The Eating Demon, He's Bad

"No more, no more, Long Aotian, just kill me already—I really can’t eat another bite." Li Qingxue gently rubbed her slightly bloated belly, her delicate nose scrunched up as if she were on the verge of tears.

She had never imagined a day when she’d feel so wronged over something as simple as eating.

This guy was practically a food demon, insisting she keep going...

Seeing this, Long Aotian finally accepted that they were truly full.

With a wave of his hand, he took care of the remaining food in the pot.

Watching the scene, Hu Yuying and Lin Wanning secretly gave Li Qingxue a thumbs-up.

Life in the capital moved at a relentless pace.

Pedestrians hurried past, silent and swift.

The city’s nightscape was undeniably beautiful, and against this backdrop, the diverse crowd added an intangible warmth to the urban sprawl.

"There are still so many people over there," Lin Wanning murmured, eyeing the crowd of aspiring actors lingering near the film academy. "Dreams are such elusive things—you can’t see or touch them, yet countless people chase after them anyway."

Whether by luck or not, a van slowly pulled over, and a person in a baseball cap stepped out.

Too far to hear the conversation, but they could see eager hands shooting up, desperate to be chosen.

Those pointed at beamed with joy.

Those overlooked couldn’t hide their disappointment.

This was the reality of life—which made Long Aotian all the more grateful for his own happiness.

Once, he too had been just another face in the crowd, struggling to get by.

"I’d really love to try being an extra someday," Li Qingxue said softly.

"With your luck? In a period drama, you wouldn’t survive a single episode," Long Aotian teased.

"No way! With my looks and brains, I’d at least make it to the finale!" Li Qingxue protested, refusing to accept his jab.

"If you get the chance, take us with you," she added, tilting her head and blinking playfully at him.

Her lively nature made her endlessly curious about the unknown.

Without realizing it, the trio had already come to rely on Long Aotian as their anchor in this unfamiliar city.

"You two want to go?" Long Aotian turned to Hu Yuying and Lin Wanning.

"I don’t mind," Lin Wanning said.

"Will we get to see celebrities?" Hu Yuying asked.

"Probably?" Long Aotian wasn’t entirely sure. In his past life, he’d done many jobs—but never extra work.

"Definitely!" Li Qingxue declared, hands on her hips.

Noticing her still-rounded belly, Long Aotian flicked it lightly with his finger, as if playing a joke.

"Long Aotian, if you keep teasing me, I swear I’ll fight you!"

First, he stuffed her full—now he was poking her belly? Unforgivable!

Li Qingxue lunged to pinch him, but Long Aotian dodged effortlessly.

Frustrated and still full, she whined, "Yuying, look at him!"

Hu Yuying shot Long Aotian an amused glance before gently taking Li Qingxue’s hand. "Don’t mind him. He’s just being mean."

Li Qingxue huffed, miming another pinch at Long Aotian, then suddenly noticed neither Hu Yuying nor Lin Wanning had bloated stomachs.

"Why don’t your bellies stick out?"

Hu Yuying had a slender waist and a modest appetite, so hers wasn’t noticeable.

Lin Wanning, also naturally slim, could easily hide hers with a slight tuck.

But Li Qingxue—her figure was soft and curvaceous, not fat by any means. In fact, among the three, her proportions were the most balanced.

Plush, supple—not too much, not too little. Just right.

Realizing she was the only one with a visible tummy, Li Qingxe quickly turned away, took a deep breath, and checked again—now flat. Satisfied, she spun back.

"Exhausting, isn’t it?" Long Aotian chuckled.

"You don’t get it. For beauty, I’d do this all day," Li Qingxue sniffed, proud of her effort.

"Impressive," Long Aotian admitted, giving a thumbs-up. "But wouldn’t it be nicer to just relax?"

"Of course relaxing is nice," Li Qingxue said, eyeing the others’ flat stomachs wistfully. "But I want to look pretty too."

"Don’t worry about others’ opinions. Li Qingxue is beautiful just as she is."

"Be at ease. Your natural self is the most radiant."

Long Aotian smiled, remembering how she’d once confided in him about feeling insecure. Back then, he hadn’t had time to comfort her—so now, he seized the moment.

At this age, it wasn’t just girls. Even boys fell into silent competition, hiding flaws to appear flawless.

Like Li Qingxue’s earlier words: "It’s uncomfortable, but it’s pretty. For beauty, I’d endure it all day."

He couldn’t say she was wrong—if it mattered to her, it was valid.

But he wanted her to know: life would always have critics. No one escaped that.

Yet she must never join them in bullying herself.

"From birth, we’re adorable as babies, mischievous as kids, then lovely, graceful, elegant—until finally, age takes its course."

"Each stage offers something unique. We can’t stop time, so why obsess over others’ judgments? That only robs you of your own perfection."

Long Aotian placed a hand on her shoulder. "What I’m saying is: be strong. Be your best—not someone else’s version of you."

"There’s a saying: ‘You can’t please everyone, and no one can please you completely.’"

"No life is perfect. The poor have their struggles; the rich have theirs. Everyone’s life is messy in its own way."

"But that’s no reason not to be happy. So, Miss Li Qingxue—smile, okay?"

Hu Yuying and Lin Wanning nodded in agreement.

Sometimes, they envied Li Qingxue’s spirit—her laughter made the world seem brighter.

And her figure? Truly enviable. They’d seen it—they knew.

While she sought change, countless others secretly wished they had what she did.

Li Qingxue’s lips parted in a tiny, proud smirk. "Say all that again."

Long Aotian feigned annoyance, raising a finger as if to flick her forehead, but instead said, "So now, Miss Li Qingxue, can you let go of your restraints and allow yourself to be happy?"

"Alright then." Li Qingxue's heart swelled with warmth, and she no longer held in her stomach, releasing the tension with a sigh. Instantly, her entire body felt lighter.

Not being hard on herself—that was why she felt so free.

No matter how much time passed, she still loved hearing Long Aotian’s words of encouragement. It was like lying by the bay back then, surrounded by sunlight, lush grass, flowing water, and the ever-present caress of the breeze...

[I’ll do my best to update more frequently—it’s too cruel otherwise, especially with such generous support from the "Gift King" and all the other wonderful patrons who’ve sent gifts and powered up the story. Truly, thank you all. With the Spring Festival approaching, I wish everyone peace, prosperity, and good fortune.]