While tidying up, Li Qingxue noticed the courtyard house design plans in Long Aotian's hands.
"Is this the design for the courtyard house?" she asked, eyeing the documents on the table.
"Mm," Long Aotian replied. "Can you understand it?"
"Drop the 'can you,'" Li Qingxue shot him a glare. Looking at the plans, she knew there was no talking him out of this.
Hu Yuying stepped closer to examine the designs as well. Truthfully, she trusted Long Aotian implicitly.
From guiding her in sourcing goods to earn money to sharing insights about future societal trends—everything he said carried foresight.
Long Aotian always had his reasons, so among the three of them, Hu Yuying was quick to be surprised but even quicker to accept things.
Mostly, she was just happy they’d have a rented place now. Once she got her own tools, she could cook for him every day.
It had been so long since she last made him a meal. She wondered if he still liked her cooking.
Long Aotian stood in the courtyard, holding the blueprints as he explained his vision.
"What do you all think?"
Faced with his question, the trio studied the designs, brainstorming ideas based on the courtyard’s layout.
As the saying goes, three heads are better than one.
The plans were refined further. Long Aotian hadn’t just come today to tell Hu Yuying and Li Qingxue they now had a secret base in the capital.
He also wanted to finalize the design based on their input.
After all, this would be his future home—the more detailed, the better.
And the sooner it was settled, the sooner construction could begin.
Noticing Long Aotian had finished his fruit tea, Hu Yuying softly asked, "Long Aotian, where’s the nearest store? I need to buy something."
Long Aotian paused. He hadn’t really paid attention.
"I know. I’ll take you," Lin Wanning offered with a smile.
Meeting her gaze, Hu Yuying nodded lightly. "Okay."
Watching the two walk away, Li Qingxue’s eyes flickered. She turned to Long Aotian.
"You rented this place and even asked for our decorating opinions. Are you plotting something?"
"Yep, you saw right through me," Long Aotian chuckled, texting a contractor.
A blush crept onto Li Qingxue’s cheeks. This guy’s so blunt—not even pretending anymore!
Plotting against me is one thing, but Yuying and Wanning too?
"That’s not a good mindset!" she muttered, biting her lip.
"Why not?" Long Aotian countered, amused.
Li Qingxue pouted. Of course no guy would see anything wrong with it.
Her mind drifted to last week on the boat, when he’d called her pretty.
Hmph. So he’s had designs on me for a while.
The thought sent a flutter through her chest.
But then again—he wasn’t just interested in her. Yuying and Wanning were targets too.
Putting on a stern face, she lectured, "You might be fit now, but that’s just youth. Wait till you’re older—you won’t keep up."
Long Aotian found it hilarious. The contrast between her delicate face and her faux-mature tone was priceless.
Teasing, he flexed his bicep. "Relax, I’m in peak condition."
Li Qingxue’s breath hitched at the sight of his muscles. Peak condition? Would I even handle that? Her face burned anew.
This guy acted so mature and witty at first, but now he’s showing his true colors!
Enough. If he was going all out, so would she.
Steeling herself with two deep breaths, she stepped forward. "Long Aotian, I need to talk."
He turned. "What about?"
Her courage wavered the moment their eyes met.
Okay, maybe she’d overestimated herself.
Standing face-to-face under his gaze, her nerves spiked. She retreated two steps.
In her fluster, her feet tangled—as if her brain had short-circuited.
"Long Aotian!"
"Pfft—HAHAHA!" Her clumsiness sent Long Aotian into laughter.
He caught her by the waist, steadying her. "How do you trip on flat ground?"
Pressed against his arm, she was closer than ever. Even as he mocked her, all she heard was concern.
Her water bottle clattered to the ground.
Long Aotian was still chuckling when he looked up—then froze.
Hu Yuying stood at the gate, stunned. The look on her face twisted something in his chest.
The water she’d just bought slipped from her arms.
Lin Wanning, beside her, felt the shift instantly. Hu Yuying had been chatting cheerfully on their way back, but now—silence.
"What’s wrong?" Long Aotian asked, stepping forward.
Li Qingxue followed, concerned.
Hu Yuying forced a smile. "Just dropped the water. My grip slipped."
"Scared me for nothing." Long Aotian picked up the bottles, ruffling her hair.
The touch unraveled her. With anyone else, she kept her emotions locked tight. But with him, every little thing swayed her.
Long ago, she’d already placed him beside her grandparents—her third closest person.
Handing waters to Li Qingxue and Lin Wanning, she mumbled, "I—I need the bathroom," before hurrying off.
In the alley, Hu Yuying leaned against the wall, staring at the sky with a deep breath.
Maybe it was seeing Long Aotian holding Li Qingxue that made her realize—she cared far more than she’d thought.
He was the sunlight in her heart. Losing that light? She couldn’t bear to imagine it.
host is extracting the Celestial Bone of the Destiny's Female Lead! The Destiny's Great Villain System has successfully bound!] Mo Tianxiao: "Destiny's Great Villain? Me?" Looking at the radiant Celestial Bone in his hand and the beautiful woman lying on the bed, Mo Tianxiao felt somewhat confused. How could he, a law-abiding citizen, become a villain? Mo Tianxiao: "Fine, villain it is then. With the system here, even a Chosen One isn't unbeatable." [Ding! Detected 18,653 Chosen Ones in this world. Please seize the destiny of all protagonists to become the true Destiny's Great Villain!] Mo Tianxiao: "Seize how many?! What kind of lousy great villain is this? I'm a perfectly good citizen!"
grated, and just when he finally managed to get into an elite academy, he discovered that he actually had a system, and the way to earn rewards was extremely ridiculous. So for the sake of rewards, he had no choice but to start acting ridiculous as well. Su Cheng: "It's nothing but system quests after all." But later, what confused Su Cheng was that while he was already quite ridiculous, he never expected those serious characters to gradually become ridiculous too. And the way they looked at him became increasingly strange... (This synopsis doesn't do it justice, please read the full story)
tions: attribute allocation, analysis, proficiency, and simulation. Specializing in mechanical alchemy, from crafting sorcerous battle armor to handcrafting mechanical maidens, his mechanical legion conquers endless realms... Relying on his wits, he begins with a student-teacher romance, wins over a female director, enslaves a female assassin and a underworld queen, becoming the husband of a Grand Duchess... He enslaves the Goddess of Magic from the divine realm, developing his power simultaneously in both the Wizard World and the Realm of Gods...
agon king storylines. At the start, I obtained the "Ultimate Lackey System" - the more I act as a lackey, the stronger I become. What else could I do? I chose to become the personal henchman of the ultimate villain, Su Muwan. I provoke all sorts of chosen ones, snatch away their opportunities, and commit every evil deed imaginable. You ask who's behind me? Hmph! You're not worthy of knowing my lady's name! ...... ....... I am Su Muwan, the eldest daughter of the Su family. Since childhood, I've possessed extraordinary talent in martial arts, which led to my arrogant and domineering personality in my past life. I was even foolish enough to repeatedly challenge those favored by heaven, ultimately resulting in a tragic death. In this life, I must behave and absolutely cannot walk the same path again!! However... SLAP!! "So you're the Dragon King, huh?!" When I saw my little lackey swagger over and viciously slap the Dragon King who was hiding his identity, I felt my heart sink. Su Muwan's suspended heart finally died as she watched Qin Luo, her utterly loyal lackey, standing before her. She fainted on the spot from shock. Heaven is determined to destroy me!! (Pure love 1v1, light-hearted, no angst, single female lead, villain, reincarnation, lackey)
