"Nothing." Lin Wanning naturally wouldn't voice her speculation—it would be far too disrespectful.
However, spending time with Long Aotian made her feel surprisingly at ease.
She had interacted with other boys before, but never had she experienced this kind of feeling.
He didn’t go out of his way to do childish things just to grab her attention.
Nor did he make her feel any unnecessary pressure—in his eyes, she was simply herself.
"Want to sit for a while?"
"Huh? S-sit for a while?" Lin Wanning stared awkwardly at Long Aotian, her usually cool expression tinged with a faint blush, her eyes flickering slightly. "T-that wouldn’t be appropriate, would it? We... we’ve only just met..."
Seeing how tense she was, Long Aotian sat down on a nearby bench. "What’s inappropriate about it? If you’re worried about misunderstandings, you can sit over here."
Lin Wanning watched his movements, the flush creeping up from her fair neck until it covered her entire face. Her watery eyes darted around nervously. "N-no misunderstandings..."
Though she appeared aloof and hard to approach, she was still just a normal girl with her own youthful desires, drawn to beautiful things like anyone else.
No one could resist longing for a sweet romance. Lin Wanning might have a cold demeanor, but that didn’t mean she was indifferent to love.
Clichéd as it was, the "hero saving the damsel" trope undeniably made it easy to develop feelings for someone.
Lin Wanning wasn’t some overly rigid girl either. Long Aotian was handsome, with a great physique—it was hard not to notice him. If she felt drawn to him, she wasn’t going to deny it.
So, it was only natural that her mind had briefly wandered earlier... Comforting herself with that thought, she quickly sat down beside him, afraid he might notice her momentary lapse.
But the blush on her face? Long Aotian wasn’t blind—he definitely saw it.
Combined with Lin Wanqing’s earlier surprised reaction, Long Aotian, not being some naive eighteen-year-old, quickly pieced things together.
He couldn’t help but find it amusing—this seemingly icy girl had quite the... imaginative mind.
Hearing his chuckle, Lin Wanning grew even more flustered. She could tell he’d caught her in an awkward moment, but she forced herself to stay composed. "W-what are you laughing at?"
"Nothing. Just that you’re more..." He deliberately trailed off.
Lin Wanning’s curiosity burned—she desperately wanted to know what he was about to say.
But her reserved nature kept her from asking outright, no matter how much she wanted to.
"More... interesting than I imagined." Watching her clenched fists and furtive glances, Long Aotian decided not to tease her further.
Finally hearing the answer, Lin Wanning’s embarrassment deepened.
So, this guy wasn’t as simple and honest as he seemed.
Yet, hearing those words from him didn’t bother her—she just felt a little shy.
Stupid dorm life in high school, where her roommates were always watching those kinds of videos... Now she knew too much, and it had ruined her innocence!
"Um, have you been applying the ointment regularly?" Lin Wanning changed the subject, trying to shift the awkward atmosphere.
"Yeah, it works well."
"Mhm." She nodded softly and didn’t say anything else.
They hadn’t known each other long—there wasn’t exactly an endless stream of topics to discuss.
Once she finished her fruit tea, Lin Wanning stood to leave.
"Let me walk you back."
Without thinking, she nodded in agreement.
As they strolled down the street, surrounded by students from University T and the music academy, they didn’t stand out too much—though they did draw some attention.
With Lin Wanning’s cool elegance and striking beauty, it would’ve been strange if no one noticed her.
"Coming through, excuse me!"
Hearing the voice, Long Aotian subtly pulled Lin Wanning closer to him.
A guy rushed past, clutching a bouquet, clearly in a hurry to meet someone.
Lin Wanning felt Long Aotian’s grip on her wrist, her face warming as if the heat had seeped into her heart. Unconsciously, she bit her lip.
Her usual composed expression melted into shyness, her glossy eyes reluctantly tearing away from where his hand held hers.
Normally, she would’ve immediately pulled away if someone touched her like this. But this time was different—she pretended not to notice and didn’t remind him to let go.
So this was what it felt like to be protected...
The first time Long Aotian had helped her, she’d been too shaken and disoriented to process it.
But now, with no panic clouding her mind, she could fully feel the warmth of his hand against her skin—an indescribable sense of security.
She stole a glance at him. "He’s helped me so many times... Does he... like me too?"
The thought alone made her blush.
Actually... being held by a guy like this wasn’t as unpleasant as she’d imagined.
His hand was so big—it completely enveloped her wrist.
If it were on her thigh—
Her mind involuntarily replayed scenes from those videos. If they were in that kind of position... A strange sense of shame bubbled up inside her.
Lin Wanning lightly bit her lip, her cheeks flushed as she looked up at Long Aotian.
"Running with flowers in such a hurry—must be off to confess. You okay?" he asked with a smile.
