Two adorable brown bear mascots stood at the entrance welcoming everyone. Zhou Chiyu, ever lively, ran up and hugged one. He and Gu Yuan were school celebrities—not just because they were good-looking, but because the Gu Family’s donated theater was hugely popular with the kids.
The teacher in charge of new media propaganda snapped endless photos of Zhou Chiyu. He was a natural little star, not shy at all, striking unique and adorable poses every time.
Gu Yuan didn’t like photos, so he quietly stayed by the side. Compared to three years ago, his face had filled out some, making his already pretty features even smoother and more refined. He resembled his father more and more, his deep facial features gaining an air of handsomeness and aloofness. When he first started school, a talent scout had spotted him and fervently invited him to sign with an agency as a child star, but the Gu Family had refused.
“Hello, are you Gu Yuan?”
A little girl with a ponytail waved at him. “I’m the class monitor from the next class over. My name’s Yueyue.”
Gu Yuan turned his head, a hint of wariness in his expression. “Hello.”
Yueyue fidgeted a bit, tentatively asking, “Can we be friends? We could go to the library together, or the arcade. Oh, right—we could go to the amusement park tomorrow too.”
Gu Yuan glanced back at Zhou Chiyu, who was still endlessly posing. He replied politely, “Sorry, I need to stay with my brother.”
Yueyue peeked around, eyeing Zhou Chiyu curiously. “Is he your real brother? You have different surnames—one Gu, one Zhou.”
“He’s my real brother.” Gu Yuan didn’t explain further. Just then, he heard Zhou Chiyu crying out from nearby.
At some point, Zhou Chiyu had tripped while holding a little gift and fallen to the ground.
He hurried over, bent down to check Zhou Chiyu’s leg, and the teacher explained, “Little Fish got so excited about the gift that he tripped over himself.”
“Little dummy.” Gu Yuan gently rolled up Zhou Chiyu’s pants and saw it was just a scraped knee. “We’ll go to the school doctor to get it cleaned up.”
He took Zhou Chiyu’s arm to lead him forward, but a strong tug pulled him back—he couldn’t budge no matter what.
“Hmph, you’re the dummy.” Zhou Chiyu pouted sulkily. “I’m hurt, my leg’s lame, and you’re still teasing me.”
Gu Yuan’s eyes held a touch of confusion. Zhou Chiyu wasn’t the type to get upset over jokes—why was he suddenly mad?
“Unless… unless you buy me milk tea, I won’t cheer up.”
Zhou Chiyu covered his giggling mouth with both hands, his eyes flashing triumphantly.
Gu Yuan had already seen through him. He gave him a thoughtful look without speaking. Given Zhou Chiyu’s personality, if he didn’t get milk tea today, he’d find something else to fuss about.
“I’ll buy you some after school.” Gu Yuan nodded in agreement.
“Yay!” Zhou Chiyu clutched his new little gift and bounced around in celebration. His slightly limping leg miraculously healed on the spot.
“Let’s go.” Gu Yuan didn’t call him out on it and clasped that pair of chubby little hands. “Be careful next time.”
Zhou Chiyu nodded happily. “Mm-hmm.”
Tripping once for a cup of milk tea didn’t seem like a bad deal.
…
Ever since Gu Yuan promised to buy him milk tea, Zhou Chiyu felt like grass was growing in his heart, itching with anticipation for school to end.
He propped his little head on his hand, pondering a problem.
With Uncle the driver following them, could he really get the milk tea?
Auntie Bai strictly forbade buying snacks after school, and Uncle the driver probably wouldn’t let Brother buy it for him.
At that thought, his chubby face scrunched up like a milk bun, and he listlessly slumped over his desk.
“Gu Yuan, what’s up with your brother?”
Gu Yuan, the class’s Study Committee Member, was checking everyone’s error notebooks. He had no interest in class roles, but the previous Study Committee Member had been too harsh—Zhou Chiyu trembled every time he was checked. To prevent that from happening again, Gu Yuan had volunteered for the position last semester.
From first grade on, his grades had topped the year, so the teachers were happy to let a top student take the role. Plus, he was diligent and responsible, which put the teachers even more at ease.
Gu Yuan set down the roster and went to Zhou Chiyu’s side. “Are you feeling unwell?”
He reached out to feel Zhou Chiyu’s forehead temperature. “No fever.”
“I’m fine.” Zhou Chiyu pouted, his little head flopping softly against Gu Yuan. “I’m just thinking about what flavor milk tea to get.”
“Any flavor is fine.”
Gu Yuan guessed Zhou Chiyu might be anxious.
Probably worried he wouldn’t get to drink it.
Just then, the teacher placed the homework notebooks on the lectern and called Gu Yuan to pass them out. Mindful of Gu Yuan’s weak constitution, Zhou Chiyu jogged after him to help carry the heavy stack.
The classmates were used to the inseparable duo. Seeing Zhou Chiyu work so hard for Gu Yuan, they teased, “Little Fish, are you really blood brothers with Gu Yuan?”
“Of course—closer than kissing fish.”
Gu Yuan heard the answer and quietly stared at the back of Zhou Chiyu’s head. Zhou Chiyu was strong; carrying dozens of notebooks was effortless as he flitted around the classroom like a flower butterfly.
“Tired?” After distributing, Gu Yuan wiped the sweat from Zhou Chiyu’s forehead. Though autumn had arrived, the weather was still hot. Zhou Chiyu was a bit stocky and sweated easily from any activity.
Zhou Chiyu’s front-desk classmate quietly observed Gu Yuan’s every move, thinking they didn’t seem like brothers—more like an adult and a baby.
…
That evening, Gu Yuan and Zhou Chiyu put their milk tea sneaking plan into action. It was Zhou Chiyu’s first time brazenly doing something naughty, and he felt extremely guilty. His round eyes darted toward Uncle the driver from the moment they got in the car, terrified the plan would fail.
“Uncle, stop at the mall up ahead. We need to buy some stationery.”
