Encounter is magical, it's the beginning of everything

"Brother Long, your phone is ringing." Hu Yuying jogged over and handed the phone to Long Aotian.

After setting the trash can down, he glanced at the caller ID.

Then he answered the call: "Hey, Old Huang, I checked today, and the sun didn’t rise from the west. What’s got you up so early?"

"Old Ao, no matter what, you have to come back before noon today."

"What’s going on?"

"I’ll tell you when you get back. Old Ao, you absolutely have to come back, no excuses!" Huang Fei’s voice was urgent, something Long Aotian had never heard from him before.

Long Aotian first glanced at Hu Yuying.

Since the call was on speaker, she could hear everything Huang Fei said.

She gave a slight nod.

Only then did Long Aotian reply, "Alright, I actually have something to discuss with you too."

About Shen Mengjie—he felt it was necessary to have a serious talk with Huang Fei.

"Brother Long, once the new semester starts, we won’t be able to see each other for a long time again." She clung to his chest like a spoiled child. She had always been dependent on him, but now that dependence had turned into something even clingier.

"I’ll video call you every day. And when we’re on break, we’ll come back home together."

Hearing this, Hu Yuying lifted her face. "Then will Brother Long still let Yuying grab you?"

"More like I’ll spank you."

"Then after Brother Long spanks me, can you let me grab you?"

Smack.

Hu Yuying’s body went limp as a tingling sensation, like countless ants crawling over her skin, spread through her.

Clutching her bottom, her face flushed red, she instantly became docile.

Looking at her pitiful, innocent expression, Long Aotian couldn’t help but feel both exasperated and amused.

He sighed and ruffled her long hair. "What am I going to do with you?"

Before, when he threatened to spank her, she’d actually be scared.

Now, he couldn’t bring himself to do it, nor could he scold her properly.

He was really starting to feel like this little girl had him wrapped around her finger.

In the past, he was afraid of her crying—whenever she did, he’d be at a loss.

Now, she didn’t cry anymore, but the moment she acted spoiled, he’d surrender completely.

"Brother Long, Yuying will be good."

"You’re only good with your words right now." He tapped her nose playfully. "Do you even still see me as your big brother?"

"Of course I do! And besides, you’re my boyfriend now..." Hu Yuying refused to admit she wasn’t being obedient.

With two masterminds backing her now, winning over Brother Long was just a matter of time. She wasn’t going to be passive like before—that attitude had nearly cost her him.

She never wanted to go through that again. She would hold onto him tightly, never letting go.

Her love for Brother Long wasn’t calculated—it was a genuine, heart-pounding affection, the kind that made her resolute. This was the greatest sincerity she could offer this relationship.

This love made her happy. It had helped her break free from her cocoon and spread her wings.

Now, anyone who looked at Hu Yuying could see she was happy, radiant—gone were the shadows of her past melancholy and insecurity.

All the misfortune of her first eighteen years had transformed into joy after meeting Brother Long.

That’s why she cherished him. That’s why she couldn’t give up halfway. That’s why she had to hold onto him tightly...

"Brother Long, if you have something to do, you should go. I can head back to school by myself later."

The person who had called earlier was referred to as "Old Huang" by Brother Long—a nickname that surely meant they were close.

And given how urgent Old Huang sounded, it was probably something important.

"No rush. We still have time." It was still early, and he only needed to be back by noon.

Besides, he wasn’t ready to part with her yet.

It was like he’d developed separation anxiety.

They hadn’t even said goodbye, and he was already thinking about when they’d meet again, when they’d go home and sleep together.

After all, he’d touched every place he shouldn’t have, and she’d grabbed every part of him she wasn’t supposed to.

In Long Aotian’s mind, no matter how urgent someone else’s business was, it couldn’t be more important than spending time with his girlfriend.

Fate was strange like that. Meeting, getting to know each other, growing closer—every little moment was part of life’s journey. His life now had Hu Yuying in it, and hers had him.

They had been tangled together from the very beginning. Wanting to protect her had never been just empty words.

"Then... can Brother Long comb my hair one more time?" Of course, she was thrilled he was staying with her.

"Nothing would make me happier."

Her long hair cascaded down, draping over her slender waist.

Feeling his gentle hands running through her locks, Hu Yuying whispered, "A long time ago, in my village, there was a tradition—a girl’s hair could only be combed by the person she loved."

"Other than my mom and grandma, Brother Long is the first man to ever comb Yuying’s hair... and the only one."

Her voice was soft, but there was an unshakable firmness in it.

Long Aotian’s hands paused slightly. This was a promise—her promise to him.

Meeting someone was a magical arrangement, the beginning of everything...

He wrapped his arms around her from behind. "What I want to say is... Hu Yuying, from the first moment I saw you, my heart skipped. And even now, after all this time, it still does. Thank you for choosing me so steadfastly..."

Leaning back into his embrace, Hu Yuying’s eyes shimmered with devotion. "I should be the one thanking you, Brother Long. Thank you for giving someone like me... countless chances to choose you..."

......

After dropping Hu Yuying off at A University, Long Aotian checked the time and hurried toward his own school.

Just as he boarded the subway, Huang Fei called again.

"I’m already on the subway heading back."

"Old Ao, don’t go to campus. Come straight to Hongfu Restaurant instead."

"Got it. But before that, there’s something I need to tell you—" Before he could finish, the call dropped due to poor signal.

Putting his phone away, he changed direction at the next stop and headed for Hongfu Restaurant.

From a distance, he spotted Huang Fei, Xu Shuai, and Li Longlong waiting outside.

"Holy crap, Old Ao, you’re finally here! I missed you so much!" Xu Shuai spread his arms wide, ready for a bear hug.

"Done gallivanting around?" Long Aotian sidestepped and patted his shoulder with a laugh.

"Look who’s talking! Li Longlong told me you only spent one night in the dorm all break. If Old Huang didn’t need us for backup today, who knows if you’d even come back tonight!"

At the mention of Huang Fei, Long Aotian remembered what he needed to say.

Turning to him, he said, "Right, Old Huang, there’s something you should know—"

"What’s up?" Huang Fei replied distractedly. "Hey, Old Ao, how’s my hair looking?"

"This is serious. You should brace yourself—"

"Juan!" Xu Shuai suddenly shouted, waving excitedly toward the street behind them...

"Love you all, sending hearts, and a big kiss (mua)......"