Two children and a tiny puppy strolled down the street.

“Ugh… holding the puppy means I can’t hold Anqing’s hand. So frustrating.”

As the tomboy of the group, Xu Yuting had taken charge of carrying the fluffy pup—but with both hands full, she couldn’t walk hand-in-hand with her best friend.

And honestly? The little furball was *so* warm to hold.

“Yuting, what’s wrong?”

The boy walked beside her, glancing between the wiggly puppy and his friend.

Ever observant, he noticed something off in Yuting’s expression.

“The puppy’s so hot to hold!”

Yuting instantly brightened and answered with a smile.

“I’m even hotter,” Meng Qiutong muttered inwardly, rolling her eyes.

*Woof woof…*

Complaining aside—she still had to play cute. No adoption? Total doom.

“Let me hold the puppy! I don’t mind the heat!”

Kind-hearted and thoughtful, Anqing stepped up without hesitation.

*Yay! This little cutie’s arms—absolute heaven!*

Hearing Anqing’s offer, Qiutong’s tiny legs kicked excitedly, squirming like she was trying to leap free.

“Huh? The puppy’s rebelling!” Yuting gasped.

“It… it must be overheating! Yuting, don’t drop her!”

Anqing’s small hands hovered anxiously, ready to catch her.

“Puppy, stay still! If you keep wiggling, I’ll… I’ll…”

Yuting almost threatened to abandon her—but bit back the words, glancing at Anqing.

*Woof woof woof…*

Qiutong froze instantly. Obedient now, her bright black-and-white eyes locked onto Anqing, hopeful and pleading.

“Yuting, please let me hold her.”

Anqing’s heart melted. He’d always adored fluffy little creatures—and this pup was impossibly cute.

“No need. Let her follow us. She’s smart—she understands us!”

Yuting shook her head. *If he holds her, I can’t hold his hand…*

“Be a good girl and walk with us home, okay?”

She knelt, set the puppy down gently, and ruffled her head.

Since the pup had calmed so easily, naive Yuting truly believed she understood human speech.

(Ordinary dogs wouldn’t. But Qiutong had a human soul in a puppy’s body—of course she did.)

*Woof…*

*Where’s my promised cutie-cuddle?! Brat, don’t block my chance!*

Her sure thing had slipped away. Qiutong let out a listless whimper.

“The puppy looks weak… probably hungry,” Anqing murmured, pity swelling in his chest as he watched her wobble.

“No worries! I’ll feed her till her belly’s round and happy!” Yuting patted her chest confidently.

“She can barely walk. I’ll carry her.”

Snow-white fur, tiny frame—utterly adorable. Anqing crouched, arms open wide.

*Yes! This little cutie really is the world’s sweetest angel!*

Qiutong’s exhaustion vanished. Tiny legs scrambled forward—and she launched herself into his arms.

“Wow… such a good girl, such a good girl!”

Anqing beamed, cradling the pup like a treasure.

A little boy, a tiny dog—pure, picture-perfect harmony.

“Anqing… I want to hold your hand.”

Yuting’s voice dipped with quiet disappointment.

“I’m holding the puppy… can I hold your hand later?”

Anqing glanced between the pup and his friend, torn. *I can’t hold her with one hand…*

*Ugh, this girl’s so clingy to the cutie… Damn it. So this is childhood friends? So jealous.*

Qiutong curled contentedly in his arms, blissfully soaking in the warmth.

“Okay…”

Yuting sighed. She couldn’t argue—not when Anqing clearly adored the pup.

“Yuting, should we name her?”

Anqing adjusted his hold gently, careful not to hurt her.

“A name? How about Wang Cai? TV dogs are always called that.”

Yuting shrugged, tossing out the cliché.

*Woof woof woof!*

*No way! I refuse to be “Wang Cai” forever!*

Qiutong barked firmly—no struggle, but clear protest.

“Hehe, Anqing! She *loves* it!” Yuting giggled, misreading the barks.

“Yuting… I think she doesn’t like it.”

Anqing sensed the resistance.

*Yes! Only the little cutie gets me!*

Qiutong had nearly resigned herself to a lifetime as “Wang Cai”—but Anqing was her star in the dark.

“Oh… then you name her, Anqing. I’ll listen.”

Yuting fanned him with her tiny hand.

“No need—I’m fine. She’s so white… how about Xiao Bai?”

He declined the fan, offering the new name softly.

*Yay…*

Not fancy—but a hundred times better than Wang Cai. Qiutong accepted instantly.

“Mm! Xiao Bai it is. Look—she’s happy!”

This time, Yuting finally got it right.

Chattering all the way, the two kids reached their street—Wenchang Street.

“Anqing, Anqing! Come eat lunch at my place!”

Yuting tugged his sleeve, reluctant to part.

“I can’t… Mom and Dad will worry if I’m not home.”

Anqing shook his head gently. He’d been out long enough.