Has Your Heart Ever Beaten for Me, Even Just Once

Facing Lin Wanning, who was visibly overwhelmed with shyness before him, Long Aotian suddenly felt an indescribable emotion surge in his heart.

He never could have imagined that his "little sister" would turn out to be... well, this kind of sister.

Before Long Aotian could say anything, Lin Wanning spoke again, "I know this might feel too sudden for you, Brother. But in the time we’ve spent together, I’ve come to understand the kind of person you are."

As she said this, Lin Wanning mustered her courage and lifted her head. Though her face was flushed with embarrassment, she still raised her eyes, letting her bashful expression fully imprint itself in Long Aotian’s gaze.

"Brother, you’re a really, really good person. It seems like you’ve never been in a relationship before, and neither have I. This time, taking the initiative has used up every ounce of courage I have in this lifetime."

"If... if you feel even the slightest bit of affection for me, Brother, could you try being in a relationship with me?"

"I’m not forcing you to make a choice. Falling for someone is, at its core, a beautiful thing. I just want to mark you as mine first. If you don’t have someone you like already, I’m not a bad option, right?"

Looking at the womanly yet vulnerable Lin Wanning before him, Long Aotian’s mind was in chaos. In this world, no two people could ever truly understand each other completely.

When he first saw Hu Yuying, he felt like he understood her—because they had shared similar experiences. But now, as he gazed at Lin Wanning, for a fleeting moment, he thought he might understand her too.

Because of her bravery. Because of her honesty.

A girl—a beautiful girl who surely never lacked suitors—had laid her heart bare before him with such directness...

She wanted him to see her feelings, and so he felt them.

"Brother, you don’t need to feel uneasy. We haven’t known each other for long, and maybe you don’t fully understand me yet. But one day, little by little, you will, won’t you?"

"I just don’t want to miss this chance. I don’t want to pressure you. Look at you now—you seem like I’ve scared you. I’m not some kind of monster."

Lin Wanning let out a soft laugh. These were all her true thoughts. In life, a person meets countless others, but among them all, finding someone you truly like is rare.

She was certain of her own heart, and she could also sense the difference in how Hu Yuying and Li Qingxue treated Long Aotian.

So, Lin Wanning wanted to be brave, just this once. Like she said, there was nothing wrong with falling for someone. In fact, it was something beautiful at its core.

And if it was beautiful, why shouldn’t she pursue it boldly?

Lin Wanning left. Watching her retreating figure, Long Aotian sat on the curb, his mind unable to settle for a long time.

The faint fragrance unique to Lin Wanning still lingered on his lips.

At the same time, Long Aotian found himself amused. Compared to Lin Wanning, he was the coward here.

Always hiding behind the excuse of being an 18-year-old with a 28-year-old’s soul, treating them like children.

If he had been truly 18, how would he have felt if a girl confessed to him like this?

He didn’t know. At 18, no girl had ever confessed to him, so he had no reference.

But it definitely wouldn’t have been like this.

To put it bluntly—he was just chickening out.

He remembered Lin Wanning covering her mouth as she laughed, her eyes curving into crescents. He remembered the striking red teardrop mole at the corner of her eye. And he remembered her last words before she left:

"Brother, if you don’t know the answer, just ask your heart—has it ever skipped a beat because of me?"

"Before I met you, my heart was calm. I wasn’t someone who showed my emotions easily. But after meeting you, my heart has raced for you more than once..."

Raising a hand, he pressed it lightly against his chest, where his heart thumped erratically.

"It’s beating so fast."

He sat there, quietly listening to the rhythm of his own heartbeat.

This wasn’t the first time it had raced like this...

Suddenly, his phone rang.

The abrupt sound snapped him out of his thoughts, leaving him momentarily disoriented.

Pulling out his phone, he glanced at the caller ID—Cui Yong—and answered.

On the other end, Cui Yong’s voice was brimming with excitement. "I’ve got the details on the property ownership, but let’s discuss the price in person, yeah?"

"How much?" Long Aotian cut straight to the point. The courtyard house’s location and size had both impressed him.

"2.8 million."

Long Aotian thought for a moment. "2.6 million."

"That price is a bit..."

Before Cui Yong could finish, Long Aotian interjected, "You handle the negotiations. If we can settle this, I might need you to help me scout a few more properties later."

Hearing this, Cui Yong’s hesitation vanished instantly. His tone shifted, and he practically pounded his chest as he replied, "Got it, got it! Don’t worry, I’ll get right on it. Just wait for my call, brother!"

"Alright. I’ll wait."

Long Aotian wasn’t worried about Cui Yong’s ability to close the deal.

Everyone loved money—himself included. And when personal profit was on the line, he knew Cui Yong would be even more eager than him to get it done.

That was just human nature.

Besides, courtyard houses weren’t as valuable now as they would be next year, after the Olympics. Once the event ended, property prices in the capital would skyrocket, and the value of these traditional homes would become immeasurable.

Initially, Long Aotian had planned to look for smaller courtyard houses—ones priced around 500,000 to 600,000.

They were easier to renovate and flip for ten or even a hundred times the investment.

But the one he saw today, though not originally part of his plan, had won him over completely.

After hanging up, Long Aotian stood and dusted himself off before heading toward the subway.

Sitting on a bench inside, he scrolled through his social media feed.

The latest post was from Lin Wanning:

"Finally took a leap of courage. What I want to say is—I’ll take my time letting you get to know me. I won’t cross any lines..."

Simple words, but Long Aotian could sense her determination, bravery, and a hint of joy in them.

Or maybe that was just his interpretation.

"Little fool," he muttered, liking the post and leaving a comment.

Almost instantly, Lin Wanning replied with a sticker.

As he browsed through the amusing updates, Long Aotian finally understood why Li Qingxue was so addicted to scrolling through social media.