The trio is happy, the trio is in conflict

"Let's go out together today," Hu Yuying said with a smile, holding Li Qingxue's hand. "We'll pick up Wanning first, then grab a meal. We have something to tell you."

She deliberately kept it a mystery, enjoying the way Li Qingxue’s curiosity flared up—how she’d hover around, eager to know the little secret but left in suspense.

Among the three of them, Li Qingxue was the one who could never keep things to herself. She loved sharing, and whenever she had something bottled up inside, it gnawed at her relentlessly.

Now, with Hu Yuying teasing her like this, she was practically squirming with impatience.

But when Hu Yuying handed her a helmet and she settled onto the back of the electric scooter, the slow ride gradually lifted her spirits, and soon she was cheerful again.

Sometimes, Li Qingxue’s mood swings were truly enviable.

"Woo-hoo~ Can we go a little faster, A-Ying?" Li Qingxue called from behind, feeling the cool breeze wash over her, as if sweeping away all the gloom that had weighed on her lately.

"Not here—there are too many people. Once we pass the traffic light up ahead, I can speed up a bit."

"Alright then, hehehe, I’m so happy!" Li Qingxue wrapped her arms lightly around Hu Yuying’s waist, giggling.

Hu Yuying, focused on driving, didn’t see the expression on Li Qingxue’s face, but the joy in her voice was unmistakable.

Soon, Hu Yuying pulled up at the entrance of the music conservatory.

Lin Wanning was already waiting there, as they’d arranged earlier. Spotting the scooter, she hurried over and handed them the warm drinks she’d bought in advance.

Her hands had been wrapped around the drinks, keeping them toasty, so she pressed them gently against Hu Yuying’s cheeks, warming her wind-chilled face.

After Hu Yuying, she did the same for Li Qingxue.

Then the three of them just stood there, grinning at each other like fools.

Li Qingxue scooted closer to Hu Yuying, making room for Lin Wanning to squeeze onto the scooter.

Luckily, all three were slender enough to fit. As Hu Yuying twisted the throttle, they burst into laughter for no apparent reason, drawing curious glances from passersby.

"Hey, stop laughing!" Hu Yuying whispered, though she could barely keep a straight face herself.

"I can’t help it! I don’t even know why, but I just feel like laughing!"

"Me too! And you’re laughing just as much, sis!"

"I’m only laughing because you two are!"

Their carefree merriment drowned out everything else—so much so that they didn’t even notice the figure standing by the roadside, arm raised in greeting.

Long Aotian’s hand hung in the air, his mouth still open, as the three girls zoomed past him without a second glance.

All his unspoken words dissolved into a twitch of his lips. "Did they really not see me? I’m right here!"

Knowing Hu Yuying would bring Li Qingxue to meet Lin Wanning today, he’d rushed over as soon as his training ended.

And yet… they’d blown right past him without so much as a backward glance.

A belated realization struck Hu Yuying as she glanced in the rearview mirror. "I think I just saw Long Ge…" she said, her tone uncertain.

"Did you?" Li Qingxue, sandwiched in the middle, was even more puzzled. "I didn’t notice him at all!"

"Sis, maybe you imagined it? If he were here, I definitely would’ve spotted him!" Lin Wanning declared with confidence.

Hu Yuying nodded slightly, deciding she must’ve been mistaken.

But the brief distraction was soon forgotten as they dug into three steaming bowls of rice noodles, drizzled with sesame oil and chili.

By the time they left the restaurant, their playful bickering had begun.

"Qingxue ate the most just now!" Lin Wanning accused first.

"That’s not true!" Li Qingxue shot back. "You drank way more of the soup—I saw it!"

Lin Wanning, seated at the back, pinched Li Qingxue’s cheek. "You noticed that? You must really like me, watching me so closely even while eating…"

Li Qingxue huffed and retaliated by poking Hu Yuying’s waist. "A-Ying ate a whole little pancake too!"

Hu Yuying met her gaze in the rearview mirror. "And who was it that added too much sesame oil, then finished not only her hot drink but also a whole soda?"

A brief silence fell before Li Qingxue’s eyes sparkled with mischief. "So… can the scooter still move?"

Hu Yuying twisted the throttle. "It can."

"Then let’s suck in our stomachs and head home first?" Lin Wanning suggested.

Someone burst into laughter first, and soon they were all giggling as Hu Yuying steered them homeward.

Back at the courtyard house, the door was already open—the workers were still on the job.

After parking the scooter, Hu Yuying turned to Li Qingxue. "Remember what I said about having something to tell you?"

Lin Wanning watched her with a knowing smile.

Faced with their conspiratorial gazes, Li Qingxue instinctively clutched her chest, her cheeks flushing. Were they about to ask her to join Long Aotian’s… circle?

That’d be way too intense!

Wouldn’t that be a little… hasty?

"What are you thinking? Your face is all red!" Lin Wanning teased, poking her soft cheek.

"Alright, enough teasing. Let’s go take a look," Hu Yuying said, pushing the scooter into the courtyard and leading them into the main house.

Near one of the rooms, workers bustled about.

Hu Yuying lowered her voice. "Can we go in and see?"

The workers paused, and the three girls stepped inside.

The room was spacious, its half-finished decor blending classical Chinese elegance with modern flair. Though still under construction, the overall style was already evident—especially with the two large windows flooding the space with light.

Most courtyard houses tended to be dim, but the abundant natural brightness here made the room feel airy and inviting.

"This room’s being done ahead of schedule. Once it’s ready, we’ll get a bed, and you two can move right in."

Li Qingxue was the most deeply moved by Hu Yuying’s words. She knew exactly what this meant.

"I don’t even know what to say… Hug?"

Her lips pursed adorably, eyes shimmering with emotion, she spread her arms wide for an embrace.

"Let’s step out first—the workers need to keep at it."

Hu Yuying and Lin Wanning exchanged a smile before gently pinching Li Qingxue’s soft cheeks…