Brother Long is a bad guy, a liar...

Returning to the courtyard house once more,

Li Qingxue couldn’t help but marvel at how much it had changed with each passing day.

The overgrown mess from before was nowhere to be seen now.

Preserving some of the traditional charm while blending in modern architectural trends, even in its unfinished state, it left a striking impression.

"Will it be completed soon?" Lin Wanning asked softly.

"Almost. We should be able to move in by this winter," Long Aotian replied with a touch of emotion.

His grip on Hu Yuying’s hand tightened slightly.

Having a home wasn’t just a dream anymore.

Feeling the pressure of his hand, Hu Yuying leaned gently against his arm.

Once the house was finished, they’d be living together, wouldn’t they?

The thought brought a tender smile to her lips.

She had lost her parents at a young age, raised only by her grandparents.

Though they loved her dearly, there were things they simply couldn’t give her.

But Long Aotian had given her those things.

He had guided her out of the darkness, taught her life’s lessons, and helped her understand herself in ways her grandparents never could.

Loving him had come naturally.

In those days, when a woman gave herself to a man, it was with complete devotion—a lifelong commitment, for better or worse.

Hu Yuying had truly prepared herself for this. As she often said, she was willing to do anything for him, ready to care for him for the rest of her life.

Quietly slipping her hand free, she turned to tidy up the room.

Watching her, Li Qingxue and Lin Wanning exchanged a glance before following her inside.

They flanked her, each wrapping an arm around her slender waist, teasing, "Are you going back tonight?"

Hu Yuying’s cheeks flushed as she shook her head lightly. "Not tonight."

"Does being held by your Long Aotian feel better than being hugged by us?"

"Our bodies are much softer, you know."

"And we’ve got something for you to hold onto~"

Some embraces were irreplaceable, each unique in its own way.

As if I don’t already know what you’ve got to offer, Hu Yuying thought to herself.

"Look at you, so ready to give yourself away. You’re never escaping Long Aotian now."

"Why would I want to?" Hu Yuying murmured. "After finally finding my way to him, standing by his side..."

It wasn’t just blind devotion—without him, her life wouldn’t feel so complete.

Simple desires led to simple dreams.

A partner, a couple of children, and a lifetime together.

By the time she finished making the bed, dusk was settling in.

She turned to Li Qingxue and Lin Wanning. "It’s getting late..."

"Are you kicking us out? So much for friendship!"

"After last night’s cozy sleepover, now we’re just in the way, huh?"

Hu Yuying panicked, waving her hands. "No, no, that’s not what I meant—I didn’t—"

Unfazed, Li Qingxue and Lin Wanning pointed to their cheeks, smirking. You know what to do.

Hu Yuying stepped forward, pressing a light kiss to each of their cheeks.

"Happy now?"

"You squeezed my little treasures last night," Li Qingxue huffed. "And for so long too."

"Next time, you can squeeze mine, okay?"

After a moment of consideration, Li Qingxue nodded. "Fine."

Stepping outside, they called to Long Aotian, "It’s late. We should head back."

"Stay for dinner. I’ll go buy groceries," he offered.

"No, we wouldn’t want to delay someone’s early bedtime. Next time."

With that, they left.

Long Aotian watched them go, puzzled. "What’s with them? They’re usually the first to jump at a meal."

Hu Yuying bit her lip. "They’re probably tired and want to rest early."

Turning to her, Long Aotian leaned close, his breath warm against her ear. "Is that so?"

The sensation sent a shiver down her spine, her pulse racing. That electrifying touch—only he could make her feel this way.

It had been too long since the last time.

Her body awakened, toes lifting slightly as she instinctively pressed closer.

Eyes hazy, heart pounding, she wrapped her arms around his neck.

Watching the bob of Long Aotian’s Adam’s apple, a mischievous glint flashed in Hu Yuying’s eyes. She suddenly pulled his neck toward her, lightly licking his throat before quickly pulling away, her lips curled in a playful smile as she waited for him to take the lead.

Long Aotian froze for a moment, utterly overwhelmed by her teasing. Without hesitation, he captured her lips, parting them gently as he savored every bit of her sweetness. His kisses trailed down her neck, lingered at her collarbone, and finally returned to the sensitive spot behind her ear. “Who taught you that?” he murmured.

Hu Yuying couldn’t very well admit she’d learned it from a video. Instead, she half-lidded her eyes, shivering at the warmth of his breath against her skin. “No one taught me… I just thought it would make you happy,” she whispered, instinctively arching her neck to meet his kisses.

The body never lies—no pretense could replace its raw honesty.

Desire ignited in an instant.

As Long Aotian lifted her into his arms, Hu Yuying no longer hesitated like before. Her slender legs wrapped around his waist, steadying herself as her body melted against him.

“Long-ge, it’s getting late… Shouldn’t we go to bed?”

The man who had always been her dependable older brother now seemed like a flustered rookie, staring at her with nothing but a dazed grin.

He carried her into the bedroom.

The moment they crossed the threshold, Hu Yuying nudged the door shut with her foot.

Burrowing under the covers, only her flushed face remained visible. “Long-ge, take off your jacket. It’s uncomfortable to sleep in.”

“Turn off the light.”

In the darkness, Long Aotian slid beneath the sheets, his fingertips brushing against her soft skin, sending a tremor through his chest.

Hu Yuying tensed, tossing her black dress out from under the blankets.

Moonlight seeped through the curtains as she fought to keep her voice steady. “Long-ge… your heartbeat is so fast.”

“Why did you take everything off?”

“Not everything,” she protested shyly. “I still have my bra and panties.”

“Long-ge, you—you’re pressing against me…”

“I’ll stay on the outside… is that okay?”

Her face burned as she buried herself deeper into the covers, the last shreds of reason long forgotten. “Mmm… okay,” she breathed, her voice feather-light with embarrassment.

In the dark, Hu Yuying’s brows knitted together, her breath uneven as she stiffened. “You liar…” she whimpered.

Their heartbeats synced, time itself seeming to pause as if nothing else existed but the two of them.

The moonlight spilling through the window bathed them in silent warmth, as though this was the most natural thing in the world.

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