Chapter 31: I Will Love Myself Unreservedly
“Hiss~ Ouch…”
Ye Liang Chen crawled out of the sewer ditch, clutching his side. “d*mn, this rock is way too rough! It even hurt me!”
He took a deep breath, trying to ignore the discomfort in his body. He glanced at Hu Yu Ying’s tightly shut door, deciding it was better to go back and wash up. Probably scraped himself a bit, after all.
His b*tt crack felt on fire—hot and throbbing—making him grimace.
This is too painful.
“Next time I go out, I must bring tissues. There’s not a single tree here, not even a leaf… I give up, honestly. If it weren’t for the treasure girl, I wouldn’t be caught dead in this place.”
Mumbling, he turned to leave. His home was still a bit far, and he hadn’t eaten lunch yet. His stomach was both empty and angry.
Better wait until Monday to go to school. I believe Hu Yu Ying, understanding everything I’ve done for her, will definitely cry tears of gratitude.
This kind-hearted treasure girl—the slightest bit of kindness from strangers can touch her for ages.
While talking, Ye Liang Chen walked out of the alley.
……
After lunch, Hu Yu Ying went to wash the dishes. Dragon Brother got up and strolled outside.
He opened the door, stood on the street, and looked around.
It was the middle of the day; the road was utterly deserted—rural alley style. Mostly elderly folks living here. Looking around, it was all empty.
After finishing the dishes, Hu Yu Ying also stepped out.
“He probably saw the door was locked and left,” she said, gazing at the empty street.
“These kids are way too cocky. Do you have a cellphone?” Long Ao Tian asked.
“Yeah, yeah, got one.” Hu Yu Ying nodded.
She jogged back to her room.
Long Ao Tian looked up at the blazing sun, thought for a moment, and also went inside.
He entered the living room.
The bedroom door on the right was already open.
Soon after, Hu Yu Ying came out, carefully holding a smartphone with a touchscreen. (A second-hand one, bought with much reluctance—just so she could keep in touch with the village’s grandparents.)
Seeing Hu Yu Ying holding the phone, Long Ao Tian swiftly put his old button phone back into his pocket.
“Cough cough, add my Penguin account and save my number, okay?”
“From now on, if anything happens, give me a call. We’re close enough, after all.”
The family compound and the village were separated only by a market—about a twelve or thirteen-minute walk.
Or even faster if riding a bike.
If she happened to be helping out at the market, even quicker.
Hu Yu Ying said nothing, but she added Long Ao Tian’s Penguin ID and phone number.
Looking at the first friend on her list, Hu Yu Ying felt a little thrill inside.
Seeing her smiling face, you realize—happiness can be so simple.
Ring ring ring~
Hu Yu Ying’s phone rang.
She silenced it, then slipped the phone back under her pillow.
“Big brother, is something the matter?”
“It’s nothing. I’ll be leaving then,” Long Ao Tian, a full grown adult at heart, said nonchalantly.
Usually, when the host says something like that, it’s a polite way of saying they’ve got something to do. The guest should take the hint and leave.
Seeing Long Ao Tian about to go, Hu Yu Ying suddenly realized she might have spoken out of turn and hurriedly explained, “Big brother, I didn’t mean that. I mean… if you don’t have anything to do this afternoon, I can help tutor you.”
Pointing at her study notebook on the coffee table, she said, “I set myself a study goal every day.”
It was study time.
Since her big brother was also at her house, she thought it’d be great to study together. Plus, she could tutor him a bit.
“Okay,” Long Ao Tian nodded, thinking there was nothing urgent at home. Staying here to tutor seemed like a good idea—plus, maybe the kids would come around again this afternoon.
Seeing him agree, Hu Yu Ying hurriedly tidied the table, handing him her practice book.
It already had several marked problems; these were basic concepts she’d planned to review on Sunday afternoon at school, but now was a good chance.
These problems were what Hu Yu Ying had explained to Long Ao Tian on Friday.
Long Ao Tian wasn’t slow. He recalled how Hu Yu Ying explained solutions before, then started solving the problems.
Watching her big brother quickly get into the groove, Hu Yu Ying also devoted herself to learning.
Once, she was all alone; now, with someone sharing this moment, her feelings were completely different from when she was by herself.
Taking a deep breath, she stole a glance at Long Ao Tian, then looked away and began writing.
Senior year—the third year of high school—was about reviewing everything from first and second year.
Hu Yu Ying understood her own progress, and she believed in her ability to learn. She was willing to spend more time answering questions and creating exercises for Long Ao Tian.
“There’s a more straightforward way to solve this problem—I’ll teach you,” she said, pointing at the last question.
Compared to the earlier ones, this problem was slightly more difficult.
Hu Yu Ying explained every step carefully; Long Ao Tian watched her, lips slightly upturned—that’s the only time she seemed confident.
This confidence would gradually seep into her life, into her personality.
From now on, Hu Yu Ying was about to take a totally different path from the original novel.
At first, Long Ao Tian hesitated, unsure whether this was right or wrong.
But seeing the smile on Hu Yu Ying’s face now, he thought: it doesn’t matter. Happiness isn’t about right or wrong; it’s about freedom.
Her life should not be limited by some fixed narrative or confined by others’ expectations.
Hu Yu Ying paused her explanation, side-eyeing Long Ao Tian.
“Big brother, what are you smiling at?” she asked shyly, averting her gaze.
“I’m laughing at you,” he replied.
Hearing that, Hu Yu Ying’s face flushed pink.
“Hu Yu Ying, remember how happy you look now. Be happy for the rest of your life. Your life should be free. Keep your hopes and passions alive for everything in this world you love.”
Hearing this, Hu Yu Ying felt as if something inside her shattered silently—something that had been holding her down.
Like shackles breaking free, or some unknown thing releasing her.
Anyway, Hu Yu Ying began slowly accepting this world, forming her own hopes.
“Thank you, big brother. I will do it—I will love myself without reservation, and passionately love everything worth loving in this world.”
“I’ll learn to change myself little by little. I… am actually a wonderful person. My existence still matters.”
These are the lessons Long Ao Tian has been teaching her over the past two days. She hadn’t forgotten, and she wouldn’t dare forget—that’s what she’s longing for now…
Change isn’t just words; it requires real action.
Hu Yu Ying is just like that—she’ll prove her transformation through her actions…
……
