A group of kids had been merrily swinging on the swings for a while.

“I’m bored, so bored! Let’s switch games—no more swinging!” Jinxia shouted, though her eyes darted toward the boy and girl nearby.

Right then, Ziqing was pushing the boy on the swing, both clearly enjoying themselves.

“Yeah, I’m tired of this too. Let’s change games,” Yuting added. Watching her best friend laugh with another girl left a sour ache in her chest.

“Sure! What should we play?” Anqing, ever indecisive, readily agreed to follow the girls’ lead.

“Whatever,” Ziqing replied casually, her tone light and indifferent.

“I say we play on the seesaw!” Jinxia chimed in, bubbling with excitement at the mere mention of games.

“There’s only one seesaw for four of us—how? Let’s build a sandcastle in the sandbox,” Yuting countered firmly.

“Anqing, do you prefer the seesaw or building a sandcastle?” the girl asked, her bright eyes fixed on him, placing the choice squarely in his hands.

“Anqing, the seesaw’s super fun! I can launch you all the way up!” Jinxia pressed eagerly, sensing he held the deciding vote.

“Um…” Caught between them, the boy froze, utterly at a loss.

“Four kids. Split into two pairs. Play separately,” Ziqing suggested calmly, noticing his fluster.

“Mm-hmm! Ziqing’s right—let’s split up!” The boy glanced at the short-haired girl with quiet admiration. So calm, so reliable—she solved things he never could.

“Anqing and I will build the sandcastle. You two take the seesaw,” Yuting declared, stepping close and taking his hand with a crisp tone.

“No way! I want to play seesaw with Anqing too!” Jinxia protested, darting over to grab his other hand.

“Anqing’s building *my* sandcastle,” Yuting snapped, eyes narrowed fiercely—like a tiny tiger baring its teeth.

“Like hell! He’s playing seesaw *with me*!” Jinxia shot back, glaring and tugging his arm.

“Anqing is *mine*,” Yuting growled through gritted teeth, pulling hard.

“You guys… please stop,” the boy pleaded helplessly. Why did his friends always fight like this?

“Anqing, won’t you build a sandcastle with me? We’ll make a huge castle—it’s so fun!”

No sooner had he spoken than the squabble zeroed in on him.

“Play seesaw with *me*! Way more fun than Yuting’s sandcastle,” Jinxia coaxed, tugging his sleeve.

“Rock, paper, scissors. Winner plays with him,” Ziqing proposed evenly, watching them treat the boy like a rope in a tug-of-war.

“No! I always lose,” Jinxia objected, knowing her luck.

“Then play seesaw with Ziqing,” Yuting retorted, smug and unyielding.

“You build the sandcastle with Ziqing!”

The bickering flared up again.

“I… I want to play with Ziqing.”

The boy finally spoke up, voice soft but clear.

Both girls froze.

This answer stunned them completely.

“Anqing—we’re *best friends*! Why?” Yuting demanded, voice trembling.

“Don’t any of you care about Ziqing’s feelings? She’s smart—way smarter than me. Why does no one want to play with *her*?” The boy’s chest tightened. It felt so unfair.

“Ziqing… she doesn’t like kids’ games,” Yuting stammered, shooting a pleading look at the short-haired girl.

“Yuting’s right. I’m just here to keep you company. Not really into these games,” Ziqing said with a slight shrug of her petite shoulders.

“Yeah! Ziqing’s too smart for this stuff,” Jinxia added nervously. Somehow, the boy’s quiet upset made her uneasy—even though he was small, gentle, and held no anger.

“Can… can I build the sandcastle with Ziqing?” Anqing’s gaze flickered across the three girls before shrinking back into his usual shy self.

“Of course!”

“Mm-hmm, whatever Anqing likes.”

Neither girl argued further.

“Ziqing, let’s go build the sandcastle!” Anqing reached out, his small hand extended, eyes bright with hopeful expectation.

“Okay.”

Ziqing took his soft little hand. A faint smile touched her pretty face.

*He’s not so bad. He actually thinks of others.*

“Waaah… Anqing, my best friend…” Yuting watched them walk toward the sandbox, heart sinking.

“You stinker, Yuting! When’d you even meet Anqing? Sneaking off to befriend a boy—so not cool,” Jinxia grumbled, eyes glued to the sandbox.

“None of your business. I wish I’d never brought him here.” Regret twisted inside her. *Wouldn’t it have been better to be his only friend? Why share him?* She felt foolish. Furious.

“Fickle stinker, Yuting,” Jinxia muttered sourly, watching the two kids pat sand together.

“You’re the fickle one! You said no boys—now you’re fighting for Anqing!” Yuting shot back.

“Anqing’s *different*! That’s why!” Jinxia’s cheeks flushed as she scrambled for reasons.

“How?” Yuting asked, suddenly patient.

“He’s a little slow, kinda cute, blushes easy, and super easy to please!” Jinxia rattled off with a playful shake of her head.

“Hmph! Anqing’s the handsomest boy. I’m the prettiest girl. We’re best friends,” Yuting declared, arms crossed smugly.

“Pfft! *I’m* the prettiest. You’re second. *I* should be his best friend.”

Two girls, brimming with unshakable confidence, launched into a fresh debate over who truly deserved the title.