Chapter 10

Qiu Zhan had gone to pick up his grandmother and aunt. The moment he returned and spotted Qiu Li among the children, his smile vanished.
Especially when he saw the Yan family’s little girl, the one who always played with his younger brother, smiling and talking to him, even handing him something. The warmth in Qiu Zhan’s eyes froze into a blade of ice.
That little brat.
He clenched his jaw, silently cursing.
Qiu Li was still staring down at the band-aid, but he was always quick to sense Qiu Zhan’s presence. The moment his brother came home, he felt it.
He pretended not to notice, but that piercing gaze made his skin crawl. Finally, he looked up.
The guests had mostly arrived, and Qiu Zhan wasn’t stupid enough to make a scene in front of everyone. But that didn’t stop him from glaring daggers.
Meeting that cold, warning look, Qiu Li’s face hardened in turn.
He knew exactly what that glare meant. But…
He glanced once at Qiu Zhan, then at Yan Xiao, who was laughing brightly among the other children. Tightening his hold on the band-aid, he took a step toward the crowd.
As long as he didn’t hover around her, Qiu Zhan wouldn’t notice how kind she’d been to him.
After all, she was his first, and only friend. He had to protect her.
Watching his little brother walk straight back into the group without so much as a backward glance, Qiu Zhan almost laughed in disbelief.
That runt. Barely grown any hair, and already daring to defy him?
He must be tired of living.
Qiu Zhan smoothed his sleeve slowly, unhooked his cufflinks, slipped them into his pocket, and strolled toward the children playing on the lawn.
The other kids didn’t care much about him, unlike his quiet, beautiful brother, Qiu Zhan didn’t interest them. Only Yan Xiao noticed, her eyes brightening as she called out in her sweetest voice, perfectly playing the part of a polite, charming child:
“Brother Qiu Zhan! Are you going to play soccer with us too?”
He smiled down at her. “No, sweetheart. I just saw Aunt Chen looking for you.”
“My mom’s looking for me?”
Since she’d already earned her points for the day, there was no reason to stay. Without hesitation, she dropped the ball, patted her hands clean, and said, “I’ll go check.”
Qiu Zhan extended a hand. “I’ll take you.”
Yan Xiao didn’t think twice. The Qiu estate was huge, and she had no idea where her mother was. She didn’t want to make her worry, so she obediently let Qiu Zhan take her hand.
As she left, she turned back toward Qiu Li and waved her little paw. “Bye-bye!”
Qiu Li was just about to answer her when his eyes met Qiu Zhan’s cold, warning gaze. The words died in his throat.
He said nothing, jaw clenched tight, his face stiff. Then he gave himself a quick, unhappy glance, which only made Yan Xiao delighted.
Qiu Zhan’s lips curved faintly. “There’s a box of candy in the study on the third floor,” he said. “Go get it and share some with Xiao-xiao and the others.”
What?!
Yan Xiao, who’d just been about to tug on Qiu Zhan’s sleeve and ask him to take her to her mom, froze in shock, her eyes widening.
Letting Qiu Li hand out candy to someone he hates, oh heavens, Brother Qiu Zhan was actually helping her?!
She watched Qiu Li nervously, half thrilled, half amazed.
Three seconds later, she broke into a grin.
He’d furrowed his brows.
Then, she saw him glance at her with that taut little face, murmur a quiet “Mm,” and turn away.
Yan Xiao: “…”
He already hated his half-brother, and now he was being ordered to bring sweets to the person he hated most (her).
He was definitely going to hate her even more.
Earning dislike without even trying, Yan Xiao couldn’t have been happier. She chirped loudly, “Thank you, Brother Qiu Zhan!”
Qiu Zhan’s gaze had been frosty, but the moment he heard her sweet voice, he smiled smoothly. “You don’t have to thank me, sweetheart. Come on.”
From a few steps away, Qiu Li heard their exchange. His teeth sank harder together.
He’d been watching Qiu Zhan carefully, he hadn’t gone near Aunt Chen. He was lying. It was a warning: Get back to your room, or I’ll take it out on her.
