"Bro."
In the quiet of the night, that single word—"bro"—rang out so sweetly that Long Aotian was momentarily stunned.
"Um… can I ask why?" he ventured. "We’ve only known each other a few days. Why do you trust me so much?"
"Because you’re the first person who ever stood up to protect me," Lin Wanning murmured. "You might not understand, but if you hadn’t helped me that day, I think I really would have broken down."
As she spoke, the usual chill in her demeanor seemed to melt away, replaced by a quiet relief. "In this unfamiliar city, you were the first person to show me kindness."
"And you’re… a really strange person," she added, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "If I think of you as an older brother, I feel safe. Secure."
"Am I really that strange?" Long Aotian chuckled. "It’s not as dramatic as you’re making it sound. I just…" He trailed off, unsure how to continue.
Before coming to this world, he had grown up in an orphanage, often on the receiving end of bullying.
Over time, he learned to fight back, to stop being pushed around. But because he knew what it felt like to be trampled on, he couldn’t stand by when he saw others being mistreated.
He understood the helplessness of being bullied—the fear, the isolation.
And maybe this was hard to believe, but those who lacked security the most were often the ones who could give it best.
Long Aotian was always the one offering advice, but that was only because he stood outside the situation.
He could protect Hu Yuying because he was strong enough to shield her.
He could unravel Li Qingxue’s emotional knots because he had the experience to understand.
But people like him, once caught in their own struggles, could fall into despair—because they knew too much to console themselves.
Like when Hu Yuying kissed him. He had no idea how to react, because he knew from the start that their relationship wasn’t equal.
From his position as her protector, no matter how Hu Yuying felt, he couldn’t help but assume she was confusing gratitude, habit, and dependency.
If one day, Hu Yuying stood on equal ground with him—if she truly understood the difference between gratitude and love—and still chose him, then maybe things could be different.
"If you don’t refuse, I’ll take it as a yes," Lin Wanning said, flashing him a playful grin. In that moment, she wasn’t the aloof campus beauty—just a mischievous girl who’d gotten her way.
Who said reserved people didn’t have their little schemes? They were just better at hiding them.
Normally, she suppressed her true nature, appearing colder and more restrained than anyone else.
But at the same time, she wasn’t immune to the crude jokes and teasing from those around her.
And once that restraint snapped, her boundaries could drop shockingly low.
For example, if you tried to make Hu Yuying watch an… intimate video, she’d probably die of embarrassment, covering her ears to avoid even hearing it.
But Lin Wanning? Even if she blushed when her roommates teased her into watching, she’d remember every detail—maybe even pick up a few… unconventional techniques.
So really, innocence and mischief were just a thin line apart.
Long Aotian had appeared in Lin Wanning’s life at her lowest moment. Maybe it didn’t matter what he did—just that he was the one who’d thrown a veil of dignity over her when she was on the verge of breaking.
Maybe that wasn’t enough on its own. But after these days together, at the very least, Lin Wanning felt safe with him. At ease.
"If you don’t mind, I’m fine with it," Long Aotian said.
"But just so you know, this is my first time being an older brother. If I’m bad at it, you don’t get to back out later."
Lin Wanning covered her mouth with a light laugh. "So domineering."
"Yep." Long Aotian stretched lazily. "I’m very domineering."
Watching him stretch, Lin Wanning suddenly remembered that boy at the school gate—the one who’d once spread his arms toward the sky in a dramatic pose.
Their postures were almost identical, so why did they give off such completely different vibes?
"What’s so funny?"
"Nothing," she said, shaking her head. "Just thought of something amusing." She glanced at Long Aotian again, and with this new lens, her usual reserve around him was gone.
"Hey, what do you think goes through a guy’s mind when he does that—you know, the whole ‘embracing himself’ pose?"
She asked mostly because men understood men better.
"Hmm… hard to say," Long Aotian mused, scratching his head. "Probably just trying to look cool? But now that you mention it, that pose does feel kinda familiar…"
He frowned, racking his brain. He could swear he’d seen someone strike that exact pose—arms outstretched, face tilted up in rapture—somewhere before.
"Wait!" Lin Wanning suddenly remembered something and turned to him. "Did you put on the ointment for your back today?"
Seeing his blank look, she wrinkled her nose. "I knew you’d forget."
She rummaged in her bag and pulled out a tube. "Good thing I brought some."
“It’s hot out, and the military training clothes are rough on the skin, so I keep this handy.”
"You didn’t use any patches?"
"How did you know about that?"
"I… didn’t," Long Aotian said quickly, shaking his head.
Seeing Long Aotian's dead-serious expression, Lin Wanning rolled her eyes, both amused and exasperated. After applying the ointment, she ignored her burning red ears and muttered in a tiny voice, "I'm wearing something... no need for patches!"
Noticing how Long Aotian's body instantly tensed up, Lin Wanning couldn't hold back a giggle, bursting into laughter...
Good news: out of nowhere, I’ve gained a little sister.
Bad news: this little sister seems a bit... naughty.
[Tap to show some love—you’re the best!]