Though Xiaofeng had no clue how exalted Situ Changxi’s status truly was, the sight of her bodyguards and that extravagantly luxurious stretch limo alone confirmed she was at least a young mistress from a powerful, wealthy family.

Even this young lady had sincerely apologized for her bodyguard’s rudeness yesterday and genuinely wanted to be friends with him—not romantically, of course. If he refused now… well, judging by the two bodyguards behind her, they definitely wouldn’t approve!

“Uh… How about we grab some bubble tea and cool off?” Xiaofeng suggested. “It’s scorching out here. Chatting like this is unbearable.”

It was peak summer vacation, the midday sun blazing mercilessly. Xiaofeng was already drenched in sweat after just a moment, and Situ Changxi glistened with delicate beads of perspiration. He didn’t mind the heat himself—but letting a young lady suffer? Xiaofeng knew how to treat a lady with care.

Hearing him, Changxi shook her little head slightly. Her bright eyes locked onto his, voice tinged with hopeful anticipation: “So… we’re friends now, right?”

Xiaofeng sighed deeply. “If we weren’t friends, would I be inviting you for bubble tea?”

Relieved, Changxi quickly turned, took her phone from a bodyguard, and faced Xiaofeng with a flustered smile. “Then… um… can you accept my WeChat request now?”

Xiaofeng hurriedly pulled out his phone, tapped open WeChat, and accepted.

*Ding!*

A new contact appeared on Changxi’s screen—previously filled only with official accounts. The nickname read: “Pour Auntie a Cappuccino.” A radiant smile bloomed on her face as she held up the phone. “Is this cappuccino you?”

Xiaofeng glanced at her innocent grin and the small hand holding the phone. He chuckled and nodded. “Yep. Who else would add you right now?”

No sooner had he finished than Li Wei, silent until now, burst out laughing. “Son? What’s your relationship with this lovely girl?”

Before Xiaofeng could explain, Changxi cut in eagerly: “Son? Is this your dad, Xiaofeng? He looks so young!”

Pfft—

Xiaofeng nearly choked. *That was a joke, Miss! How can you take it seriously? Innocent or… naive?* He kept the thought locked tight. With two bodyguards watching closely, best not to get “philosophized.” Stay polite. Stay safe.

“Hahahaha! This girl’s too adorable!” Li Wei roared with laughter, gentlemanly act completely gone. A roguish grin spread across his face. His buddy finally caught the eye of a cute, wealthy girl? Time to cheer him on!

Li Wei was a player, sure—but with limits. He only flirted with women chasing money or looks (and yes, they had to be hot). Pure-hearted or innocent girls? He wouldn’t make the first move. Unless they came to him. Why flirt without genuine interest?

Xiaofeng was different. Not a player—more a mix of straightforward guy and gentle soul. He believed “why flirt if there’s no love” even more deeply. He no longer trusted fairy-tale romance, but he hadn’t sunk to reckless flirting.

That’s why he avoided entanglement. Once genders got involved, outcomes were rarely clean: mutual feelings, or one-sided hope. Xiaofeng hated the latter—it hurt both sides. Statistically? Over 80% chance.

Besides… someone like Situ Changxi? Worlds apart from him. Adding on WeChat meant little. They’d likely never chat again.

Li Wei’s loud laughter finally ruffled Changxi. Her tone turned sharp: “If you’re not Xiaofeng’s dad, don’t take advantage of *my* Xiaofeng! And I’m not a ‘little lady’—I’m eighteen. Not younger than you!”

Silence.

Not because of her age—but *“my Xiaofeng.”*

The bodyguards reacted first, voices earnest: “Miss, that phrasing isn’t used between friends…”

Li Wei and Xiaofeng shared a silent thought: *What an innocent wealthy loli.*

Changxi blinked in confusion. “Why not? I’ve always called my girl friends that way. Dad never corrected me.”

She’d only ever had wealthy female friends. “My [name], your [name]” felt natural. Male friends? None. Overprotected, she’d barely met boys. That’s why she wanted Xiaofeng’s friendship so badly.

Call it “opposites attract”—though not universal. Sometimes “likes attract.” The world’s vast. Don’t dismiss everything with one stroke.

“Miss,” a bodyguard amended carefully, “with girls it’s fine. But Mr. Xiaofeng is… ahem—a boy. Terms differ between genders.”

Changxi shrugged. “Feels the same to me. Why split hairs?”

The bodyguards exchanged glances. She looked young, but she was an adult. Time to let her learn.

She turned to Xiaofeng, smile bright. “You don’t mind me saying ‘my Xiaofeng,’ right?”

Xiaofeng met her innocent gaze. Since this friendship would likely end here… why fuss? “No problem at all! Who says opposite-gender friends can’t say that? It’s not set in stone!”

Changxi’s face lit up with pure joy—a sight that twisted Xiaofeng’s heart. *I’m misleading her…* But reality was harsh. He and Situ Changxi belonged to two different worlds.