You must have been very sad at that time.

The next morning.

Long Aotian woke up early. Today was the day the workers would start their shift, and he needed to check on them.

"Old Ao, where are you off to so early?" Huang Fei mumbled, barely opening his eyes. He had drunk a little the night before and really didn’t feel like getting up now.

"Got some things to take care of. Heading out."

"You’re such a busy man... I can’t do it. I’m going back to sleep..." Huang Fei turned over and drifted off again.

Stepping out of the dormitory, Long Aotian found the air in Capital City far from pleasant, even in the early hours. It was nothing compared to Haiwan City, he thought.

Before long, Long Aotian arrived at the courtyard compound.

After a quick phone call, he soon met up with the project manager.

During their discussion, over sixty workers began their tasks for the day.

......

Hu Yuying had always been an early riser.

It was a habit ingrained in her over the years—she simply couldn’t sleep in, always waking up at the same time no matter what.

She got up, dressed, washed her face, and sent a message to Li Qingxue. Waiting briefly in the hallway, she received no reply.

Tilting her head, she gazed at the sky through the glass above—still as breathtaking as ever.

"The weather’s so nice today."

She made her way toward the campus gates.

Pausing outside a breakfast shop, she hesitated for a moment, taking a deep breath as if steeling herself.

Then she stepped inside.

Moments later, Hu Yuying dashed back out, her face lit up with a radiant smile.

Not long after, she returned, slightly out of breath.

"Thank you, thank you!"

The elderly couple running the shop beamed at the sight of such a lovely, polite girl, waving her off warmly.

Leaving the shop, Hu Yuying scanned a shared bike and pedaled toward the nearest subway station.

She was in a hurry—her heart raced the entire way, tense and urgent, as if every second mattered.

The subway doors had barely opened when she darted out.

On the sidewalk, passersby turned to watch the sprinting girl.

But this time, Hu Yuying didn’t care about their gazes. The eager smile on her face never faded. She was like a streak of rainbow, leaving behind a trail of vibrant colors in her wake.

Her determination had finally freed her from the fear of others’ eyes.

Because Long Aotian had once told her: No one knows you, so why be shy? Strangers pass by and forget you in an instant. Those who truly care will love you no matter what.

Everyone moved in the same direction, like silent hands of a clock, along this endless road—until, at last, she found him.

At the mouth of an alley, Long Aotian seemed to sense something. He turned, then relaxed entirely, shaking his head with an exasperated but fond smile.

This was the fourth time.

The fourth time he’d seen her running toward him without hesitation, without holding anything back.

"Long-ge."

Seeing him look her way, Hu Yuying’s smile brightened even more as she called out cheerfully.

Slowing to a stop in front of him, she carefully presented what she had been cradling in her arms.

"You silly girl." Long Aotian looked at what she held, then ruffled her hair roughly.

She didn’t mind the mess—she loved it when Long-ge pampered her like this.

"Long-ge, have some congee."

Those four words were like an invisible blade—painless, yet carving deep into his heart.

Sometimes, Long Aotian wondered if he was just too sentimental for his age.

After all, he’d heard this same phrase countless times back in Haiwan City.

But here in Capital City, in this moment, it felt like a dagger made of honey—sweetness flooding his chest.

So sweet, yet never cloying.

......

Sitting on a green-painted step, he peeled open the disposable lid. Steam rose, carrying a rich aroma.

It was lean meat congee.

Hu Yuying watched him with sparkling eyes. "Try it, Long-ge."

He took a big bite. It was delicious—just like the ones back in Haiwan City.

Seeing the way Long-ge ate, especially when it was something she’d made, filled Hu Yuying with irrepressible joy. "Is it good?"

"Very good. You... haven’t eaten yet, have you?" Long Aotian guessed. The congee was still piping hot, clearly freshly made, and given how she’d sprinted here, he had a hunch.

"I’m not hungry." Before meeting Long-ge, she’d rarely eaten breakfast. Years of habit had made it second nature. It was only after meeting him that she’d started sharing meals with him.

"Have some." Long Aotian handed her the container, still more than half-full.

Hu Yuying shook her head rapidly. "I’m really not hungry, Long-ge. You eat it."

"Hmm? Not listening? Want me to scold you?"

"Come on!"

He pressed the congee into her hands. "Eat."

Looking down at it, Hu Yuying took a small sip, then lifted her gaze to meet his. The moment their eyes locked, she broke into a silly, happy grin, clutching the congee like a treasure.

Her smile was beautiful—gentle as lingering spring rain, intoxicating and tender, tickling the heart.

"You..." Long Aotian couldn’t help but pinch the tip of her nose lightly. She was just too adorable.

......

From a distance, someone froze mid-step. The hands holding a bag of steamed buns and soy milk tightened slowly.

A long, long moment later, the grip loosened.

She didn’t go any closer. Instead, she retreated into the shadows of another alley.

A hand pressed lightly against her chest.

Her heart was calm. Strangely, unnervingly calm.

Li Qingxue stared blankly. Though physically close, the scene before her felt worlds away.

Even from this distance, she could see how brightly Hu Yuying was smiling—a side of her that seemed to appear only around Long Aotian.

And Long Aotian? He watched her with undivided affection, his gaze holding no room for anyone else in that moment.

Witnessing this...

For some reason, Li Qingxue felt a strange sense of release.

Not quite acceptance, but something indescribable.

Her heart was at peace, yet there was an odd discomfort—though seeing Hu Yuying so happy also made her happy for them.

Yes. Happy.

Her mind drifted back to that night when Hu Yuying had stopped her and asked:

"Qingxue... what if I like Long-ge too?"

She couldn’t remember the expression on Hu Yuying’s face that night.

"Silly Yuying... were you hurting back then?"

"You must have been. I was right beside you, saying those things, and I didn’t even notice how much pain you were in..."