On the other side.
After picking up Hu Yuying, Long Aotian magically pulled a roasted sweet potato from his coat.
"Ta-da~ Want some?" Long Aotian waved the fragrant sweet potato in front of Hu Yuying, looking every bit like a sketchy uncle luring a little girl with candy.
Hu Yuying took a deep breath, savoring the lingering aroma in the air, then beamed and nodded emphatically. "Yes, please!"
Seeing how eagerly she played along, Long Aotian peeled the sweet potato and handed it to her.
Hu Yuying took a small bite—it was sweet, soft, and delightfully warm.
"Long-ge, you have some too," she said, holding the sweet potato up to his lips, her eyes sparkling with anticipation for him to take a big bite.
Noticing the hopeful look in her eyes, Long Aotian took a bite. "Delicious."
"Hehe." Satisfied, Hu Yuying giggled and let Long Aotian help her put on her helmet while she continued nibbling on the sweet potato.
Back in her hometown during winter, she used to roast sweet potatoes by the fire—they were just as delicious.
She thought about bringing Long Aotian home this year and roasting sweet potatoes for him too.
Watching her cheerful expression, Long Aotian took a quiet, steadying breath. The hesitation in his eyes gradually hardened into resolve. Every time he saw the smile on A-Ying’s face, he felt he could no longer keep hiding the truth.
He couldn’t deceive her any longer. Clenching his fists nervously, he met her gaze. "A-Ying, there’s something I need to—"
Before he could finish, Hu Yuying’s phone rang.
She glanced at the caller ID. "It’s Wanning!"
She answered the video call, and Lin Wanning and Li Qingxue’s faces immediately popped up on the screen.
"You two are together?"
Li Qingxue glanced subtly at Lin Wanning before replying with a soft "Mhm," then added, "We’re going for a bath tonight, and you’re the only one missing."
"Yuying, it’s been so long since we bathed together. Spend tonight with us, okay?" Lin Wanning coaxed.
Hu Yuying’s heart swayed at their invitation, and she turned to Long Aotian. "Long-ge, we’re going for a bath."
"Brother/Long Aotian, we’re going for a bath~~~"
Lin Wanning and Li Qingxue’s playful voices chimed through the phone.
Seeing how excited Hu Yuying looked, a rare smile tugged at Long Aotian’s usually stern face. "Where are you?"
"I know the place! I’ll take Long-ge there," Hu Yuying declared proudly before hanging up.
Long Aotian chuckled and lightly booped her nose. "That happy, huh?"
"Of course! It’s been forever since we bathed together."
"And bathing with me isn’t fun?"
Hu Yuying’s cheeks flushed pink, and she pinched his waist lightly. "Bad Long-ge, stop talking!"
Every time they bathed together, it left her blushing furiously—she couldn’t handle him teasing her about it.
Even as she pouted, Long Aotian found it endearing. He gently pinched her cheek. "Alright, let’s go. I’ll take you there."
"Mhm."
Once seated behind him on the bike, she suddenly remembered something and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Long-ge, what were you going to tell me earlier?"
Long Aotian held her hands where they rested against his stomach, silent for a moment before replying, "I’ll tell you when you get back."
"Okay." She rested her head against his back with a soft murmur.
Following Hu Yuying’s directions, Long Aotian soon spotted Lin Wanning and Li Qingxue waiting by the roadside.
Before they even reached them, the two girls started waving excitedly. "Over here! We’re here!"
"Qingxue! Wanning! Long-ge, hurry up!" Hu Yuying tightened her grip around him, urging him to speed up.
"Easy, easy, we’re already here," Long Aotian laughed, amused by her impatience.
Why did it feel like she was more excited to see them than him?
After parking, the three girls reunited, leaving Long Aotian feeling somewhat like a third wheel.
"Long-ge, you can head back now. We’re going for our bath!" Hu Yuying grinned at him.
"Fine. Call me when you’re done, and I’ll pick you up."
"Afraid we’ll lose Yuying if she’s with us?" Li Qingxue teased.
"Drive safely," Lin Wanning added softly.
Long Aotian watched the three disappear into the bathhouse before turning his bike around.
"Yuying, we already booked a room!"
Lin Wanning and Li Qingxue had made arrangements beforehand.
"Stay with us tonight," Lin Wanning whispered with a smile.
Seeing Hu Yuying hesitate, the two girls tag-teamed their persuasion until she gave in.
"Then... I need to call Long-ge."
Hu Yuying knew if she didn’t tell him, he’d wait up all night, worried.
Long Aotian hadn’t gone far when Hu Yuying’s message came through.
Hearing she wasn’t coming home, he sighed but simply replied, "Alright."
"Yes~!"
Li Qingxue and Lin Wanning high-fived, quietly cheering.
Hu Yuying rolled her eyes at them. "I’m starting to regret this."
"No take-backs!"
"Tonight, you’re ours. No regrets allowed!"
Two bathtubs, three girls—endless fun.
At least without Long Aotian around, their friendship was something to envy.
