"Kids really need to go to school, you know. Why won’t your family let you? Is it money trouble? These days, education is compulsory and tuition-free. If things are especially hard, you can even apply for financial aid."

Xu Lu gazed at the well-behaved boy. A quiet anger stirred in her chest—how could his family deny him schooling? But she kept it in check, speaking to him gently and earnestly.

Such a sweet, sensible child… and his own parents wouldn’t let him learn?

Did they even deserve the title of parents?

Though she hadn’t met Anqing’s parents yet, Xu Lu already felt a faint dislike toward them.

"…Mom says studying’s useless for boys… a waste of money… so she won’t let me…"

The boy, questioned by an adult, didn’t dare move his chopsticks. He sat stiffly on the stool and answered softly.

Zhao Anqing had once overheard his parents arguing about his schooling. His dad wanted him to study; his mom refused, insisting boys didn’t need education—that money should be saved for a future daughter. That fight had been fierce. His mom’s voice turned hoarse from shouting, staying raspy for weeks.

"…Your mom’s mistaken. Boys can study too. Ask Yuting—aren’t there plenty of boys at school?"

Xu Lu’s eyebrows lifted slightly. From his words, she sensed extreme favoritism toward girls. *How can such outdated thinking still exist?* she thought. *They don’t deserve to be parents.*

"Mm-hmm! Mom’s right! My class alone has dozens of boys!" Xu Yuting chimed in brightly.

(She really wanted to walk to school with him… that’d be amazing. So she hoped he’d enroll too.)

"Oh… I really envy them…"

Zhao Anqing knew boys *could* study—he’d seen peers with backpacks laughing together below his balcony. But he could only watch from afar, longing.

"Little Anqing, are your parents home now?"

Xu Lu watched his face. Seeing the clear hint of envy in his bright eyes, warmth and pity swelled in her heart. A woman couldn’t ignore this.

"…They’re home…"

He recalled his parents arguing in their dim new apartment and answered meekly.

"After dinner, Auntie will walk you home. I’ll just talk with them—help them see you should go to school."

Her voice was soft as she reached out, gently stroking the boy’s hair. He looked as timid as a fawn.

"No… no need. I can go alone."

Frozen under her touch, he refused quietly. He didn’t know if the fighting had stopped—and he wouldn’t expose his home’s mess to outsiders.

"Anqing, let Mom and me walk you! My mom’s super capable! She’ll make them send you! Then we can walk together… maybe even share a class! Yay!" Xu Yuting bounced in her seat.

"They’re arguing… it might scare you. Please don’t go…"

Zhao Anqing’s voice sharpened with quiet urgency.

"Little Anqing, don’t worry. Auntie just wants a calm chat."

*Xu Lu’s opinion of his parents soured further. Leaving a child neglected while they bicker? What kind of parents?*

"Mom gets really scary… please don’t…"

"It’s fine! My mom can be scary too!" Yuting piped up.

"Finish your food," Xu Lu said, shooting her daughter a look.

"Okay…" Yuting pouted, placing a clumsily peeled prawn into Anqing’s bowl. (Mom peeled one in seconds. Hers took forever.)

"…Little Anqing, tell Auntie—do you want to study?"

Seeing him frozen like a statue, Xu Lu stayed patient, voice tender.

"…I do… really do…"

He looked up into her gentle eyes. The tension melted. He answered honestly.

"Then let Auntie talk to them. Every child your age has the right—and duty—to receive at least nine years of compulsory education. Your parents can’t stop you." She held his small hand, earnest.

"…Auntie… we don’t have money…"

Most kids his age wouldn’t grasp money’s weight. But Anqing knew: Dad worked till midnight. Mom came home dusty from moving jobs.

"No worries! My mom’s got it!" Yuting jumped in.

"If money’s the issue, Auntie can help," Xu Lu added softly. Public elementary school cost little—and she wasn’t one to count pennies when a child’s future was at stake.

"No… thank you, Auntie." He shook his head. *She’s Yuting’s mom, not mine. Why would she pay?* The thought stung. His own mother… falling short of a stranger’s kindness. His throat tightened. Eyes welled. He ducked his head fast.

"Let’s eat first, Little Anqing. Fill up."

Xu Lu stopped there. Push further, and he’d cry.

"Anqing, eat! My prawn’s gotta be tasty!" Yuting chirped, hovering close.

"Mm…" He subtly wiped his eyes, then ate quietly.

"Was it good?" she asked before he’d even swallowed.

"Good. Really good."

(He’d only ever eaten tiny, fishy-smelling shrimp.)

"Better than Mom’s?"

"Both are delicious. Exactly the same."

*They’re from the same plate…* he wondered silently.

"Aww… I thought mine’d be better," Yuting sighed.

"Talk less while eating—you’re spraying rice," Xu Lu chided.

"I’m just talking to my friend!" Yuting grumbled, wiping her mouth.

"Yuting… that’s not good," Anqing murmured after swallowing.

"Okay… I’ll be quiet."

(His words mattered more than Mom’s.)

Silence settled. Xu Lu and Yuting both kept serving him dishes.

For the first time, Zhao Anqing ate a truly full, warm meal in a stranger’s home.

*Burp…*

His cheeks flushed crimson. *So rude!*

*Burp… burp…* Yuting patted her round belly. "Anqing, full? I’m stuffed!" Her smile for him never faded.

"Full. Very full." He stayed shy.

"Let’s go upstairs to play! Have drinks!" Yuting hopped off her stool.

"No… I should go home."

(He hoped his parents had stopped fighting.)

"Stay a little longer! Yuting loves playing with you," Xu Lu said warmly while clearing plates.

"I really need to go," he said firmly, gathering courage.

"Alright… I’ll walk you to your door."

Reluctant but understanding, Yuting stood.

"Mm-hmm…" Anqing glanced nervously at Xu Lu—*Mom’s fights are scary. I don’t want Auntie hurt.*

"Visit us anytime, Little Anqing. You’re always welcome."

Xu Lu saw his worry. She stayed put.

"Okay…"

This home’s warmth was something he’d never dreamed of. He liked it… deeply.

"Let’s go!" Yuting took his hand, acting like a little adult.

"Mm-hmm." He followed obediently.

Outside, the dark building across the street was his home.

"Anqing… your place has no lights… it’s so dark…" Yuting whispered, already uneasy. She didn’t like this gloom at all.