No matter what Brother Long thinks, that's our business.

"O Heaven, can you hear my call?"

"My devout prayer—let me save them, for I cannot bear to see them deceived."

"O Heaven, if you hear my plea, guide me just once."

Hearing the voice, the three girls froze for a moment, finding it oddly familiar.

They lifted their gazes toward the source and saw a boy with his back turned to them, vigorously shaking his head under the sunlight.

Drops of water flew everywhere as his damp hair whipped wildly.

Then he turned around, running his fingers through his wet locks, slowly tilting his head back while slicking his hair into a sleek, swept-back style.

When they saw his smug face, a flicker of disgust passed through their eyes.

Ye Liangchen’s lips curled into a faint smirk as he spotted Hu Yuying and the others.

He spread his arms wide toward the sky and declared, "O Heaven, have you answered my call?"

As he spoke, his arms gradually folded inward, embracing himself.

"Qingxue, what a coincidence."

After the dramatic gesture, he reopened his eyes, his smile tinged with bitterness, and jogged toward the trio.

With each step, he tossed his hair, basking in the sunlight with an air of theatrical devotion—as if the world itself were his stage, free and unrestrained.

"Ye Liangchen, why are you here?" Li Qingxue demanded, fearing he had stalked them again. The thought alone was terrifying.

If that were the case, she’d call the police immediately.

No matter how long they’d known each other, she couldn’t tolerate being followed.

Ye Liangchen’s eyes filled with hurt. "Qingxue, how could you think that of me?"

"My school is nearby. I just came to take a shower during the break..."

He let out a bitter chuckle. "I never expected to run into you here. It seems Heaven heard my prayers."

His gaze lingered on Li Qingxue before shifting to Hu Yuying, then Lin Wanning.

"I know you all dislike me now, but have you ever wondered—how did I know your names?"

He turned to Hu Yuying first. "Do you remember our first meeting? Do you recall the look in my eyes then?"

Then to Lin Wanning: "And you—remember when I called your name on your first day of school? When I mentioned your childhood in the countryside, even though we’d never met?"

His expression grew heavier with sorrow, his face etched with loneliness.

Hu Yuying had little fondness for the boy who’d once stalked and threatened her.

But now that she thought about it, there was a time when Ye Liangchen had revealed details about her family in the school cafeteria—back when she’d just transferred.

And back then, he’d acted as though he knew her intimately...

Lin Wanning was even more direct. It was true—on her first day, he’d called her by name and mentioned her rural upbringing.

But then he’d tried to touch her leg, so she’d walked away.

Seeing Hu Yuying and Li Qingxue lost in thought, Ye Liangchen’s smile deepened.

"Remember when I said I wanted to save you?"

"That wasn’t a lie. It wasn’t baseless. I truly wanted to redeem you."

His voice dropped, laced with despair. "But you were all deceived. You refused to believe me."

"Just give me a chance to explain, please?"

A single tear slid down his cheek.

The three girls exchanged glances, taken aback by his sudden display of emotion.

Li Qingxue spoke first. "You say you wanted to ‘save’ me, yet you told me to throw my exams, repeat a year with you, even give up college. If that’s your idea of salvation, no thanks. I’m happy with my life."

Hu Yuying added, "You stalked me, threatened me, and badmouthed Long Aotian nonstop. You kept saying my life shouldn’t be this way—but you’re wrong. I love my life now. I don’t need your so-called redemption."

Lin Wanning crossed her arms. "Yeah, I don’t need ‘saving’ from someone who groped my leg the first time we met. Besides, what exactly am I being saved from?"

The one who’d truly helped her wasn’t him. Long Aotian had never flaunted his kindness or made grand claims.

Unlike Ye Liangchen, who never missed a chance to announce his self-proclaimed mission—loud enough for the whole world to hear.

At this thought, a glint of intrigue flashed in Lin Wanning's eyes as she asked with interest, "But there's one thing—can you answer me honestly?"

Initially, Ye Liangchen clutched his chest, his face twisting in pain upon hearing this.

But at Lin Wanning's words, his eyes lit up, and he immediately asked, "What is it?"

"I want to know what kind of 'salvation' you're talking about. Is it truly just salvation, or are you just lusting after us?"

Ye Liangchen hesitated for a moment before replying, "I—I’m only here for salvation, nothing else."

Lin Wanning exchanged glances with the other two girls, and then all three spoke in unison, "Then listen carefully—we’re doing just fine. We don’t need salvation, so please don’t show up in front of us again."

With that, the three turned and walked away.

Ye Liangchen froze for a second before jogging after them, blocking their path.

"No, you must have misunderstood me. What I meant was—it’s fate that sent me to save you. Only I can lead you to the life you truly desire."

"I know this might be hard to accept, but it’s the truth."

His words sped up, "I know you’ve been deceived by Long Aotian’s façade and have some prejudice against me."

"That’s only because you don’t understand what kind of person Long Aotian really is. He’s wicked, while I stand for justice."

"Everything he’s done is just to toy with the three of you. Can’t you see through him?"

He turned to Hu Yuying, "The only reason Long Aotian treats you well is to exploit your kindness so he can force himself on Li Qingxue and Lin Wanning. He’s not a good person!"

"I’ve told you before—Long Aotian is a womanizer. Once he’s done with you, he’ll move on to others. Just look at Li Qingxue and Lin Wanning beside you. Am I wrong?"

"Can you really accept sharing Long Aotian among the three of you?"

"Can’t you see it yet? Wake up!"

Then, with a heartbroken gaze, he turned to Li Qingxue and Lin Wanning, "Long Aotian already has Hu Yuying, yet he still pursues you two. Don’t you see his disgusting intentions?"

"Are you really okay with Long Aotian, who already has Hu Yuying, wanting to take advantage of you with his filthy thoughts?"

At these words, Li Qingxue and Lin Wanning instinctively looked at Hu Yuying.

Hu Yuying’s brows furrowed with anger as she glared coldly at Ye Liangchen, "That’s between the three of us. It’s none of your business. And I won’t let you badmouth Brother Long anymore."

"You don’t understand anything. You’re just projecting your own twisted ideas onto us. What kind of person Brother Long is—we can feel it for ourselves."

"And even if, hypothetically, Brother Long had any intentions, that’s still our business. It has nothing to do with you!"

"Ah—it hurts!" Ye Liangchen staggered back, clutching his chest, his face a mix of disbelief and sorrow as he stared at Hu Yuying. He never imagined she would say something so shameless.