Leaning casually on the stone steps in front of the campus gate.
He flicked his bangs lightly, revealing a look that was both confident and tinged with a hint of self-mockery.
Such a distinctive demeanor naturally caught the attention of passersby, who couldn’t help but steal glances.
Another figure nearby noticed this and also flicked their hair deliberately, making sure to showcase a pair of red diamond earrings.
Sensing the eyes of those around them, both felt a surge of satisfaction welling up inside.
“Aren’t you afraid of alerting the enemy by acting like this?”
Flicking his hair again, hands confidently shoved into his pockets, he replied, “There are some things you just don’t understand. Some bonds don’t fade with time; on the contrary, sometimes all it takes is a tiny chance to make them explode in an instant!”
“We’ve known each other for ten years. Now that she’s been betrayed, she needs my care!”
As he spoke, his hands ruffled the hair at his temples, revealing a pair of exquisite men’s earrings.
Xue Shaohua frowned slightly upon seeing the earrings on Ye Liangchen’s ear. “Where did you get those earrings?”Ye Liangchen’s lips curled into a subtle smile but he didn’t answer directly.
Instead, he took a deep breath. “You know me—I’ve always been carefree and spontaneous. Sometimes, just a single thought is enough for me to achieve what others struggle to reach for a long time.”
“These earrings? I just wanted to change up my style a bit. Honestly, I can’t even remember where I bought them. But judging by your expression, I guess this change of mine is pretty special, huh?”
He deliberately shook his head lightly, and with the movement, the earrings on his ears swayed, drawing even more attention.
After all, in this era, earrings are even more unique and eye-catching than studs.
An extraordinary aura of coolness radiated from him, causing Xue Shaohua to take two steps back before steadying himself.
In just a few days apart, Ye Liangchen’s aura had skyrocketed once again. For a moment, Xue Shaohua looked at him with a heavy gaze.
All he saw was Ye Liangchen smirking crookedly, already stretching out his arms as if to embrace the sky.
With such a flamboyant gesture, all eyes naturally focused on Ye Liangchen.
Seeing this, Xue Shaohua couldn’t help but resent his own inability to let go.
He was excellent too; when he was with his roommates and classmates, he was always the center of attention. But every time he stood beside Ye Liangchen, he was overshadowed!
It wasn’t really Xue Shaohua’s fault for losing out to Ye Liangchen. After all, Ye Liangchen possessed a mature soul and, having succeeded at the top in a past dream life, carried a charisma that Xue Shaohua couldn’t compare to.
Compared to other college students, Ye Liangchen was more aware of his own strengths and knew exactly how to capture everyone’s attention in an instant.
Slowly lowering his arms from the sky embrace, this time he didn’t hug himself—because there was no need. This level of restraint, just right and relaxed, was part of his cool charm.
“Alright, go keep an eye on Li Qingxue for me. Once I win her heart, then it’ll be time for Wan Ning.”
"Things have come to this point; they should wake up and face reality..." Ye Liangchen's words carried a hint of helplessness. "Your title has been restored, Li Qingxue. It's time for you to wake up from the dream Long Aotian wove for you!"
"You promised me—"
Before Xue Shaohua could finish, Ye Liangchen let out a soft, amused chuckle. "Don’t worry, I, Ye Liangchen, always keep my word."
Honestly, being called a ‘treasure girl’ by Ye Liangchen speaks volumes about the importance she holds in his heart.
But ironically, she’s also the one Long Aotian has taken advantage of the most times.
No choice—she’ll have to sacrifice herself to keep Xue Shaohua company for a week.
Although he loves her deeply, Ye Liangchen is also a man who loves boldly and hates fiercely.
Consider this his way of making up for her betrayal.
Sigh... No regrets—I am who I am, bold in love and hate—Ye Liangchen!
As Xue Shaohua left, Ye Liangchen confidently tossed his hair, a bold smile curling at the corner of his lips.
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a few girls sneaking glances at him now and then. He grinned, shaking his head lightly, causing the earrings on his ears to sway.
That simple gesture made those girls quickly lower their heads and huddle together as they left.
Ye Liangchen just smiled calmly—he only had to make a slight move to make these young ladies blush.
Time swiftly moved to the afternoon.
Since there were classes in the afternoon, Li Qingxue had to part ways with Lin Wanning and return to school.
Meanwhile, Ye Liangchen’s initial enthusiasm gradually faded as he waited, no longer able to maintain his lean-against-the-steps pose with his gaze tilted at forty-five degrees.
He switched to sitting on the ground, one leg stretched out, the other bent, and one arm resting on the bent knee.
The cold wind blew his bangs, covering his eyes, but after flicking his hair aside, his eyes reappeared.
He really liked this feeling—a kind of lonely, carefree vibe.
At that moment, Ye Liangchen’s phone buzzed.
Seeing a message from Xue Shaohua, Ye Liangchen quickly adjusted his expression.
His gaze burned intensely toward the street corner.
Before long, the figure he had been longing for appeared at the intersection.
Ye Liangchen chuckled softly, his voice low but loud enough for that figure to hear.
As Li Qingxue looked up, she saw Ye Liangchen toss his hair while gazing at her with a doting smile.
"Qingxue." Ye Liangchen called out, then stood up from the ground, hands in his pockets as he approached her. He looked up at the sun, pulled his hands out of his pockets, and tilted his head casually. "Your knight has returned!"
Li Qingxue was about to say she hoped Ye Liangchen wouldn’t disturb her.
But Ye Liangchen cut her off, raising a finger: "I know what you want to say!"
"But what I want to tell you is this: Long Aotian doesn’t cherish you, but I do."
"Long Aotian doesn’t have the courage to take responsibility for you, but I will."
"In short, whatever Long Aotian can do, I can do too—and I’ll do it better."
"And whatever Long Aotian can’t do, I can definitely do."
"The knight has arrived to protect the princess—that’s my promise to you, from Ye Liangchen."
Li Qingxue took a step back. "Ye Liangchen, don’t you think you’re being kind of embarrassing right now?"
"And I don't need your promises at all."
Ye Liangchen chuckled softly, his eyes burning as he looked at Li Qingxue. "Admit it, Qingxue. Admit that deep down, you’re hurt. Admit that seeing me now moves you. Is that so hard?"
Li Qingxue felt a sudden wave of anxiety. She didn’t know how to explain to Ye Liangchen that she wasn’t hurt, nor was she touched by his appearance.
But to Ye Liangchen, her expression told a different story—she was flustered, caught off guard by him seeing right through her thoughts, shy and unsettled.
“We’ve known each other for ten years. In those ten years, we’ve argued, but in the end, we always made up.”
“In these ten years, we’ve both changed in many ways, but one thing remains unchanged: my heart that wants to protect you.”
“Long Aotian may not cherish you, but that’s his loss. To me, you are like a princess…”
At this, Ye Liangchen spread his arms wide and glanced around. Facing the gazes fixed on him, he smiled calmly, “See? They’re all moved by us.”