They put on their life jackets and climbed into the small boat, positioning their feet on the pedals. Long Aotian took the driver's seat to steer.
As they pedaled, the boat slowly glided across the lake. Seeing Hu Yuying waving enthusiastically from the shore, Long Aotian waved back at her. Li Qingxue also called out to Hu Yuying in the distance, though it was unclear whether her voice carried.
Hu Yuying flexed her ankle slightly, feeling a faint discomfort, then looked at Long Aotian, who was still waving at her. A bittersweet feeling suddenly flickered in her heart.
Watching Hu Yuying’s cheerful, wholehearted waving, Long Aotian inexplicably felt a pang of tenderness. The way this silly girl acted so considerate made his heart ache.
As the boat drifted farther away, Hu Yuying’s smile faded. Her gaze remained fixed on the receding figures, even after they disappeared from sight—she just couldn’t bring herself to look away.
"You’ve known my brother for a long time, right?" Lin Wanning asked softly, also watching the distant boat.
"Yeah, I met Long Aotian in the second half of our senior year. It’s been half a year now," Hu Yuying replied. Compared to Li Qingxue and Lin Wanning, she had known him the longest.
"He cares about you a lot," Lin Wanning said with a smile.
At those words, Hu Yuying paused.
Yes, Long Aotian cared about her—truly, deeply. Meeting him was the happiest thing that had ever happened to her, without a doubt.
She nodded. "Long Aotian is the best person in the world."
Lin Wanning didn’t say anything more. Everyone had their own perspective, and perhaps because she was newer to the group, she could see certain things more clearly.
But that was all. After all, people’s thoughts were different.
Just as exceptional people could recognize others’ excellence without feeling lesser themselves.
Hu Yuying hadn’t given it much thought before, but now she blinked and glanced at Lin Wanning. Following her gaze, Hu Yuying’s eyes flickered thoughtfully.
......
At first, Li Qingxue was exhilarated by the boat ride, eagerly looking around. Her laughter was radiant, as if it held all the beauty in the world.
Amidst that brightness, the faint melancholy in Long Aotian’s heart gradually eased.
Come to think of it, they still had four years in Kyoto ahead of them. There would be plenty of time—he could always bring Hu Yuying here another day.
"Long Aotian, why does it feel like the boat is spinning? Did we get lost?" Li Qingxue asked, staring at the shimmering lake. After a while, the water’s reflections made her dizzy.
Long Aotian glanced at their steady course and replied, "No, we’re fine."
Li Qingxue suddenly took a deep breath and turned to him. "I feel a little lightheaded… and my stomach’s queasy."
Her usually lively face had paled, her energy drained. Long Aotian straightened up. "Are you seasick?"
"I don’t know," she mumbled weakly.
Then he remembered what she’d once told him: My mom always warned me never to go near water—it’s dangerous.
The only exception had been that one time when she’d tried to cheer him up by the riverbank—and he’d nearly fallen in.
"Stop staring at the water," Long Aotian said, realizing why she felt dizzy. He couldn’t help but chuckle.
"I’m not looking anymore, but I still feel dizzy," Li Qingxue whined, turning her head away from the lake.
"It’s like motion sickness. Close your eyes and rest for a bit."
"Okay… I’m really uncomfortable. Can I lean on your shoulder?"
Seeing her usually bright face now so pale, Long Aotian couldn’t refuse. He shifted closer. "Go ahead."
Li Qingxue sniffled, her voice thick with emotion. "You’re so nice."
A breeze brushed a few strands of hair across her cheeks. Paired with her pitiful, slightly teary eyes, she looked both adorable and heartbreaking.
Resting against Long Aotian’s shoulder, the discomfort faded quickly—but she didn’t move.
Instead, she stayed where she was and murmured, "Long Aotian… why are you always so good to people?"
"Because you’re all my friends. Haven’t you heard the saying? At home, you rely on family; outside, you rely on friends."
Li Qingxue made a small, dissatisfied noise at his answer.
"You’re not about to throw up, are you? If you are, step away—I don’t want to walk around covered in vomit."
"You’re the worst!" The nausea had been creeping up, but his teasing instantly killed it.
"Ow—" Long Aotian flinched as she pinched his side. "Since when did you get so good at pinching?"
"Because you keep teasing me!" She sniffled again. "Long Aotian, I’m thirsty."
With one hand on the rudder and both feet still pedaling, Long Aotian reached into his back pocket and pulled out a half-crushed water bottle, handing it to her. He was way too busy.
"You’ve squished the bottle."
"We’re drinking the same brand. If I didn’t crush mine, I might accidentally grab yours. How awkward would that be?"
He glanced at her. "That’s all I’ve got. Want it or not? If not, I’ll drink it."
Li Qingxue immediately clutched the bottle. "I never said I didn’t want it," she muttered.
She unscrewed the cap, her lips parting slightly. The elegant curve of her neck caught the light distractingly.
After finishing the last drop, she fidgeted, biting her lip to suppress a smile. "Thanks."
Then, with quiet delight, she pocketed the bottle cap.
