Are you waiting for me to speak

Watching the three girls' surprised and delighted expressions, Long Aotian felt an overwhelming sense of satisfaction.

After delivering the three packages into their rooms, he waved his hand cheerfully and said, "Go try them on. This is the first step toward building your own brand."

Upon hearing this, the three girls stepped into their rooms.

Hu Yuying, who was walking last, tiptoed and planted a quick kiss on Long Aotian's cheek after seeing Li Qingxue and Lin Wanning go inside.

Just as Long Aotian was about to kiss her back, Hu Yuying pressed her delicate finger against his lips and whispered, "Long Aotian, Qingxue and Wanning are still here. I'll give you a proper kiss tonight."

With a playful smile, she slipped into her room.

Long Aotian touched the corner of his lips, watching as the three girls closed their doors.

He immediately brought out his reclining chair and placed it in the middle of the courtyard, waiting quietly.

The quadrangle covered a large area, especially after removing some unnecessary small rooms. The spacious courtyard alone could easily serve as a small parking lot.

Simple photoshoots here wouldn’t be a problem at all.

There was also that park from last time and the pathways inside the school.

Autumn leaves falling—all natural scenery.

This was the first and most crucial step for the three girls.

They would model different outfits, take photos, and upload them to their online store.

Their youthful charm would be their best advertisement.

Soon, the sound of doors opening echoed, followed by the girls' voices.

"You go out first—you’re Long Aotian’s girlfriend."

"No way, I’m a little shy. You two should go first. Wanning is even Long Aotian’s sworn sister."

"Fine, let’s do it the usual way—rock-paper-scissors. The loser goes out first."

Hearing this from outside, Long Aotian couldn’t help but laugh.

Still, he understood the girls' nervousness.

Wearing beautiful clothes to show off to a man would naturally make them a little flustered and shy.

Soon, the sounds of rock-paper-scissors faded.

Long Aotian sat up straight, staring intently at the doors. He didn’t know which of the three would come out first—it felt like opening a mystery box, and he couldn’t deny the excitement bubbling inside him.

The first girl stepped out.

She wore a pristine white sweater paired with deep blue trousers and a playful black cap. She embodied the radiant, dreamy beauty of first love, her smile as bright as spring sunshine, gathering all the world’s warmth in one glance.

"H-How do I look? Is it... nice?" Li Qingxue asked softly, her confidence wavering under Long Aotian’s gaze. She lowered her eyes slightly, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

"Beautiful."

At his words, her eyes curved into crescents. She was the epitome of youthful joy, her smile infectious enough to light up the world.

The moment her smile bloomed, Long Aotian captured it with his camera.

As Li Qingxue finished, a curtain at the window fluttered down.

The second girl emerged.

She wore a flowing dress that swayed gently with her steps, like petals dancing in the wind. The ensemble showcased her unique sense of style—elegant, untouched by worldly dust, yet the teardrop mole at the corner of her eye added a mysterious, aloof charm. She was like the morning dew at dawn, pure yet faintly cool.

Meeting Long Aotian’s smiling gaze, she let out a light laugh, soft as a feather yet striking enough to linger in one’s heart.

Then came the third—Hu Yuying.

Before her stood a black wrap dress, the color Long Aotian had chosen for her.

Today, her usual innocence carried a hint of subtle sensuality.

He had always felt Hu Yuying should own a little black dress. Black concealed what should remain hidden while perfectly accentuating the essence beneath.

For a moment, it was as if he saw the resilient girl who never bowed to fate—dressed in stories of her own, walking through time’s corridor to stand beside him.

With the first step taken, everything else flowed naturally.

Every photo captured by the lens became a cherished memory.

Night fell silently.

Long Aotian set up the large pot he hadn’t used in a long time.

The three girls went out to buy ingredients for dinner.

Dressed in their beautiful outfits, they turned heads wherever they went.

Giggling among themselves, they whispered—no girl could resist loving beauty. Anyone who claimed otherwise was lying.

"Does Long Aotian mean we can start uploading the links and begin our online store journey?" Li Qingxue asked quietly.

Truthfully, she had initially thought of this venture as just fun, still feeling a little unsure about the business side.

"Mm." Hu Yuying nodded, her lips curving up. The way Long Aotian had looked at her earlier was still fresh in her mind. "Let’s discuss it more when we get back?"

"Our school is preparing for an upcoming gala," Lin Wanning chimed in, excitement bubbling in her voice. "If I can secure a good spot, it might help promote us."

"Long Aotian has arranged everything for us," Li Qingxue murmured softly.

"How about we learn to cook too? We can take turns making delicious meals for him?" Lin Wanning suggested.

The idea made Li Qingxue's eyes light up. "You're right! Long Aotian has helped us so much—we should definitely take good care of him."

"Ahem!"

The next second, both girls turned to look at Hu Yuying.

Hu Yuying pressed her lips together in a faint smile. "Were you waiting for my approval?"

The two girls nodded eagerly.

After pretending to think for a moment, Hu Yuying finally said, "Alright then!"

Hearing her agreement, Li Qingxue and Lin Wanning burst into laughter.

Hu Yuying walked in the middle, with Li Qingxue and Lin Wanning holding her hands on either side.

"We should buy some chicken thighs and some noodles."

When it came to cooking—and knowing what Long Aotian liked to eat—no one understood him better than her.

Long Aotian loved noodles. Back in Haivan City, he had once said that if he didn’t eat noodles for a day, he’d always feel like he hadn’t eaten enough.

Li Qingxue and Lin Wanning quietly took note of this.

After returning to the courtyard house,

Li Qingxue and Lin Wanning, eager to learn how to cook, followed Hu Yuying closely, watching her stir-fry and add seasonings.

Long Aotian lounged in his chair, amused by their enthusiasm. "What’s with you two? Turning into little shadows now?"

"Brother!" Lin Wanning stomped her foot, protesting being called a shadow.

"Long Aotian, do you still want to eat later or not?" Li Qingxue shot him a glare.

When it came to caring for him, they were all in.

But when there was nothing serious going on, a little bickering was necessary—otherwise, who would keep this smug guy in check?

Hu Yuying was gentle and always obedient.

Lin Wanning, after all, called him "brother"—sibling hierarchy at work!

Thinking about this, Li Qingxue suddenly felt the weight of her mission ahead...