Wanting Liberation

On the eve of the new semester.

Long Aotian walked out of the hospital.

Gazing at the bustling crowd outside and listening to the sound of someone’s heart-wrenching sobs from within the hospital, Long Aotian felt no ripple of emotion in his heart. He didn’t even have the urge to glance back, as if he had already detached himself from the world.

Under the scorching sun, he staggered down the road, leaving behind only emptiness and indifference, devoid of all vitality and vigor...

His once robust frame had grown alarmingly thin recently, and his once straight posture had slumped.

Under the dappled sunlight, Long Aotian took shallow breaths. He was exhausted—just a few more steps, yet it felt worlds apart from his usual training. But he was so, so tired...

For a moment, he felt like he couldn’t go on any longer...

Taking a deep breath, he continued forward.

He went to the supermarket, buying a large amount of groceries and some fruit.

As if remembering something, he called Lin Wanning in advance, afraid he might forget.

On his way home, he picked up a crate of beer at the alleyway entrance.

......

"Wanning, you’re back?" Seeing Lin Wanning return in a hurry, Li Qingxue went to greet her. "Should I start calling you ‘Superstar Lin’ now?"

The finals were just around the corner.

Several talent agencies had already extended offers to Wanning, but she had turned them all down.

"Where’s my sister?" Lin Wanning asked.

"She’s inside. Yuying’s been busy too these days, expanding her horizons. I bet she has even more fans than you now."

"Speaking of which, what have you been up to lately? You look so relaxed." Lin Wanning took the watering can from Li Qingxue’s hands and watered the two fruit trees.

The sun was blazing, and even the leaves looked wilted.

"I’ve been working hard too, you know."

"Let’s go inside. Yuying will be overjoyed to see you—she’s been saying how long it’s been since you came home for a meal."

Hearing this, Lin Wanning’s heart softened. She really hadn’t had time lately—otherwise, she would have loved to come back every day.

Stepping into the house, Hu Yuying was genuinely happy to see Wanning.

Aside from the first two months, Wanning had visited often.

But over the past month, her visits had become rare.

"Day off today?"

"No, my brother called me, so I rushed back."

"Long Aotian called you?"

"Yeah. Speaking of which, where is he?"

"Right here."

Just as he walked in, Long Aotian heard Lin Wanning asking about him. His timing couldn’t have been better.

"You bought so much stuff." Seeing the bags in his hands, the three girls hurried over to help.

"We’re having hotpot tonight—and ice-cold beer!" He glanced at Lin Wanning. "But not for you. Just plain water."

"Aww—" Lin Wanning whined in protest.

"No arguing. Be good."

"Fine. After this is over, we’ll have a proper drink."

Making it to the top four was already a huge achievement.

And with her recent bye in the draw, she was guaranteed a spot in the top three.

That was worth celebrating, wasn’t it?

They’d shared many hotpot meals together before.

But it had been a long time since the last one.

The broth was mild, prepared with Wanning’s condition in mind.

So Li Qingxue had to ask Yuying to mix her a spicy dipping sauce.

Long Aotian opened a beer and poured a glass for Yuying and Qingxue.

"We can do it ourselves."

"Don’t move. Let me."

Then he filled a glass with cold water for Wanning.

Raising his glass first, he said, "Cheers."

The three girls exchanged glances. There was something off about Long Aotian today, but they couldn’t quite put their finger on it. They raised their glasses in unison. "Cheers."

No matter what, they loved the feeling of the four of them being together.

With them, this was home.

Watching the three girls eat, drink, and laugh, Long Aotian poured himself another glass.

His gaze lingered on them, unable to pull away.

For a moment, he nearly lost control of his emotions.

It was almost funny—in his past life, he’d suffered so much, yet never shed a single tear.

In this life, he had more happiness than he could ask for, yet he was on the verge of crying...

The three girls set down their chopsticks and looked at him curiously. "Why are you staring at us like that? Do we look even prettier in your eyes now?"

"Nothing. I just want to remember how you look right now... forever."

Hearing this, they burst into laughter, then obediently tilted their faces up for him to see.

Only his little Yuying was still so easily flustered.

"Long Aotian, had enough yet?" Unsurprisingly, Hu Yuying was the first to cave.

Her flushed cheeks were both adorable and irresistibly charming.

"Registration is the day after tomorrow. Have you all packed your things?" Hu Yuying instinctively lowered her gaze, too embarrassed by his stare to come up with a better excuse.

None of them lived on campus anymore—their home was close enough to University A, the music academy, and even University T that they hardly needed to pack anything...

Noticing Yuying’s awkwardness, Li Qingxue and Lin Wanning teased her as usual.

"What’s wrong? Just a look and you’re blushing? Yuying, you’re way too easy to fluster!"

"Seems like big sister still needs more practice, huh?"

The three of them kept novels documenting their daily lives.

And they’d all read each other’s stories.

In Yuying’s novel, there was a passage describing how the heroine met an older brother who vowed to protect her. He was the best in the world—teaching her to be bold, helping her grow from a gloomy, self-doubting girl into someone confident...

Suddenly having her own writing quoted back at her, Hu Yuying instinctively glanced at Long Aotian, then pinched Wanning’s thigh under the table.

"Ow! I’ve been attacked by big sister!" Lin Wanning exaggeratedly gasped, pointing at the spot where Yuying had pinched her—clearly tattling.

Her antics sent the cheerful atmosphere soaring.

Watching them laugh, Long Aotian forced a smile too, though in truth, he felt no joy at all...

The meal lasted a long time.

If not for Lin Wanning’s phone ringing, it might have gone on even longer.

"I have to go back." Lin Wanning sighed. The mood was so lively, yet she had no choice but to leave.

"Once this is over, we’ll have hotpot again. And next time, you’re making up for the drinks you missed tonight."

"Deal. I’ll drink you under the table first—then it’ll be big sister’s turn."

"Still looking down on me? I just drank three glasses, you know." Hu Yuying was clearly a little drunk, her tone and gestures making it impossible to look away.

Long Aotian saw Lin Wanning off.

"Brother, after this is over, Wanning will become a singer and a star. Then I’ll earn money to spend on you." She was happy, so she wanted to give her brother more and better things.

Because, truly, she had received far, far too much help from him.

"Okay."

She gently wrapped her arms around Long Aotian’s waist from behind, pressing her cheek against his back. "Brother, you’ve lost so much weight lately."

"You have to take care of yourself. Stay this happy every day." His voice was soft, but Lin Wanning heard it clearly.

"I know, don’t worry, Brother..."

......

After sending Wanning home, the two of them, having had a little to drink, returned to their rooms.

Long Aotian took out the pots and pans he had stored away and washed them clean.

Then he stepped into the room.

Gazing at the sleeping girl, he planted a light kiss—just a fleeting touch.

He was afraid. Afraid that he might soften and give in.

His body wasn’t in the best condition right now, and it was already severely affecting his daily life.

If this continued, he would only become a burden to them, bringing them sorrow and pain.

This damned feeling—it invaded his mind relentlessly, an indescribable agony that was almost unbearable.

Long Aotian never considered himself a sentimental person, but sometimes, he just couldn’t control it. The exhaustion in his body, the fog in his mind, the sudden loss of control over his own limbs...

Every moment, it drove him toward seeking release...