Duan Jiaxu’s tone was bland, with a hint of teasing.

Sang Zhi couldn’t tell if he was joking or stating a fact. She rubbed the milk bottle with her fingertip, put on a knowing look, and asked him, “Brother, have you not watched those two movies?”

Duan Jiaxu’s lips curved slightly. “I’ve seen 《Transformers》.”

Of course.

It was because of his ignorance that he could say something like that.

Knowing something he didn’t make Sang Zhi feel a bit proud. She stood up and slowly explained to him, “Ru Hua isn’t a movie name, but a cameo role in a Hong Kong movie called……”

She paused, unable to recall the name of the movie. “Called, called……”

Unable to wait any longer for her to finish, Duan Jiaxu watched her struggle to remember and couldn’t help but laugh. “The name Ru Hua^[1]like a flower sounds quite nice.”

Sang Zhi was still trying to remember the title of the movie and ignored him.

Duan Jiaxu, unbothered by her lack of response, continued, “She must be a very pretty girl, right?”

This time, Sang Zhi couldn’t pretend she hadn’t heard. She lifted her head, about to refute him. The next moment, he playfully pinched her cheek and said, “Just like little Sang Zhi?”

Sang Zhi: “……”

She couldn’t believe her ears.

He actually said she looked like Ru Hua.

It was like a thunderbolt on a clear day!

Soon, Duan Jiaxu took out his phone from his pocket and checked the time. He glanced around and pointed to a convenience store not far away. “Shall we write there?”

Sang Zhi was still frozen in place, not saying a word.

Duan Jiaxu turned back and dragged out his words, “Hmm? Why isn’t Little Ru Hua talking?”

“……”

Little Ru Hua?!

It was like a spiraling thunderbolt on a sunny day!

Sang Zhi couldn’t understand if he was complimenting or mocking her. Feeling a bit aggrieved, she said unhappily, “Don’t call me that. Ru Hua isn’t pretty at all.”

“Really?” Duan Jiaxu raised an eyebrow. “It sounds pretty to me.”

Hearing his words, Sang Zhi looked up at him. Seeing his expression, she suddenly realized something was off. Thinking back to his initial reaction when he heard ‘Ru Hua’, it was clearly different from his current feigned ignorance.

Sang Zhi instantly understood he was just teasing her.

She stared at him expressionlessly for a few seconds, then pressed her lips together and silently walked towards the convenience store.

This kid is small but has quite a big temper.

Duan Jiaxu chuckled softly and leisurely followed Sang Zhi.

The convenience store was quite spacious. Besides selling various goods, there was a machine by the counter selling grilled sausages and instant food. There were two empty tables in front of the fridge.

Sang Zhi sat at the innermost table.

Duan Jiaxu sat opposite her and took her homework out of his backpack. “Write.”

Sang Zhi took it and opened her journal.

The convenience store was quiet.

The clerk stood at the counter playing on his phone, not making much noise. The smell of cart noodles and fish balls was particularly strong, filling the entire room.

Duan Jiaxu rested his chin on his hand and looked at Sang Zhi. “Kid, have you had breakfast?”

Sang Zhi took out her pen. Not wanting to talk to him, she silently nodded.

Duan Jiaxu asked, “Do you still want to eat something?”

Sang Zhi shook her head.

“Then how about Brother go buy breakfast?”

Sang Zhi nodded.

Duan Jiaxu got up and walked towards the counter.

Sang Zhi wrote the date in her diary, sneaking a glance at Duan Jiaxu.

At that moment, he was standing in front of the shelves. The store’s lighting made his skin look very fair, with dark circles under his eyes indicating long-term late nights, yet he looked very energetic. When looking at things, his eyes would naturally narrow, focused, and gentle.

But his smile always had a roguish air.

Like a refined scoundrel.

Soon, Duan Jiaxu came back with a sandwich in hand.

Sang Zhi lowered her eyes, pretending to think about what to write for the opening.

Duan Jiaxu took out a bottle of water and a technical book from his bag. Then, he lazily tore open the sandwich packaging and took a bite. He ate quietly without making any noise, but he ate quickly.

He soon finished the palm-sized sandwich.

Sang Zhi was scribbling slowly, unable to fully focus on her homework as her thoughts kept drifting towards him.

Thinking back to what Sang Yan had said, they had moved campuses after their exams.

That meant they should be on vacation now.

Her parents had said that Sang Yan hadn’t come home because he still had a short semester.

