Checking In

Leaving the subway station, Li Qingxue and Lin Wanning walked along the street under the glow of the streetlights.

Despite the late hour, the area was still bustling with people.

"You think Yu Ying is throwing herself at him—do you think my brother might actually take her up on it?" Lin Wanning murmured softly.

Li Qingxue shook her head. "No."

"I know Long Aotian. He’s responsible, dependable. He’d take Yu Ying, but definitely not now."

Truthfully, Li Qingxue wasn’t entirely sure either, but she just had this feeling.

Long Aotian cared too much about Hu Yuying.

Otherwise, he would’ve already devoured her whole yesterday.

Lin Wanning seemed lost in thought before asking quietly, "If I did something bad, do you think my brother would forgive me?"

Hearing this, Li Qingxue turned to look at Lin Wanning, her sly eyes narrowing slightly. "What exactly are you planning?"

Lin Wanning just shrugged. "Just asking."

"Well, it depends on what kind of mistake. Generally, Long Aotian’s tolerance for us is pretty high."

As she said this, Li Qingxue studied Lin Wanning again. Before they got close, she wouldn’t have paid much attention to such a remark.

But now that she knew Lin Wanning better, hearing this from the little minx made her wary.

"Ugh, what’s with that look? Don’t think of me as some villain—I’m actually pretty nice!" Noticing Li Qingxue’s gaze, Lin Wanning playfully bumped her hip against her.

"Oh, I know you. You’re the one who corrupted me and Yu Ying. How do you know so much when you’ve never even held hands with a guy?"

"Who said I’ve never held hands with a guy?" Lin Wanning pouted slightly, a hint of pride in her tone. Forget holding hands—she’d even been hugged around the waist and kissed.

But she wasn’t about to share that.

As for how she knew so much… maybe it was time to introduce Li Qingxue to certain websites.

Noticing the sudden shift in Lin Wanning’s expression, Li Qingxue quickly stepped back. "Your eyes look so indecent! I can’t believe such a look could come from a pretty girl like you."

Lin Wanning’s eyes curved into a mischievous smile.

"Don’t go home tonight."

"What do you mean?"

"Let’s get a room."

Li Qingxue froze for a second before instinctively clutching her chest and retreating two steps, putting distance between them.

Her mind went blank.

Get a room? The two of them… women?

Wasn’t that a little too scandalous?

But why did she feel a strange thrill at the idea?

"Scared?" Lin Wanning’s slender fingers lightly tipped Li Qingxue’s chin, her voice teasing. "Afraid I’ll do something to you?"

Flustered, Li Qingxue shook her head, brushing off Lin Wanning’s hand. "Who’s scared? Fine, let’s get a room! I’m not afraid at all!"

She pointed at a nearby building. "How about… that one?"

"Mhm, works for me."

The two headed toward the small hotel.

With every step, both Li Qingxue and Lin Wanning noticed the other’s hands growing slightly clammy.

Two amateurs, equally clueless—that’s what they were right now.

Once inside the hotel room, they stood awkwardly, faces flushed, neither knowing what to say.

Finally, Lin Wanning cleared her throat. "You go shower first. I’ll set up the bed."

"Okay."

Li Qingxue’s usual chatter vanished as she gathered her things and slipped into the bathroom.

Before long, she emerged in a short-sleeved top, her ample curves noticeably free from restraint.

Lin Wanning had already prepared the bed and took her turn in the shower.

By the time she came out, Li Qingxue had already burrowed under the covers.

Lin Wanning grabbed her phone and joined her. "I wanna show you something."

"What is it?" Li Qingxue glanced at the phone.

As the screen loaded, her delicate, fair face instantly burned crimson.

She yanked the blanket up to cover half her face, leaving only her wide, disbelieving eyes visible. "Are you insane?!"

"You wanted to know how I know so much, right?"

"Consider this… my education."

As the video began its indescribable content, Li Qingxue couldn’t bear to look, squeezing her eyes shut and refusing to open them no matter how much Lin Wanning teased.

But as the sounds reached her ears, little by little, the fingers shielding her eyes loosened just a fraction.

"I feel… corrupted…"

"Lin Wanning, you little hussy…"

"Want me to turn it off?"

"Wait... wait... I haven't finished reading yet..." Her voice grew softer and softer as she spoke...

...

Meanwhile.

After washing her feet, Hu Yuying, her cheeks flushed, shyly placed her legs in Long Aotian's lap. "Y-you can play with them now."

"Do you really think I’m that shallow?" Long Aotian felt the need to correct Hu Yuying’s assumption.

Hu Yuying rolled her eyes at him, noticing his hands already roaming freely over her legs.

Instead of the gentle caress she expected, she felt the rhythmic pressure of a massage.

Hu Yuying wanted to say something, but in the end, she held back. She liked it when Long Aotian treated her this way.

The sensations on her legs were so comforting—tingly and warm—melting away the exhaustion in her body in an instant...

"Long Aotian."

"Hmm?"

"I just wanted to call your name."

"I’m always here."

Their conversations, once filled with endless chatter, had now become brief.

Like the kind of talk shared between family.

Simple, yet they understood each other perfectly.

This warmth was something Long Aotian cherished. In his previous world, he had been alone, and even after crossing over, he remained solitary.

But in this world, he had a father in name, experiencing what it felt like to have family.

Now, Hu Yuying gave him that same warmth—though different from what his old man could offer.

Perhaps, in this moment, Hu Yuying felt it too.

So neither of them spoke, simply savoring the fleeting yet enchanting atmosphere.

Noticing Hu Yuying’s eyelids drooping after a long day of fun, Long Aotian withdrew his hands, wanting her to rest properly.

"Long Aotian..." Hu Yuying murmured softly, gripping his hand tightly. She shifted slightly, leaving a large empty space behind her.

Long Aotian understood her intention. Back on the train to the capital, he had once dreamed of holding Hu Yuying as they slept.

Just like now—feeling her slight trembles, the faint fragrance of her delicate body, and in the silent darkness, his heartbeat raced wildly, as if reminding him... this time, it wasn’t a dream.