I Want Brother Long to Make a Choice

Watching Long Aotian stand up, Hu Yuying impulsively rose to her feet as well. Barefoot, she stepped in front of him, tiptoed slightly, and gently wrapped her arms around him, closing her eyes as she listened to the rhythm of his heartbeat—as if the entire world had frozen in that moment.

When she embraced him, he could feel the pounding of her heart against his chest, and for that fleeting second, it seemed as though the universe revolved solely around them. Softly patting her back, his voice unconsciously softened into a tender murmur, "What's wrong, silly girl?"

Hu Yuying lifted her gaze to meet his, her eyes slightly reddened, evoking an irresistible pang of protectiveness.

"Long-ge, I know exactly what I'm doing."

"I... I want you to make a choice."

Her expression was resolute, as if trying to contain all her emotions within those vulnerable yet determined eyes.

"Sometimes, I miss you so much it aches. This feeling... it unsettles me."

"I can hear your heartbeat—how it races because of me."

As she spoke, her palm gently pressed against Long Aotian’s chest.

"I don’t know what still lingers between us, but I can see the hesitation in your eyes. And I’m terrified... terrified that you’ll push me away again..."

"So, Long-ge, let your little follower be bold just this once, okay? She’s grown up, changed... she’s not so little anymore."

"My dependence on you isn’t just that of a follower—it’s a woman’s dependence on a man. So if you push me away..."

"If you push me away, I’ll take it as proof that you don’t feel anything for me at all."

"But if you hold me tight—tight, tight, tight—then you’re admitting that you feel something for me too. Because I want to take care of you as well..."

Her voice was barely above a whisper, trembling with emotion, her eyes unwavering yet brimming with fear.

Long Aotian could feel her arms tightening around him, as if she were trying to merge herself into his very being.

Hu Yuying didn’t understand what had come over her. From the moment she saw Long-ge that afternoon, his image had taken root in her mind, impossible to shake off.

The fog clouding her vision had gradually lifted as they worked side by side at the stall, and she had finally seen her own heart clearly.

She had been afraid—afraid that despite sensing Long-ge’s extraordinary kindness toward her, she lacked the courage to act.

She was terrified that he would avoid her again, disappearing for days like before.

But now, more than that fear, she was terrified of losing him for good.

Her usual passive nature had quietly shifted when she realized Qingxue also had feelings for Long-ge.

So she mustered her courage—mustered it all—for this moment...

In that instant, Hu Yuying slowly closed her eyes. When no response came, a self-deprecating smile touched her lips. Of course, why would Long-ge ever like someone like me?

Reluctantly, she loosened her arms. "I understand, Long-ge. I—"

Before she could pull away completely, her wrist was seized, and she was abruptly drawn into a warm embrace.

Long Aotian rested his chin atop her forehead, knowing full well that he should suppress these reckless emotions with cold rationality.

But his body seemed bewitched, moving entirely of its own accord.

He could feel everything Hu Yuying was feeling—her emotions were the most precious gift, a heartaching longing, a hopeful yearning, an unstoppable tide of passion that now burst into dazzling fireworks.

Hu Yuying smiled, rising onto her toes as she looped her arms around his neck.

The tenderness in her gaze seemed to brush against his very soul, sending a violent tremor through his heart. Under the dim glow of the alleyway, the enchanting girl before him was now within reach.

Slowly, ever so slowly, he leaned down, their lips meeting in the lightest touch.

Hu Yuying blinked, her long lashes brushing against his.

Then, as if struck by inspiration, her tongue tentatively sought his.

The sweetness of her overwhelmed him. Long Aotian gazed at the girl who stared back without blinking, then lifted a hand to cover her eyes, deepening the kiss until her already pliant body melted completely against his.

Oblivious to the world, she surrendered, letting him shield her vision as she closed her eyes—as if this were the most natural thing in the world. Thought ceased to exist; she only clung to him, tighter, tighter still...

"Does your foot not hurt anymore?" Long Aotian teased, watching the bashful girl trailing obediently beside him, her cheeks flushed.

Hu Yuying pressed her lips together, but the smile refused to fade as she shook her head emphatically. "Not at all."

The next second, Long Aotian pinched her delicate cheek. "Now you dare lie to Long-ge?"

"Sorry, Long-ge," she murmured. "I... I thought you liked touching feet."

Long Aotian studied her silently before tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Hu Yuying, I gave you a chance. I’m a rough man—not outstanding, not perfect..."

Before he could finish, she seized his hand. "From the very beginning, there was no turning back."

This love had struck like lightning, irreversible from the start.

She clutched his hand tightly, sensing something in his words.

The formidable Long-ge, the mature Long-ge, the seemingly invincible Long-ge—even he harbored moments of self-doubt. He feared he wasn’t good enough, not flawless enough...

So the invisible wall between them had never been about her—it was because he believed she deserved better.

Pushing her away, yet falling for her again and again—it was reason battling emotion.

He had given her time, space to see the wider world, placing all the choices in her hands while he stood silently behind her...

But why would he think this way?

Why would this man, who called himself rough, possess such tender, meticulous care in his heart?

He was the most extraordinary, the most wonderful—so why did he see someone like her as remarkable?

She didn’t know.

Hu Yuying truly didn’t understand. She wasn’t exceptional—every change in her had been inspired by him.

So why, in the eyes of this man, was she—the girl who had been bullied, overlooked, and scorned—so precious?

She didn’t know. Really, she didn’t. He always called her silly, but he was the silly one—so kind, so foolishly selfless...

What she wanted to say was that love wasn’t reserved only for the exceptional and flawless.

Her feelings for Long-ge weren’t the result of calculated pros and cons—they were the inevitable choice after her heart had raced for him.

Seeing the girl staring up at him unblinkingly, Long Aotian chuckled and ruffled her hair.

He knew Hu Yuying well, knew that this was how the little lass would act when she was happy—tilting her small head up, gazing at him without blinking...