Do Not Approach

23

It wasn't that she had never liked anyone. In middle school, their class monitor had been the very image of a prince from a manhua-tall and handsome, with a gentle demeanor. Every time she looked at him, he'd blush. Qin Yi had felt a flutter in her heart back then, but that was just a young girl's shallow admiration for appearances.

She once told her older sister, Qin Haiyao, about it. Her sister had been pleasantly surprised, stroking Qin Yi's hair, "Oh, my little sister is growing up."

Growing up?

A month later, with graduation looming, Qin Haiyao curiously asked, "So, how are things going with that prince of yours?"

Carrying her guzheng on her back, Qin Yi replied indifferently, "I don't like him anymore."

So soon? Qin Haiyao was taken aback. "Why?"

She felt sorry for her sister-how fleeting and pure those young feelings were. Had the boy done something unforgivable? Was he a heartbreaker, leading girls on with his good looks? Was her sister acting so indifferent to hide her heartbreak?

While Qin Haiyao was lost in thought, Qin Yi frowned in distaste and said, "After the flag-raising ceremony, he took off his uniform, and underneath he was wearing this hideous mustard-yellow sweater. It was so ugly."

Qin Haiyao: ...

Ah, young love-so simple and fleeting. The poor prince would never know he lost his chance because of an ugly sweater.

Qin Yi had never truly known love in her youth. And as she grew older, all she found were lies and betrayals. So, even though Qin Yi was breathtakingly beautiful and carried an air of sophistication, she was completely inexperienced when it came to emotions.

Liking someone changed everything. A single glance, a text, even a photo could spark endless thoughts and interpretations. Qin Yi stared at the 'Transformer' made of chicken bones, looking at the photo over and over. She couldn't help but wonder-

What does Mu Xiaoxiao mean? What does she mean by saying I'm like this in her heart?

Does she think I'm cold and emotionless, like a robot? Is she saying I'm harsh and unfeeling?

Thinking of this, Qin Yi felt somewhat unhappy and furrowed her brow as she waved her hand at Liu Wannian.

[Let's go.]

---

The afterglow of the setting sun gradually faded, disappearing beneath the horizon.

Mu Xiaoxiao had initially planned to return home the same day, but plans often fail to keep up with reality. Perhaps it was the stifling heat and humidity or the exhaustion from traveling all day, but something was off with Qiuqiu's heart. While eating, she began to feel breathless but didn't dare tell the orphanage director, nor her sister.

Quietly, she slipped into a corner, took a quick-dissolving heart pill, and held it under her tongue. After a brief rest, she felt a little better and rejoined everyone.

But how could anything escape Mu Xiaoxiao's eyes? She was a psychologist, after all. The moment Qiuqiu emerged, she was caught.

"What's wrong? Not feeling well?" Mu Xiaoxiao's sharp gaze locked on her sister.

Qiuqiu shook her head, still pretending. "No, I'm just a bit excited from all the fun."

Mu Xiaoxiao scrutinized her pale face. "Why do you look so pale?"

"I just put on some sunscreen," Qiuqiu answered smoothly.

Mu Xiaoxiao frowned. "Your sunscreen is green? That's trendy?" With no hesitation, Mu Xiaoxiao grabbed her sister like a little chick and took her straight to the town's hospital.