Stepfather, Accept Our Respectful Salute

“Is something wrong?” Long Aotian asked.

The aloof girl seemed hesitant, as if she hadn’t quite gathered her words yet. She was visibly nervous—after all, she wasn’t the type to take the initiative.

Watching her flustered demeanor, Long Aotian found her increasingly familiar.

Before he could piece it together, the girl slowly approached, and as she drew closer, he noticed the ointment in her hand.

“This is for you—an ointment to reduce swelling and prevent infection. Apply it once in the morning and once at night.” Her voice was cool and measured, carrying a distinct tone.

That unique voice instantly jogged his memory.

He hadn’t expected her to remember—let alone take it to heart.

She must have recognized him earlier at the restaurant and stepped out to buy this for him.

Taking the ointment from her, he smiled. “Thanks. I almost didn’t recognize you.”

He’d drunk quite a bit last night, and though there had been streetlights, it was still dim. On top of that, she’d been a nervous, disheveled mess back then.

It was hard to connect that image with the poised, ethereal beauty standing before him now.

Seeing Long Aotian still slightly dazed, the girl chuckled softly. “I should be the one thanking you.”

“Alright, alright, let’s not keep trading thanks. You thank me, I thank you—it’s starting to feel a bit odd.”

Lin Wanning nodded with a light laugh. She hadn’t thought it strange until he pointed it out, but now it did seem a little awkward.

Still, she couldn’t help feeling a flicker of warmth toward him.

Not that she was overly confident in her looks or figure, but she’d long grown accustomed to boys trying to catch her attention.

This had been the case since middle school, and by high school, it had only intensified.

Yesterday, after starting university, the same thing happened—especially after last night’s incident. Today, countless people on campus had tried all sorts of tricks to get her to notice them...

She could see right through their intentions, but it wasn’t like she could call them out directly...

Now that she thought about it, if anyone else had helped her, they’d have undoubtedly used it as an excuse to get closer—asking for her QQ, inviting her to a meal, or something similar.

She wasn’t being presumptuous; she’d just encountered too many guys like that.

But this one? Not only had he made no such move, he’d even forgotten about her entirely.

As if helping her had truly been nothing more than a casual act of kindness, free of ulterior motives.

Someone like this was refreshing to be around. At least for now, Lin Wanning found it... comfortable.

“I’m Lin Wanning. And you?”

“Long Aotian.” He nodded, then suddenly stared at her in disbelief. “Wait, what did you say your name was?”

Lin Wanning was puzzled by his sudden intensity but answered seriously, “Lin Wanning.”

“Lin Wanning from the Music Department?”

“Mhm. How did you know I’m in Music?” It wasn’t exactly a secret.

Long Aotian grinned.

She had no idea why her name and major amused him, but she didn’t mind. If anything, she was curious. “Is something funny?”

“No, just... the world’s so small. And kind of amazing.”

Lin Wanning lowered her gaze, the tips of her ears hidden beneath her hair turning faintly pink.

She’d never been in a relationship, but she wasn’t completely ignorant. Lines like [The world is small, bringing us together; fate is mysterious, binding us close...] weren’t unfamiliar.

“Y-You can’t just say things like that...” Her voice remained cool, but it softened into something almost melodic.

“Sorry, got a little carried away. I saw you at the restaurant earlier—were you with friends?”

“Yeah, my three roommates.” His apology didn’t bother her. If anything, she was relieved he’d moved on.

“Let’s head back then. I’m here with my roommates too.”

“Okay.”

Long Aotian walked ahead, glancing back at Lin Wanning trailing behind him. The sight reminded him of Hu Yuying, his little shadow.

That girl stuck to him like a loyal puppy...

He deliberately slowed his pace.

Lin Wanning had been struggling to keep up with his long strides, but when he adjusted his speed, she quickly closed the distance.

She wasn’t the type to take kindness for granted. Last night, without Long Aotian stepping in, that bottle would’ve hit her instead. She doubted she’d have walked away with just some swelling and scrapes...

Worse, if that guy had hurled insults at her too, her reputation would’ve been ruined...

As they re-entered the restaurant, Huang Fei, Li Longlong, and Xu Shuai gaped at the sight of Long Aotian returning with an ethereal beauty in tow. Their jaws practically hit the floor, the word “holy shit” hanging unspoken on their lips.

“Did this guy just pull off something huge without anyone noticing?”

“No way. As the ‘Three Great Kings of Romance,’ we haven’t even made our move, and he’s already sealed the deal?”

“Ahem, so… Old Ao, who’s this?”

Long Aotian glanced at Lin Wanning. “Lin Wanning, from the music department.”

Then he added, “These three are my roommates. You probably saw them last night too.”

“Last night?” The trio froze for a second before their eyes widened in realization, exchanging frantic looks.

Their expressions practically screamed: Holy crap, if I’d known, I would’ve stepped up last night! This is straight out of a movie—hero saves the beauty, and bam!

Lin Wanning merely nodded. Her expression, devoid of a smile, carried a faint air of detachment.

The way they kept sneaking glances at her—though she’d grown somewhat accustomed to it over the years and didn’t feel outright disgust—still left her uncomfortable, as if she were some item on display being scrutinized.

She turned slightly toward Long Aotian. “Remember to apply the ointment twice a day. It’ll heal faster and won’t leave a scar. I… I should head back now.”

“Mm, see you.”

Lin Wanning hesitated. Long Aotian noticed and asked, “What’s wrong?”

At his question, the tips of her ears tinged pink. Her fingers twisted lightly in front of her before she finally murmured, “Can I… add you on QQ?”

Long Aotian blinked. “Huh?” He’d thought she was agonizing over something serious.

After taking out his phone and adding her, Lin Wanning stared at the new contact on her QQ list. The usual chill in her eyes softened slightly as she whispered, “Thanks.”

Without another word—and without daring to meet the gazes of those around her—she hurried back to the private room where her dormmates were waiting.

“Hey, you guys lose your souls or something?” Long Aotian waved a hand in front of his roommates’ dazed faces.

It was a bitter pill to swallow. Just earlier, the three of them had been pounding their chests, vowing to help Long Aotian get a girlfriend.

Yet here they were, still clueless about how to even get a girl’s contact info, while he had the campus ice queen herself asking to add him on QQ.

And the kicker? She was the one who asked!

“Oh, Great Master… we bow before you…”