Chapter 32: Three Sentences Ruined the Male Protagonist’s Long Aotian Dream
No matter how much she cried, there was no way to turn back time.
But Vivian couldn’t help it, especially after feeling wronged, remembering the days when someone would rush to show concern whenever she accidentally tripped over something.
That gentle voice, soft as the spring rain…
But now, even if Vivian was wronged to the greatest extent, she had to bear it all alone.
The more it was like this, the more she realized just how well Yifu had protected her back then.
She always thought that as long as she could become the exalted Holy Maiden, she could have everything she wanted.
But that was not the case; she understood too late that there were greater powers beyond, and in the hierarchy of the Church, the seemingly exalted Holy Maiden was not much different from a mascot.
Vivian was living the life she had always dreamed of, but in reality, that feeling differed vastly from what she had imagined.
Was this grand villa not a prison that kept her under house arrest?
Every time she left, the special carriage at her disposal actually monitored and controlled her movements.
Those servants who spoke to her in humble tones were more like the Church’s spies.
And the so-called high-profile activities she participated in were more about being used as a decorative figure.
She couldn’t decide anything for herself, not even what to do each day.
The stark contrast between reality and her ideals filled Vivian with increasing despair.
She began to regret, as Yifu’s heartfelt words before leaving were proving true before Vivian’s eyes.
The only person in the world who truly loved her was indeed Yifu.
“I was just a stray cat picked up out of kindness by my mother; what was I so proud of?”
Vivian sobbed quietly with a flushed face.
Knock, knock, knock.
With a series of urgent knocks at the door, Vivian was forcefully pulled back to reality from her sadness.
Listening to the rude knocking outside, Vivian felt a surge of irritation.
Did these guys have to intrude even on her rare private time at night?
She was initially so mad that she wanted to lash out, but then she thought, maybe someone else could keep her company to talk?
Though she was reluctant, she was too depressed at the moment. Out of a desire to change her mood, she got up to open the door.
The moment the gate was opened, a handsome boy’s face appeared before her.
Following him were several other boys of similar age, all well-dressed, clearly scions of wealthy families.
The handsome boy before Vivian was none other than Long Aotian, still in his juvenile stage in the original worldview.
“Long Bo? What are you doing at my house this late?”
Vivian looked at the uninvited Long Aotian and felt very displeased.
She indeed wanted someone to talk to to relieve her distress, but it was clear that she did not wish for him to be the one.
Thanks to Yifu’s heartfelt words before leaving, Vivian awakened much earlier than in the original story.
She did not want to be someone who served Long Aotian with all her might, only to realize the truth at the moment of death.
Upon realizing Yifu’s genuine care for her, Vivian’s mindset began to change significantly.
The first person she distanced herself from was Long Aotian, who had incited her to report Yifu as a witch.
Because of her growing affection for Yifu, she also began to see clues in the tasks Long Aotian tasked her with.
In simple terms, her romantic brain was cured by Yifu.
Her clever mind regained its ground, allowing her to recognize that she was being used.
But… the one who loved her most, Yifu, could no longer return. With this mentality, Vivian’s feelings for Long Aotian diminished with each of his requests.
Ultimately leading to the current negative feelings…
One could say that a few sentences from Yifu before she left ruined this young male protagonist’s Long Aotian dream.
“You should call him Young Master Long.”
One of Long Aotian’s minions subconsciously corrected.
Vivian was uninterested in any titles like Young Master Long; she was feeling depressed right now.
Before they could state their purpose, she thought of closing the door to send them away.
But after all, it was Long Aotian, who had thick skin. Before Vivian could react, he stopped her hand from closing the door.
“Please don’t be hasty, Holy Maiden. There must be an important matter behind my visit at this late hour.”
“Do you know our Church Academy’s genius, Leia? She’s back for classes.”
Long Aotian gave Vivian a knowing look; of course, she understood what he meant.
During her period of confusion, when she was on the verge of awakening but had not yet realized it, she had helped Long Aotian with numerous matters.
This included dealing with the pitiable child, Leia.
Long Aotian’s reasoning was simple: she had received help from the Crimson Witch, who had been executed, but what kind of place was the Church Academy?
Long Aotian even shouted that he could not allow such a troublemaker to exist in the Church Academy.
Vivian was well aware of Long Aotian’s underhanded tactics, and even thinking back now made her feel nauseous.
What was even more nauseating was that she had participated in it foolishly.
This was bullying, the very behavior that Yifu despised the most during her lifetime.
“And she suddenly became an Outstanding Graduate. There are only a few Outstanding Graduate spots, and if she enters, someone has to go.”
Long Aotian pointed to his companions beside him.
“We know those Outstanding Graduates; it wouldn’t be good to kick anyone out. That’s why I hope the Holy Maiden can use some small means to ensure Leia becomes an Outstanding Graduate…”
Long Aotian did not finish but made a gesture.
However, this time, Vivian was resolutely uninterested in siding with Long Aotian.
“I can’t help you; this matter is personally decided by the Dean. As for that Leia, it seems she has found her mother, and she is no longer the wild child you described.”
“If you bully her, you better think twice.”
At this point, Vivian couldn’t help feeling a tightening in her heart.
Though she did not want to admit it, she had to say that the mother of Leia, whom she encountered in the hallway today, bore an uncanny resemblance to Yifu.
Not only was her aura similar, but that warmth that seemed to seep into her bones was also strikingly akin to the late Yifu.
It was as if… the mother she had longed for was taken away by Leia.
“So what?”
Long Aotian scoffed.
“That lady seems to have a medal awarded by one of the three major decision-makers of the Empire. Rather than worrying about that, you should think about whether you can keep your Outstanding Graduate position.”
Long Aotian also had a spot as an Outstanding Graduate, but his grades were nothing exceptional.
He was able to enter the Outstanding Graduate list purely by leveraging Vivian and his wealthy friends.
And as Long Aotian pointed out, when someone enters, someone else will be kicked out. Excluding the privileged offspring on the list, the one most suitable to be ousted seemed to be the background-less Long Aotian.
