Chapter 23: If Something Comes Too Easily, You Won’t Treasure It
Good morning!
The sound of the heavy door closing echoed in his ears.
Dragon Brother, still half-asleep, lazily sat up and wandered outside. Turns out, Old Man was already gone.
In the adult world, nothing is ever easy.
Thinking about how he used to grind through his corporate slave life before crossing over, he couldn’t help but let out a faint sigh.
He turned back into the room, changed into fresh clothes, pondered for a moment, then suddenly took off his shirt again.
“Who said that working hard all your life in a previous life was tough? Skipping a day of laziness, what’s wrong with that?”
With that, he flopped onto his bed, pulled the quilt over himself, and drifted back to sleep.
Ten minutes later, Dragon Brother set down his bowl at the breakfast shop, sighed happily, and said, “Morning porridge still hits the spot — the best for an empty stomach.”
He then packed up another breakfast and headed towards Old Man’s local vegetable market.
…..
Li Qing Xue saw the message Gao Quan sent her and froze mid-step.
It said Ye Liang Chen had been beaten up.
At that moment, instinct took over, and she immediately searched for Ye Liang Chen’s PengPeng account.
But she found his avatar had changed, and his signature had been altered.
Even his comments about her on the space had all been wiped clean.
Frowning slightly, she was struck with a strange, chaotic feeling.
She’s known him for nine years—not nine days.
Ye Liang Chen was right; she had been with him through his entire youth, and his presence had always accompanied her own.
Despite feeling a bit upset, she promptly sent him a message, asking what exactly was going on. Why was he beaten up?
The moment she hit send, she also shot a message to Gao Quan.
But it was still early, and Gao Quan was definitely still asleep. Her message sank into the ether, unanswered.
After some thought, Li Qing Xue decided to get up, shower, get dressed, and leave the house.
Soon enough, her phone buzzed with a reply.
It was from Ye Liang Chen.
“Sorry, it’s probably Gao Quan running his mouth again? I’m fine, let’s just leave it at that.”
Seeing his casual reply, Li Qing Xue’s mood sank even further.
She was worried sick, but his response was as if nothing had happened, tone flat as water.
What is going on with him?
In her room, Ye Liang Chen watched the incoming message and a faint smile curled at his lips.
His subconscious worry was impossible to hide.
Even though it was just words on a screen, Ye Liang Chen could still feel Li Qing Xue’s anxiety and urgency emanating through them.
And his dismissive, bland reply only added to the distance.
With her literary skills, Li Qing Xue wouldn’t miss the subtle emotions behind his words.
The more anxious she was about him, the more it showed she cared.
It all started from this dream.
The more anxious Li Qing Xue became, the cooler he had to appear.
Imagine someone who’s always cared about you suddenly turning cold—wouldn’t you be anxious? Curious? Wouldn’t you wonder why that person’s attitude shifted without warning?
And in those memories, she’d vividly recall the care, love, and laughter he used to bring her when he was by her side.
Such stark contrast would instantly make her realize she might be about to lose the guy who was once entirely devoted to her.
And then, regret would come crashing in like a tidal wave.
She’d remember her dreaming self, sacrificing dignity to chase after him, crying tears for her, desperately wanting to reconcile.
Ye Liang Chen felt a deep sense of fulfillment: “Why don’t people cherish what they have once they get it? Why do they only regret after losing?”
“You think you’re rejecting who’s in love with you? It’s a boy who’s head over heels for you.”
He let out a small sigh, then looked at his phone, where a new message flashed.
“You come out. I think we need to have a proper talk.”
Li Qing Xue suspected that the sudden change came from her previous rejection.
She could just explain her carefully planned life trajectory to Ye Liang Chen.
There’s no need for this to ruin their friendship.
And honestly, isn’t it bizarre? They were fine before, so why the sudden shift?
Clutching her curiosity, Li Qing Xue decided to confront him and get some answers.
Nine years—that’s longer than most friendships, even with a dog, you’d grow fond of it.
And definitely with a person.
She wasn’t looking to date Ye Liang Chen, but if they didn’t clear things up, her gut told her something was off and she’d feel restless — maybe even annoyed.
When Ye Liang Chen saw her message, he couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Didn’t expect you to be more anxious than in your dreams. We just ignored each other for two days and now you’re coming to my place?”
“But that’s still not enough.”
Right now, Li Qing Xue probably just feels uncomfortable because she’s been apart from him for a few days.
She hasn’t yet reached the stage of truly regretting or feeling heartbroken.
If he compromised now, he’d just get dragged around by her again — just like before.
They’ve shared nine years, deep bond and all.
But why refuse him? Why not treat him as a backup, ready to toss aside if someone “better” comes along?
Like she once said — she only saw him as her big brother.
How ironic.
Small master, there’s more in this chapter — click to the next page for more excitement!
It’s been only two days of silence, and suddenly she’s trying to come find him for a serious talk.
He even knew what she’d say once she saw him.
She’d be furious, accuse him of ignoring her for no reason.
Ask why he suddenly gave up.
Feel wronged, think his behavior was beyond cruel.
And then she’d add, “I don’t not want to date you now, I just want to focus on my studies. Once I get to college, I’ll think about dating. I never said I hated you, nor did I tell you to stop chasing me. Why do you just give up because I say so?”
Ye Liang Chen sighed softly. Although Li Qing Xue might not realize it yet, she was unconsciously feeling how she truly felt about him.
But if he showed even the tiniest crack now, wasn’t as firm as in his dream, all his efforts could be for nothing.
Thinking of this, Ye Liang Chen responded in PengPeng: “You don’t have to come see me. I don’t want to see you right now. What I said in the classroom last time — I meant it.”
“We both need some space. Let’s leave it at that.”
He then shut his phone and ignored her messages.
Better to let her worry, better to make her realize that he’s serious — not just blowing hot air.
That way, she’ll start to truly value him.
Like they say, what’s too easy to get often isn’t valued.
He had exposed too many flaws in front of Li Qing Xue before — now it’s time for her to see his cracks.
