Morning at the Xu Family Home
"Kids, come down quickly and eat before going to school!" shouted the mother of Haoxuan and Ruyuan as she prepared plates for her children on the dining table.
Haoxuan came down first, ahead of his younger sister.
"Don't run on the stairs," said their father, already sitting at the table.
When everyone was seated,
Father said, "A-Yuan, don't be naughty at school today, alright?"
Mother added, "Haoxuan, take good care of your sister. A-Yuan, if anything happens, just go to your brother, okay?"
Ruyuan: "Okay, Mom!"
Haoxuan: "Eh, no no, I refuse! Why should I take care of her? Shouldn't she be the one taking care of me? Anyway, who would even dare to bother her? They'd probably get bitten by Ruyuan herself. I'm the one who needs protection!"
Father: "Haoxuan, you're her older brother."
Ruyuan teased: "Exactly. Be useful for once."
Haoxuan glared at her: "What did you just say? Say that again."
Ruyuan: "Hehe, nothing."
Father: "Alright, how about this — if Haoxuan can take care of Ruyuan on her first day of school, I'll take both of you on a vacation. How's that sound?"
Ruyuan: "Really?!"
Father nodded.
Haoxuan: "Hahaha, alright, deal!"
---
At School
"Alright everyone, today we have a new student. Please come in and introduce yourself."
Ruyuan spoke with a bright smile, "Hello everyone, good morning! My name is Xu Ruyuan, you can just call me Ruyuan. I hope we can all be good friends. Thank you!"
"Alright, Ruyuan, you can sit in the empty seat."
Ruyuan sat beside a girl.
"Hi, I'm Shiqin," the girl said, extending her hand, which Ruyuan shook warmly.
"Shiqin, do you know someone named Yichen?"
"Yichen? If you mean Yichen from class 5, of course."
Ruyuan: "Oh, Yichen from class 5? Got it."
"Well obviously, did you think he was in the same class as us?"
Ruyuan chuckled softly: "No… thank you."
---
After School
Haoxuan waited in front of his sister's classroom.
Ruyuan: "Why are you waiting for me? You could've just gone home."
Haoxuan: "Why? If it weren't for Mom telling me to look after you, I'd definitely go first. And if Dad found out I let you walk home alone, I'd be doomed."
Ruyuan: "You have no choice. Don't blame me for that."
Haoxuan: "When have I ever blamed you?"
Ruyuan laughed: "That's true. When, huh?"
Haoxuan: "You're lucky to have such a good brother like me… But whatever, you probably won't even appreciate your kind and caring big brother. Come on, Mom's already waiting at the school gate."
Their parents were waiting at the gate. Haoxuan and Ruyuan ran up to them.
Haoxuan: "Where's Dad?"
They only saw their mother standing beside the car, but suddenly, their father appeared from the driver's seat, rolling down the window.
Dad: "Get in, kids! I'm taking you both out for a little trip."
Mom: "Ehh..? Isn't this a bit unfair? Mommy's standing right here, yet you're asking where Daddy is—without even greeting me first. Hmph… my heart hurts."
Ruyuan & Haoxuan: "Hello, Mommy…"
Their mother replied with a smile.
"Alright, alright, get in."
---
Inside the car, on the way:
Dad: "Since Haoxuan did such a good job taking care of our little A-Yuan on her first day of school, as I promised, I'll keep my word."
Haoxuan: "Of course you have to! I'll never forgive you if you break your promise."
Ruyuan:"No, He's not he even try to not knowing me when we accidentally bump into each other"
Mom: "Haoxuan, don't talk like that."
Ruyuan laughed. "That's true, Haoxuan, don't be like that~"
Haoxuan glanced at his little sister with mock annoyance.
"I'm older than you! Where's your respect for your gege?"
Ruyuan turned her gaze to the car window, pretending not to hear him.
"Eiii, where's the gegeee?"
Their parents could only chuckle softly at their children's antics.
---
When they arrived at their destination, inside the building:
Haoxuan: "Eh? I thought we were going to the beach or something… why the mall?"
The Xu family now stood in front of a children's toy store inside the mall.
Dad: "Hmm? You don't like toys? I thought you two would enjoy this—that's why I brought you here. But if that's the case, let's just go back home then."
Ruyuan: "N-no, that's not what we meant, really! We love toys, hehe…"
She grabbed her brother's hand and pulled him toward the play area.
Haoxuan (pretending to be annoyed): "Ouch, ouch! Don't pinch me like that! I'm still your big brother—where's your manners?"
Ruyuan (grinning): "Alright, alright. My apologies, dear brother."
The Xu family spent the rest of the day playing together before returning home, their laughter echoing in the evening light.
___________________
Weekend.
The afternoon sunlight filtered softly through the leaves. Ruyuan's mother brought her to visit an old family friend — who turned out to be Yichen's mother.
---
At the Neighbor's Garden
The sound of birds filled the calm air, mingling with the gentle creak of a swing swaying in the breeze.
Ruyuan tugged at her mother's sleeve.
