A new customer entered the store. Chen Yuanyuan, sitting behind the cashier counter, looked up and glanced vaguely a few times.

A very young man, tall and slender, probably around six feet?

Wearing a dark gray T-shirt, jeans, and white sneakers, he looked as refreshing as a high school student in this scorching summer.

Is this Tongtong’s friend?

Chen Yuanyuan’s gaze traveled upward, landing on his face.

Huh… She paused for a moment to recall. It’s actually him?

She had some impression of Yu Ge.

Although he didn’t come often, good-looking people were always easier to remember.

Especially that one time she witnessed him being asked for his contact information.

The girl chased him from inside the store all the way outside.

And his attitude was ice-cold.

……

Xu Yitong was sitting sideways, twisting her head to look at him, her mouth slightly agape in surprise.

Her waist-length hair, rarely tied up, was pulled back, and two little blue shark hair clips adorned her head.

His appearance was too sudden. For a moment, she was speechless.

Yu Ge stood there like a bamboo—calm, unruffled, and silent.

The pen in her hand fell onto the table, rolled a few times, and then dropped to the floor.

He lowered his eyes, bent down, and silently picked it up for her.

Xu Yitong quickly took it and lowered her head to hide her flustered state. “Thanks,” she said, fishing for conversation. “Are you here to buy something?”

Yu Ge paused for a moment, straightened up, and gave a faint “Mm.”

Seeing she had nothing else to say, he didn’t speak further and walked toward the shelves nearby.

Xu Yitong stayed seated, silently watching Yu Ge.

Over a month had passed, and the wounds on his face had long healed, leaving no trace.

Actually, she had wanted to ask if Yu Ge had come specifically to see her.

But learning from past mistakes, she didn’t dare to voice the question.

Being presumptuous only hurt herself… She didn’t want to feel that sadness again.

He picked up a bottle of water, turned a corner, and casually grabbed a box of mint candies.

Xu Yitong thought to herself.

Was the online intel wrong? Didn’t he dislike mint?

In the blink of an eye, Yu Ge had finished gathering his items and went to the counter to check out.

Just then, the glass door chimed again—Chen Fang had returned.

As soon as he entered, he began chattering loudly, “Tong-jie, the line at that milk tea place you wanted to try was crazy long. I’ll buy it for you next time.”

Hearing the noise, Yu Ge turned his head and glanced at them.

Xu Yitong stood up, smiling gently. “It’s fine, thanks for going out of your way.”

Chen Fang: “……”

Her sudden warmth left him speechless. “What’s with you? Did you take the wrong meds?”

Xu Yitong’s smile stiffened slightly. “Keep your voice down.”

In that short time, Chen Fang had already worked up a sweat.

He shook his head and casually lifted the hem of his T-shirt to wipe his face.

Xu Yitong covered her eyes, avoiding the sight. “Mind your image. I’m a girl.”

“Tch, we’re bros.”

Xu Yitong thought for a few seconds, then waved him closer and whispered, “Xiao Fang, see that guy over there?”

Chen Fang turned his head and spotted the man standing at the checkout counter. He didn’t see anything unusual. “What about him?”

Xu Yitong hesitated. “What do you think?”

Chen Fang put on a serious face. “You want me to go ask for his WeChat for you?”

Xu Yitong took a deep breath, gritting her teeth as she reminded him, “Take a closer look.”

With Yu Ge about to leave, Chen Fang squinted and suddenly exclaimed, “Holy shit! It’s Xi Shen!”

Yu Ge’s footsteps halted.

Chen Fang bolted forward.

Yu Ge frowned slightly.

Chen Fang let out a few excited yelps, stumbling over his words. “Oh my god, it’s really you!”

He spun in place a couple of times, babbling nonstop about how thrilled he was.

Yu Ge’s hand was grabbed, and his gaze shifted to Xu Yitong, who was walking over.

Xu Yitong quickly explained, “This is the kid who wanted to see your Moments earlier. He’s your fan.”

“Yeah, yeah! I’m your fan!” Chen Fang smacked his forehead and looked around for a pen. “Can you give me an autograph?”

Yu Ge signed for him.

Chen Fang excitedly raised his phone. “Can I take a photo with you?”

From start to finish, Yu Ge didn’t say a word, but he silently fulfilled every request Chen Fang made.

