You've Corrupted Me

Lin Wanning’s gaze often lingered on Long Aotian.

Though these words were spoken for Li Qingxue’s ears, there was always a sincerity in them—a genuine desire for Li Qingxue’s well-being, without expecting anything in return.

Sometimes, Lin Wanning truly wished her brother would say such things to her too.

At least it would prove she held some small importance in his heart.

“What’s on your mind?” Long Aotian turned and noticed Lin Wanning staring at him absently, so he asked with a smile.

Lin Wanning shook her head. “Nothing. I just think what you said was really nice.”

Long Aotian glanced at Li Qingxue, who was striding ahead. “Qingxue is a good person, though she sometimes gets stuck in her own head.”

“I actually think her temper is a lot like yours,” Lin Wanning murmured softly.

“Ah, yeah, that girl’s just as stubborn.”

“It’s not stubbornness—it’s sensitivity. She’s sensitive, just like you.”

This reminded Long Aotian of how Li Qingxue had once teared up, thinking he’d been wronged.

Wasn’t that the very definition of sensitivity?

“Wanning, hurry up!” Li Qingxue called from a short distance away.

Her smile was breathtaking...

“Coming.” Lin Wanning cast one last deep look at Long Aotian before quickening her steps toward Hu Yuying and Li Qingxue.

Hand in hand, the three of them strolled beneath the streetlights, bathed in the night’s embrace.

Long Aotian took out his phone and snapped a photo of their retreating figures.

The shutter sound cut sharply through the quiet night.

Hearing it, the three turned in unison to look back at him.

“Long Aotian, were you secretly taking pictures of us?” Li Qingxue, already in high spirits from being addressed as “Miss Li Qingxue,” was now the happiest version of herself.

Lin Wanning watched as Long Aotian raised his phone, her slender fingers forming a “V” beside Li Qingxue’s cheek.

Hu Yuying stayed silent, her eyes curved into a teasing, alluring gaze as she stared intently at her Long-ge.

After the photo was taken, the trio gathered around Long Aotian again, clamoring for him to send them the picture.

Aside from the occasional unflattering shots he took of them, Long Aotian’s photography skills were actually quite good.

“Long-ge, can we take one together too?” Hu Yuying asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

As if afraid he might refuse, she lowered her lashes and gently tugged at his pinky finger.

No man could withstand such a test.

In that moment—at least for that moment—Long Aotian was utterly helpless.

He could never bring himself to refuse his little follower. Never.

Placing his phone on a nearby planter at a 45-degree angle, he set the timer before turning to the three. “Get in position first.”

They obediently lined up.

Compared to Hu Yuying, Li Qingxue and Lin Wanning seemed visibly nervous—this was, after all, their first proper photo with Long Aotian.

“Ready?” Long Aotian asked with a smile.

“Ready!” they chorused.

As their voices faded, Long Aotian tapped the shutter and dashed toward them.

Watching him run toward her, Hu Yuying’s lips curved into a tender smile, her beautiful eyes reflecting only his approaching figure.

For Li Qingxue and Lin Wanning, their nervousness melted away the moment Long Aotian moved. There was a sense of security in his presence—knowing he would always protect them.

Once he reached them, Long Aotian turned toward the phone, lifting a hand to rest it gently atop Hu Yuying’s head.

Instinctively, she raised her own hand, covering his.

Click!

As the shutter closed, Li Qingxue and Lin Wanning hurried over to check the result.

Long Aotian, however, glanced down at Hu Yuying, his lips quirking into a smile, his entire expression softening.

A light breeze brushed past as he averted his gaze, his body fidgeting slightly before he silently intertwined his pinky with hers.

Feeling his touch, Hu Yuying’s heart swelled with unspoken joy.

She looked up—even in the dim light, Long-ge’s features were strikingly clear to her. Her lips curled sweetly, her delicate face utterly enchanting.

The night was dark, but the faint blush on Long-ge’s ears was unmistakable to her eyes.

Hu Yuying was certain now—he must have long harbored feelings for her.

Her fingers tightened, gripping his firmly.

The restless fluttering in her chest gradually steadied.

This feeling was perfect. She loved this quiet, peaceful closeness.

Too awkward to let go yet too reluctant to release him, Long Aotian kept their fingers linked as they walked toward Li Qingxue and Lin Wanning.

“Long Aotian, come look! It turned out so well,” Li Qingxue called out. When she and Li Qingxue turned and noticed their intertwined fingers, they paused—then broke into smiles.

Their hearts filled with an indescribable mix of happiness and envy.

Hu Yuying, however, bit her lip shyly and lowered her head at their teasing grins, gripping Long-ge’s hand even tighter.

The photo on the phone captured the four of them in their most natural state.

It might not have been perfectly composed, but in their hearts, it was flawless.

As the night deepened, Long Aotian walked the three to the subway station after their evening stroll.

He led the way, giving them space to chat among themselves.

Hu Yuying kept her head slightly bowed, her occasional shy smiles making her appear irresistibly charming. Li Qingxue and Lin Wanning couldn’t resist the urge to tease her.

If they weren’t in public—if Long Aotian weren’t right there with them—they would have playfully tormented her until her coquettish side fully emerged.

Sensing their intentions, Hu Yuying protectively shielded herself.

No more letting them mess with me, she thought. Long-ge hasn’t even had his turn yet...

The mere idea of his large, warm hands sent a flush spreading from her cheeks down to her neck.

“What on earth are you thinking about?” Lin Wanning teased. “Look at you—we haven’t even done anything, and you’re already blushing like this.”

Hu Yuying wanted to say, You’re the ones who corrupted me.

But the words caught in her throat. She’d become this kind of person now?

The old her would never have been like this.

Li Qingxue smirked mischievously. “Could it be...?” she whispered.

“N-no! It’s not like that!” Hu Yuying shook her head hastily, her voice trembling with embarrassment. “I wasn’t thinking about Long-ge...!”