Ruyuan: "Mom, whose house is this?"
Mother: "This is Aunt Wei's house. Her son goes to the same school as you, remember?"
Ruyuan: "Yichen?.."
As they stepped inside, Ruyuan saw a boy sitting on a swing beneath a tree.
Mother (calling out): "Ah, Yichen! This is Ruyuan. We just moved here, so please look after her at school, okay?"
Yichen stood up and walked over to greet them.
Yichen: "Hello, Aunt Xu. Of course, we've already met."
Ruyuan blinked, then smiled brightly.
Ruyuan: "Hi!" she said, waving her hand.
Not long after, Yichen's mother came over.
Aunt Wei: "Oh my, Mother Xu! You finally came to visit. I thought Yichen and I would have to come first!"
(Aunt Wei definitely not saying this in a rude way okay, chill out guys)
Mother Xu: "Sorry for the delay — we just moved, so there's still a lot to take care of."
Aunt Wei: "Of course, that's fine. Come on in! Yichen can play with Ruyuan for a while."
Mama Xu: "That's right. You're only a year apart, aren't you? Ruyuan, behave yourself, okay?"
Ruyuan: "Alright, Mom!"
Yichen sat back down on the swing, and it creaked again when Ruyuan sat beside him.
For a moment, the world around them felt quiet — only the rustle of leaves moved with the wind.
Ruyuan: "Hey, Yichen… do you think the sky looks different when we smile?"
Yichen, puzzled: "What kind of question is that?"
Ruyuan smiled. "A curious one."
Yichen chuckled softly.
Yichen: "Then… maybe it does. A little brighter, I guess."
Aunt Wei and Mother Xu came over, carrying freshly cut watermelon and placing it on the table near the swing.
Aunt Wei: "Come on, Ruyuan, have some watermelon."
Mother Xu picked up a slice for her daughter.
Between bites of watermelon, Ruyuan gazed up at the bright summer sky.
Ruyuan: "Wow, there are so many kites!"
Hearing her words, everyone followed her gaze.
Aunt Wei: "That's right. During summer, lots of children get creative and make their own kites. They usually fly them in the open field."
Mother Xu: "Do you want to try it, Ruyuan?"
Ruyuan: "Try what?"
Mother Xu: "Flying a kite."
Aunt Wei: "That's a great idea. Yichen can go with her."
Mother Xu: "Then let's do it tomorrow shall we, alright, Ruyuan?"
Ruyuan: "Okay, Mama."
Amid that simple conversation, something unspoken quietly began to grow —
the start of a friendship that neither of them yet knew would one day mean everything.
---
The Next Day
Mother Xu accompanied Ruyuan and Yichen to fly kites.
Mother Xu: "Yichen, where do kids usually fly these?"
Yichen: "There's a big open field near, but sometimes they just fly them at home too."
Yichen came out of the house carrying his kite — and a small paper pinwheel. He walked up to Ruyuan.
Ruyuan: "Hm? Is that for me?"
Yichen handed her the pinwheel.
Ruyuan looked a little surprised, but accepted it with a bright smile.
Ruyuan: "Ah… thank you."
Mama Xu: "How cute! Did you make that yourself, Yichen? Thank you!"
Yichen: "Mm. You're welcome."
Yichen walked ahead to show them the way. Soon, they arrived at a wide open field — not as crowded as the day before, but still filled with a few teenagers flying kites.
"Here," Yichen said.
Mother Xu: "So, how do we start?"
Yichen demonstrated, asking Ruyuan to hold the kite while he prepared to run.
Yichen: "Let's try with your kite first, Ruyuan."
---
Ruyuan's kite had just been finished by her father the day before.
Yesterday.
After Mother Xu and Ruyuan came home from visiting their neighbors,
they saw Father Xu playing ball with Haoxuan in the front yard.
Father Xu: "Where have you two been?"
Mother Xu: "We visited the neighbors. Ruyuan wants to fly a kite."
Father Xu: "A kite? That's so sudden."
Mother Xu: "She saw lots of them earlier, so now she wants to try."
Haoxuan: "I want to try too!"
Mother Xu: "Tomorrow, Yichen will go with her to fly kites."
Father Xu: "Tomorrow, huh? Alright, I'll make one for her."
Haoxuan: "Dad! Make one for me too!"
Father Xu: "No time, Haoxuan."
Haoxuan: "Then why not just buy one? Do we even have time?"
Mother Xu: "Oh, we'll manage. Besides, your father used to make kites all the time — let him relive a bit of his childhood."
Haoxuan: "Hmm… alright."
Father Xu:"While they're having fun playing kite, we can play together okay Haoxuan?"
Haoxuan:"But dad i want to play kite too"
"okay i will make for you later, is that good enough Haoxuan?"
"hmm probably dad probably "
Ruyuan and her Mother can only laugh warmly seeing them.
---
The air and warmth of summer carried endless memories
moments that grew soft and tender in the heart when seen again.
The sky was beautifully blue.
Clouds that come will never turn gray, as long as I'm with you.