Another day has ended. I really wish I could live carefree like this forever... Being a student truly is the happiest time.

I lay lazily on my desk. The setting sun’s afterglow warmed my skin. My desk mate, Qiu Yi—my past self—rushed out of the school gate the moment class ended, just as I remembered.

An autumn wind carried a withered yellow leaf into the classroom. It landed on my desk. I gently picked it up. Its veins were still clear. With a slight squeeze, the brittle leaf crumbled like a potato chip.

“Ye~Wen~” A soft female voice called. I looked up. It was the figure who once haunted my dreams. But somehow, over time, my love for her had quietly turned into friendship.

“Not heading home yet?” Jin Jing checked the homework written on the blackboard. She stuffed exercise books into her backpack one by one.

Hmm... I shook my head lazily. I picked up the ballpoint pen beside me. I’d gotten used to writing to express myself, but it still felt troublesome.

I leaned on the desk and scribbled messily on a sticky note. Then I slid it toward her.

It read: *Don’t feel like moving. So sleepy.*

“Ara, that sleepy?” Jin Jing chuckled, patting my head. “Well, Old Mao’s math class does have a sleep-inducing effect...”

Old Mao was our math teacher’s nickname. Since his surname was Mao, we called him that. Some even jokingly called him “Chairman Mao.”

“Mm.” I nodded firmly to agree.

“Alright, alright. Let’s go. The classroom’s empty.” Jin Jing zipped her backpack and tapped my desk.

Ugh... I really didn’t want to get up...

I glanced around. The room was nearly deserted. If I didn’t leave soon, Shuizishi might get impatient. Fine, fine...

“Haaah—” I stretched, yawning widely. The sleepiness vanished as I stood up. I felt oddly energetic. Though... my arm ached a little.

I massaged my right arm. It had gone numb from propping up my head. Pins and needles prickled uncomfortably.

English test paper. Math workbook. Chinese copying... Wait, what about chemistry? I checked the blackboard. Chemistry homework was copying formulas. Dictation tomorrow... Back then, I’d dread dictations. Failing meant copying ten times and redoing it. Such a headache. But thanks to the strict teacher, I could recall it all now with just a quick glance.

By the way, Class Three was the liberal arts track. Science classes were simpler here. Still, many struggled with math and physics.

I stuffed my homework into my backpack. No textbooks needed—they were all in my head. If stuck, I could always search online.

I shouldered my bag and tucked in my chair. Jin Jing, seeing me ready, slung on her backpack. We left the classroom together.

*Where’s Lu Yu?*

Strange. Lu Yu usually clung to me or Jin Jing after school. Today, she’d vanished without a word.

“Family stuff. She rushed home right after class.”

Stepping on deep autumn leaves made a crisp *crunch, crunch*. As a kid, I’d play with them all day, listening to that sound. Pure, simple joy.

“Wen~Wen~” Since taking care of Ye Wen alone, Shuizishi had matured. Her playful little-girl aura was fading, replaced by a poised, elegant charm.

“Ye Wen, someone calling you?”

I nodded and scribbled on my notepad: *My sister.*

“Oh? Is this pretty girl your classmate?” Shuizishi smiled.

“I’m Wenwen’s bestie~” Jin Jing winked.

“Hmm... Which way do you go?”

“I head that way.” Jin Jing pointed opposite to my route home.

“Guess we can’t walk together then.”

“No worries! Bye, sis~” Jin Jing waved at both of us. “Bye, Wenwen~”

“Bye~”

*Sister.* I flipped my notepad.

“Ah, ah, don’t tease me, missy. I’m barely older than you.”

I gave her a curious look. I wanted to know her real age.

“Nineteen. Not much older than you guys.”

Nineteen... Ye Wen was sixteen now. The gap did feel smaller. When you’re young, three years matter. But as you grow, it fades.

“Let’s eat out tonight!”

*Not cooking at home?*

“Yeah... I cleaned the whole house today. Too tired. Let’s dine out!” Shuizishi clung to my arm, pouting. “Okay, missy~?”

*Cough cough!* I cleared my throat. People were watching. Public clinginess was embarrassing.

I nodded, agreeing to eat out.

Honestly, I wasn’t picky about food. Decent taste was enough. Back in college, I’d spent all my cash on games and anime. Some days, I survived on one pack of instant noodles. Now felt like bliss. Yeah, I liked remembering bitter times to savor the sweet.

This small restaurant sat below Ye Wen’s apartment. Tiny but spotless. Tables gleamed, dry and grease-free. Floors were trash-free. Great food, fair prices—it was a local favorite.

Only six tables fit inside. The owner set up folding ones by the entrance to squeeze in more customers.

Every evening, it was packed. Finding a seat was impossible. I’d only ever ordered takeout here.

“Wenwen, what’ll you have?” After my corrections, Shuizishi finally called me by name. Shouting “missy” in public was mortifying...

I pointed to “rice with shredded pork and garlic sprouts” on the menu.

“Rice with shredded pork and garlic sprouts?”

“Mm.”

“Got it! Boss—”

“Coming! Xiao Yi, take orders for that table.” The boss called to someone.

“Can I help you... Huh? Ye Wen?”

I looked up. Qiu Yi stood there in a server’s uniform, staring at me in surprise.

“Your classmate?” Shuizishi asked.

*Desk mate.*

“Oh~ Part-time job? Impressive.” Shuizishi praised him.

“Uh... it’s nothing. Just a side gig.” Flustered by the pretty girl’s compliment, Qiu Yi stammered modestly.

“Well... One rice with shredded pork and garlic sprouts. And a bowl of pork liver noodles.”

“Right...” Qiu Yi jotted it down. “Wait a moment. It’ll be ready soon.”