After changing out of the clothes that made him deeply uncomfortable, Qin An didn’t get to return to the classroom as hoped. Instead, Pupils pulled him to the grassy patch beside the playground. They sat silently under the tree’s shade. Pupils nestled in Qin An’s lap, resting against his chest. She fiddled with his hands, turning them over gently.

“Pretty, isn’t it?”

“An, your hands are so lovely. Even your nails are perfect.”

“Not as lovely as Pupils! Pupils is the prettiest!” Qin An softly rubbed Pupils’ slightly chubby cheeks.

“Hehe~” Pupils beamed at his praise.

“An, I’m sleepy.”

“Go home to sleep. Your mom should be nearby, right?”

“No! I want to sleep right here with you!”

Hearing Qin An try to send her away, Pupils stood up, furious. She stomped to his right side and flopped onto his lap. Her little face puffed up in anger, silent.

“Pupils?”

“Hmph…”

“Pupils?”

“An, I’m really, really angry! The consequences will be serious.”

“How about I tell you a story?”

“Yes! Yes! Pupils loves stories most!” She finally turned to face him, but it wasn’t enough. She grabbed both his hands—one she placed on her hair, the other she held tightly.

“Once, there was an incredibly powerful man. He’d killed many. One day, ambushed by a crowd, he fell from a great height. He crashed through a church roof.”

“Then what? Did he die?”

“His body was unbreakable. Unharmed. Before him stood a girl in a pink dress, chestnut curls framing her face. She smiled—pure, beautiful, like the world’s cleanest thing. She looked just like someone he’d once loved. He was spellbound instantly. But she scolded him.”

Pupils’ eyes widened. “Why? For breaking the roof?”

“No. He crushed her flowers. That abandoned church was her garden. She lived in the slums, caring for a bedridden sister she barely knew. Every dawn, she roller-skated to the square to sell blooms. Unaware someone always watched her.”

“Him? Did he love her?”

“Yes. He obsessed over her—her favorite foods, her routines. He guarded her from shadows. Anyone threatening her vanished by morning. Until she discovered him. Furious, she ordered him to stay away.”

“Did he quit?”

“No. He clung like a scoundrel, even squatting in the church. She demanded his purpose. ‘I want to help you,’ he said. She laughed. Later, she asked him to build a flower cart—to sell many blooms at once.”

“Was it finished?”

“Yes. But others warned him she was deceitful, using him. He refused to believe. Until she confessed herself.”

Pupils leaned in, hooked. “What happened next?”

“He killed her. Blood splattered the cart. Only then did he realize she’d been protecting him.”

“An, you’re crying. It’s ugly.” Pupils sat up, wiping his tears. They wouldn’t stop. Finally, she mimicked her mother’s comfort.

Pupils gently kissed Qin An’s tears away, stroking his head. “An, be good. Don’t cry. Don’t cry.”

Qin An laughed through his tears. What’s wrong with me today? He tilted his head up at a 45-degree angle, gazing at the blue sky. Is she still there? Selling flowers for her sister?

“Pupils, no matter what happens, always trust you’re right. Because only you won’t lie to yourself.” Qin An smiled, ruffling her hair.

Pupils nodded solemnly, her small face earnest. She rubbed her eyes, drowsy now. Truly sleepy, she returned to his lap, guiding his hands exactly as before—only this brought her peace, only this held onto someone.

Pupils drifted off, breathing evenly. Qin An couldn’t leave now.

After a long wait, Tong Tong appeared before him.

“Well, Young Pioneer? Did you like my gift?” She plopped down beside him. Qin An instinctively shifted away, but trapped by sleeping Pupils, he couldn’t move an inch.

“I didn’t like it.”

Ignoring him, Tong Tong murmured, “I’m leaving.”

“Where?”

“England. To study their schools. Maybe fix our broken system.”

“Just for that?” Qin An pressed.

Tong Tong shook her head, gently stroking Pupils. “I’m taking her to England. Nan’an City is suffocating—too many bad memories. Their therapists are better. I hope Pupils talks more, connects with others.” Her eyes softened on the child.

“Oh, I need your help.”

“What?” Tong Tong blinked, surprised this formidable kid would ask.

Qin An pulled out the memory card, serious. “Proof of a beastly teacher at our school. Handle him quietly.”

“Ren Yin? I’ve heard rumors, but no evidence. His wife’s the education bureau’s deputy head. But with this… and since I’m leaving… I’ll send them a grand farewell gift.”

“Thanks. I’ll go now.”

“Won’t you wait for Pupils to wake? She adores you.” Tong Tong’s voice held urgency—was it for Pupils, or herself?

“No need. If Pupils finds happiness across the sea, that’s enough.”

Watching Qin An’s retreating back, something unnamed spread through Tong Tong’s heart like a fast-growing virus.