Humility is Dust

Lin Wanning's words made Long Aotian's heart clench.

Gazing at her lying in his arms—her slightly reddened eyes, disheveled black hair clinging to her fair skin—she exuded an inexplicable fragility, like a porcelain doll on the verge of shattering at the slightest touch.

"Was it worth it?"

"For someone like me."

Truthfully, in that moment, he had felt a savage urge to tear her apart.

But when he saw her biting back tears, something inside him stirred.

He knew he was done for.

She called him her "heavenly demon star," the one who tangled her emotions, made her complicated yet irresistibly drawn to him.

Yet, in truth, she was his heavenly demon star. From their very first encounter, she had entangled him, made him conflicted in the face of Hu Yuying, and now led him step by step into this predicament...

"It was worth it." Lin Wanning lifted her face, her expression earnest. "For you, anything is worth it."

"Maybe you don’t understand why I’m so persistent. Honestly, I don’t either."

Dragging her exhausted body closer to Long Aotian, she whispered, "But my heart keeps telling me you’re the right one. Falling for someone starts with the heart surrendering first."

"Right here!"

Her fingertip pressed gently against his chest.

Meeting his eyes, she asked, "Brother, have you ever felt anything for Wanning, even for just a moment?"

In terms of looks, Lin Wanning was no less beautiful than Hu Yuying or Li Qingxue.

Their figures were equally captivating in their own ways.

Though she was worldly and enjoyed watching risqué videos, she had always guarded her purity.

She had once held bright hopes for love and the future.

But the moment Long Aotian appeared—embodying the cliché of a hero saving a damsel—her life took a tangible turn.

Lin Wanning couldn’t even remember why she had been surrounded and judged that day.

But the image of Long Aotian shielding her had etched itself into her mind, never fading, never forgotten.

Feeling the rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her fingertip, her own heart soared with joy.

She rested her head against his chest. "Take me. Treat me as Yuying if you want, or anything else. Just take me..."

The first time, she had used silver handcuffs.

The second time, it was through videos, deliberate seduction, even threats.

Now, she wanted him to claim her willingly, without tricks or coercion, to mold her completely into his.

Stolen happiness was fleeting, yet it filled her utterly.

Walking downstairs, she dared not bend her knees—each movement sent waves of soreness through her.

Glancing at the man supporting her, she laughed abruptly. "Am I that weak?"

"It’d be better if you didn’t cry."

"But you were so rough."

"You kept threatening me, leaving me no choice." He sighed. "You’re such a fool. Why endure it in silence?"

"I was afraid... afraid that if I said it hurt, you’d reject me." Her voice was meek, almost self-effacing.

She was brilliant and admirable, yet before him, she reduced herself to dust, trembling at every word.

How could someone be so foolish?

But Long Aotian didn’t know the resolve it had taken for Lin Wanning to make this choice.

Her friendship with Yuying was real. Her love for him was real.

Yet she had crossed the line, becoming the "other woman" to her own friend. From the start, she had placed herself beneath contempt, stripping away all dignity.

To covet a friend’s lover was disgraceful, but she couldn’t help herself. She embraced it willingly.

Even knowing exposure would bring endless darkness and an indelible stain...

She just loved him so much.

After a brief silence, Long Aotian asked, "Want some fruit tea?"

"One cup isn’t enough. I want two."

Her throat was nearly hoarse from crying, from his roughness, his force.

Yet the second time had been so tender, so euphoric...

She’d learned that lovemaking wasn’t just pain—it could be a soaring, cloud-like ecstasy.

"Get some rest."

"Brother... are you worried about me?" She already knew the answer but longed to hear it.

Seeing Lin Wanning’s delight, Long Aotian felt a pang.

She was like a dancer on a blade’s edge, every step cautious, every gesture tentative—as if one rejection would send her crumbling back into the dust.

She didn’t have to be this way. At school, she was the aloof campus belle, pursued by no fewer than a dozen admirers.

Yet for him, she willingly became a secret, tiptoeing around his moods...

His heart grew heavy.

Mentally, he wasn’t ready to accept it, but his body had already memorized her.

A soft "Mm" was his brief reply.

But it was enough to make Lin Wanning radiant.

"Mm!" she echoed brightly. "I’ll rest well."

She hadn’t even used all the tricks she’d learned from those videos.

She knew plenty—once she recovered, she’d satisfy him completely.

Lin Wanning also knew her limits. She wouldn’t demand too much or burden him with trouble.

Today, she had tasted his tenderness. That alone made her happy.

After parting ways, she walked back to her dorm alone.

The moment she arrived, her body gave out—exhaustion and the lingering ache in her abdomen left her craving nothing but bed.

Yet her face glowed with joy, eclipsing the discomfort.

Then, her phone rang.

The screen lit up with the faces of Li Qingxue and Hu Yuying.

At the sight of Yuying, Lin Wanning’s eyes flickered instinctively—like a concubine facing the wife, a younger sister meeting the elder...

"Wanning, you look exhausted," Hu Yuying remarked immediately.

Lin Wanning forced a smile. "I’ve been... pushed too hard lately. I’m just resting in my dorm."

"Let’s go for a soak tonight! It’ll help you relax," Li Qingxue chimed in. "I can give you a massage too!"

"Maybe tomorrow." Today, her body had truly reached its limit.

The sheer force that had threatened to break her apart—the pain and pleasure—had drained her completely.

Right now, all she wanted was to lie down for a while, to rest properly...