It's Actually Not a Big Deal

Not long after seeing off the workers,

the three girls returned, giggling as they walked in,

carrying ingredients they had bought for dinner.

Long Aotian instinctively glanced at Hu Yuying’s feet.

As expected, he saw that her shoes were soaked through with water.

Taking a deep breath, he decided not to remind her—since the little one insisted on stepping in puddles during her period, she ought to suffer the consequences.

With that thought, he deliberately pretended not to notice and turned away.

But two seconds later, he sighed helplessly and said, "Go change your shoes first."

Hu Yuying looked down at her wet shoes, then flashed Long Aotian a sweet, pleading smile.

See, the little one had grown cunning.

Knowing she’d get scolded for wetting her shoes, she preemptively disarmed him with that smile—making it hard for him to lecture her even if he wanted to.

And it worked.

Others might not know, but Long Aotian was utterly defenseless against her antics.

That smile alone melted his heart, and the reprimand on his lips never made it out.

He then turned to Li Qingxue and Lin Wanning. "There are slippers inside. If you don’t mind, wear those for now."

Their shoes were soaked too, but when they noticed Long Aotian about to scold Hu Yuying, they instinctively pressed their feet together, as if that would hide the evidence.

Now that he’d called them out, the two quickly followed Hu Yuying inside.

Watching their retreating figures, Long Aotian suddenly felt the exhaustion of raising daughters.

He picked up the groceries they’d bought and began sorting and washing them.

By the time he finished cleaning the vegetables, the three girls had reemerged.

Hu Yuying had already moved most of her belongings here, so she had spare shoes to change into.

But Li Qingxue and Lin Wanning didn’t.

One wore Hu Yuying’s slippers, the other Long Aotian’s.

Lin Wanning, in particular, looked adorably clumsy—her tiny feet swimming in his oversized slippers, dragging with each step.

It was no longer summer, and the air had grown chilly.

Li Qingxue and Lin Wanning, now in slippers, were feeling the cold—especially since they, too, had been splashing in water earlier.

Long Aotian smirked dryly. "Now you feel the cold? Didn’t stop you from playing in the water, did it?"

The three girls exchanged glances, then stood there obediently, listening to his nagging like chastened children.

Even the usually lively Li Qingxue was subdued.

Noticing Lin Wanning’s pinkish toes curling in the slippers, Long Aotian sighed and stood to light the fire.

Without looking up, he muttered, "What are you waiting for? Me to fetch stools for you?"

At that, the three shared a smile and quickly pulled up small stools, gathering around him.

The two in slippers stretched their feet toward the flames, their faces lighting up with warmth-induced bliss.

Long Aotian got up again, went inside, and brought out their wet shoes to dry by the fire.

Watching him, Li Qingxue sighed enviously at Hu Yuying. "Your Long Aotian really knows how to take care of people."

Hu Yuying’s eyes shimmered with open affection—no longer afraid of Li Qingxue’s teasing. "He’s the best. I’m lucky."

Lin Wanning, hearing this, whispered in her heart:

Yes, he’s so good… I… I feel a little lucky too…

Just a tiny bit of luck.

I hope this tiny luck lasts a long, long time…

Dinner was hot pot—the colder the weather, the better it tasted, especially outdoors.

Truthfully, Hu Yuying had wanted to cook a proper meal, to make this place feel more like home sooner, but conditions weren’t quite ready yet.

After dinner, night had fully fallen—days were shorter now.

They walked off the meal, heading toward the subway station.

Long Aotian checked his phone, then said to Li Qingxue and Lin Wanning, "Sleep in tomorrow. Come over before lunch."

The two nodded, though they weren’t sure why. They’d come regardless.

Long Aotian’s rented place was conveniently located—just a subway ride from both University T and University A, no hassle at all.

At the crosswalk, Lin Wanning turned to Hu Yuying and Long Aotian. "Okay, you two can head back. No need to walk us further—the subway’s right across the street."

They didn’t insist, since they’d see each other again tomorrow.

As Hu Yuying and Long Aotian’s figures receded, the two girls crossed the road.

Walking side by side, Li Qingxue frowned. "What does Long Aotian want us to come over for tomorrow?"

Lin Wanning recalled the words Long Aotian had spoken to her earlier when they were together.

After a moment of contemplation, she said, "It must be the winter clothes that arrived with free shipping. Brother probably wants us to try them on."

Hearing this, Li Qingxue couldn't help but laugh, lifting her gaze to the night sky. "Ever since meeting Long Aotian, it feels like we’ve been under his care all the time."

"My parents never bought me so many clothes at once..."

"He’s always like this—getting things done without anyone even noticing. He’s so good at making people feel safe. Hu Yuying was right—he really is the best person in the world..."

Meanwhile...

Hmph, now that Li Qingxue and Lin Wanning had both left,

Long Aotian closed the door behind them, locking it, then wordlessly pulled the little girl back into the room.

The once somewhat shabby room had gradually transformed since Hu Yuying moved in. Every day, something new was added, and now the space looked quite charming.

Pushing the girl onto the bed,

Hu Yuying’s cheeks flushed pink. Long-ge really is like a starving ghost sometimes... But she could understand—after all, she’d gotten worked up more than a few times herself.

Yet after lying there for a while, she didn’t feel him press down on her.

Confused, she peeked up—only to see Long Aotian, who had just pushed her onto the bed, walking back out of the room.

When he returned, he was carrying a basin of warm water.

Steam rose from the surface, and Hu Yuying covered her face in embarrassment. How shameful! I really thought Long-ge was that desperate...

Suddenly, her small foot was enveloped in his grasp.

The sensation made her shiver slightly.

Then Long Aotian’s exasperated voice reached her ears. "You... Look how cold your feet are. I told you not to play in the water, but you wouldn’t listen. If you don’t take care of yourself now, you’ll regret it when you’re older..."

As his hands rubbed warmth back into her feet,

Hu Yuying felt a swell of emotion. She knew he was worried about her,

and her heart melted at his tenderness.

Blushing harder, she murmured shyly, "My... my period ended today, so it’s really not a big deal..."

"Hmm?"

[...Thanks for your support, everyone...]