Huff—huff.

Ye Yiyi braced her hands on her knees, breath coming thick, like bellows in a forge.

“Well? Fun, right?” Tang Coco gently patted her back, smile bright as morning sun.

“Huff—Co… Coco… you’re… you’re evil…” Ye spoke bent over, annoyance pricking like nettles.

“Heehee. I did it so you wouldn’t be so tense. Look, you made it. It’s my first time hearing Yiyi shout that loud.” Tang Coco teased, voice like a cat flicking its tail.

“You…” Ye lifted her head, glare like a sharp blade.

“Heehee.” Tang Coco flashed her a grin; with that face like a spring breeze, Ye couldn’t stay mad.

“Sis Yiyi, let’s go play something else!” Meng Xiaoxiao tugged her hand, energy bouncing like a sparrow.

“Uh…” Ye hesitated; her breath still tangled like threads.

“All right, let her rest.” Tang Coco stepped in, voice soft as velvet.

“Okay, then, Sis, let’s go.” Meng Xiaoxiao turned, then noticed Meng Yuting beside Gu Xin, whispering, faces set like cloudy skies.

“Hm? Sis, Sister Gu, what’s up?” Meng Xiaoxiao blinked her big eyes, curiosity gleaming like stars.

“Well… Xiaoxiao, how about we continue tomorrow? Your Sister Gu’s a bit unwell.” Meng Yuting thought a beat, words falling like leaves.

“Ah? Xin—Sister Gu, what’s wrong?” Tang Coco heard Gu Xin wasn’t well. Concern rose like a wave; she nearly slipped.

“Mm… just a bit of a headache.” Gu Xin answered softly, her gaze on Coco shifting like tide.

“A headache…” Coco felt Gu Xin’s eyes touch hers and looked away, heart fluttering like a bird. She glanced at Gu Xin’s wrist—bare, no trace of anything.

“All right. Let’s fold the day like a fan. We’ve got time; tomorrow can wait like a lazy cat. Yiyi’s tired anyway, limbs heavy as soaked cotton.”

“Okay…” Meng Xiaoxiao sagged a little, mood drooping like a wilted flower, but at key moments she stayed obedient.

“It’s fine. We’ll come back tomorrow.” Coco reached out and rubbed Meng Xiaoxiao’s head, palm warm like sunlight.

“Don’t! I’ll never grow tall if you keep doing that!” Meng Xiaoxiao puffed her cheeks, protest popping like bubbles.

Laughter spilled from the girls, bright as wind chimes, as they headed for the amusement park exit. Outside, an LED screen flickered like a lake, words glowing: “Today’s theme: Splendid Banquet. See Amusement Island guide for details.”

“What’s the ‘Splendid Banquet’ theme mean?” Meng Xiaoxiao asked, curiosity perched like a robin.

“I remember the island hosts a banquet at the hotel.” Ye Yiyi tapped her chin, dredging the guide like a net.

“Oh… should we go?” Meng Xiaoxiao’s fighting spirit rekindled, flame licking dry twigs.

“Sigh… fine. I’ll go with you tonight.” Tang Coco gave in, bamboo bending in a breeze; once out to play, she wouldn’t crush Xiaoxiao’s spark.

“Yay! Awesome! Sis Coco is the best!” Meng Xiaoxiao jumped, joy bursting like fireworks.

They walked back to the hotel, up to their floor. The hallway lay quiet, carpet soft as moss.

“Yiyi, feel better?” Off the elevator, Coco asked, concern settling like mist.

“Mm! Much better. But I won’t forgive you that easily. You tricked me! Hmph!” Ye puffed, anger marching like a little drum.

“…” Silence hung for a beat, thin as paper.

“Xiaoxiao, go play a bit with Sis Yiyi. I’ll look after your Sister Gu.” Meng Yuting suddenly smiled, words smooth as water.

“Huh? What are you two up to?” Meng Xiaoxiao tilted her head, suspicion blooming like a chrysanthemum.

“Oh—got it. Sister Gu just said she’s unwell. I think you two want to…” She let the words trail, expression turning teasing, like a crescent moon.

“…” The air paused, taut as a string.

“Scram, you little brat—what’s inside that head?” Meng Yuting flicked Xiaoxiao’s forehead, the tap sharp as a pebble.

“Tch—fine. I won’t disturb your lovey-dovey time. I’ll swap rooms with Sister Gu tonight.” Xiaoxiao waved, mischief spinning like a top.

“Mm… that works.” To Xiaoxiao’s shock, Meng Yuting actually agreed, calm as stone.

“Whoa! Sis, you really agreed? You do want that with Sister Gu!” Xiaoxiao’s certainty rooted like ivy.

“Hey!? Brat, is your skin itching? Your Sister Gu’s old problem is acting up. I need to take care of her.” Meng Yuting lifted a hand, ready to teach, like rain about to fall.

“Hehehe, got it. Even better if we swap. Let’s go, Sis Yiyi. Come on, Coco.” Sensing danger, Xiaoxiao tugged Ye Yiyi and Tang Coco, fleeing like rabbits.

“…” Meng Yuting stared at her little sister, speechless, silence heavy as snow.

“Let’s go.” Gu Xin murmured, fingers lacing with Yuting’s as they slipped into the room, gesture gentle as silk.

“Hold up. Xiaoxiao, go in first and wait for me.” At their door, Ye Yiyi stopped, tone firm as a bell.

“Huh? Sis Yiyi again? What’s the deal…” Xiaoxiao groaned, feeling everyone had secrets today, thoughts buzzing like bees.

“Come on, just get in.” Tang Coco said, and nudged Xiaoxiao into Yiyi’s room, then clicked the door shut. From behind it came Xiaoxiao’s muffled protest, voice bouncing like a ball.

“Sis Coco is bullying me!!!”