Ding-a-ling, the sound of handing in the final exam papers echoed, and everyone rose to submit their tests. The moment the invigilator had gathered the papers and just stepped out the classroom door, cheers erupted from behind him.

“I’m going to sleep for a solid day when I get back.”

“Right, sleep. No studying tonight, homework can wait until tomorrow.”

“Regardless of the grades, today is the last day of brightness.”

“The results will be out tomorrow, and the rankings too, I bet.”

“Sigh, I wonder how many people will drop out of the accelerated class this time.” This voice clearly belonged to someone who hadn't felt confident about their performance.

Wang Qiqi was packing her things, listening to the chatter around her—some declaring they wouldn't study that night, others already comparing answers for the just-finished exam.

“Are we reviewing tonight?” Shi Man asked, hearing many around them say they planned to sleep straight through instead of cracking a book. She remembered Han Tao’s math class scheduled for the evening, and wished she could just go home and crash, too.

Wang Qiqi looked at the group loudly proclaiming their need for sleep. “Do you really believe they won’t study when they get home?”

Shi Man shook her head. “Even if some genuinely sleep, I bet they’ll wake up halfway through the night to study anyway.” These classmates were so disingenuous; they talked so easily, but if it were truly that simple, why were so many of them sporting progressively worse dark circles since starting the senior year grind?

“Exactly,” Wang Qiqi said, zipping up her schoolbag. “Let’s go. Han Tao and I have plans for hotpot tonight.” It was the end of midterms for everyone. Han Tao was done too, but while they felt anxious, certain they had bombed it and would sleep poorly, this certain person looked completely unruffled, showing no sign of having just finished grueling exams.

Shi Man looked at Wang Qiqi with suspicion. “When did you arrange to eat hotpot with him?” Yesterday, the four of them had reviewed together; there was no chance for just the two of them to chat privately.

“This morning,” Wang Qiqi replied, a small smile playing on her lips. Most evenings were spent huddled together studying, leaving no time for private interactions, but during the early morning exercises, it had just been her and Han Tao.

Shi Man understood. She gave an “Oh,”. “Splitting the bill again?” Last time they had Korean BBQ, because of the presence of that person, even the premium pork belly hadn't tasted quite right. With three people, they would have surely ordered more premium cuts, but considering Han Tao meant considering the price.

Wang Qiqi shook her head. “No, I’m treating him. To thank him for tutoring my math these past few months.” Wang Qiqi had initially worried that a certain young man’s pride might prevent him from accepting, but to her surprise, when she suggested it, he agreed immediately.

Shi Man inwardly doubted it could be that simple. She and Zhu Lina had also suggested treating Han Tao to a meal before, but when had he ever readily agreed to eat out? Why was he so agreeable with Wang Qiqi? He came to Qiqi’s house for dinner almost every day without any pretense of politeness. There had to be something she didn’t know.

Regarding Han Tao, Shi Man felt she understood some things about him better than Qiqi did. It wasn't gossip, but when she’d abruptly told her parents she wanted Han Tao—a high school senior—to tutor her, they were naturally alarmed and insisted on looking into his background. The intel she gathered suggested Han Tao was not an easy-going person; perhaps even aloof. Yet, around Wang Qiqi, he seemed to completely overturn the profile her parents had dug up, shattering Shi Man's own understanding of him.

Wang Qiqi noticed Shi Man’s odd look. “What’s wrong?”

Shi Man shook her head. “Nothing. Even if there were something, this isn't the time to bring it up.”

“Good. Let’s go grab a table; Han Tao will be a little late.” Zhang Qian checked the time—it was getting late. “Lina, let’s go.”

Zhu Lina had actually packed up her bag long ago but stayed seated, listening in on the gossip because Qiqi and Shi Man hadn't made any moves to leave.

“We’re having hotpot today, Qiqi is treating,” Shi Man said, pulling Zhu Lina toward their usual spot, which made Zhu Lina feel rather curious.

Someone treating them to hotpot was fine with Zhu Lina—as long as the food was good, she had no reason to object. “Okay, but what about Han Tao?” Zhu Lina suddenly remembered he ate dinner there every day. Now that the three of them were going out, what about him?

“I’m treating to thank Han Tao for tutoring my math,” Zhang Qian explained to Zhu Lina. “And don’t read too much into it, okay?”

Along the way, Wang Qiqi noticed Shi Man constantly giving her looks that conveyed, You’re suspicious. Qiqi felt increasingly uncomfortable. Hmph, it was just a meal to thank Han Tao for his help. But after Shi Man’s intense scrutiny, it felt like she was harboring secret intentions. After all, whatever internal issues existed, they were internal matters. If Han Tao sensed something, that would be a disaster. “Besides,” Qiqi muttered, “didn’t someone not enjoy the hotpot last time? I just used that as an excuse to go out for hotpot.” Honestly, was treating someone that complicated?

