Chapter 51: The Sound of Heartbreak, Piercing Through the Soul
Watching Long Aotian stretch lazily,
Hu Yuying also paused her scribbling: “Take a break for a bit?”
Long Aotian nodded, then plopped his finished test paper onto Hu Yuying’s desk. “Done! This one’s totally correct. Rest time now?”
He flopped onto the sofa like a marinated squid—no dignity at all.
“Okay,” Hu Yuying replied affirmatively, but her eyes never left Long Aotian’s handiwork.
Seeing the perfect scores on his test, she finally let out a stretch, leaning back on the sofa.
Long Aotian took out his phone, glancing at his bank app, a subtle grin tugging at his lips.
Yeah, sure, all that cash was basically cheat-money, but as long as it’s legal and above board, he was happy.
Especially when he was exhausted—just a quick peek at his balance instantly recharged his spirit.
In his previous world, he was just a penny-pinching, hard-working drone.
Now? With the memories from before, maybe he could become the richest person alive.
【Note: In the original novel, Long Aotian’s success and founding of the Ao Tian Group is based on the author’s plot (involving underworld activities).】
According to this universe’s timeline, it wouldn’t be long before they’d hit the 4G era.
Then the internet would skyrocket, phones replacing computers for work and play. Short videos, e-commerce, live-streaming—all dominating the scene, creating a wired money-making machine.
Fate was giving Long Aotian this chance.
As long as he played it right, blending his past memories into this new life, riches were bound to pour in.
He’s a bit embarrassed to admit it, but honestly, his previous industries were the hardest, most tiring jobs out there.
With not enough education to think big, what business models or financial strategies? Not his forte.
His only goal was to sip a bowl of soup now and then, earn enough to never work again, and live like a king.
Future profits from stocks, a dash of investing, waiting for Bitcoin to moon—yeah, that’d make life worthwhile.
Not long ago, Long Aotian toyed with the idea of baking out some viral songs using his memories, turning views into cash.
But then he realized—why bother? His current life is perfectly good.
This world doesn’t revolve around him; it’s about the protagonists, the leads.
Their success is inevitable, and he just has to make sure he doesn’t wind up like a rotten half-eaten hotdog, dead broke on the street—that’s already a perfect outcome.
Too flamboyant, and who knows what problems might arise?
Life’s about balance, simple and steady.
Someday, buy a countryside villa, bring the Old Man along, relax away from the chaos—way better than any material treasure.
Isn’t that what everyone secretly dreams of? Quiet, carefree days.
Watching Long Aotian giggle at his phone, Hu Yuying looked puzzled but continued tidying up his notes.
She was drawing out different ways to solve the mistakes Long Aotian made—helping him understand better.
Some problem-solving methods suited her but might not work for others.
“Stop writing,” Long Aotian finally said, after fiddling with his phone, noticing Hu Yuying still at it.
“Don’t you know about balancing work and rest?” he huffed. “Come on, let’s go get some fresh air.”
The rain had stopped outside, and the air felt remarkably crisp.
A cool breeze swept over, invigorating his spirit.
The tiredness in his eyes faded for the moment.
“Long Ge, you wanna go to the rooftop?” Hu Yuying’s eyes were shut, inhaling deeply, then she opened them with a smile. “Think it’ll give us a better view?”
“Sure,” Long Aotian nodded. “Standing tall, seeing far.”
They climbed the ladder to the roof—because their house was a bungalow, no stairs, only ladders to the top.
Up there, the wind was wild, fresh after the rain. Blue skies, white clouds—like a painting.
“Long Ge, close your eyes and stretch your arms out,” Hu Yuying said first, her eyes shutting tight, mimicking the move.
Feeling the cool wind on his skin, his mood lifted—delightful, pure, simple.
Long Aotian watched Hu Yuying, so childishly naive, and chuckled. Then he sheepishly closed his eyes and spread his arms, feeling the wind.
Maybe today’s breeze was just right, maybe her innocence was contagious, but he suddenly felt lighter than air—like all burdens had momentarily vanished.
Suddenly, a suppressed sob cracked the peaceful air.
Long Aotian’s eyes snapped open. “What are you crying for?”
“I’m not crying, Long Ge,” Hu Yuying insisted, her face innocent. “I’m happy.”
But her eyes flickered—her cheeks tinged with redness, hearing Long Aotian’s gaze.
“Nope,” Long Aotian said, walking to the rooftop’s edge and scanning the surroundings.
Hu Yuying breathed out in relief, hands unconsciously resting on her cheeks.
The ground was wet from the rain, empty—no sign of anyone.
“Strange, did I hear wrong?” Long Aotian scratched his head. His hearing was sharp—he definitely heard that muffled sob.
…
“Wrong? No way!!!”
“You heard right… Sniff…” Ye Liangchen clenched his teeth, voice trembling, forcing out those words.
A tear slid down his cheek, trembling as he fought to keep his sobs muffled, covering his mouth desperately to silence himself.
Back from Nan Feng Square, Ye Liangchen had been pondering Long Aotian’s words.
It must’ve been last week—he went to the mall and couldn’t find Hu Yuying, then dared to knock on her door.
After returning home, he felt uneasy, restless.
It was all just a misunderstanding, he thought—he was worried about Hu Yuying, so he knocked to check if she was safe.
Could it be that she misunderstood him because of this?
Thinking this, Ye Liangchen felt it was necessary to clear things up with Hu Yuying.
He’s not a villain, not a stalker—just worried about her.
After the rain stopped, he planned to find her and explain everything properly.
He couldn’t have his little treasure girl thinking ill of him.
On his way out, he even deliberately put on his slightly damp white shirt—trying to create the scene of himself standing outside in the rain, apologizing.
But the moment he arrived, instead, he saw Long Aotian in a floral short-sleeve shirt on the roof.
He remembered that shirt clearly—it was Hu Yuying’s pajamas, the one from his dream.
What did Long Aotian do to Hu Yuying? Why was he wearing her clothes?
Having lived through a lifetime in a dream, Ye Liangchen was no longer just a naive boy.
The only explanation—Long Aotian, that b*stard, forced Hu Yuying…
The heartbreak, the pain deep within his soul—he couldn’t accept it, refused to accept this outcome…
The grief washed over him like a tidal wave, trembling with despair…
Suddenly, Ye Liangchen froze…