But before going back, he had to fetch that candy.
Every time he saw her, she gave him a cotton candy. She must really like sweets.
He noted that down carefully in his heart.
And with that thought, even being ordered around didn’t feel so bad anymore.
The study on the third floor was rarely used; it had basically turned into a storage room.
He ran upstairs, pushed open the door, and was just about to search through the boxes for cotton candy when,
Bang.
The door slammed shut behind him.
The scene was too familiar. Instinctively, Qiu Li spun around and grabbed the handle.
Clack, clack.
It was locked from the outside.
Footsteps echoed down the stairs.
Qiu Li: “…”
He banged on the door with all his strength. No answer. He called out, but no one replied.
Inside and out, everything fell silent again.
He turned around slowly, his eyes landing on the piles of unopened gift boxes around him. This time, the anger and hurt inside him burned hotter than ever.
He hated Qiu Zhan.
He hated him to death.
He tried for a long time to force the door open, but it wouldn’t budge. His shouts brought no one. Finally, in desperation, he lifted a stool, ready to smash the door,
That was when he heard it.
An engine starting. A car horn outside.
He froze, dropped the stool, and ran to the window. It was too high, he couldn’t see. So he dragged the stool over, climbed up, and peered out.
One car after another rolled out through the gates of the Qiu residence.
They were leaving.
All of them.
Including her.
His small hands clutched the curtain tightly, trembling.
She had been waiting for him to bring her candy. He hadn’t gone.
Would she think he’d lied to her?
That he’d broken his promise?
That he didn’t care?
The thought sent panic through him.
He had to tell her what happened. He had to explain.
He climbed down in a rush, too fast. His foot slipped, and he fell from the stool, but he didn’t even feel the pain. He just stumbled to the door and started pounding again.
He pounded until his throat went hoarse, but no one came.
Outside, the last of the cars had long gone.
Sunlight filtered through the window, falling across his small, thin figure. His fists clenched tight, his shoulders trembling with fury.

Meanwhile, sitting in her car seat and sipping banana milk through a straw, Yan Xiao had no idea what had happened back at the Qiu house.
Even though she never got the cotton candy she’d been waiting for, she told herself it didn’t matter, he’d probably been so fed up with her that he couldn’t even stand to show his face. That thought alone was enough to make her feel content.
007? she called lazily in her head as she drank.
The system had heard her call so often that it now replied almost automatically:
[Still 3 points. No change.]
That was fine. The number finally showed up, and she’d had several good “rounds” today. The value only increased after enough accumulated dislike anyway. Most likely, Qiu Zhan’s interference had split some of the hatred away. But it didn’t matter, it was free progress! She’d just keep working harder.
She clenched her little fists in determination.
Chen Ziyi, watching her daughter’s serious face and small gestures, couldn’t help laughing. “What’s this? You get this competitive over a soccer game?”
Yan Xiao blinked her bright eyes, then said solemnly, “Of course. If I do something, I have to do it the best!”
Chen Ziyi chuckled. “Who taught you that? Your aunt?”
Yan Xiao just giggled without answering.
Of course not. That was her own hard-earned philosophy from her previous life, even if she hadn’t always lived up to it, she was still doing pretty well now.
“Mom,” she said after a moment, “are we going to the Qiu house again tomorrow?”
“You like it there that much?” Chen Ziyi teased.
Yan Xiao nodded vigorously. “Of course! Brother Qiu Yan’s paintings are so beautiful!”
Chen Ziyi: “…” Oh sure. Pretend I didn’t just see how happily you were playing with Qiu Li.
“Tomorrow we’re visiting Grandma and your uncle,” Chen Ziyi said with a smile. “Grandma called two days ago to remind you, remember?”
Yan Xiao: “…”
When she realized she’d actually forgotten, she quickly nodded. “Of course I remember! I was just teasing you!”
In truth, she’d just been too caught up playing to think about it, but she put on her most innocent face.
