"Big Sister, are there really little dwarves in the world? They’re so kind—they even saved the Snow White Prince."

Zhao Anqing listened intently to the story, occasionally voicing innocent doubts.

"No, sweetie. That’s just part of the story."

Wang Wanying smiled gently, lifting her gaze from the book. She looked at the boy with warmth and explained softly.

"Oh! So that’s it. Big Sister, will the prince be okay? Will he never wake up? That’d be so sad."

Unbeknownst to himself, the boy had already empathized with the pitiful Snow White Prince, worry flickering in his eyes.

"Hehe, you’ll find out soon. If I spoiled it now, where’d the fun be?"

Wanying hated spoilers—she’d never reveal the ending early.

After all, it was a happily-ever-after tale. The answer would come soon enough.

"Mm-hmm."

Anqing obediently closed his mouth, eyes sparkling with curiosity.

*Please let the Snow White Prince be safe. Those little dwarves will take good care of him.*

With his innocent heart, he silently prayed for the storybook prince.

—

Near the row of stools by the small shop’s counter—

"Wah wah wah! How can one side ever be one color? Impossible! Ziqing, are you messing with me?!"

The round-faced girl widened her glistening eyes, twisting the Rubik’s Cube angrily in both hands while chattering nonstop.

She’d finally begged her friend to lend it to her.

But the more she fumbled, the more insulted she felt.

Solving it was simply beyond her.

She twisted blindly, stubbornly fixated, ignoring every hint Ziqing offered.

"Why would I tease you? You insisted. I even warned you."

Chen Ziqing knew her friend’s temperament—that’s why she’d hesitated. Only after being worn down did she relent.

Now? Clearly a mistake.

"Wah wah wah! Then solve it yourself and show me!"

Xie Jinxia scratched her head in frustration. *It’s the cube’s fault—not mine.*

No way was she accepting "slow kid" as a label.

"Mm."

The short-haired girl said nothing. Her nimble fingers danced across the cube.

In under a minute, every side gleamed in perfect, uniform color.

"No way… How… I was just—"

Jinxia stood frozen, mouth agape. She couldn’t believe her friend succeeded where she’d failed.

*So I really am not smart…*

"You’re not dumb. Just… not the quickest thinker."

Seeing her stunned silence, Ziqing offered gentle comfort.

"Wah… wah wah… I’m a not-smart girl…"

Jinxia pouted, tears welling. Even the softened words stung.

—

By the cash register, two children sat on tiny stools as the fifteen-year-old girl continued:

"Then the princess appeared… and kissed the prince…"

Wanying’s voice carried quiet joy, basking in the boy’s rapt gaze.

"Yay! The prince woke up!"

Anqing had worried endlessly about the poisoned-apple prince. Hearing he awoke, he burst into cheerful cheers.

"Hehe. And the princess and prince lived happily ever after."

Wanying closed the tale with a radiant smile.

"Anqing, what did you think of the Snow White Prince’s story?"

She smiled at his flushed, excited cheeks.

"So good! Super fun! Big Sister tells stories amazing!"

Still craving more, he repeated "good" three times with earnest enthusiasm.

"Next time, I’ll tell you about the Ugly Duckling becoming a swan."

Though focused on Anqing, Wanying had noticed Xu Yuting’s stormy expression. Wisely, she stopped—planting just enough anticipation.

"Mm-hmm! I’ll definitely come back to hear Sister’s stories!"

Curiosity lit his eyes as he nodded firmly.

"Anqing, let’s go play."

Yuting’s face screamed quiet hostility, but with Anqing present, she could only urge him away.

"Okay, let’s go."

Though he longed for more stories, Anqing would never ignore his best friend.

"Big Sister, bye-bye!"

He stood politely from his stool.

"I’m Wang Wanying. Call me Sister Wanying. See you next time!"

She seized the moment to introduce herself.

"Jinxia, Ziqing—we’re heading out!"

Yuting took Anqing’s hand and called to them.

"Coming!"

Though still stung by "not-smart," playing seesaw with Anqing mattered more. She chirped brightly and hurried over.

"..."

Ziqing rose silently, picked up the sour plum pit Jinxia had spat earlier, and tossed it into the bin.

In moments, the children vanished from the shop.

"You go ahead. I dropped something—I’ll be right back."

Unable to swallow her frustration, Yuting doubled back.

She marched straight to Wanying, face set in defiance.

"Little one? Something wrong?"

Wanying tidied the counter, smiling warmly despite sensing tension.

*Just a six-year-old. Easy to handle.*

"Don’t you dare go near Anqing. You bad woman."

Yuting’s voice was icy, blunt, slapping on a label with no proof.

"Little one, did you misunderstand? I only told Anqing a story. How does that make me 'bad'?"

Wanying almost laughed—but kept her tone gentle.

"Anqing’s my best friend. Stay far away from him."

Her words tumbled out messy. She couldn’t say *I don’t like how he looks at you* or *how he listens only to you*.

All she meant: *Leave my friend alone.*

"Hehe. I was just telling a story. You saw how happy he was, right? He loved it. If you’re his friend… don’t you want him happy? Otherwise… are you really a good friend?"

Unshaken, Wanying spoke calmly, then waited with a soft smile.

"I… I…"

Yuting froze. She *did* want Anqing happy—but not like this.

"Hmph! I’ll never bring Anqing here again!"

Outspoken and flustered, she stomped her foot, threw the threat, and fled.