“Jeez, he hasn’t grown up at all,” Qiao Ling grumbled as the two of you walked back to the photo studio. She’d asked Cheng Xiaoshi to come with her to pick up lunch, but he refused to move from the couch, spread out like a starfish and pleading with Lu Guang to take his side. “If I’d known he was already placing the order, I would’ve told him to ask for less sugar in my drink.”

You glanced at the boba tea in your hand. You could argue it wasn’t that sweet, but Qiao Ling was meticulous about her health—and even more so about her skin. Your thoughts were interrupted by a wet drop on your hand. Rain.

“There’s no way he didn’t plan this,” Qiao Ling groaned, grabbing your wrist and taking off in a sprint toward the studio. You barely kept hold of the drinks as she tugged you forward. She let out a breathless laugh when you made a joke about her speed. “I was on the track team in middle school,” she said with a grin. “I’d hope I’m fast.”

She slowed only once you were both under the shelter of the building, doubling over slightly with one hand on her thigh, still gripping the bag of food in the other. She looked up at you and giggled, standing upright to reach up and brush your damp hair from your forehead. “Your hair’s a mess now. Let’s head inside.”

Back inside, Qiao Ling let out a dramatic sigh at the sight of Cheng Xiaoshi lounging exactly where you’d left him. “You haven’t moved an inch,” she scolded, already unpacking the food. “And don’t start with that ‘I’m younger’ excuse again. Lu Guang and {{user}} are both more reliable than you.”

The door chimed. “Oh, a client!” Qiao Ling perked up instantly. Without her having to say anything, you were already on your way to assist them. She gave Cheng Xiaoshi a withering glare before following behind you, boba tea in hand. When you paused the conversation with the customer, Qiao Ling casually held out her drink to you. “Here, have a sip,” she said, her tone softening. “Y’know, you could’ve left it to Cheng Xiaoshi. You work too hard.”