching for something, and then his eyes lit up.
His smile widened. “Sure enough, everything is destined! In this crowded place, I spotted you at first glance!”
Instinctively tossing his hair, he realized it didn’t move, and he couldn’t help but chuckle at himself. “Almost forgot, I changed to a trendy hairstyle today.”
With one hand holding the rose and the other in his pocket, he walked toward a figure in the distance.
“Wanqing!” His deep, slightly husky voice drew the attention of those around him.
Faced with the gazes of the crowd, Ye Liangchen smiled, casually strolling forward with one hand in his pocket, exuding a charming confidence.
Hearing her name called, Lin Wanqing instinctively halted and turned to look.
That fleeting glance and gentle smile struck Ye Liangchen like a hammer to the heart.
He paused, instinctively tossing his hair, even if it didn’t move; he had to maintain his cool.
Lin Wanqing frowned slightly, observing the man approaching her with a smile, his slicked-back hair, and a rose in hand. Confusion flickered in her eyes.
It seemed she was searching her memory, trying to recall if she knew him.
“Nice to see you again.” Ye Liangchen chuckled, admiring how she looked at him, and nodded like a gentleman.
“Who are you?”
“Your memory hasn’t improved, still the same as before…”
Upon hearing this, Lin Wanqing’s frown deepened. Yes, she remembered now.
“Who exactly are you? Do we know each other?” She wasn’t in the mood to entertain someone who seemed intent on getting too familiar.
Ye Liangchen raised the rose to his nose, inhaling deeply, and with a crooked smile said, “The moment you asked that, we were already acquainted!”
He then extended the rose toward Lin Wanqing.
Her expression turned icy as she glared at the rose he had just sniffed. “Is this supposed to be amusing?”
“If you’re trying to flirt with me, sorry, I’m not interested.” Her tone was cold and indifferent, clearly conveying her desire to keep him at arm’s length.
With that, she turned to leave. Her earlier excuse to use the restroom had already been awkward enough, and now this annoying person had disrupted her; all she wanted was to return to Long Aotian’s side.
“There seems to be a misunderstanding between us. Aren’t you curious how I know your name?”
Lin Wanqing didn’t pause her steps. “Not interested.”
Ye Liangchen merely smiled at her rejection. He understood her personality well, but that only made it more interesting. A life without challenges was no life at all; he thrived on the thrill.
Turning to watch Lin Wanqing re-enter the restaurant, he casually brought the rose back to his nose and took another deep whiff.
Then he headed toward the restaurant.
“Welcome back! How was it? I wasn’t sure if you could handle spicy food, so I didn’t add any.” Long Aotian said as he placed the grilled meat on Lin Wanqing’s plate.
Looking at the perfectly grilled meat, Lin Wanqing’s earlier displeasure vanished in an instant. “Thanks, bro.”
“Since you’re calling me bro, no need for thanks.” Long Aotian continued grilling.
“It’s delicious! You should try some too.” Lin Wanqing picked up a piece of meat with her chopsticks and placed it on Long Aotian’s plate. “Eat more.”
“Take a look and see if there’s anything else you want. I’ll grill it for you.”
“Okay.” Lin Wanqing stood up, smiling lightly, her demeanor a stark contrast to her earlier frostiness.
Her hand tightened around the rose, which snapped under the pressure, and a wave of sadness washed over her, tears slowly trickling down her cheeks...
“Shameless, truly shameless…”
Ye Liangchen couldn’t believe what he was witnessing.
He staggered back a step, unable to control his body.
“Are you okay?” A waiter at the restaurant entrance noticed the suddenly tearful young man and instinctively asked.
Ye Liangchen managed a self-deprecating smile. “Do you know what it means for sadness to flow like a river?”
Before the waiter could respond, he continued, “No one can understand how I feel right now. My heart is already shattered; the person in front of you is just a walking corpse!”
Clenching his fists tightly, he fixed his gaze on the two not far away, the bitterness in his heart—who could possibly understand?
He had calculated everything perfectly; he was so close to success, just a step away from winning Lin Wanqing’s heart...
“Why? Why is this happening? Why is Long Aotian, who should be selling clothes in Haigang City, here dining with Lin Wanqing?”
Slowly closing his eyes, he squeezed out the last tear, and Ye Liangchen smiled—a genuine smile this time!
“Fate is unfair, treating all things as mere fodder. My patience with you has only led to your arrogance. Long Aotian, do you really think I won’t make a move?”
“Since that’s the case, don’t blame me!”
As he spoke, Ye Liangchen took out his phone and snapped a few pictures of Long Aotian and Lin Wanqing.
“I refuse to believe that Hu Yuying and Li Qingxue won’t see how you toy with their feelings and fail to recognize what a wicked person you truly are.”
“I refuse to believe that Lin Wanqing wouldn’t develop a dislike for you once she learns you’re playing both sides.”
“In my past life, I managed to take you down once; this time, you’ll still be my defeated foe!”
At this moment, Ye Liangchen was genuinely furious.
It felt as if he stood at the edge of a cliff, one step back leading to an abyss...
**Chapter 154: Why Are You Sticking Out Your Tongue?**
After finishing the grilled meat, they made their way downstairs in the mall.
Seeing Long Aotian about to call a taxi, Lin Wanqing gently tugged at his arm. “Bro, I’m so full. How about we ride back instead?”
“Ride? Can you do that?” Long Aotian didn’t mind either way.
“Of course! We girls need to maintain our figures.”
Long Aotian looked her up and down. “You need to maintain your figure?”
Lin Wanqing had always hated being scrutinized, but for some reason, under Long Aotian’s gaze, she instinctively took a breath, trying to make her waist appear slimmer and her softness more appealing.
“Is that okay? You wouldn’t want to see me lose my figure, right?”
After spending time with Long Aotian, Lin Wanqing knew he was easy to persuade. Despite his carefree demeanor, he had a soft heart.
“Alright then.”
“I saw some bikes over there when I came in.”
As she spoke, Lin Wanqing took the initiative to grab Long Aotian’s hand and walked toward the right front.
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