Don't Make Me Slap You When I'm Happiest

"Brother Long, do you really like pinching Hu Yuying's cheeks?" Hu Yuying asked softly.

Watching her shy expression, Long Aotian instinctively nodded.

Seeing his dazed agreement, Hu Yuying lowered her gaze with a faint smile. "Then I’ll only let Brother Long pinch them."

......

"Late-night drinks hurt the stomach, but morning porridge warms the heart..."

The voice arrived before the person did.

Everyone in the breakfast shop turned toward the sound.

Their eyes landed on a young man standing motionless at the entrance, head tilted at a perfect 45-degree angle, one hand casually tucked in his pocket.

Though his head was bowed, Ye Liangchen could keenly feel the weight of their stares.

A confident smirk curled at his lips—there was no helping it; his presence always drew attention.

Under their gazes, Ye Liangchen slowly lifted his head and flicked his hair with practiced flair.

"My life has been stumbling along, leaving only regrets in its wake."

Pausing, he raised his eyes at that same 45-degree angle, lips quirking in self-mockery. "And still, I tread on thin ice, never knowing if I’ll reach the other side."

The fragility in his eyes was unmistakable. He took a deep breath, then let his head droop back down.

Then, as if struck by inspiration, his gaze locked onto Hu Yuying before shifting to Long Aotian. "What a coincidence. Fancy meeting you two here."

With another toss of his bangs, he strode forward.

Every step was meticulously controlled—grace and elegance personified.

His refinement would stand in stark contrast to Long Aotian’s roughness.

With his radiant sophistication, he’d outshine Long Aotian effortlessly.

Faced with such poise, he wondered how Long Aotian could possibly measure up. And surely, Hu Yuying must feel at least a flicker of regret now.

After all, elegance never goes out of style.

Noticing the undisguised disgust in Hu Yuying’s eyes, Long Aotian turned his attention to Ye Liangchen. He’d never seen her despise someone this much before.

Even when she’d been bullied in the past, her clear eyes had never held such contempt.

Gently, he squeezed her hand.

Feeling his touch, Hu Yuying looked away. "Brother Long, let’s go?"

"Whatever you say." Long Aotian had never refused her before, and now even less so.

Besides, they’d already finished eating.

He stood, pulling Hu Yuying up with him, his broad frame shielding her like a mountain.

At Long Aotian’s movement, Ye Liangchen instinctively halted.

His eyes dimmed, heartbreak written across his face. Though he wore an expression of fragile sorrow, he forced a weak smile. "I—"

Long Aotian cut him off with a cold glance. "Don’t make me hit you when I’m in a good mood."

Ye Liangchen’s lips twitched, his breath turning uneven. The phantom sting of past slaps seemed to flare across his cheeks.

Every rehearsed line in his mind evaporated under that threat, leaving him speechless.

"Move."

Ye Liangchen clenched his jaw. His thoughts screamed: I’ve turned dark. I’m not the same Ye Liangchen anymore. If you want to play, I’ll give you a game you can’t quit.

But his body betrayed him, stepping aside on instinct.

He could only watch helplessly as Long Aotian led Hu Yuying past him.

Hu Yuying’s eyes sparkled, fixed adoringly on Long Aotian’s back. That overwhelming sense of security filled her heart with sweetness.

His actions spoke louder than words—he would protect her, no matter what.

"Did he bother you again?"

As they walked, Long Aotian glanced at Hu Yuying.

"No." She shook her head quickly. She loved being shielded by him—it wrapped her heart in happiness—but more than that, she didn’t want him fighting for her sake.

Last time he’d slapped Ye Liangchen, his palm had turned red from the force. The memory still made her ache.

"I just hate him," she said without hesitation, as if stating an obvious truth. "I really, really hate him."

Not because he’d insulted her or stalked her—but because he’d dared to badmouth Brother Long.

She could tolerate attacks on herself, but when it came to him? Even a gentle rabbit would bite.

......

Ye Liangchen stared venomously at their retreating figures.

His fists trembled. He’d been this close to losing control and throwing a punch!

But no—his willpower had prevailed. Though he’d embraced his dark side and no longer feared Long Aotian, he refused to resort to violence in front of Hu Yuying.

Even if she belonged to Long Aotian now, she’d once been the treasure of his heart. He wouldn’t tarnish the gentle image she’d once held of him.

If not for that, he thought bitterly, a washed-up loser like Long Aotian wouldn’t even be worth my notice!

Xue Shaohua let out a hollow laugh, flicking his bangs. He’d been standing right there, yet Hu Yuying hadn’t even glanced his way. The pain of being ignored cut deeper than any insult.

Her eyes held only Long Aotian, leaving no room for anyone else.

Jealousy burned in his chest.

Why did Long Aotian get to monopolize her gaze?

They were supposed to be classmates for the next four years!

"Is it wrong to love someone?"

"No!" Ye Liangchen, who’d appeared beside Xue Shaohua unnoticed, echoed the sentiment with fervor. "Loving someone is never wrong. The fault lies with the vile creatures who twist it!"

"Love is sacred—but some people don’t deserve it."

His words snapped Xue Shaohua out of his envy.

Ye Liangchen patted his shoulder with a dramatic hair toss. "If love were a crime, then all the girls who adore me would be condemned to death, wouldn’t they?"

His gaze returned to where Long Aotian and Hu Yuying had vanished.

With a long exhale, he asked, "Remember the task I gave you?"

Xue Shaohua frowned. "You mean getting Hu Yuying’s notes?"

"Exactly." Ye Liangchen’s voice turned icy. "Xue Shaohua, listen closely. If you can secure those notes for me, I’ll make Long Aotian pay a price beyond his wildest nightmares. That’s a promise."

This was his final trump card—because he was a reincarnator.

Once he had Hu Yuying’s business plans and core strategies, his past-life knowledge would let him steal her success with ease...