Ye Liangchen's confidence only gave Li Qingxue a headache, and she instinctively didn’t want to engage with him.
"Ye Liangchen, don’t you think you’re being a little too full of yourself?"
"I’m really not upset, nor am I moved by your sudden appearance. In fact, your presence has briefly disturbed me."
"If you really want to act like a lunatic, could you please do it somewhere else? I genuinely don’t need your so-called protection or redemption."
"And honestly, I don’t understand what mindset you’re in to say things like this."
When he had criticized her before, his words had been downright cruel. How could he possibly think she’d be moved by him now?
Hearing this, the smile on Ye Liangchen’s face cracked slightly.
"Qingxue, what are you saying? It was me—me who made you see Long Aotian for who he really is. It was me, misunderstood by all of you, yet still trying to save you. After everything I’ve done for you, how can you say something so hurtful?"
"You saw that photo too. Long Aotian is nothing but a scumbag who can’t control his urges. He doesn’t cherish you. If he can kiss another girl today, he’ll dare to sleep with someone else tomorrow. He doesn’t care about you at all."
"Only I… only I have been silently watching over you all this time..."Li Qingxue shot Ye Liangchen a disgusted look. If not for Hu Yuying, she might have actually been misled by him.
How could he have the audacity to belittle Long Aotian at every turn just to elevate himself?
"First of all, even if Long Aotian makes mistakes, I’ll be the one to correct him. That’s none of your concern!"
Li Qingxue had already made up her mind—she would steer Long Aotian back on track and guide him so he’d never wrong Hu Yuying again.
But to Ye Liangchen, these words were like nails on a chalkboard.
He couldn’t even begin to comprehend Li Qingxue’s mindset anymore.
"Li Qingxue, what’s happened to you? You’ve become almost unrecognizable. The old you would never say something like this."
"Wake up, will you? We’ve been friends for ten years. I’ve poured my heart into trying to save you, and yet you choose to wallow in your own downfall. Can’t you even tell right from wrong anymore?"
"Come with me. I’ll make you see just how despicable Long Aotian really is." Ye Liangchen tightened his grip, trying to drag her away.
"Let go of me! I don’t want to go with you. I know Long Aotian better than you ever could!" Li Qingxue fought to break free.
"You don’t know anything! If you insist on being deluded, on throwing yourself into ruin, then as your knight, I can’t just stand by and watch!"
Just then, Ye Liangchen let out a pained "ugh" as he was suddenly kicked to the ground.
"Are you okay?" Hu Yuying rushed to Li Qingxue’s side, checking her over with concern.
Long Aotian stepped in front of them, glaring down at Ye Liangchen with a frown. He was getting a headache—why did it always have to be this guy?
He had been dropping Hu Yuying off at A University when he spotted Ye Liangchen manhandling Li Qingxue.
At Hu Yuying’s urgent plea, Long Aotian hadn’t hesitated—he’d charged forward and delivered that kick without a second thought.
Seeing Hu Yuying’s worried face and Long Aotian standing protectively in front of her, Li Qingxue—who had held back her emotions until now—suddenly felt the sting of tears.
"He’s insane! He keeps insisting on ‘saving’ me, even though I’ve told him a hundred times I don’t want it. It’s so infuriating..."
Hearing this, Hu Yuying’s heart ached even more. "It’s okay, it’s okay. Long Aotian’s here. He’ll protect us..."
Ye Liangchen, now sprawled on the ground, recognized Long Aotian and Hu Yuying.
Clenching his teeth, he forced himself up, his glare fixed on Long Aotian with pure hatred.
This man was the root of all his suffering.
If not for Long Aotian, none of this would have happened.
He had only wanted to save Li Qingxue, but not only had Long Aotian refused to repent, he’d even resorted to violence to stop him.
Rage.
Pure, unbridled rage.
"How dare you kick me!"
"Do you have any idea how long I’ve known Li Qingxue?"
"Ten years! Everything I’ve done has been for her sake. What right do you have to interfere?"
Long Aotian ignored him, turning instead to Li Qingxue.
Seeing her red-rimmed eyes and the slight shake of her head, he didn’t hesitate—he slapped Ye Liangchen across the face.
"Stop using ‘what’s best for others’ as an excuse to do disgusting things."
Ye Liangchen worked his jaw, slowly turning his head back to face Long Aotian.
"What I do is disgusting? Hah. That’s rich. Really, really rich."
"Long Aotian, you’re the last person who should be saying that. I’ve been the one protecting them, while you—you’ve been the one hurting them. You’re the one who hides behind noble intentions while doing the most vile things. And you have the nerve to call me disgusting?"
With that, he swung a fist straight at Long Aotian’s face!
"At least I don’t force them to do anything against their will." Long Aotian caught the punch mid-air and countered with a brutal strike of his own.
The moment his fist connected, time seemed to slow.
In the blur of his vision, Ye Liangchen could almost see his Great-grandma’s gentle face smiling down at him from the heavens.
Around him, the world erupted into chaos.
"Long Aotian… he—he’s not dead, is he?" Li Qingxue sniffled, her voice trembling.
"No way, Brother Long just barely touched him. Look, his eyes are still open," the little girl said, pointing at Ye Liangchen's open eyes, her words full of defense for Long Aotian!
Glancing at Ye Liangchen writhing on the ground, $2ong Aotian walked over to the electric bike, took a bottle of water from the back seat, took a sip, and then sprayed it onto Ye Liangchen. "Hey, you okay?"
"I think I saw Great-grandma coming to take me away..."