Xiao Feng couldn’t help but ask, “Them? Who are they? The people you’re looking for?”

Situ Changxi nodded calmly. “Mm. They have my money.”

Xiao Feng’s heart skipped a beat. “Your wallet got stolen? Or your phone?”

Realizing his misunderstanding, Situ Changxi shook her head quickly. “No, no! They’re my bodyguards. All my money’s with them. I just… don’t know where they went.”

*Ah, so she got lost,* Xiao Feng thought. *I thought—*

Wait. Bodyguards? Not family or friends? That meant he’d actually met a wealthy loli—with actual bodyguards?

Unaware of his thoughts, Situ Changxi shyly asked, “Xiao Feng… how do I get out of the park? Can you show me?”

He nodded with a slightly awkward smile. “Sure. No problem at all.”

He stood first, walking toward the park gate while deliberately keeping distance—just in case her bodyguards saw them and got the wrong idea.

Situ Changxi’s eyes dimmed slightly. *This is my curse,* she thought. *Too much wealth… I can’t talk or make friends like a normal girl.*

She watched his back, bit her lip, and called softly, “Xiao Feng…”

He turned with a puzzled smile. “Yeah? What’s up?”

Meeting his warm, approachable gaze, she bit her rosy lip like she’d made a decision. “Will you… be my boyfriend?”

Pfft!

Xiao Feng nearly choked. “Miss Situ! That’s way too sudden! Shouldn’t we start as friends first?”

Her face flushed crimson. She waved her hands frantically. “No! I meant a male friend—not *that* kind of relationship!”

Relief washed over him. She was beautiful, yes—but mismatched. Love felt too elusive these days anyway.

“Hahaha, my bad! Friends? Absolutely. No problem!” He pulled out his phone with a grin. “QQ or WeChat? Let’s add each other.”

She stared at the phone, then shook her head lightly. “I don’t have any.”

“No way! How can a young lady like you not have them? What do you do for fun?”

“Tea. Shopping. With friends.”

“That’s it? No games? No computer?” Xiao Feng asked, disbelief clear in his voice.

Situ Changxi puffed her rosy cheeks, annoyed. “Is it wrong to dislike phones and computers?”

Unable to resist her adorably flustered look, Xiao Feng gently pinched her cheek with a chuckle. “Nah, nah! Totally fine!”

The touch froze her. Her legs locked. *First time… a man other than Father…* Shyness flooded her, tears welling in her eyes.

Xiao Feng startled—then a heavy force slammed him face-down onto the sun-scorched pavement.

“Brat! What did you do to the Situ family’s young mistress?!” a gruff voice growled.

Xiao Feng twisted to see two burly, sweat-drenched men in suits and sunglasses glaring down at him.

“Let go! He’s my friend!” Situ Changxi cried, snapping out of her daze.

The bodyguards hesitated, shot Xiao Feng a fierce glare, then released him.

Xiao Feng stood slowly, brushing dust off his clothes in silence. Anger simmered—but what could he do? Two giants, hot ground, hostile stares… anyone would be furious.

Still, fighting was pointless. Better to walk away quietly.

Situ Changxi rushed ahead, eyes wide with panic. “I’m sorry! They didn’t know you were my friend. I apologize for them!”

He saw her genuine fear. Logically, it wasn’t her fault—but anger shorts the brain.

“No worries. Maybe we’ll meet again someday.”

He turned and left without looking back. *Better not get tangled with a girl like her. Two different worlds.*

Tears brimmed in Situ Changxi’s eyes. He was the first friend she’d ever reached for in eighteen years—the first man who talked to her so naturally. She couldn’t lose him.

She ran after him, tugging his sleeve, voice trembling. “Please… aren’t we friends?”

Seeing her desperate, heartbroken expression—as if she might lose something precious—Xiao Feng forced a faint smile. “It’s okay. I should head back now.”

Her voice cracked. “Then… add WeChat?”

He paused. “But you said you don’t like phones? How come—”

Before he finished, she snatched an exquisitely luxurious phone from a bodyguard, eyes pleading. “Just add it!”

Xiao Feng sighed inwardly. *What a jerk I was, getting mad at such a cute loli.* He pulled out his phone, displayed the QR code, and smiled softly. “Scan away.”

She snapped a photo, gave him an apologetic smile. “I’ll add you later.”

He almost reached to stroke her fair, tear-damp cheek—but glanced at the two bodyguards glaring behind her.

*Nah. Better not.*