“What are you two little ones up to?”

Xu Lu carried a tray of warmed dishes to the dining area and saw a boy steadying her daughter’s waist, as if playing a game.

“Nothing! Anqing and I were just fooling around,” Yuting said, snapping into a serious little face the moment her mom appeared.

“Mm-hmm…”

Anqing, still shy, kept his head down and murmured agreement.

“Go ahead and eat first, okay? Chopsticks, spoon, or fork—whichever you like,” Xu Lu said gently. With another child present, she radiated calm grace—the picture of a model mom. She lifted the lid. A fragrant braised fish sat steaming on the table.

“I can use chopsticks…” the boy murmured softly, eyes fixed on his tiny feet.

“Hehe, so impressive! Much cleverer than Yuting—she still fumbles with them,” Xu Lu chuckled. Though more dishes waited in the kitchen, she calmly served rice first.

“Mom! I’ve known how to use chopsticks *forever*! Don’t slander me!” Yuting protested in a drawn-out childish whine. She couldn’t lose face in front of her dear friend Anqing—what if he thought less of her? She treasured this friendship fiercely.

“Hehe, we’ll see when you eat,” Xu Lu smiled, brushing it off. “Here you go, little Anqing. Eat up. Yuting will walk you home after.” She set the first bowl before him.

“Thank you, Yuting’s mom…” Anqing stammered, flustered. At home, he’d never been served first. Mom ate first, he second, Dad last.

“What a sweet, polite child,” Xu Lu thought, charmed by his quiet manners and gentle demeanor.

“Mm…” Anqing’s cheeks flushed at the praise, flustered.

“Mom, where’s *my* rice? Hurry!” Yuting didn’t mind him getting served first—but she didn’t like Mom talking to *her* Anqing. What if he got stolen away?

“Coming, you little rascal,” Xu Lu shot her a playful glare and placed Yuting’s bowl down.

“Mom, go get the rest already!” Yuting urged, hoping to be left alone with him.

“Anqing, don’t be shy. Start eating. Auntie’ll be right back,” Xu Lu said warmly before heading to the kitchen.

“Yuting, your mom is so nice!” Freed of adult presence, Anqing relaxed and turned to her.

“Hmph, *okay*… Sometimes when she’s mad, she spanks my butt—it *hurts*,” Yuting nodded smugly, chin tilted high, then tacked on another jab.

“I think your mom is so gentle and pretty… way nicer than mine…” Anqing silently compared. His mom and Yuting’s? Worlds apart.

“Mm, forget my mom—try the fish! It’s yummy!” Yuting reached for chopsticks to serve him. But just as Xu Lu warned, her grip was clumsy. She fumbled again and again. Her delicate face darkened. *Wah… so embarrassing… Will Anqing think I’m silly?* Panicked, she jabbed harder. The once-neat fish lay in shreds.

“Yuting, here—have some,” Anqing said softly. His chopsticks moved with ease. He lifted a perfect piece into her bowl.

“Wow… you’re so good… I… my hand hurts today! That’s why I’m clumsy,” Yuting stammered, cheeks warm. She’d wanted to feed *him*—not be fed. She scrambled for an excuse.

“Hand hurts? Let me feed you,” Anqing offered. Hungry but hesitant to eat others’ food, he focused on her.

“No, you eat! I’ll use a fork.” Yuting hopped off her chair, her short legs scampering to fetch one. *Next time… I’ll master chopsticks,* she vowed quietly.

Alone at the table, Anqing stared at the fragrant fish and patted his flat stomach. *Just rice… Dad says fish is expensive… I shouldn’t eat this.* He shoveled plain rice slowly. Then—just a dip. He brushed sauce onto his rice. One bite. Eyes closed. Bliss.

“Anqing, I’m back!” Yuting bounced back, fork in hand.

“Mm, let’s eat,” he smiled.

“Here! Eat lots!” Fork in hand, she speared a generous chunk into his bowl.

“No, too much! I can’t finish!” He quickly moved it back.

“Not tasty? I think it’s good,” Anqing tilted his head, confused.

“No! Just… small appetite,” he rushed to explain.

“Anqing, don’t be shy! We’re friends. Sharing food isn’t *that* formal,” Yuting saw right through him.

“I… I already ate…” His eyes darted away, guilty.

“Liar! Your tummy’s *gurgling*—that means *super* hungry! Eat up! Get your belly nice and round. I don’t want you hungry,” Yuting insisted. She rarely went hungry, but once… her stomach ached so badly she felt miserable.

“Mm…” Touched, he nodded firmly and ate heartily.

“Eat the fish!” She forked it over again.

“Mm…” He’d never tasted anything so warm, so kind. Tears welled. *Yuting’s nicer than Mom… Why?* He didn’t understand.

“Anqing… you okay? Is it bad? You’re crying…” Yuting’s voice tightened. She didn’t want him sad. She wanted him smiling.

“Not crying! It’s… just really good,” he shook his head fast, rubbing his eyes.

“Don’t cry. Mom says kids who cry turn into messy little kittens,” Yuting placed a small hand on his shoulder.

“Mm-mm!” He forced a bright smile.

“Little Anqing, enjoying the fish? Here’s steamed prawns, Chinese cabbage—try these!” Xu Lu returned with more dishes.

“So good! Really good!” Anqing answered eagerly.

“If you like it, eat more. How old are you? Started school?” Xu Lu sat down, peeling a plump prawn with practiced fingers.

“Six. Not in school yet.” He answered promptly, never hesitating.

“Mom, I won’t go to school either! Anqing doesn’t have to—I’ll play with him every day!” Yuting declared.

“Skip school? Sleep on the streets,” Xu Lu frowned mildly, mindful of their guest.

“Hmph! I’ll go to Anqing’s house! Jin Xia’s! Zi Qing’s!” Yuting shot back, chin high.

“Yuting… school is good… please go…” Anqing whispered.

“See how sensible Anqing is?” Xu Lu’s heart melted for the quiet, doll-like boy.

“Mean Mom,” Yuting muttered, then turned to Anqing with soft eyes. “If I skip school, I can play with you all day. Don’t you want that?”

“You can play *after* school, Yuting. Please listen to your mom…” He didn’t want her to be a “bad kid.”

“Okay… but Anqing, can’t *you* go too? I want to go with you,” Yuting’s eyes shimmered with hope.

“Probably not…” Dad had mentioned school once. Mom refused. Moves kept happening. It just… faded.

“Hmm? Little Anqing… why not? Can you tell Auntie?” Xu Lu listened closely. She placed the peeled prawn gently into his bowl.

“Thank you, Auntie… My mom doesn’t want me to go to school,” Anqing said quietly, not daring to refuse the gift.