From the driver’s seat, Chen Ziyi exchanged a look with her husband in the rearview mirror. Both their eyes said the same thing: Where does she even get this cunning little streak from?
Even though she couldn’t go back to the Qiu house the next day, the thought that Monday was just around the corner, and she’d see him every day at school for five days straight made Yan Xiao’s heart leap.

Monday morning, Yan Xiao woke up early. She dressed herself, climbed into her chair at the breakfast table without being called, and sat patiently waiting to eat.
Across the table, her parents exchanged amused smiles.
Last night, Chen Ziyi had told her husband about how much their daughter enjoyed playing with Qiu Li. Both were easygoing and adored her too much to worry, kids liked to play, and that was fine.
After breakfast, still early, Yan Xiao couldn’t wait any longer. She kept urging her parents to hurry up and drive her to school.
She hadn’t “earned” any points yesterday, and that made her restless. She just wanted to get to school early, wait by the gate, and charge at Qiu Li the moment he arrived.
Chen Ziyi finally gave up and finished her makeup in the car.
They arrived early. The kindergarten courtyard was still empty except for the teacher on duty.
The teacher’s eyes softened when she saw Yan Xiao. It was only her second day, and she was already the first to arrive, clearly, she loved school.
After saying goodbye to her parents, Yan Xiao didn’t go to her classroom. She stood by the teacher instead.
The teacher blinked. “Why aren’t you going in?”
Yan Xiao gave her a sweet smile. “I’m waiting for someone.”
That smile melted the teacher’s heart. “Waiting for a friend, huh? There’s a bench over there, you can sit while you wait.”
How adorable, the teacher thought. She’s only been here one day and already made a friend.
Yan Xiao didn’t correct her. She’d already lied yesterday about Qiu Li being her friend, she couldn’t ruin that story now. So she nodded obediently. “I’m not tired, I’ll stand here.”
The teacher didn’t insist, only reminding her to sit down if she got tired.
Yan Xiao waited for a long time.
It was only her second day, so she didn’t know what time Qiu Li usually arrived. She assumed he was just a latecomer.
By the time the Qiu family’s car finally appeared, her legs were sore from standing.
She glanced at the school clock, 7:55. Nearly time for class.
Next time she’d know, no need to make her mom finish her makeup in the car.
The car stopped, and Qiu Li hopped out with his backpack.
He ran inside, and the moment he looked up, there she was.
Yan Xiao had been debating whether to tease him for being late, but before she could open her mouth, he was already running toward her.
Her eyes brightened. Well, you came to me yourself. She opened her mouth to speak, but he reached into his bag and held something out to her.
It was the same cotton candy she’d given him before.
Yan Xiao’s eyes widened slowly.
Wow. So he really did hate sweets. He hadn’t eaten it at all, and after getting mad on Saturday, he’d actually brought it back just to return it to her.
Qiu Li had spent the whole weekend worrying that she was angry with him. But he’d been locked in by Qiu Zhan and couldn’t get out. Early this morning, before school, he’d gone to five different 24-hour convenience stores just to find the exact same brand of cotton candy she’d given him.
Now that he finally saw her, his nerves were tangled tight. He couldn’t explain what had happened, so he just swallowed hard and said hoarsely, “Here.”
To Yan Xiao, that sounded like: Take your candy back. I don’t want it.
She smiled slightly, took the cotton candy from his hand, and, right in front of him, pulled another one from her bag and placed it into his hand.
“This one’s for today,” she announced, chin tilted in mock defiance.
Then she turned on her heel and trotted toward the classroom, class was about to start.
Qiu Li: “……”
The duty teacher gently patted his head. “Xiao-xiao’s been waiting for you here all morning. So she was giving you candy, huh? Go on, class is starting.”
Qiu Li: “…”
She’d been waiting just for me?
He looked down at the familiar cotton candy in his palm, then up at the small figure running into the classroom.
His chest swelled with a sudden, fierce joy.

Author’s Note:
Little Qiu Li: She’s not mad at me, and she gave me candy again. I’m happy (^▽^)