Chapter 122: The Happiest Summer Ever
After packing up everything,
Hu Yu Ying obediently sat down and announced, “Big Brother Dragon, I’m ready.”
“Let’s go,” said Long Ao Tian. With those words, the tricycle roared to life and zoomed down the road heading home.
Not as hurried as in the morning, with the breeze blowing and wide fields stretching across the surrounding villages and towns, both body and mind relaxed a lot.
“There aren’t many goods left; in a couple of days, we’ll have everything sold out. Might as well get home and take a look,” Long Ao Tian softly said.
“Hmm,” Hu Yu Ying responded, though secretly she also wanted to go home and see her family.
Her tuition fees had been saved up for a while, and she still had plenty of pocket money left — enough to help out her grandparents a bit.
Ever since she met Big Brother Dragon, everything seemed to be heading in a better direction.
Watching Long Ao Tian’s back, Hu Yu Ying’s lips curled into a faint smile, grateful she knew him, grateful to be his little sidekick, and just as grateful that Big Brother Dragon hadn’t drifted away from her.
“Big Brother Dragon, I’m kinda happy.”
“Really? If you’re happy, just shout it out loud! Once you shout it out, you’ll feel even happier,” he teased.
“No way,” she said shyly. “It’s better if only Big Brother Dragon and I know I’m happy. If I shout it out, I might get a little embarrassed.”
“No worries. Tomorrow, we won’t come here anymore, and no one will recognize us.”
“Then… alright,” Hu Yu Ying took a deep breath, cupped her hands around her mouth, and shouted into the open fields, “I’m so happy! Really, I’m so happy!”
After shouting her lungs out, her mood actually seemed to brighten even more. Her smile became brighter, purer.
Long Ao Tian turned his head to look at Hu Yu Ying. “Feeling even happier now?”
“Mm-hmm,” she nodded vigorously, then looked up at the sky—softly, very softly—say, “Turns out my life can be this happy too.”
“Remember this happiness,” Big Brother Dragon said kindly. “He’s hoping every day from now on will be even better than today.”
“I understand. I also wish for every day for Big Brother Dragon to be happier than the last,” she replied softly.
“Yes, because our new chapter in life has just begun!”
An hour later, Long Ao Tian tilted his head and said, “Send a message to Li Qing Xue and tell her to meet us at the riverbank. We’re almost there.”
“Got it,” Hu Yu Ying happily agreed. She took out her phone and started typing a message.
“Qing Xue says she’ll be here in about ten minutes by bike. She’s already on her way,” Hu Yu Ying smiled, realizing she now had another friend besides Big Brother Dragon.
People like Li Qing Xue, once you meet her, it’s hard not to become friends.
Li Qing Xue is lively and outgoing, with just a touch of spoiled pride, while Hu Yu Ying tends to be more passive.
Back in school, Hu Yu Ying’s changes were mostly for Dragon Ao Tian. Outsiders still saw her as a bit aloof — not cold, exactly, but unsure how to chat with others.
But after the college entrance exams, Dragon Ao Tian and Hu Yu Ying started setting up stalls every day, meeting many customers, and slowly, Hu Yu Ying started to change — to everyone.
Today, on Dragon Ao Tian’s request, it was Hu Yu Ying who took the initiative to send a message to Li Qing Xue.
In getting along with others, taking the first step is often the key — unless someone’s truly temperamental or difficult — then it’s another story.
Li Qing Xue is a girl brimming with personality, unafraid to be herself, lively and a little tender with a hint of stubborn pride.
Soon, Long Ao Tian parked the tricycle at the riverbank.
Hu Yu Ying held the carefully selected clothes she prepared for Li Qing Xue and jumped off the bike.
She glanced at her phone, then decided to cancel sending that message. Riding and texting at the same time? Not a good idea.
Long Ao Tian, lounging on the tricycle, yawned — used to sleeping in, and today woke up too early, so he was feeling a bit sleepy now.
Fortunately, not long after, a girl biking toward them appeared on the other side of the road.
Before she even reached them, a cheerful voice rang out: “Sorry to keep you waiting!”
Hu Yu Ying shook her head. “No, we just arrived. Here, this is for you.”
She handed the selected clothes to Li Qing Xue.
Li Qing Xue took them happily, then also handed over her freshly made cookies: “How much? I brought cash.”
Hu Yu Ying looked at the cookie box in her hands, waving her hands dismissively. “No, no need. The clothes are a gift, and thank you for the cookies.”
Li Qing Xue giggled softly. “Then I won’t be polite!”
“Can I take a look?”
“Of course. If it doesn’t fit, I can exchange it.”
Hearing this, Li Qing Xue opened the packaging and pulled out the clothes inside.
Cool and smooth to the touch — if only they weren’t outside right now, she’d be tempted to try them on immediately.
Long Ao Tian watched the harmonious chat between the two and silently reached over, snatching the cookies from Hu Yu Ying’s hand.
Hu Yu Ying naturally wouldn’t say anything — in her heart, if Big Brother Dragon wanted something, she’d give it to him without hesitation.
“Hey, Long Ao Tian, don’t snatch Hu Yu Ying’s cookies, okay?” Li Qing Xue packed away the clothes, then added, “If you want to eat, I can make more next time. Let’s get Hu Yu Ying to taste my baking skills.”
“Nope. Once it’s in my hands, it’s mine,” Long Ao Tian said stubbornly, acting fearless and unbothered.
Hu Yu Ying found it amusing, gently pulling Li Qing Xue aside to indicate it was okay.
Li Qing Xue also chuckled, clearly realizing that Long Ao Tian genuinely loved her cookies.
After all, they just tasted so good. Next time, she’ll make even more — what a foodie!
Time to head back. After a brief chat, everyone parted ways.
Hu Yu Ying sat on her little stool behind the tricycle, gestured to Li Qing Xue, “We’re leaving now.”
“Okay, take care on the way,” Li Qing Xue replied softly.
Watching Long Ao Tian steer Hu Yu Ying away, Li Qing Xue gently bit her lip, eyes flickering with a trace of envy: “So nice.”
That kind of freedom and happiness — she yearned for it too.
At least, only she knew the joy inside her heart.
And at least, they were still friends.
With that thought, Li Qing Xue took a deep breath, confidently turned her bike around, and pedaled away into the distance.
On the other side,
Long Ao Tian and Hu Yu Ying had already returned to their base.
After unloading, Hu Yu Ying checked the remaining stock.
“In these two days, we’ll clear out the leftovers. Summer’s practically over,” Long Ao Tian stretched lazily.
“Yeah, summer went by so fast.” Hu Yu Ying sat next to him quietly. “Since the college entrance exams, we’ve been buying supplies in Yiliao, setting up stalls at the morning market… It’s hard to believe how quickly time flies. Summer’s almost gone.”
But this summer, it was also her happiest summer…
