Phew. After handing out seven lollipops, I still had one left—perfect. I’d planned for everything.

Whimper.

The little girls had all stopped crying after getting their treats, but then another soft whimper echoed. Puzzled, I turned to see another little girl stepping out of the infirmary.

She wore a tiny sundress, hair tied in a neat bun, cheeks round and rosy—so pinchable you’d ache to try.

“Guo Guo, you’re always the last one out!” a familiar girl called.

Guo Guo ignored her. Slowly, she shuffled to me, lifted her face. Glistening tears swirled in her eyes.

“I… I… my candy’s almost gone too,”

I glanced helplessly at my pocket—the very last lollipop. “Plenty? Hardly.”

Whimper.

Guo Guo let out a tiny sob, staring up at me. That hopeful gleam in her eyes? Impossible to refuse.

“Alright,” I said, pulling out the final lollipop and handing it over. “Here.”

I’ll just go hungry later. No big deal.

I’d forgotten to peel the wrapper. Guo Guo took it, deftly tore the paper off with one hand, tucked it into her pocket, and popped the candy in her mouth.

Sure enough—no more tears.

“Well, I should head in too. Bye!” I waved.

“Xiao Xiao has to get blood drawn too?” The girls’ faces tightened with worry.

Realizing I had no other excuse to slip inside, I nodded. “Yep. Everyone gets a check-up.”

“But it’s so scary in there… Blood draws hurt!”

“Xiao Xiao… waaah…”

Guo Guo quietly sidled up and tugged my sleeve. “Xiao Xiao.”

“Hmm?”

“Was that… your very last lollipop?”

Her voice, muffled by the candy, sounded soft as cotton candy.

“Yes,” I replied. “Why?”

Guo Guo dipped her chin in thought. “If it was the last one… after your blood draw, you’ll have no candy left.”

She pulled the crumpled wrapper from her bag, took the lollipop from her mouth, and carefully rewrapped it.

“What are you doing?” I asked, confused.

“Saving it for you,” she said.

I shook my head. “No, keep it. You eat it.”

Sure, the sharing economy’s trendy—but lollipops? Absolutely not. If I ate after her… that’d be an indirect kiss!

“But… if Xiao Xiao comes back with no candy,” she whispered, “you’ll cry.”

A sweatdrop slid down my temple. “Nah. I’m not scared of blood draws.”

The girls stared at me like I was a hero. Especially Hua Hua, the little tsundere, gazing up with solemn awe.

“Xiao Xiao isn’t scared?”

“Big sis Xiao Xiao is so brave! Shots hurt the most!”

“Xiao Xiao… I like you.”

I wiped my brow. How to explain? I’m a guy! Back when a vampire lady’s fangs pierced my carotid artery—I didn’t cry!

…Okay, maybe I yelled. It *did* hurt. But I didn’t *cry*!

“I’m going in. Don’t worry.”

I strode toward the infirmary door. Just a few steps. Behind me, eight little girls watched with cheers, as if sending off a legendary warrior.

“…Wait.”

Cold sweat trickled down my spine. *I came here to steal blood—why the dramatic exit?!*

I darted inside. Doctors milled about, but my short height saved me—I crouched low beneath the reception desk. Unnoticed.

Probably short-staffed. The collected blood samples sat unguarded in a small box in the back room.

I double-checked: eight vacuum tubes. Second-grade, Class Three.

Quick as a flick, I unclipped them all and tucked them safely into my pocket. Standing up, I let out a long, relieved breath.

Success. My food was secured.

*Of course I pulled it off. Piece of cake.*

Basking in smug triumph, I turned to leave—when a white-coated figure blocked the doorway.

“Huh? Another student hasn’t been drawn yet?”

A bespectacled middle-aged female doctor.

All staff at Yuye Elementary were veteran physicians—no nurses—to ensure every draw hit the vein cleanly, first try.

“Ah… uh… I…”

My brain froze.

“You kids,” she sighed kindly. “It only stings for a second. No need to fear.”

Before I could protest, she guided me firmly into the chair.

“Wait, I—”

“Shhh. Be good. Auntie knows best. Hold still.”

With practiced ease, she seized my arm. *Snap*—the tourniquet tightened in one smooth motion.