"Big Sister, how much is the total?"

Since everyone had grabbed a treat, the little rich girl stepped up to pay. Just glancing at the crisp bills in her hand made it obvious she came from a well-off family.

"Total… wait one sec, I’ll get your change right away—"

Before Wang Wanying finished speaking, the round-faced girl thrust a large banknote toward her. Wang hurried to the cash register.

"Try my strawberry ice cream bar! It’s way better than your milk popsicle."

Xie Jinxia, a devoted strawberry ice cream loyalist, watched the boy savoring his cheap popsicle with such delight. Leaning in, she chirped brightly.

"N-no… it’s okay."

Zhao Anqing shook his head slightly as the round-faced girl drew closer.

"Just one bite! It’s delicious…"

Unwilling to give up, she insisted he see strawberry ice cream was truly the best. She held out the half-licked bar.

"Jinxia, ew! It’s covered in your spit—how can you offer that to Anqing?"

Xu Yuting stepped forward protectively. The boy clearly didn’t know how to refuse.

"Between friends, it’s not gross…"

Xie Jinxia’s bold tone faltered but she pressed on stubbornly.

"You licked it! How is that *not* gross?"

Xu Yuting shot her a fierce glare.

"Yuting…"

The boy gently tugged her sleeve, worried the two would start arguing.

"Wah-wah! Look—I don’t mind *his* spit at all!"

To prove friendship was pure, Xie snatched Zhao’s popsicle and popped it into her mouth.

"……"

Zhao Anqing said nothing. He just stood frozen in place.

"Why’d you snatch Anqing’s popsicle?!"

Xu Yuting’s face tightened with anger, looking ready to pounce.

"Shared things between friends aren’t dirty!"

It was Xie’s first time tasting someone else’s food—impulsive, now trapped. She forced a explanation.

*Huh… this milk popsicle isn’t bad.*

Her parents never let her eat "cheap junk"—"you get what you pay for," they’d say. Might upset your stomach.

"Is *that* your reason for snatching it?"

Xu Yuting gritted her teeth, each word deliberate.

"Pfft, I’ll give him *my* strawberry bar!"

Clueless to the tension, Xie shoved her half-eaten ice cream toward his mouth.

"Anqing wouldn’t eat something you’ve had."

Xu Yuting blocked it, discomfort tightening her chest.

"It’s… really okay…"

Zhao Anqing *wanted* to accept—it felt like honoring friendship.

"Heh heh! See? He doesn’t mind!"

Xie shot Xu a smug, challenging glance.

"Anqing… you’d really eat her spit?"

Xu Yuting’s face paled, voice trembling with betrayal.

"We’re all good friends… it’s fine, right?"

Zhao Anqing hated hurting either girl. He cherished them both.

"…Eat it if you want."

Swallowing her unease, Xu Yuting yielded to his choice.

"Go on! Way better than your cheap popsicle."

Xie stood tall like a victorious rooster, grinning proudly.

"Mm…"

Zhao obediently took a small bite.

Xu Yuting turned her face away.

*Why did I bring him here? Just the two of us… wouldn’t that have been nicer?*

A sour, wordless ache bloomed inside—nowhere to vent, nowhere to hide.

"Good?"

Xie asked eagerly, licking the milk popsicle again.

"Good…"

"You get what you pay for" held true. Taste-wise, the strawberry bar *was* richer.

"Anqing… between *my* milk popsicle and hers—which is better?"

Xu Yuting’s bright eyes gleamed, waiting.

"Obviously *mine* is best!"

Oblivious, Xie blurted out.

"……"

Xu Yuting ignored her, eyes locked on Zhao.

"Both… are good."

Zhao offered a careful, gentle reply.

"Liar! Strawberry’s better!"

Xie jumped in, indignant.

"*My* milk popsicle is better!"

Xu Yuting glared at the round-faced girl like a rival.

Tension crackled. Another tiny spark, and they’d clash again.

"Please… don’t fight…"

Zhao Anqing whispered weakly, confused why friends acted like enemies.

"Little friends, here’s your change. Didn’t your teacher say? Friends should be kind to each other."

Wang Wanying held out coins, sighing inwardly at the trivial feud.

"STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM IS NUMBER ONE!"

Xie shouted like a battle cry, ignoring all mediation.

"Hmph…"

Xu Yuting opened her mouth to retort—but Zhao tugged her sleeve. She huffed sharply and fell silent.

"Here. Your popsicle back."

Victorious, Xie returned the half-eaten stick.

"Okay…"

Zhao quietly handed her strawberry bar back.

"Anqing, eat *mine*. Don’t touch her spit."

Cheeks puffed in frustration, Xu Yuting offered her barely-touched popsicle.

"Still heading to the children’s park? Spots might be gone."

Chen Ziqing, quiet until now, spoke calmly.

"Let’s go!"

Playtime lit up Xie’s face—she was, after all, a joyful kid.

The group bustled out of the convenience store.

"Hehe… kids these days."

Wang Wanying watched them go, smiling at their childish drama.

*Wait—that little boy’s actually really cute. No wonder the girls fuss over him.*

She saw right through their squabble. Even at sixteen, she thought: *He’ll be stunning when he grows up.*

"Oops… am I weird? …A closet shotacon?"

She kept staring at the empty doorway long after they vanished. Cupping her flushed cheeks, she murmured with shy embarrassment.