At the entrance of Children’s Park, two little girls around six or seven stood guard, glancing around now and then as if waiting for someone.

“Ziqing, why isn’t Yuting here yet? Is she still sleeping in? Look at the time—the sun’s already high! She promised to introduce a new friend today. I was so looking forward to it…”

The speaker had a slightly round face with baby fat, two short black braids, and a cute blue dress. She pouted unhappily while complaining.

“I don’t know. But Yuting wouldn’t lie to us.”

Beside her stood another girl with shoulder-length black hair. Her pretty face showed little emotion, giving no hint of joy or annoyance. Dressed in light summer clothes, she kept her head down, twisting a Rubik’s Cube. Hearing her friend, she replied calmly.

“Ugh, is she even coming?”

Xie Jinxia, naturally impatient, couldn’t stay still. She paced back and forth to ease her restlessness.

“Just a little longer.”

Chen Ziqing remained perfectly calm—a serenity unusual for a child her age.

Just then, two children approached the park entrance.

“Anqing, look! This is Children’s Park. We’re finally here!”

Xu Yuting held the boy’s small hand, gently explaining.

“Mm… it’s so pretty. I’ve never been here before.”

Curiosity sparkled in the boy’s eyes as he gazed ahead. Colorful playground equipment dotted the grounds, filled with laughter from kids his age.

“It’s so nice here!”

One glance, and his heart was completely captivated.

“Hey, Yuting! You’re finally here!”

The round-faced girl puffed her cheeks, stomped her tiny shoes—*tap-tap-tap*—and ran over, calling out loudly.

“Is *that* the new friend Yuting mentioned? A boy?”

The short-haired girl tucked away her Rubik’s Cube, glanced at Xu Yuting and the boy beside her, then walked over.

“Morning, Jinxia!”

Xu Yuting waved at the huffing girl.

“So they’re girls… Yuting’s friends are so pretty…”

Zhao Anqing, shy by nature, instinctively hid half his body behind her, peeking curiously at Xie Jinxia.

“Huff… Not ‘morning’ at all! The sun’s already up—you kept Ziqing and me waiting forever…”

Breathless from running, Xie Jinxia planted her hands on her hips, face flushed with displeasure.

“It’s my fault… Next time, I’ll treat you to candy—any flavor you want!”

“Hmph. That’s more like it. I forgive you.”

At the word *candy*, the round-faced girl’s eyes lit up. She nearly drooled, instantly dropping all pretense.

“Morning.”

Chen Ziqing arrived calmly, gave a quiet greeting—but her steady gaze swept over the boy behind Xu Yuting like quiet scrutiny.

“She… She must be Ziqing? Her hair’s so short… kinda boyish.”

The boy shrank timidly behind Yuting, as if trying to vanish into her shadow to escape that look.

“Good morning, everyone! Ziqing, Jinxia—meet my very best friend!”

“Anqing, don’t be shy. Come on out.”

She turned, voice soft and coaxing.

“H-hello… I’m Zhao Anqing… I’m a boy… Will you… be my friend?”

Encouraged, the boy gathered a trace of courage and stammered his introduction.

“A boy? As *our* friend?”

Xie Jinxia gasped. She noticed the red mosquito bites on his cheek—messy, a little unkept. At their age, boys and girls just didn’t mix. “Everyone will laugh at us!”

…

The boy froze. His small hands clenched tight. Her words stung.

“Who says boys can’t be friends with girls?” Xu Yuting shot back, frowning.

“Oh, Yuting—we *can’t*! The other girls will make fun of us!” Xie Jinxia blurted out, utterly unaware of the boy standing right there.

“Don’t say that! Anqing *is* my best friend!”

Xu Yuting glanced at the dejected boy—head bowed, shoulders slumped—and her eyes flashed with anger.

“Hmph. Aren’t you ashamed? Picking a boy as your friend.”

“To her, it felt embarrassing. Everyone would laugh.”

“Not ashamed! Anqing *is* my best friend!” Xu Yuting clenched her tiny fists, jaw set.

“Yuting… I don’t need new friends. You’re enough,” the boy whispered, tugging gently at her sleeve.

“Xie Jinxia—I’m not playing with you anymore.” Xu Yuting’s voice was firm. She held Anqing’s hand tightly, shielding him. In her eyes, the round-faced girl had become the “bad kid” for hurting her friend.

“Xu Yuting… After all this time… am I worth less than a boy you just met?” Xie Jinxia trembled, tears welling. She’d loved Yuting more than anyone—even more than Ziqing. Betrayal crushed her. She couldn’t breathe.

“Anqing is my best friend. You don’t compare.”

“You… you… you—!” Words failed her. Fury choked her voice.

“Anqing, I’m sorry. I won’t be friends with her anymore.” Xu Yuting squeezed his hand, ignoring the heartbreak behind her.

“Yuting… please don’t. Don’t ruin your friendship because of me.” Zhao Anqing’s voice was small. A flicker of warmth, then heavy guilt. He never wanted this.

“Stupid boy! This is all your fault! You rotten brat—stealing my best friend!” Xie Jinxia shrieked, tears and rage spilling over.