Brother or Lover

Looking at Hu Yuying like this, Li Qingxue smiled.

She wasn’t laughing because she could finally pursue Long Aotian without affecting their friendship.

She was laughing because she finally understood why Long Aotian would always shower Hu Yuying with all his affection.

Because, well, Hu Yuying truly deserved it.

Turns out, when you genuinely want to be good to someone, you don’t expect anything in return.

"Yuying, we’ll be best friends forever, right?" Li Qingxue gently hugged Hu Yuying and asked softly.

"We will. We’ll definitely be best friends forever." At this moment, Hu Yuying could sense Li Qingxue’s emotions—nothing more, nothing less, just eternal friendship.

Suddenly, Hu Yuying’s delicate frame trembled slightly, her cheeks flushing as she whispered, "Qingxue, could you move your hand off my butt? We’re still outside."

"No way, no way. You’re so soft, it feels so nice to hold."

"Then I’ll grab you too."

"Mm~" Li Qingxue shivered for a moment. "Yuying, if only you were a guy, I’d marry you in a heartbeat."

Hu Yuying found it amusing. She looked up at the sky—if she were a guy, would anyone really like such a timid version of herself?

It was Long Aotian who changed her. If she hadn’t met him, how unfortunate her life would have been.

Long Aotian was wonderful, the best in the world, which was why she wholeheartedly wished for his happiness.

That was her way of respecting him.

She patted Li Qingxue’s back lightly.

At first, when she learned that Li Qingxue had feelings for Long Aotian, she had panicked.

But now, she could say these words to Li Qingxue with ease.

Because Long Aotian’s heart had told her—it had once raced wildly for her too.

That was enough. No matter the outcome, at least it had beaten for her once.

Three days later, the first long break of university arrived.

That afternoon, Li Qingxue went to a café outside campus.

"Over here." Lin Wanning raised her hand to signal when she saw Li Qingxue enter.

Spotting Lin Wanning, Li Qingxue chuckled and walked over with light steps.

Lin Wanning rested her chin on one hand, her eyes smiling as she observed Li Qingxue. Compared to their last meeting, Li Qingxue had changed noticeably.

It was hard to describe, but there was a shift—something in her demeanor.

"You’ve changed a lot these days," Lin Wanning remarked softly.

Li Qingxue nodded without hiding it. Of course she had changed.

When facing Long Aotian, her heart would sway.

When facing Hu Yuying, she’d feel guilt.

But after that afternoon talk with Hu Yuying, all of it vanished.

Her heart felt clear, and naturally, she seemed different.

"Qingxue, do you like Long Aotian too?" Seeing her nod, Lin Wanning cut straight to the point.

Her personality disliked beating around the bush, and since she considered Li Qingxue a friend, she asked directly.

"Yes, I do. How could anyone not like a guy like him?"

Li Qingxue’s bluntness surprised Lin Wanning, who then laughed. "I knew it."

"Right? After getting to know him, it’s impossible not to develop feelings."

Li Qingxue looked at Lin Wanning in surprise. "Wait, do you...?"

"Mm. That’s why I wanted to meet you."

From Long Aotian’s stories, Hu Yuying was his first friend. They had supported and saved each other, their bond far deeper than what others shared.

Both Hu Yuying and Li Qingxue were her friends, and she didn’t want to see any rift between them.

So she had come today to talk things out with Li Qingxue.

Why Li Qingxue and not Hu Yuying? Because Hu Yuying was the most important person to Long Aotian.

Lin Wanning could see that clearly.

But today, it seemed she had worried for nothing. Li Qingxue was in good spirits, and that strange mood from before no longer weighed on her.

During their chat, Li Qingxue recounted everything she and Hu Yuying had talked about that afternoon.

After hearing it, Lin Wanning smiled faintly. "Hu Yuying really is amazing. No wonder my brother said she’s someone very important to him."

"Really? What did Long Aotian say?" Li Qingxue was curious.

"Before, I asked him if he had a girlfriend. He said no, but there was someone in his heart who meant a lot to him."

"Though he didn’t name her, I could tell—he was talking about Hu Yuying."

Li Qingxue took a sip of coffee and asked tentatively, "But knowing he already has someone so important in his heart, how could you still fall for him?"

There was no answer to that—at least, not one Lin Wanning could give yet.

Just like why Li Qingxue had fallen for Long Aotian in the first place.

Seeing Lin Wanning shake her head, Li Qingxue pressed on in a hushed voice, "So what do you plan to do?" Pure curiosity—Li Qingxue loved gossip.

"What do I plan to do? It’s simple. Being with Long Aotian makes me happy. He gives me this indescribable sense of security."

"If we become a couple, I’d cherish him. If not, he’ll still be my brother—forever."

Li Qingxue narrowed her eyes and leaned forward. "Brother, or lover brother?"

Lin Wanning hadn’t expected such a question. Instantly, a blush spread across her fair cheeks.

Her mind flashed back to when she had kissed him. Li Qingxue wasn’t wrong—kissing was something magical.

A girl’s first kiss, given to someone she liked, was unforgettable. People said the impact of a first love was profound, and it was true.

Meeting someone special at the best age was beautiful. Even years later, the memory could still make your heart flutter.

"Don’t lie to me. I’m basically a human lie detector."

At that, Lin Wanning lowered her gaze and murmured, almost inaudibly, "If my brother wants me... I’ll give myself to him."

"Wow!" Li Qingxue stared at her in disbelief. "So the colder they seem on the outside, the hotter they burn inside. That saying’s spot on."

Truthfully, the fact that Lin Wanning could share her true feelings told Li Qingxue one thing: compared to her, Hu Yuying held a far more significant place in Long Aotian’s heart.

That was why Lin Wanning could speak so openly.

Did it hurt? No.

Like Lin Wanning said, being together would be great—but if not, staying friends was fine too.

Just as Hu Yuying had put it: all she wanted was for him to be happy. That was enough.

Lin Wanning looked at Li Qingxue. "What about you?"

Li Qingxue wrinkled her nose. "Not telling."

"I already told you, but you're still keeping secrets. That's not fair." Lin Wanning reached out to tickle Li Qingxue.

Li Qingxue quickly shielded herself. "I'm not ticklish, you know."

The next second, her body trembled. "No—not there! You'll ruin it..."

"Then tell me, or I'll keep going."

Li Qingxue's cheeks flushed pink, her gaze turning hazy as she murmured, "If it's Long Aotian... then I suppose it's alright..."