I Am Really Lucky

"Yu Ying, congratulations on finally getting your wish." Li Qingxue said with a smile.

From the moment she realized Hu Yuying held an important place in Long Aotian's heart, Li Qingxue knew this day would come eventually.

So she accepted it with grace, so she offered her blessings.

Hu Yuying tightened her grip on Li Qingxue's hand. "Qingxue, you don’t know this, but I’ve liked Brother Long since a very, very long time ago."

This was Hu Yuying’s heartfelt confession—something she hadn’t dared to say before, but now she was willing to share it with Li Qingxue.

Because she cherished their friendship, she wanted to tell her that she had fallen for Brother Long even earlier.

"How long ago is 'very, very long'?" Li Qingxue asked curiously, nothing more than simple curiosity behind her question.

She had her own quiet pride. It was true that she had feelings for Long Aotian—even now, those feelings lingered, and perhaps they would remain for a long, long time...

But if Long Aotian already had someone he loved, then she would bury those feelings deep in her heart.

She had never wanted to cause trouble for anyone—that just wasn’t who Li Qingxue was.

Especially not when that someone was her good friend, her closest confidante.

"It really has been a long time."

Like narrating a story, she began from the day she transferred schools.

From the moment Long Aotian took her under his wing as his little follower.

From when Brother Long pushed her to integrate with the group.

From the time she sought his help out of fear.

Back then, she had been so afraid that Brother Long would find her troublesome and refuse to help.

But he didn’t. He helped her—always, without holding back.

She recounted the nervous excitement of sneaking into the garment factory with Brother Long to stock up on goods.

She reminisced about the joy of selling clothes together with him.

She spoke of the gradual changes in herself under his guidance.

Li Qingxue knew about this part.

She still vaguely remembered her first meeting with Hu Yuying—back then, she had been like a wounded kitten, trailing silently behind Long Aotian, barely speaking, always quiet...

At that time, Hu Yuying had been so unremarkable...

Little did she know, the bond between them had already run so deep, so very deep...

"Brother Long is someone you can rely on. The closer you get to him, the more you grow accustomed to him, until before you know it, your thoughts are filled with nothing but him."

After listening to Hu Yuying’s story—filled with hardships, struggles, but also beauty—Li Qingxue couldn’t help but feel a surge of indignation.

Why did such a kind person like Hu Yuying have to suffer so much?

"Those awful bullies! They just took advantage of your gentleness. From now on, if anyone dares to mess with you, I won’t let them off!"

At the same time, she felt a flicker of relief—relief that Long Aotian had been there for Hu Yuying.

She couldn’t even imagine how much pain Hu Yuying would have endured if Long Aotian hadn’t stepped in.

"Thank goodness Long Aotian loves meddling in other people’s business. You have no idea, he—" Li Qingxue suddenly clapped a hand over her mouth.

She had almost blurted out something she had promised Long Aotian to keep secret.

She stole a glance at Hu Yuying, only to find her smiling knowingly.

"I know what you were going to say. I already know everything."

"You know?" Li Qingxue shook her head. She hadn’t said a word, and she knew Long Aotian well enough—he would never tell Hu Yuying, not if it meant sparing her worry.

"I was actually nearby that day when you and Brother Long were talking. I heard everything." Hu Yuying squeezed Li Qingxue’s hand gently.

"Thank you… for helping Brother Long."

Li Qingxue sighed and tilted her head up. "So you really did know."

But she quickly let it go. Long Aotian understood Hu Yuying too well—he knew she would cry, that she would be heartbroken if she found out.

And how could Hu Yuying not have noticed?

That fool thought he was hiding it well, but even Li Qingxue had seen through him—how could Hu Yuying not have?

"He really cares about you."

Hu Yuying nodded without hesitation. From the very beginning, she had been under Brother Long’s care.

It was her luck, the start of a whole new life for her.

Li Qingxue stopped walking and turned to face Hu Yuying seriously. "And you care about Long Aotian just as much."

Before, she had naively assumed Hu Yuying’s attachment to Long Aotian was like a little sister relying on her big brother.

But now she saw it clearly—Hu Yuying’s concern for Long Aotian ran just as deep.

Because affection is always mutual.

The better Brother Long treated her, the harder she wanted to treat him in return.

Brother Long had told her she was worth it—but wasn’t he worth it too?

Even when he kissed her, he was so careful, so gentle, as if afraid of hurting her. He gave her all the tenderness in the world.

A man like this… he was hers.

"Long Aotian is perfect in every way, except for his habit of sticking his nose where it doesn’t belong. You should really lecture him about that—he listens to you."

Seeing Hu Yuying’s blank expression, Li Qingxue laughed. "He’s terrified of your tears. The moment you cry, he panics and gives in to whatever you want."

Hu Yuying couldn’t help but giggle at that. She wasn’t that prone to crying, and she would never use tears to manipulate Brother Long into doing things her way.

"Just look at you—you always indulge him, don’t you?"

"Sometimes I really envy you. You’re the only one who can keep Brother Long in check."

Li Qingxue covered her mouth with a playful smirk. "Is that a compliment, or are you calling me a shrew?"

"Of course it’s a compliment." Hu Yuying said sincerely. Her own personality was naturally gentle—the only times she ever stood her ground were with Brother Long.

But Li Qingxue was different. Her spirit was vibrant, and being around her always filled you with joy.

That was the charm of her personality—something neither Hu Yuying nor Lin Wanning possessed.

So really, everyone had their own strengths. While you admired others, there were always others admiring you in return...

Li Qingxue smiled faintly, her thoughts drifting. "He just doesn’t bother arguing with me. If he really wanted to, one punch from him could probably give me a concussion."

"He always puts others before himself. Compared to us, he’s always the last one he thinks about."

At this, she looked at Hu Yuying with earnestness. "Long Aotian is such a fool, but he’s also the luckiest man in the world. You two better take good care of each other."

Hu Yuying lifted her gaze to the sky. Rather than saying Brother Long was the luckiest...

She believed she was the luckiest person in the world.

Meeting Brother Long had changed the first eighteen years of her timid, uneventful life.

He told her she was worth it.

He gave her choices.

All of this—everything—had only begun after she met Brother Long.

If anyone was the luckiest, Hu Yuying was certain it was her.

And she would pour all of that happiness back into Brother Long’s life.

My Brother Long… meeting you was the greatest fortune of my life. I’m so, so happy...