"Auntie, Yuting’s always been kind to me. She’s never bullied me."

Zhao Anqing clenched his small fists, palms damp with nervous sweat. Facing a stranger, tension coiled tight in his chest.

"Mm, if she ever bullies you, tell Auntie right away. Where’s your home? It’s late—I’ll walk you back."

Xu Lu felt a soft fondness for this shy boy, delicate as a porcelain doll. *What a lovely friend for my daughter to have.*

"Mom! I’d never bully Anqing—I’ll protect *him*! He lives right across the street, our new neighbor. No need for you to walk him; I’ll see him safely to his door!"

Xu Yuting pouted and chirped up instantly.

"Oh! So Anqing’s our neighbor? Have you eaten? Join us for dinner!"

*Xinhua moved in across the way… Yuting won’t be bored anymore,* Xu Lu mused, pleasantly surprised.

"No thank you… I should go home. Thank you, Auntie…"

With Yuting, the boy played freely. But speaking to an adult? He felt like bolting.

"Anqing, don’t rush! Stay for dinner… we’ve got so many tasty dishes…"

Yuting grabbed his hand, pleading softly.

"You two sit at the table. I’ll reheat the food."

Xu Lu added gently, amazed how quickly her daughter had bonded with this quiet boy.

"But… *gurgle*"

Zhao Anqing tried to refuse—but his stomach betrayed him.

"Whoa! That was *your* tummy, Anqing! You’re hungry~ Come on, just a little bite…"

Yuting’s sharp ears caught it. She wasn’t teasing—just hoping he’d stay longer.

"Mm…"

Zhao Anqing glanced at Yuting—no mockery in her eyes. Then at Xu Lu, whose gaze held only warmth.

He finally meekly nodded.

"Yay!"

Yuting bounced up, overjoyed.

"Alright, kids, sit tight. Yuting, fetch bowls and chopsticks for our guest."

Xu Lu walked toward the kitchen with a graceful stride.

"Anqing, come with me~"

Brimming with energy, Yuting tugged his hand.

"You sit here. I’ll sit right beside you!"

She arranged seats like a tiny adult.

"Mm-hmm, got it…"

Zhao Anqing obeyed without question.

"I’ll grab the bowls and chopsticks! Be right back!"

Normally careless, Yuting now moved with eager diligence—*for him*.

"Let me help too…"

He felt awkward just watching. First time being treated like this.

"Okay! I’ll take three bowls—you handle three pairs of chopsticks."

*Chopsticks are lighter,* she thought instinctively.

"Mm, I’ll follow your lead, Yuting."

He just wanted to share the load.

At the cupboard, Yuting strained on tiptoes, leaning in to pull out chopsticks.

"Yuting, careful—don’t fall!"

Zhao Anqing stepped behind her, hand gently steadying her slim waist.

"Mmm… weird…"

Yuting froze. *Did I just get zapped?*

"Yuting? What’s wrong?"

"Anqing… your hand on my waist… feels strange."

She kept gathering chopsticks, voice dreamy.

"I was just keeping you safe. Did I tickle you? Sorry!"

Flustered, he pulled his hands back.

"It’s okay… keep holding me. I’m scared of falling."

*Wait—I miss it already.*

"Mm, okay."

He obeyed.

Soon, chopsticks in hand: "Here, you take these. I’ll get the bowls."

"Okay…" He accepted quickly.

Back at the table, Yuting set everything down.

"Anqing… can I hold *your* waist too?"

*It felt weird… but nice. I wanna share it.*

"Huh? Why? Worried *I’ll* fall?"

He was utterly confused.

"It felt good when you held me! Try it—you’ll like it!"

She whispered like sharing a secret treasure.

"Oh… okay. Go ahead, Yuting."

"Mm!"

Her small hands settled eagerly on his waist.

"How’s it feel? Nice?"

*Holding someone feels good too…*

"Uh… kinda ticklish. Not… nice."

"Must be the clothes! How about now?"

Her fingers slipped under his shirt, resting bare on his waist.

"…Heh—still ticklish! Yuting, please stop."

He curled up laughing.

"Oh… guess it was just me. Wanna hold *my* waist again?"

Puzzled but hopeful, she asked.

"Okay…"

Trusting her completely, he placed his small hands on her slim waist.

"Mmm~ *Perfect*!"

Yuting’s sparkling eyes fluttered shut, face flushed with bliss.

"Done?"

He still didn’t get it.

"Just a little longer… no clothes this time…"

She murmured, dreamy and entranced.