Yun Mi chatted intermittently with Ding Yuan and sent a message to Chen Yiyang.
Grow Up Well: I'll treat you to crawfish. Remember to help me with homework tonight.
The phone in Chen Yiyang's pocket vibrated. He turned his head to glance at the little girl standing in the shadow, raising an eyebrow slightly.
The young master had many dietary restrictions—no spicy food, no cilantro—and he said offhandedly, "No garlic-flavored ones."
Yun Mi had guessed that, but didn't expect him to speak directly to her. She paused briefly and unconsciously moved closer to Ding Yuan before saying, "I didn't order that."
After spending time at the Chen household, she realized that the so-called exclusive nutritional meals Aunt Qin made every day were actually tailored to his picky habits.
"I asked Xie Yue, and he said you only eat salted egg yolk flavor."
Yun Mi was annoyed just thinking about it; she should have asked the person herself next time.
Right then, a guy waved excitedly from outside the McDonald's entrance: "Surprise!"
"..."
Ding Yuan cursed, "Who called this guy over?"
Yun Mi beside her said nothing.
She had asked Jiang Miyan to order three large portions—two salted egg yolk and one combo—which would be delivered soon.
Yun Mi ordered an iced Coke for everyone.
Chen Yiyang was curious and asked, "What made you think of treating us?"
Yun Mi hadn't expected him to follow her over. His warm breath lingered around her, and she said quietly, "It's not really my treat."
The girl secretly looked up.
Yun Mi saw the smooth outline of Chen Yiyang's jaw, a faint smile at the corners of his mouth.
She averted her gaze without expression, her fingertips tapping the ordering screen as she spoke softly, "If my dad found a girlfriend... or even got married, I would be very sad, because someone would probably take away some of the love he gives me." She said quietly, "Putting myself in your shoes, I hope you're not sad."
The simple words rippled through the height of summer.
It wasn't the hottest time yet, but the store's air conditioning was already on full blast.
Chen Yiyang paused for a moment, slowly lowering his eyes to see the girl's delicate nose and her amber eyes that always seemed to smile when she looked up.
Chen Yiyang looked away and laughed despite himself.
The others were already making a racket. As soon as Xie Yue stood there, the atmosphere immediately warmed up.
The five of them tossed their backpacks haphazardly into a corner.
They gathered to play Pictionary. Zhou Shihui's mind was quick, completely outsmarting the other two.
Ding Yuan saw Yun Mi coming over and nestled into her arms, fake-crying, "I'm not playing anymore. Zero game experience."
Every loss meant barking like a dog, and as a young girl, she didn't want to be a dog like Xie Yue.
The others also lost interest.
Yun Mi smiled and mediated, "Let's eat the crawfish."
...
Jiang Miyan's love letter was ghostwritten. It was a light pink envelope with a faint floral scent, delicate and pretty.
Yun Mi received her message, the other party pressing about whether it had been delivered. She said it could be done tonight, and Jiang Miyan seemed particularly eager.
Mimi: Please, please! I've liked Chen Yiyang for a long time. I transferred from No.107 Middle School just for him.
Seeing this message, a hint of barely perceptible bitterness flashed in Yun Mi's eyes.
When you like someone too dazzling, there will always be people flocking toward him.
And she was just one of the many in the crowd, unremarkable.
If not for the label of "little sister," would he even remember her name?
The ice cubes in the Coke gradually melted, bubbles rising in the brown, cold liquid and then bursting with a pop.
It was just like the girl's youthful daydream shattering.
Yun Mi lowered her eyes, slowly pulling the love letter from her backpack.
Xie Yue, who had been busily slurping crawfish at the small round table opposite, froze mid-motion.
What the heck?
Pink? And with hearts?
Signature... Mimi?
Yun Mi???
"A l-l-l-love letter—?"
Xie Yue's pupils quaked.
In the corner of the McDonald's, where cold air circulated, the wooden-lacquered table was piled with crawfish shells in a mess.
Chen Yiyang was looking at his phone. Hearing Xie Yue's drawn-out, startled exclamation, he slowly opened his eyes.