After a few photos, Chen Fang eagerly asked, “Do you live around here? Is carrying that stuff tiring? Want me to help you take it back?”

Seeing this, Xu Yitong coughed heavily.

Chen Yuanyuan slammed the table and barked, “Enough already! Go do your homework!”

……

And so, naturally, Xu Yitong stepped out to see Yu Ge off on Chen Fang’s behalf.

When they reached the roadside, Xu Yitong stopped, clasping her hands behind her back. “Thanks.”

Yu Ge also paused, tilting his head. “For what?”

“For giving that kid your autograph earlier.”

“It’s nothing.”

“Mm.”

Watching the stream of cars on the road, the two fell silent again.

Though neither mentioned it, the awkwardness from last time hung between them.

But maybe Yu Ge didn’t even care? Xu Yitong didn’t want to dwell on it.

A dozen seconds passed in a flash. The pedestrian light across the street turned green.

She had no reason to linger any longer. Xu Yitong forced a smile. “Well, if there’s nothing else, I’ll head back.”

Yu Ge didn’t respond.

Sigh.

Xu Yitong was used to it. As she turned to leave, a voice suddenly called from behind, “Xu Yitong.”

Her mind blanked for a few seconds before she turned back. “Huh?”

“You…”

After just one word, Yu Ge stopped.

Xu Yitong looked at him, puzzled.

“Your… friend’s store.”

She didn’t catch on.

Yu Ge paused, then spoke slowly, “When does it open?”

Xu Yitong: “……”

Suppressing the faint disappointment in her heart, she thought for a moment before answering, “Probably in two months? It’ll open in the fall, after summer’s over.”

The green light was about to end, with only a little time left. She didn’t point it out, and Yu Ge didn’t move.

Xu Yitong: “Will you guys come by to support the business then?”

Yu Ge agreed. “Sure.”

She smiled but quickly reined it in.

Yu Ge looked at her, silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, “What milk tea did you want to drink earlier?”

His voice wasn’t loud, drowned out by the roar of passing cars.

For a second, Xu Yitong thought she’d imagined it.

She froze.

“Yu Nuo,” Yu Ge hesitated slightly, “asked me to bring her some milk tea.”

“Oh…” Xu Yitong snapped out of her daze, as if waking from a dream. “Yu Nuo? Your sister? She’s here?”

“Mm.”

“……”

What a good brother.

Xu Yitong felt a pang of envy. After a few sour seconds, she looked around and pointed in a direction.

“Turn right at the corner up ahead, and you’ll see it. It’s a newly opened shop. I haven’t tried it, but people online say it’s good. Though the line seems really long right now.”

He asked, “Do you want some now?”

Her mind went blank for a brief moment.

Hardly daring to believe it, Xu Yitong asked cautiously, “You’re buying it for me?”

After a pause, Yu Ge nodded.

……

Under the blazing afternoon sun, even the air seemed to ripple with heat.

The milk tea shop, “Deep Little Cat,” had a line stretching from inside the store all the way outside, mostly filled with young girls or groups of students.

Yu Ge stood quietly among them.

In front of him was a couple in the throes of love, glued together despite the heat, like conjoined twins who couldn’t be separated.

After saying something, the guy started tickling the girl’s waist, making her squirm.

Yu Ge politely averted his gaze, studying the shop’s signboard instead.

A little cat wearing sunglasses—blue.

For some reason, it reminded him of the hair clip on Xu Yitong’s head.

Within moments, the girl seemed to have discovered something new, repeatedly sneaking glances at the silent, handsome man behind her.

Her boyfriend noticed and pulled her into another playful tussle.

The girl stumbled back, her shoulder bumping into Yu Ge. He frowned and took a step back to put distance between them.

The couple turned around, and the girl apologized, “Sorry, handsome.”

Yu Ge replied indifferently, “It’s fine.”

The girl hesitated, as if she wanted to say something else but stopped.

Suddenly, the scorching sunlight dimmed.

Xu Yitong was holding an umbrella over his head.

She seemed to have run over—her temples were damp with sweat, her chest rising and falling as she panted lightly. “So hot, so hot.”

Yu Ge paused for a few seconds before taking the umbrella from her. “You didn’t have to wait in line with me.”