Fresh from their bath and thoroughly relaxed, they headed to the hotel room Lin Wanning and Li Qingxue had booked.
A single large bed was more than enough for three slender girls.
Hu Yuying was the first to strip down and leap onto the bed, settling in the middle. She swept her long hair over one shoulder and patted the space beside her, grinning at Li Qingxue and Lin Wanning to come cuddle up.
Sleeping alone and sleeping with friends were completely different experiences.
The warmth was indescribable, but she loved it.
With one girl nestled under each arm, Hu Yuying was overjoyed.
"See? Sleeping with us is way better than with Long Aotian, right?"
It wasn’t the same—sleeping with Long-ge was its own kind of wonderful. But Hu Yuying would never say that out loud, or they’d pester her for details. Too embarrassing...
Suddenly, a familiar fragrance tickled her nose. Hu Yuying sniffed and turned to Lin Wanning on her right.
Noticing her gaze, Lin Wanning nuzzled against Hu Yuying’s neck. "What’s up, A-Ying? Want a snack? I’ll get it for you."
As Lin Wanning pressed closer, the scent grew stronger.
Hu Yuying hadn’t noticed it before.
As Lin Wanning undressed and pressed close, the faint fragrance of her body finally reached Hu Yuying.
Hu Yuying felt slightly dazed and shook her head gently. "Pour me a glass of water, please..."
"My dear sister, wait for me." With an affectionate nuzzle of her nose against Hu Yuying's cheek, Lin Wanning got up to fetch the water.
She held the glass to Hu Yuying's lips while lifting her chin with the other hand. "Let me feed you."
Gazing at Lin Wanning, who was so devoted to her, Hu Yuying chuckled softly. "You're being naughty, little sister."
g Yu was preparing for retirement when her organization decided to eliminate her. She transmigrated to a zombie apocalypse world. However, a tiny unexpected situation occurred: She somehow transformed into an adorable little girl?!
for mindless slaughter, this isn't for you.] My name is Ye Shu, and I'm a transmigrator. It seems I'm supposed to be the protagonist, but that feels pretty unlikely. This world has been invaded by a system. The antagonists on the other side have suddenly become pure, flawless saints. The female leads have been force-fed the so-called "original plot," making them think they've been reborn. Now, everyone thinks I'm scum. Including the old lady in my ring. And here I am, in the Monster Beast Mountain Range, braising pork. To put my situation in perspective— It's as if, the moment Xiao Yan stepped into the Monster Beast Mountain Range, the Soul Emperor already knew he would become the Flame Emperor, and Yao Lao had been turned to the enemy's side. I have nothing right now. Oh wait, that's not true. I do have a white-haired loli child-bride who's the Heavenly Dao, and her only skill is acting cute. So, tell me guys... what are my chances of making it to the end?
e vast world of cultivation, where he becomes the master of the Heavenly Ruins Sacred Hall, a dying old man with barely a tenth of his former cultivation remaining. He is immediately confronted with a deadly crisis: his subordinates have rebelled, and his protectors are forcing him to abdicate. At the critical moment, the system descends from the heavens: [Ding! The host has been detected facing a life-or-death crisis. The system is now officially activated!] [As a gift, you have received the Supreme Beginner’s Pack and awakened the ultimate cheat: ten thousand years of pure cultivation essence every second!] Yin Tianjue: “Wait… ten thousand years of cultivation every second? That’s six hundred thousand years a minute, and in one day… I can’t even calculate it. Either way, I’m already invincible!” You’re a peerless prodigy rarely seen in ten thousand years? Sorry, I gain ten thousand years of cultivation every second. You’re an undying ancestor who has guarded a sacred land for countless ages? Sorry, I gain ten thousand years of cultivation every second. You’re the strongest chosen one, blessed with heaven-defying destiny? Sorry, I gain ten thousand years of cultivation every second. From this day forth, I have only one thing to say: “I gain ten thousand years of cultivation every second. Now, how exactly are you supposed to deal with that?”
s the Eldest Princess, renowned for her cold and aloof detachment, became the most docile of lambs, obeying his every command without question. But when the final move was played on the chessboard, as Gu Chenghan seized everything and ascended on the verge of apotheosis, that very Princess suddenly embraced him from behind, her tone carrying a dependence never heard before: "Wait... you haven't yet... commanded me to love you forever." Gu Chenghan froze abruptly. She... hadn't been hypnotized?! ... [The Eldest Princess's Diary] [When my soul was extracted, becoming the sole spectator outside my own shell] [At first, there was overwhelming fury, until I saw] [How he used my sword to effortlessly shatter my inescapable doom] [How he wielded my authority to eradicate fatal conspiracies I had never even detected] [Like a deity, he rescued me from the deep mire I was trapped in] [If not for those annoying vixens, he and I would be a match made in heaven] [I think I am ill, gravely ill] [My deity should belong to me alone] ... "Hypnosis? Oh, it succeeded, my dear Master." "Only this time, it's my turn to hypnotize you."
