After buttoning his uniform and zipping his bag, Mo Xuan walked toward school, guided by memory.

He strolled slowly—plenty of time, but he wanted to savor the familiar scenery.

He rarely visited this apartment after college. After graduation, he moved straight into Yun Jiumo’s villa. The old furniture? Long gone.

He paused in a quiet alley, hands tucked in pockets, deep in thought.

School was just ahead. How would he face Yun Jiumo?

As his mind wandered—*thump*. Something tapped the back of his head. Not painful.

"Who’s there?!" Mo Xuan yelped, jumping.

He turned. A black-and-white rubber hair tie lay near his heel.

So familiar.

Rubbing his head, he squinted, bent down, and picked it up.

Then he looked up sharply.

Around the corner, a girl peeked out, sticking her tongue out at him.

Spotting him notice, she bounced out with a grin, hands clasped behind her back, hopping closer. Her loose black hair swayed, glossy and lively.

"Ambush successful!" she cheered sweetly, a mischievous smile on her fair face.

Mo Xuan just stared, frozen.

Shen Bingjing.

The slender, energetic girl before him was exactly as he remembered—innocent, radiant, never walking when she could hop or skip, like a restless little wildcat. Back then, she grinned from dawn to dusk, the school’s star cheer captain. Her group dances lit up every joint sports meet—a vibrant sight no one forgot.

Gazing at her bright smile, Mo Xuan couldn’t link it to the sorrowful face she’d wear later.

Truth was, she hadn’t smiled once since Shen Bingyao’s incident.

She’d lain in wait on his route, aimed carefully—but his wooden reaction deflated her completely.

Casually, she sidled up, circled him, nudged his chest with her elbow. "What’s up? Still half-asleep?"

They’d known each other since freshman year. Rarely crossed paths daily, but at sports meets? Perfect sync: he fought for glory; she cheered, brought tea, shouted support.

"No… I was just wondering…" Mo Xuan hesitated, voice tight. "How’s your sister?"

Shen Bingjing’s eyes widened. "Why ask about her first thing? Don’t tell me—you like her?!"

Mo Xuan flustered, scrambling for words.

She burst into laughter, slapping his shoulder. "She’s doing great! And FYI—she’d never go for you. Chase her? Hmph. In your dreams~"

Hearing that exact familiar tone, Mo Xuan’s lips twitched upward.

Shen Bingjing shot him a weird look. "Why are you smiling so creepily?"

"Whatever. You’re acting weird today." She shook her head, hand outstretched. "Give it."

Mo Xuan glanced at the hair tie, then her triumphant eyes—and flashed a sly grin.

Then he turned and ran.

Shen Bingjing froze for three seconds. Then—*exploded*. "Mo Xuan, STOP—!"

"Catch me if you can!"

"I’ll get you for this—!"

"...Ugh... Mo Xuan... I was wrong... wait..."

"You’re *really* fast..."

Near the school gates, they tussled in the woods, nearly tumbling into each other. Shen Bingjing lunged, stretching on tiptoes. Mo Xuan just held the tie high. No matter how she jumped, she couldn’t reach. Her nails scratched his cheek—sting.

"Give it!"

"Nope!"

"Now!"

"Not a chance!"

"How can a guy be so petty?"

"How can a girl be so nitpicky?"

"When was I nitpicky?"

"When was I petty?"

Panting, they froze. She glared, wide-eyed in disbelief. He wore a smug "what’re you gonna do?" smirk.

Only then did she realize—he never meant to talk. Just teasing her.

She lunged again.

"If you grab me, I’ll toss it in the trash," he warned.

"You wouldn’t dare!" She glared, heart pounding, but froze.

"Fine. See that ditch? Go fetch it yourself." He mimed tossing a grenade.

Shen Bingjing stumbled back, eyes locked on the tie, shoulders trembling—then fake-sobbed.

"Whoa, crying? Wait… no tears?"

"Mo Xuan, GO DIE—!" She laughed through anger, punching wildly as he dodged.

"My sister *bought* this!"

"Then why flick my head with it? Trampling her kindness!" Mo Xuan turned stern. "And that ambush *hurt*. Next time, I’m telling her."

"Waaah—!"

"Hey, *you* were wrong—why cry?"

This time, real tears welled.

"Please, miss, stop. Keep crying and people’ll think a pig’s being slaughtered here."

She wailed louder.

Mo Xuan sighed, flicking the tie. "Alright, alright. Not teasing. Here."

Her crying cut off. Red-rimmed eyes glared.

"But close your eyes first."

"...What trick now?"

"Not telling. Obey if you want it back." He grinned like a tail-wagging wolf.

Fuming but helpless, she shot him a glare and shut her eyes. Breathing quickened. Cheeks flushed.

"Turn around."

"What’re you doing?!" she shouted, eyes tight.

"No peeking."

"I’m warning you—no weird ideas, or I’ll scream!"

Flustered, she turned slowly. Legs pressed tight. Pale hands clenched, fingertips white. Body stiff, trembling. Lips quivered. Sweat beaded her spine. *Why did I agree? He’s up to no good… Yet my body obeyed. Do I… actually want this?* Panic spiked. Breath hitched.

Footsteps neared. Warm breath brushed her neck. Goosebumps rose.

*What is he… doing…?*

Mo Xuan watched her tension, smiling softly.

Leisurely, he raised his left hand—light as a dragonfly skimming water—and rested it on her shoulder.

She jolted. Cheeks flushed crimson.

His slender fingers glided to her nape. She trembled harder.

A slow smirk spread. "Shen Bingjing," he drawled, "time to repay that ambush."

*Whoosh*.

Left hand seized her hair, tousled it messy. Right hand looped the tie—*thwip*—shaped a lopsided bun. He leaped back, laughing triumphantly as he vanished.

Shen Bingjing blinked open dazed eyes.

Reached back.

*Shriek*.

"MY HAIR—!"

She yanked the tie off. Silken strands tumbled over her face.

"MO XUAN, YOU BIG MEANIE—!"

Her scream shattered the quiet woods.