Happy moments always fly by. One moment, the girl’s hands were dry and damp from gaming; the next, it was already dreaded Thursday for school.

The playground—a place holding countless joys and sorrows for many.

Some shared sweet moments here in high school, holding hands and stealing kisses with shy first loves.

Others only remembered the despair of running 800 and 1000 meters.

But for Hua Xin?

Heh.

Just a fleeting thought.

Hua Xin wore ill-fitting black clothes again, her small face hidden by a hood, mask, and bangs. She silently hid in a dark, forgotten corner of the playground.

Gone was the arrogance from gaming at home. Instead, she sat expressionless on the ground, hugging her knees, staring darkly at the “gorgeous monkeys” and “ordinary monkeys” sprinting across the central grass field.

Her eyes dripped with disdain for the mundane world.

“Wahhhhhhh!!! Aaaaaahhhhh!!! (screaming wildly) 🥵”

“Xia Yan, I love you!! Xia Yan, you’re so handsome!!! (panting and screeching) 😍”

Xia Yan, incredibly handsome, dodged two opponents in a flash, then kicked the ball perfectly into the net. Fangirls in the stands screamed nonstop. The massive crowd wasn’t from one class—it was a reinforced platoon cobbled together from several PE classes.

(What a bunch of lovesick girls who’ve never seen a real man…)

(Truly disgusting.)

Hua Xin snorted inwardly, watching women who seemed ready to swoon right there. She leaned back in disgust, hiding herself deeper.

She picked up a twig beside her, drawing circles on the ground—cursing someone unknown.

This was her third outing. For Hua Xin, the fear was slowly fading.

But she still resisted the living.

After all, only the dead don’t talk or socialize. (darkened face)

The PE teacher called off the friendly match as class ended.

Girls with eyes only for Xia Yan reluctantly left the stands. Bolder ones rushed toward him with secretly bought sports drinks.

He smiled and refused them all.

(How the world has declined…)

(Morals are collapsing!)

Hua Xin watched Xia Yan’s popularity with a pained heart, angrily shifting her position.

But then she remembered her vampire-like, sunlight-fearing appearance (crying)… She silently dropped the twig.

(Forget it…)

(He’s just a genki after all.)

(And he helped me for no clear reason.)

(Next class is afternoon… I’ll just sit here all noon. No one will notice me anyway.)

The wind today was particularly noisy…

Minutes later.

Hua Xin was about to stretch and sigh when a warm, sunny voice cut in.

“Hey, it’s scorching today. Strawberry ice cream or vanilla—which do you prefer?”

She stiffly looked up. Xia Yan’s hair was damp with sweat. His forehead and short-sleeved shirt clung to him from intense exercise, his muscle lines faintly visible beneath the fabric.

His expression stayed gentle, sunny, and upbeat.

He held a pink and white ice cream before her eyes.

(No, no, no—not possible. How did he find me??)

(Do I have a tracking chip??)

He reeked of fox spirit perfume—clearly a fangirl’s gift (scoff). I won’t…

“Strawberry…”

Hua Xin whispered weakly.

“Okay.”

“This brand’s really delicious.”

Xia Yan smiled, handing her the ice cream, then sat beside her.

!

Hua Xin startled, scooting away. Through her bangs, she stared at the ice cream, flustered.

It looked delicious…

But what if he bought it himself? It seemed expensive…

I can’t eat his stuff for free…

I… I can’t afford it…

Her heart pounded with nervousness. She knew what to do but couldn’t voice it. She handed the ice cream back.

Though slightly familiar with Xia Yan, shadows in her heart still sparked fear.

Fear of this unexplained kindness.

Xia Yan paused. “What’s wrong? Don’t you like it?”

Hua Xin shook her head.

This kid…

Xia Yan noticed her cheap clothes and instinctive retreat. A flicker of heartache crossed his eyes.

His voice softened, warm and soothing. “Weren’t we already friends?”

He blinked. “This is today’s friendship token.”

“A friendship token—a small gift between good friends to show affection.”

“My treat. Refusing would really hurt me.”

(Is… is that so…)

(Are we already friends…)

(Does he truly see me as a friend? Really?)

Hua Xin clutched the ice cream, hands trembling slightly. Behind her bangs, her eyes misted over, tears welling up.

A strange emotion surged—countless sorrows flooding her chest. She nearly choked back a sob.

(Someone like me… can have a friend…)

(Why doesn’t he look down on me?)

She lowered her head, bringing the ice cream close to her chest. Up close, she studied the food.

She was always hungry.

But had no money to eat more.

A hunger deep in her bones colored her feelings toward food.

Since nearly starving as a child, her home overflowed with food, yet she restrained herself. She always feared having no meals.

Because no one would cook for her anymore.

Her vision blurred.

“Hua, I feel we get along well.”

“You’re quiet; I’m chatty—even a bit annoying.”

“Our personalities complement each other… Maybe we’ll become good buddies.”

Xia Yan took a bite. Seeing Hua Xin turn her back, he just smiled gently, continuing softly.

Hua Xin lifted her mask, taking a small bite of the melting ice cream.

Cold. Sweet. A little salty.

Silent tears dripped down as she carefully nibbled.

Behind her, Xia Yan’s voice stayed warm.

This was her first taste of something so sweet.

It was delicious.