"Ugh— I don’t wanna get up!"

Even though the graduation dinner was later, Mo had zero interest in the buffet. She’d already eaten well with her parents. The moment she flopped onto bed, that blissful "nothing-to-worry-about" feeling hooked her completely. No way was she getting up again. Plus… facing a roomful of barely-known classmates? And Tang Zhe?

Ugh, so annoying!

"Mo Mo! Tang Zhe’s waiting at the door! Up yet?"

"Nooo—!"

Her mom’s voice sparked zero urgency. Mo just rolled over.

It was only five. Leaving at 5:30 for a taxi was perfect. Why arrive early to stand like a wooden post waiting for food? Total free-meal vibes.

Might as well skip it.

"Mom…"

"You little rascal! Tang Zhe’s been waiting forever while you lie there like a dead fish?"

Just as Mo tried calling her, Ms. Wang burst in. Seeing her daughter motionless, she barely held back the urge to swat her butt.

*She just finished gaokao. Don’t hit her. Don’t hit her.*

"Mom… I’m not going. Tell Zhe to go alone."

They lived next door, yet hadn’t seen each other in ages—and she still didn’t want to now.

Keeping distance until college felt safest for both.

Honestly, showing up *would* make her look like she was just there for the food.

*Sigh…*

Ms. Wang seemed to catch a hint of her worry. She leaned down, stroking Mo’s hair gently. "No matter how high school felt, this is your last time together as students. No one you truly dislike, right? Mom still thinks you should go."

A veteran of her own "colorful" high school days, she added softly, "Later, you’ll cherish every memory—happy or bittersweet."

Then she paused, lips curling into a sly smirk. "Or… scared that after seeing Zhe today, you won’t want to part ways for college?"

After avoiding him this long? Ms. Wang knew *exactly* what her daughter was up to.

"Who’d miss *him*?! Tell him to wait! I’m coming!"

Bingo. Reverse psychology landed perfectly.

"OK~"

Mission accomplished. Ms. Wang skipped out, closing the door—and loudly announcing Mo was changing.

Did she *have* to specify "changing clothes"? "Just wait" would’ve been fine!

Honestly, he could’ve left already!

…Wait.

Trap.

And she’d fallen right in.

Only now did Mo realize she’d been neatly boxed in by that crafty old lady. Too late to back out.

Well… thank goodness it was *her* mom.

If it were Auntie next door? She’d be sold off by now.

"Mo Mo! Ready? Using taxi fare as a pocket money excuse again?"

Five minutes?! Her mom took thirty to change!

"Coming, coming!"

Slightly impatient, Mo replied. Sure, she’d just stripped to dive under covers—but she’d showered first and refused to rewear old clothes.

Plain outfit. No standing out. Just blend into the background.

Jeans + white tee. She dashed out.

Ms. Wang’s face fell instantly. "That? No way. Zero presence."

Even cute, Mo would vanish in a crowd—especially at her height.

Wang Jiawen’s daughter? Invisible? Unacceptable.

But Mo dug in: "It’s fine! I’m late!"

She yanked Tang Zhe’s arm and fled like escaping a crime scene.

Let Mom pick? Another thirty minutes. And a skirt.

She didn’t hate skirts now… but summer minis? Too flashy. Too breezy. Tried them once, quit forever. Especially for *this* party.

"Dressing up a little wouldn’t hurt. It’s graduation."

"Hardly anyone I’m close with. Who am I dressing up for anyway?"

Tang Zhe finally spoke. Mo dropped his arm with a dismissive wave.

"I was just thinking…"

"Hmm? What?"

Mumbled too low.

"Nothing. Taxi’s here."

"Oh."

Mo instantly backed off.

Just like Shen Yi said—they lived next door, yet months passed with barely a text.

Lately, Zhe’s chest felt hollow. He knew why.

He’d craved talking to Mo, joking… teasing her. That’s why he kept messaging before gaokao, even when she said not to. He couldn’t stop.

Seeing her today? The hollow vanished. Even with her usual serious face.

Now he knew: he’d truly fallen for her. Slowly? Suddenly? For the girl who’d shifted from tomboy buddy to someone cold outside, warm within—the childhood friend he’d grown up with.

Last night, anxiety over seeing her today had him venting to old friends.

Their reply? Uniform:

*Confess. Or it’ll be too late.*

"5:40 already… Will we make it?"

Watching Mo mutter while checking time, Zhe’s heart swirled with emotion.

She acted like any girl now… yet still slipped into "one of the guys" mode sometimes.

And he’d annoyed her so often. Would she accept a confession—so sudden, after silence? Even *he* thought it sounded flimsy.

Like fake feelings.

"What’re you spacing out about?"

Taxi arrived. Zhe stood frozen. Mo tapped his arm, puzzled.

"Car’s here. What’s got you so lost?"

"Oh! Uh… nothing."