“Anqing’s cheering for me—I absolutely can’t let him down.”

Yuting heard the boy behind her shouting encouragement. A surge of boundless energy flooded her limbs.

The chubby little girl stood right before her.

Yuting launched another attack, determined to take this naughty kid down and not disappoint Anqing.

Arms spread wide, she shoved forward with all her might.

“Ah—!”

Daya, brimming with confidence, didn’t dodge at all—she’d been planning to pin Yuting with a crushing tackle.

But this time, Yuting’s strength far surpassed before.

Daya’s plump body tumbled backward, landing squarely on her bottom.

“Waaah… my butt hurts…”

Always the bully among peers, now on the receiving end, the chubby girl’s eyes reddened traitorously as she wailed.

“Yay! Yuting’s awesome!”

The round-faced spectator jumped up and down, cheering wildly.

“Daya…!”

Joy for some, dread for others. Seeing her best friend burst into tears, the skinny girl paled and shrieked.

“Yuting won! So great!”

Zhao Anqing, who’d been silently worrying, finally let out a relieved sigh.

“Hey! Stop crying! No more making fun of Anqing—got it?”

Hands on hips, Yuting looked down at the sobbing girl, pride glowing in her eyes.

“Waaah… my butt hurts…”

Tears streaming, she wiped her face frantically while her stubby legs kicked the air—clearly flustered and ashamed.

“You jerk! I’ll avenge Daya!”

Though outnumbered, Xiaoyan didn’t flee. Face flushed, she charged forward to retaliate.

“Don’t… please stop…”

Seeing another fight brewing, the boy hurried over, voice urgent.

“Anqing, stay back! I’ll finish her, then we’ll play seesaw!”

Yuting had been ready to scold the reckless girl—but the boy’s sudden move threw off her whole plan.

In her mind, she’d bravely defeat both troublemakers and earn Anqing’s praise.

“Please stop. Fighting’s bad.”

This time, the boy didn’t obey.

Happy Yuting won, yet his heart ached seeing Daya cry.

“Don’t cry… I’ll give you candy.”

Wanying had once given him a lollipop—he’d saved it for Yuting. But watching Daya sob so hard, he pulled it out to comfort her.

“Hic… hic… lollipop? You’re really giving it to me?”

Daya’s tears vanished instantly. Her reddened eyes sparkled with eager hope.

Naturally fond of sweets, she was easily swayed.

“Mm. It’s yours.”

Anqing nodded gently, placing the lollipop in her hand.

If this candy could mend things, he’d gladly give it up.

“Lollipop! Yay!”

Daya snatched it, leaping up with a joyful bounce.

For her, tasty treats mattered most—everything else faded away.

“Anqing! Why give *her* candy? She mocked you just now!”

Jinxia pouted, utterly baffled by his kindness.

Yuting, though equally puzzled by his mercy, said nothing—just stood quietly beside him, guarding him.

“Since you gave me candy… I won’t laugh at you anymore.”

Daya was refreshingly straightforward: mockery forgotten the moment sweetness arrived.

“I… I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have laughed at you…”

Xiaoyan, the one who’d started the teasing, now looked down shyly. After seeing his kindness, shame softened her—and she apologized first.

They were only five or six. No grudge ran too deep.

With pure, gentle kindness, the boy dissolved the whole conflict.

“It’s okay…”

Anqing shook his head. The hurt vanished with her apology.

“Anqing, let’s play seesaw!”

Yuting took his hand, eyes bright with hope.

“Mm. I’ll follow Yuting.”

He’d always been gentle with friends.

“Me first! Me first!”

At the word “play,” Jinxia bounced excitedly, shouting before anyone could claim the spot.

“…”

Ziqing stayed silent nearby, a quiet shadow among the group.

“Yuting, you play with Jinxia first!”

Hearing Jinxia’s clamor, Anqing stepped back willingly, offering her the turn.

“Jinxia, play with Ziqing first.”

Yuting nodded and stepped aside too.

She only wanted to play *with him*—playing with Jinxia felt dull.

“I want to play with Anqing!”

Jinxia grabbed his hand, tugging him toward the seesaw.

“Pesky Jinxia…”

Yuting muttered under her breath, cursing herself for not shielding him sooner.

Among the four, Anqing and Jinxia were first on the seesaw.

“Anqing, hold tight! I’ll lift you super high!”

Jinxia pressed down hard, grinning at the boy across from her.

“So fun!”

Anqing, trying a seesaw for the first time, giggled as his small body rose and fell.

“Anqing, push down too! Lift *me* high!”

Tiring after a while, Jinxia called out, wanting her turn to soar.

“Mm, okay!”

Cheeks puffed, he strained adorably.

Nearby, Daya and Xiaoyan hadn’t left—they watched quietly.

“Xiaoya, he’s so nice! Gave me candy… so sweet. I wanna play with him.”

Daya licked her lollipop happily, eyes fixed on Anqing.

“Mm! His smile’s so bright!”

Xiaoyan stared, unblinking, at his radiant grin.

“Do you think… they’d be friends with us?”

Daya asked hesitantly. Chubby but not foolish, she knew joining Yuting’s circle was the only way.

“Not sure… we *did* just fight them.”

Xiaoyan scratched her hair, equally unsure.

By then, the seesaw pair had played awhile.

“Jinxia, your turn’s up. I’m playing with Anqing next.”

Watching Anqing laugh—but not *with her*—Yuting felt a quiet pang of jealousy.