Brother Long is Definitely Not

Returning to the dormitory, Hu Yuying sat in the glass corridor between Building 6 and Building 12, quietly waiting.

Soon, she spotted Li Qingxue.

"Qingxue."

"What's up, Yuying?"

"This is for you." Hu Yuying handed over a delicious little cake.

Li Qingxue was pleasantly surprised and touched when she saw the cake in Hu Yuying's hand.

"Thank you," she said softly. She didn’t really need the cake, but the fact that Hu Yuying had bought it for her meant everything.

"Don’t mention it." Hu Yuying pulled Li Qingxue down to sit beside her on the bench in the corridor. "Back in the bay, you even made cookies for me."

"I was thinking of making you something tasty after coming to Capital City, but renting here is so expensive, and everything’s inconvenient. This cake is delicious, though. When I get the chance, I’ll make you something nice too."

Hu Yuying genuinely cherished Li Qingxue as a friend.

Before meeting Brother Long, she had no friends at all.

But after meeting him, she gained her first big brother, and along the way, Li Qingxue became her dear friend.

Life without friends and life with friends felt entirely different.

That was why she treasured this friendship so much.

"Mmm~ hug!" Li Qingxue scrunched her delicate nose and playfully demanded a hug.

Wrapped in Qingxue’s arms, Hu Yuying felt a different kind of happiness—distinct from the joy she felt when seeing Brother Long. "Try the cake," she said.

Li Qingxue had many friends, but among them, only Hu Yuying was like this.

"Okay, let’s share it." Li Qingxue laughed softly, her smile as infectious as ever.

The two sat in the corridor, savoring the cake while gazing at the night sky through the glass.

......

Back in the dorm room, Hu Yuying kicked off her shoes and stared at her little feet, giggling to herself.

"Yuying, what’s got you so happy?" one of her roommates asked with a light chuckle.

"Do we even need to ask?" another chimed in, grinning.

"Yuying, is this about Xue Shaohua? Hmm?" Unable to resist the gossip, the three roommates exchanged glances, their faces lit with mischievous smiles.

Hearing her name paired with Xue Shaohua’s, Hu Yuying frowned slightly, confused. "What?"

Seeing her reaction, the roommates covered their mouths, stifling laughter. "Come on, don’t play dumb. Xue Shaohua asked us for your contact info today. Have you two been talking?"

Hu Yuying’s brows furrowed deeper. "No," she denied firmly.

She pulled out her phone and opened QQ, where a new friend request indeed waited. Ignoring it, she turned back to her roommates. "My happiness has nothing to do with Xue Shaohua. Please don’t make assumptions. There’s already someone in my heart."

The roommates froze for a moment before quickly apologizing.

They hadn’t known Hu Yuying already had feelings for someone. They’d only thought they were helping a potential suitor, playing wingwomen for their friend.

Now it was awkward—they’d given her contact to someone clearly interested in her, unaware she was already taken.

Hu Yuying shook her head gently. "It’s fine. You didn’t know. Just don’t do it again."

She wasn’t upset. They hadn’t known, and she trusted they wouldn’t have shared her info if they had.

Over time, she’d grown close to her roommates, though not as deeply as with Li Qingxue. That bond had formed back in their hometown, Bay City.

But now...

After hearing Hu Yuying’s confession, the roommates’ curiosity shifted entirely.

Gossip was in a girl’s nature.

"Yuying, the person you like… he’s not at our school, right? But you were so happy today—he must be in this city?"

"Did you meet up with him today?"

"And you were grinning like an idiot earlier—did you have a great time together?"

Hu Yuying’s cheeks flushed bright red. Happy?

Today had been the happiest day since she arrived in this city.

Brother Long’s back was so strong. Leaning against him had filled her with indescribable joy and security. She’d even hugged him—her heart raced so fast, she wondered if he’d noticed.

And she’d secretly hooked her pinky around his… he hadn’t realized, had he?

Lost in thought, Hu Yuying didn’t notice the dreamy, almost seductive expression on her face.

Her toes curled unconsciously.

A girl’s bashfulness was captivating, no matter who was watching.

The roommates exchanged glances, struck by how radiant Hu Yuying looked.

They also noticed her stealing glances at her own feet, giggling. A not-so-subtle idea popped into their heads.

"Yuying, did he play with your feet?"

"Eww~ so pervy… but kinda hot?"

"Wow, you guys are wild. I never expected this…"

Hu Yuying waved her hands frantically. "No! Stop making things up!"

Brother Long was a proper gentleman. He’d only checked her feet because she’d sprained her ankle—that was all!

Well… he might’ve examined them a little too thoroughly, including the uninjured foot…

She mentally defended Brother Long, but the more she tried, the less convincing it sounded. Maybe he wasn’t entirely proper…

Shaking her head, Hu Yuying scrambled into bed, pulling the summer quilt over herself. "It’s not what you think!"

Peeking out from under the covers, her face was still flushed. In her heart, Brother Long was the epitome of decency—no arguments allowed.

[Edits made; deletions shouldn’t affect readability. If they do, apologies in advance...]

......