The cool breeze of early spring swept through Jiayuan Private School, carrying the fading echoes of boisterous laughter.

Jiayuan had three campuses: elementary, middle, and high school. Boarding started in middle school. Students could go home on weekends. It was Friday dismissal time, and the roads buzzed with students heading back.

Guyen wore a latte-colored work jacket over a denim-striped shirt. His ripped, washed jeans made his legs look impossibly long.

"Hey, Guyen, working so hard on break?" A basketball buddy slapped Guyen’s backpack from behind.

"Books are the ladder of human progress," Guyen replied, shrugging his shoulder and glancing sideways.

"Cut the act. That bag’s full of laundry. Got a single book in there?" Zhang Ning shot back.

"Interesting. I don’t talk to guys who take socks home to wash," Guyen pressed down on Zhang Ning’s handbag.

"I just don’t like the dorm water."

"Hah. Like you wash them yourself? You just toss them to your housekeeper."

"She’s got better technique. I respect my clothes," Zhang Ning grinned.

"You two are something else. Basketball Sunday?" Another guy slung an arm over Guyen’s shoulders.

"Sure. WeChat to set it up," Guyen agreed with a smile.

"Gotta run." The guy patted Zhang Ning’s shoulder and jogged off.

"Zhao Zhuoyang’s lucky. He left this afternoon," Zhang Ning tightened his coat casually.

"Your sister passed out from fever. You could bail too."

"My parents struggle with just me. Adding her’d kill them."

Chatting, they exited the school gates. Zhang Ning tapped Guyen’s backpack. "My ride’s here. Catch you later."

"Mm. Dismissed," Guyen chuckled.

"Don’t forget hot pot Sunday. Settle the time!"

"Seriously? We have phones. Go already."

Guyen headed to the bus stop on the right. His home was just two stops away—super convenient.

Bored while waiting, he scrolled TikTok on his phone. Glancing up, he spotted Jiang Juan walking over.

Jiang Juan clearly caught his gaze. He slightly raised an eyebrow and smiled.

Guyen respected that—even off-duty, Jiang Juan wore his uniform perfectly neat.

But Jiang Juan carried nothing. Out on errands? Doesn’t go home for break? Guyen wondered briefly, then dropped it. They weren’t close. Actually, they’d had minor clashes.

Guyen’s lips twisted into a smirk. He narrowed his eyes, a hint of challenge in his look.

Then he looked back at his phone. High schoolers didn’t brawl over glares.

Jiang Juan didn’t react. They stood a few steps apart, minding their own business.

The bus rumbled to a stop. Guyen scanned his QR code and headed for an empty seat.

Sitting down, he noticed Jiang Juan paid cash. So rigid. Just like the guy himself, Guyen mused.

Two stops passed quickly. Guyen stood to leave. Passing Jiang Juan, he suddenly yanked the earphone from Jiang Juan’s right ear and jumped off.

The doors hissed shut. Jiang Juan turned to the window. Guyen stood outside, grinning wildly, waving.

For some reason, Jiang Juan’s heavy mood lifted a little.

He slipped the earphone back on, looked away, and a faint smile curved his lips. Softly, he murmured two syllables.

"Childish."