Maybe it was just her imagination, but the water tasted so sweet—sweet enough to make her heart flutter.
She stole a glance at Long Aotian. He’s not bad-looking… and he takes such good care of people. Now we’ve even shared the same bottle—does that count as an indirect kiss?
Hmph. Since we’ve technically kissed now… maybe I can give him a chance.
Her heartbeat quickened at the thought.
"Wow, is the sun rising from the west today? Did I just hear a thank you?"
Long Aotian’s teasing instantly deflated her giddy mood. She rolled her eyes. "You’re such a jerk."
"You lean on my shoulder, drink my water, and now I’m the jerk?" He couldn’t help it—the more he teased her, the more fun he had. And the more fun he had, the more he wanted to keep teasing her.
Li Qingxue bit her lip. All he ever does is tease me, she thought... though, truth be told, it did make her happy. But her tsundere pride wouldn’t let her be too forward.
With a light huff, she muttered, "Fine, I’ll use your arm as a pillow, and I’ll drink from your water..."
[Being a little cocky sometimes isn’t so bad after all.]
u Chenyuan transmigrated into a female-oriented novel about a real and fake heiress, becoming the CEO elder brother of both. Unfortunately, the entire Lu family—including himself, the CEO—were mere cannon fodder in the story. Determined to save himself, Lu Chenyuan took action. The spoiled, attention-seeking fake heiress? Thrown into the harsh realities of the working class to learn humility. The love-struck real heiress? Pushed toward academic excellence, so lofty goals would blind her to trivial romances. As for the betrayed, vengeful arranged marriage wife… the plot hadn’t even begun yet. There was still time—if he couldn’t handle her, he could at least avoid her. "CEO Lu, are you avoiding me?" Mo Qingli fixed her gaze on Lu Chenyuan. For the first time, the shrewd and calculating Lu Chenyuan felt a flicker of unease.
with countless casualties. As a top-tier gamer, Liu Xuan volunteered to join the fight, intending to dominate with his skills, but instead he obtained the hidden class: [Pacifist]. Unable to attack. Unable to use active skills. Fortunately, with each level gained, he acquired a new passive skill. And so, armed with a body full of passives, Liu Xuan slaughtered his way through the battlefield of ten thousand races! [You attacked Liu Xuan] [You gained the debuffs: 'Poison', 'Fear', 'Burning', 'Bleeding', 'Freeze', 'Silence', etc.] [Your attack speed has been reduced by 99%] [Your armor and magic resistance have been reduced by 99%] Warriors of the Ten Thousand Races: How the hell am I supposed to fight this?!
ap a wealthy young lady? Or else I'll be eliminated by the system? Ye Feng, who awakened the Kidnapper System, originally wanted to live a peaceful life but never imagined he would become a kidnapper of young women. However, after some time, he discovered that all the girls the system ordered him to kidnap were far from ordinary. "Big brother Ye Feng~ You've kidnapped my heart, and now you're not allowed to leave me ever again~" "Ye Feng~ You kidnapped me back then, now it's my turn to capture you♡" "Little Feng, you're mine! You can only be mine!" "Ye Feng, none of them deserve you. Only I love you the most♡" ... This is madness, they've all gone mad! Wait, what? Why are all the girls I kidnapped yanderes?!
young master of the Shen family—a figure of immense power and wealth beyond measure—and awakened the "Destined Ultimate Villain System"! His starting scenario? Running into his icy fiancée who shows up with a mountain-descending divine doctor to break off their engagement. The divine doctor arrogantly taunts: "What does your Shen family have besides a bit of stinking money? You're not even worthy of tying Qingxue's shoelaces!" Shen Fei just smiled. He completely defied the usual script: "Fine, I agree to break off the engagement. Also, notify the finance department to withdraw all investments from the Su family." Minutes later, with its capital chain severed, the Su Group teetered on the brink of bankruptcy! The once aloof and proud ice queen CEO was thrown into utter panic. That very night, she went to Shen Fei's villa, casting aside all dignity to beg and plead desperately... From then on, in this world teeming with Sons of Destiny, Shen Fei embarked on a path of extreme dimensional suppression! A mountain-descending divine doctor? Peerless medical skills? Shen Fei: "Reporting you for practicing medicine without a license! I'll gladly take your ancient medicinal cauldron and twin sister assassins." The Crooked-Smiling Dragon King? Commanding a hundred thousand soldiers with a single order? Shen Fei: "Illegal assembly and suspected treason! Let a fleet of attack helicopters sanitize the area and teach you what the state apparatus really means!" A reborn tycoon? Knows all the golden opportunities of the next decade? Shen Fei: "A trillion in capital to reverse and pump the stock market, making you blow your margin and jump on the very first day of your rebirth!" What Chosen Ones? What bearers of Heavenly Fortune? In Shen Fei's eyes, they're all just chives (i.e., suckers/marks) waiting to be harvested! Shen Fei: "Sorry, but as the Destined Ultimate Villain, I don't play by the rules of honor. I only play the game of dimensional suppression."
