Chapter 87: Heartbeat Speeding Up in an Instant
“I’m here.”
Hearing the voice, Hu Yu Ying peered out through the kitchen window toward the yard.
When she saw Dragon Brother’s figure appearing in the yard, a gentle smile unconsciously spread across her cheeks and above her eyes.
In the past, whenever she returned home, the first thing she did was to lock the heavy door.
Now, she would instinctively leave the door ajar just for Dragon Brother—only for him.
“Big bro Long, wash your hands first. Dinner will be ready soon.”
“Okay.” Dragon Brother stepped into the kitchen, and when he saw Hu Yu Ying’s bright, inviting smile, he quickly looked away and headed to the fridge.
He opened it, placing the vegetables, ribs, and large chunks of meat he brought over in turn.
Finished with all that, Dragon Brother secretly stole a glance at Hu Yu Ying, only to discover her gaze had been on him since he entered—never leaving.
That realization made his cheeks heat up just a bit.
In his mind, the last words Li Qing Xue left him with before leaving echoed: “Being able to keep your distance from other guys, being especially special to you, and only seeing you—these are the clearest signs, the most obvious differences…”
[After saying this, Li Qing Xue saw Dragon Brother raise his hand again, quickly got up, embraced her head and stepped back. She tilted her graceful nose and hummed softly: “Don’t hit my head, or I’ll bite you!” (This part not included).]
“I… I’ll go in first.” After saying that, Dragon Brother left the kitchen, heading into the living room.
He poured himself a glass of water and sat on the sofa, silent.
But every now and then, he would lift his head to peek toward the kitchen, with a look that was hard to interpret—serious, yet somewhat anxious.
Outsiders might think everything was normal, but from Dragon Brother’s perspective, it felt slightly off.
Li Qing Xue’s final words before leaving suddenly played again in his head: “The ones who can stay far from other guys, who are especially, only for you in their eyes—they’re the most different…”
He felt like he was seeing another side of things that he hadn’t noticed before.
What he previously thought was normal now seemed a little off.
Dragon Brother really cared about Hu Yu Ying. The moment he saw her—well, the very first impression was just: “Poor girl…”
Growing up in the welfare home, Dragon Brother was seen by others as a ‘pathetic worm,’ so he could very naturally sense Hu Yu Ying’s emotional changes.
He could see it clearly—she was pitiful.
That’s why he often wanted to know her past, to understand that tragic life written in a few scant words.
Yet at the same time, he was afraid to really know her past.
She was a girl of incredible strength, a girl with gentle warmth.
At least in his eyes, Hu Yu Ying was someone worthy of tender care from everyone.
So Dragon Brother became her big brother—protect her, change her, teach her, and repeatedly, endlessly, save her from the water and fire of the world.
He wanted her to understand—her happiness came first; everything else was secondary.
He wanted her to learn to love herself, to persevere in loving herself more fiercely.
Because in this world, the most abundant thing wasn’t happiness but misery, yet even for the weary and unfortunate, they should feel a little warmth on this road called life—if only for a moment.
But somehow, it seemed he couldn’t quite control that distance.
A girl’s innocence isn’t always a matter of logic.
He was different from her—at least in terms of mental age…
She would go very far, very high—so high that in the end, everyone would only be looking up…
Thud~~
Thud~~
Thud~~
Dragon Brother raised his hand strangely, gently stroking his own chest. His heart was beating so fast…
“Big bro Long, the food’s ready. Try some.”
The girl pulled back the bamboo curtain, her face radiant with sunshine and charm—so stunning he couldn’t look away.
“Mm.” Dragon Brother scratched his head, took the bowl.
Soon, Hu Yu Ying brought out another dish, and he sat down to eat.
“Eat more,” he habitually scooped a bite of shredded meat.
Hu Yu Ying happily shifted her bowl in front of Dragon Brother.
Looking at her bowl, Dragon Brother hesitated then scooped the meat into his own, saying, “Serve yourself.”
“Oh.” Hu Yu Ying withdrew her bowl, scooped a bite, and, while putting it in her own bowl, secretly glanced at Dragon Brother.
“What are you looking at? Finish eating, then start studying,” he said.
“Mm-hmm.” Hu Yu Ying didn’t expect to be caught sneaking a look—her face blushed, and she nodded eagerly, focused on her meal.
Seeing her cute little face turn red, Dragon Brother couldn’t help but smile—then suddenly slapped his own face.
“Cough cough—must be mosquitoes,” he mumbled.
Hu Yu Ying looked around, “Really?”
“I said yes, then yes.”
Dealing with Dragon Brother’s unreasonable attitude, Hu Yu Ying was used to it. She chuckled softly and continued eating, planning to teach her Big Bro more after dinner.
Final exams were coming tight, and Hu Yu Ying was determined to maximize her last sprint—getting Dragon Brother to do more practice questions.
Her goal? Break 500 points!
Dragon Brother’s scores had been steadily improving. If he used every remaining minute well, it was certainly achievable.
Thinking about it, Hu Yu Ying felt even more motivated.
People are like that—once they have a goal, they throw everything into reaching it.
She was working so hard to teach him, Dragon Brother naturally wouldn’t complain.
The afternoon slipped by quietly.
Finally, Dragon Brother stretched his waist, bones cracking everywhere.
He had been in one position too long.
Feeling satisfied, he finally finished the homework his little teacher assigned for the day.
Seeing him stretch, Hu Yu Ying stepped forward, placing her palm on his shoulder.
“Big bro Long, I’ll give you a massage.”
As her hand rested on him, Dragon Brother stiffened.
At first, he thought—it’s just a massage from a little buddy to her boss, nothing strange.
But now, he felt a bit awkward, clearing his throat, standing up: “No need, it’s fine.”
“Oh.” Hu Yu Ying withdrew her hand, a small hint of disappointment flickering in her eyes.
She sensed something was different about Big Bro today but couldn’t quite tell what exactly.
Girls’ instincts could be so sensitive.
Dragon Brother took a few steps in the living room, then looked back at Hu Yu Ying: “Want to go for a walk?”
“Okay.” Hu Yu Ying had always obediently listened to him.
Obedience seemed ingrained in her bones.
They strolled in the alley under the sunset’s afterglow.
Their shadows stretched long on the ground, eventually blending into one…
