Walking through the campus, Hu Yuying held Li Qingxue's hand. "It's true you've known him for ten years, but this time he went too far."
"If we hadn’t arrived just in time, who knows where he might have dragged you off to?"
Only then did Li Qingxue realize how terrifying the situation could have been.
Ye Liangchen had never had pure intentions toward her...
Holding Li Qingxue’s hand, Hu Yuying could feel her tension.
Truthfully, Hu Yuying didn’t want to assume the worst of people.
But in this city, Qingxue had no one else to rely on besides their small circle. If something bad really happened, she’d have nowhere to turn for help...
"But don’t worry, Qingxue. Once the house renovations are done, you’ll move in with us. With Long Aotian around, Ye Liangchen won’t dare harass you again."
Li Qingxue nodded. "I understand. This was just an accident. If Ye Liangchen tries to drag me away again, I’ll call the police—no more holding back for the sake of ten years of friendship."
Ten years. How many decades does a person have in their life?She wasn’t the same Li Qingxue from ten years ago, and Ye Liangchen was no longer the brotherly figure she once knew.
People grow. They change in ways you never expect.
Ye Liangchen claimed she had become unrecognizable, but in her eyes, he was the one who had turned unreasonable and domineering.
She had made herself clear—she didn’t need his so-called "redemption"—yet he acted as if he hadn’t heard, flying into a rage and berating her.
"We came to this city from the same hometown. Here, we’re the closest. So, Qingxue, trust that we’ll always stand by you. You can rely on us to protect you."
Li Qingxue immediately hugged Hu Yuying, sniffling. "I knew it. A-Ying is the best."
At the same time, she grew even more determined—she had to steer Long Aotian back on the right path. And soon, she needed to come clean with Wan Ning.
She could already sense how much Long Aotian cared for Hu Yuying. Just earlier, the concern in his eyes had been unmistakable.
If this was a mistake, then she would be the one to erase it.
......
The hotel room door swung open.
Xue Shaohua placed the bottles of alcohol he had bought on the table.
Ye Liangchen stood with his back to him, staring blankly out the window.
"Got everything you asked for."
Hearing this, Ye Liangchen turned around. His left cheek was swollen, his lip bruised.
Xue Shaohua struggled to suppress a laugh at the sight. "I told you not to act rashly. If we’d gotten evidence of Long Aotian’s affair first, we could’ve pinned him as a rapist and made him cower before us without lifting a finger. But you just wouldn’t listen!"
That had been their original plan.
But Ye Liangchen had his own ideas—he wanted to claim Li Qingxue for himself ahead of time. And that’s how things had ended up like this.
Ye Liangchen flicked his hair. "No matter. At least now I see them for who they really are."
He had once imagined comforting them gently after taking down Long Aotian, using a soft approach.
But now? Their fate would be nothing less than a "chase-the-husband crematorium"—they’d beg for his attention, only for him to coldly reject them!
"They’ll pay for what happened today."
His gaze shifted to the assortment of liquor on the table, including a few imported bottles.
He walked over, picked up a glass, and smirked. "Care to try my mixology skills?"
"You know how to mix drinks?" Xue Shaohua was surprised—but then it hit him. If he learned how to mix cocktails...
He could already picture it—him, effortlessly stylish behind the bar, drawing envious and admiring gazes from everyone around.
Ye Liangchen didn’t answer. He just grinned crookedly, unscrewing the cap with a flourish, as if to say: I have talents you can’t even begin to imitate.
As various liquors swirled into the glass, Ye Liangchen began shaking his head wildly, vigorously mixing the drink in his hand.
When he slammed the glass onto the table, Xue Shaohua thought it was done—but then Ye Liangchen grabbed a bottle of imported liquor and poured more in.
After a series of dramatic motions, Ye Liangchen finally unveiled his creation. "Ever heard of 'See You Tomorrow'?"
Xue Shaohua hadn’t.
Ye Liangchen had expected as much. He raised the glass, studying it as he murmured, "Do you know the most romantic phrase in the world?"
Without waiting for an answer, he swirled the drink and continued, "It’s not 'I love you.' It’s—'See you tomorrow.'"
"I’ll think of you at sunset, until we meet again at dawn."
Xue Shaohua felt something stir in his chest, his eyes fixed on the glass. "Can I try it?"
Ye Liangchen was happy to oblige. He poured the concoction into two disposable cups from the hotel. "Be my guest."
"It’d be better with ice, though."
Seeing Xue Shaohua about to down it in one gulp, Ye Liangchen stopped him. "Slowly. This drink’s called 'See You Tomorrow' because whoever drinks it won’t wake up till the next morning."
"That strong?" Xue Shaohua was skeptical.
"Absolutely."
Ye Liangchen took a small sip, ignoring Xue Shaohua’s doubt.
"I don’t believe it." Xue Shaohua gulped a mouthful. It burned, but he forced it down with sheer willpower.
"Hah— Damn, that’s strong. But not as crazy as you made it sound—"
Ye Liangchen frowned. He hated being doubted. He took another sip.
"Needs something sweet to balance it. A mixer and ice would smooth out the harshness—"
Before he could finish, Xue Shaohua collapsed onto the bed.
Watching him fall, Ye Liangchen chuckled. "See you tomorrow."
He adjusted Xue Shaohua’s position, then swayed slightly—maybe that sip had hit him harder than expected. He stumbled into the bathroom.
Half an hour later.
Ye Liangchen staggered out, squinting and shaking his head. The ratios must’ve been off—this batch was way too potent.
He lurched toward the bed, then blinked hard, slapping his own face as he stared at the figure lying there.
"Hu Yuying?"
Mumbling, he stripped off his clothes, swaying as he lunged onto the bed.
"Heh heh... Nowhere to run now. You’re mine. Hahaha..."
"Ah, damn it!" Xue Shaohua cursed in pain, but under the influence of alcohol, he eventually drifted into a deep slumber...