Chapter 264
From the moment he decided to keep it a secret from Hu Yuying, Long Aotian's heart was a tumult of emotions.
It was quite evident.
When he used to be with the little girl, it felt like there were countless topics to discuss. But now, Long Aotian found himself instinctively hesitant to talk to her.
As a result, he couldn't taste anything in the rice noodles he had today.
Once in the car, he felt her arms wrap around his waist.
"Long Ge, are you worried about something?"
Long Aotian shook his head and smiled, "Nope."
"You're lying."
At the sound of those words, Long Aotian's body instinctively stiffened for a moment.
"Long Ge, even if I can't help you right now, I can be your sounding board," Hu Yuying said, pressing her head tightly against his back.
"Didn't Long Ge say before that keeping things bottled up is like a thorn in your heart? But if you let it out, whether the problem gets solved or not, at least you'll feel better."
Long Aotian forced a cheerful laugh, "Really, it's nothing. I just didn't sleep well this afternoon, feeling a bit sluggish."
A lie requires countless other lies to sustain it. Long Aotian understood this, but he didn't want the little girl to resent him. To be honest, he felt quite irresponsible at that moment.
"Long Ge, you really don't have to pick me up every day. I'm not an idiot; I can get home by myself. Remember how I used to come find you all the time? I wouldn't get lost."
Hu Yuying said this half-jokingly, not wanting to add unnecessary burdens to her Long Ge.
If she could manage on her own, she didn't want to hold him back.
The little girl's tenderness was ingrained in her bones; at least with her Long Ge, she could be completely open-hearted.
"Don't even think about it. Picking you up, Yuying, is something I can dream about and wake up smiling," Long Aotian emphasized the word "my" with particular weight.
People can become greedy, and at least for Long Aotian now, he was greedy for the little girl. He wanted to hold her tightly and never let go.
His inner thoughts were despicable; as long as he kept this secret buried deep within, the little girl would remain unaware. He could pretend nothing had happened, even though it felt quite shameless...
"Life is always busy, but I enjoy it."
After saying this, Long Aotian freed one hand to grasp the little hand wrapped around his waist.
"You know me; I can't sit still, not at all..."
At this point, Long Aotian's tone softened a bit, "Actually, Yuying, sometimes you can be a little greedy..."
Upon hearing this, Hu Yuying smiled brightly, "Actually, I'm already quite greedy."
For Hu Yuying, making a pinky promise with Long Ge, dreaming of a future together, was already enough greed.
This greedy self was truly satisfied.
"Then let's be a little greedier."
"Too much greed will leave you unable to enjoy it. I only want to be greedy for Long Ge. Even though that's already quite a lot, I'm so content," the little girl spread her arms wide, her voice soft but filled with joy.
"What if one day the little girl finds out her Long Ge has done something bad?" Long Aotian asked tentatively.
"Then I'll smack Long Ge on the back of the head to wake him up and stop him from doing bad things," Hu Yuying replied seriously after thinking for a moment.
"Is that all?"
The little girl snuggled closer to her Long Ge, nodding heavily, "Yep, because Long Ge is so good to me. Someone like me can be with someone worthy and loving..."
"You are a wonderful person, truly wonderful..."
Hearing this, Long Aotian felt even more guilty; in reality, he wasn't as good as she thought...
Before he knew it, they had returned home.
After opening the door, the little girl dashed back to Long Aotian's side, "We're home!"
"Yeah, home. Our home."
In the yard, looking at the still-under-construction layout of the rooms, he said, "This winter, this will be our home."
"I'll make dumplings for Long Ge to eat then."
"I'll help you roll out the dumpling skins."
Hu Yuying looked at Long Aotian in surprise, "Long Ge can actually roll dumpling skins?"
"Oh, what kind of look is that? And that surprised tone—do you think Long Ge is an idiot?"
"Long Ge is not an idiot."
"Hmph, it's too late now. Just wait until I punish you."
Hu Yuying stepped back, her smile so beautiful, yet she pretended to be scared, "Don't punish me~" and then ran off to the side.
Under the lights, Long Aotian held Hu Yuying close, breathing in her sweet scent and feeling her heartbeat, "The moon is really beautiful tonight."
But it wasn't the moon that was beautiful; the person in his arms was far more beautiful...
---
After washing her feet and getting into bed, Hu Yuying blinked at Long Aotian beside her.
Feeling the little girl's gaze, Long Aotian chuckled and met her eyes, "What's up?"
"Long Ge seems different today."
"Different how?"
"Just different." The old Long Ge would jump into bed like a wild beast in spring, unable to resist teasing her. But now, he was lying quietly, not even being affectionate.
So she whispered, "Long Ge, my little foot hurts a bit. Can you give it a rub?"
Long Aotian was taken aback for a moment, then chuckled. Was this really just a rub? Clearly, the little girl was trying to find ways to get benefits for herself.
"Silly girl, is your Long Ge that kind of person?"
Looking at the little foot held in his hand, she pouted and confidently replied, "Yes."
"Really?" He raised an eyebrow.
The little girl burst into laughter, "Long Ge is naughty; don't tickle Ah Ying."
After some playful banter, Hu Yuying suddenly jumped off the bed and rummaged through her bag.
Long Aotian lay back, resting his head on his arm, "What are you looking for? I can help you find it tomorrow."
"Just a moment."
As she spoke, Hu Yuying pulled out a metal box from her bag.
Beaming, she sat cross-legged in front of Long Aotian and opened the box.
Inside were a stack of photos.
A few of Qing Xue and Wan Ning.
But most were of her.
Many of them were ones she had never seen before.
Some were of her sleeping, some standing under falling leaves, and others were candid shots from military training...
Each photo represented a beautiful moment from the past.
"These photos?"
Hu Yuying blushed and said, "I took them secretly." Then she smiled brightly at Long Aotian, her guilt evident.
The last two were from their time in Haiwan City.
Seeing this, Long Aotian's smile softened even more. He wanted to say he had some kept too.
But the little girl’s hands didn’t stop moving.
After picking up the last two photos, she revealed a bank card underneath.
"Here, Long Ge, this is for you."
Looking at the card she handed over, Long Aotian gazed at her in confusion.
In response to Long Ge's puzzled look, Hu Yuying casually smiled, "This is all my money."
The little girl didn’t have many thoughts; she just knew Long Ge was in a bad mood today, but he was so good to her. What could possibly be bothering him?
In her mind, money could solve problems. Was Long Ge facing financial difficulties?
With renovations, expensive furniture, and the responsibility of taking care of her...
She leaned closer to the dazed Long Ge, softly laughing, "It's okay. We'll definitely get better and better. I believe in you, Long Ge, and please believe in me too. Let's work hard together and not be unhappy, okay?"
From the moment the little girl took out the bank card, it seemed nothing else mattered.
He absolutely couldn't let this girl leave him.
So foolishly open-hearted, what would happen if she encountered bad people?
This little money-grubber, when she said this is all my money, it truly was her everything. She really... made his heart tremble...
He pulled Hu Yuying into his embrace, burying his head in her neck, "Are you silly?"
"Long Ge isn't unhappy. Long Ge can make money too. Long Ge believes in you, and please believe that I will bring you a better life."
"But..."
"There’s no but. Long Ge is happy, really happy."
Table of Contents
