Fool, Let Go Quickly

"Why are you guys here?"

"Bro, we came to show you something," Lin Wanning said with a smile.

"What could possibly... cough... what is it?" Long Aotian had been about to say, "What could possibly be more interesting than watching cranes do high-altitude work?"

But seeing the two girls grinning at him, he quickly changed his tone.

Why "two girls"? Because Long Aotian noticed that Li Qingxue seemed unusually aloof today. Since they knew each other so well, such shifts in mood were easy to pick up on.

Li Qingxue also sensed Long Aotian’s gaze and turned her head away slightly, feeling a bit self-conscious.

The human mind is a product with patterns that are incredibly hard to decipher.

It can change in an instant—whether due to external factors or one’s own mood.

Li Qingxue was in such a phase right now.

She could feel Long Aotian’s instinctive concern for her, as well as Hu Yuying’s trust and friendliness.

So she was conflicted. Yet human emotions are complex, often tangled in endless dilemmas until everything becomes a mess.

Sometimes, Li Qingxue wished Long Aotian wouldn’t treat her so well.

"What’s wrong? You don’t seem in high spirits today. Did you hit early menopause or something?"

At that, Li Qingxue narrowed her beautiful eyes. "Long! Ao! Tian! You’re the one hitting early menopause! I’m only eighteen, okay? The prime of my youth!"

Long Aotian chuckled. "Alright, alright, you’re as fresh as a flower."

Li Qingxue rolled her eyes at him but suddenly realized that the turmoil in her heart had vanished in those few short exchanges.

Yes, completely vanished.

Truthfully, there wasn’t that much melancholy to begin with. Overthinking and excessive worry complicate emotions, while letting go brings clarity.

A simple truth, yet one people often overlook.

Long Aotian glanced at Li Qingxue. The shift in her mood was obvious—she wasn’t the type to hide her feelings.

Then again, someone who loved sharing joy and happiness would naturally wear her heart on her sleeve.

"Looks like someone’s in a bad mood. Come on, let’s go get something tasty."

"I’m not a glutton!"

"I didn’t say it was you. You just outed yourself."

"I’m going to strangle you..."

Within seconds, Li Qingxue was caught between annoyance and laughter—fake annoyance, but genuine laughter.

Still, she didn’t let Long Aotian take them out to eat.

He’d just rented a place and foolishly spent money on renovations—how much could he really have left?

First, they showed him the video the three of them had filmed and explained their plan.

Long Aotian immediately gave them a thumbs-up.

"So now we’re recruiting you to take photos for us," Li Qingxue said, feeling a little smug when she saw his approval. After all, the idea had been hers.

Long Aotian’s endorsement was an endorsement of her—why wouldn’t she be happy?

"You’ve come to the right person."

Seeing his confidence, the three girls felt reassured.

In his original world, Long Aotian’s happiest moment each day was lying in bed scrolling through short videos.

Hoof trimming, carpet cleaning, and—most importantly—diverse photography techniques.

He wasn’t a pro, but he could definitely fake it till he made it.

Pulling out his phone, he said, "Let me warm up first."

The girls naturally played along.

"Wait, Long Aotian, will this angle actually take a good photo?" Li Qingxue looked down at him, full of doubt.

She took pictures often, but never like this—something felt off.

"Of course! Don’t you trust my skills?" Long Aotian pressed his lips together tightly. "When I count to three, all of you look down at the camera, got it?"

Seeing how serious he was, the three nodded in understanding.

"One, two, three!"

"Pfft—" Long Aotian burst out laughing but quickly schooled his expression.

Then he stood up. Even with his height advantage, he rose onto his tiptoes, angling the camera diagonally from above.

At that moment, even Lin Wanning and Hu Yuying couldn’t help wondering—would a top-down shot like this really turn out well?

Years later, the three would learn a new term for it: the unflattering angle.

"Long Aotian, were you laughing just now?" Li Qingxue asked suspiciously.

"Bro, why do you suddenly seem so weird?"

Long Aotian waved a hand. "It’s nothing. I just thought of something funny."

"Liar. I saw you smirking, then you stopped when you noticed me looking," Hu Yuying murmured. Even the most obedient of them could tell something was up with Long Aotian’s behavior today.

Li Qingxue shot a glance at Hu Yuying. Oh no, if even Hu Yuying thinks it’s weird, then it’s definitely weird!

"Long Aotian, let me see the photo."

Normally, this wouldn’t be an unreasonable request.

But Long Aotian solemnly slipped his phone into his pocket. "Alright, warm-up’s over. Let’s start shooting for real now."

"Long Aotian, are you trying to distract us?" Hu Yuying ventured. Today, his mischievous streak was off the charts.

Her words struck a chord.

Lin Wanning also turned to him. "I thought it was strange earlier—why did you laugh after counting to three? Care to explain?"

Long Aotian waved impatiently. "I’m helping you out of kindness, and this is the thanks I get? Honestly, I’m hurt... hiss—"

He sucked in a sharp breath as Li Qingxue reached into his pocket. "What are you doing? Let go, you dummy!"

Li Qingxue froze, then yanked her hand back, stumbling half a step away in shock, her eyes wide with disbelief.

"Got it."

Lin Wanning had already stealthily retrieved his phone.

Her voice eased the awkward tension between Long Aotian and Li Qingxue.

Head lowered, Li Qingxue clutched the hem of her clothes, not daring to look at Long Aotian as she hurried over to Lin Wanning and Hu Yuying.

With the three girls now fixated on the phone, Long Aotian finally lost his composure, doubling over with stifled laughter, his expression priceless.

When they saw the photo, their smiles first stiffened, then faded, before all three turned to glare at Long Aotian...

[Guess what Qingxue grabbed.]

[Power stones, please~ Love you all.]