Owing him from a past life, so this life is all about repaying him.

The village was never short of vast open fields.

Not long ago, snow had just fallen.

Long Aotian finally saw the white world Hu Yuying had described.

In the empty fields, the wheat sprouts had barely grown before being buried under the snow, stretching into a boundless expanse of white.

Walking through such scenery,

one couldn’t help but feel a sense of peace.

Hand in hand as they strolled through the fields, Long Aotian asked softly, "Do you like it here?"

The village was nothing like the city.

In the city, there were endless places to have fun.

But here, apart from the sprawling fields, there were hardly any entertainment facilities.

"I love it," Long Aotian replied. "After seeing nothing but steel and concrete, the endless traffic and noise, coming here feels so quiet. The air is fresh, and it’s so relaxing."

Then he turned to Hu Yuying. "What did you usually do for fun when you were alone in the village?"

"Oh, I had plenty of things to do!" Hu Yuying said playfully.

"Like what? Take me along—I want to experience your daily life, little girl."

"It might be a bit boring. Are you sure you still want to try?"

Long Aotian didn’t answer, simply looking at her intently.

"Then wait here for me a moment," Hu Yuying said before turning and running off.

About ten minutes later, she returned carrying a vegetable basket. "Long Aotian, come with me."

She led him toward the back mountain.

The back mountain had a well-trodden path from frequent use.

But with the recent snowfall, their progress was slow.

It took them a while to reach Hu Yuying’s secret hideout—a secluded little platform.

Scattered around were broken bricks, some still bearing traces of scorch marks.

Hu Yuying gathered the bricks, skillfully arranging them into a circle, then took dry firewood from her basket and started a fire.

"When I was alone, I’d help my grandparents with chores, and in my free time, I’d come here," she explained.

"Sometimes I’d read, sometimes I’d grill food, just sitting here, looking at the distant village, the blue sky, the white clouds..."

She turned to Long Aotian. "Pretty boring, right?"

"Not at all," he said. "Many people would give anything for this kind of peace and quiet. And here you are, enjoying what others dream of in your spare time. How could that be boring?"

Hu Yuying nodded gently.

"I’m lucky—lucky to be born in this era." She crouched down, feeding the fire with more wood. "In the past, many people never traveled farther than the nearest town in their entire lives."

"My grandparents were like that. I’m fortunate to have left the village, to see the wider world, to witness broader skies and clouds."

"I cherish it. I work hard. But no matter how good things are outside, every time I come back here, I feel an indescribable comfort. So no, I’m never bored."

As she spoke, Long Aotian cleared two spots on the platform and pulled her down to sit beside him.

No words were needed. Just being together was enough.

Gradually, Hu Yuying leaned closer, resting her head on his shoulder.

"Did you take good care of yourself while I was gone?" This separation had felt unbearably long for her.

Even during summer breaks, they’d never been apart this long.

She missed him—so much that even though they were the closest of people, she couldn’t bring herself to say it outright. Instead, she asked indirectly.

"I missed you. So much."

Long Aotian turned to look at her. Their faces were so close now.

He leaned in, brushing his lips against hers—a fleeting touch, cool yet warm with longing.

"A hint of alcohol," Hu Yuying murmured.

Long Aotian chuckled. "That’s from my silent conversations with Grandpa."

At his words, Hu Yuying laughed and lightly punched his chest. "What did my grandpa say to you?"

Wrapping an arm around her, Long Aotian replied, "He said a lot."

"Really?" Hu Yuying was skeptical. She knew her grandfather better than anyone—a quiet, simple man who rarely spoke. Would he really have talked so much with Long Aotian?

"Really. He said his granddaughter has a gentle nature. If she ever does anything wrong, he hopes I’ll be patient and not bully her. And if she makes me angry, I should tell him, and he’ll scold her for me..."

Hu Yuying fell silent.

The love and concern of family always struck straight to the heart.

"But I told him I love everything about you—your little whims, your occasional temper. Loving all your good qualities means I can embrace your flaws too."

"Putting you first was never just empty words."

"You might not believe it, but I actually love it when you fuss over me. Some people might feel stifled, but not me."

Hu Yuying bit her lip and looked up. "Really?"

"Really. Being good to you is my duty, my choice, and my privilege. It’s what I want to do for you."

"If I were ten years younger mentally, maybe I’d be different. But as I am now, I just want to be myself. The way you stand up for me, the way you always give me face in front of others—you deserve everything I can give."

Hu Yuying smiled faintly. "Sometimes I feel like you know everything, Long Aotian. You’re almost too mature."

"Being a little oblivious isn’t always a bad thing. Why take everything so seriously?"

"I know you all mean well, and that’s enough for me. The rest, I’ll leave to you. I’m not some domineering man—like I said, I like being looked after."

"Live in the moment, be happy now. With all of you, I always feel this inexplicable guilt. Maybe your lives would’ve been brighter without me. But since you chose me, I’ll do my best to make you happy."

"That’s not true at all," Hu Yuying protested. "Love goes both ways. We want you to be happy too."

Suddenly mentioning Li Qingxue and Lin Wanning stirred a strange emotion in Hu Yuying—something buried deep in her soul.

She didn’t even understand why she could accept them so easily, let alone get along with them so well...

If she had to explain it, maybe in their past lives, all three of them owed Long Aotian something. And now, in this life, they were here to repay him...