“You’d roast out here alone!” Xu Yitong grinned, proudly showing off a small electric fan. “Look!”

She fiddled with it, turning it to the highest setting, and aimed it at his face. “Feel better?”

“Mm.”

“I borrowed this from Chen Fang. He wouldn’t give it to me—said I had to return it after. So stingy! And after I just helped him with his Chinese homework!”

Xu Yitong chattered away while Yu Ge listened quietly.

She was so engrossed in talking that she didn’t notice the step in front of her.

Xu Yitong stumbled, but Yu Ge caught her wrist just in time.

Her wrist was slender—he could easily wrap his fingers around it.

Faint murmurs came from ahead.

“See? I told you he probably has a girlfriend.”

“Ugh, and I was gonna ask for his WeChat for my friend…”

Once she steadied herself, Yu Ge let go.

His hand was cool, but hers felt like it had been scalded.

Her lashes fluttered slightly, her heart pounding like a drum.

They stood so close she could even smell the faint, clean scent of his clothes.

Now, even saying “thanks” felt awkward.

At one point, Xu Yitong had been the kind of person who hated waiting in line more than anything.

If a restaurant had more than ten tables ahead, she’d turn and leave immediately.

But now, for the first time, she wished the line were longer—that this moment could stretch out just a bit more.

An hour passed in the blink of an eye.

Xu Yitong leaned on the counter and, following the staff’s recommendation, ordered the shop’s signature milk tea.

Yu Ge paid for two cups with his phone.

Xu Yitong: “I want to drink mine here before leaving.”

Yu Ge didn’t object.

They found an empty corner in the shop to sit. Xu Yitong held her cup, sipping and nibbling on the straw.

He asked, “Is it good?”

Xu Yitong grinned, her eyes curving. “It’s great. Your sister will love it too.”

Yu Ge seemed to think for a moment. “Last time.”

Xu Yitong tilted her head, staring straight at him.

Reading his expression, she realized what he meant by “last time.”

Xu Yitong stood up. “It’s a bit noisy here. Let’s talk outside?”

……

They walked side by side down the street.

Xu Yitong gathered her thoughts before tentatively saying, “You were in a bad mood last time, right?”

Yu Ge stopped walking.

“Sorry,” he said, looking at her. “I scared you.”

She hadn’t expected this. Instinctively, she shook her head. “You’re not that scary.”

“Not scary?”

She got the vague sense that Yu Ge was focusing on something odd.

Everyone has bad days. What had bothered her was his harsh words, not his anger itself. And she hadn’t paid much attention to how he looked when mad. Why would that be scary?

Xu Yitong: “Like a pufferfish—does that count as scary?”

“Pufferfish?”

Xu Yitong explained, “You know, those fish covered in spines that puff up when they’re mad.”

Yu Ge almost smiled. “Was I like that?”

“Yeah.”

After a long pause, he repeated, “Sorry.”

Xu Yitong grinned, shaking her drink. “I’ll forgive you—for the milk tea.”

As they neared the intersection where they’d part ways, she suddenly said, “Squidward.”

“What?”

“Your in-game name.” Xu Yitong finished the last of her milk tea, crumpling the empty cup casually. “I looked it up later. Turns out it’s Squidward from SpongeBob.”

“Mm.”

She asked, “Did you like watching SpongeBob as a kid?”

He wasn’t sure why she brought this up. “It was alright.”

“I watched it too.”

Yu Ge waited for her to continue.

“I remember Squidward and SpongeBob were neighbors, but he couldn’t stand her—thought she was an idiot. He was always planning to move away, to find some peace and quiet where he’d never have to see SpongeBob again.”

“But after he moved, he regretted it.”

Yu Ge stayed silent.

Xu Yitong: “Squidward was aloof and cold, always saying one thing but meaning another. Even though he’d never admit it, he thought SpongeBob was a really good sponge. He didn’t actually hate her at all.”

Yu Ge stared at her, his gaze deep and unreadable.

After talking nonstop, Xu Yitong took a breath.

She blinked and asked softly, “So… they’ll definitely become friends someday, right?”

Yu Ge was quiet for a moment, seeming almost lost in thought. He turned his face away slightly.

A motorcycle roared past, its engine fading into the distance.

Xu Yitong heard his low, quiet reply:

“They already are.”