Listen to Your Mother

As they spoke, Li Qingxue had already led Long Aotian to the water's edge.

The river flowed gently, with splashes of water creating a soothing sound.

"When I was little, my mom always told me not to play by the water. But now, it seems like it's not a big deal at all," Li Qingxue said cheerfully.

She handed Long Aotian a few pebbles from her basket. "Here, throw these pebbles away, and let your worries go with them."

Long Aotian found it amusing but didn't refuse, knowing that Li Qingxue was trying to help him lighten his mood.

He picked up a few pebbles and skipped them across the water.

The pebbles bounced a few times, creating ripples, before sinking into the depths.

Watching Long Aotian skip stones was quite entertaining.

Li Qingxue also picked up a pebble and gave it a try, but she had no idea how to do it properly. Her pebble sank straight to the bottom.

Seeing her clumsy attempt, Long Aotian couldn't help but laugh.

"What are you laughing at? Next time, I'll make so many ripples you won't be able to count them," she retorted.

She picked up another pebble, this time taking a deep breath as if gathering her strength.

From the way she held the pebble, it was clear she was putting in a lot of effort to throw it farther.

But with a "plop," the pebble sank straight into the water again.

The surroundings fell silent for a moment.

Li Qingxue glanced at Long Aotian, who was also looking at her, and she defiantly said, "I'll get it right next time."

Her stubbornness was actually quite endearing. Perhaps it was this very trait that gave her the youthful energy to always pursue freedom and perfection.

But to be honest, with the way Li Qingxue was throwing the pebbles, she could throw them all day and still not grasp the technique of skipping stones.

"Your starting position is wrong. To skip a stone, you need to lean sideways, like this," Long Aotian explained, demonstrating with a pebble.

"When you throw it, you need to flick your wrist and let the pebble spin. Use a bit of finesse."

Li Qingxue watched his movements and tried to mimic them.

But the moment she threw the pebble, Long Aotian's hair stood on end!

She must have misjudged her strength, throwing it too hard and leaning forward too much...

Long Aotian cursed under his breath and, without thinking, stepped forward and grabbed her shoulders, pulling her back.

He hadn't forgotten that Li Qingxue had just admitted she couldn't swim!

In his haste, Long Aotian used a bit too much force, not realizing how light Li Qingxue was.

By the water's edge, Long Aotian froze for a moment before letting out a sigh of relief, breathing heavily.

Li Qingxue, meanwhile, was completely still, lying on top of Long Aotian, too scared to move—or perhaps too shocked to know what to do.

It took Long Aotian a while to calm down. It wasn't exhaustion but the fright that had his heart racing.

"Get up already. Even if you're light, you should consider how the human cushion feels."

"You're so bad at this but still love to play. If you can't swim, stay away from the water next time. If I hadn't been quick, I'd probably be burning incense here next year, asking you to bless me with wealth and prosperity..."

For once, Li Qingxue didn't argue back. Instead, her eyes welled up with tears.

"Mom was right... I shouldn't have come to the river..."

Seeing her like this, Long Aotian couldn't help but laugh.

Before this, Li Qingxue had been bold, confident, full of youthful energy, and a little bit proud.

Now, she looked like a wounded kitten, her trembling eyelashes and teary eyes making her seem fragile, as if the slightest touch would make her cry.

As Long Aotian laughed, Li Qingxue, still lying on him, could feel the rise and fall of his chest.

"What are you laughing at? I was scared to death, and you're laughing?" She instinctively pinched his waist.

"Ouch! Do all girls love pinching people like this?"

Long Aotian's teasing somehow made Li Qingxue's tears disappear.

She got up from him, annoyed. "It's your fault for laughing at me."

Long Aotian stood up as well. "I just saved your life, you know."

Li Qingxue paused, then reached out to rub his waist. "Then let me rub it for you."

"Let's go."

After a few steps, Li Qingxue stopped.

"What's wrong?"

"My little flower basket." She pointed to the basket by the water's edge and was about to go retrieve it.

"Wait, stay here. I'll get it."

"Be careful," Li Qingxue said sheepishly.

She seemed genuinely scared now.

"Let's go."

Back at their spot, Long Aotian picked up a drink and ate some cake.

He hadn't had much appetite earlier, but now he was hungry.

After a while, Li Qingxue, watching Long Aotian eat happily, peeled some fruit for him. "Thank you."

"No need to thank me. If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have gone near the water. Now you know that some dangers can't be overcome with just enthusiasm. Be more careful next time."

Li Qingxue had genuinely wanted to thank Long Aotian. After all, he had helped her in the end.

But hearing this, she couldn't help but roll her eyes. "Anyway, thank you. Eat slowly. If you like it, I'll bring more tomorrow."

She then hugged her knees and stared at the river, lost in thought.

"Hey, stop thinking about the bad stuff. You're fine now. Eat more—you're too light."

Hearing this, the tips of Li Qingxue's ears turned red.

The fear of nearly falling into the river was replaced by the sensation of lying on top of him.

Was this... an embrace?

At the thought, Li Qingxue's breathing quickened, her cheeks burning. She fanned her face with her hands.

"This... this isn't good."

"Huh?" Long Aotian looked at her, confused. "What's not good?"

"Are you okay?"

"I... I need to go home." Li Qingxue lowered her head, her hair falling over her face, hiding her expression.

She quickly packed up, leaving the fruit for Long Aotian, and hurried away.

"Hey, your pink..."

Before he could finish, Li Qingxue, her face red and lips lightly bitten, said with a mix of shyness and frustration, "You... you... when did you see that? You jerk."

Then, to Long Aotian's utter confusion, she tugged at her skirt and hurried off, looking rather flustered.

Long Aotian, holding a pink hair tie, scratched his head in bewilderment. "If you don't want it, just say so. How am I the jerk here?"

[Just one word: (Power up!). I'm standing tall today, truly standing tall. Whew~~~]