So, was this a common arrangement?

Noticing Sang Zhi’s distraction, Duan Jiaxu lightly tapped the table with his knuckles and said faintly, “Do your homework.”

Sang Zhi snapped back to reality and nodded again.

The table was round and not very large, their things overlapping. Duan Jiaxu glanced at it and simply closed his book, leaning back to give her more space.

After a long while, Duan Jiaxu saw the unopened milk on the table and asked, “Not drinking your milk?”

Hearing his words, Sang Zhi looked up at the milk, then at Duan Jiaxu, and silently put the milk bottle into her bag.

Watching her actions, Duan Jiaxu said with a smile, “Why do you act like I’m going to steal it from you?”

Sang Zhi didn’t respond.

Duan Jiaxu half-jokingly said, “Not drinking it? Give it to me then?”

Sang Zhi turned her head and cautiously zipped up her bag.

“Why do you have such a big temper?” Duan Jiaxu’s posture was lazy, with a hint of teasing on his face. “I was just joking with you and you’re already giving me the silent treatment?”

This time, Sang Zhi didn’t even blink.

Duan Jiaxu didn’t mind much, only lightly saying, “Ungrateful kid.”

Sang Zhi couldn’t hold back anymore and said stiffly, “I need to do my homework.”

Duan Jiaxu glanced at her journal, which was almost finished. He leisurely said, “Alright, keep writing.”

Once she spoke the first sentence, the rest came easier. Sang Zhi no longer kept up her silent treatment. Seeing her homework was nearly done, she asked casually, “Brother, haven’t you started your vacation yet?”

“No.”

“Oh, so does your family live around here?”

“No.”

Sang Zhi thought for a moment and guessed, “So are you going home for the summer after your courses end?”

“No. Why are you suddenly so curious about my affairs?” Duan Jiaxu tapped her homework with his fingertip and said faintly, “Finish quickly so you can go to school.”

“……Oh.”

At 7:40, Sang Zhi finished her weekly journal.

She packed her things, shouldered her backpack, and left the convenience store with Duan Jiaxu.

Seeing it was still early, Duan Jiaxu decided to walk her to the school gate.

Feeling reluctant to part ways, Sang Zhi did everything slowly. She lazily said goodbye to him and then slowly turned to walk into the school.

Suddenly, Duan Jiaxu called out to her as if he remembered something. He took a folded piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to her. “By the way, Kid, I forgot to tell you.”

Sang Zhi took it hesitantly. “Huh?”

“Brother peeked at your diary.” His tone seemed apologetic, but Sang Zhi couldn’t detect any real apology. Then, Duan Jiaxu pointed to the small piece of paper in her hand and said lazily, “So I wrote a new one to make it up to you.”

———pr


The classroom was mostly empty with 20 minutes left until morning reading. Most students arrived just in time. Sang Zhi walked to her seat and unpacked her things.

When her bag was empty, she remembered the small paper ball in her pocket.

She unfolded it and smoothed it out.

Sure enough, it was a journal entry, seemingly imitating her handwriting.

Small, delicate, and neatly written.

The title was 《Helping Brother Move Dorms》. The content was serious and detailed, recounting the day’s events like a log. On the back, in large characters, he had added, 「Not needed anymore.」

Sang Zhi couldn’t imagine how he did it.

Perhaps it was already late, with the surrounding lights dimmed. He sat at the desk, unexpectedly faced with a difficult problem, and painstakingly produced this piece of work.

Maybe it was this kind of scene.

A scene that made Sang Zhi’s breathing and heartbeat quicken.

Then, it was as if she could taste the sweetness in the air.

Sang Zhi’s mind went blank. She carefully read it again, her lips involuntarily curling into a smile, and then she folded the paper and cautiously tucked it into her sketchbook.

At that moment, Yin Zhenru also entered the classroom. She walked in through the back door and greeted Sang Zhi.

After a few steps, she turned her head and asked, “Hey, why are you so happy today?”

Hearing her words, Sang Zhi was stunned for a moment and then barely managed to suppress the uncontrollable smile on her face.

“Nothing, I just remembered a joke.”

Yin Zhenru didn’t ask further. Her gaze swept over Sang Zhi’s desk and noticed the milk. She asked in puzzlement, “Aren’t you allergic to milk? Why did you buy that?”

Sang Zhi remained silent for a few seconds before putting the milk in the drawer. “I accidentally grabbed the wrong one.”

