I'm Not a Very Traditional Girl

"Brother, you're not really thinking of renting that chaotic courtyard, are you?" Lin Wanning asked again as they walked.

"Is there a problem with that?" Although the size of the quadrangle far exceeded his expectations, Long Aotian was genuinely satisfied.

At this point, Lin Wanning still didn’t realize that Long Aotian actually intended to buy the courtyard.

So, in her eyes, that messy and cluttered place would require a lot of renovation even if they just rented it.

Wouldn’t all that money be wasted if they stopped renting later?

And what if, after her brother finished renovating, the owners backed out of the lease? Wouldn’t all that effort be for nothing?

No matter how she looked at it, Lin Wanning felt it was a bad deal.

After sharing her thoughts with Long Aotian, he chuckled and ruffled her long hair. No one disliked being cared for, and the fact that this little sister—whom he hadn’t known for long—was so considerate warmed his heart.

If it were some superficial friend, who’d care how he spent his money?

"Don’t worry. Your brother here is too sharp to take a loss."

The moment Long Aotian’s hand touched her head, Lin Wanning shivered. As his fingers gently stroked her hair, a strange sensation washed over her—as if her soul were being drawn out of her body, leaving her limbs weak. It was a feeling she’d never experienced before.

It was… nice.

She obediently leaned into his touch, letting him play with her hair as if she were under some kind of wicked spell.

All these years, and she never knew having her head patted could feel this good.

When Long Aotian finally withdrew his hand, Lin Wanning secretly opened her eyes to look at him, suddenly feeling as though she’d never escape his grasp.

Whether it was a boy or a girl, the first flutter of affection always came with an unconscious filter over their eyes.

It wasn’t just about seeing beauty—it was about yearning for it, painting their dull world in vibrant new colors.

"Brother," Lin Wanning called out, quickly catching up to loop her arm through his.

"This afternoon, your little sister is claiming all your time."

"You’re even more domineering than I am."

"Mhm, I can be pretty domineering too." Her slender, pink fingertips subtly hooked onto his palm as she lowered her gaze, her hair cascading over her cheeks, hiding her expression.

"Brother, do you have a girl you like?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Then let me rephrase—what kind of girl do you like?" Lin Wanning realized her first question had been too blunt.

So she changed tactics.

Seeing Long Aotian frown, she bit her lip, bent slightly, and gave his arm a light shake.

"Brother, tell me, please?"

Her silky black hair spilled over his arm, carrying with it a faint, delicate fragrance.

Long Aotian glanced down and froze for a split second—through the loose collar of Lin Wanning’s top, he caught a glimpse of soft, snowy curves pressed together.

His lips twitched.

This girl really didn’t see him as an outsider, huh?

Of course, the main reason was that Lin Wanning, unaware of their height difference, didn’t realize she was exposing herself.

Long Aotian pretended he hadn’t seen anything, took a deep breath, and said, "My ideal type is untouched by worldly vanity, unswayed by glamorous parties, free of heavy makeup, and devoid of materialistic desires—gentle and sweet, or perhaps a little naive, but always radiant."

This wasn’t just Long Aotian’s ideal. It was every man’s dream.

Hearing this, Lin Wanning’s cheeks flushed. She clasped her hands behind her back, pretending to look elsewhere while actually stealing glances at him from a shy angle.

She felt she matched every word he’d said.

She’d never been dazzled by extravagance—had never stepped into a bar or attended wild parties, even when invited.

She’d never worn heavy makeup or put on a seductive act.

And she certainly wasn’t materialistic.

She was gentle, pretty enough, and though she usually seemed aloof, she was still youthful at heart. Most importantly, around her brother, she was nothing but lively.

So… did that mean Long Aotian already had feelings for her?

Was this his subtle way of saying so?

The thought made her lips curl uncontrollably. She looked at him and said, "Brother, come here."

"What is it?"

"Just come here."

Long Aotian found her behavior amusing. As her roommate had once said—who’d believe the aloof campus belle could be this clingy?

The moment he leaned down slightly, Lin Wanning rose onto her tiptoes and quickly pressed her lips to his.

Long Aotian stiffened, his mind blanking at the cool, sweet touch against his mouth.

Then, a clumsy but eager tongue slipped past his lips, sending a scorching current through him, leaving him utterly lost.

Lin Wanning kept her eyes tightly shut, too afraid to open them. Every movement was stiff, her arms wrapped around him as if her body had melted into his. She could almost hear the frantic pounding of his heart.

In his original world, Long Aotian had grown up in an orphanage, dropped out at fifteen, and wandered through life’s hardships for over a decade before finally building a home for himself at twenty-eight.

He knew countless lessons, had endured endless struggles—but nothing had prepared him for this.

His brief kiss with Hu Yuying had been tender, filled with a desire to protect and cherish.

But this kiss?

It was fire and hunger.

Long Aotian prided himself on his self-control, yet in this moment, he felt on the verge of losing it entirely.

Their hair tangled against each other’s cheeks. When Lin Wanning finally pulled back and saw his dazed expression, she reached up to brush her stray locks from his face.

Breathing heavily—partly from shyness, partly because he’d stolen her breath—she whispered,

"Brother… you’re the first person I’ve ever liked. The first I’ve ever been this bold with. I want you to know… I’m not some overly traditional, reserved girl."

"Once I’ve set my heart on someone, I don’t resist things like kissing… or holding hands."

Her fair cheeks flushed deeper, as if the next words were too embarrassing to voice. She needed a moment to steady herself.

Lin Wanning gazed earnestly at Long Aotian and said, "If you can truly confirm your feelings for me, Brother... even if you desire that, I’ll gradually learn to accept it..."

[Moon in the sea, flowers in a dream—seeing your support warms my heart. I humbly ask for your encouragement (acting cute)...]