Chapter 124: He’s Such a Really, Really, Really Good Person
“After finally coming back home, you only bring this much?”
“Hmm, everything at home, so I didn’t pack too much. Besides, we’re about to go to Kyoto soon.” Hu Yu Ying whispered as she sat on the back of the bicycle.
After saying that, she secretly leaned closer to Long Ao Tian, with a hint of curiosity and a dash of nervousness. Her hands gently rested on Long Ao Tian’s waist.
She could clearly feel his body stiffen for a split second when she touched him. But, hey, Brother Long didn’t say a thing…
Her mood instantly turned sunny as a clear stream.
That impulsive moment before—she almost lost her “Dragon Brother,” which made Hu Yu Ying work super hard to control herself now.
But, man, sometimes it’s really hard…
Seeing that Long Ao Tian didn’t say a word, Hu Yu Ying, a little anxious but also determined, quietly lowered her head and nuzzled up.
Her lips curved into a bright, pretty smile. Her once calm heart now started to ripple with a bit of turbulence.
“So nice.”
In a whisper only she could hear, Hu Yu Ying murmured softly.
The station was still far away, but eventually, they arrived.
As Long Ao Tian stopped the bike, Hu Yu Ying, greedy to hold on, reluctantly let go of her hands. “Thanks, Brother Long.”
“Why don’t you leave tomorrow? Why do you have to go back at night?” Long Ao Tian said, plucking some snacks hanging on the front of the bike. “Here, eat on the way.”
“Don’t be so polite! Stop nagging, or I’ll punch you!” Hu Yu Ying chuckled softly while nodding.
Looking at the snack bag in front of her, she smiled quietly. “Alright, Brother Long, I’ll be good. I’m the best little follower.”
“Go on inside. Hit me up when you get there,” Long Ao Tian waved his hand, encouraging Hu Yu Ying to hurry inside.
She really wanted to say thank you again, but as the words reached her lips, she hesitated. She didn’t feel like saying it anymore.
Ever since she first met Brother Long, she kept saying thank you to him. This time, maybe… she just wouldn’t say it.
“Bye, Brother Long.”
If she left a little earlier, she could come back a little earlier too.
Grandpa and Grandma are her family, but on another level—deep down in her heart—Brother Long was also family.
No turning back now, because she knew—he was definitely still watching her.
Humbling Hu Yu Ying, the timid Hu Yu Ying, the gloomy Hu Yu Ying—those were all in the past.
Now, Hu Yu Ying was confident, brave, and strong—at least when she was with Brother Long. Time to boost her own confidence, be brave, and be strong.
She didn’t want Brother Long to be burdened anymore.
Those days apart? They were truly painful.
After buying the train tickets and waiting at the station, Hu Yu Ying eventually turned around.
Just like the first time they met, he was looking at her…
Hekim Village, a three-hour trip. Not long, but for a fifteen-year-old Hu Yu Ying back then, it felt endless.
Six years walking from the countryside to the town, three more years to the county city, then three more to Haixian City—now she was heading even further to Kyoto. The road ahead was still long, but Hu Yu Ying was no longer afraid.
Leaving the station, she paid six bucks for a tricycle, giving her a ride back home.
From a distance, she could see two figures waiting at the village entrance.
Their figures were a bit stooped, but they had created a small world for her.
“Grandpa, Grandma,” Hu Yu Ying called out, jogging over.
Seeing their familiar faces, noticing they had grown a bit whiter, and those new wrinkles on their faces, Hu Yu Ying found tears uncontrollable.
Grandpa’s rough hand gently patted her head. “Back home again? Still crying? Aren’t you ashamed?”
Grandma wiped the tears on her face. “It’s good you’re back. It’s good. Let’s go home now.”
Back in the house, they carefully looked at their beloved granddaughter.
She had changed—a lot.
Her smile was bigger, and she radiated this newfound confidence and composure that was unmistakably different from before.
Just seeing Hu Ying like this, they knew—she’d had a good half-year.
She was doing well in her transfer school, thriving.
They remembered how she used to be shy, sensitive, trying hard to put on a brave face—they felt guilty whenever they saw that.
Hu Ying didn’t say anything, but they knew—she must have been bullied outside.
“Good, really good. My Hu Ying is still so pretty,” Grandma said affectionately, brushing her long hair that was falling across her face, examining her obedient granddaughter closely.
“Tell grandma about the transfer school.”
When Hu Ying mentioned the transfer, her eyes shimmered with a smile. “Mm.”
They hadn’t known each other long, but it seemed like they could never run out of things to say.
As she talked about Long Ao Tian—her classmate—her face lit up, her words full of protectiveness and gratitude.
Her grandparents couldn’t help but smile along.
This classmate named Long Ao Tian truly taught Hu Ying a lot—and changed her a lot.
“In sum: he’s such a really, really, really good person.”
“If I hadn’t met him, what would my life even be…? Still, I’m lucky to have met Brother Long.”
Hu Ying finished speaking, but the light in her eyes didn’t fade.
Her grandparents exchanged a glance.
They were old; they’d been through a lot. They could tell from her expression—something was different.
In fact, this was quite common in rural areas. Some kids have children at 18, get married around 20, and if you’re over 22 and still unmarried in the village, everyone starts gossiping.
Especially for their family, if Hu Ying hadn’t gotten into high school, if her grandparents weren’t willing to support her to study, and if Hu Ying hadn’t worked so hard herself…
They should have arranged a marriage for her already.
They’re old, they can’t protect her forever.
Married off, she’d have her support. (Not that it’s universal, but mostly that’s how it goes in the countryside.)
“So… are you and Long Ao Tian dating?” Grandma asked with a smile, because she could see her granddaughter’s different tone when mentioning him.
Hearing this, Hu Ying’s cheeks instantly turned red. Her little hands fidgeted nonstop. She hesitated for a while, then whispered, “No, not yet. He thinks I’m still too young.”
Though Long Ao Tian hadn’t explicitly said anything, Hu Ying knew—being insecure meant being super sensitive. She could feel that, at least once, Brother Long had had a little twitch of interest in her.
At least in his eyes, she was different from others…
Her grandparents just smiled, saying nothing more.
They’re old—they don’t interfere with the young people’s affairs anymore.
But seeing her so happy, passing her exams for Kyoto University, they felt proud and joyful too…
【Thanks to the big supporter for the recognition, much appreciated. Also, heartfelt thanks to all the brothers and sisters who keep powering through with the uploads—stay warm in this cold weather.】
