In the beginning, we are all getting better little by little

"You're taking Yuying away, and from now on, I'll be all alone." Li Qingxue bit her straw, unused to the sudden solitude around her.

"It's just that she won't be staying in the dorm anymore. Besides, you have a key to our place—come over whenever you're on break." Long Aotian adjusted the helmet on his little sweetheart as he spoke.

"Hmph, it's not the same..." Even though Qingxue was being a bit tsundere, she couldn't help but whine at this moment.

Ever since they arrived in the capital, she and Hu Yuying had been inseparable outside of class.

Only those who’ve experienced such a bond could truly understand the reluctance in her heart.

Long Aotian tapped Li Qingxue lightly on the head, feigning annoyance. "You're making me look like the villain who tore you two apart."

Hu Yuying wouldn’t let Long Aotian off so easily. She quickly rubbed the spot where he’d tapped Qingxue, then pinched his waist lightly.

"See? We’re still the best," Li Qingxue said smugly, grinning at Long Aotian.

"How about you move in with us once the house is renovated?" Seeing how close the two were, Long Aotian pinched Yuying’s cheek affectionately.

The nearly 300-square-meter courtyard house would have plenty of rooms after the renovation, so it wouldn’t be a problem.

Hu Yuying and Li Qingxue exchanged a glance before answering in unison, "Deal."

"Be careful on the road, okay?" Li Qingxue waved as Hu Yuying and Long Aotian got on the bike, adding softly, "Don’t ride too fast."

"Don’t worry, I’m an excellent rider. Just ask Yuying."

Hu Yuying seemed to remember something and suddenly pinched Long Aotian’s waist again, even giving him a couple of playful punches for good measure.

Long Aotian blinked, too embarrassed to ask why she’d pinched him, and simply rubbed his waist before saying, "Let’s go."

Meanwhile!

Xue Shaohua, who had just stepped out to buy wine for a moonlit toast, suddenly saw an electric bike zip past him.

"Long Aotian? Hu Yuying?"

A realization struck him like lightning, and he clenched his fists so hard his palms hurt. "You bastard! Yuying’s already so frail, and you still dare to—!"

Without another thought, Xue Shaohua sprinted after the bike.

"No, no, no! Her body’s weak, you monster!"

At that moment, his mind was blank except for one thing—if Long Aotian took Hu Yuying away, he knew exactly what awaited her.

The memory of that guy he’d seen in the public restroom made his scalp crawl.

Why couldn’t they just leave her alone when she was already so fragile?

The woman he cherished, the one who made his heart ache just to look at—how dare you treat her like this!

Fueled by fury, Xue Shaohua charged forward like a knight fighting for love.

But no matter how hard he ran, the bike only grew farther away, leaving him panting in the dust.

Gasping for breath, he pulled out his phone and dialed a number.

"She’s been taken..."

"Who’s been taken? Speak clearly!"

"Hu... Hu Yuying’s been taken by Long Aotian again..." Xue Shaohua forced the words out through gritted teeth.

"Damn it..."

......

"Long-ge, you have no idea how much I missed you after we parted." Hu Yuying murmured from the back seat, hugging Long Aotian as she rubbed the spot she’d pinched earlier.

"You’re doomed. You’ve fallen into the river of my love."

Hu Yuying giggled, resting her chin on his shoulder. "Then what should I do?"

"There’s no escape. You’re destined to be mine for life—just accept your fate." Long Aotian sighed dramatically, pretending to be stern.

"Fine then. I’ll surrender. From now on, I’m yours."

The words made her blush furiously, and she buried her face against his back, hugging him tighter to hide her embarrassment.

For the two of them, this was nothing short of bliss.

"I’ll open the door."

Once they reached home, Hu Yuying hopped off to unlock the gate. After Long Aotian entered, she locked it behind them and skipped after him. "Hehe, it’s so dark..."

Long Aotian turned and swept her into his arms. "Rawr! I’m the big bad demon lord, and I’ve caught you! Now I’m going to gobble you up!"

He buried his face in her neck, inhaling deeply.

Tickled by his kisses, Hu Yuying squirmed, giggling as she played along. "I’m so scared! Please, mighty Demon Lord Long-ge, spare me!"

Once the playfulness subsided, Long Aotian boiled some water.

"Drink some ginger tea first, then soak your feet in warm water before bed."

"Got it, Long-ge." Hu Yuying took the cup obediently, sipping as she watched him bustle around for her.

Being cared for felt wonderful—being cared for by someone she loved felt even better.

Pulling out a neatly folded set of underwear from her bag, Long Aotian asked, "These are washed and dried. Want to change?"

"Mhm."

After washing her feet, she retrieved a sanitary pad from her coat pocket and grabbed fresh underwear, heading toward the door.

"Where are you going?" Long Aotian asked, puzzled.

Hu Yuying hesitated. "This... it’s dirty. I’ll change outside..."

She didn’t want him to see or smell it, afraid he’d find it gross.

"Change here." He pulled her into a gentle embrace, kissing her forehead. "My sweet girl is perfect just the way she is."

Soon after, she stepped out of the room with a trash bag in hand. "Long-ge, you go wash your feet. I’ll take out the trash."

The bin was right outside, so there was no worry.

Once they’d both washed up, they lay side by side in bed, turning to face each other with matching smiles.

"It feels like we’re back in Haibin City. Once the kitchen’s done, I can cook for you every day again."

"Little by little, everything’s getting better, just like how we were at the beginning."

"Yeah, everything’s slowly falling into place."

Looking back at how far they’d come, it all felt like a miracle.

"Long-ge, I want to lie in your arms." Hu Yuying tilted her face up, eyes wide and innocent.

Long Aotian spread his arms. "Come here. Anytime."

She gathered her long hair and nestled against his chest, listening to his heartbeat—something she adored beyond words.

As the steady rhythm filled her ears, Hu Yuying yawned softly, nuzzling into the perfect spot before drifting off to sleep.

Gently stroking the little girl's long hair and breathing in her faint, sweet fragrance, Long Aotian tightened his arms around her, pulling her closer into his embrace, and closed his eyes...