Chapter 296: My No-Show
Dragon Brother (male) shut his phone off and sank onto a long bench, gazing up at the night sky. “I get what you’re thinking. Honestly, it’s not surprising you feel this way.”
“But have you ever thought about it? Maybe they don’t care at all?”
Lin Wan Ning, mimicking Dragon Brother’s tone, tilted her head and looked skyward. “Of course I can feel it. That’s precisely why I want to help Hu Yu Ying and Qing Xue.”
“You guys are on pretty good terms. Even if they help you now, who’s to say they won’t need your help in the future?”
“Ah Ying and Qing Xue are both professionals in ways you can use in daily life because those are their actual fields of study.”
“And you, your thing is music. The road ahead will eventually lead to music too. Maybe someday you’ll become a real singer, and with that many fans, perhaps you’ll even get a star effect!”
“Of course, if that happens, you definitely won’t be caring about an online shop income anymore…”
Hearing this, Lin Wan Ning was visibly unhappy. “Who said that? I won’t forget. If I really do become a star, we’ll build our brand together. The three of us are going to be fine.”
“Look, it’s actually all the same. The friendship among you three isn’t really about that stuff. If Hu Yu Ying and Qing Xue were in your shoes, their answers would be just like yours—they want all three of you to be well.”
“Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. A long time ago, I told Ah Ying—back then, she was like a little sapling needing protection. I was honestly scared she’d snap someday…”
By this point, Dragon Brother seemed lost in a memory, just after arguing with Ye Liang Chen and his own mom, walking with Little Girl out onto the playground to stare up at the starry sky.
Back then, Ah Ying had said she was exhausted, like how you’re feeling now—caught up in self-doubt. But look at her now—so happy.
“You don’t need to pressure yourself too much. Life is like that—it’ll come when it’s supposed to.”
“I also see your efforts,” he added softly.
He paused, then said with genuine warmth: “What I want to say is—you’re already amazing.”
Those affirming words—“I see your effort” and “You’re already great”—like seeds rooted deep in the heart.
“Brother…” Lin Wan Ning softly called out, moved by his words. Honestly, many people spend a lifetime craving just one piece of encouragement.
It’s not about age.
Kids need encouragement, but adults sometimes ignore that even they need a little boost now and then.
She sniffed gently, then smiled tenderly at Dragon Brother. “Thank you.”
“Say what now? No need to thank me,” he replied.
“Go home and get a good sleep. At your age, you shouldn’t be worrying so much.”
“Brother, you’re so kind. If I do something bad in the future, will you still forgive me?”
Dragon Brother looked at Lin Wan Ning from top to bottom. “You planning to do something bad?”
She nodded. “Yeah. You’re underestimating me.”
“Hmph, depends on the situation!”
“You can’t just say ‘depends on the situation,’” Lin Wan Ning grinned mischievously, eyes narrowing. “If you don’t forgive me then, watch out—I might threaten you!”
“Go ahead and threaten me? I’ll just punch you instead!”
“No way!”
He saw her off at the music college gate, gesturing for her to go ahead inside.
“Take it easy on the way back, okay? And I’ll keep your secret. If you’ve got something on your mind, just say it—I can even help subtly sway Hu Yu Ying without bothering Shen Meng Jie, alright?”
“Okay, go on back now.”
Lin Wan Ning turned toward campus but paused a moment, looking back at Dragon Brother’s departing figure outside.
Such a good brother, naturally someone would be thinking about him. I might be a little greedy…
I don’t need much—just a little bit…
…
At A University.
“Hu Yu Ying, what’s wrong with you?” Li Qing Xue looked at Hu Yu Ying with concern.
Hu Yu Ying froze for a moment, a dazed look in her eyes. “Huh? What?”
“I’m asking what’s wrong today. You seem anxious, quite absent-minded all day, not your usual self.”
Hu Yu Ying shook her head. “Nothing, nothing. Probably just didn’t get enough rest. Don’t worry, really, I’m fine.”
“You say you’re fine, but if I had a mirror, I’d tell you to look at yourself right now,” Li Qing Xue said worriedly.
It was obvious today Hu Yu Ying was off. Something definitely wasn’t right.
“Qing Xue, I—I don’t know how to say this. My mood is kind of complicated,” Hu Yu Ying admitted, anxiety tinging her voice.
“What’s going on? We’re good sisters. If you’re upset about something, you can tell me.”
“I can’t help much, but we could talk to Dragon Brother. If it’s him, he’ll always have a way,” Li Qing Xue added reassuringly.
As she mentioned Dragon Brother, Hu Yu Ying didn’t respond with her usual agreement but pressed her lips together, a mix of happiness and sorrow on her face.
Seeing that complicated expression, Li Qing Xue was puzzled but decided to probe. “Is this related to Dragon Brother?”
“Mm-hmm,” Hu Yu Ying nodded gently.
Li Qing Xue sighed in relief. She almost thought something terrible had happened—it’s probably nothing major since it’s related to Dragon Brother, who’s now nuts over Hu Yu Ying.
He’d probably try to get her to want the moon if that’s what she wished.
“So what happened? If Dragon Brother hurt you, I’ll go deal with him…”
Before she finished, Hu Yu Ying shook her head quickly. “No, brother didn’t hurt me.”
How could Dragon Brother hurt her…
“So, what’s wrong then? You’re making me nervous!”
Hearing this, Hu Yu Ying slowly lowered her head, voice barely a whisper, stammering, “My Auntie didn’t come…”
Suddenly, Li Qing Xue, who had been anxious moments ago, became eerily silent.
It felt like her brain had been hit with a large hammer—completely blank.
They are no longer that innocent age anymore.
Auntie’s missing, and considering Hu Yu Ying and Dragon Brother were together before, the answer was probably obvious now.
“Is your period regular?”
“Regular, around the 20th to the 22nd of every month…”
“And today is?”
“Today is the 25th.”
Li Qing Xue covered her mouth in shock. “Didn’t you guys use protection?”
“We did, but ran out, and we calculated it should be fine, so we just…”
