“Just a little longer! One more minute!”

Though she heard Yuting calling her down, Xie Jinxia was having too much fun to quit.

The round-faced girl had ridden seesaws plenty before—but today’s joy came entirely from the boy opposite her. Every time she launched Anqing skyward, he’d gasp in surprise. His eyes, sparkling like stars, seemed to glow.

“Hurry up! Ziqing and I want a turn too!”

Xu Yuting scowled, annoyed the round-faced girl was hogging all the fun. To pressure her, she dragged Ziqing’s name into it.

“Almost done! Just a sec!”

Unfazed, the round-faced girl kept teasing Anqing on the seesaw—savoring his laughter, his cheers. She was thoroughly enjoying herself.

“Yuting, why don’t you take my spot?”

Zhao Anqing offered kindly, unlike the clingy girl.

“No—I want to play with *you*.”

Yuting murmured softly to him, then shot the round-faced girl a fierce glare, wishing she could kick her off.

“Fine, fine! I’m getting down, okay?”

Noticing Yuting’s icy stare—and remembering she was her main candy supplier—Xie Jinxia reluctantly slid off.

“Anqing, I’m on!”

Yuting finally claimed her turn.

“Mm…”

Anqing smiled in reply, but his gaze drifted instinctively toward the short-haired girl.

Chen Ziqing was looking right back.

Their eyes met.

Unbothered, Anqing gave her a warm smile, revealing his ** teeth.

………

Ziqing rarely liked vigorous games like seesaws—but right now, she felt a quiet longing. Like the others, she simply liked playing with him. No reason. Just pure fondness.

“Daya… should we go make friends with them?”

An Xiaoyan, the slender girl, whispered while they lingered nearby, eyes fixed on the seesaw.

“Mm. Let’s go!”

Zhang Ya, the plump girl, popped her lollipop back in her mouth and marched over.

“Huh? What now? Looking for a fight?”

Xie Jinxia’s brows shot up. Still nursing a grudge from earlier, she wasn’t welcoming.

“I… I’m Zhang Ya. This is An Xiaoyan. We… we want to be friends.”

Head bowed, the slender girl stammered. The plump one spoke up bravely.

“Hmph. Go away. We don’t want friends like you.”

Arms crossed, the round-faced girl’s face screamed rejection.

“We… really do want to be friends…”

Rejected, Zhang Ya glanced hopefully at Anqing on the seesaw and tried again. That lollipop had won her heart—she *had* to befriend him.

“Daya… maybe we should go.”

An Xiaoyan tugged her sleeve, backing down.

“Hmph! We’ve got *plenty* of friends. Find someone else!”

Xie Jinxia puffed up proudly, shutting them out again.

“Boy! I want to be *your* friend!”

Undeterred, Zhang Ya shouted straight at Anqing.

“M-me… as a friend?”

Stunned, Anqing felt surprise—and a flicker of joy. He craved friendship. So many friends.

“Go away! Anqing doesn’t want *you*!”

Xie Jinxia pouted, shooing them. Young as she was, she grasped the math: too many friends, too little time with Anqing. Taking turns with Yuting and Ziqing already felt too short. Adding more? Unthinkable. Secretly, she wished Anqing had *only* her.

“Anqing… do you *want* to be friends with them?”

Yuting’s voice tightened. She subtly shook her head at him.

“I… I…”

Anqing froze. He welcomed all friends—but couldn’t ignore his current ones’ hurt.

“Sorry… I already have friends. Please… play with other kids.”

Heart aching, he chose loyalty.

“Hear that? *Scram!*”

Xie Jinxia stood tall, borrowing Anqing’s words to shoo them off.

“O-okay… Here. Take your lollipop back.”

Zhang Ya’s cheeks burned crimson. Humiliation stung deep. She spat the candy onto the ground and fled with An Xiaoyan, not looking back.

“Did… did I go too far?”

Anqing’s joy vanished. Guilt weighed heavy as he watched them leave.

“Anqing… aren’t *we* enough?”

Yuting’s voice softened. She knew he longed for friends—but now, she wanted him *only* for herself. Somewhere along the way, her wish shifted: not a group playing together, but just *them*. Unique. Only.

“Enough! You’re all I need!”

Sensing her quiet hurt, Anqing answered eagerly, instinctively lowering his tone.

“Mm! Anqing only needs *me*. I’ll always play with you—games, TV, snacks… just us!”

Yuting’s heart fluttered. *If only I’d never brought him here… never introduced Jinxia or Ziqing…*

Meanwhile, Zhang Ya trudged away, head down, cheeks flushed, nose tingling.

“Daya… we’ll find *better* friends. We don’t need them.”

An Xiaoyan squeezed her sleeve, voice gentle.