A hulking truck roared past.

The driver seemed oblivious to the commotion on the sidewalk. He didn’t slow down, charging forward recklessly. Had he hit someone, their body would’ve been sucked under those thick, heavy tires and ground to pulp.

The hooded girl sprinting headlong crashed straight into a passerby.

The man was tall and sturdy—he barely budged. But the petite girl, overwhelmed by the sheer difference in their mass, bounced back from the impact. She stumbled, nearly collapsing to the ground.

Regaining her balance after a few shaky steps, she looked up at him with dazed eyes. Then, without a word, she darted across the street and vanished around the corner.

Her abandoned black cat halted at the curb, staring at the rushing traffic. It tried to cross but shrank back, too timid to move. Finally, with obvious reluctance, it padded back to my side.

My heart had nearly leapt out of my chest. If Jiang Muqing had gotten hit, the consequences would’ve been entirely on me.

Just a scare.

I took a step to chase after her—then stopped. What good would chasing do?

Explain my relationship with Mo Shiyu? There was nothing to explain. We were just studying together.

Forcing an explanation would only deepen her suspicions.

As the saying goes: *"Explaining is just hiding the truth."*

So caught up in Jiang Muqing’s sudden tantrum, I’d completely forgotten Mo Shiyu behind me.

Until she spoke.

"Do you know the new student, Lu Fan?"

Mo Shiyu asked pointedly, though she already knew the answer.

"Yes."

Wasn’t that obvious?

"What’s wrong with her?"

Mo Shiyu found the whole scene almost amusing—Jiang Muqing’s abrupt appearance, sudden anger, and frantic escape were utterly baffling.

"She…"

I struggled to put it into words.

"You two—"

Mo Shiyu hesitated, but her expression suggested she’d already pieced together her own conclusion.

"Class rep," I cut in, "if a classmate needs help, shouldn’t we lend a hand?"

"Of course," Mo Shiyu replied instantly, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "We’re supposed to help each other."

"Then I need your help."

Since Mo Shiyu had shown such willingness, she’d be Jiang Muqing’s female friend.

"Huh?"

She blinked, confused.

…

Later, Mo Shiyu and I returned to the ice cream shop.

We sat down again and talked for a long while—mostly about Jiang Muqing. I shared what I could, carefully skipping anything too mature.

At first, Mo Shiyu clenched her fists tightly, her face twisted in disdain. But by the end, she’d calmed down, uncurling her sweaty palms.

A look of *"So that’s how it is"* washed over her features, and her shoulders relaxed.

"So… Jiang Muqing just latched onto you out of nowhere?"

Mo Shiyu stared at me, searching for lies in my words.

I knew it sounded like a fairy tale. But wasn’t Jiang Muqing herself a walking fairy tale?

She charged through life without flinching. In her eyes, there was only me—no room for anyone else.

I wasn’t some heartthrob who made girls swoon. I had no dazzling talents. Nothing that could make a girl fall for me instantly.

I was just an utterly ordinary high school boy.

"It sounds bizarre, I know. But every word is true. Will you help me?"

"What can I do?"

Mo Shiyu’s expression turned serious.

"Be friends with the transfer student."

It should be simple enough, I thought.

"Friends?"

She frowned, puzzled.

"The kind you chat with daily. The kind you hang out with on weekends. Friends who keep each other company and share joy."

I explained it matter-of-factly.

"Friendship can’t be forced. Even if I tried, she wouldn’t accept me. Besides…" Mo Shiyu forced a smile. "Opposites attract, but likes repel."

Could the physics rule *"like poles repel, opposites attract"* really apply to human relationships? Shouldn’t it be *"birds of a feather flock together"*?

Had I misunderstood something?

Our talk ended badly—Mo Shiyu refused to befriend Jiang Muqing.

Just as I was about to give up, she offered another suggestion.

"Still… if possible, bring her to study sessions with us. It might help."

Study together? True—Jiang Muqing wasn’t in any cram schools. Leaving her alone at home felt risky.

"Won’t you have a problem with that?"

Weren’t you just talking about *"likes repelling"*? Why the sudden change?

"Well," Mo Shiyu teased lightly, "with you—the opposite pole—around, the repulsion and attraction should cancel out."

I had no counter to that logic.

After settling things with Mo Shiyu, I rushed home.

I feared Jiang Muqing might be throwing another tantrum.

But everything was quiet. The lights were on. The door was locked. Mom sat alone in her room, typing away at her manuscript. And Jiang Muqing, who usually stayed in Dad’s study…

Where was she?

Normally, she’d be waiting eagerly at the door when I got home. Today, no trace.

Had she gone back to her own place?

"Mom, where’s Jiang Muqing?" I asked anxiously.

"Oh, Xiao Qing just went out," Mom replied calmly.

"Where? Back home?"

"Said she needed to clear her head. It’s almost dinner time, and she’s not back yet."

Mom glanced at the wall clock, worry creeping into her voice.

"Where could she be?"

I dropped my bag on the table and headed for the door.

"Probably somewhere nearby."

Mom frowned, trying to recall where Jiang Muqing might go.

"I’ll be back soon. If I’m late, don’t wait up for dinner."

Getting no useful answers, I called over my shoulder before stepping out.

"Be careful. Come home early."

Mom watched the darkening street outside.

"Got it."

First, I checked Jiang Muqing’s house nearby. No answer after multiple rings—I was sure she wasn’t there.

If not home, where?

Every shop and mall would be closed by now. Nowhere for her to go!

A net café? Impossible. Jiang Muqing didn’t seem the type, and she was under eighteen—no ID, no entry.

What if some creep lured her to a love hotel? I couldn’t bear the thought. A pretty girl alone on the streets at night… endless dangers lurked.

I had to find her. Fast.

Night had fully fallen. The sky was pitch-black—no stars visible. Even the full moon hung dimly behind a veil of mist.

Silence reigned above. Below, the city blazed with neon lights. Cars streamed past, headlights cutting through the dark.

People filled the streets—some laughing, some worried. Every home held its own story. Everyone rushed toward their own lives. Only I carried someone else’s story in my heart. *Where are you? What story are you living right now?*

I just wanted to nudge this story toward a happy ending…

…without changing who I was.

But I’d already lost the protagonists—the ones sparking their own reaction.