Brother Long, My Foot Hurts

This room was specially cleared out by Long Aotian, and it was kept very tidy. Inside, there was a simple folding bed, along with the pots, pans, and kitchenware he had bought earlier.

As he stepped into the room, the three girls handed him a shopping bag.

Glancing at the clothes inside, Long Aotian smiled. "You didn’t have to bring anything, really. I’m a little embarrassed."

Seeing the genuine happiness on his face, the three girls resisted the urge to tease him.

He was so delighted that his eyes nearly disappeared into crescents.

"Brother, why don’t you try them on first?" Lin Wanning was eager to see if the clothes she had picked would fit him well, so the three of them left the room.

Before long, Long Aotian stepped out.

He wore jeans, a light-colored inner layer, and a black jacket. His damp hair had gotten slightly messy while changing, and the loose collar of his inner shirt tilted to one side, revealing his left collarbone—giving off a rebellious yet irresistibly sexy vibe, as if defying convention.

"They fit perfectly. I really like them." His warm smile radiated sunshine, and it was clear his appreciation was sincere.

Hu Yuying stole a glance at him, unconsciously biting her lower lip before stepping forward to gently adjust his inner shirt.

Her movements were tender, as if this was something she was meant to do.

But the moment their eyes met, she quickly turned away, flustered. The awkwardness from earlier seemed to linger, and she didn’t want Long Aotian to see her blushing face.

Li Qingxue and Lin Wanning couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight. There was something amusing about Hu Yuying’s shy demeanor.

They were also a little curious—normally, Hu Yuying wasn’t this easily embarrassed. What was different today?

Could it be because of what Ye Liangchen had said before?

It was kind of funny, really. Back then, Hu Yuying had shielded them and declared, "That’s a matter between the three of us. It’s none of your business." It almost felt like a scene from ancient times, where the first wife protected the second and third wives.

Long Aotian knew Hu Yuying too well. To keep her from getting too flustered, he suggested, "How about we cook at home later?"

The three girls agreed immediately.

Eating at home just felt different from dining out—more intimate, more comforting.

"I’ll go buy some ingredients," Long Aotian said, heading for the door. At the corner, he paused without turning back. "Hu Yuying, come with me."

Caught off guard, Hu Yuying blinked before quickly responding.

"Hurry up, or I’ll smack you!"

"O-okay!" She glanced at Li Qingxue and Lin Wanning. "Any requests for what we should cook?"

"Anything’s fine."

"Better hurry, or your Long Aotian might really smack you," Li Qingxue teased.

Hu Yuying’s cheeks flushed pink, and she defended him in a small voice, "Long Aotian wouldn’t do that."

With that, she jogged after him, trailing behind like the timid little follower she had always been.

Long Aotian walked ahead, while Hu Yuying followed like a tiny shadow.

Stealing a glance at his back, she pressed her lips together to suppress a smile. She loved following him the most.

They passed through several streets until they reached a small bridge. Below, a stream flowed gently, its soothing murmur easing the mind.

Suddenly, Long Aotian stopped in his tracks. Hu Yuying, lost in her thoughts, didn’t react in time and bumped into his back.

Rubbing her forehead, she looked up at him in confusion.

Long Aotian sighed. "You’re always so absent-minded."

Hu Yuying stopped rubbing her head and grinned up at him. "I’m not that absent-minded!"

"Hopeless. Remember this bridge—the market is just past it." He ruffled her hair, unsure what to do with her.

She used to be obedient out of fear, but now she wasn’t afraid of him at all.

As his fingers combed through her long hair, she leaned into his touch, savoring every stroke.

When he finally withdrew his hand, Hu Yuying slowly opened her slightly dazed eyes and gazed up at him greedily.

"Long Aotian," she murmured softly, "my feet hurt."

"What’s wrong?" He looked down at her.

"My shoes might not fit well. We’ve been walking a lot today, and they’re rubbing."

Her eyes flickered away nervously as she spoke in a voice barely louder than a whisper. "Could you… take a look for me?"

Without waiting for an answer, she sat down obediently on the edge of the bridge, as if declaring she wouldn’t move unless he helped.

Truthfully, Long Aotian had known her for years, but this was the first time he’d seen her act so willful. Too afraid of rejection to meet his eyes, she simply sat there, waiting.

Amused, he crouched beside her.

Seeing him lower himself, Hu Yuying shifted slightly and tentatively stretched her foot toward him.

I changed into fresh socks today, and I took a shower… There shouldn’t be any smell…

Lost in her thoughts, she suddenly felt his large hand wrap around her ankle. Even though she’d braced herself, her body trembled slightly at the contact.

When her sock was peeled off, exposing her bare foot to the air, she inhaled sharply.

Nervousness made the delicate lines of her collarbone stand out, tracing an elegant curve—like the flawless brushstrokes of an ancient painting, exuding an Eastern grace that was both reserved and enchanting.

She peeked at Long Aotian, who was studying her foot.

Biting her lip, she clutched the hem of her clothes tightly, then gently lifted her foot and placed it in his palm.

Her entire body was tense, her breath held.

Long Aotian felt the warmth and softness of her foot against his skin, along with the faint tremors of her nervousness.

Her slender ankle, rosy toes, and the delicate arch formed a perfect curve.

When his grip tightened slightly, applying gentle pressure, Hu Yuying leaned forward with a quiet whimper.

Since she’d grown up, he was the only man who had ever touched her like this—making her overly sensitive, her body reacting instinctively.

The next second, the warmth around her foot vanished.

She looked up at him, confused.

Long Aotian took a deep breath, suddenly at a loss. "Your foot’s fine. I’ll take you to buy new shoes later…"