Then I'll go wash the vegetables

Putting her phone back in her pocket, she decided to ignore it.

She already knew what was going on—anything beyond that wasn’t worth her attention.

If she’d wasted time arguing with Ye Liangchen, she could’ve already been at Hu Yuying’s place by now.

"Should we go see Yuying? It feels especially cold today." Li Qingxue shivered, hunching her shoulders.

Lin Wanning instinctively shook her head. She figured Yuying probably had a lot to say to Long Aotian right now, and it wouldn’t be appropriate for her and Qingxue to barge in.

"What’s wrong?" Li Qingxue asked.

Lin Wanning thought for a moment before replying, "We can’t keep intruding on their alone time, can we?"

"Besides, with how energetic he is, they might be... you know..."

Li Qingxue narrowed her eyes, a mischievous grin playing on her lips. "Wanning, you’ve gotten so bold with your jokes lately."

Still, she had to admit it made sense. Ever since Long Aotian had rented the place, their weekends had practically revolved around that apartment.

Over time, it had started to feel like home.

But they’d forgotten that Long Aotian and Hu Yuying needed their privacy too.

Now that the idea of visiting Yuying was off the table, she suddenly realized there was nowhere else to go.

Going back to the dorm would just be a waste of a perfectly good weekend.

Pulling her coat tighter, she sniffled—her nose already red from the cold. "What if we just get a room somewhere?"

Lin Wanning liked the idea. She wasn’t in the mood to return to the dorm either.

Even though she’d grown closer to her roommates lately, having a room to themselves would be much more comfortable.

Just as they were about to head out, their phones buzzed simultaneously.

Lin Wanning pulled hers out and checked—it was a message in their group chat with the three of them.

Hu Yuying: @Wanning, @Qingxue, come home for lunch.

Li Qingxue brightened instantly. "See? I knew Yuying wouldn’t forget about us."

Secretly, she vowed to teach Long Aotian a lesson later. This jerk, sneaking around with Wanning? Just wait—I’ll make sure he never dares to stray again. He better treat Yuying right.

Meanwhile, Lin Wanning pressed her phone to her chest and looked up at the sky. The day was freezing, but her heart felt warm.

It was like finding direction after wandering in uncertainty.

Since they were always freeloading meals, the two decided to take charge of grocery shopping this time.

Looking at the list Yuying had sent—complete with prices—Li Qingxue giggled behind her hand. "Yuying’s so frugal."

Lin Wanning tapped her forehead lightly. "You’ve never had to manage a household—you don’t know how expensive things can get."

"This is what it means to be responsible, jie."

Li Qingxue blinked. "Jie?"

"Why so surprised? After all she’s done for us, isn’t it natural to call her that?" Lin Wanning’s ears burned slightly, but she kept her composure, spinning the explanation smoothly.

"Well, if I bake you cookies later, you’d better call me jie too—otherwise, no treats for you, instant-noodle-addict Wanning." Li Qingxue smirked, proud that her baking skills gave her at least one advantage over Wanning’s limited culinary expertise.

"Keep teasing me about the instant noodles, and I’ll tickle you senseless!" Lin Wanning threatened, already reaching out.

Unlike yesterday, when exhaustion from Long Aotian’s antics had left her defenseless, Li Qingxue was no match this time. She burst into laughter, squirming and begging for mercy.

It wasn’t until they got into a taxi that Lin Wanning finally relented.

"Just you wait, Wanning. One day, you’ll regret everything you’ve done to me today!" Li Qingxue huffed, still catching her breath after the tickle assault.

"I’ll look forward to that day—but you’d better hurry, or I might forget." Lin Wanning teased, poking the soft curve of Qingxue’s cheek.

Seeing how unbothered Wanning was, Li Qingxue grumbled inwardly.

Just wait till I catch you two sneaking around again. I’ll spank your butt and step on Long Aotian’s face...

"I wish we’d met sooner." Lin Wanning sighed. I really, really love being with Yuying and Qingxue.

Li Qingxue scoffed. "I wouldn’t want to meet you any earlier." She tucked a strand of her short bob behind her ear. "But... I’ll lend you my shoulder if you need it."

"Tsundere." Lin Wanning rolled her eyes but couldn’t help smiling as she leaned against Qingxue’s shoulder.

Feeling the weight of Wanning’s head, Li Qingxue turned to gaze out the window, her lips curling into a quiet, contented smile.

Soon, they arrived at the market near Yuying’s place. Having shopped here with her before, they knew their way around.

"How much for this?" Li Qingxue asked a vendor.

"One-fifty."

She and Lin Wanning exchanged glances.

Then, in hushed whispers: "Other places sell it for one-thirty..."

After their little murmurs, they peeked at the vendor, who chuckled at the sight of two pretty girls conspiring over prices.

"Prices go up when it’s cold, but fine—one-thirty it is."

Victorious, they paid, took the groceries, and walked off, high-fiving once they were out of earshot.

"We did it! First haggling success!"

Giddy with their small triumph, they carried the bags back to the rented house.

Pushing open the gate to the courtyard, they spotted Long Aotian crouched by a pile of firewood and Hu Yuying sitting beside a makeshift stove, warming her hands.

Something about the atmosphere felt oddly tense today—or was that just Li Qingxue’s imagination?

Lin Wanning glanced at Long Aotian but forced herself to look away, silently praying for him in her heart. Instead, she carried the groceries to Hu Yuying. "Jie, we got everything."

Hu Yuying nodded, then shot a pointed look at Long Aotian before rolling her eyes.

Catching the hint, Long Aotian dropped the firewood and scurried over, tugging lightly at her sleeve. "Should I wash the vegetables?"

Li Qingxue burst out laughing.

Long Aotian shot her a mock-threatening glare and raised a fist—Keep laughing, and I’ll smack you.

Unfazed, Li Qingxue stuck her nose in the air. Hah! I know your secret. Try me.

Long Aotian arched a brow, but then he noticed the faint smile tugging at Hu Yuying’s lips.

He tugged her sleeve again. "So... I’ll wash the veggies?"

Hu Yuying bit her lip, trying not to smile too obviously. "You’ve asked twice now."

Grinning, Long Aotian picked up the groceries. "Got it."

Li Qingxue nudged Lin Wanning. "What’s up with Long Aotian? Why’s he so happy about washing vegetables?"

Lin Wanning chuckled. "Adult matters. Little girls shouldn’t worry about it."

Li Qingxue also rolled her eyes, as if to say, "Who do you think you're looking down on? Just wait—when I become a woman too, I'll shock you to death..."