“Come closer and take a good look—it clearly states: Qin Xianglian, 32 years old, files a lawsuit against the imperial son-in-law, deceiving the emperor and lying to the sovereign! 🤬…”

Another bright and sunny Friday…

Old Man Liu hummed along to the Peking opera playing on his phone, sipping tea with his eyes half-closed. Through the window, he gazed at the same unchanging scenery he’d seen for decades, and couldn’t help but sigh wistfully about the tides of time and…

Wait a minute!

Something’s up! 👮🏻♂️😎

Ever-vigilant guardian of the neighborhood—and lifelong lover of teddy bear-shaped cookies—Old Man Liu instantly snapped to attention.

He immediately set down his teacup, grabbed his whip, and watched as a faintly familiar motorcycle pulled up to the main gate. He was just about to pick up his loudspeaker and deliver his usual script—

—but the sight of a slender, frail figure stepping off the bike made him pause. He sank back into his seat with a quiet sigh, fanning himself gently.

Ah…  
That poor child actually going out and making friends… that’s no small thing.  
Just like that—how many years has it been already?

——————————

“I—I’m fine from here on.”

Hua Xin released the crumpled fabric she’d been clutching tightly, straightened her oversized clothes, and tried to sound calm.

The girl held a pitch-black helmet in her arms, her backpack slung over her shoulders. If she were just a bit shorter, she’d look like an elementary schooler.

(Going home now, going home now…)

Her heart fluttered with pure joy at the thought of returning home.

“So… should we meet on Saturday or Sunday to work on the assignment?”  
Xia Yan cradled his helmet just like hers, watching her retreating back with a glint of mischief in his eyes.  
He deliberately brought it up—hoping she’d start looking forward to going out.  
After all, it’s with him, right? 😉  

Hua Xin froze on the spot. Reluctantly, she mumbled in a tiny voice: “S-Sunday…🥺”  
Then she bolted away like a startled rabbit.

Xia Yan chuckled softly as he slipped on his helmet and started the motorcycle.  
She really was adorable… (her personality, that is.)

He remembered that suffocating loneliness, that pain of being excluded—  
and he vowed to transform it into anticipation for life, into genuine joy.  

The brilliant sun above seemed to blast his personal theme song:  
“The Light of Justice! 💡 Shines upon the earth…”

——————————

Home at last…

Hua Xin exhaled in relief, instantly stripping off her outer layers—hoodie, mask, everything—leaving only a loose, oversized T-shirt and tiger-print shorts.

She unwrapped the binding cloth tightly wound around her chest. Her soft curves finally had room to breathe again; the prolonged compression had nearly choked her.

Well, that’s what you get for cross-dressing.  

She flung herself onto the couch like a zombie, collapsing with a happy, languid whimper—adorable as a cheesy snow leopard.

“My home is my safe haven…”  
“My home is home…”

She rolled around lazily on the worn-out sofa for a bit—  
then suddenly remembered what she and Xia Yan had talked about right before parting.

Her eyes instantly lost their sparkle. Thick, visible black aura began to leak from her body like smoke.

In some class earlier today (she couldn’t even recall which one), the teacher had suddenly assigned a practical fieldwork project: students had to choose a topic, team up, go out onto the streets to interview passersby, and compile their footage into a video.

She wanted to run away.

But Xia Yan had caught her.

And now… they were partners.

“That darn Xia… Hmm, Shrimp Head! 🧂! 😡 I’ll get my revenge someday…”

She balled up her tiny fists and pounded the sofa with all her might, eyes burning with shy fury.

Well… fine! If she had to go out, she’d just hold the camera far, far away and stay quiet as a doe. 🦌

Gradually, she calmed down.

Her gaze drifted to the mountain of delivery boxes piled up in front of her—and her lips curled into a satisfied smile.

All this came thanks to that free labor—Shrimp Head! 🧂—yesterday. She’d only had to carry two trips upstairs herself.