———pr


After going home, Sang Zhi put that bottle of milk in the refrigerator.

But she was afraid that Li Ping would see it.

In the end, she decided to hide it in her treasure box, taking it out to look at whenever she remembered it.

Time passed day by day.

The distance between them was so close. After leaving school, Sang Zhi only needed to walk 5 minutes to reach where that person was. She could even pretend to visit Sang Yan to see the person she had on her mind.

But she didn’t have the courage.

She always felt that whatever she did was awkward.

She worried that she wouldn’t be able to hide her little secret.

The one that only she cared about.

Half a month passed just like that.

On the first day of summer vacation, when Sang Zhi took out that bottle of milk, Li Ping happened to see it. Thinking that Sang Zhi wanted to drink it, Li Ping gave her a long talk.

Afterward, still worried that Sang Zhi might drink the milk, Li Ping tried to confiscate it.

Sang Zhi had no choice but to pour out the milk, and then clean and dry the bottle. Occasionally, she would fill it with folded stars, one by one, day after day.

Later, she also put the journal entry Duan Jiaxu wrote in it.

A small sapling gradually took shape, growing into a towering tree.

She began to have a small hope.

A hope that grew daily.

She hoped the days would pass faster.

She hoped she could grow up quickly.

———pr


In early August, since Sang Rong and Li Ping had to attend a friend’s wedding in another city, only Sang Yan and Sang Zhi were left at home. Before leaving, Li Ping gave Sang Yan a long list of instructions, telling him to take good care of his sister.

With a few threats from Sang Rong, Sang Yan reluctantly agreed.

Their first day alone together was relatively harmonious.

Sang Yan spent most of his time lying in bed playing on his phone. Occasionally, when Sang Zhi came to bother him, he just responded perfunctorily. When it was time to eat, they ordered takeout and ate separately.

The day passed just like that.

But the next day, a friend invited Sang Yan to play games outside.

Sang Yan didn’t want to refuse, so he quickly changed clothes and left the room.

At that time, Sang Zhi was sitting on the couch in the living room watching cartoons. Hearing the noise, she looked over, her face expressionless.

Sang Yan put on his shoes at the entrance, “I’m going out for a bit, stay home and do your homework.”

Sang Zhi understood. “You’re going out to play?”

Sang Yan didn’t answer directly, “Call me if you need anything.”

Sang Zhi told him, “You can’t.”

Sang Yan paused and said with a half-smile, “You think you can stop me?”

Sang Zhi turned back to the TV, picked up a bag of chips from the coffee table, and started eating. “What if a thief comes? I can’t fight them off on my own.”

“Lock the door, no one will come.”

“What if I get hungry? I have nothing to eat.”

Sang Yan grew impatient, glaring at the bag of chips in her hand. “Isn’t there plenty of snacks in the cabinet?”

Sang Zhi bit into a chip. “I don’t want to eat snacks.”

Sang Yan stared at her. “What do you want to eat then?”

Sang Zhi replied, “Anything but snacks.”

Sang Yan, suppressing his annoyance, took off his shoes. “Tell me what you want and I’ll bring it to you.”

Sang Zhi glanced at him and said matter-of-factly, “I haven’t decided yet.”

“……”

“Little Brat.” Sang Yan squatted down, pinching her cheeks hard. “When I was your age, if Mom and Dad weren’t home, I not only had to feed myself but also take care of you.”

Sang Zhi’s face was distorted by his grip, her words muffled, “It’s different.”

“How so?”

“When you were my age, you didn’t have a big brother.” Sang Zhi’s eyes didn’t blink as she smiled like a little fox, speaking slowly, “But I do.”

“……”

His friend called again, urging him to hurry. Sang Yan had no interest in arguing with her. “Now you have two choices: tell me what you want to eat, or wait here and starve to death.”

Sang Zhi continued eating chips. “I’ll take the second option.”

“……”

Saying so, Sang Zhi took her phone from under her seat and found Sang Rong’s number. She stared at the screen, muttering, “Fine, I’ll tell Dad……”

Sang Yan snorted. “Go ahead, tattletale.”

He was too lazy to talk to her anymore and walked back to the entrance.

After a moment’s pause, he heard Sang Zhi talking on the phone behind him, “Dad.”

Sang Yan put on one shoe.

Before he could put on the second one, he heard Sang Zhi’s ‘honest’ voice, “Brother told me to die.”

Sang Yan: “……”