The Last Whisper

Running while glancing back to see if the city management officers were still chasing her.

Just as she turned her head, she bumped into someone, and the woven bag in her hand fell to the ground.

She quickly lowered her head and whispered an apology, "Sorry, sorry."

As she spoke, she reached down to pick up the bag.

But a large hand had already grabbed the woven bag from the ground.

Hu Yuying was momentarily stunned, her gaze slowly following the hand upward.

The anxiety on her face instantly turned into delight.

The girl smiled, the faint crimson at the corners of her eyes almost overflowing, as if she wanted to etch this smile into the very bones of the person before her.

He gently tapped her head, "What are you standing around for? Let's go!"

As he spoke, he hoisted the woven bag onto his back.

Looking at his retreating figure, Hu Yuying's previously dim eyes suddenly sparkled with brilliance. She nodded emphatically, "Okay."

The two of them ran one after the other through the bustling streets, under the kaleidoscope of neon lights, until they reached the vicinity of the train tracks.

Only then did they stop, gasping for breath.

Long Aotian set the woven bag down and took deep, ragged breaths.

He looked up at Hu Yuying, whose gaze had seemingly never left him from the start.

Their eyes met, and both burst into laughter.

The laughter was soft but serene.

Though they were clearly happy, it felt almost too gentle.

Like a fine wine that had aged for years, complex and layered, yet ultimately distilled into a simple, shared smile.

Sitting on the platform, Hu Yuying couldn't sit still for even a moment.

She pulled out a bottle of water from the woven bag and, along with it, a piece of cardboard to fan Long Aotian.

The evening wasn't as hot as the morning or midday, but the intense running had still left them both drenched in sweat.

"Long Aotian, what do you want to eat tonight?"

She didn't ask anything more, simply wanting to know what he felt like having.

This kind-hearted girl, with her pure smile, made Long Aotian feel warmth and ease.

"Porridge, lean meat porridge," he replied without asking how Hu Yuying had been these past days. He knew how tough it was to compete in the street vending business, always on the run from city management.

When the officers came, everyone scattered.

When they left, they scrambled to find a new spot...

Especially when he saw Hu Yuying struggling to drag the woven bag, trying her best to move faster.

Thinking back to how lazy he'd been at home these past few days, Long Aotian felt an inexplicable tightness in his chest.

"Okay," Hu Yuying replied, always so obedient and compliant in front of Long Aotian. Whatever he said, she would do.

She took a deep breath, glanced at him cautiously, and then asked softly, "Then, shall we go home?"

She hadn't been this timid even when chased by the city management earlier.

Now, in front of him, she was so careful. Long Aotian couldn't help but laugh, "Am I that scary?"

"Not scary at all," Hu Yuying shook her head with a smile.

"Let's go," Long Aotian said, hoisting the woven bag onto his back and jumping off the steps.

Hu Yuying followed closely behind, "Long Aotian, let me help you."

"Go away, or people will think I can't even carry a woven bag!"

"Then let me fan you?"

"No need."

"Do you want to rest and have some water, Long Aotian?"

"Keep yapping, and I'll smack you. We've only just started walking, and you want me to rest? Are you mocking me?"

"I wasn't, Long Aotian," Hu Yuying blinked her innocent eyes and pursed her lips, falling silent as she obediently walked beside him.

Under the streetlights, she secretly moved closer to Long Aotian when he wasn't looking, until their shadows overlapped...

Seeing this, Hu Yuying's lips curled into a smile, her eyes crinkling with a mix of joy and silliness.

When they returned to their place, the moment they stepped through the door, Long Aotian felt a sense of relief wash over him.

Hu Yuying quickly rushed over to help him set the woven bag down.

"Long Aotian, go wash your hands. I'll make the porridge."

With that, she dashed into the kitchen and turned on the living room lights.

After washing his hands, Long Aotian walked into the kitchen and opened the fridge.

He nodded to himself, not bad.

There was meat and vegetables—she hadn't been neglecting herself.

Little did he know, Hu Yuying prepared fresh vegetables every day.

Because she knew Long Aotian would come back someday, and she didn't want to be caught unprepared, leaving him without a decent meal.

Watching Long Aotian's actions, a hint of pride flickered in Hu Yuying's bright eyes.

Soon, Hu Yuying finished making the lean meat porridge.

Long Aotian ate two bowls—it had been so long since he'd had it, and it still suited his taste perfectly.

Seeing that Long Aotian had finished, Hu Yuying quickly polished off her last bite and began clearing the dishes.

After putting them in the kitchen, she went into the bedroom and returned with a small notebook.

"Long Aotian, this is my earnings from these past few days."

Inside the notebook were a few crisp bills. Hu Yuying said sheepishly, "I didn't sell much..."

"Keep the money. It's the fruit of your hard work," Long Aotian handed the money and notebook back to her.

Before Hu Yuying could say anything, Long Aotian stood up and looked at her solemnly, "You've worked hard."

Hu Yuying's body trembled slightly. Long Aotian's affirmation was like a gentle breeze, blowing into the depths of her sealed heart.

All the strength, all the effort, all the defenses she had built up over these days crumbled in an instant under the weight of those simple words.

All the suppressed grievances came pouring out.

Like a child who had finally found her way home.

Tears streamed down her face, and her longing overwhelmed her. She threw herself into Long Aotian's arms and sobbed, "I thought you didn't want to care about me anymore."

Long Aotian stiffened for a moment, looking down at the crying Hu Yuying. He sighed softly, his hand resting on her head as he tried to keep his tone light, "Nonsense. I finally found a little follower—why would I abandon you?"

"Stop crying, or you'll get ugly."

"Keep crying, and I'll really smack you."

Hu Yuying sniffled and looked up at Long Aotian, her eyes red and misty, evoking an inexplicable sense of pity. "Then I won't cry. Don't smack me, Long Aotian."

Facing those wet, innocent eyes, it was clear she was just pleading with him.

Perhaps it was the sudden redness of her eyes, or the hint of grievance in her voice, but Long Aotian turned his head away, trying to mask the strange feeling in his chest...