Chapter 329: Actually, I Can Handle More Than You Think
“Don’t turn around and get your clothes all wet, it’s cold,” Long Ao Tian reminded sternly.
“Got it,” Hu Yu Ying responded softly, glancing back at Long Brother.
She knew perfectly well that this “getting wet” warning was meant for her.
What should have taken a few minutes turned into an epic saga because those three little mischief-makers kept delaying everything.
Finally, after they tired themselves out, Long Ao Tian slipped into his rubber shoes and tossed one vegetable seed after another into the pits Hu Yu Ying had dug earlier.
“I’ll get water for you guys,” Hu Yu Ying said as she headed toward the little cabin.
“Let me help carry the cups,” Li Qing Xue offered eagerly, following right behind.
Lin Wan Ning sat on a small wooden stool, propping her chin with a single hand, her eyes ping-ponging unsteadily between Long Ao Tian and whatever mental circus was going on inside her head.
When Long Ao Tian got up after finishing, her gaze collided with Lin Wan Ning’s.
Her eyes seemed almost… laser-focused, just on herself.
Realizing Long Ao Tian was looking, Lin Wan Ning’s lips parted slightly, making a “Ah-oo” sound as if she was about to bite down on an invisible apple, then she licked her lips smoothly and smiled prettily at him.
Completely brazen, no shame.
Long Ao Tian coughed awkwardly, shifting his gaze aside. “Are you okay?”
Hu Yu Ying had mentioned that yesterday, when she video-chatted with Lin Wan Ning, the girl looked pale, exhausted, and barely hanging in there. Long Ao Tian knew just how unreasonable he’d been before.
“A night’s rest and you’ll be fine,” he said cheerfully, winking mischievously. “Honestly, I’ve got a pretty strong endurance, you know.”
“If brother wants to, Wan Ning’s totally fine with that,” she added softly, making Long Ao Tian realize she was probably perfectly okay.
He didn’t press the point; who knew what shocking words this girl might blurt out next?
She nonchalantly peeled off her gloves and set them aside just as Hu Yu Ying carried over a water bottle.
“Brother Long, here’s water,” she said sweetly, pouring a cup and handing it to him.
Today, it seemed almost all the effort came from Brother Long — like in their village, when the husband of the farm family returns home, he always gets the first cup of water and the first bowl of rice prepared by his wife.
Long Ao Tian gulped down the water in one go, then looked at Hu Yu Ying with a grin. “That’s really good water.”
Hearing that, Hu Yu Ying blushed and snappishly scowled. “It’s just plain water, how can it be good?”
Seeing her blush, Long Ao Tian just chuckled.
When he saw her smile shyly at him, Hu Yu Ying’s lips curled into a faint smile, and she turned away, telling Li Qing Xue and the others, “Go ahead and drink too.”
Li Qing Xue sniffed and shook her head disdainfully. “Too smelly, I can’t even swallow this. It’s like love sourness mixed with too much perfume — ewww.”
A joke that made Lin Wan Ning burst out laughing.
“Qing Xue~” Hu Yu Ying stomped her foot. “You’re always joking about me.”
As she spoke, her face secretly warmed while glancing at Brother Long.
Seeing that Long Ao Tian was just grinning like an idiot, her mood was inexplicably perfect.
Anyone who always put herself first like that—how could she not be adorable?
Meanwhile, the little girl still hadn’t done her hair. Long Ao Tian had wanted to style her hair all day but hadn’t yet found the chance.
Watching the intimate gestures between Long Ao Tian and Hu Yu Ying, Lin Wan Ning pressed her red lips together and turned her face away.
She was afraid she couldn’t resist, secretly wanting her brother to treat her that way too.
She patted her own head and whispered, “Wan Ning, you did great…” making herself feel proud and content.
“What are you daydreaming about, Wan Ning?” Li Qing Xue waved in front of her.
“Nothing,” Lin Wan Ning said, snapping back to reality and looking at Hu Yu Ying and Long Ao Tian. “Yu Ying and my brother’s relationship is so enviable.”
Her gaze lingered on Long Ao Tian with longing only he could understand.
Hu Yu Ying, hearing this, turned to look at her big brother, thinking yep, she also felt her bond with Long Ao Tian was really good.
Long Ao Tian glanced at Lin Wan Ning but focused more on Hu Yu Ying.
Even so, Lin Wan Ning looked happy enough.
As long as her big brother still cared for her—that was enough, wasn’t it?
Long Ao Tian had wanted to say something to her, but suddenly, Lin Wan Ning became lively again.
There was no pretentiousness between her and Hu Yu Ying; it was all natural.
If not for that day on the lounge chair, tied up and unable to move, it was hard to see what was really going on inside Lin Wan Ning’s heart.
But this girl—she made everything complicated, even making Long Ao Tian feel uncomfortable with himself.
He still didn’t understand how he’d felt that day—seeing her cry, gripping him so tightly that it felt like a boulder smashing into his chest…
That moment of softness had led to everything happening now.
“Bro.”
That one word snapped Long Ao Tian back to the present.
He looked down at his hands behind his back, caught in her playful gaze, and paused. “What’s up?”
Seeing Long Ao Tian look so dazed, Lin Wan Ning chuckled softly. “We’re taking Ah Ying out to play; you better stay home and mind the house.”
Long Ao Tian turned to Hu Yu Ying, seeing her nodding eagerly, agreeing with Wan Ning’s plan. She was right — letting her sister out to play wasn’t such a big deal.
He grimaced and teased, “Haha, staying with my brother isn’t fun enough?”
He felt a tiny pang of jealousy but kept it in check, saying generously, “I’ll go buy some groceries later. Don’t get too carried away and come back early.”
The three little ones answered in unison, “Got it~~~!”
They headed out the big door.
Hu Yu Ying said, “I know a pretty nice place. I’ll take you guys there.”
“Great! I need some new material anyway,” she added, then glanced at Lin Wan Ning. “Wan Ning’s slacking off.”
Most of the material had been her responsibility, but a couple of days ago, she got caught up in something…
Usually, they spent all their time on bed scenes, so they didn’t go out shooting.
Soon, Long Ao Tian’s phone buzzed, more special than usual — he didn’t even need to look to know it was from his little girl.
First message: 【Brother Long, we’re near the market. We’ll buy the groceries and come back soon.】
Second message: a photo.
A small bridge, flowing water, tiny exquisite jade feet submerged in clear water, looking even whiter and more tempting.
Seeing the photo, Long Ao Tian immediately grimaced.
His period wasn’t over yet, and he’d just been in the water — still worried, he kept reminding her like a nagging mom. Now that she was out of sight, she’d gone right back to splash water…
He decided to wait for Hu Yu Ying to come back and give her a serious lecture.
No matter how cute she tried to look, getting that punishment on her b*tt was unavoidable…
