Chapter 101: From Now On, The Gap Between Us Will Only Grow Wider
As Li Qing Xue’s breathing grew heavier and heavier, she finally came to a slow stop.
Apparently, Ye Liang Chen’s words had struck a nerve.
Li Qing Xue considered Ye Liang Chen a confidant, someone she could vent to and keep secrets with—like a best friend who wouldn’t stab her in the back… or so she thought.
And she certainly never imagined that she’d have to break up the dragon duo—Dragon Brother (Male) and Hu Yu Ying (Female)—or that she’d be called a homewrecker by Ye Liang Chen.
Li Qing Xue felt pretty uncomfortable—actually, quite irritated. Not just because she was being scolded, but because Ye Liang Chen insisted he saw Dragon Brother forcing Hu Yu Ying at her place!
She knew full well that Ye Liang Chen might be spinning tales—probably making it all up. Still, her stomach churned with a heavy, unshakeable gloom that refused to lift.
This gloom made her inexplicably irritable.
“It must be the heat,” Li Qing Xue said, glancing up at the blazing sun, squinting as the bright rays scorched her eyes. “Yeah, the weather’s just making everyone hot-tempered. That’s gotta be it!”
It was a seemingly silly excuse—kind of ridiculous, but strangely convincing. Li Qing Xue’s mood started to settle, little by little.
Teenage innocence, emotional sluggishness, desperately searching for excuses—these feelings all sowed themselves deep into her heart, like a seed planted in her subconscious.
……
Meanwhile, Ye Liang Chen, seeing Li Qing Xue’s back turn away, turned on his heel and trudged home feeling rather down.
Just as he arrived home, he spotted his mom chatting with some neighbors.
Eavesdropping, Ye Liang Chen’s face darkened instantly.
“Of course it’s necessary! My son is doing so well in school—got into a big university in Kyoto with ease,” his mom beamed.
“Exactly! Look at my boy, tall at 1.75 meters, handsome, and charming—all the girls love him.”
“Plus, he’s a college student now! The future’s so bright I can’t even imagine!”
Hearing her praise, Ye Liang Chen exhaled slowly, trying not to roll his eyes. He plastered a polite smile and approached her.
“Mom, I’m back. Why don’t you tell these aunties how the college entrance exam went this year?”
He hesitated, then said, “It was okay.”
“See? My son’s humble—still ‘okay’—but it means no problems! Hahaha…” His mom chuckled.
Ye Liang Chen hurriedly pulled her away. “Mom, I’ve told you—I’m awesome, but please, keep a low profile!”
“Come on, a mother’s proud of her good boy—can’t I show off a little?”
“Fine, fine, it’s all on your mood,” he sighed helplessly.
But then he thought: she’s right. As a reborn person destined for greatness, a little high-profile doesn’t hurt. Maybe showing off just a bit is okay.
“College just ended—relax at home for a bit these days.”
Just then, Ye’s mom suddenly remembered something. “Oh! This afternoon, I’ll take you to buy some clothes.”
“I saw Sister Wang’s kid wearing that ice silk T-shirt—looks cool, feels icy smooth, super comfortable. You’d look even cooler than him.”
Ye’s mom’s competitive streak was as fierce as ever, especially when she felt she wasn’t quite as “up there” as others. Her only pride now was her precious son.
At least, in that department, she was definitely winning.
“Alright,” Ye Liang Chen agreed. Honestly, he was in a kind of foul mood. A little outing might help him cool down.
Honestly, comparing himself to that 14-year-old kid at Aunt Wang’s—nah, maybe better not. He’d probably leave a psychological scar. Besides, he was the High-Quality Fashion Trendsetting Male God—no way he’d lose to some kid.
After dinner, Ye’s mom hopped onto her e-bike with Ye Liang Chen in tow.
“Mom, isn’t this the direction to the morning market?”
“I heard from Sister Wang—she said the clothes seller’s just over at the market.”
“That’s right across the street where you see those shade umbrellas,” she said.
As Ye’s mom spoke, Ye Liang Chen spotted a busy stall with a canopy of umbrellas.
“Stop the bike!!!” His voice was charged with excitement.
His mom halted, turned around, and looked at her ‘Good Boy’. Following his gaze, she saw Dragon Brother (Male) and Hu Yu Ying (Female).
Her face immediately clouded over: “Sharp-tongued and destined to be a loser forever—selling stuff on the street. Tch.”
Pretty much recalling how Dragon Brother insulted her at school.
It was rare for her to get scolded by an 18-year-old kid—she’d always been the one shouting at others.
A sly smile tugged at Ye Liang Chen’s lips as he dismounted, hands in his pockets, watching the scene with amused detachment.
“Haha, Hu Yu Ying, you really don’t know what you’ve lost!”
In her dreams, Hu Yu Ying was a finance and business goddess—the kind of gold-plated queen everyone admired.
But now? No need to guess—she’d been dragged down by Dragon Brother, that beast.
If Ye Liang Chen didn’t save her, she’d probably end up doing some low-tier jobs her whole life.
Thinking of that, Ye Liang Chen suddenly closed his eyes, took a deep breath, then said, “Mom, let’s go back first.”
“Go back?”
“Yeah. I have my plans. Dragon Brother (Male) dares to insult you right in front of me—I won’t let him get away with it. He’s gonna learn the price of offending me!”
Seeing her ‘Good Boy’ filled with righteous anger, Ye’s mom felt truly touched. No wonder he was her obedient little treasure.
Since her ‘Good Boy’ said so, she could only take him home.
Back home, Ye Liang Chen rubbed his chin and asked, “Mom, can I have some money?”
Ye’s mom, doting her son, naturally handed some over.
He took the money, went into his room, grabbed a white shirt and black skinny jeans.
He dressed up, straightened his posture, looked himself over in the mirror—mature, handsome. He styled his hair to look more adult, then chuckled softly.
“From this moment, our distance will only grow larger!”
With that, he turned and left the house.
……
On her way back with the purchased food, Hu Yu Ying saw Dragon Brother (Male) chatting with three roughly twenty-something pretty older sisters, making them laugh happily.
Though they had already left, Dragon Brother (Male) stuck his head out and glanced at their long, beautiful legs with a mischievous smile.
Seeing his antics, Hu Yu Ying pursed her lips.
She looked at the three pretty sisters—wearing revealing tank tops with sexy midriffs and shorts exposing their long legs—enchanted by the sight.
Meanwhile, she looked down at her own short-sleeved shirt and long pants, kept her gaze lowered, and said nothing.
“Tired? You look listless. Go home and rest,” Dragon Brother (Male) said, concerned.
Hu Yu Ying shot him a resentful glance, then turned away, giving him her back…
