“Girls, check out my daughter’s little buddy! Isn’t he adorable? So shy and well-mannered,” Xu Lu posted on WeChat Moments alongside the photo she’d just taken.

Her WeChat contacts were mostly close college girlfriends—hardly any strangers.

“An Qing, An Qing, look! Silly Wolffy got launched into the sky again. He’s totally gonna say, ‘I’ll be back!’ Hahaha—see? He said it!”

Though she couldn’t cling to the boy affectionately anymore, Yu Ting leaned in close, practically pressed against his side.

“Wolffy’s so tough… and the little goats are really clever,” the boy remarked after finishing an episode of *Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf*.

“Ugh… I wonder when silly Wolffy’ll finally catch a goat and eat some meat. I watch this every day hoping he succeeds,” Yu Ting sighed like a tiny adult.

“I think… maybe Wolffy and the little goats could be friends?” the boy said softly. He wasn’t fixated on whether the wolf caught sheep—he just hoped wolves and goats could get along.

“No way! Wolves and goats can’t be friends—they’re natural enemies!”

If anyone else had said that, Yu Ting would’ve laughed out loud. But since it was An Qing, she gently tried to steer his thinking her way.

“What’s a ‘natural enemy’?” the boy asked, tilting his head slightly in confusion.

“Um… um… Mom! What does ‘natural enemy’ mean?”

First-grader Yu Ting, stumped, turned to her “troublemaker” mom for help.

“A natural enemy,” Xu Lu explained kindly (she’d normally ignore this, but the boy was there), “is when one animal hunts another—like wolves and goats, or cats and mice.”

“An Qing, get it? Natural enemies are…” Yu Ting repeated her mom’s words earnestly.

“Oh… I kinda get it,” the boy nodded, confusion easing just a little.

*Woof woof woof… No little cutie hugs? I’m dying…*

The puppy lay listlessly on the floor, letting out soft whines to remind everyone he existed.

“An Qing, let’s watch *Tom and Jerry*! I wanna see if that silly cat caught the mouse today,” Yu Ting chirped, grabbing the remote as the cartoon ended.

“Mm,” the boy agreed quietly, ever accommodating.

“Kids, want some chilled watermelon?” Xu Lu asked lightly, feeling idle.

“Yes yes! Mom, hurry and cut it!”

Yu Ting’s stomach was full, but *hehe—he’s here. Feeding An Qing watermelon will be so sweet.*

“I… I don’t need any. Auntie can give it to Yu Ting,” the boy shook his head quickly.

“Everyone gets a piece—no need to be shy,” Xu Lu said firmly, sensing his shyness. She rose and headed to the fridge.

“An Qing, why not? It’s icy-sweet! One bite and you’ll want another!” Yu Ting babbled, determined to get him to eat. *Gotta make him try it!*

“I… I can’t keep taking things from your family every day,” the boy murmured, head bowed, a trace of insecurity in his voice.

Unlike other kids who ate snacks freely, he felt he should repay kindness. But with nothing to give back—bunny slippers, watermelon, everything—he quietly resisted. *I’m just a kid… I can’t pay them back…*

“Huh? But *I’m* giving it to you, An Qing!” Yu Ting blinked, genuinely puzzled.

“I… I’ve never given you snacks…” the boy whispered, flustered by all their kindness.

“Aww, silly! I didn’t become your friend for snacks. Even if you never give me any, we’re still best friends,” Yu Ting reassured him warmly.

*Woof… Looks like the little cutie’s feeling insecure,* Meng Qiutong observed with adult insight.

“Watermelon’s ready!” Xu Lu returned, holding half a chilled melon.

“Cut it fast! I wanna eat with An Qing!” Yu Ting grabbed his hand, jumping up excitedly.

…

The boy stood silent, lips parting slightly—but no refusal came to mind.

*Someday… I’ll repay them. I won’t take things for free.*

“Pick your favorite piece,” Xu Lu said, swiftly slicing the melon into neat chunks.

“An Qing, take this! Biggest one!” Yu Ting snatched the largest slice and offered it like a treasure.

“You said I could choose…” the boy murmured, eyeing the smallest piece.

“Just taste it—it’s super sweet!”

She pressed the crimson flesh to his lips, eyes sparkling with hopeful anticipation.

*This moment… gotta capture it.*

Xu Lu, charmed by her daughter’s gesture, forgot her own slice and snapped a photo.

“Go on… don’t be shy,” Yu Ting whispered, the cool fruit brushing his lips.

“Mmm…”

An Qing couldn’t refuse. He took a small bite.

“Sweet? Is it sweet?” Yu Ting beamed, breathless with joy.

“So sweet… and cool,” he admitted honestly. On a sweltering summer day, chilled watermelon was pure bliss.

“Whoa—really? It *is* sweet!”

Yu Ting took a bite right where he had, grinning wide.

*Woof woof woof! You little rascal—stealing the cutie’s bite? Ugh, even kids play dirty these days?* The puppy whined, green with envy.

“Yu Ting! You said you’d give it to An Qing—why’d you bite it?” Xu Lu frowned.

“An Qing said it was sweet! I just wanted to try… Here, An Qing, it’s yours!” Yu Ting stuck out her tongue, trying to play it off.

“It’s okay! Yu Ting can have it if she likes,” the boy said gently, not a hint of blame in his voice.