When Father Pei returned home from work, Pei Yu was feeding Shen Lishu water.
But Shen Lishu licked her lips, her face still carrying a hint of illness, and softly told Pei Yu she didn’t want to drink anymore.
Looking at the glass still half-full of water, Pei Yu frowned and sternly told Shen Lishu she couldn’t stop.
Catching sight of Father Pei out of the corner of her eye, Shen Lishu acted as if she had found a lifeline. She jumped off the sofa and darted straight toward Father Pei like a young swallow returning to the forest.
“Uncle, you’re back.”
Father Pei smiled, scooping Shen Lishu up into his arms. He skillfully reached out to feel her forehead and asked gently, “Is Lili still feeling unwell today?”
Shen Lishu shook her head. “Was Uncle’s work tiring today?”
“Just a little,” Father Pei replied softly.
Shen Lishu thought for a moment. “Then, should I give Uncle a shoulder massage?”
The two of them, one big and one small, exchanged warm words.
Pei Yu, holding the water glass, kept a straight face and remained silent, his mood clearly not the best.
When Father Pei sat on the sofa, ready to let Shen Lishu massage his shoulders, Pei Yu eagerly stepped forward, signaling that he should do it instead.
One moment, Father Pei was enjoying the bliss of having his children around him; the next, his expression twisted slightly.
This kid’s grip was surprisingly strong.
Due to her illness, Shen Lishu didn’t leave the house all winter. As the Lunar New Year approached, Father Pei’s schedule grew increasingly busy.
For most of the time, only Pei Yu kept Shen Lishu company at the Pei residence.
The two had become nearly inseparable.
Pei Yu was quite satisfied with this arrangement—just the two of them, with no one else to disturb them.
Most importantly, most of the time, Shen Lishu’s eyes were fixed only on Pei Yu. Unfortunately, such blissful days were about to come to an end.
Mid-February, with grass growing and orioles singing.
The thought of kindergarten starting tomorrow made Shen Lishu, sitting at the small table and nibbling on a slice of cake, happily sway her head from side to side.
After finishing the cake, it was time for Pei Yu’s usual psychological therapy session.
Naturally, Shen Lishu accompanied him.
While Pei Yu underwent therapy, Shen Lishu read picture books beside him. With Shen Lishu there, Pei Yu behaved a little better—though only a little.
Pei Yu couldn’t stand Shen Lishu focusing her attention on anyone or anything other than himself for too long. So, every now and then, he would “disturb” her.
“Sweetie, look at me.”
Even when interrupted, the good-natured Shen Lishu never got annoyed. Instead, she would always respond with a gentle smile, her little dimples showing.
The psychologist couldn’t help but marvel—she was truly an angel. His gaze toward Shen Lishu was filled with kindness and warmth.
But when he turned back, he met a pair of icy, gloomy dark blue eyes.
The psychologist, feeling a chill run down his spine: “…”
He had only looked for a few seconds! Was it really necessary to guard against him like he was a kidnapper?
As evening approached, the day’s psychological therapy session came to an end.
Shen Lishu obediently held onto the hem of Pei Yu’s clothes, waved to the psychologist, and said in a soft, sweet, childish voice, “Goodbye, Doctor Uncle. Be safe on your way home.”
Warmed by her words, the psychologist couldn’t help but soften his tone. “Thank you, Lili.”
Shen Lishu then squeezed Pei Yu’s hand, which was holding hers, and turned her head to look at him with expectant eyes.
After understanding Shen Lishu’s meaning, Pei Yu forced a stiff smile and said succinctly, “Dr. Mu, goodbye.”
The psychologist: “Young master, g-goodbye.”
He wasn’t joking at all.
Seeing Pei Yu’s smile, the psychologist felt as if he were about to be assassinated the next second.
Not far away, the psychologist could still hear Shen Lishu praising Pei Yu: “Pei Yu is simply the most polite child in the world…”
Early the next morning.