Hearing his concern, Lin Wanning fought to keep her expression neutral, but her heart raced uncontrollably, a sweet joy spreading through her chest.
Sure, Long Aotian could be smooth and not as proper as he seemed, but if she could... train him—no, if she could get along with him well, maybe he wouldn’t be so improper with others.
At that thought, her heartbeat quickened even more. "I’m fine."
The music academy wasn’t far from University T.
Once they reached the entrance, Long Aotian waved goodbye.
"See you," Lin Wanning murmured before heading inside.
As she walked, her fingers lightly brushed over her wrist, as if tracing the lingering warmth of his touch.
A strange, giddy happiness made her steps just a little lighter...
ine. During your journey, you save an abandoned baby girl and become her elder brother】 【You rely on each other, becoming each other's support】 【At the end of the simulation, you shield the now-grown girl with your life, sacrificing yourself to block numerous demonic cultivators. You die, and the light in the girl's eyes fades】 …… 【Second Simulation: You are transported to a world where steam and magic coexist】 【You immerse yourself in the study of magic, obsessed with its research. One day, while out, you encounter a half-blooded demon girl wandering the streets. You take her in as your student】 【You teach the demoness what it means to be human, show her the beauty of the world, and nurture her into a miracle that surpasses even the gods】 【At the end of the simulation, you die of old age in front of the nearly immortal demoness due to your mortal lifespan】 …… One simulation after another, one encounter after another. Xu Xi suddenly felt something was off: "Wait, you said you're coming to the real world to find me?"
or! A blessing for those who struggle with love, a guidebook for dating novices. Quickly match with your dream goddess! Complete walkthroughs earn rewards, and perfect walkthroughs unlock limited achievements!】 Shen Yi, an ordinary office worker, accidentally downloads a mini-game called Dating Simulator. The mini-game is simple: randomly search for dating targets, simulate dates, and receive rewards upon successful confession. Rewards include but are not limited to money, attributes, and skills. The higher the evaluation, the better the rewards, with perfect ratings unlocking mysterious achievements. Shen Yi plans to use this mysterious mini-game to continuously pursue targets and improve himself, making his life better and better. ...... However, after several successful walkthroughs, Shen Yi suddenly notices something strange - the targets he previously simulated dating seem to be searching for him in real life?
ey change clothes. Li Chuan contributed all his possessions, only to find that things were not as they seemed. Almost a year after joining, he hadn’t managed to get a single Daoist consort. Thinking he had been deceived, he was approached by a stunning senior fellow disciple who asked if he would like to form a spiritual bond. For those who don’t practice cultivation, they might not know what “forming a spiritual bond” is. Let me put it this way: A long-term relationship is called a “Daoist consort,” while a short-term relationship is known as “forming a spiritual bond.” From then on, Li Chuan discovered the true way to interact with the Yin-Yang Sect’s Daoist consorts. As long as he had enough spirit stones, he could form a spiritual bond with anyone, Whether it’s Senior Sisters, aunts, Daoist consorts of aunts, female elders, Daoist consorts of elders, or even the Daoist consort of the sect leader, anyone can form a spiritual bond as long as there are enough spirit stones.” I've already joined the Yin-Yang Sect, and you're telling me to focus on cultivation? Do you even know what the Yin-Yang Sect is all about?
shall grant"] ["Inscribing the glory of our race upon tombstones"] ["All that is threatened, I shall protect"] How his younger sister sees her brother: A brother who only makes eye contact once a day, mostly fading into the background as he tinkers with who-knows-what in his room all day. Their life paths should have remained largely separate. Until one day. Su Qi created an equipment card for his never-met "online girlfriend." His sister fell into silent contemplation upon receiving the "white stockings." [Card can be upgraded] [Upgrade by fulfilling any of the following conditions] [Condition ①: Consume one hundred higher-tier cards] [Condition ②: Complete one 'Heart-Pounding Adventure'] What constitutes a Heart-Pounding Adventure? [Heart-Pounding Adventure (Beginner Level): Equip the card and invite 'Su Qi' to admire it.] [Heart-Pounding Adventure (Easy Level): Equip the card, invite 'Su Qi' to touch it, and analyze the equipment's texture.] [Heart-Pounding Adventure (Entry Level): Equip the card and invite 'Su Qi' to...] [Heart-Pounding Adventure (Challenge Level): Freely combine the words 'Brother' 'Out' 'Brother' 'Me' 'Please' into a complete sentence...] "Please help me analyze both teams' mistakes in this match, brother..." His sister exhaled in relief—surely... surely there couldn't be anything more difficult? [Heart-Pounding Adventure (Suicide Mission Level): Sneak a peek at the names of the galgames in 'Su Qi's' hidden E-drive folder]