Next month’s food supply had arrived!

Humming a cheerful little tune, her bare feet—tinged faintly pink—pressed softly against the cool floor.

She grabbed a box cutter and plopped down cross-legged amidst the sea of packages, eagerly slicing them open one by one.

“250g of mung beans… I can make mung bean soup! Would adding thirteen-spice seasoning make it tastier? 🤔”  
Definitely worth a try! 🤩

“A whole 500g box of scallion soda crackers… Breakfast sorted! Plus, midnight snacks too! 🤤”  

“200g of farmhouse purple sweet potato sticks… Perfect for munching like a chew toy.”  

After tossing the empty cartons aside, Hua Xin eyed the largest box with reverence—  

this was her favorite item of all…

Fresh, wholesome milk! 🥛 (Don’t get any wrong ideas! 👆🏻)  
AND it hadn’t expired!!! 😋  

She tore open the box with bated breath, relieved to see no leaks or damage.  
Taking a huge gulp straight from the carton, she then slowly extended her pink, tender tongue to lap up the white droplets clinging to her lips—savoring every last bit before swallowing.

Completely immersed in food-induced bliss, she reluctantly set the half-empty carton aside.  
Delicious things shouldn’t be finished all at once—they must be saved for last!

Next up!

“380g salted egg yolk cheese cookies… Lunch sorted!”  

“300g coconut latte shortbread… Dinner covered!”  

“50g rose-flavored pastry… uh, that’s too little—I’ll just eat it now! 😋”

She stuffed the little pastry into her mouth, puffed out her cheeks like a hamster, and chewed with delight.

So good…🥺…

Tears welling up slightly, she continued unpacking.

“Purple-skinned garlic… uh, grow big and strong soon, okay? 🤗”  
“No garlic, no flavor! I’ll save this for instant noodles or stir-fries next time.”

“218g roasted chili sauce.”  

“Plum fruit jam.”  

Her most critical strategic reserve—on par with thirteen-spice seasoning! 😡!  
After all, it could dress up rice, noodles, or anything else! 🤤

All done…

Hua Xin looked at the joyful boxes that had once held her life-giving treasures—now just flattened cardboard shells—and a pang of quiet sadness flickered in her eyes.

“So… quiet…”

She slowly gathered the empty boxes, carrying them to a storage room.

Inside, the space was already stacked high with flattened cartons and empty plastic water bottles.

At the sight, a spark returned to her eyes.

Once she sells all this recyclable junk, she’ll treat herself to a fancy meal again! Ｏ(≧▽≦)Ｏ

After tidying up, she returned to the living room—and paused at the sight of the snacks scattered on the floor.

“Friend fee…”

“Hmph! 💢…”

Fine! She’d *grudgingly* let that sunshine-y, overly cheerful guy taste true gourmet delights! (Secretly proud and generous—she never even let herself eat this much! 😭)

She carefully picked out three cookies from each brand 🍪 (an extravagant gesture for her) and packed them into her schoolbag.

Unconsciously… Hua Xin had already begun to see Xia Yan as a friend.

“Hakimi, hakimi~  
Chubby baby, chubby baby~  
You’re such a sweet, soft strawberry cake, baby baby~”

She turned on her computer, only to be greeted by the absurd video playing on screen—  
her expression instantly turned deadpan.

“Oh right!”

She suddenly remembered—her half-carton of milk was still sitting in the living room!

Can’t waste a drop! 😡

She hurried off to retrieve it—

—but, as expected, the unexpected happened.

*Thud!*

Her foot slipped, and she tumbled to the floor.

Feeling the wetness spreading over her body, she trembled as she pushed herself up shakily.

It was ruined.

Her soft chest was now glistening with a sticky white sheen.

😨

“My…”

“MY MILK!!! 😭😭😭”

A few seconds later, she sat there in stunned silence… then slowly, trembling, lifted her shirt…