Upon hearing these words, Xue Shaohua didn’t react with the expected happiness. Instead, he tilted his head back, allowing a single tear to slowly roll down from the corner of his eye.
Seeing this, Ye Liangchen’s heartstrings were tugged once again. He knew he was in the wrong, and watching Xue Shaohua cry didn’t sit well with him either.
Though Ye Liangchen now carried the soul of a 28-year-old, in all those years, he had never been with a man and had no idea how to comfort one.
If it were a girl, his natural elegance, confidence, and handsome looks—coupled with his willingness to take responsibility and offer compensation—would have usually stopped the tears.
But he’d already said all that to Xue Shaohua, and yet the man was still crying. Ye Liangchen was truly at a loss.
Suddenly, Xue Shaohua stood up.
Ye Liangchen hurriedly rose as well.
Xue Shaohua turned abruptly, his eyes slightly red, lips bitten lightly, and spoke in a voice laced with grievance: "Why are you following me?"
"I... I’m worried you might do something rash." That was Ye Liangchen’s honest thought.
Perhaps it was the sincerity in Ye Liangchen’s expression and tone, but Xue Shaohua studied him for a moment. Despite the lingering resentment, he closed his eyes, wrestled with his emotions, and finally said, "I’m going to shower."Ye Liangchen glanced at the marks on Xue Shaohua’s body. "Go ahead. I’ll wait outside. Call me if you need anything."
Xue Shaohua didn’t respond, only shut his eyes in humiliation before lowering his gaze and stepping into the bathroom.
Not long after, a pained hiss came from inside.
Ye Liangchen’s heart clenched, and he barged in without hesitation—only to find Xue Shaohua hunched over the toilet, tending to his wounds.
The moment Xue Shaohua noticed Ye Liangchen’s intrusion, he instinctively shielded himself. "What are you doing in here? Get out!"
Ye Liangchen’s gaze softened as he took in Xue Shaohua’s guarded posture. "Let me help you."
Sensing Ye Liangchen’s gentleness, Xue Shaohua sniffled, his voice softening as well. "This was my first time... You can’t treat me badly from now on."
"Mm." Ye Liangchen nodded solemnly, locking eyes with him. "Can I... Can I...?"
Xue Shaohua’s heart fluttered. Under Ye Liangchen’s tender gaze, he averted his eyes, hesitated for a second, then gave a quiet, "Mm."
......
Afterward, Ye Liangchen lay on the bed, taking a slow drag from his cigarette as he glanced down at Xue Shaohua nestled in his arms, a satisfied smile playing on his lips.
"Shouldn’t you put some ointment on that bruise?" Xue Shaohua lightly traced the discolored mark on Ye Liangchen’s cheek.
"A real man doesn’t fuss over these things." Ye Liangchen smirked, his tone light.
But inwardly, he was seething—Long Aotian would pay for this.
"Once our plan succeeds, we’ll make him kneel and beg for forgiveness!" Xue Shaohua spat bitterly. If Long Aotian hadn’t attacked Ye Liangchen yesterday, $2e Liangchen wouldn’t have rushed to concoct [Tomorrow’s Reckoning], and Xue Shaohua wouldn’t have ended up in this state. Once they pinned the assault charge on Long Aotian, they’d make sure he suffered!
Just as Xue Shaohua was about to vent his grievances, $2e noticed Ye Liangchen lost in thought, cigarette between his fingers, eyes half-lidded.
"What’s on your mind?" Xue Shaohua asked.
The question snapped Ye Liangchen back to reality.
Mentioning Long Aotian had sparked a wicked idea.
Breaking him psychologically, step by step—now that was more entertaining than forcing him to eat a hundred fried dough sticks.
The thought made Ye Liangchen chuckle—this time, genuinely.
He’d found the perfect way to destroy Long Aotian.
"I swore I’d repay Long Aotian’s humiliation a hundredfold."
"That day won’t be long now."
Xue Shaohua perked up. "You’ve figured out how to deal with him?"
Ye Liangchen grinned, brushing a finger against Xue Shaohua’s nose. "Of course."
He then laid out his plan to disgrace Long Aotian.
Xue Shaohua’s eyes lit up. "Genius. Ye Liangchen, you’re an absolute genius!"
"After we’re done with him, we’ll film it. That’ll hurt him worse than death."
As he spoke, Xue Shaohua glanced at Ye Liangchen, a thought crossing his mind—something he hadn’t even experienced yet.
Noticing the look, Ye Liangchen raised a brow. "What?"
"You."
With that, Xue Shaohua pounced.
"Hey—! You sneaky—!"
......
"Ugh—"
"What’s wrong, Lao Ao?" The sudden noise startled the others.
Long Aotian couldn’t explain it. "Just... a sudden chill down my spine."
Huang Fei and the other two burst out laughing. "Lao Ao, you really need to hit the gym. Look at you—just a breeze, and you’re already shivering?"
"Shut it. I’ve got energy to spare. And if you hadn’t gone behind my back, I wouldn’t even be here!"
At that, Huang Fei and the others lowered their heads sheepishly.
Without Long Aotian’s consent, they’d signed him up for the swimming club.
Club members were required to participate in the sports festival.
Huang Fei had gotten the tip from Shen Mengjie, so they’d dragged Long Aotian here, hoping he could at least learn the basics—since he couldn’t swim.
Inside the swimming pool area, $2fter changing, they stepped onto the deck.
"We come here almost every week. We tried inviting you before, but you’re always MIA on weekends—"
Mid-sentence, a splash erupted at the pool’s edge.
A slender figure emerged from the water.
Brushing droplets from her face, she removed her goggles, propped herself up on the edge, and grinned at the startled group. "Look at you, jumping at nothing."
Her gaze landed on Long Aotian. "Rare sight. What brings you here?"
Huang Fei quickly explained the situation to Shen Mengjie.
"Oh?" Shen Mengjie listened, then hoisted herself onto the pool’s edge with effortless grace. Rising to her feet, her swimsuit clung to her curves, her toned figure on full display.
She smirked at Long Aotian. "You could’ve just asked me."
Before Long Aotian could respond, Huang Fei cut in, "Really? You’d help?"
"Sure." She sighed dramatically. "But is this how you ask for favors?"
"Dinner’s on us."
Shen Mengjie’s eyes sparkled with amusement as she turned to Long Aotian. "Someone once promised to treat me to pig’s trotters for ‘nutrition.’ Hmm, how long has it been? I wonder when this mysterious ‘someday’ will finally come..."
Long Aotian knew this was a hint aimed at him, so he extended two fingers and said, "I'll cover two meals..."