At the entrance of the Pei family home, two little friends held hands and boarded the school bus together.
As soon as they stepped into the Sakura Class classroom, Shen Lishu eagerly scanned the room. When she spotted Xie Changyan, her eyes lit up.
“Pei Yu, Xie Changyan is over there!” Shen Lishu turned and gestured.
Pei Yu replied softly, “Okay.”
Shen Lishu led Pei Yu by the hand toward Xie Changyan: “Xie Changyan, Pei Yu has something he wants to say to you.”
Xie Changyan was taken aback, then instinctively furrowed his brow.
He didn’t believe for a second that Pei Yu had anything good to say to him.
Shen Lishu gave Pei Yu an encouraging look.
Immediately, Pei Yu took out an exquisitely packaged box of candies from his backpack and walked up to Xie Changyan.
Xie Changyan kept a cold expression, wondering what trick Pei Yu was about to pull.
The next moment, Pei Yu bowed deeply and apologized, “Xie Changyan, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have thrown the apple you gave Sweetie into the trash can.”
Xie Changyan’s frown deepened.
Only when Pei Yu raised his head did Xie Changyan see the unmistakable provocation in his dark blue eyes.
Pei Yu was taking advantage of the fact that Shen Lishu couldn’t see, acting without restraint.
In fact, Pei Yu even hoped Xie Changyan wouldn’t forgive him, so he could use the opportunity to make Shen Lishu doubt Xie Changyan.
Xie Changyan forced a smile, gritting his teeth as he said, “I forgive you.”
Seeing the two finally reconcile, the worry that had been weighing on Shen Lishu’s heart was completely resolved.
She let out a long sigh of relief and whispered happily, “That’s really great.”
From that day on, Pei Yu and Xie Changyan became sworn rivals.
Pei Yu fought openly.
Xie Changyan schemed in secret.
But both followed one shared rule: they could not let Shen Lishu find out.
Thus, until kindergarten graduation, the completely unaware Shen Lishu still believed that Pei Yu and Xie Changyan had become good friends.
Every June, the kindergarten held a graduation party.
This year’s party theme was creative costumes.
After the party ended, the children would vote for the most uniquely dressed champion.
Shen Lishu, wearing a huge yellow lemon plush headpiece, looked at Pei Yu with sparkling eyes.
Pei Yu, wearing an equally large purple blueberry plush headpiece, said earnestly, “Lemon! Cute!”
The only downside was that the headpieces were too big, so when they walked together, they couldn’t lean against each other.
This troubled Pei Yu greatly.
The kindergarten was bustling with excitement that night.
Parents dressed in elaborate costumes were everywhere, and the children’s outfits reflected their unique ideas—some cute, some elegant, some quirky.
Among them, only Xie Changyan, still wearing his kindergarten uniform, sat alone in a corner, looking out of place.
Xie Changyan’s expression was icy as he silently watched Xie Siran’s family from a distance.
Xie Siran’s father carried him on his shoulders, dressed in a cool mecha suit, while Xie Siran’s mother gently wiped the sweat from both their faces with a handkerchief.
Looking at this warm and loving family, Xie Changyan felt nothing but extreme irony, the hatred in his heart growing uncontrollably.
Until a sweet, soft, and childish voice called out: “Xie Changyan!”
Turning around, Xie Changyan met a pair of clear, warm, round eyes.
Shen Lishu led Pei Yu over to Xie Changyan and was about to say something when she finally noticed Xie Changyan’s outfit and suddenly paused.
Her reaction inexplicably made Xie Changyan feel ashamed, wishing he could disappear into the ground.
“Wow—”
“So cool!”
Xie Changyan froze.
Cool?
“Xie Changyan, you’re so clever,” Shen Lishu said with bright eyes, praising him with utmost sincerity. “When everyone else has changed into other clothes, you’re still wearing your kindergarten uniform. You’ll definitely be the most uniquely dressed kid today!”