Watching the cheerful little girl walk into the campus, Long Aotian finally turned and left.
Strolling through the school grounds, Hu Yuying felt lighthearted, glancing back every now and then. Though Long Aotian was already gone, the scene at the campus gate replayed vividly in her mind.
She took out her phone and opened the group chat shared among their trio.
@Qingxue @Wan Ning: "We're eating at home for lunch today."
Wan Ning: "You finally remembered us! I was starting to feel forgotten (crying emoji)."
Qingxue: "(smirking emoji)"
Qingxue: "I’ve already been abandoned (sobbing emoji)."
Wan Ning: "(confused emoji) Spill the details."
Hu Yuying couldn’t stop smiling as she read Qingxue and Wan Ning’s playful banter in the group.
@Yuying: "So, how’s the cohabitation life with your 'Long-ge'? Must be wonderful, huh?"Yuying: "(smirking emoji) Not telling you (laughing emoji)."
While chatting, Hu Yuying had already returned to her dorm.
Her roommates, spotting her return, immediately pounced with teasing questions—what exactly had happened during those two nights she didn’t come back?
Faced with their curiosity, Hu Yuying didn’t hold back. She explained that she and Long Aotian had rented a place off-campus and that she’d returned today to gather some clothes.
Her roommates reacted with a mix of surprise, intrigue, and a touch of envy.
They were surprised by how decisively Hu Yuying had made this choice, curious about the mysterious "Long-ge" they’d never met, and envious because Hu Yuying had spoken so fondly of him before.
They’d met in high school when Hu Yuying needed help the most. He had supported her, taken care of her—wasn’t there something fateful about their dynamic, the big brother and his little follower?
University was a time of freedom. Some chose self-improvement, others sought sweet romance.
"Blame your overwhelming charm," Li Qingxue teased.
Hu Yuying rolled her eyes. "I’m already Long-ge’s person. And don’t even start—that guy from your class who’s been pursuing you? The whole thing’s already spread to our department!"
Li Qingxue sighed dramatically. "Ugh, don’t remind me. I’m so tired of it. I’ve told him I’m not interested in dating right now."
"Most people back off after one rejection, but he just doesn’t get it."
"Well, that’s what happens when you’re too irresistible," Hu Yuying quipped, covering her mouth playfully.
"I’ll tickle you—"
"Not scared anymore! I’ve built immunity!"
But despite her bravado, Li Qingxue’s mischievous fingers soon had her laughing uncontrollably.
......
In the music school’s girls’ dormitory, Lin Wanning stretched lazily as she read the group chat messages.
Her graceful figure, honed by years of dance, was enough to make anyone’s pulse race.
Rolling onto her stomach, she tapped the video call button.
Soon, Hu Yuying and Li Qingxue’s faces appeared on the screen.
"Wan Ning, you lazybones, still in bed?" Li Qingxue teased.
Lin Wanning smoothed her slightly tousled long hair. "What’s for lunch?"
Hu Yuying couldn’t help laughing. "Even our elegant Wan Ning is a foodie at heart."
"Wait—" Li Qingxue feigned offense. "Yuying, are you implying I’m the glutton here...?"
Watching their antics on screen, Lin Wanning sighed. "You two are having all the fun. Ever think about how lonely I feel?"
"Wan Ning, is your course load heavy right now?"
Lin Wanning rolled onto her back, a lazy smirk on her lips. "Do I look busy to you?"
Her major left her with more free time compared to Hu Yuying and Li Qingxue.
"Why don’t you come hang out at our campus later?" Li Qingxue suggested. "Yuying and I should be done by 9:40. We can all go for lunch together."
"Sure, I’ll come over and explore your campus a bit."
After finalizing plans, Lin Wanning ended the call. She reached under her pillow and pulled out a delicate silver bracelet.
Sunlight streamed through the window, casting a warm glow over her as she lay there, relaxed and content.
She slipped the bracelet onto her wrist, a faint blush coloring her cool, refined features.
"Yuying... I only want a tiny piece of him. Just a little. It won’t affect you, my dear sister."
She got up, jogged a few laps around the field, checked her online store’s backend, and then returned to her dorm to freshen up before heading out.
Meanwhile, Hu Yuying recognized Lin Wanning’s location from the message.
As she stood to leave, a voice called out from the doorway.
"Are you okay?" The words dripped with concern.
Hu Yuying pretended not to hear, not even sparing a glance as she walked past.
Xue Shaohua clutched his chest, watching her retreating figure with a bitter smile.
"Why can’t you see me? I’m the one who cares about you the most."
"Like a lone wolf in the shadows, I lick my wounds in silence... but even I need light."
"Why can’t you understand how I feel?" His voice dropped to a self-mocking whisper. "You don’t know how much it hurt to watch Long Aotian take you away."
"If only you’d look back at me once, I’d cherish you like a treasure—not like that brute who only knows how to hurt you..."
"Seeing you so weak and exhausted breaks my heart..."