From the very first encounter, the outcome was already destined.

"Say whatever you want to say." Long Aotian chuckled softly, reaching out to ruffle the little girl's hair.

The scene felt familiar—like the first time he met Hu Yuying, when he had accidentally stepped on the pen she dropped. Back then, she had looked at him the same way, her gaze lingering on his just-awoken face.

But now, there was an added tenderness, a hint of allure, and a touch of attachment that made her seem even more vibrant.

Hu Yuying fidgeted, unsure how to phrase her request, her voice barely above a whisper. "Can I... not leave today? I want to stay with you, Long-ge..."

The last words were so faint that if not for the silence and Long Aotian’s sharp hearing, they might have gone unheard.

Slowly, she lifted her eyes to meet his. This time, there was no hesitation—only shyness mixed with anticipation, as if silently confessing something deep in her heart.

Every time Hu Yuying looked at him like this, he found it impossible to refuse.

"I'll sleep on the recliner."

As if granted the answer she longed for, the girl’s eyes instantly sparkled like stars. She nodded emphatically, letting out a soft "Mm."

......

With the lights off, the small room fell into a silence deeper than ever—so quiet that Long Aotian could hear Hu Yuying’s nervous yet excited breaths.

In the darkness, the corners of his lips curled up.

He couldn’t see Hu Yuying’s expression now, but his mind conjured up her shy face effortlessly.

She lay on the foldable bed, turned toward his direction, her beautiful eyes blinking as if trying to make him out in the dark. Her heart must be racing just like his—half nervous, half exhilarated.

Maybe, like him, she wanted to say something but couldn’t find the right words.

"Get some rest. The workers will be here early tomorrow."

Hu Yuying gave a small nod, though she knew Long-ge might not see it in the dark. "Long-ge, I can’t sleep... but I’ll definitely wake up early tomorrow."

Her heart was too full—joy and excitement pumping adrenaline through her, leaving her wide awake. At least for now, sleep was the last thing on her mind.

Especially knowing that Long-ge was right there, just a few steps away on the recliner.

This was the first time she had ever shared a room with a boy. They weren’t on the same bed, not that she would have minded...

"Long-ge, are you asleep?" she whispered into the darkness.

"Not yet."

Hearing his reply, she smiled to herself. "Long-ge, can you talk with me for a bit?"

"What do you want to talk about?"

"Can you tell me... when you first started liking me?" Her fingers clenched nervously around the sheets as she tested the waters.

She had sensed for a long time that Long-ge treated her differently, but she still wanted to hear it from him.

The moment the words left her lips, she heard the faint creak of the recliner—as if Long-ge had turned his head toward her.

Her intuition was spot-on.

Long Aotian had indeed looked in her direction.

She was grateful for the darkness, hiding the blush burning her cheeks.

Silence stretched between them.

But Hu Yuying, emboldened by the night, continued unprompted. "Then... let me go first, okay?"

The shadows lent her courage.

"When you first helped me, I mostly felt gratitude."

"When you taught me how to change, I felt moved... and dependent on you."

"So many things happened after that. Seeing you talk and laugh with other girls made my heart sour, but being with you always made me happy."

"Even when you carried me over your shoulder in the mall and spanked me... I was so embarrassed, but deep down, all I felt was joy."

"From then on, a kind of fog settled in my heart—something I couldn’t see or touch."

"If things had stopped there, maybe it would’ve just been gratitude. But I didn’t want it to end. I kept thinking about you..."

"As we spent more time together, I felt a happiness I’d never known before. The fog in my heart slowly cleared, and suddenly, I understood myself."

"What I’m trying to say is... it’s not just gratitude. My heart is telling me—meeting you was like realizing, ‘I really, really like you.’"

She bit her lip lightly before continuing in the quiet of the night. "Before I met you, I thought my life couldn’t get any worse. But after meeting you... I forgave all the hardships life ever threw at me."

Long Aotian listened to every word, a silent smile forming. He and Hu Yuying were like two people stranded at the edges of the world—saving each other, finding themselves in the process. They needed one another.

From the moment they met, the ending was already written.

"My heart raced for you—that’s when I started liking you."

"The first time I kissed you, that feeling took over completely."

Hu Yuying laughed softly at his words, but her eyes grew moist.

So... it was that early?

"I thought it was wrong. I gave myself time to sort it out, but everything crumbled the moment I saw you again..."

"So I decided—why not give my little follower time? She’s so small, yet so strong. She’s been through so much—she deserves to spread her wings and fly..."

Pausing, Long Aotian’s voice warmed with amusement. "But if my little follower ever figured out her heart and stood firm, I wouldn’t hesitate to pull her into my arms."

"What if she didn’t?" Hu Yuying’s tone grew lighter.

"Then I’d accept it. After all, she’s my little follower... my first friend."

"Long-ge, I’ll never change my mind. I finally found my light—how could I ever let go halfway?"

Her unwavering words made Long Aotian smile. How could he not believe her? She trusted him so completely, relied on him so openly. Her purity and warmth—she gave them all to him without reservation.

Unconsciously, Long Aotian noticed the soft, steady rhythm of her breathing.

Lulled by the sound, he too drifted into sleep.

In the absolute stillness, everything was quiet.

The small room.

The dark alley outside.

Two figures leaned against the wall.

One of them had already started snoring.

Meanwhile, his mind was flooded with chaotic thoughts, his mood sour and unsettled, as if he still couldn’t let go of certain things.

Under the weight of this anxiety, this lingering resentment, his eyelids grew too heavy to resist, and slowly, he too drifted into sleep...