Chapter 38: The Slightly Wealthy Hu Yu Ying
“But now you gotta listen to me, or I’ll…”
“Or you’ll whack me, huh?” Hu Yu Ying, who has now mastered the art of replying, shot back with a grin.
“Smart girl!” Dragon Brother (Long Ao Tian) gave her a gentle tap on the head.
Hu Yu Ying touched the spot where Long Ao Tian had lightly bopped her, then quickly took a couple of steps to catch up with him.
A little pride swelled inside her—though honestly, she couldn’t quite figure out where that feeling of pride even came from.
It was like, after days of hanging out, he’d only ever tapped her one time on the head.
“Tomorrow, what time are we getting up?”
“Usually around 7 o’clock.”
“Got it, got it. So, can we still go to school together tomorrow?”
“Of course.”
That was Long Ao Tian’s promise to Hu Yu Ying.
He understood that loneliness all too well—coming alone to study far away from home, the ache in the heart that comes with being on your own.
And honestly, it was no big deal. Just a little detour.
Plus, Hu Yu Ying should talk more—her personality needed sparking, to glow brighter and be more lively.
Soon, they reached the rented tenant building in the big courtyard.
Long Ao Tian didn’t stop—he kept walking alongside Hu Yu Ying, as if they’d just go on forever.
“Long Ge, we’re here,” Hu Yu Ying whispered, glancing at him.
“Don’t talk nonsense. I just like to walk for no reason—makes sleeping at night sweeter.”
“But…”
“No buts, it’s annoying. Watch out or I’ll hit you again.”
Hu Yu Ying lowered her eyes slightly, secretly stealing a glance at Long Ao Tian, biting her lip, saying nothing more.
Until they reached the village entrance, and then he started heading back.
She watched his silhouette recede, took a deep breath, and whispered, “Thanks, Long Ge.”
Long Ao Tian didn’t reply. He just waved her off without looking back, signaling her to hurry home.
“Thanks, Long Ge,” Hu Yu Ying said softly again—this time so quiet only she could hear it.
Back in her rented place, she pushed open the door and flipped on the light.
It was eerily quiet.
The night was silent; her house felt like a tomb.
Sitting on the sofa, she was used to being alone—these last three years, she’d grown accustomed to it.
But her heart? It felt like it was changing.
That kind of loneliness was starting to tear her apart at the seams.
“So… maybe I just can’t get used to being alone,” she muttered to herself.
She used to enjoy solitude, cherish silence, but now, comparing loneliness to the sound of Long Ge’s voice, she realized she missed it more than she thought.
Having someone to talk to—being able to hear one’s voice—felt so good…
“Lucky me,” she said with a smile, walking into the kitchen to make dinner.
If someone from the outside looked at her, they’d see a drastic transformation.
She was once a pure, adorable little beauty, always seeming so innocent and sweet, yet now she looked clouded over with gloom all the time—no one liked that look.
But now? Her face had a smile. The greatest change, the perfect metamorphosis.
Looking at the leftover meat in the fridge, Hu Yu Ying turned and sprinted back into her room, pulling out her phone from under her pillow.
She tapped her chat with Long Ao Tian: “Long Ge, do you want congee tomorrow?”
“Yeah.”
Seeing his reply, she pocketed her phone and returned to the kitchen, taking out the remaining meat to thaw.
Then she sliced off a piece.
After finishing everything, she sent another message: “Alright.”
Seeing her message, Long Ao Tian rolled over and turned off the lights.
On the other side, she placed the thawed meat in the fridge’s fresh box, washed up, changed clothes, and finally crawled into bed.
The next morning, she turned off her alarm.
Hu Yu Ying rubbed her messy, fluffy hair, got up, and casually tied her hair up with a shark clip.
It was still a little cold, so she shrank her neck, scrunched her nose, waking herself up a bit more.
She went to the kitchen, filled the pot, and chopped the meat all in an orderly fashion—no fuss, no panic.
Before long, the sky turned pale with dawn.
Sitting on the doorstep, resting her chin on one hand, she gazed at the white sky, lost in thought.
Suddenly, a knock on the door shattered the serenity.
Hu Yu Ying froze—she hadn’t expected anyone so early.
Afraid!
Recalling the last time Ye Liang Chen had knocked on her door, she nervously grabbed a broom and tiptoed over.
She tried to see who it was through the door crack.
“Hu Yu Ying.” The person outside saw her through the crack and called out.
Hearing this, Hu Yu Ying put down the broom and opened the door.
As she swung the door open, Long Ao Tian, who had intended to tease her about never checking her phone, paused slightly—
But then his expression froze for a moment.
In front of him was Hu Yu Ying, wearing a loose floral short-sleeve top and big floral shorts that covered her knees.
Her exposed arms and legs, thin, white, and slightly shiny, glittered under the sunlight.
“Long Ge, what…what are you doing here?”
Her innocent, clear eyes carried a surprised, happy look, long eyelashes blinking softly, long hair pulled up to reveal her snow-white neck, which radiated a faint, feminine scent—like shampoo mixed with her natural aroma.
Seeing Long Ao Tian’s stunned face, Hu Yu Ying tentatively reached out her hand and noticed her own bare, white arm exposed.
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Suddenly, she snapped back to reality, glancing down and a little pink streaked her white neck!
She hurriedly grabbed her loose collar, swiftly turned around, and exclaimed, “I—I forgot to change my clothes! I’ll go change right now…”
Before Long Ao Tian could respond, she dashed back to her room, cheeks flushed, voice soft and flustered—embodying perfect flirtatious sweetness and delicate charm.
Watching her back, Long Ao Tian took a deep breath.
Even with a hint of naivety, he already looked like he was lost in her spell.
He scratched his nose, deciding to take back what he said earlier.
Hu Yu Ying wasn’t just a stick—she still had a little capital…
Back in her room, Hu Yu Ying looked at herself in the mirror.
She loosened her collar, revealing a generous sight of her collarbones, then nervously patted her small face.
Remembering Long Ge’s dazed gaze from top to bottom, she tiptoed, trying to peek from Long Ao Tian’s perspective—
But of course, she saw nothing. She assumed Long Ao Tian hadn’t seen either.
She took a deep breath, changed into her school uniform, and then walked out of her room.
Long Ao Tian stood in the yard, not going inside.
He lifted the bamboo curtain slightly, and Hu Yu Ying, feeling shy, tucked her stray hair behind her ear.
“I—I didn’t think Long Ge would come over…” she mumbled.
“Aren’t we supposed to eat congee?” Long Ao Tian asked with a dry cough.
“Oh right, Long Ge, hold on a second! I’ll be right there,” she hurried into the kitchen, opening the pot to peek at the steaming, fragrant lean meat congee.
Hu Yu Ying turned off the stove, her palm pressed to her heart as she watched Long Ao Tian’s silhouette through the window…
