Chapter 158: I Haven’t Washed My Feet Today
Staring at the person beside her, Hu Yu Ying couldn’t help but crack a silly smile, sneaking a glance at Dragon Brother while she giggled.
It all felt like a dream—suddenly, Brother Long appeared right next to her. Now, walking together, it was as if they had returned to Haibay City. Though the surroundings were unfamiliar, her heart no longer held a shred of fear.
“Why are you smiling like an idiot?” Dragon Brother’s catchphrase, delivered with a playful glare, snapped Hu Yu Ying out of her trance.
“Because I miss you, Brother Long.”
Hearing this, Dragon Brother’s heart clenched unexpectedly, but looking into Hu Yu Ying’s sparkling eyes, he blurted out, “I miss you too, Brother Long.”
The moment he said it, Hu Yu Ying froze, and even Dragon Brother himself was taken aback.
Hu Yu Ying suddenly broke into a radiant smile—beautiful and bright. Under the rosy sunset glow, their shadows stretched long; she tilted her head lightly, and their shadows touched, as if leaning on each other’s shoulders.
“Brother Long, I’m so happy today,” Hu Yu Ying whispered softly.
“Mm.” Dragon Brother scratched his head with a smile. Though he looked genuinely happy, he always had that kind of bashful expression—like he couldn’t quite admit he was feeling good too.
More than the toothy grins, his expression radiated sunshine!
“Are you happy too, Brother Long?” Hu Yu Ying asked quietly but expectantly.
“Just a little happy. Just a tiny bit—I can’t allow more than that!” Dragon Brother replied seriously.
Hu Yu Ying hurriedly stepped in front of him. “Liar! You’re obviously happy too!”
“Eh? Dare say Brother Long is lying? I’ll give you a punch!” Dragon Brother’s stubborn mouth was not to be underestimated!
“Brother~~ Do you think you can stop punching me all the time?”
“Still acting cute, huh?”
“Acting cute, but you still punch me?”
“Behave, and I won’t hit you.”
“Then I’ll be the best-behaved girl ever.”
“Alright then, I won’t punch you this time.”
The boy and girl strolled through the unfamiliar city, carrying optimistic hopes for the future and endless beautiful dreams.
“Are we eating here?” Hu Yu Ying looked up at the massive shopping mall, where the crowd was dressed so stylishly. She felt a bit overwhelmed—more worried about Dragon Brother spending too much money than anything else.
“Some stingy guy. Brother Long’s paying!” he teased.
“Brother Long, Brother Long, let’s eat somewhere else! I’ll behave and we can both fill up,” Hu Yu Ying tugged at Dragon Brother hurriedly.
She’d already seen how terrifying his spending power was when they wandered the streets of Haibay City—scary enough to make her faint. And when they first arrived in Kyoto, he treated her and Qing Xue to dinner. If Qing Xue hadn’t been there, she would’ve dragged him away right then and there.
Even a duck costs that much?
Dragon Brother pinched her cheek, looking exasperated. “Brother Long is treating you—eat some good stuff, gain some weight! Greedy, lecherous, and unwilling to eat? No way!”
His touch was comfortable, but she quickly protested, “But I’ve been eating well!”
That wasn’t exactly lying—A Majestic’s food was quite tasty and super affordable.
“Since you’re eating so well on your own, how about eating even better with Brother Long? Doesn’t that mean I’m doing a good job being your ‘big brother’?” he teased.
“Are we leaving or not? If not, I’ll really punch you,” he added with a grin.
“We’re leaving,” Hu Yu Ying muttered, sneaking a reluctant glance at him before heading ahead.
For her, what she ate didn’t matter much—who she had meals with was what counted. Being with Brother Long, she probably saved him some money.
“What are you mumbling about? I haven’t punched anyone in a long time. Don’t make me find a chance—one punch, and you might cry your eyes out,” he teased.
Hu Yu Ying wasn’t afraid, really. She knew he hated to see her cry. If she really started crying, he’d get flustered, panicked and wouldn’t know what to do at all. She’d never really been punched by him—yet.
Despite all that, she was totally willing, acting like she was scared stiff—only like this could she freely stay close to Brother Long.
They ate and drank their way through their day.
“Brother Long, I really can’t eat anymore,” Hu Yu Ying waved her hands in resignation, looking at him helplessly.
He thought about how everything delicious was bought for her. Fair enough, it was tasty. But her stomach could only hold so much—she was already full.
Maybe it was her imagination, but she felt that Brother Long wanted to pour all his long-standing unspent emotions into today’s day of indulgence.
Though just a sense she had, she felt very happy inside.
Secretly sneaking a glance at Brother Long, she grinned happily.
Full and satisfied, Dragon Brother took Hu Yu Ying out of the mall.
The moment they stepped outside, Hu Yu Ying felt a huge relief.
“Brother Long, does that park over there look good? Let’s go for a walk—calm down your stomach,” she suggested.
She was determined not to go home so early, having just gone out with him.
“Sure.” Dragon Brother nodded; he wasn’t eager to go back early, either. He simply thought a walk to digest was a good idea.
The park was huge, packed with people—mostly middle-aged folks and children.
To the left were some entertainment facilities: a big platform and semi-circular stone seats.
Straight ahead was a small wood, and beyond it, a man-made lake. Behind the lake was even larger, but Dragon Brother and Hu Yu Ying just reached the edge of the artificial pond, not venturing far inside.
“Wow!”
“Careful!” Dragon Brother hurriedly steadied Hu Yu Ying as she nearly fell.
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Hu Yu Ying fluttered her lashes, smiling at Dragon Brother. “I’m fine.”
If her eyes hadn’t shimmered with water, Dragon Brother would have believed her.
“Still saying you’re fine?!” she blushed, looking away shyly.
“Walking is so dangerous now?” he teased.
“Yes, so dumb,” she admitted, blinking at him. “If you weren’t here, what would I do? I can’t even take care of myself.”
He helped her sit on a large rock by the lake’s edge.
“Did you twist your ankle?” Dragon Brother asked softly.
Looking at him in front of her, Hu Yu Ying noddedgroggily.
Only when he grabbed her ankle did she snap fully awake. Her body trembled involuntarily; she tried to stop him.
“Don’t…”
“What’s wrong?” Dragon Brother looked up with confusion.
Hu Yu Ying’s heart pounded fast—the burning sensation from his grip was like boiling lava, spreading from her ankle through her body.
Her breath grew hurried, and she was too embarrassed to look at him, her ears hidden under her long hair turning a deep red.
“I—I haven’t washed my feet today…” she whispered.
【Happy New Year 2025! Wishing everyone safety, happiness, auspiciousness, health, and most importantly—joy in the coming year!】
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