Chapter 214: Every Second Counts
That night, Hu Yu Ying’s smile never faded from her lips, even in her sleep.
Apparently, even dreamland couldn’t tarnish her heavenly grin.
No one knew what she was dreaming of—probably something outrageously adorable—her smile was just too mesmerizing.
Morning broke with a bright sunlight.
Hu Yu Ying woke up bright and early, still glowing with that inexplicable happiness.
She originally planned to whip up breakfast for Long Ge—just a simple gesture of love.
But holiday crowds are no joke, overwhelming even the most prepared.
Looking at Grandpa Zhu and Grandma bustling in the breakfast shop, Hu Yu Ying bought a few plain sesame crackers and eggs, then hoofed it toward the subway station.
As she strolled along, her mind was currently fixated on how to greet Long Ge when they meet.
Should she still call him Long Ge? Or switch it up and call… him boyfriend?
The word “boyfriend” filled her with an unstoppable thrill, and her smile grew even brighter—like the sun itself.
Thinking about Long Ge, her heart practically hopped, especially with the crowded subway entrance.
She almost bumped into a stranger—an accidental dash collision.
She hurried to give way, only to find the other person doing the exact same thing.
She stepped right, they did too; she stepped left, they did likewise.
Suddenly, Hu Yu Ying froze in place—so did the stranger.
Curious, she looked up.
And in that moment, her gaze was overtaken by a burst of laughter and she blurted out: “Long Ge!”
Long Aotian had just stepped out of the subway when he spotted Hu Yu Ying.
This girl was like a squirrel on sugar—smiling oddly, shyly lowering her gaze, walking so distracted she might trip over her own feet.
He thought to himself, “Time for a little tease.”
He pinched her cheek playfully. “What are you daydreaming about, so distracted? You might fall into a ditch.”
Hu Yu Ying obediently raised her little face, letting Long Ge give her a gentle squeeze.
“I’m not distracted, I pay attention while walking,” she said, straight-faced.
Then she reached up and grabbed Long Ge’s hand resting on her cheek.
“Long Ge, I brought breakfast for you.”
She proudly offered the sesame crackers and eggs, like a treasure.
Breakfast isn’t exactly gourmet—if it were just her, Hu Yu Ying could whipped up a feast better than these simple snacks.
But she presented them as her treasure because she loved watching Long Ge eat—especially the meals she brought.
After a brief moment of joy, Hu Yu Ying cast a curious glance at Long Ge.
Why was he here? How did he appear so suddenly?
Her fixed stare was so intense that Long Aotian couldn’t ignore it.
Yes, he was thinking about Hu Yu Ying.
He’d thought about her before—wondered how she was doing, if she was eating well, if she was happy at school.
That was just thoughts before.
But last night, a long-standing longing surged like a tidal wave, relentlessly pounding at his heart.
He just wanted to see Hu Yu Ying, so he came here.
Sure enough, her unwavering gaze made him realize—she was waiting for him.
She finally broke the silence, her eyes shimmering with longing: “Long Ge, what are you doing here?”
Her voice carried a passion that was hard to miss—full of desire and expectation.
Long Aotian pretended not to hear.
Pretending not to hear? That was impossible.
Hu Yu Ying gently shook his arm, her eyes sparkling with innocence and hope, pitifully casting her gaze at him—full of anticipation.
He glanced around at the crowd, cleared his throat twice, then gently tapped his finger on her forehead.
“Eat your breakfast first.”
Hu Yu Ying pouted, her face animated with stubbornness.
“Tell me, tell me…” she squeaked, sounding like she’d just licked a spoonful of honey—sweet, pretending to be cute.
Girls seem naturally gifted at this kind of charm.
Ever since her parents left, Hu Yu Ying hadn’t dared to act all cute in front of anyone.
She knew it wouldn’t change her grandparents’ exhaustion, wouldn’t improve her grades, and wouldn’t stop the bullies from bullying her.
But after knowing Long Aotian, suddenly, she rediscovered this long-forgotten skill—her secret weapon to melt hearts.
And does it work?
Absolutely.
Long Aotian was powerless against Hu Yu Ying’s cutesy tactics.
He knew she was doing it on purpose, but her shy expression, her soft voice—these made him feel like the luckiest man alive, floating on cloud nine.
“I miss you,” he blurted out quickly.
Hu Yu Ying’s cheeks flushed instantly.
She heard him—and her ears turned pink, too.
But she bit her lip, awkwardly glancing away, saying, “Long, what did you say just now? I didn’t hear you.”
She did hear him, perfectly clear.
But her greed got the better of her—she desperately wanted to hear him say it again, just once more, to hear him say he missed her…
She reached out her fair hand, gently tugged at his sleeve, her voice soft and tremulous, echoing softly at his ear: “Long Ge, say it again, okay?”
So tender and gentle, almost enough to bend steel—and definitely enough to straighten steel plates.
The words she just had ready now caught in her throat.
Faced with his pleading gaze—“Say it again, again, please?”—her heart felt like it was melting into a puddle.
“I… I miss you, so I came to find you.”
She clenched Long Aotian’s hand tightly without saying a word, but her actions proved—her heart was anything but calm.
Loving someone is pure happiness, joy, uncontrollable yet beautifully overwhelming.
People are always pursuing beautiful things, and right now, Hu Yu Ying in front of Long Aotian was exactly what she wanted to chase.
Gently, she hugged him close, not wanting him to see her trembling face, though she could feel her cheeks burning.
But heartbeat? Heartbeat doesn’t lie.
“Long Ge, are you shy?” Hu Yu Ying listened quietly to his rapid heartbeat, softly asking.
Before Long Aotian could answer, she blurted out again:
“Long Ge, you’re really mature in some ways, but when it comes to liking me, you’re even shyer than I am.”
As she said this, she gently took his hand and placed it over her chest.
“My heart tells me I like Long Ge so much. Can you feel it?”
Hu Yu Ying was actually an incredibly shy girl.
If this was before—standing at the subway entrance, with so many people around—she’d never dare put a boy’s hand on her heart.
And she’d especially never imagine herself being embraced in broad daylight, with people walking past, in such an intimate moment.
This change?
It probably came from almost losing him—being pushed away by him and nearly losing her only support.
Now she just wants to hold him tight.
Shy Long Ge? That’s okay—Hu Yu Ying doesn’t care.
Long Ge has never been in love before.
No problem—she’ll slowly enjoy every second with him.
Because he’s Long Ge…
Because she’s his most obedient little follower…
