"Anqing, the sun is so scorching! I hate it. I wish I could swim like a fish—must feel so refreshing."

Yuting complained under the blazing sun. Worried he’d get sunburned, she sweetly placed her tiny hand on Anqing’s head like a little hat.

"You’re right, it *is* hot. Yuting, can you swim? That’s impressive."

Anqing squinted up at the sky. Sweat had soaked his back, the damp shirt clinging uncomfortably to his skin.

"Mom took me to the kids’ pool before! Swimming’s awesome in summer—icy cold, no heat at all. Next time, I’ll take you, Anqing! I’ll teach you!"

Chattering excitedly, Yuting’s face lit up with a bright smile.

"No thanks… I won’t be able to learn."

Anqing lacked confidence, feeling he messed up everything.

"It’s okay! Swimming’s super easy—just hands and feet. Mom took me a few times, and boom, I got it! Really simple!"

Yuting kept encouraging him. She longed to spend time with him, to teach him, to let him feel cooler this summer.

"We’ll… we’ll see."

Too kind to refuse, Anqing gave a vague reply.

"Mm-hmm! Swimming together, playing in the water—it’s so refreshing!"

Yuting took it as a yes, already imagining splashing beside him. Just the thought made her little heart flutter.

To Yuting, playing with Anqing was the best thing in the world.

Chattering as they walked, a road soon stretched before them.

"Anqing, wait! Mom said: cross only when no cars are coming. Or you get hit—it *hurts*!"

Yuting held his tiny hand, signaling stop. Acting like a mini adult, she lectured him nervously.

"Mm. I’ll follow your lead, Yuting."

Anqing scanned the traffic. He’d heard his dad say the same—caution settled in.

"We gotta wait. So many cars."

Yuting peered left and right. Crossing looked tough.

"No rush. Safety first."

Anqing wasn’t impatient.

After a short wait, a car-free gap appeared.

"Anqing, dash across!"

Yuting seized the moment, grabbed his hand, and they sprinted to the other side.

"Mm."

He followed silently.

Cars approaching from afar slowed instinctively at the sight of children.

"Huff… huff… So scary! Anqing, we *did* it! Two kids crossed the road! Haha, awesome!"

Safe on the curb, Yuting caught her breath and beamed—a sunny smile like she’d just defeated a tiny monster.

"Mm-hmm, Yuting’s amazing!"

Anqing’s small chest heaved. Still a little shaken, he praised her.

(Truth was, they’d crossed that morning too—but fewer cars, less thrilling.)

"Anqing was brave too! Such a courageous little boy."

Yuting grinned at his starry-eyed gaze.

"High-five!"

*Smack!* A joyful celebration.

"Anqing… I might have homework later."

Post-play joy faded. Sunday homework untouched—just thinking of it gave her a headache.

And who’d keep Anqing company while she worked? Worry flickered in her eyes.

"Mm. You’ve got this, Yuting!"

Anqing had no clue about homework agony.

"So… *so* much! Hands ache, eyes blur, neck stiff…"

Yuting gestured dramatically, trying to show her pain.

"Wow… Can I help?"

Hearing her exaggerated woes, Anqing finally understood—and wanted to help.

"N-no… homework’s personal. Teacher’d scold us if she knew."

Yuting tapped her cute little nose.

"But… can you chat with me *while* I do it?"

Alone = boring. With him? Never lonely.

"Mm! Of course!"

Anqing agreed without hesitation.

To help a friend? He’d do anything.

To this little boy, friendship meant everything.

"Yay! Anqing, we’re *best* friends!"

Yuting jumped, face glowing.

With him nearby, even homework felt light.

"Absolutely!"

Anqing’s mood lifted with hers.

Happy friend = happy him. Simple as that.

*Yip yip yip…*

"Wow! Anqing, look—a puppy! So tiny, so cute!"

Yuting’s sharp ears caught it. A fluffy white pup huddled in a corner, whimpering helplessly.

"Is the puppy in trouble?"

Anqing froze, gaze locked on the trembling ball of fur.

"Dunno. C’mon, let’s check."

Curious by nature, Yuting couldn’t resist.

"Mm."

Kind-hearted Anqing hoped they could help.

They tiptoed closer.

*Yip… yip…*

The pup shrank back, letting out timid whimpers, tiny body trembling before these "giants."

"Shhh, little one. We’re good kids. We won’t hurt you."

"Yuting… it’s so small. Where’s its mom and dad?"

Anqing’s heart ached for the lonely pup.

"Maybe finding food? Wow—Anqing, pet its head! So soft!"

*Whimper… whimper…*

Too scared to bark, the puppy curled tight into a trembling ball.