Chapter 125: I’m Heading Out First, I’ll Be Back!
Back in his own room, Dragon Brother glanced at his phone’s clock, pondering whether to send a message. Finally, he relented and texted:
“Dragon Brother, I’ve arrived home.”
After tapping send, the Hu Yu Ying girl took a deep breath. By now, Dragon Brother was probably snoozing peacefully.
No sooner had she put down her phone, a notification chirped—an incoming message.
Her lovely eyes brightened with a smile:
“Good night, Dragon Brother.”
She snuggled into bed, holding her phone, feeling a warm sense of security fill her small room. A little heart bustling with sweetness.
Meanwhile, Dragon Brother, seeing the goodnight message, yawned, closed the game of Snake, and outside of being half-asleep, he went straight into dreamland before he even set the phone down.
Three days slipped by in blissful leisure for Dragon Brother, basking in relaxed mornings and lazy afternoons.
Today, while watching TV, he suddenly received a message from Li Qing Xue.
One quick glance, then he shut off the TV and slipped into his shoes, heading out.
Upon reaching the waterbank of Shuiwan River, he spotted her—the girl waiting early by the water’s edge.
Nope.
At this age, girls are hitting their prime—slim and graceful, her braided bun tied casually on top, clear and elegant, like an ethereal maiden.
“What’s up?” Dragon Brother asked as he approached.
Hearing his voice, Li Qing Xue spun around, her lips curling into a smile that practically oozed charm.
“I’ll be leaving for Kyoto early,” she explained. “Was hoping to gather with you guys, but Hu Yu Ying already went back to her hometown.”
“Oh, and here—this for you, and one for Hu Yu Ying. Don’t always steal Hu Yu Ying’s stuff. Last time, she didn’t even get to taste the cookies I baked.”
She handed over the pre-made cookies. Looking at the two jars of cookies before him, Dragon Brother’s mouth twitched:
“Well… that’s quite the hassle…”
Li Qing Xue chuckled playfully, her eyes flashing a little mischief:
“No trouble. Just try one and see if they’re good.”
“Delicious,” Dragon Brother replied immediately.
“You haven’t even tasted yet and you say they’re good? You’re always dismissive of me,” she teased.
“Just one,” he pleaded.
Faced with her expectant gaze, Dragon Brother sighed deeply, opening one of the boxes to pick out a “bunny” shaped cookie.
He opened his mouth…
“Eat it quickly,” Li Qing Xue grinned, her eyes sparkling as she watched him open and close his mouth like a fish.
“Don’t be in such a hurry! That bunny is so cute—I need to think carefully about where I wanna take my first bite,” he said, stalling.
cr*p, she’s been watching all along.
If he didn’t eat, she’d never let it go. It’s just a cookie, after all—think of it as a tiny act of kindness. Even if he couldn’t chew the whole thing, he’d say it was delicious.
So, he bit down.
Seeing him finally eat, Li Qing Xue jumped happily in front of him, hands on hips, smiling cunningly:
“Is it tasty?”
Dragon Brother chewed the cookie, savoring the sweet aroma:
“Really good. Very tasty.”
“Hmph! I knew it would be,” Li Qing Xue giggled mischievously, her fair cheeks tinged with a blush: “Thanks.”
Last time, Dragon Brother stole cookies she made for Hu Yu Ying.
Back then, Li Qing Xue naively thought her cookies were just so delicious she couldn’t help but taste them herself. But upon biting into one, she realized… she couldn’t chew it at all.
That was when she found out:
Dragon Brother had known from the start—he snatched it from Hu Yu Ying’s hands, just to avoid embarrassing himself.
This slightly rough, youthful boy was actually quite gentle…
Watching Dragon Brother pick up a second cookie and start eating again, Li Qing Xue lazily stretched:
“Alright, I’m heading out first.”
“By the way, the other one’s for Hu Yu Ying. Don’t you dare sneak a bite!”
“Got it, so naggy,” Dragon Brother waved her off, watching her leave.
Once she was gone, the place suddenly quieted down.
When he first crossed over, Dragon Brother loved silence.
But now, he suddenly thought—being a bit noisy wasn’t so bad either.
Days rolled by peacefully.
The registration day drew nearer and nearer.
That morning, after waking, Dragon Brother habitually went outside the tenant building to have breakfast.
Returning, he paused, narrowing his eyes thoughtfully and scrutinizing carefully.
It was a girl in a floral dress, with a mischievous smile in her eyes—a face that looked like a hazy, first love, alluring and delicate, making anyone want to step forward and… maybe tease her a little.
The best would be to tease her until her eyes water—that’d look incredible.
“Dragon Brother,” she said softly, walking straight towards him.
Soon, she stood before him, lips pressed together in a shy smile. She gently brushed her long hair behind her ear, then hesitated:
“Dragon Brother, I’m back.”
She pinched his cute, fair face.
“Ouch~~” Hu Yu Ying winced, eyes sparkling with tiny redness.
“Hahaha, you’re back. Why didn’t you tell me in advance?” Seeing her reddened eyes, Dragon Brother thought she was just too adorable—too fun to tease.
She rubbed her cheeks, feeling no anger—actually, kind of happy. Slightly embarrassed, she turned her face away shyly and whispered, “Surprise.”
Then she glanced at her woven bag, twinkling with a smile:
“I brought some stuff for you and Uncle.”
She hurried over, pointing happily:
“I know you guys aren’t short on meat, but these are farm-raised and tastier than market ones.”
Grandpa and grandma knew he often brought back meat, since the village had only some chickens, ducks, and their own vegetables—so she decided to bring a little.
Dragon Brother picked up the woven bag:
“Let’s go then.”
He led Hu Yu Ying back to the tenant house.
As he opened the door, he carried the bag into the kitchen.
Inside were four cleaned, slaughtered chickens and ducks.
The rest were fresh vegetables he grew himself.
This was Hu Yu Ying’s first time at Dragon Brother’s home.
She looked a bit nervous.
She sat quietly on the sofa, completely still.
Soon, Dragon Brother emerged from the kitchen.
“We can’t finish all this,” he said, “take the leftovers back.”
“No, I made this for you,” Hu Yu Ying insisted.
“Yep, you make it for me—spicy fried chicken and duck bl**d vermicelli soup,” she said happily with a nod.
Dragon Brother smiled softly, “I like it best when you cook for me.”
