September’s heat was stifling.
The chirping of cicadas filtered through the window, adding to the heaviness in the air.
The sun blazed outside.
Liu Changqing tilted his head back, staring at the air conditioner humming in his bedroom.
He had installed it not long ago.
After all, in this kind of weather, a small electric fan just wasn’t enough to provide real relief from the heat.
The cooling effect was excellent. The mont the strong gusts of chilled air filled the room, the lingering discomfort from the stuffy living room completely vanished.
The two of them sat on the edge of the bed.
With An Yuanyao resting her head on his shoulder, Liu Changqing felt as if a bucket of cold water had just been dumped over his emotions—cooling him down instantly.
He tried to pull his arm away, but she was holding onto it tightly.
He gave her a deadpan stare.
Eyes shut, she seed completely lost in this mont.
Liu Changqing gradually cald down.
He admitted—back in the living room, he had been weak. He had let his desires take over.
But this wasn’t just about self-control. This was the most natural, instinctive reaction of being human.
He looked at An Yuanyao, his expression complicated.
This woman… always made him think about things he shouldn’t.
An Yuanyao clung to his arm, her body practically molding against his.
She basked in the cool air filling the room, the oppressive heat from earlier completely forgotten.
Slowly, she opened her eyes and stole a glance at Liu Changqing’s serious expression.
Then, in a soft voice, she murmured,
“It’s really nice and cool in here.”
“Mm.”
That was all Liu Changqing said.
A short, indifferent response—he was emotionally numb at this point.
An Yuanyao, however, didn’t seem to notice his lack of enthusiasm. She was too imrsed in this quiet mont, enjoying their little world.
She wasn’t thinking about anything inappropriate.
Compared to that, she preferred this—a simple mont of closeness, where no words were needed but everything was understood.
Then, she suddenly asked,
“Do you like ?”
Security was an elusive thing.
For won, it could an anything.
A boyfriend not replying to ssages fast enough? No sense of security.
A boyfriend not keeping his promises? No sense of security.
Other won showing interest in him? Definitely no sense of security.
Maybe she just wanted to confirm it. Maybe she just wanted a little extra reassurance.
Either way, she asked the kind of question any smooth-talking playboy could answer in a heartbeat.
Liu Changqing glanced at her.
Then, he looked away, gazing ahead.
“I like you.”
“How much?”
“As much as you like .”
“Nope.”
An Yuanyao reached up and placed her fingertip against his lips.
Her playful eyes locked onto his.
“I like you more.”
“…”
For so reason, that sounded like one of those overly cheesy pick-up lines.
Liu Changqing turned to look at her and, after a long mont of silence, he reached out and gently took her hand in his.
Then, he smirked.
Oh? You wanna play this ga?
Let show you the true power of the internet!
He quickly ran through his ntal archive of flirtatious lines.
Locking eyes with her, he said in a deep, sincere voice,
“Do you know what I’m missing right now?”
An Yuanyao blinked, stunned for a mont before hesitantly shaking her head.
“What?”
“You.”
“…”
She stared blankly at him.
Then, when she finally processed what he had said, her cheeks turned bright red.
Liu Changqing pressed on.
He let his gaze sweep over her before furrowing his brows in exaggerated concern.
“Hmm… I think you’ve gained so weight recently.”
That snapped her out of her daze.
She imdiately let go of his arm and touched her face, her voice slightly panicked.
“Have I? But I’ve been eating so little lately…”
“Then that’s strange. Why is it that you keep getting heavier in my heart?”
“Ugh…”
He didn’t stop.
“I’m pretty capable, but there’s one thing I can’t do.”
By now, An Yuanyao was completely at his rcy.
Back in school, the most direct confessions she had ever received were from guys saying things like—
"You’re as beautiful as a flower;
I’m completely srized by you!"
"An Yuanyao, please be with ! I really, really like you!"
"I’d even die for you!"
At the ti, she had felt those words were a little embarrassing.
But now, hearing Liu Changqing speak, she realized—those childhood confessions were utterly weak in comparison.
Her mind was spinning.
She answered him without even thinking, falling straight into his trap.
“What… what is it that you can’t do?”
The mont she finished asking, Liu Changqing lightly tugged the hand he was holding.
With that small motion, she lost her balance and fell right into his arms.
Feeling his arm wrap around her waist, An Yuanyao’s mind went completely blank.
Their faces were so close.
Liu Changqing slowly parted his lips and gave his answer.
“I can’t leave you.”
An Yuanyao’s feelings for Liu Changqing had developed over ti.
She had seen other won who were close to him.
Two, in particular, stood out in her mory—
Li Qing.
Lan Yixian.
Ever since Liu Changqing had lost weight, his belly had disappeared, his jawline had beco sharper, and his once rough appearance had taken on a striking handsoness.
Even in his youth, he had been good-looking—just a bit socially awkward.
Unlike the trendy, soft-featured n that were popular nowadays, Liu Changqing had thick brows, deep-set eyes, a straight nose, and defined features.
With age and the transformation of weight loss, his looks had only beco more refined.
As he improved, as he beca more appealing, An Yuanyao started to worry.
Her age was no longer an advantage.
Compared to the young Li Qing, she was old enough to be her aunt.
And Lan Yixian… there was no competing with that figure.
What did she have left?
An Yuanyao lacked confidence.
After one failed relationship, she had finally found love again—but deep down, she was afraid.
Afraid that Liu Changqing might one day grow tired of her.
But just now, his words had struck her heart like an axe, shattering her insecurities into pieces.
Her eyes filled with love.
At that mont, An Yuanyao made up her mind.
For the rest of her life…
She would spend it with this man nad Liu Changqing.
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