How could I bear to bully you when I like you so much

"Is that older sister close to you?" Long Aotian didn't mean anything by it; it was just an offhand question.

"Kind of. I haven’t seen her in years. She used to help me with homework back then, but she dropped out after middle school and went to work. We haven’t crossed paths much since."

"Grandma said she got married two years ago," Hu Yuying explained.

Long Aotian nodded thoughtfully. "So they came back today to deliver gifts?"

"Mhm." She then teased him with a playful grin, "When I marry you someday, you’ll have to come back and give gifts too."

"Mission accepted!"

Seeing how seriously Long Aotian took it, Hu Yuying couldn’t help but laugh. "You’re all I have."

The town was as crowded as ever.

After parking the bike, Long Aotian took Hu Yuying’s hand and led her into the bustling streets.

The lively atmosphere was infectious.

"Let’s buy some snacks and candy for home," he said, pulling her toward a street vendor.

"Okay."

"And some assorted platters too."

Hu Yuying tugged at his sleeve. "Don’t waste money. I’ll cook something nice for you at home."

She never liked it when Long Aotian spent unnecessarily.

That was just how she was.

"I’ll eat whatever you make, but we should still get the platters."

"The uncles we drank with last night might drop by again. It’s New Year’s—the house should be lively and happy. No amount of money can buy that. Just listen to me this time!"

Hearing this, Hu Yuying loosened her grip on his hand slightly.

"Then let me pay. Don’t forget, I’m practically a little rich girl now." She puffed up with pride at that.

She was frugal by nature, and that frugality had saved her a tidy sum.

Even Wan Ning and Qingxue’s savings couldn’t compare to hers.

"No way!" Long Aotian pinched her cheek lightly. "This is my chance to shine. Don’t steal my spotlight."

"Just put in a good word for me with your grandparents."

Hu Yuying’s face flushed instantly, and she whispered quickly into his ear, "Grandma already likes you… Grandpa too…"

Long Aotian froze for a second. Was she implying that her grandparents had already accepted him?

The thought made him grin.

He dragged Hu Yuying around on a shopping spree.

"Grandma, Grandpa, and I can’t possibly finish all this. Long Aotian, if you keep spending like this, I’ll ignore you."

Earlier, he’d said it was to impress her grandparents, but this was getting excessive.

There was enough food here to last well past New Year’s—maybe even until she went back to school.

"Trust me."

"Go wait by the bike. I’ll be right back."

Without waiting for her reply, he dashed off into the crowd.

Watching his excited retreat, Hu Yuying almost regretted telling him.

But there was no helping it—the crowd was too thick. She had no choice but to head back to the tricycle.

When Long Aotian returned carrying a massive pork leg, she even blinked a few times, wondering if she was seeing things.

"What’re you staring for? Let’s go home." After loading the pork leg onto the backseat, he flicked her forehead playfully.

"Long Aotian, why did you buy a whole pork leg?" She’d just told him not to splurge, and now this? How much had this cost?

"For gifts," he said matter-of-factly, taking a deep breath.

"But we’re not even married yet." Hu Yuying was baffled by his confidence.

"In my heart, you already are…" He took her hand and led her away.

Those words lingered in Hu Yuying’s mind long after they’d driven off, leaving her dazed…

At the village entrance, a group of elderly women huddled around Hu Yuying’s grandmother, gossiping while tending the fire.

"That boy from yesterday is Yuying’s boyfriend, right? All those gifts—were they betrothal presents?"

"He seems like a decent lad. Treats your Yuying so well."

"Definitely. That cartload of stuff didn’t look cheap."

Living in the village all her life, Granny was no stranger to gossip.

But this time, it was about her own family.

And when it came to her family, Granny had nothing but praise for Long Aotian.

Polite, respectful, kind to her and Grandpa—and most importantly, devoted to Yuying.

In Granny’s words, Long Aotian was flawless.

No faults to be found.

But where there was envy, there were critics.

One auntie remarked offhandedly, "He’s a city boy. Won’t he take Yuying away to the city? You’ll hardly see her then."

"I’ve heard city mothers-in-law aren’t easy to deal with."

"A good son doesn’t mean a good family. Gotta see how his folks are too."

Granny’s cheerful expression stiffened at that.

"Someday, I’d like to bring Grandma and Grandpa with us. They raised Yuying with so much hardship—I want to take care of them in their old age." Long Aotian’s voice cut in.

After parking the tricycle, he grabbed handfuls of snacks—peanuts, candy, sunflower seeds—and passed them around to the women gathered there.

Spotting the pork leg in the back, Granny’s smile softened.

Especially at Long Aotian’s promise to care for them in their twilight years.

Whether it was just comforting words or not, the thought alone filled her with warmth.

Once the treats were distributed, Long Aotian added, "Yuying’s wonderful. My dad adores her. No one in my family would ever mistreat her. You have my word, aunties. And yours too, Granny…"

The critical auntie turned away awkwardly.

As the two left, Granny’s smile never faded.

In the village, face mattered more than money sometimes.

For the first time in years, Granny felt truly proud.

On the way back, Long Aotian glanced at Hu Yuying. "So? How’d I do?"

"That auntie’s face was priceless. You’re terrible, Long Aotian." She giggled, hugging his arm.

It was true—around her, Wan Ning, and Qingxue, Long Aotian was all softness and indulgence, happy to let her have her way.

But to everyone else, he was still the same unstoppable force who never backed down.

"My little girl loves it too much for me to ever really tease her."