Shi Man responded with a drawn-out, drawn-out sound, though what she really wanted to say was that if Qiqi truly felt nothing was amiss, she wouldn't have needed to explain herself so thoroughly. “If you think everything’s fine, then it is.”

Shi Man dragged Zhu Lina into a stationery store nearby. “Qiqi, you go save us a spot. Lina and I need to buy some supplies; we’ll be right there.” Hahaha, whether Qiqi admitted it or not, as her good friend, she had to look out for that person.

Buy stationery? Zhu Lina was about to protest that she certainly didn't lack pens and paper when Shi Man hauled her inside. Before Zhu Lina could even object, she was dragged in. Wang Qiqi could only shake her head watching the pair. She had wanted to pick out a few new pens herself, but given the time, and how busy that particular restaurant was, if they didn't get there early, they’d have to wait for a table to open up. “Buy a few pens for me too,” Wang Qiqi called out before leaving.

Zhu Lina saw Wang Qiqi walk away through the glass, then pulled Shi Man’s hand away from her mouth. “What are you up to?” Honestly, “Do you know you were covering my mouth and nose? You were going to suffocate me!” She could barely breathe.

It was better if Zhu Lina hadn't mentioned it; the moment she did, Shi Man suddenly felt a pang of disgust. “You didn’t spit on my palm, did you?” No wonder her palm felt damp. Shi Man pulled out a pack of tissues to wipe her hand, though what she really wanted was to find a sink and wash it immediately.

“Pens, pens.” Shi Man had only said it casually, but since Qiqi asked, she realized she was running low on colored pens for highlighting key points to make them stand out, and she needed some small sticky notes and notebooks too.

“Counting that up, we actually need quite a bit,” Zhu Lina said upon realizing the extent of their shopping list. It seemed Shi Man dragging her into this was necessary after all. “Right, Xiao Man, you said you needed stationery—why pull me in so roughly?” Such crudeness was unnecessary for such a simple task.

Shi Man chuckled sheepishly. Some thoughts weren't meant to be shared with Zhu Lina; it was just an idea she was entertaining. If it turned out to be nothing, and she voiced her suspicion, she’d just be causing trouble for Qiqi.

Zhu Lina wasn't thinking about such subtleties; she was captivated by the array of colorful sticky notes and attractive notebooks, deciding which ones to take home. As for the pens Qiqi wanted, they definitely needed to have fine tips.

Wang Qiqi, slinging her bag onto her back, was just about to push open the restaurant door when she saw Han Tao approaching with his own bag. Qiqi waved at him and waited for him to catch up.

Han Tao had thought he was late, but seeing Qiqi just arriving too, he remarked, “What a coincidence.” He looked around, however, not seeing Shi Man and Zhu Lina. He wondered if they had already gone home after the exam.

Wang Qiqi gave an “Oh,”. “They went to buy stationery; they told me to come over and secure a table first.” Shi Man and Zhu Lina currently lived nearby, so they rarely went back home anymore. It should have been their turn to visit their parents, but now their aunt and uncle came to see them instead, always bringing plenty of things—food, necessities, and lots of nourishing items to help all four of them build up their strength.

Han Tao understood they were off buying supplies. “There’s a window seat over there,” he noted. Though Han Tao hadn't dined out with Wang Qiqi many times, he knew she preferred sitting by the window when eating so she could watch the scenery outside, even if it was just the main road.

Wang Qiqi looked and saw that the window seat was indeed the last one available. She spotted another couple hurrying towards that area and immediately grabbed Han Tao’s arm, pulling him along. If they missed out, they’d be stuck in the middle seats, which would be a letdown.

“Good thing we were a couple of steps faster.” Wang Qiqi settled into the coveted spot with satisfaction, ignoring the looks of frustration from the other couple. Yay, safely landed.

Han Tao watched the gleeful Wang Qiqi, thinking how easily her mood lifted—she was this happy just for securing a window seat.

“It takes the same amount of time to be happy as it does to be unhappy, so no matter what, I want my parents to know I’m having a great time, even managing to snag the exact seat I wanted for dinner.” Wang Qiqi picked up the menu, ticking off the dishes she wanted, as she explained her high spirits. She had made it a habit to write down the day's events before sleeping, keeping two copies—one she planned to burn at her parents' graves on the Qingming Festival, letting them know how she was doing in their absence, just as she would have told them when they were alive about the good and the bad.

Han Tao watched Wang Qiqi casually discuss this while ordering food. He found it impossible to compare her to the Qiqi he remembered before the incident involving Uncle Wang. Of course, the current Qiqi was in much better spirits than she had been right after her parents passed away, and her grades were steadily improving. It wouldn't be difficult for Wang Qiqi to get into a good university in the future.