"Xiaoyan… but I still want to be friends with that boy. He has such a lovely smile—his eyes even seem to twinkle with stars."

Though her wish to befriend the boy had been gently turned down, Zhang Ya felt deeply hurt, yet she hadn’t completely given up.

"He already has friends. We can’t be friends with him," Xiaoyan murmured, her own heart aching with a bittersweet pang of loss.

"Wah…"

Pea-sized tears rolled down Zhang Ya’s chubby cheeks.

She felt so sad, so wronged, so unfairly treated—she just wanted to cry.

"Don’t cry… we…" Wah…

Xiaoyan had meant to comfort her friend, but ended up sobbing right alongside her.

At the other end of the park’s seesaw,

several girls took turns playing with the boy, each laughing brightly.

Even Chen Ziqing, usually so quiet and gentle, showed a rare spark of liveliness.

Happy moments always slip away too fast.

In no time, the sun hung high—too hot to keep playing.

"Ziqing, Jinxia, it’s getting late. I’m taking Anqing home for lunch. Mom says kids who skip lunch won’t grow tall," Xu Yuting said, holding the boy’s little hand. Beads of sweat dotted her delicate, flushed cheeks.

"Where does Anqing live? I’ll come play next time!" Jinxia, drenched but still energetic, called out.

"My house is right across from Yuting’s," Zhao Anqing replied.

"It’s pretty far—you’d have to cross several streets. It’s dangerous. Don’t come over, or your mom might scold you," Yuting added carefully, masking her true intent with concern.

"No worries! I’ve crossed streets loads of times—look left, look right, dash across! Anqing, wait for me! I’ll definitely come visit!" the round-faced girl declared, utterly unfazed.

"Okay… you’re welcome to come play, Jinxia," the boy answered with a hesitant smile.

Inside, he worried. What if she saw his shabby home—the stale smell, the rough cement floor, the railing-less stairs? Yuting accepted it… but would Jinxia? Would she stop being friends once she knew he was poor? His mind spiraled with anxious thoughts over this fragile new bond.

"Anqing, let’s go home—the sun’s too harsh," Yuting said, tugging his hand gently.

"Yuting! Anqing! Bye-bye!" Jinxia waved vigorously.

"Goodbye," the short-haired girl murmured softly.

"Mm! Bye, Jinxia, Ziqing!" Anqing waved back with a bright, grateful smile.

*Sigh… Why isn’t my house near Yuting’s? So far away…*

Jinxia and Ziqing lived along the same route—but opposite Yuting’s direction. The park was their only meeting spot.

"You still want to play with Anqing?" Ziqing’s lively eyes blinked; her long lashes fluttered slightly.

"Mm! Turns out playing with boys is super fun!" Jinxia admitted openly, already looking forward to next time.

"Ah! I forgot to ask which elementary school Anqing attends!" She smacked her forehead in frustration.

"He hasn’t started school yet," Ziqing said firmly. She remembered clearly—he couldn’t even write his name; she’d taught him. He’d frowned in deep concentration, shaking his head when stuck. A faint smile touched her lips at the memory.

"No way! Teacher said kids our age should all be in school!" Jinxia gasped, then grinned. "Lucky him—playing all day, no homework! I’m gonna ask my parents to let me skip school too. So dreamy!"

"Not every kid’s like you," Ziqing shot her a knowing look.

"Hehe, Ziqing~ Help me with homework? I’ll give you cake! You’ve finished yours, right?" Jinxia wheedled, hooking her arm around her friend.

"I can do your homework, but not your exams. When grades come back, your parents *will* spank you."

They were neighbors; their families knew each other well.

"Pfft, I’ll just quietly change the score with a red pen!" the round-faced girl chirped, puffing with smug pride.

"Suicidal," Ziqing deadpanned, then fell silent.

Meanwhile, Yuting walked hand-in-hand with Anqing.

"Anqing, did you have fun this morning?" she asked, holding tight like a protective older sister.

Their palms were warm and slightly sticky with sweat—but she didn’t mind. She liked having him all to herself.

"Happy! So happy! I made two new friends!" Anqing beamed. His palm felt hot and a little uncomfortable, but he’d never say so. Though friends should be equals, he was quietly, overly compliant.

"Sigh… such a pity. Ziqing and Jinxia’s families are strict—they rarely let them visit the park. Who knows when we’ll all play together again?" Yuting sighed dramatically.

(She was lying. They met nearly every Sunday. But to keep Anqing to herself, she’d skip the park from now on.)

"Oh… I see…" Anqing’s hope dimmed just a little.

"Don’t worry! I’ll always be with you, Anqing. I’ll *always* play with you!"

"Mm-hmm."

Hearing those words, the boy’s gloom lifted instantly—warmth blooming in his chest.