The Way of the Knight, Time Will Tell Everything [Happy New Year's Eve]

A little time was wasted.

When they returned to the breakfast shop, Hu Yuying had already finished eating and was quietly waiting by the door, scrolling through her phone.

Hearing familiar footsteps, she lifted her enchanting eyes, brimming with a smile, and said softly, "Brother Long, Qingxue and Wan Ning said they’ll come find us soon."

"Shall we all go see Tianmen together?"

This vacation was originally meant to take the little girl out for fun, and having more people around would make it livelier. Long Aotian didn’t object.

"By the way, is there someone named Xue Shaohua in your class?" Long Aotian asked after a moment’s thought.

Hearing that name, Hu Yuying frowned slightly. "Hmm, how did you know about him, Brother Long?"

Noticing her reaction, Long Aotian gently stroked her long hair.

"Stay away from him from now on. He’s not a good classmate."

Hu Yuying nodded obediently. She always listened to Brother Long because, ever since they’d met, every word he’d spoken had been for her own good.

Sometimes, there was no need to dig deeper—just knowing that Brother Long’s advice was for her benefit was enough.

Besides, she already disliked Xue Shaohua to begin with.

Now that Brother Long had said so, she mentally marked Xue Shaohua as someone to avoid.

Hmph! She, Hu Yuying, was fiercely protective of her man.

Long Aotian, of course, had no idea what was going through Hu Yuying’s mind. But seeing her obedient nod stirred something in him.

No one could resist a girlfriend who was both alluring and pure, especially one who was so utterly devoted.

Noticing the way Long Aotian was looking at her, Hu Yuying bit her red lips and glanced around furtively. It was still early, and there weren’t many people around.

Seizing the moment, she quickly stood on her tiptoes and planted a light kiss on the corner of his lips.

After pulling away, she nervously checked their surroundings again, her heart fluttering with joy.

Earlier that morning, Long Aotian had already been worked up by Hu Yuying’s sultry charm. Now, seeing her shy, blushing expression, he couldn’t resist kissing her back.

Hu Yuying gave him a light push, intending to suggest they save the affection for home.

But with her lips sealed by his, her resistance was merely symbolic. She quickly surrendered to his embrace.

If he liked it, she was happy to indulge him.

In the public restroom nearby,

Ye Liangchen and Xue Shaohua staggered out, leaning on each other for support.

But the moment they stepped outside, they caught sight of Hu Yuying standing on her tiptoes to kiss Long Aotian in the distance.

Then they saw Long Aotian shamelessly taking things further in public...

The bitterness in their hearts was theirs alone to bear. They closed their eyes helplessly, as if blocking out the sight would dull the pain.

Xue Shaohua had lost all his earlier bravado. He was no match for Long Aotian—the kick to his chest still hurt with every deep breath.

The morning sunlight bathed Hu Yuying’s face, illuminating her blissful smile—so radiant, so mesmerizing. "I just can’t accept this," he muttered.

If anyone had more reason to resent the situation, it was Ye Liangchen.

He had been reborn with such high hopes, finally able to fulfill the wedding night he’d missed in his past life.

But Long Aotian’s appearance had turned all his dreams into pipe dreams.

Hu Yuying was one thing—his own presence had triggered Long Aotian’s possessiveness, leading to her being "claimed."

But Li Qingxue and Lin Wanning? They were innocent! Yet this damned Long Aotian wouldn’t spare them either.

Was he doomed to settle for Long Aotian’s leftovers in this life?

Compared to the dreams of his past life, this reality was a cruel joke. How could Ye Liangchen ever accept it?

"My treasure, my moonlight, my childhood sweetheart... What’s the point of having the world if I can’t have you?"

The obsession built over two lifetimes wasn’t something that could fade overnight.

Slowly opening his eyes, he watched Hu Yuying cling to Long Aotian’s arm, her shy, lovestruck figure retreating into the distance. "To have you, even someone as refined as me... can go mad."

"We can’t beat him," Xue Shaohua clutched his chest, his voice laced with fear as he stared at Long Aotian.

Hearing the defeat in his tone, Ye Liangchen shoved his arm away.

"Do you even hear yourself?"

"Are you really fine with watching the girl you like end up in Long Aotian’s bed?"

"What kind of man are you? One failure, and you’re ready to give up on her? Pathetic. I misjudged you."

Xue Shaohua bristled at the accusation. "Oh, like you’re any better! Weren’t you the one who got kicked down and couldn’t even get back up?"

"Honestly, I’m starting to doubt everything you’ve said. You promised to help me win Hu Yuying, to have her in my bed. But now? It’s clear you can’t deliver!"

"But I haven’t given up!" Ye Liangcen flicked his hair, his expression deadly serious. "Because my knight’s code won’t allow it! Can’t you see the bigger picture yet?"

"Have you ever wondered why Long Aotian treats me with such extra hostility?"

Xue Shaohua paused. Now that he thought about it, Long Aotian had indeed been harsher with Ye Liangchen—while he’d only been kicked once, Ye Liangchen had gotten two extra slaps...

"Finally catching on, huh? Let me tell you why!"

Ye Liangchen’s eyes burned with unshakable confidence. "It’s because he sees me as a threat."

"Why am I the only one he feels threatened by? Because deep down, he knows—as long as I’m around, Hu Yuying will eventually return to me. He fears me!"

"I’ve said it before—I am Hu Yuying, Li Qingxue, and Lin Wanning’s salvation. I’m the sun in their hearts. That will never change."

His gaze darkened, the shadows in his eyes almost tangible.

Even if he had to resort to underhanded means, he was certain that just one night with them would be enough to make them reconsider.

The bonds between them had existed in his past life—this was just a slight deviation caused by the butterfly effect of his rebirth.

Otherwise, how else could anyone explain why Long Aotian felt so threatened by him?

If Long Aotian were truly confident, why was he so desperate to keep him away from Hu Yuying?

He’d made it clear—only he could lead Hu Yuying to glory, only he could give her the future she deserved.

Yet Long Aotian, selfish to the core, clung to her like a leech, knowing full well he’d only drag her down.

Too useless to rise himself, too petty to let her soar. A man like that? Ye Liangchen spat on him!

"Just follow my lead, and time will prove me right..."

[Happy New Year’s Eve—the countdown begins: 1...]