"Don't look at your phone while eating."
Long Aotian wasn’t in the group chat with the trio, so he instinctively assumed Hu Yuying was busy with her online store again.
"It’s not that, Long-ge. Wanning invited Qingxue and me to go bathing together."
Hearing Lin Wanning’s name from Hu Yuying’s lips, Long Aotian nodded and said nothing more.
Those memories often lingered in his mind.
It wasn’t that Long Aotian couldn’t forget.
It was just that every time he saw Lin Wanning, he couldn’t help but recall.
Yet, as she had said, she wouldn’t tell A-Ying—it seemed she had let go of what happened that day.
Lin Wanning was like a stone, abruptly crashing into his world that day...
Putting away her phone, Hu Yuying looked at Long Aotian. "Long-ge, what are you thinking about?""Nothing." Gently taking her small hand, he murmured, "Be good, A-Ying. Are you trying to drain me dry?"
At these words, Hu Yuying’s cheeks flushed pink. She glanced around reflexively and pinched Long-ge’s hand in playful reproach. "Long-ge, why would you say that out here? We’re in public!"
Long Aotian didn’t know why he’d said it either. He just wondered—if he were drained dry, maybe his body wouldn’t react so easily anymore.
"Our private matters shouldn’t be discussed outside. It’s not good if others hear."
Perhaps as time passed, the little girl had grown bold enough to pinch Long Aotian’s ears.
With his ear caught, Long Aotian acted utterly unbothered, like a pig unfazed by boiling water. "Got it... wifey..."
After saying this, he lowered his head and shoveled rice noodles into his mouth like a madman.
Hu Yuying’s hand froze mid-pinch. She stared at Long-ge, devouring his noodles in a frenzy, and after a stunned pause, she smiled—a soft, demure grin, not at all ostentatious.
She released his ear gently, her whole body burning with shy discomfort. "Y-you... what did you just call me?"
"Let me take you home as my wife."
Watching Long-ge’s leg bounce uncontrollably, his ears burning red, his face buried in his noodles without looking up—he wasn’t as calm as he pretended. He was so adorable...
This moment of joy was the sweetest thing Hu Yuying had ever felt in her life.
Everything around them seemed to fade away, leaving only her and her Long-ge...
A soft "Mm" escaped her—quiet, but loud enough for Long Aotian to hear clearly.
Long Aotian stole a glance at Hu Yuying, shy and girlish, and felt his heart melt into honey.
"I’m done eating. I’ll buy two fruit teas to take home." Hu Yuying stepped out of the small restaurant.
Passing by a supermarket, she hesitated briefly before walking in.
She emerged soon after.
Her pockets clearly held two small boxes.
Originally, she’d planned to buy just one. But Long-ge had called her wifey...
That single word had sunk straight into the depths of her heart, sweeter than anything.
Back home, Hu Yuying threw herself into Long Aotian’s arms.
Cupping his face, she looked up shyly. "Long-ge, there’s a bug again."
"Don’t worry. I’ll release the snake to bite it dead."
Groping in the dark, they entered the room.
"Long-ge, d-don’t turn on the light..."
"Wait, Long-ge, like this first..."
"Hiss—" Long Aotian sucked in a sharp breath. "Where did you learn that?"
"I... I peeked at some videos..." Hu Yuying admitted sheepishly.
Long Aotian was stunned. He never imagined his gentle, bashful little girl would secretly watch those kinds of videos. This was... this was too perfect.
After their bliss, Long Aotian and Hu Yuying lay in bed, the lamp off. But tonight’s moon was radiant, its light spilling through the window into their tiny room.
The faint glow wasn’t bright, but it was enough for them to see each other.
The young man and woman, now initiated, wore identical smiles of contentment.
She had loved him since high school.
He had loved her from the very beginning.
"Take me home for New Year’s, okay?" Long Aotian ventured.
A-Ying’s parents had passed early, leaving only her elderly grandparents. Having silently claimed their granddaughter, he felt obliged to meet them.
Hu Yuying rolled onto her side to face him, pale moonlight washing over her face.
It made her slightly reddened eyes all the more captivating.
"What’s wrong? Don’t want me at your place?" Long Aotian teased, hoping to lift her spirits at the sight of her watery gaze—soft and full of love.
"Of course not." Hu Yuying wrapped her arms around his neck, nestling against him. "I’m happy. So, so happy."
In her village, bringing a man home was akin to an engagement in the city.
Going back with Long-ge meant she was willing.
And his willingness to accompany her spoke volumes about his intentions.
In those days, meeting the family was a solemn affair.
As it turned out, under the influence of physical needs and emotional surges, even the purest maiden could lose herself...
Holding his enchanting little vixen, Long Aotian drifted off, utterly satisfied.
---
The next morning, Hu Yuying rubbed her sore waist and pressed her shaky legs.
She drew the curtains.
Warm sunlight bathed her delicate face. Her skin was dewy, as if a gentle pinch might draw water.
This kind of "manual nourishment" outshone any cosmetic.
Facing the rising sun, she took a deep breath, eyes closed, then smiled at Long Aotian, still in bed.
Recalling him calling her "wifey" last night and his promise to visit her family this year, her heart swelled with sweetness, washing away all fatigue.
Leaning over the bed, she brushed his cheek with her hair.
Seeing Long-ge still deep in sleep—worn out from last night—she got up and began tidying.
She opened the window for fresh air, swept the remnants into the trash, and restored order to the house. Stepping into the yard, she started boiling water.
When Long Aotian awoke, he draped a coat over his shoulders and leaned against the doorframe, watching his little girl bustle about.
Someone who loved life, who embraced it fervently, made every day extraordinary.
"Long-ge, you’re awake?" Hu Yuying beamed at him.
"Yeah. I love just watching you like this."
Such simple words could fluster her all day.
"L-Long-ge, come wash up first." Her fingers twisted together. Long-ge was so shameless, saying such embarrassing things first thing in the morning.
Watching her fidget, Long Aotian’s throat bobbed. "Little temptress, playing with fire so early..."