Why By What Right

"Oho~ Impressive~~"

Li Qingxue and Lin Wanning stood to the side, mimicking Long Aotian's speech in a teasing tone.

Hu Yuying reached out to pinch their waists playfully. "Ugh, stop copying Long-ge!"

"Ugh~~ Stop copying Long-ge..." Having just sold their first online store items in such a short time, their hearts were brimming with joy, and they couldn't help but fool around.

Long Aotian watched the three girls banter and couldn't help but smile. He shut down the computer and led them out of the internet café.

"The air outside is so fresh." Li Qingxue took a deep breath the moment they stepped out.

Hu Yuying and Lin Wanning didn’t say anything, but the lightness in their expressions was unmistakable.

Yet, their attention remained mostly glued to their phones, occasionally discussing something in hushed tones.

Long Aotian knew this was their first taste of success, so he didn’t interrupt. He simply walked quietly beside them.

"There’s a bench up ahead. Want to sit for a bit?"

The three girls settled down, but Hu Yuying’s gaze instinctively sought out Long Aotian. Seeing his solitary figure, she quickly stood. "I’ll be back," she told Li Qingxue and Lin Wanning before hurrying after him.

The other two exchanged knowing smiles before refocusing on their store notifications.

"Long-ge." Hu Yuying gently caught his hand. "I’m sorry."

Long Aotian chuckled, lightly pinching the tip of her nose. "Why are you apologizing all of a sudden?"

Under his doting gaze, Hu Yuying’s guilt only deepened. Everything they’d achieved was thanks to him, yet she’d just ignored him in her excitement.

The sight of him walking alone had twisted something in her chest, though she couldn’t quite put the feeling into words.

Seemingly reading her mind, Long Aotian sighed and stroked her hair. "Do you know the secret to happiness?"

Hu Yuying answered without hesitation, as if it were the easiest question in the world. "My happiness is being with Long-ge."

The reply caught him off guard, but its sincerity warmed his heart. "Then stop overthinking things."

Feeling his fingers comb through her hair, Hu Yuying took a small step forward and wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing her cheek against his chest.

"Thank you, Long-ge."

It felt like "thank you" was the phrase she’d said most since meeting him.

"Thank you for changing me bit by bit, for guiding me so patiently through this slow, clumsy journey of growth."

Thank you for coming into my life...

"You’re getting smoother with your words."

"Then Long-ge should hurry up and taste—did Yuying eat something sweet today? Why are her words so sugary?"

Rising onto her tiptoes, she tilted her face up and closed her eyes, melting into the warmth and softness of his lips.

In her heart, she whispered: It’s all because of you, Long-ge, that I’ve become who I am.

......

Under the hazy night sky...

"Ge, watch where I’m going for me!"

Lin Wanning kept her eyes on her phone, entrusting her safety entirely to Long Aotian.

"Want me to smack you?" He refused to enable this habit.

"Ge, it’s my first time running an online store. I have to take care of my customers!" she whined.

"Whining won’t work. Watch where you’re going."

"Ge, you’re biased! Yuying gets to hold your hand and have you watch over her..."

Long Aotian rolled his eyes. That was completely different.

He pinched the soft nape of her neck. "Not listening to your ge now?"

A gentle tug at the tender skin there, and Lin Wanning immediately settled down.

Seeing her pout, he stifled a laugh. Who’d believe the aloof campus belle could look so pitiful in front of him?

"Alright, don’t sulk. Ge’s just looking out for you."

Lin Wanning gave a small nod. She wasn’t actually upset—if anything, she was secretly pleased. She’d only acted this way so he’d keep touching her neck.

Putting her phone away, she sidled closer to him, step by step...

"Be careful on your way back."

At the entrance of the music college, Long Aotian reminded her softly, "And don’t look at your phone while walking."

"Got it, Ge."

Lin Wanning patted her pocket, showing her phone was safely tucked away.

Only after her figure disappeared into the distance did Long Aotian leave.

The rustle of fallen leaves underfoot was oddly soothing as he walked down the path.

He could hardly imagine how breathtaking it would be when winter arrived, the ground blanketed in golden leaves...

"Hey, Long Aotian. You’re back."

A figure sat on a bench, her face hidden under a cap. Her voice was hoarse but undeniably feminine.

She paused, as if reconsidering, then removed the cap, revealing Shen Mengjie’s strikingly beautiful face. "I’ve been waiting for you."

"Waiting for me?" Long Aotian frowned. "Why?"

Her disheveled state and the faint scent of beer didn’t escape him.

"To drink. Have a drink with me."

"Not interested." He stepped around her without slowing.

Even as he walked away, he could feel her gaze boring into his back, as if trying to dissect him.

"Why? Why?"

Shen Mengjie was always the picture of poise and allure, but those two words tore from her throat with raw desperation.

Yet none of this concerned him.

On his way back to the dorms, whispers followed him at every turn.

Something must have happened—everyone seemed to be talking about it.

"Tch. Who’d have thought someone so pretty would be such a homewrecker..."

"Right? And juggling six guys at once? That’s talent, huh? Hahaha..."

"What was her name again? If she’s that easy, maybe I can get a turn too..."

"Shen something..."

The murmurs made Long Aotian slow his steps.

Shen Mengjie’s drunken state, the brokenness in her voice, and now these rumors...

He turned and sprinted back the way he’d come.

Though he wasn't sure what had happened here, there was no doubt this incident had dealt a severe blow to the woman...

She was waiting for him—did she suspect he was the one who revealed the matter?

He couldn't tell.

But driven by instinct, Long Aotian felt he needed to explain himself, while also checking on her condition. Her emotional state was clearly unstable...