This Time I Choose Dignity

After saying these words, the dazed Ye Liangchen's eyes gradually focused.

Just as he saw Long Aotian tilt his head back, take a sip of water, and spray it down toward him, he opened his mouth to stop him.

But the next second, his Adam's apple bobbed—he accidentally swallowed it.

Immediately, he struggled to turn over and vomited onto the ground.

Uncertain whether Li Qingxue was on campus, Ye Liangchen had arrived early at the gates of University A to wait, while Xue Shaohua was stationed along the path she would take back to the academy.

Because of this, he hadn’t eaten anything substantial all morning. After retching until his mouth was dry, nothing but spit came up.

Clenching his fists, he glared helplessly at Long Aotian. At this moment, he truly wanted to kill him—his own pure and pristine body had been defiled!

But then Long Aotian spoke again, and his words made Ye Liangchen’s face darken completely.

With an air of seriousness, Long Aotian said, "You should see a traditional Chinese doctor when you have time. Your body is too weak."

Ye Liangchen gritted his teeth. Though he often indulged in self-reward, the word "weak" was something no man could accept!

His gaze shifted to Hu Yuying and Li Qingxue standing beside Long Aotian, and he felt an unprecedented humiliation.

A single tear of regret slowly rolled down from the corner of his eye.

"He’s crying," Hu Yuying whispered.

"He really is," Li Qingxue also noticed.

Long Aotian scratched his head awkwardly. "Uh… did I go too hard?"

Due to his regular training, Long Aotian’s physique was naturally more robust than the average student’s, so he hadn’t even used his full strength earlier…

Their words, to Ye Liangchen, felt like yet another stomp on his dignity.

Struggling to his feet, he stood up.

His gaze swept past Long Aotian and landed on Li Qingxue. "We’ve known each other for ten years. Ten years! You wouldn’t let me save you, and you trampled on my sincerity. This time, I choose my dignity!"

Then, he turned to Hu Yuying. "In my heart, I’ve helped you countless times. I wanted to save you over and over. Hah… this time, I also choose dignity!"

Finally, his eyes locked onto Long Aotian. "Long Aotian, you’ve humiliated me time and again. One day, I will repay you a thousandfold!"

With that, he clenched his fists and let out a furious roar to the sky.

The seed of darkness, nourished by his rage, broke through flesh and blood, watered by his own blood, and grew into a towering tree.

The last trace of kindness in him had finally been extinguished.

Hu Yuying, Li Qingxue—you two have repeatedly embarrassed me.

Even in my confrontation with Long Aotian, you stood firmly by his side.

Then don’t blame me for showing no mercy.

When I finally succeed in branding Long Aotian with the stigma of assault…

When you suddenly wake up one day and realize…

When you remember my kindness, understand my good intentions, and come crawling back to me…

I will coldly reject you without hesitation.

And this rejection won’t be just a simple cold shoulder.

The "chase-him-through-hell" trope won’t just be hell—it’ll be worse.

This is all your own doing. That feeling of being cast aside?

Hah!

You’ll know it when the time comes.

I am who I am—Ye Liangchen, unafraid to love or hate.

This time, I won’t soften my heart!

With these thoughts, he swept his gaze over the three of them, coldly shoved his hands into his pockets, flicked his hair, and turned to leave.

The entire motion was smooth and decisive, radiating an air of unshakable resolve.

As Ye Liangchen walked away, Long Aotian watched his retreating figure and then asked, "What did he mean by 'save'?"

Hu Yuying and Li Qingxue exchanged blank looks—they genuinely had no idea why Ye Liangchen wanted to "save" them.

Hu Yuying did vaguely recall something about his so-called salvation—something about how only by following him could her life reach unimaginable heights of perfection.

Of course, she would never share such nonsense with Long Aotian.

It was downright insulting. What kind of magic did Ye Liangchen think he had? How could her life be perfect just by being with him?

She was already content with her life as it was.

She had Long Aotian, whom she loved and who loved her back. Her online shop was thriving, earning her more than she’d ever dreamed of.

This was the life she had chosen—good or bad, she embraced it wholeheartedly.

Only Long Aotian found it strange.

His presence had already altered Hu Yuying’s life, yet Ye Liangchen still spoke of "salvation."

The original novel’s plot revolved around the male lead, Ye Liangchen, saving the three girls…

If Hu Yuying could break free from her scripted fate because of him,

then could Ye Liangchen also…?

The more Long Aotian thought about it, the deeper his frown became.

But this was what puzzled him the most. If Ye Liangchen had also broken free from his predetermined role, he should have already risen to the pinnacle of success by now.

So why was he still like this?

The hair-flicking, the earrings… it all felt so rash and cringeworthy.

"Long Aotian, what’s on your mind?" Noticing his furrowed brow, Hu Yuying stood on her tiptoes and gently smoothed his forehead with her finger.

"Long Aotian, you only helped me. If Ye Liangchen dares to target you, I won’t let him off," Li Qingxue declared firmly. If not for Long Aotian’s intervention, he wouldn’t have earned Ye Liangchen’s hatred.

Long Aotian shook his head slowly. "It’s fine. From now on, if you see him, just avoid him. If he tries to harass you again, don’t engage—call me, and I’ll handle it."

His gaze then settled on Hu Yuying. "Especially you. Don’t have any contact with him. Promise me. No matter what I’m doing, I’ll rush to your side the moment you call."

Whether Ye Liangchen had broken free from his scripted fate or not, Hu Yuying was already his. After everything they’d been through, Long Aotian realized he couldn’t live without her now.

No one—not even the protagonist—would take her away from him.

If it came to a fight, so be it. If he had to play the villainous male lead, then fine—he’d own it!

In truth, Long Aotian was worrying over nothing. The three girls had long since dismissed Ye Liangchen’s so-called salvation.

Behind Long Aotian’s back, they had rejected Ye Liangchen countless times.

But no matter how clearly they spoke, he never seemed to understand, always coming back to pester them.

Seeing Long Aotian’s concern, Hu Yuying assumed he was afraid she’d face the same harassment as Li Qingxue.

Quietly, she hooked her pinky around his. "Don’t worry, Long Aotian. I’ll protect myself. And if things get bad, I’ll call the police. Besides… I have you."

Watching the worry in Long Aotian’s eyes as he looked at Hu Yuying, Li Qingxue couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy. She, too, longed for someone to care for her like that…

"And you, when Ye Liangchen grabbed you in front of everyone just now, why didn’t you call for help?"

Mentioning this, Li Qingxue felt a little aggrieved—she hadn’t even had the chance to shout before he was kicked away by you.

Still, hearing those words, a flicker of happiness stirred in her heart... He does care about her after all.